Running Out Of Time

Chapter 16

Zayn's POV
I wasn't happy with what Ameera just saw. I didn't mean not to tell her, but I knew she could do without hearing the news, for now. I was angry with myself for making her unhappy. Her dad would sure not appreciate what I was doing now. I had to do something. I was deep in thought, before I suddenly had an idea. I could take her to my secret place. She would surely like it.
Maybe she'll lighten up a bit. I went out of my work room to check on her in our room. When I got to the room, she wasn't there. I went downstairs to the living room to check if she was there when I saw Mrs Jones.
"Good Evening Mrs Jones "I said immediately I entered the living room." Good evening to you to sir "she said." Do you have any idea where my wife is? "I asked." You should check upstairs, she didn't come downstairs at all "she replied." Okay, thanks. "I said as I made my way up.
I was already panicking when I started checking the rooms up and I couldn't still find her. Oh Allah, please let her be safe. I prayed in my mind still looking through the rooms. When I got to the last room, I did a silent prayer before I entered. I pushed the door open, and I felt my heart almost pop out with happiness and I felt relieved as I saw her on a chair in the library, going through some books. I rushed to her and gave her a hug. She stiffened and I quickly let go of her. "What is wrong?" she asked getting up from the chair after I released her. "I was looking all around for you. I thought, I thought----" I said stammering not knowing what to say she chuckled before she said" I am fine now as you can see. I just needed some time to think". "Ooh, okay. But are you okay now?" I asked. "Yh, Yh. I am fine now. I feel a lot better" she said and smiled at me.
I felt relieved. It was as if a lot of weight as been lifted off my shoulder. I sighed. "So---" she said. "So what?" I asked confused. "You were looking for me, Why?" she asked. Then my brain clicked. "Ooh. Sorry, I was just wondering if you will like to go somewhere with me" I said. "And where would that be?" she asked with a raised eyebrows. "It's a surprise" I said. "Ooh really" she said. "Yup" I replied. "But I hate surprises." she whined. "I am not going to tell you Ameera. As I said it's a surprise" I said with a smirk. "Okay. Fine" she said as she made her way out . I smiled "Let's go what are you still waiting for" I heard Ameera's voice and I turned around. "ohhkay, but I thought you were going to change." I said looking at her. "Is there anything wrong with the one I am wearing?" she asked. "No I didn't mean it like that. I was just saying that you being you wouldn't wear something like this out" I said.
She laughed for the first time since she saw the pictures. "That was something. Well, I am not in the mood to change or dress up. So can we just go?" she asked. "Yes sure. Let me just grab my keys." I said as we both left the library.

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Ameera's POV
I was surprised when I saw Zayn barge in like that looking so scared and all, but after he explained what happened and all, I felt a little at ease, but I still wasn't happy that much. He then said he wanted to take me somewhere. I hated surprises. Not really hate because hate is a strong word, more of a dislike, but since he wasn't giving me any clue, and I knew he wasn't planning to, I decided to just give it a try. Maybe he wasn't so bad.
Our trip to wherever we were going was in silence. "How are you feeling now?" Zayn asked breaking the silence. I sighed. I disliked questions like this. "As I told you before I am better." I said. He didn't say anything, he just nodded his head and continued focusing on the road.
Before long, we got to a place that looked like a park, but it was deserted already. "What are we doing here?" I asked. "This is the place I told you we were coming to" he replied.
"Why, everywhere here is deserted. It's late you know"i said already getting tensed especially after the pictures of the threat in the car. He laughed."Ameera, it's fine. Just trust me" he said looking at me as if reassuring me. "Well, it's not funny." I said as I got down from the car. As I got down,I felt the cold air and on impulse, I started rubbing my hands. "Are you feeling cold? " I heard Zayn say, still in the car. "No, thanks for asking. Are you going to get down or what?" I asked. "I'm getting down already, I just want to take something. I could have given you my jacket, it's just that I'm not wearing one" he replied closing the door to the car. I chuckled. "it's fine, really." I said.
"I could have given my shirt to you, but I know you wouldn't concentrate on where we are going "he said coming towards me. I scoffed." You like making yourself happy Mr Ahmad "I said." Ooh really. I am just stating facts you know Mrs Ahmad ? "he asked as he gestured for me to follow him and we started walking together." Mr Ahmad, I definitely know the definition of facts, and those were not facts" i said. "Honey, I still take my stand that they are facts" he said. I blushed a little at what he said and looked up at him. "Why are you wearing these? " I asked pointing at his dark shades. "For no reason, I just feel like it" he said.
"But we are in the evening, and normal people don't wear those by this time of the day "I said still looking at him." I would take that as a complement, but if everyone did what normal people do, the world would be too boring to live in, trust me"he said. "I don't think your own counts because - - Wow" I said as we got to a place that had something that looked like a waterfall. It was quiet. "You like it?" Zayn asked. "Not like. I love this" I said still mesmerized by what I was seeing. "It had this same effect on me the first time I came here" he said looking ahead. "Let's sit" he said after a while. "So how did you know this place?" I asked after we sat on a white bench. "I used to come here when I was small, everytime I was angry or sad. I found this place with my best friend. His name is Yusuf" he said. "How come I haven't seen him before?" I asked. Not even as if I have ever met any of his family.
"I heard that you know "Zayn said breaking into my thoughts." Oops sorry"i said playfully. "It's okay" he said. "So why did you bring me here?" I asked. "This is my favorite place, you know so quiet and all, so I thought you would like it here" he said. "Yeah, it takes your breath away and calms you" I said still staring at my environment.
"Exactly. I just brought you here to make you relax and forget your worries for a while. "he said. After that we just sat in comfortable silence none of us talking, both just taking our time thinking until I heard a sniff." What's wrong? "I asked Zayn turning to look at him." it's nothing "he said. I couldn't see his eyes because the dark shades were blocking them, but I knew something was wrong.
" I know it's something "I said still looking at him." I am serious. I am fine "he said." You are a bad liar, you know? "I asked chuckling. He chuckled too and I used the opportunity to remove his shades and look at his eyes. They were puffy and red." You see I told you already that you were a bad liar"i said. He kept his head down and didn't look up.
"Aww, come on do be such a baby. Tell me what's wrong. We came here to relax, not to become sober"i said poking him so he would look up. By the time I was done talking, he was still looking down but he had started laughing already.
"So, are you going to tell me what's wrong now? "I asked." It's just that this place brings a lot of memories. "he said with his head already up, but not still looking at me." What kind of memories? "I asked . he looked at me briefly before he looked back forward before he replied. " Unwanted memories ". Thinking he didn't want me to ask questions anymore, I decided to keep my mouth shut and not say anything again.
After a while, he stood up abruptly. "We should be heading home now. It's late already" he said. "Okay" I replied getting up from where I was sitting. We went back to the car in silence, none of us talking till we got to the car.
When we got to the car, zayn talked. "Can I have my shades back now Madame?" he asked. "Yes, you can have it back monsieur" I said playing along. I handed the shades back to him and he collected it gladly and we headed home.

We got home pretty late, but I was feeling a lot better now. "How are you feeling now Ameera?" Zayn asked as we got inside. "A loooot better" I replied. "Okay then . I have got some few works to do. See you later. " He replied. I nodded as I headed to the room to have a good night rest after all that happened today.

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Zayn's POV
James had been calling since we were in the car. I hope Ameera didn't notice I was uneasy. I ringed him.
"Good evening Mr Ahmad"He said as soon as he picked.
"Good Evening James. Any clue? You have been calling me. " I said.
" Yes sir. You know we changed Mrs Ahmad's phone number after what happened. "he said and paused." Yes, I know go on"i said hurriedly. "A particular number has been calling her since, and it's an unknown number so we can't call it back." he said.
"Have you tried tracing it? "I asked." Yes of course sir, but we are not getting any clue. The server has a pass code and we are trying to break through, but it's all to no a avail. "he said.
" Okay, but I'm getting tensed. Can you do a through check again? "I asked." We have done it several times already sir"he said. I was beginning to get frustrated.
"I need answers James. Be fast". I said as I cut the call. Running my hands through my head, I sat down on my chair in frustration.
I didn't like not knowing what to do, I didn't like any of this. I needed answers and fast, because I knew soon they would come after her for what they wanted. Pretty soon.
I walked out of my work room to my room, I needed sleep unless I was going to fall sick. When I got to the room, Ameera was already asleep. I changed and got into bed. "Were you crying today at the park?" I heard Ameera ask. I thought she was asleep already. "Huh?" I said. "You can just answer my question and stop playing smart with me Zayn" she said. I smiled. "Yeah" I said. "I don't want to ask any more so goodnight" she said. "Goodnight to you too" I said as I drifted off to sleep.

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Zayn and Ameera's picture in the park up.
Hey guys, I made sure this chapter was long. Don't forget to vote and comment. Thanks.
Teeharh xx