Imperious

Chapter 17

Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them. (Quran 24:30)

Drops of water gently trickled down the centre, circling the silver rims of the small plug hole in the wash basin. After their disappearance, a few more slid down to be consumed by the darkness that lay below the sparkly lining.

Nafeesa watched the water drip with bated breath.

The guestroom had an en-suite bathroom which Nafeesa had made her means of obtaining water. For over two days, she relied on the tap, quenching her thirst and hunger regularly. Upon realising this, Khurram had ordered for the guestroom's water supply to be blocked, affirming that he would only open it if Nafeesa showed the willingness to comply.

It was Nafeesa's third day here; she was earnestly praying that it would be the last. For almost three days, she had been left without a meal. After the plate incident, no food was brought to her bedroom, apart from an apple and a small bowl of cashew nuts which came by earlier in the morning. They might have hoped that this frugal meal may enhance Nafeesa's survival but minimise her strength.

She remained unaware of what went on beyond the bedroom.

The Jatois' cousins had not allowed her to contact her family but Kadar once told her that Farasat phoned and was aware that he must return Inaya in order to gain Nafeesa. What decisions were made after that, Nafeesa did not know.

The Jatois were not permitted to breach the Residence in the absence of a police officer. Nafeesa had assumed that her father had not contacted the police, and therefore was unable to break down the gates of his cousin's Residence without risking arrest and further public defamation.

She sighed.

Khurram knew that Farasat would not risk the support of the police in fear of being shamed. He either dropped Inaya off at the agreed meeting place, or continued to negotiate or figure out ways to get into their cousin's place of abode, without violating legal contracts.

Nafeesa would not allow herself to be weakened by the lack of food and water. She treated the ordeal as a fast, cleansing her of her sins. Her head was heavy, whilst her body limp. She had tried to break through the grills of the bedroom and bathroom window, yet her hands were not strong enough to tame the iron. When the servant had brought her food, Nafeesa pushed past her and raced out, only to be caught by Karam who turned the key on her soon after having slammed her against the bed.

Lunch had passed and supper too. Yet her father was not here.

Farasat's full name rung in her ears. His handsome face refreshed her eyes and mind. She believed he would come, she believed in his valour and vitality, yet she knew his honour was dearer to him than she could ever be.

She tightened her fingers around the tap. It reddened her hand, provoking a pulsing sensation that assured her she was alive in this impenetrable darkness.

Nafeesa could not pull back the curtains either.

Summayah had sewn them before her arrival, ensuring that Nafeesa could not draw them aside to make contact with the outside world. She relied on the sunlight penetrating through the frosted bathroom window to inform her of whether it was night or day.

After licking some droplets from the side of the sink, Nafeesa's eyes wandered over to the bar of soap. The cream coloured bar of Dove looked unusually tempting. She rubbed her temples, shaking her head free of insanity. She had been deprived, but not to this extent. She recalled the images of starving African children, of the survivors of various floods and tsunamis across the world. She was in a better place and this must be appreciated.