TREASURES AND THORNS

Chapter Twenty

***This chapter is not for the faint of hearts!***

OMNISCIENT

<The Aftermath>

UNEDITED

The darkness brought with a promise of security and that was exactly what she needed at time. Her instincts had a different opinion though so they fuelled a new found energy within her. Rukkayya's hands searched the floor blindly till she felt the sharp edge of the object on her palm. Luckily she had worn high heels. She used the little strength left in her to strike her attacker's head. It came as a surprise to him sending him off balance. She tried screaming as she crawled towards the door but her voice had been strained.

As she continued the tedious process of dragging her body away from the assailant, A force - much stronger than her - pulled her back slamming her frail body in to the wooden edge of the bed. An excruciating pain shot through her body making her give up on ever escaping alive. A loud scream escaped her mouth as the pain sunk in. Rukkayya had no idea that sound came from her. She was even more confused when the attacker jumped her frame and sprinted out the door.

As her senses gradually returned to her, Rukkayya realized that she was lying in an immodest manner. By some miracle her veil was still on her head but very much tangled. Her hands shook as tried to put the veil in place. Rukkayya involuntarily looked round the then the horrible memory came flooding back. She still felt weak but somehow she managed to dash out of the room and office almost slamming in to a bewildered Mustapha and the secretary.

Rukkayya wordlessly sprinted past them and sat at the reception chair rocking her body back and forth. The shock sinking in. She became completely oblivious of her surrounding, the fluid that trickled down her thigh and all the noises they were making sounded distant.

After what seemed like an eternity, A confused Ahmad raced in to the reception from the elevator. She would have missed him if She hadn't looked up. The relieve that flowed through her the moment she saw him amazed her. For a moment she wondered if she was hallucinating. When she heard him ask the receptionist series of what, where, when questions, she knew it was real.

On the spur of the moment, Rukkayya sprinted towards the figure that backed her. At that moment, she had little control over her body as it appeared to have developed a mind of its own. She wrapped her hands around his waist while she lay her head on his back. Rukkayya's eyes fluttered close and she wished she could cry but the best she got was the lone tear that trickled down her cheek.

Ahmad froze when he felt warm hands around him. They had never been in such close proximity yet he knew exactly who was behind him. His heart beat accelerated as he feared facing her. What state was she in? What had happened?

When her grip tightened around him, he knew something was terribly wrong. He knew he had to see her to know just how terrible whatever had happened was. He shuddered at the thought. Ahmad slowly freed himself from her grip and turned around to face her but one look at her and he found himself pulling her in to a hug.

"Ya Ahmad," she called in a hoarse whisper.

"I am so sorry!" Ahmad kept saying repeatedly.

He was still unsure of exactly what had happened. The head of security Rofyan, had called him first, informing him of a security breach and requesting his urgent return. That was all the man had said. There were a number of thoughts that crossed his mind but it never occurred to him that his wife was the target. It was Mustapha's call - when he was halfway back to the office - that shed more light on the situation. Someone had apparently attacked the first lady although he was unsure of the nature of the attack.