RUN

chapter six

Standing in front of the mirror,i can see my own fear.

what if this doesn't go as planned?what if they find me?
i have a million what ifs running on my mind,gosh I'm so nervous but i push it aside with hopes that this goes well.

I couldn't sleep last night after telling nasreen about my plan. tears were shed and i know I'm being selfish leaving her all alone but i don't have much of a choice.

its 6 in the morning and the whole house is still asleep, i had just prayed fajr(pre dawn prayers). I quietly sneak out of the house. I've been doing a lot of sneaking these days.

i round up the corner leading to Ali's cafe which I'm sure isn't open at this time of the day.

i see him standing by his car and i feel all the more guilty. i had finally called khalid and asked to meet this morning. i couldn't leave without seeing him one more time so here i am.

He looks up and upon sighting me he stands upright and pulls me into an unexpected hug.

I'm surprised and confused on what to do.this is the first time a man has ever gotten this close except my brother and father which is how it's supposed to be. i ask for forgiveness silently , Astagfirullah.

I hug him back briefly and let go. he realizes what he just did and mutters an apology.

"its fine khalid" i say, I'm just glad the estate isn't awake yet.

he tries searching my eyes like all the answers to his questions are in there.

"I've missed you so much. what happened? why haven't you been picking up my calls and replying my texts!!"he says all in one breath.

" calm down khalid. let's talk in the car". we get into the car and i take off my niqab and i hear him gasp. i can't believe i just did that but it needed to be done. he at least should know what my face looks like in person so he can have what to remember me with.

i give him a while to compose himself before i begin.

"I'm so sorry for not replying to your texts and i have my reasons. I've been going through a lot this past week and i didn't know how to tell you about it"

" you're so beautiful. masha Allah.I can't help but stare. I'm sorry!. tell me what has been going on lena please"
i sigh not able to acknowledge his compliment.

" my dad is getting me married to one of his business partner and it has been really hard on me but I'm having it worked out"

" WHAT!!"he practically shouts and i put my hands over his mouth telling him to reduce his voice.

"why would he do such a thing? do you know the man? do you want to marry him? do u want me to come see your parents? we've wasted so much time. I should've done this a long time ago"he rambles hitting his hand on the steering wheel cursing himself.

there's anger evident on his face and i don't know how to calm him down.

"i know khalid. i should've told you to come see my parents but I thought we were taking it slow and now this happened and it's harder on me. i hate the man and I don't want this marriage but there's nothing i can do"i say feeling guilty for not telling him about my plan to run away._ the lesser the people that know about it, the better.

"so that's it? I'm losing you to some selfish old man?" he whispers and i can hear the sorrow in his voice.

i take his face in my hands, this all feels so strange and wrong.

"i love you and I don't want this anymore than you do ok?and I'll always love you"it breaks my heart to see how sad his eyes look so i drop my hands and drop my gaze as well.

he lifts up my chin and I'm wondering what he's about to do.

"i love you too alena" and that's when i feel warm lips on mine. it takes time for me to register what's happening and i jerk back,  eyes wide!

"you shouldn't have done that. you know it's wrong and i dont want Allah frowning down on us"i say opening the door to get out.

"I'm so sorry alena"he says pulling me by the hand.

"i have to go khalid.take care of yourself" and with one last look I'm headed back home with tears threatening to spill.

                              ~

Sophia had talked to her uncle about letting me fly for free through his airline. he had asked questions and she had given all the answers. she eventually cleared his suspicions and he agreed. we had chosen to go through his airline because he's a very busy man so when my parents start asking questions they wouldn't think to go to him and every other airline would question why a woman is travelling alone.

I had gotten about 1000 rial from my dad's safe which is a lot of money and joined with the one in my account i should be good to go.

I check my passport and Visa one more time before adjusting my Shayla (head dress) and going out the door.

nasreen is down the hall staring at me and i can see the tears in her eyes.
. i want to hug her one last time but i had told her not to, to avoid suspicions. i smile at her and head downstairs where soph is waiting.

my mum had engaged her in small chit chat so when i get to them they don't even notice.

"uhmm" i clear my throat.  gaining their attention. "let's go soph it's getting late" i say casually, it's already 11am and the flight to florida is 15hours and some minutes. my flight is by 11:30 and no way am i missing it.

she gets up and bids my mum a farewell. i turn to go as well when my mum stops me.

"lena? I'm really glad you're giving this a chance. take care ok and have fun"she says pulling me into a hug.

I hug her tighter because this might be the last time i get to hug her.

*******

"ok so i guess this is it. I'll miss your crazy ass, make sure when you get a new phone you call me right away"soph says when we get to the airport.

" i will and please take care of nasreen for me. I'll miss you"

"c'mon get going. you don't have all day"

i give her a sad smile and I'm on my way, hopefully, to a new life.

I'm sorry for not updating yesterday since I've been updating everyday..i had a photoshoot yesterday and i was really stressed

so lena is going through with her plan..leave your comments, vote and share
bye❤️❤️🤗