"Salim, you're scaring me," she said quietly. He shook his head quickly. "I'm not trying to scare you." "Then what are you doing?" His voice lowered. "We need to do this." Ikram stared at him. "Do what?" Salim swallowed. "We need to make sure they can't separate us." Her confusion deepened. "How?" He looked at her directly. "We need to sleep together." For a second... Ikram thought she misheard. Her face slowly changed. "What?" Salim stepped closer again. "If we do it... if you get pregnant..." Her eyes widened. "They won't have a choice," he continued quickly. "Our parents will be forced to let us marry." The silence that followed felt heavy. Ikram stared at him like she was looking at a stranger. "Salim..." she whispered slowly. "Tell me you're joking." He shook his head. "I'm serious." Her stomach twisted. "You're serious?" "Yes." Ikram took a step back. "No." Salim moved forward again. "Ikram, listen-" "No." Her voice came out stronger now. "Salim, that's insane." "It's not insane!" "Yes it is!" He grabbed her wrist suddenly. "We don't have time!" Ikram pulled her hand away immediately. "Don't touch me!" Salim's frustration grew. "You said you love me!" "I do!" "Then prove it!" Ikram stared at him in disbelief. "Prove it?"
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