Deen Queens

eighteen [saleena]

SALEENA

Saleena screamed, her mouth wide and her lips almost tearing at the edges. Her entire body shook violently, convulsing as she begged and pleaded with something she could only see. Although her nightmares had been a regular occurrence ever since that fateful day, they were changing. Changing for the worst.

Now she dreamed they would come back and finish what they started. What if they found her? What if they tortured her little Yusuf?

What if they now hurt Jabar? She couldn't bear the thought.

In all the months he had known Saleena Ali, Jabar had gotten almost used to her screaming. He knew the exact tone of her voice, knew how long it would last. But this... this sent chills up his spine. Without a second thought, still half asleep, he jumped out of his bed and raced towards her bedroom door, instincts on high alert. Perhaps he should have grabbed a weapon, something in case an intruder had somehow made their way in the heavily secured house. But deep inside him, Jabar knew the only thing hurting Saleena was herself.

She was shaking on the bed, eyes screwed shut with tears coating her cheeks. Yusuf had awoken, his hands wrapping the thick blanket around himself tight as he stared at his sister in fear from his bed. Was he also remembering whatever it was that Saleena dreamt of every night?

Although he had been living in her house for something close to a year, Jabar had always kept his distance from the girl that pulled his emotions in every direction. He knew it was best to stay as stoic and professional as possible; he wasn't her mahram and it wasn't right. He had no business getting too close. He was employed to do a job and that was the only reason he was around at all.

But those thoughts where nowhere to be found in that moment as she sobbed in her sleep, repeating words only she could make sense of. He thought he heard his name in the mix, sounding like it was wrapped in shards of glass as it tore her throat open.

Without a second to waste, he climbed onto her bed and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, holding her steady. Her body caused his to shake but he held on tight, the swirling tattooed around his biceps rising as his muscles flexed, keeping her still as he whispered against her hair. He didn't even know what he was saying, the word getting lost between his mind and his lips. But whatever it was, he prayed it was enough.

Saleena pushed him slightly, her nails dragging against his forearms drawing blood but after what felt like a lifetime, she melted into him. Her back curved against his chest, his fingers against her palms and her heartbeat pounding against his arms. Her legs were tangled in the sheets, every part of her covered in cold sweat but still he held on. She twisted and turned, until the movement slowed gradually, the creases of fear in her face smoothening out until it was no more.

Saleena was caught between the light and dark; a blur of her mind as she tried to shake off the nightmare that seemed to dig its claws into her deeper and deeper. Although her eyes were closed and her body covered in sweat, she was vaguely aware of her surroundings.  She could feel the creases of the crumpled duvet around her feet, a soft breath against her cheek and a heated touch she felt all the way to her insides. It was like fire, one that filled her  with an inexplainable warmth rather than one that threatened her with flames.

Jabar was conflicted; unsure where he could allow his eyes to sweep over. She was wearing thin pyjamas, the trousers rolled up against her knees and the neck low. Somehow, Saleena calming down into a more peaceful sleep seemed to trigger a voice inside his head telling him it was wrong to hold her, wrong to look at her and mostly it was wrong to want to do both. He gingerly tried to move his fingers away, watching her carefully as she flinched from the sudden movement. Yusuf was still watching, silent tears still against his cheeks as Jabar looked between the two siblings steadily.