Forever and Always

Chapter 4

"GET DOWN EVERYBODY NOW!" Someone shouted.

"GUARDS, DO NOT KILL THEM I WANT THEM ALIVE, GO FIND THEM." My dad ordered to the guards and they immediately rushed to go do their duty.

"Everybody stay calm, everything will be sorted in just a few minutes." My dad attempted to calm everybody. True to his word his guards had returned with only one shooter. Now that was weird.

"Take him to the basement." My dad ordered. "I am deeply sorry for this occurrence, however everything is in control. You guys may head home now. Once again, I apologise."

Whilst everybody started to get up and leave, all I could do was stare at absolutely nothing, with the same gunshot ringing in my head over and over again, not leaving me alone. The gunshot brought back memories that I wished to conceal. The air was suffocating me with black dots appearing, I saw a blurry figure running to reach me before I fell. He made it just in time.

"Breathe, inhale, exhale, breathe." The voice told me.

"I-i c-can't."

"Yes you can habibty, you're the strongest girl I've ever met, now, breathe, inhale, exhale, breathe. I'll do it with you."

Following the same thing he was doing, slowly I started to come back to the real world and immediately jumped to hug my safe haven, my Ishaaq.

"Hey, hey, come on, I think we should call it a night." He helped lift me up slowly and took me to my room.

"You going to be okay?"

Staring straight ahead I mumbled, "Yeah..."

"Inayah, you're better than this, I understand this may have brought back some memories, but you have to overcome them and continue living your life. Life will go on habibty, it won't wait for you." Understanding what he was trying to come at I gave him a hug and said, "Goodnight, I love you."

"I love you too habibty." Giving me one last kiss on my forehead he left the room.

Slowly, I got changed, prayed and headed for bed. It had been a long day and all I wanted was sleep to come for me however that was impossible with the countless amount of thoughts rushing through my brain. I couldn't believe I had nearly fainted twice in one day.

I looked at the time and it was 2:00. Sighing to myself, I turned to the side and started reciting some surahs. Eventually I fell into a well needed sleep.

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Opening my eyes, I was hit by the sun. Getting up I looked at the time but saw a new phone sitting there waiting for me to open it. It was an iPhone XS, this was the only iphone I liked as I believed all the others weren't as good. Instantly, I knew Ishaaq had brought this for me. Opening it, I set everything up.

"Nayahhhhh!" Iqra came running into my room with a football in one hand.

Picking her up, I asked, "what's up baby?"

"Can you play football with me pleasee?" I looked at the time and saw it was 9:30.

"Not right now, habibty, I have to collect mama's medicines. Ask Ibrahim or Iram, or when I come back we'll play then, okay."

Giving me a hug she said, "okay." And rushed off to go and find something else to do.

After having a bath and getting ready, I made my way downstairs to the kitchen. On entering the kitchen I said, "Assalamu alaykum."

My mama, who was cooking some pancakes replied and Ishaaq who was sitting at the island also replied. Ibrahim was also in the kitchen however had his mouth full with food so wasn't able to reply but gave me a very enthusiastic nod of his head. Whilst doing that some of the food in his mouth fell out.

Quickly, I turned to look the other way, whilst saying, "eww, you disgusting khinzir." He replied with a guilty smile of his own whilst my mum and brother quietly laughed to themselves.

I made my way to sit next to Ishaaq when my mama dropped some pancakes in my plate.

"Mama I don't feel like eating, I just came to tell you I'm going to get your medicines as I forgot to get them yesterday."

"But habibty have a little something before you go."

"No mama, honestly I'm fine."

"Ishaaq, you tell her. You know she'll listen to you."

Ishaaq turned to look at me, "have something Inayah, I won't let you go without eating something."

"Fine." I grabbed an apple from the fruit basket and a snack bar from the basket next to it. "Can I go now mama, akhi?" Giving my mama a kiss on the forehead and Ishaaq a hug I made my way outside.

"Inayah habibty, how are you?" Amo Da'wud stood by my car and asked. Giving him a hug as he was like my father figure I replied, "Alhamdulillah. "

"Where are you going? Shall I come with you?"

"It's okay amo, I'm going to get mama's medicines."

"I'll send some guards with you."

"No amo it's okay. I don't want to disturb." Now I know that sounded stupid as they were hired for that specific reason but the guards here were treated more like family and were probably doing something worthwhile. Also, I was only going to get medicines, I would probably only be out for 15 minutes.

"Ya habibty, I'm sending one at least."

"Okay fine, one only then."

"When you come back, I'll be waiting for you." Giving him a smile I made my way to my car and knew that he wanted to have his daily talk with me. This was a normal habit for us and I quite enjoyed it as my actual father never had time for me and amo Da'wud was there to fill that gap.

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After getting the medicines, I remembered I needed to go to the shops to buy some stuff. I entered the parking lot, but there were no parking spaces available. I was really confused as to why there were so many people here today. It was only our local shop. I had to go park near a side road, which was deserted with one or two cars here and there.

I went to the shop and saw a poster which said 'SALE 50% OFF'. This was why there were so many people. No wonder. I couldn't bear the crowd, so I thought I'll come back another time. I made my way back to my car only to find my front right tire flat. "Oh, come on." What was I supposed to do now?

Remembering that amo Da'wud would instantly come to get me, I rang him.

"Salaam Inayah. Everything okay."

"Wasalaam, actually amo, my tires gone flat. I kind of need a lift."

"Of course habibty, I'll be there in 5. Where are you?"

"I'll meet you by the local shop. Salam"

"Wasalaam."

I started to walk, too immersed in my thoughts when a hand suddenly grab me, covering my mouth. Dropping my phone to the floor, I bit his hand and attempted to run away when he grabbed my right arm and pulled me once again.

I turned to face him and saw he was wearing a black mask with only his hazel eyes visible and a little scar running across his left eye.

Elbowing him with my left arm and stamping on his foot, I gained some time and once again ran away.

My bodyguard hearing the commotion, came hurriedly. He beat off the guy with hazel eyes. But then 3-4 more guys came and attacked him all at once. I started running and this time a much more bulky guy came after me and hit me with a metal rod. Instantly I fell to the floor and as my eyes started to close a figure shouted, "HEY!" The last thing I saw was a figure with green eyes, rushing to come to my aid.

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Author's note:
Salam guys, how are you all? What do you think of how the story is turning out so far? Any queries, feel free to ask.