Zehnaseeb ✓

t w e n t y

[I'm worried about this chapter.
Please read the author's note at the end.
Enjoy!]

I wake up on his bed, tied to a handcuff.

He's outside. I can hear him. He's mumbling something on the phone.

I try to listen but he's speaking in such a low voice, it's impossible.

I get up to open the door and hear him clearer but the handcuff pulls me back.

I look up at the big hook next to the tufted headboard and hit my hand on the wall in anger, only to scream in pain.

He opens the door and watches me rub my hand.

"Dr. Samina?" I ask. "She was telling you everything I told her, right?"

He closes the door and continues talking.

"Azaan! Open the handcuff."

This is what I hate.

"I want to talk to you!" I shout.

He comes in after half a minute and locks the door before opening the handcuff.

I look at him and try not to frown because I want to sound stronger when I talk, but the frown comes in anyway and gets even bigger when he sees it and his expression softens and he caresses my cheek.

"It wasn't her."

"Then it was some other girl." I sniff and I instantly hate myself.

HE IS ALLOWED TO TALK TO ANY OTHER GIRL.

IT IS NOT HIS MISTAKE THAT YOU AREN'T ATTRACTIVE.

I'm such a pain in the ass.

"I mean, that's okay." OF COURSE THAT IS. YOU ARE NOBODY TO TELL HIM WHAT IS OKAY AND WHAT ISN'T. YOU DO NOT RULE HIM.

But why is he trying to rule me, then?

I get up and lock myself in the bathroom.

Why is he trying to control me?

~~~

Azaan's making breakfast in the kitchen.

He sees me walk in and smiles a big, "Good morning-"

"-I feel like I'll die." I tap my fingertips on the countertop.

"What?" He puts the baking tray down.

"If you keep controlling me like this, I will."

Three seconds of awkward silence and stares.

"I tried to make you those pink cupcakes you love, but they got burn-"

"I want to go out."

"Can you help me with this?" He asks looking at the big oven.

I go to his room and take my phone. I go to my room and lock myself in the washroom.

~~~

I go out and sit in the living room, where he's watching TV.

"I'm starving." He mumbles and I look at him.

I think of what he's saying until it hits me. He hasn't had anything since... the day before yesterday?