Locating the house wasn't a problem especially since an address was given to Anaya.
The house was quite huge and luxurious. They walked up to the door and pressed the doorbell.
It didn't take long for someone to answer. A lady opened the door.
"Good evening. How may I help you?" she asked.
Anaya replied, "Hello. We were invited here by…" "Let her in, Gina, she is my guest," a familiar voice said from behind the door. She obeyed and allowed them in.
Inside the living room, an innocent-looking lady probably older than Naya by a year or two was seated on the lavish couch. She smiled on sighting Anaya and stood up.
"I'm so glad you could make it. You look wonderful" "Thank you" she replied and hugged her.
Her eyes swept to Don who was towering over Anaya protectively with an emotionless face.
"And who is this?" she asked and pulled her scarf over her head and threw it over each shoulder.
"Sorry, I forgot to introduce you guys to each other… Don this is Zara Hasmir. Zara this is Don, my husband" "Nice to meet you. I'm glad Anaya has found someone capable of giving her the happiness she has always deserved."
His eyebrows formed a knot.
Why did that statement sound as though it had a double meaning?
"The pleasure is all mine" he replied curtly and drove his hands into his pocket.
"Enough of all this. I can't wait to eat your food once again. Let's continue talking at the table" Anaya pressed giddily and held Zara's hand.
Zara chuckled. "You and your love for food..." "...such an unbreakable bond" Anaya completed with a dreamy sigh. "I'm sure you'd choose even a tub of fried chicken over me" Zara laughed and began walking towards the dining room, hands interlocked with Anaya.
Don followed behind them without a word. He was mentally assessing this lady.
Her flowing pink dress with long fitted sleeves which was adorned with stones was sweeping the floor as she walked. Her hair and neck were covered with a scarf... as a matter of fact, her entire body was covered except for her hands and face.
Her accent and physical appearance hinted that she was of Arabic descent. That would explain the massive house and the expensive furniture and decor.
Zara sat at one side of the table, while Anaya and Don sat at the other.
On her call, food was served. Anaya's eyes lit up instantly as the strong, unwavering aroma of Arabian Biryani and tea wafted through her nostrils.
They began eating, and having small talks along the way. Except for Don though. He was listening and observing these two women. One thing was very clear there:
This woman knew a whole lot about Anaya. They were closer than he imagined.
"You said you were married. What about your husband, shouldn't he be here?" Don asked suspiciously.
"Oh! He went on a business trip last week and won't return for a while" she answered simply.
"What about your son?" Anaya asked. "He is upstairs with my sister..." "Farah is here too?" she asked in disbelief.
"Yes. She came to visit me and my baby. Let me send someone to get her..." "No need!" she stopped her. "I'll go meet her myself. I want to surprise her since it's been so long" Zara smiled.
"Sure. Gina will show you her room" She nodded and stood up.
Wonderful!
Now, there was only him, Zara, and an incredibly huge awkward silence between them before he decided to break it.
"Zara?" "Yes," she looked up, shuddering a little at how sharp his eyes were.
"You and Anaya seem to be very close." She laughed, "Yes. We were roommates during our university years, and then we became best friends" she answered. "All that ended though when her father called her back to New York, and then we lost contact" Her voice softened with sadness, and so did her face.
"That must have been hard to cope with," he said emotionlessly.
"I want to ask you something" "Sure, go ahead". He hesitated for a split second before continuing.
He had this sharp nudge that she knew about Anaya's nightmares and probably the reason too.
He was sure of it.
"What happened to Anaya?" The reaction on her face told him she knew exactly what he was talking about. But she decided to play dumb.
"What do you mean? Anaya is fine" She took a gulp of water and cleared her throat. But he could clearly see that she was hiding the truth.
He chuckled humourlessly. "You're not a good liar, Zara... I know you know what I'm talking about" "I've told you. I have no idea what you're saying. I'd appreciate it if you don't push this further" she concluded and avoided eye contact.
He twirled the glass in his hands with a neutral face and leaned back into the chair. "So, you mean to say that you were her roommate for over four years and you didn't know about the pills she took or the nightmares she kept having?"
She froze like a deer in headlights. He sighed and dropped the glass, releasing the intensity of his gaze.
"Look, Zara. I'm not asking for much. I just need you to tell me about these nightmares. What triggers them, and who does she keep referring to?"
"She would have told you by herself if she actually trusts you" she replied with a doubtful look.
"Well, clearly she doesn't. This is a compulsory marriage" "What?!" "You heard me," he said flatly.
"How can you do that to her? Here I was thinking you would give Anaya all the happiness in the world, not knowing that you might as well be ruining her life. After everything she has been through, you don't have conscience to see that what you're doing is wrong?" she snapped angrily but he retained his cool. Though her statement sparked curiosity in him.
"That wasn't what we were talking about... I don't plan on hurting Anaya if that's what you're worried about".
She kept a cynical look.
"If you don't believe me then you're permitted to ask her" She twisted her lips in an unsatisfied scowl and crossed her arms.
"We've been married for two months now, and I have never seen her as scared and vulnerable as she was. As a matter of fact, I have never seen anyone as terrified as that" She remained silent.
"If you truly care about her, you'll tell me everything you know."
"Why do you even care? If you forced her into this 'sham', I don't see what you'll benefit from knowing about her nightmares." She lashed out again.
His patience dropped. "It was cruel of me to have forced her into this marriage, I know. But I did that for my own selfish reasons, and I don't regret one bit of what I did. So, if you're trying to make me feel guilty by bringing that up with every statement you make, then you'd better know that you're wasting your time."
She listened with astonished yet anger-filled eyes.
"Who is this man? And how can he be so cold, ruthless, and heartless?" she wondered.
"Answer me, Zara! I just want to know what's disturbing her so I can help her in whichever way I can"
"You wouldn't be able to help her even if you tried. She would just push you away because... well as you said, she doesn't trust you, so forget it!"
Despite her mean words, she hoped he would be able to help her. It was unsettling to even hear him describing Anaya in that same state she had hoped to get her out of.
"You don't get to decide that. You've seen what she's like during that moment. Do you like the thought of her living in that kind of fear and depending on whatever those pills are for solace?"
She didn't.
"She went to therapy for four years, and not even that was able to help her. Maybe those pills are the only way for her to truly find comfort" she replied while looking down, trying to hold up a strong voice so he wouldn't see how hard his words were hitting her.
"She has become addicted to those things like they are the only things keeping her life in check. Are you heartless enough to allow her to continue living her life like that?"
Heartless? No! She wasn't heartless. She was being loyal to Anaya, and protecting her deepest secret.
Yes.
She couldn't give up something Anaya entrusted her with to someone who didn't even care about her feelings before forcefully marrying her.
But that was the problem. She could see care and sincerity swimming back and forth behind his eyes.
But he forced her. Why does he care so much about her?
Her eyes flickered around the room in hesitation, resisting his piercing gaze.
"Answer me, Zara!" he bellowed and she shook.
"Is everything alright guys?"