Shafiyya's POV
It was almost 8 at night. I am sitting in my parent's room as they call me there to talk about something.
We were shattered after that terrifying incident which took place in the evening. Shahil was petrified after witnessing everything. It took more than an hour to console and bring back him to normal. It was unexpected for us. The sudden turn of the events left us speechless. My dad was very upset and scared for my life. My mom was worried about what's going to happen next. Thinking of him sent a wave of shiver through my spine.
My dad tried to contact Asir's family but they were out of reach. Deep down I felt a sense of relief that my unwanted marriage has stopped. But at the same time I felt trapped, thinking of this unknown man who is wielding such authority over me with so much power and weapons I feel vulnerable and uncertain about what the future holds for me.
The thought of he has a gun horrifying me. What he has to do with me. I don't even know his name and I didn't to anything wrong to him as much as I could remember. The way he addressed me as love made me very uncomfortable and uneasy. I couldn't stand the intensity of his fire like amber eyes. His mere presence makes my legs go weak.
"Beta" the worried voice of my mom brought me back to reality.
My mom was sitting on the bed whereas I sat on a chair facing her. Dad was on phone talking very seriously with someone.
"Don't worry, we will never let him harm you" my mom said softly but deep inside I know as he said there is no escape for me.
Dad disconnected the call and opened the cupboard and gave me two bundles of money.
I looked at him in pure confusion.
"Beta, you need to leave from here as soon as possible" He said looking into me. What is he talking about. I was more confused now.
"Leave where dad?" I asked him tiredly. I am exhausted because of all the happenings.
"It's not safe for you to stay here anymore. He is capable of doing anything, moreover that he is very dangerous. I have came up with a plan which will save you from him. I have talked to your uncle Hussain and told everything. He will be waiting for you in Ahmadabath railway station tomorrow to receive you. You have a train to Jaipur from Ahmadabath today at 11 o'clock. I will drop you to the station. You leave from here and stay at your uncle's place for few months. I hope everything will be back to normal" he said in one go.
"But dad, how can I leave you all here. What if he got angry and does anything to you all. How can I leave Shahil dad? He will not be able to sleep without me" the thought of leaving them made me very sad. Specially Shahil. I have never stayed away from my family before. Even for my school tours I have never get the chance to enjoy them as my dad didn't let me go. Now he is saying me to leave alone that too in the night. I can't do this, I am scared.
"This is the only way we can keep you safe. He will definitely come for you again. Just try to understand. I am trying my best to save you from him beta". He said worriedly.
"But what if he caught me, dad?" I can't do this. let's drop this idea please!" I know he is trying his best for my safety but what if he got to know about my secret escape.
"It's night and no one will see you going. It's impossible for him to find out so don't worry. Pack your bag. I have given your number to uncle he will be in contact with you. We have to leave the house like 9 so we can reach the station on time" saying this he left me there with mom.
Mom came and patted my head, her eyes were teary. " be strong beta, just for few months nah, you can come back here when things get normal, come I will help you pack your stuffs". She said and wipes her tears aways.
............
It's almost an hour we started the journey to railway station. The ride was very quiet. The dad was driving the car and mom sat beside him. I was sitting in the back seat with Shahil. He was laying on my lap, clutching my hand tightly in his small grip. He had his new stuffed elephant in the other hand. He couldn't understand all the happenings yet he is aware that something is not good.
I looked through the window. The road was empty and very calm. There were no much vehicles as it was too late. I rolled down the window glass to get some air. I felt suffocated because of the heaviness I carry in my heart now. The cool breeze touched my face which refreshed my mind and thoughts. It gave a relaxing feeling as looked up at the sky. The sky was as dark as the depth of the sea. Pearls like twinkling stars adorned the night sky beautifully and it looks like silver glitters spilled all over a black velvet cloth. The moon was no were to be seen.
The car came to the halt and observing the surroundings I know it's time for me to leave.
We entered in to the station. my dad carrying my bag. The red color train stood there on its track all set to start its long journey. Only 15 minutes left for the departure, as it's a 12 hour journey my dad went to buy me snacks, foods and water bottles.
The train was not crowded yet. I sat in a cabin alone near the window. My mom was holding Shahil who is crying now, to come with me. Little far I saw my dad rushing towards us with a shopping bag in his hand. My mom was crying silently. My dad's face is full of worries. Seeing them like that made a pool of tears in my eyes. Dad gave the shopping bag and said me to take care of my self as I nodded my head in the response biting my lips to suppress the sob which is ready to escape from my mouth.
With an announcement train started to move in a very slow pace and speeding in few seconds. I waved to my parents and after that I only saw trees which is passing very fast through the window.
And that is it, a sob escaped my mouth following many more sobs. I cried silently thinking my fate. How drastically my life has changed in these few days. I was happy to go to college, chatting with Zainab and Clara, playing with Shahil in the evening but now. All alone in a train traveling to another state for the first time in my life to escape that monster. My life would be the same if he hadn't enter in to my life. I hate him so much. He is the reason to all mine and my family's sufferings.
I was exhausted physically and emotionally. Too much happened in one day. From wedding to this escape this day seems very longer than other normal days. Securing my bag properly I rested my head on the window and drifted off to sleep.
............
The train stopped suddenly making a big noice which woke me up instantly. Seeing the time in my mobile I realized the train supposed to not to stop here, that too in a forest area. It's almost the middle of the night. Everyone must asleep in the train. I took my phone again to call my dad but before that a big foot steps halted near my cabin which my head snapped at the direction.
And there stood the devil. His jaw tightened and his muscles in face twitching with fury...
To be continued •••