Sadia was lost in a daze.

She never knew that she had taken so many things for granted.

As she sat in a patio, her eyes kept wandering to the view surrounding her.

And Zameer kept his eyes on Sadia. She sat gracefully with her shoulders squared, her legs crossed and her hands resting on her left knee. Her face was turned away from him and he appreciated it. It gave him the opportunity to look at her.

She was beautiful without a doubt. And now she was his wife. He couldn't help but admire her. By all means, she could be his. But he knew that it wasn't possible. And more then anything, he shouldn't even be thinking about her in such ways.

As he saw her face, so bright with the look of contentment. Her eyes: if she would just turn his way and let him gaze into those unique eyes, then it would certainly make his day.

"Do you like this place?" Zameer asked in hopes that she would turn. And indeed she did. Sadia turned her face around, her eyes sparing a glance until she lowered her eyes and that action alone irritated Zameer. He wanted to look into her eyes but she never gave him any chance to avail the opportunity.

"Yes," she replied in a mere whisper.

"It's a nice relief from a confinement, at least." She managed to finish the whole sentence, feeling relaxed a little after so long. She felt so comfortable to breath in the fresh air and enjoy the beauty of nature. She never knew that these small things mattered so much. Not until you lose it, you never realise it's worth.

"If you like it so much, you are welcome to come out here anytime you want." Zameer offered. Sadia's head snapped up, her eyes connecting with those of Zameer's. And Sadia found herself staring into his dark orbs and she couldn't stop. His gaze was soft yet guarded. All of a sudden, her mind flashed back to the moment she had last locked eyes with him: he was so angry and livid then, with a look of a killer. But right now, he almost looked human. But as usual, her coyness didn't allow her to keep up with it and her eyes went back down.

Zameer, on the other hand, enjoyed the moment so much that when Sadia looked away, he chuckled in amusement.

She's so adorable. He thought to himself and he didn't stop himself from adoring her. She deserved it.

"You will.....let me move freely?" She whispered.

Zameer looked at Sadia and chuckled when he realised what she meant.

"It's not what you might be thinking Dr. Sadia." He fixed his hard gaze on her to make her know that what he was saying, he meant each word.

"I would let you roam free but only within this establishment. And don't think that I'm allowing this because I trust you."

"You don't?" Sadia inquired.

Zameer chuckled lowly and then smiled. "It's not a matter of trust more like a matter of knowing what measures were taken to guard this place. And it is those measures that I trust." He stated. A maid came around with a trolly full of treats and goodies. The maid proceeded to pour the their cups of tea.

Zameer kept his watchful gaze on Sadia. He observed her as she sipped on her tea, her neck constantly bowed down and her eyes set on the ground. Her actions were poised, gentle and graceful. Even now, every aspect of her screamed ladylike. Ever so attractive.

Sadia didn't show any reaction to what he had said. So to make things a little more clear, Zameer decided to ruffle her feathers a little.

"What are you thinking about Dr. Sadia?" Zameer said, his voice deep. Sadia noticed his tone and her cheeks immediately coloured as her heart began to pace. She was nervous. More then nervous, she was feeling agitated. Zameer's gaze was on her, she could feel it burn on her face. And she didn't like it one bit because it was making her feel self conscious. And because she wasn't wearing her contacts, she didn't dare raise her eyes. Without her contacts, she felt naked at the eyes.

Why am I reacting this way? She thought to herself, feeling annoyed with herself. But then again, she was always coy. And being alone with the opposite gender, and that too her captor, was even more unnerving for her.

"N-no-nothing." She manages to whisper, making the mistake of letting her shaking hand bring the brim of the tea cup to her lips and it was a sure giveaway. Zameer noticed immediately.

"I hope you're not thinking of trying to escape?" He said, his tone even yet hard as his gaze remained on Sadia.

Sadia's head snapped up. He saw anger flash in her features but she remained composed. "What else should I be thinking? That how nice it is......to have tea with my captor." She muttered, her tone giving way to her frustration.

Zameer smirked. He liked that she had spirit. But he didn't want that because it was of no benefit to him. "Why don't we try to get along. Then things will work out." He offered, his demeanour appearing to be friendly.

"For me or for you?" Sadia snapped almost immediately. It was becoming apparent that she wasn't liking this conversation. But for Sadia, she was plain uncomfortable in Zameer's company.

"For the both of us." Zameer replied, trying to be nonchalant. "We may be enemies. But even enemies can show respect to one another."

Sadia felt rage boil her blood. Without any thought, she threw the cup and saucer on the table and she was on her feet within a fraction of a second. Her body was shaking. She had never reacted this way before.

"Respect?!" She spat the word as if it burned her tongue, her eyes shooting firing daggers at Zameer, who on the other hand, shocked at her reaction. For a coy and docile little girl, she proved to be a spitfire when the need arose. The way that she stood on top of her, her blue brown eyes burning with anger, Zameer couldn't help but feel hot all over. But he kept his cool intact.

"Respect? What can there be anything about you that I should respect?" Sadia greeted through clenched teeth. Zameer's gaze dealt through her.

"I'm not taking about myself as an individual. I'm talking about me as your ward. The least you can do to thank me for providing you with protection is to corporate. That alone in itself will show respect." His calmness caused Sadia's anger to flare up.

"Isn't that what I'm doing? Corporating?"

"Yes you are." Zameer agreed and also got to his feet, his height overbearing her petite frame. But the distance between them was enough to keep them both in their spheres. "But at the same time, I don't underestimate you. That's why I'm giving you fair warning. Don't try to make any attempts at escaping." He said and left.

***********

Sadia didn't take his warning seriously at all because all her focus was now on escaping.

For the first day, she only observed the routine of the guards and the general environment of the mansion. The guards mostly kept out or in the west wing where Shehryaar and Anissa were staying. And she was allowed to roam freely outside of her room. But she made use of this opportunity at night time.

After midnight on her second day, when Sadia was sure that everyone was asleep, Sadia went out of her room. She tried her best to be as quiet as possible but her leg was preventing her from making haste movements.

Just look around and draw a map. That's all. Be quick. She told herself. Her plan was to only take a look so that she may make her plans. Making an escape route required good observation and mapping and that was exactly what she was going to do. And she wasn't going to take long either. Her dupatta was lightly draped on top of her head and before anyone could see her, she needed to be back in her room.

Sadia was in the lounge by the large glass double doors when she heard the sound of water trickling outside. She came close to the doors and saw that it was raining outside.

Sadia's heart began to pound as tears welled up in her eyes.

'Always enjoy the rain, there's so much blessing in it as the waters fall from the heaven. It so merciful, Sadia.' She recalled what her father used to tell her. Her chin wobbled and her hands went to the handles. She had anticipated that they might be locked and she had a full mind to break down the doors if she had to for all she knew that she wanted to go in the rain. But to her surprise, the doors were open. She was shocked but it didn't stop her.

She almost ran out, her dupatta falling to her shoulders. Her hair that was loosely tied in a bun fell open, making her hair cascade down her back.

As the water trickled down on her, she felt so comforted. After a long time, she felt relief wash over her as the rain fell on her. She had never paid attention to the rain. She never appreciated it. But now she knew that it really was a blessing.

It was so soothing.

Relaxing.

Making her forget all her worries.

Opening her arms wide, she faced the heavens and for the first time in a long while, she smiled. As the tears pooled out of her closed lids and mixed with the rain, she felt all of her burdening emotions leave her.

A wide grin graced her lips. And she let the rains wash away her sorrows and her grief. The constant tension in her body was released. Her locked muscles relaxed and her weary soul felt refreshed. Rekindled.

Zameer sighed as he entered the foyer. Loosening his tie, he yawned deeply. All he wanted was to go straight to bed. It had been a long hard day for him.

But when he saw the double doors of the back entrance open in the lounge, he quickly became defensive. Why were those doors open? It was the middle of the night. The whole mansion was under strict vigilance. It was completely dark outside.

Taking out his gun, he approached the doors. He looked around for any signs of intrusion. There were no footprints.

But as soon as his eyes went out, the gun almost fell from his hands. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.

It was a delicate slim silhouette. The silver light of the half moon shone on it.

He couldn't make out who it was. Putting away his gun, he quietly approached the person. And when he came close, he couldn't believe it.

It was Sadia.

Her guard was completely down.

Her pale arms, half covered, were outstretched, her long dark hair fell to her waist. And when he saw her face, the smile there almost left him breathless.

She looked so beautiful.

This was one of those rare moments when he witnessed her smile. And this one was so beautiful. In the light of the moon, he saw it so clearly and he felt his chest tighten. In the cold of the rain, he felt hot for her. At that moment, his attraction for her intensified tenfold. And all he knew was that he wanted her, badly.

Sadia felt someone's presence nearby and she quickly looked around. And sure enough, Zameer stood by her side. Her arms fell down but she couldn't turn away from him.

The way that he was looking at her right now, she could sense it. And for the first time, she noticed him. His short hair was wet and sticking to his forehead and the sides of his face. His strong jaw was prominent and his high cheek bones accentuated under the moonlight. And what was more, his soaked white shirt was stuck to his toned chest and she could literally see his sculpted figure through his soaked suit.

Sadia's cheeks flared up and her heart almost skipped a beat. Under any other circumstances, she had never allowed herself to look at him. Her eyes were always low.

But because she was so relaxed now and not on high guard, she looked at him.

And for the first time, she noticed how attractive and handsome he was. And what was more, when she locked her eyes with his, she saw something: His dark eyes were lustful, full of wanting and desire.....for her?

That made Sadia feel strange. Cold shivers ran down her spine. And she felt her skin burn. The pouring rain did little to distract her.

She almost sensed a pull. As if an invisible force was attaching her towards Zameer.

Zameer came close to her. His eyes were still locked with hers. He came so close that Sadia was only an inch away from her. Her chest was heaving and her cheeks were bright crimson that he could easily spot in the dark. He could sense her pacing heart. And he knew that she felt the same attraction towards him as he felt towards her but his was even more stronger.

The tension was too much.

Sadia couldn't think. All rational thought had left her mind. And her natural instincts took over. Her stomach felt weird, her heart was beating too fast and her breathing was becoming erratic.

Zameer moved, his head descending down. Sadia's face moved up as if almost on instinct and Zameer knew that she wanted the same as him. When he was close enough, he looked into her eyes and saw the anticipation there. She wanted it. She wanted him just as much as he desired her at the moment. But Zameer has to tread carefully. Unlike the last time, he didn't want to be impulsive.

So he was going to try and be careful.

Slowly, his lips connected to hers. And if there wasn't a zap of lightening in the skies, then they had most definitely felt her when their lips met.

Zameer was pressing his luck but Sadia didn't resist and when she closed her eyes, he knew that it was alright to proceed. And all of a sudden, he let his control slip and his arms wrapped around Sadia as he deepened the kiss.

********* 

CHAPTERS 24-30 ARE AVAILABLE ON INKITT

YOU CAN READ THEM FOR FREE. THE LINK IS IN THE EXTERNAL LINK AND ALSO ON Y WATTPAD PROFILE  :) you can totally read for free on inkitt. please follow the link in my profile as well as in the external link :)