Chapter is unedited. Was going through a writer's block when I forced myself to write this, so this one isn't upto the mark. But I still hope you enjoy❤️

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I always wondered how it would feel to have a sister of my own, someone who would listen to my rants, someone I could share my feelings with. When I was in my uncle's house, it was always them venting, trying to find faults in me, comparing me with Usama's wives. Not once in my life have I ever sat down with one of them as a friend there was always this distance I had to maintain.

After the whole incident with Hunaid, I was seething with rage, yet I couldn't express it, I was used to suppressing my thoughts and emotions. Keeping it all inside. Till I burst out into another embarrassing maniac episode and bit someone or tried to suffocate myself to death.

Maybe my phupho was right about me, I was actually crazy, my outbursts were. I had an abnormal upbringing, my parents they were too busy acquiring wealth and entertaining their social circle to focus on their child. My uncle never cared, all my life I had never met a genuine person up until now. And I couldn't let that person suffer because of my stupidity, who knows what Hunaid was upto, as I sat on the bed there was a knock on the door.

Jasmine entered the room eyeing me with interest. "What?" I asked annoyed, she bit back a smile, "Looks like Kh- Hunaid Khan is into you".

I rolled my eyes, the man had threatened me, kept me in the slave quarters, how could he be into me?

"Why would you think so?"

She walked closer to my bed and plopped down beside me, "Well...", she eyed my face, "He had allowed all slaves to use bathroom at any time after that show of yours and Meerab are you alright? Why did you dunk your head in the fountain like that?"

I couldn't believe Jasmine was getting excited over something as basic as bathroom, "Are you getting excited over human privileges? And no, if he liked me I wouldn't be a slave".

Jasmine chuckled removing her uniform as she walked towards her bed, "When did I say 'he loved you' I said he likes you meaning he would like to fuck you", she put one her thin white kurta which wasn't hers because it reached her ankle, " And yes bathroom means everything for me, I had to sleep with men to bath. Now I could look clean and tidy and maybe become someone's mistress. Meerab if Hunaid likes you, don't miss the golden opportunity".

I sighed, if I had an abnormal childhood, I didn't know what kind of childhood Jasmine had, it scared me the way she brushed off important matter.

Would I turn crazier after this? What level of insanity would I cross after this?

"And yes this isn't the only thing he took care of you after that episode of yours and also asked the doctor to check on you".

"What doctor?"

"Oh they might be coming at any moment. The point is Hunaid has hots for a slave. Meerab I know you're a prude and all that but if Hunaid wants to fuc-"

"Stop using that word", the sophisticated lady in me couldn't handle such crass language.

She frowned annoyed, "Alright, if he wants to bed you please don't reject that offer", I shook my head, this was all absurd. I didn't wanted think about that, it was zinah. And cheating, in my mind I was commited to Murtasim Khan, although we never met, he was still my fiance.

"Never. I am Murtasim Khan's fiance, I can never think of that".

When I said that she looked at me funnily and started laughing.

I shook my head. What was funny about this? Hunaid Khan was keeping me alive for Murtasim Khan that's why he ordered the doctor to check on me. This was basic human decency, how could this be equated to him liking me?

"Hmm... seems like he is playing..."

In my thoughts I missed what Jasmine was saying. I wish I had listened to her, if I had things would have been different in the future. I wouldn't have reacted to it, like I did in that moment.

Jasmine came to sit beside me again, "Listen Meerab, Hunaid Khan is a bigger fish", she thought for a second as if teaching a toddler, "Murtasim Khan is like the lone wolf his heart can't be moved. Countless woman have claimed to be his fiance and failed to win his heart miserably. But Hunaid Khan is a 'fuckboi' his heart is in his pants. If you can make it beat for you, 'which you clearly did' your life can change".

I ignored everything she said about Hunaid and went straight to Murtasim excitedly, Jasmine could tell she had a crush , "Tell me about Murtasim Khan. Like you must have encountered him, how is he? What kind of person is he?"

"He is an extremely busy man. He rarely comes to the Khan mansion. I heard he is set out to become the prime minister".

My eyes dimmed, I wanted to meet him once. Just for my heart to be at ease, if meeting him could kill the hope in my heart then I could live a peaceful life and think about my
future instead of being stuck on him. His thoughts were attached to me like a parasite, the delulu that he could change my world made me eager to meet him. He could be my soulmate, my prince charming, he could give me the happy ending.

"So when will he be back?"

"I have no idea. But... Hunaid Khan might know", there was a knock on the door a man entered with a brief case. He looked at me and sighed rolling his eyes, "You again?"

His nostrils flared, as he covered his nose, I gave him the same stank eyes he was giving me. The hatred I felt for men seemed to activate inside me, the way they viewed me, I didn't like it. I had grown up in a privileged family, al lthough my father rarely showered me with love, he was an ideal for me. He was gentle with woman.

I had always been treated like a lady never a slave. And now I was the minority, a slave, a pest, the lowest ranked species who were even dominated by the servants. I was enslaved, weaker than the people here, even the servant had a dominating aura, and the doctor seemed to be from the highest class, the elite and to top it he was a man as well.

I blamed all of this on that filthy 'Hunaid Khan'. He was the reason I was trapped. He was the reason I stank like a cattle. He was the reason the doctor was looking at me like that.

I had nothing in my favour right now so I had to keep my mouth shut and my thoughts to myself until Murtasim Khan returned.

He stood far from me holding his nose, I knew I stank. I must be zoned out because Jasmine left the room, I protested by walking towards the door, "Call her back, I won't stay alone with you."

He was a male and a stranger, and after Usama, I got trust issues. I was in a bad position already, and he could easily take advantage of me. After all, I was a mere slave in his eyes. He would face no consequences for harming me.

"Shut up. I came here by Murtasim Khan's orders. If it wasn't for that, I wouldn't enter a filthy slave's room."

The nerve, "You are filthy", I spat out, he gave nt e a once over, and raised his eyebrows placing his knuckle against my forehead, "Really?"

I couldn't reply because he was far from filthy, he smelled like antiseptic and his hand had a flowery smell. I wish I could have a bath in that luxurious soap, but now I could only wish for that. Atleast, we had bathroom privileges.

I also shut up because common sense returned to me, he was a doctor, he came here to treat me on Murtasim Khan's orders. That stuck to me.

This meant Murtasim Khan knew me.

This meant he cared about me.

My heart fluttered as I got butterflies at such thoughts. The doctor continued his examination, he streched my eyes with his fingers slightly and started mumbling to himself, taking my hand. He held my wrist with his thumb to check my heartbeat.

"Do you feel nauseous?"

He checked the side of my face that was swollen, "Yes".

"Dizziness, weakness and confusion?"

I nodded my head, "Any chance you are pregnant?"

"No!"

I was half offended, the audacity of this man, but then shut up when I again realised he was a doctor.

My brain was processing things slower than before, "You seem to have anaemia and a concussion. You're such a weak woman", it seemed he had something against me, I could see he had a personal vendetta against me. Why? This was the first time I met him consciously.

"And you're an unprofessional doctor," I had worked with dead bodies, I never complained and even if I did, it didn't hurt the corpse's feelings like he was hurting mine.

"Switch of the light and stay away from the sun. Eat meat and these medicines."

Meat... I never liked meat, as a kid I was always attached to the farm animals so those poultry animals became my pets.

"It's just food Meerab. No need to get emotional over it", My mother would say, farm animals could never be pets. I had begged my father not to kill our goat and he had relented.

Jasmine returned, "Meerab, it's time for our shift let's get back to it before anyone comes looking for us and we get punished".

I signed this was my life now, standing up I changed into my uniform from yesterday. As we exited the slave's quarter into the garden, a mistress came towards us, her beautiful embroidered kurta catching my eyes, I felt Jasmine tensing in my peripheral vision.

"What's this crazy slave doing outside?"

"Madam she is new here", Jasmine replied for me.

"Then tell her to keep her eyes down, if I saw her out again. I will throw her in the dungeon", before I could answer back, she turned her head and sauntered away leaving me fuming with anger.

"Who was that?"

"Zara, Khan's favourite".

My eyes widened, I couldn't even say it, "Murtasim-?"

She nodded her head, "See that's what I was telling you, Murtasim Khan has a favourite, Murtuza Khan has a favourite. You can be Hunaid Khan's favourite..."

"What's this favourite favourite? I don't want to be anyone's favourite. I deserve better," I knew she was using favorite as a synonym for mistress. And now that I knew Murtasim Khan had a mistress, it left a bad taste in my mouth.

"Darling, you do. But you have no choice. Slaves are like toys. The only choice you have is whose toy you want to be?"

This wretched place, the headache and the sneering looks was twisting my insides. Before I could argue with her a servant shouted, "You two quit talking and go to the kitchen."

Jasmine went to the servant, "Mistress Zara asked her to stay away from this zone."

"Then go and clean the dungeons."

Dungeon. Saahil. This was my chance, I could escape.

"Yes ma'am", I said a little too cheerfully, if I could I would have hugged this servant for giving me a way out and Jasmine. Even that snobby mistress.

I was a free bird, nobody to watch me, I could easily escape. I took the cleaning supplies from the store not to seem suspicious and went in the direction of the dungeon singing to myself.

The guard stationed at the gate saw the supplies and let me in, the corridor was long. Where was Saahil?

I had no choice but to check each cell, the first one was empty, second one had a man facing away from me his body covered with the blankets.

"Aap kon hai?"

"Hum? Hum Shahjahan hai", the man replied lowering the blanket, he was in a bad condition. His teeth were rotten, his one eyes stone, I screamed when he tried to crawl towards me.

"Mumtaz? Humein pata tha aap aayengi, humein bachaney".

He looked deranged, I saw a bunch of books lying beside him, he was living a fictional life. The way he smiled at me, it was a lover's gaze, as if he was reuniting with his lover after centuries. But I wasn't his Mumtaz and he wasn't Shahjahan. The man needed company, but I didn't had the time so muttering a silent apology I exited the room closing the door behind.

"Mumtaz! Tumhari yaad mai ek Taj Mahal khada kar diya, tum kehti ho toh ek aur khada kar du?"

I could hear his voice echoing in the corridor that meant my voice could be heard too, I went to each door knocking and calling Saahil's name, finally I got a reply from the last one.

"Meerab?"

My eyes widened as I almost jumped in excitement opening the door I saw him sitting their in his old butchered uniform.

"We have to get out of here", I told him, he nodded his head, but then showed me the handcuffs around his hands.

I had an idea, I exited his dungeon cell closing it on my way and into the corridor towards the gate where the guard was stationed on the outside. Takinga deep breath, I opened the door peeking at the guard who noticed me, "I have to clean the cell, but the man inside that cell is trying to attack me."

He shrugged, unbothered, "It has nothing to do with me."

I would have given up if it wasn't for the key hanging from his pocket, 'C'mon Meerab, you're good at this. Just blink your eyes at him and curl your lips.'

I hovered my hand over his bicep, locking his gaze with mine. "But I am too weak," I cringed inside, dying mentally. I was weak, according to the doctor, so I wasn't exactly lying. Thankfully, the good side of my face was in his profile.

"Will you take care of me?" That line I had spoken so many times that it was almost robotic in my own ears, but I knew how to whisper it seductively while brushing my finger over his bicep. I wondered how Jasmine would react if she saw me now. At least she would know I was far from a prude.

And he melted under my gaze, "Which one?"

"The last one," I picked up the mop as soon as he entered the cell, I hit him with it. As he fell our eyes made contact, his stinging with betrayal and mine with guilt before he lost conciousness.

Taking the key from his pocketI freed Saahil, "Let's get out of here".

Saahil gestured towards the guards uniform I understood, so exited the dungeon cell standing guard as he exchanged his clothes with the poor guard's and tied the chains around his wrist so he couldn't report us before locking the door.

Saahil walked ahead of me so as to not seem suspicious. I was an expert at running away, that's what I did since I was eighteen. I had experience and Saahil was basically trained for this in the military. He could easily blend in, for a second I thought, what if I was slowing him down and he wasn't complaining about it. He could easily escape now that he had the uniform, but with me, he had to be careful.

Should I let him go? And stay back...

I glanced at the open forests ahead and the large domes that were behind me. I had two roads. One that would turn me into a slave and another that could turn me into a roadside beggar.

But at least as a beggar, I'd have my freedom. The thought flashed through my mind and settled like a cold stone in my gut. I hesitated, my feet rooted to the ground for a moment. Saahil, sensing my hesitation, stopped and turned back to me. "Meerab, we need to move. Now." I nodded, pushing the doubt aside.

We slipped through the shadowy paths, avoiding the well-trodden routes where guards might catch us. The adrenaline coursing through my veins made every rustle in the leaves and every snap of a twig sound like a thunderclap. Servants, slaves and guards nobody questioned us, they glanced at the broom in my hand strangely but walked past without any resistance.

I still had the bucket and broom in my hand, committing to my act. If someone asked what was I going to clean in the forest with it, I could say the trees. People who had witnessed my meltdown at the fountain must have deemed me as crazy so this wouldn't harm my reputation any further.

I could see the end of the forest, and there was no one out here. There was just silence. Peace, literally nobody came running after us. It seemed too easy. This was it?

We casually fooled the smartest guy in this state. His estate wasn't safe after all. Such carelessness led to assassinations. I hope whenever the goons come for Murtasim Khan, they take down that bastard Hunaid as well.

I was partly offended. The runner in me craved a chase, but they treated us like we weren't important enough to be stopped. Made sense there were about...

About? I couldn't keep up with the numbers, how did they keep up with the servants? Maybe they were letting us go to make the counting easier. Us leaving wouldn't affect them in the least, if Khan wanted he could turn this place into a country of his own.

Saahil was happy, so I felt stupid again, what was this desire of getting chased after? In this life threatening situation I was craving that stupid adrenalin rush. We walked for half an hour, until we reached the middle of the forest where there was no guards.

Hmm.. this was suspicious.

As we crossed the intersection and the small wall, we realised this wasn't the end of the forest. The trees got thicker and the path more treacherous. I had underestimated the vastness of the estate. It was as if we were venturing deeper into a labyrinth with no clear exit.

Saahil kept a steady pace, guiding me through the overgrown paths. His military training was evident in his calm demeanor and precise movements. Despite my growing fatigue, I pushed on, determined not to be a burden.

"Meerab, are you holding up?" Saahil's voice broke through my thoughts. I nodded, too winded to speak. The trees around us seemed to close in, their branches intertwining to form a canopy that blocked out the sun.

"We need to find a place to rest," he suggested, his eyes scanning the area for a suitable hiding spot. "Just for a while. We can't keep going like this."

I agreed, my legs feeling like lead. We found a small clearing hidden by a thick grove of bushes. It was barely large enough for the two of us to sit down, but it offered some cover and a brief respite.

As we settled, I couldn't help but reflect on everything that had happened. From being a privileged girl in a wealthy family to a slave in a tyrant's estate, my life had taken a turn I never could have imagined. The thought of Murtasim Khan still lingered in my mind, but reality was harsh. I was far from any fairy-tale ending.

As I lay back against the rough bark of a tree, my mind drifted to Jasmine and the other slaves. They were still trapped in that hellish place. My heart ached for them, but I knew that I couldn't go back. Not yet. I had to survive, escape, and perhaps find a way to help them later. Sleep was a distant hope, but exhaustion had other plans. I drifted into a restless slumber, haunted by dreams of the past and fears of the future. The sound of rustling leaves woke me. Saahil was on his feet, alert.

"Time to move," he whispered. I nodded, rising to my feet, my body protesting every movement.

We continued our journey through the forest, each step taking us closer to the river and, hopefully, freedom. The path was arduous, but the thought of escaping Hunaid's grasp kept me going. The want of being chased vanised now as the realisation hit me, I would be enslaved once again. And I didn't wanted that.

"I think we should start running", I said to Saahil, who took my hand in his sprinting through the trees. The cloud thundered, we didn't stop, at one point I wasn't even registering anything, the pain in my leg, the blurry vision and the falling rain. If not for Saahil I would have killed myself by colliding with a tree at this point.

We were running, yet no one was after us. Was God finally on my side? If he was I hope he doesn't grant my wishes from an hour ago. I wasn't mature then. And few days ago. It was funny how desperately I wanted to enter Khan's mansion and now we were running for our lives. I had trapped us here, poor Saahil was in the dungeon because of me.

The slippery was making it difficult to run, the sun was setting and we knew it would be dark soon.

Finally, we heard the faint sound of rushing water. My heart leaped with hope. We were close. As we approached the riverbank, our relief was short-lived. A group of guards stood on the other side, their eyes scanning the area. Saahil pulled me back into the cover of the trees. "We'll have to find another way," he said, his voice tense.Desperation clawed at me. "What if there's no other way?"

"We'll find one," he assured me. "We have to." We moved upstream, hoping to find a narrower section of the river to cross. The guards' presence meant Hunaid had anticipated our move. My respect for his cunning grew, even as my hatred for him deepened.

As we took another turn, Saahil stopped, suddenly gasping.

Were we finally caught? I didn't look up, right now I just cared more about breathing and my knees, but when I did, I cursed.

"What in the hell! Is this India Pakistan border?"

The fences were about 40 feet in height. Saahil looked at me, eyes filled with determination and a hint of desperation. "We'll find a way," he repeated, but this time his voice was strained. The reality of our situation was sinking in. We were trapped, hemmed in by guards on one side and an insurmountable fence on the other. I could barely stand, my body battered and weak from the run. Saahil scanned the area, looking for any possible escape route.

"We can't go back," he said, almost to himself. "We'll have to climb."

My heart sank at the thought. Climbing a 40-foot fence in my condition seemed impossible. But Saahil's confidence was infectious, and I found myself nodding, even as doubt gnawed at me.Saahil approached the fence, testing its sturdiness. It was solid, but the gaps between the bars were just wide enough to give some purchase. He started to climb, his movements swift and efficient. I watched, my anxiety growing with each foot he ascended. What if he fell? What if the guards saw us?

I stepped forward closing my eyes and stepping on the wire, it was digging into my palm as I pushed my body to climb higher. The wire shook a little everytime and my fear of heights took over, I controlled the urge to look down.

I wish there was someone down there to catch me if I fell, but then shook my head. It would certainly not be my dreamy prince charming, so the thought of falling down into the arms of my lover was postponed.

We climbed for what seemed like another hour, it was dark, the thoughts left me. We were half way there, my stomach was growling, my legs were trembling and my throat was parched. My palm it was almost numb at this point.

I wanted to let go so bad.

Saahil climbed down a bit, so we were on the same level face to face, I wish I had his strength and stamina. Was he fed in the dungeons?

"C'mon Meerab," I shook my head, if I didn't breath for a few minutes, I would definitely fall to my death, "I will rest for a bit, you climb ahead".

"Are you sure?"

I couldn't slow him down, so I nodded, "Go on." I wish there was no thing as gravity, so that I could lie sideways on the fence without feeling the ground calling me towards itself. I was getting dizzy, closing my eyes I felt the cold night breeze against my skin, I was starving, thirsty and shivering at the same time.

I heard the dogs barking from the distance, my brain was too tired to function or connect the dots, I wasn't panicked. A little thankful, that this was coming to an end. We were getting caught, I look up and called out his name.

"Saahil!"

"Yes?" He answered, "Let's race, show me how fast you can climb".

He needed to escape more than me, atleast I was in my own country, in my fiancé's house and living in a room, not a dungeon. He had a home where he could return, I had nowhere else to go.

The distinct sound of footsteps crunching on the ground nearby. The barking grew louder, and I knew the guards were closing in. I turned my head, my vision blurred and my body aching, just in time to see Saahil reach the top of the fence.

"Saahil, go!" I shouted, my voice hoarse.

"Don't wait for me!"He hesitated for a moment, looking down at me with a mix of worry and determination. Then, with a nod, he swung his legs over the top of the fence and disappeared on the other side.

Maybe being a slave was in my fate. He was climbing up, and I was climbing down. Looking at the grass, my hands slipped as I was a feet away, sighing I let go. My face against the sticky wet grass. I heard growling and man's voice.

"Meerab!"

The dog was calling my name. It was talking to me, how cute.

Wait.

A dog growled out my name? What was this, twilight?

I had officially lost it.

"Your daughter is crazy"

"She is talking to the trees again"

I heard it again, the demons of my past were coming back. I shook my head, "No, no I can't hear you", covering my ears as the man came closer, he lifted me by my neck and I met his eyes, there was no rage in them.

"Leaving so soon?"

I cleared my throat, "Please mujhe jaaney do..."

"Mangetar se nahi milogi?" I looked into his eyes then my head twice.

"Nahi milna", I sighed. What difference would it make? I was trapped in this hell. I couldn't live here any longer.

"Yaha tum apni marzi se aayi ho, magar jaogi meri marzi se".

The rain fell harder, each droplet pounding against my skin like tiny pinpricks. The water stuck to his face, accentuating the contours of his features as he leaned in closer. His eyes seemed to shine in the dim light, reflecting a dangerous yet tempting allure.

I swallowed hard, trying to push down the fear that threatened to consume me. "Please," I pleaded, my voice barely a whisper against the roaring of the rain. "Let me go."

He tilted his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "Why should I?" he asked, his tone mocking.

I searched for the right words, desperation clawing at my throat. "Because I don't belong here," I said, my voice gaining strength. "I came here to meet my fiancé but-"

He cut me off with a derisive laugh. "Fiancé?" he repeated, amusement dancing in his eyes. "And yet here you are, running away with another man."

I bristled at his words, anger flaring within me. "I'm not running away with anyone," I retorted, my voice tinged with defiance. "I'm running away from you, from this hell you've trapped me in."

He raised an eyebrow, studying me intently. "And where do you plan to go?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

"I don't know," I admitted, my resolve wavering. "But anywhere is better than here."

He seemed to consider my words for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a sigh, he released his grip on my neck and stepped back. "Fine," he said, his voice tinged with resignation. "Go."

I blinked in surprise, hardly daring to believe my ears. "What?" I asked, my voice trembling with disbelief.

"Go," he repeated, gesturing towards the forest. "I won't stop you."

I hesitated, unsure if I could trust him. But the opportunity was too tempting to resist.

As I started walking away, "But I will stop your dearest friend."

Hunaid's words hung heavy in the misty air, his threat echoing in my mind like a relentless drumbeat. Saahil's fate dangled precariously in the balance, and I knew that I had to act fast if I wanted to save him. But how? My mind raced through a flurry of thoughts, each one more absurd than the last.

I had no choice but to resort to my tried and tested method: flirting. Now, normally, I would have preferred a more elegant solution, perhaps a cleverly worded argument or a swift kick to the shins, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

So, with all the grace of a drowning cat, I turned on the charm. Well, as much charm as one can muster when they're drenched, exhausted, and dangling precariously from a fence.

I had done this before, of course. Countless times, in fact. But each time left me feeling more despondent than the last. It wasn't something I enjoyed, nor was it something I took pride in.

Summoning every ounce of dramatic flair I possessed, I took a step forward, the mist swirling around me like a cloak of uncertainty. I fluttered my eyelashes in what I hoped was a coy manner, though it probably came off more like I had something stuck in my eye.

"Hunaid," I purred, my voice dripping with honeyed allure. "Surely there must be another way."

Okay, maybe not my best line, but hey, I was working with what I had.

I could see the flicker of amusement in his eyes, a glimmer of something darker lurking beneath the surface. He was the type of guy I had encountered countless times before, the kind that exuded confidence and danger in equal measure. But despite the facade of bravado, I knew that underneath it all, he was just as vulnerable as the rest of us.

"But Meerab," he replied, his voice smooth as silk. "You know, as well as I do that there are no second chances in this world. But if you really want to save him...", He bent down so his lips were parallel to my ears, "you can be my mistress."

The way his dark black hair caressed his forehead, those seductive eyes moved over which made me self concious. I almost felt naked in his presence. As if he can look beyond my facade. My insecurities, my past and peek into my thoughts.

Hunaid Khan was bad news. He was what people called me back then, 'a seducer' or, like Jasmine said, 'a fuckboi'. It took me two whole minutes to think over his offer.

The first minute I was thinking, could I really go through with this? Could I really sacrifice my dignity for the sake of someone I just met?

And the second minute wishing I could take up the offer because Hunaid was so... words wouldn't be enough to describe his beauty. He was turned away from me smoking a cigarette, from every angle the man was an eye candy.

His back looked like it was carved by angels. His shoulders were broad, and he had a slim waist. My hands formed a loop on its own, imagining how it would feel against his naked waist, as I eyeraped his back. I had never been this attracted to a man's body, but sadly, all I could do was look. He was offlimits for me.

This seductive jerk could affect me, but he couldn't change my morals. I was a loyal woman, I had self-control.

'Meerab, you're strong'

'Meerab, you're strong'

'Meerab, you're stupid'

My brain was high on adrenalin. Just like cigarettes, he was injurious for my sanity. That's why I had to stay far, far away from.

"Have you decided?"

He has that hold on people. It's hard to take my eyes off of him. The white shirt he wore was transparent. And now I had the view of his broad chest and those dense muscles, I could see the ripples on his back. He may be an annoying cocky fuckboi, but he was definitely my type, his physique fit but on the soft side.

My type? The hell, Meerab!
Control.

Wait a minute, wasn't I seducing him so we could have a bargain on my term? How was I being tempted to do things on his terms?

His offer was tempting. His back was tempting. He was tempting. And I... was fucked.

I closed my eyes to distract myself, to take my mind off of him, taking a deep breath through, my senses came to life and I came back to my senses.

The smell of rain and wet mud was soothing. And Hunaid started talking, telling me pros about being his mistress. But the only thing I could focus on was the silkiness of his voice. I opened my eyes and watched the way his mouth moved as he spoke, the way his tongue darted out licking his chapped lips in between sentences, his eyes turning darker. I noticed something about him, his eyes changed colours whenever he was excited.

What was he excited about? Me?

My eyes scanned down his body, his legs were slightly apart as he leaned on the fence, his thighs were muscular.

Despite all else, I was attracted to this gorgeous male. I was mesmerized by him. It's not like I checked out all men. Most men didn't look like him.

Whenever I was in his presence, I acted differently. I wasn't myself around him. It was as if he had control over me, like I was a puppet, and he had the strings pulling me towards himself. This wasn't a crush. Then what was it?

Infatuation? Lust? Attraction?

I had no idea, and now that I think about it, all these thoughts might be because of the exhaustion. I wish I could fall asleep right here on the ground, and Hunaid could leave me here.

"No."

I said no to saving Saahil.

I said no to being mistress to this handsome kamina.

At least my pride was still intact. I couldn't be there for his sexual entertainment. I deserved better.

But Hunaid had a tiny smile on his face. The fact that I had eyed him for ten whole minutes before rejecting him was embarrassing. My silence made him think that I wanted him.

He walked a little closer to me and answered, "Then Saahil dies," leaning down towards my face, and I felt my body getting alert. When he came closer, I felt heated up, as if he lit a fire within me. There was this tingling feeling in my stomach. Was all of this a reaction to the mental trauma I had been through?

He had control over me. This wasn't love or teeny crush.

I had never relished the idea of attacking someone, but I couldn't lower myself for others. So, steeling myself, I followed my father's second advice: attack. But I would lose. There should be a way through which I could establish boundaries as well as make a bargain that's in my favour. I needed to keep in mind that this man was cunning and intelligent. He was Khan's right hand after all.

How could I currently a 'weak woman' supposed to fight him. He was feared and respected.

This was a man who could get whatever he wanted. And he wanted me. He was tempting me, and I was tempted. He was seducing me, and I was seduced by him.

"If I said no, then would you hurt me?"

Powerful men can never accept rejection.

My father had warned me. I had the first-hand experience with this, I had almost been assaulted. Why would this man care about my safety? I was no one in his eyes.

He could lie to Murtasim Khan that I was a fake or worse, never tell him about me.

'Why wouldn't he hurt me?' Something was seriously wrong with me. I expected too much from this stanger. I should have never crossed him like this. I should have never asked him this. My mind always went blank, and I always relaxed when he was around, as if he couldn't harm me.

He could definitely harm me.

He didn't answer my question. He was dead silent. Was this his rage? His anger at the rejection? Will he take it out on me?

I shivered, panic engulfing me as the silence streched on. He acted as if he didn't hear my question, but I knew he had. And him not answering it was scaring me, I backed off and started climbing the fence stupidly as he stood right there, I couldn't run back to the guards.

Why did I even get down?

My brain wasn't working properly. My instincts told me to run, but my brain deemed this man as not dangerous.

Yep, a handsome man could totally mess up your head.

"Meerab! I dare you to climb further", And I looked back at him, his eyes sending me a thousand of death threats.

If I was smart, I would have jumped back, but I wasn't, I was anxious because he ignored my question. He wasn't safe to be around. This place wasn't safe to be around. He wanted to hold me captive and wasn't letting me go.

He was a Kamina, but the problem was that even when he ordered me 'jump,' he was a handsome kamina.

I wish he was old, ugly, and greasy. But he was none. If I had met him earlier, then maybe I would have accepted his offer. But my ego was too big and heavy.

He glanced at me disapprovingly, as if I was being childish, rolling his eyes. He threw the half-smoked cigarette on the floor and offered me his hand.

"I have a third way for you. I will set you free and help your dearest friend return to his country. "

This couldn't be so easy. He was bargaining once again.

"What do you want in return?"

"I want you..." He paused, a sinister smile playing on his lips. "To kill Murtasim Khan."