Salaam sweet readers,

Isn't this a rather quick update? I hope it is... *winks*

Dedicated to FarzanaTutul

Zera slid tiredly into bed, the paralysis of shock seeping away.

The full horror of what she was about to do sinking in. She was just at the edge of confiding everything, if it wasn't for Thufail's smiling face flashing into her memory. She hadn't known him well, but she had the previlige of spending a few moments with the person and had come to gather that he was quite a man and she wouldn't spoil his sacrifice by spilling the secrets that he had so efficiently hidden.

Given her previous records, she had seen a lot of troubles and that had made her supremely confident in controlling her emotions, then why had she been on the brink of loosing the self importance she possessed? She sighed at her lack of inhibition to stay strong.

In her earlier years, when she had suddenly lost her father, her mom had been devastated and it had taken lot of her willpower to stay brave. She didn't have any siblings to share her plight nor did she possess the heart to increase her mother's distress, therefore, she had never openly exhibited her emotions.

Initially, she had cried for several hours in the bathroom and then she had begun crying into the pillow during the darkness of the night. Her cries were always muffled by an lifeless object and no one ever saw her real self. With time she had considered herself to be a staunch survivor but then today she was going to loose her self-esteem.

Thankfully, Zera had told Sinan that it was just one of her assumptions as  she had seen Thufail before his death, for which he had laughed out aloud saying that he might as well need to have infinite superhuman powers to help her lead to them.

He had gently told her not to worry over things that aren't connected to her and to focus on herself, to which she had gladly nodded her head.

For now she needed to get some good sleep before she would resume reading the journal. Somehow she felt that she needed to keep the trust that thufail had over her and the determination to reach the truth overpowered her fears.

~*~*~*~

Izaan indicated the chair that was placed in readiness about eight feet from his desk.

His secretary stepped forward, with a quick smile and then spoke in her crisp business like voice, 'I'll be as brief as possible.'

A satiric black brow elevated, 'Bear in mind that all my appointments with media or to anyone regarding Thufail's case needn't be mentioned.'

She nodded her head and began relaying the schedule for the day, her task was interrupted by a buzz as he switched his attention and stretched an impatient hand towards his phone.

As his concentration focused away from her, she breathed again. The temptation to study him was overpowering.

He was incredibly attractive.

Hard cheek bones slashed his strong, dark features, highlighting the proud temperamental flare of his nose, lips that were blatantly sensual arc. But, if you were a woman, it was his deep golden eyes that you noticed first and remembered longest.

Izaan had mesmerising eyes, golden as the purest precious metal in sunlight or dark as darkest ebony.

She had seen that woman all over the office tried to grab his attention but he seemed to be a man of high principles. Never was he seen involved in a relationship with a woman, all his free time was spent in mosque, charities and shelter homes.

He replaced the phone, uttering a bland apology for the interruption and she dragged her disobedient gaze away from him, scanning her diary to convey the rest of the business for the day.

'Everything seems organised. Thank you,' He replied with a small smile.

She excused herself and reached the door but was stopped by his request, 'Julia, I need a favour.'

'What is it, Sir?' She was ready to even hand out her heart in a platter.

'Could you contact that girl named Zera whom I mentioned a few days earlier? It would be great if you could arrange an appointment.'

She scolded herself internally for expecting the unachievable and smiled pleasantly, 'Ofcourse, sir.'

~*~*~*

The drive to their apartment was a long one.

Isaac opened the gate into the backyard so that he could park his car on the paving stones that covered most of the area. A profusion of tropical foliage on either side of the fence ensured privacy.

It was a five-bedroom luxury flat, which was massed with ferns and orchids. Both the kitchen and dining room faced onto exotic view.

Crystal chandeliers reflecting off of metallic ceilings, dramatic cove lighting, pin-tucked upholstered walls and mirrored furniture were just a few of the features. A sleek black and white chef's kitchen and an over-the-top media room with cozy sectional sofas made it perfect for spending an lazy evening. But that was not all. This home had the most luxurious dressing room ever seen with an adjoining bathroom clad in black marble and a gorgeous free-standing.

'Oh goodness,' Sameera gasped as they surveyed their new apartment, 'Isnt it lovely?'

Isaac nodded his head as he scanned his surroundings, 'I must say that your cousin, Noor, is very generous.'

'I agree.'

Isaac's face took a pained expression, 'I wish that I could afford all this, I don't like accepting favours.'

'But this isn't a favour as it is a wedding gift from him.'

Isaac nodded his head as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

'Oh baby, stop sulking. I haven't married you for luxuries. I can manage a simple lifestyle. We'll shift to a smaller place if that's what you wish.'

'And I haven't married you so that I can make you suffer. I don't want you to compromise on anything and I promise to ensure you get all that you desire.'

She reddened slightly at his remark and threw a wicked smile.

He sent a questioning glance, 'Did I say something stupid?'

She shook her head, dumping her handbag on the sofa and moving straight to the refrigerator.

'Do you need a drink?' She exclaimed.

'Yes, It would be great,' he yawned.

'Shall I defrost something? What do you feel like eating?'

He gave her a look that was more elegant than any words and she knew that he was still in his sour mood. 'Later,' was all he said.

'Isaac---'

'Yes.'

'Please don't spoil this for us.'

'Spoil what?'

'I chose to marry you out of love and I don't want you to compare yourself to anyone. According to me you possess more self-worth than anyone I have ever known.'

Her gaze remained fixed on him as Isaac shrugged of his leather jacket, tossing it onto the kitchen stool. 'I'm lucky you chose me but I want to prove to be a good match.'

'You don't need to prove anything.'

'Ok, I'll let go the matter for now but I promise myself that within a few months we'll be staying at our own place.'

'But you are already breaking a promise,' She replied huskily.

'What is it?' he questioned stunned.

'You just said that you would ensure that I received what I desired.'

'Ofcourse.'

She laughed aloud, the sound of which made his heart flutter, 'Right now I have no desire other than to be in the arms of my husband.'

His lips slanted, 'I'll be previliged to grant your wish.'

It took them another few hours before they set out to have dinner.

~*~*~*

The Ahmed household still seemed to be lacking laughter. Everything looked dull and grey compared to how lively it had been a few days ago.

Hala sat in the huge spacious lounge, blinking back her tears as her thoughts slipped backwards towards their happy past. Sometimes, she had felt it impossible to manage three naughty children, the constant fights and arguments between the siblings had painted their lives with color.

She had worried that the obscene amount of wealth they possess would turn out to be a bad influence on her children but Alhamdulillah they had grown up to be  exceptionally humble and generous.

Hala felt immensely blessed to have them around but now what remained behind was only a huge hollow bungalow with an eerie silence that consumed her alive. She swallowed the lump in her throat as more tears threatened to slip from between her closed eyelids. Thufail was not only a good son but rather a wonderful citizen and she wouldn't allow his sacrifice go waste.

A shrill sound of door bell echoed through the walls and she hid her emotions behind her numb facial expression, but the crease around her eyes and the prominent blemishes had their own story to tell. It took her a couple of minutes to get to the door and the person on the other end seemed determined to keep the bell ringing.

Hala's patience turned to anger as she opened the door, 'What do you need?' She huffed in annoyance.

'Well, I'm here to fix the computer.'

Hala looked at the man curiously as her children never hired any strangers when she was all alone, but he seemed decent enough, he wore formals and had a rather innocent face, 'I don't remember anyone mentioning you.'

'Oh, I was called to fix Izaan Sir's computer at an hour's notice. If there doesn't seem to be any problem then I better be off to my other schedule.'

Hala fell short of reply, maybe Izaan forgot to inform her, 'Fine. Come in and begin your work I'll have a word with Izaan.'

The man nodded his head and made his way to Izaan's office with ease, which troubled Hala and she stopped him hurriedly, her heart racing to unbearable extent due to fear, 'How did you know the exact way to Izaan's study?'

His expression remained blank and the reply sounded very convincing, 'I was told that Sir's mother isn't in a very good state of mind to socialise and I was given clear directions.'

Hala let out a relieved breath, 'You can do your work.'

The man stepped inside the study and laughed internally.