Chapter 7: Twilight.

*

"I'm not going far. I'll always be here. Just an inch away. I promise."

-Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott-

*

The anniversary was nearing and the house was chaotic. Zamaairah stared at the fairy lights in her hands and then looked at the surrounding trees. They are too tall, she thought with a sigh.

"Mind if I help?" she turned to see Vardah standing by the bench. Zamaairah had no idea when Vardah even got there. 

"Yes please. They are too tall." Zamaairah informed her and she nodded. Vardah walked over to her and Zamaairah took note of the woman. Vardah Siddique was about 5'6 with a lean figure and long limbs. She was dressed in all black dress t-shirt that fell to her thighs and jeans with combat boots and a gray hijab. Her dress had a black belt around the waist with a silver buckle. The woman looked so badass that Zamaairah wondered what she actually was. Guess I'll never know.

"We haven't been formally introduced. I am Vardah Siddique, chief of security for the Zaeef family." She said, turning to Zamaairah and stretching her arms out. Zamaairah stared at her hands and then back at her. "The lights." Zamaairah's eyes slightly widened and she nodded.

"Zamaairah Omar, nice to meet you." She replied, handing over the lights. Vardah nodded at her, walking to the nearest tree. She took off her shoes and stretched her limbs, making Zamaairah question her intentions.

"You are not going to climb, are you?" she asked Vardah who threw her a grin over her shoulder.

"Things best done manually." She told her and Zamaairah's eyes widened as she rushed over to the tree. By the time she reached the base of it, Vardah had already hoisted herself (and the lights) up on the branches. She walked steadily across the large branch and threw the lights up, twirling it.

"I can call the boys to help, Vardah. Please get down. What if you fall?" Zamaairah was panicking by now. Vardah laughed. Zamaairah stared at her in astonishment.

"Any other lights you want to put up here?" she questioned and Zamaairah shook her head. The lanterns can be hung from the ground.

"Come down please." Vardah shrugged and jumped off the branch, landing perfectly on the grass ground. Zamaairah stared at her in awe and shock at once. Vardah let out a laugh when she saw her face. Zamaairah blushed lightly and looked around, avoiding her. 

Multiple men and women dressed in black suits and shades walked around the premises of the mansion. It reminded Zamaairah of her house back in Malaysia. Not the time, Zama.

"Don't they get hot in this sun?" Zamaairah muttered, picking up the lights from the bench.

"Don't worry, they are trained to withstand extreme weather conditions." Vardah replied, tying her shoes on the ground. She stood up and jogged on spot to settle proper in her shoes before turning to Zamaairah. "Let me help."

Zamaairah was glad to have Vardah helping her. A few other maids joined in and things were done by the afternoon. Everyone left for their own works and Zamaairah found herself alone in the backyard of the west wing.

Zamaairah stretched her body to the sides and sighed deeply as she took a seat on the wooden stairs leading out of the west wing. She liked the afternoon sun, it made her happy. Serotonin, she thought as she closed her eyes.

"You seem to be enjoying life," she didn't open her eyes to know who it was.

"As salaam alaikum." Safwah smiled at her and took his seat on the steps below her.

"Wa alaikum mus salaam. Did you eat?" he asked her and she nodded, opening her eyes. She met his gray ones and grinned.

"What are you doing here?" she asked him, noticing the subtle changes in his facial features. He had a neat beard now with slightly longer hair. I wonder if its soft? The hair I mean.

"I am trying to avoid my brothers."

"Right." Zamaairah let out a small laugh and leaned onto the railings. The side of her head touched the wooden railings and she stared at Safwah with shining eyes. Safwah found himself staring back with equal happiness.

"I am really glad you are here," he told her, holding up his hand. She didn't say anything, instead gave her hand to him. He held it and massaged it absentmindedly as the two set on the steps, enjoying the afternoon sun.

"Ah, why is there so much security?" Zamaairah questioned him and Safwah sighed, his expression turning grim.

"The danger at present is a lot more than what we initially thought. It's hard to keep everyone off radar and Vardah thought it'd be for the best." Safwah explained and Zamaairah's thoughts began rushing all over the place. What danger? What if someone hurts them? Safwah saw this and immediately squeezed her hands in his. She looked at him, as if she were about to cry.

"It'll be fine. I promise. I am with you, Zam. I am not going anywhere. Remember?" he told her and she nodded slowly. He is with me.

"Is it because of me?" she asked him and he let out a laugh.

"You are not that famous you know," he jested making Zamaairah roll her eyes. She pulled her hand back and showed him, her tongue. Safwah rolled his eyes at her childishness. She began standing up to head inside when Safwah pulled her back down. She set on the stairs again but this time, Safwah was really close to her. Was he there- her mind went blank as he leaned in towards her with a soft smile playing on his lips.

If there was anything Zamaairah knew, it was to know when her panic attacks might come. And right now, with the rate her heart was hammering; one just might be on the way.

"What's wrong? Did you get hurt?" Safwah's teasing expression turned into a concerned one as he looked around her body. His hands travelled up her arms and settled on her shoulders and his eyes met hers.

Safwah stared at her for a few seconds, studying her. It's okay. It's okay. It's only Safwah. No one else. Somehow, that did the trick. She remembered her first panic attack around him when Safwah was trying to calm her down but instead exaggerated it. We've come a long way.

"I'm sorry," he said, immediately retreating. He knew. He stood up hastily and rubbed the back of his neck before looking at her with a soft expression. "I didn't mean to startle you."

Zamaairah shook her head slightly, giving him a reassuring smile. I'll get used to it.

"Go in. It's getting dark and around Magrib." He told her and she nodded at him. Without a word, she stood up and walked back indoors. Did I hurt him? Is he mad at me for panicking like that? It was a simple touch Zama! You could have endured it a little more. But Zamaairah couldn't. She knew she couldn't because panic attacks were not something to take lightly.

She walked upstairs to her room, glad that she met no one from the family along the way. Once in her room, she took a quick shower and did Whudhu before going to pray Magrib. Oh Allah, please guide me.

***

It was past 9pm and Safwah felt restless. He knew he had crossed a boundary that afternoon with her. He knew she would react that way, he should have asked first. Is she okay though?

His room was silent and his mind; a mess. He kept going back to the time he was held hostage. The memories weren't good but there was something missing, he wanted to figure out what. He doesn't remember the evidences he had collected prior to his kidnapping. He knows he had them and he is hoping no one found them yet. Its been quite a few months now and he wanted to finish his case. Before a new start.

"We need to talk." He turned his head to see Vardah standing by the door. Ah the devil. She staggered inside and Sahl came into the view behind her. She threw a glare at Sahl before straightening herself and walking inside.

"I didn't say you can enter." Safwah informed her, standing up from where he was sitting on his bed. Vardah rolled her eyes and pointed her thumb to Sahl.

"He pushed me." Safwah shook his head and gestured for them to take seat on the bean bag, hanging hammock chair or the classic office chair by the desk. Sahl took a seat on the hammock until Vardah stared at her with wide, doe like eyes.

Safwah set on the rugged floor, leaning onto his bed end and watching the scene unfold like a movie. Ah all I need is popcorn.

Sahl stared back at her before he sighed, standing up. Safwah eyes widened when he saw his brother giving up the swing for this demon. Instead, Sahl took a seat beside Safwah, glaring at him when Safwah gave him a smirk. Safwah shrugged and turned to Vardah.

"So what is it?"

"Let's not beat around the bush. I am here for a reason."

"And it's not because my family paid you for the security services?" Safwah knew this but he liked seeing Vardah Siddique irritated. It helps me sleep better.

"Yes. We did get paid but that's not why I am here." She said and Safwah shrugged.

"Then why are you here?"

"I am here to recruit you."

"Me?" Safwah questioned, glancing between her and his twin. Sahl nodded at him. "Okay. Carry on."

"You know the agency has always wanted you to work for us and now is the perfect chance."

"You really think I'll leave Interpol to work as a bodyguard?" Safwah said the word bodyguard with a higher octave of a tone. Vardah's jaw ticked and her eyes went into slits. Sahl immediately leaned up and held his hand (palm up as if stopping her) in front of her. As if understanding him perfectly, Vardah heaved a deep sigh multiple times before sitting up straight with a smile. When Sahl saw she was calm, he set back down at his place.

Safwah watched it unfold with piqued interest. How did he even know-?

"I am choosing to overlook your ignorance about the agency," began Vardah making Safwah smile victoriously. That's when she realized he was trying to get on her nerves and he succeeded. I love success. "Anyway. You were one of the best officers back in the Academy, Safwah. We could really use your help with our recruits."

"Are you sure you want me there, Vardah?" Safwah never called her Miss. Siddique, unless he was being professional. It was either V or Vardah. Vardah crossed her legs over each other, leaning onto it.

"As much as I dislike you, I respect talent. I respect the integrity and hardwork. You have all that we require and much more. Honestly, you'll be an asset." She told him and Safwah smiled at her. Is she buttering me so that I agree?

"What are the terms and conditions?" Safwah questioned her and she nodded.

"The contract is for a year with 3 months' probation period. I don't think you have the probation period considering your record but you still have to undergo extensive training. After that, you either get into the protection unit or the investigation unit." Vardah explained it clearly but Safwah had his doubts. Why me?

"And what's in it for me?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow. It cannot be that they will provide protection for the family, we are literally paying them for it. And if Vardah Siddique herself is here, there must be something in it. Vardah nodded, impressed.

"I'll tell you everything related to your kidnapping and investigation case." The sentence made Safwah still, his blood running cold. She found evidences. His gray eyes blazed as he stared at Vardah Siddique.

"You weren't meant to meddle, Miss. Siddique." He stated, his voice deadly calm. Safwah didn't like others prying into his business. Vardah shrugged.

"I was following orders, twilight. I hope you know that." She stated with an equally heated gaze. Safwah ignored her usage of synonym of his code name.

"What did you find?" he instead asked her. Walking on thin ice but some chances are worth taking the risks for. Vardah let out a laugh.

"Safwah, Safwah. We have been in this field for years now. I expected more from you." She mocked and Safwah knew exactly what she said. Everything is a trade. If I want something from her, I have to give something in return. Owes and favors work best and that's just how it has been for periods now.

"Right. I need time, Vardah. I cannot just tell you my decision now." Safwah informed her and she nodded at him. Her expression morphed into a soft one making Safwah confused. She is a psychopath, I am telling y'all.

"It's fine. I'll wait. I have to work here anyway," she muttered and Safwah laughed. She really hates the protection job, ay.

"Why are you here if you hate protection bits so much?" he questioned her and Vardah smiled at them. Safwah turned to his brother who was staring at his phone, reading. Ah.

"I am investigating your case so I thought why not? Since the chief of security wanted more people, I volunteered my team. The seniors approved it and here we are. It's easier to be part of security and walk around the place than to explain to everyone person why I am here." She told him shrugging. Safwah nodded.

"So it has nothing to do with my brother, brothers." Safwah said, correcting his (intentional) mistake. Vardah glared at him.

"It's work, Safwah. Work." Vardah told him before standing up. She smiled at him and said her salutations before walking out of the room.

Sahl's gaze followed her as she left the room and shut the door behind her. Once the door was shut, he turned to see his brother raising his eyebrows. Safwah smirked at him with wiggling eyebrows.

"She's here because of you, right?"

"You wish."

*****

hehehe. Hellos. 

I tried. :) 

Hope you guys like it!! 

Stay safe!!

| R - C - V |

xx,

-Aalihha.