"You need a doctor". He argued as she starts to move away from the police officer who took her statement

It was of no use to even going to the police station. With her history with men, they usually ignore her words. Besides that, they will just say that since the man was 'angry' he got violent.

Does that justify anything? No.  However, some people never grow and they like covering for other people.

She sighs.

Since the police were called by him. And, Syed was arrested on his insistence, he had been on her head to go to the hospital before going anywhere else.

Obviously, she disagrees. She knows when her body needs a doctor from experience.

"I-I don't need a doctor". She argued stuttering because the pressure that was applied to her throat hurt to speak now

"You are not even speaking properly". His voice was hard and if she was not looking at his brow pulled together while speaking to her, she would think he is mad at her

He has been a raging bull for a while though. After beating the shit out of Syed. He was still going on with Syed when his guards took over. She didn't even realize most of it because she was too busy trying to breathe and pass the blackness from her eyes.

Henna was the one who arrived soon after asking her questions and providing her with water and calming pills. The pills helped because she rarely panics, but, when she does it is not normal.

She has some prescribed medication from her psychiatrist. She went to a  psychiatrist after her first failed marriage. She needed help for herself and her child. To find directions. She found out things that she might not have.

She still has sessions twice a month to keep a regular check on herself. It is essential to do so to stay sane.

"That's it". He said grumbling as he stood in front of her car door, "You will let a doctor look at you".

"Or what?" She challenges

He narrows his eyes, "You still don't realize who I am?" She shakes her head, "I am the person you were supposed to meet for the new contract. I am Hani Ibrahim".

Her eyes widen, "Oh".

"Unless you want me to reschedule our appointment for tomorrow". She saw his eyes turn to his guard who was signaling something he completely ignored, "You will let me take you to a doctor I know. It will all stay private and quick".

She huffed, "This is blackmailing".

"Sue me". He said shrugging, "So, what is your decision? I don't have any more time".

She taps her feet on the ground, sighing, as she tries to get her hijab to be proper, "Fine".

"Good decision". He said as he opens his hand, "Give me your keys. My guard will bring your car to your place".

"I have work. You don't even know where I live".

"I know everything I need to know, Irsa".

"Stalker".

"No. I just have good resources that I use when I need them".

"That's what every stalker says".

She handed the keys over because she was starting to get a migraine now. Everything was catching up with her. Insomnia from this week. The appearance of Syed. The fear of the past. And now in front of her stands the fear of her future. The one deal she worked on for months. She can't lose it. Not now.

Even when her heart feels as heavy as her throat. She can't break down. Not now. Not in front of anyone. The fear that she felt at that moment could never be compared to any other experience in her life.

The fear that she might not be there for her child. That she might place her child in danger. The fear consumes her being. There was one man who was the father of her child (Ahmad) that ruins their routine when he feels like it.

There was a second man (Syed) who is now out in the open to posing more danger to her family.

Then there is Zafar who tortures her every day to marry his brother or friend. He sends her cheap flowers, gifts, and those cringe-worthy materialistic things to get back together. As if.

Everything sometimes becomes too much especially when she is still struggling to save money for her daughters. There was no proper education system for her daughter. She was too scared to send her daughter to school because of the condition the schools are in nowadays.

The cases of rape, kidnapping, and whatnot scare her endlessly. With her daughter being blind, it will only help these sick bastards to do whatever they want with her without a fear of being caught. She can never allow that to happen. She will never put her daughter in the way of harm.

"I can feel the wheel turning in your head". She heard his voice which broke her away from her thoughts, "Here". 

She felt his jacket wrapping over her shoulder a minute later. Her mind was working on a low processor right now. Because her actions and reaction were delayed.

"You are shivering, Irsa". She opens her mouth to argue, "As much as I enjoy arguing with you, save it. I am not listening to you until the doctor clears you". She rolls her eyes, "Also, there are a few things I want to discuss with you besides the business. Do you have time today? Can Sudur stay with her caregiver longer?" .

Sudur caregiver is a woman she met in a shelter. Anima was a good woman in her sixties who didn't have a good past. She kept the woman close to her because she trusted her.

Her head snapped at her daughter's name, "How do you know my daughter? And her caregiver? What do you want from us? I don't care about the hospital or your business deal, I will kill you if you even think about touching my daughter. Powerful or not".

His guard in the front seat stiffened, turning towards her with his gun just in case she was planning to do as she said.

He gestures with his hand to lower the gun, "I will explain, I promise. I mean no harm to you or your daughter. I have a preposition".

She clenched her hands, "I am free today".

"No. I don't think today is good. You need rest and if the doctor suggests a day or two then you will stay in to rest. You need to heal before we go forward with other things".

She frowns, "Heal? I am not hurt".

"I didn't just mean physically". Just as she can ask what he means, he opens his car door announcing that they are here, "Wait for me to open your door, Irsa".

She might be overthinking this but she feels like he likes saying her name. He says her name in every other sentence for no reason. There is no one else he can be addressed to when it's the two of them. Yet, he says her name. And, the way he says her name.

She shivers because of her late reaction to the trauma or him, she will never know. Because the way her name sounds on his lips is surely sinful.

She cannot afford something sinful right now. Especially when she needs to be spectacular about this man. She researched him. His media appearance and images on any social media sites are limited. Mostly from his youth, now, as she looks at him, he is a full-grown man in his thirties.

He wasn't a youth. He was the kind of beauty a boy can have. He was the kind of beauty that was mature and sophisticated. Even when he was fussy and grumbling around her. The way his guards and everyone look at him shows that his mere presence commands respect. Not by force, but by nature.

She gulped.

Finally, after the hundredth test and she knows she was ready to throw anything at the doctor at this point, she was left alone. Well as alone as being with the man (Hani) and his two bodyguards packed in a room can be.

"You do realize you are overreacting". He ignores her words as he continues typing on his phone, "You can go back to work and I can drive back home. You have things to do, Hani".

His head snapped at her words, as he handed the phone to his guards, "No, I don't. You will not drive home even if you come up with more reasons".

She shakes her head, "You are so stubborn".

"I know".

"It's not something to be proud of".

"I am in fact very proud of myself".

She can't help the tiny smile that appears on her face. Even with a shitty day, his attitude seems to bring a smile to her face. He is persistent. Not just on his grumpy attitude but on everything that he stands for.

The door to the room opens as the doctor walks in with the files.

"The good thing is that the results came back normal". She smirks at him when the doctor just confirms her words

"What's the bad thing?"

"Nothing major. We saw that you have previous records of similar injuries". The doctor said

She nodded, "Yes. It was a few years back. It's sorted now".

"So, this is just an accident". The doctor confirmed and she nodded, "Right. Then you will need to change your dress every other day. I prescribed pain medication and some sleeping pills just to help you sleep tonight. Other than that, your blood pressure is high. I will suggest a visit to the hospital again for a full diagnosis and a consistent diet to maintain it. When was the last time you ate?"

She rarely gets embarrassed. As everyone waits for her answer and she has to actually think about when was the last time she ate. That's when she realized, she didn't. She forgot dinner because she was preparing for her meeting today. She forgot breakfast because Sudur was extra grumpy today.

"Yesterday?"

"What time?"

She winces as she avoids eye contact with everyone, "noon".

She heard the sharp inhale of breath and knew everyone was judging her now. She avoids eye contact at all points. The doctor went on and on about how dangerous and bad it is for her. At her age, 32, she needs extra nutrients and care instead of skipping meals. That was when the doctor prescribed vitamins.

God, today just can't end already.

"That was delightful". He said after the doctor left

She gathers her things from the side drawer and her phone falls while she is trying her best to not be seen.

"Irsa". In her thoughts, she forgot about everything, "Calm down".

She took a deep breath and finally looked at him. He was frowning again. There was no judgment. No questions or answers. His eyes showed confusion and concern which was ridiculous. She was reading into his actions too much. He grabs her phone and other supplies handing them over to her.

"Why is your face so red? Are you having a fever? Should I call the doctor?"

She sighs, "No. I am just embarrassed. Don't ask me questions".

"Embarrassed?" He sounded further confused, "About forgetting to eat?" She might have nodded, "Why? I forget to eat every other day. Maybe about two days ago, I survived on tea only".

"That's not healthy".

"Exactly! And nothing to be embarrassed about. We are human and we sometimes forget the most important things too".

She nodded. It was the way he makes her comfortable in her skin in a few words that catches her off guard.

"Let's go. My guards will bring your medication. I will drop you off". He said as he takes the bag from her hand, "You are still recovering". He means she is still shivering, "We can have the next meeting tomorrow whenever you are free. I already asked my assistant to speak to you. There is an extra time scheduled after that meeting so we can address other things. I won't take too much of your time".

She nodded.

"Here". He said opening the door for her as she sits inside and she looks into his hands where he was holding a sandwich and a tea, "I am not sure if you are a tea or coffee person. But, I asked my guards to get tea".

"You seem biased". She jokes as she takes the food after thanking him

"I never judge people beside when they reject or say they don't drink tea".

She laughs, "I assume you love tea".

He pauses for a moment gazing at her, "It's in my blood".

She rolls her eyes. He closes the door gently before going to his seat and he asks his guard to drive back home.

"Who does Sudur stays with when you are out?"

"There is a woman I met a few years back who takes care of her when I am out".

"Meet her where?"

"Woman shelter".

She could feel the atmosphere changing 360 degrees at her words. She was never the one to be embarrassed about her past. She never hides it either. She just never talks about it.

"You stayed at the woman's shelter with your daughter?"

"Newborn daughter, yes".

"Dammit".

He gathers her things when they reach home arguing that he cannot trust her to not fall on her way to her apartment.

Just as she enter her floor after exiting the elevator. She sighs.

"Who is that?" Hani asked

"My first ex-husband".

The day just won't end.