Marrying Mr. Arrogant

CHAPTER SIX

"And celebrate the name of your Lord morning and evening,

And part of the night, prostrate yourself to Him; and glorify Him a long night through."

-Surah Al-Insan, Verse 25-26

***

I wait for Rohaan the whole day. His mother decided that we had to bond because really ‘that’s what I was here for’. We discussed boring Aunty stuff, well, ‘discuss’ is a bit of an exaggeration. She talked and I pretended to listen.

But, really, how long can you focus on topics that include; clothes, shoes and makeup. If she really wants to talk to someone, it should be someone of her own age.

It seemed like Rohaan would keep true to his word and not come back home early. I eventually fell asleep from tiredness.

Sometime in the night, I hear loud pants and right after that, the bed starts shaking, as if an earthquake had made its way. I move a little and peel open my eyes.

Surprisingly, Rohaan is laying down next to me. His back is to me. But I notice that he's shaking. I rub the sleep from my eyes, switch on the lamp and move forward to see whether he's sick.

One look on his face and my throat tightens. There's blood flowing down his chin probably from biting hard on his lower lip. His eyes are tightly shut.

I gently rub his shoulder and his eyes fly open. Rohaan doesn't move, he just looks at me with shattered eyes.

"What's wrong?" I ask softly.

This time Rohaan makes a noise. A choked sound. He slides off of the bed and onto his knees on the floor.

I dash towards him and drop down beside him.

"Ayra." He gasps.

"Shh. I'm right here." I say and grab his rough hands in mine, hoping to offer some comfort.

This seems to stir something in his eyes, softening his features.

"Save me, Ayra." He says in an undertone.

"From what?" I ask, now rubbing circles on the back of his hands.

He doesn't answer my question, he just says,

"I'm scared. So, so scared."

My heart breaks for him, shattering into a million glass shards.

"I'm here for you Rohaan."

He looks me in the eye and smiles a wobbly smile. He lays his head in my lap and closes his eyes. I run my fingers through his ruffled hair and pray to Allah (God) to ease his pain.