Chapter 15
Witness- شاÙد
To believe in goodness in everyone was her naivety. Of course, no one is born evil, but as Laila stared into the lost soul of her kidnapper she could only wonder, what bad had this person done to have no good in him at all.
"I must admit, it was not easy to get you out of the palace" Khalil sniggered, walking towards another who was passed out besides her. Hafsa.
He grabbed her by the hair, her scream muffled by the fabric wrapped tightly around her mouth. "I should say at least, I am grateful to this mutt for taking the bait." Laila struggled in her chair, crying out as she witnessed Hafsa in pain.
"Finally, we are all where we belong again." He released her hair, stroking it as he admired the girl. "You will make a fine slave." Hafsa shook her head, tears running down her face. She looked towards Laila in haste, an apology in her eyes as she begged for forgiveness.
I did not know.
Laila tried to reassure the child by frantically nodding her head, unable to speak through her own gagged mouth. Khalil threw the girl's head down, releasing her from his grip. His eyes spared no second to fall onto Laila as a childish smirk appeared on his face, expecting her to be grateful.
Laila seethed, glaring, cursing with her eyes as she wished he had burned that day of their escape. As though he heard her taunting, Khalil approached, his hands reached around her head to untie the dirty fabric from her mouth.
Before she could utter a single word, the material was quickly replaced with his filthy hand. It covered her entire face, suffocating her as she struggled against him. He leaned down, the putrid smell of him filling the only air Laila could breathe in under his hold.
"That weasel Nasir would wish for you as his own." He sniggered as Laila felt her heart race. "Of course, no one would want for spoiled goods." Her eyes widened as the realisation sank in. He released his grip on her, enjoying the fear in her eyes as she shook her head. "You wouldn't." she whispered, to which Khalil laughed.
"It was your ignorance to believe I was not too far gone Amirah." He walked towards a side table and reached for a small dagger. His fingers caressed the blade, enjoying the feel of the sharp metal.
Laila raised her neck in defiance, daring him to strike. He shook his head, enchanted by her disobedience.
"You are either a very brave or very stupid little girl. Perhaps I need to teach you a lesson" he stood thinking for a moment, before reaching for her tied hands. She tried to evade his vile touch, attempting to kick him despite her bound feet.
"If you stop struggling for a second, maybe I could make it easier for you!" Khalil spoke in frustration, not expecting there to still be fight in the young princess.
"Your touch is disgusting. I would rather die than have you touch me" she was full of spite, managing to land a small kick to her kidnapper's ankle.
He yelped, grabbing Laila by her hair with a warning in his eyes. "Do that again and I will make sure you regret the day you were born." He moved his mouth towards her ears, causing a tremor to run up her body.
"I ache to know what hides behind these clothes. Do not tempt me." His threat made Laila still, disgust running up her spine. He stood back, triumph on his face, believing that he had earned her submission.
Laila grimaced, watching him gleam. She almost puked at the thought of this man touching her. Her patience was at an end. He was a man without honour, no longer worthy of her tolerance.
Even she could not believe her next actions. Forgetting all etiquette, she summoned the courage of a thousand men and spat in the criminal's face.
"Shame on you" she said, her eyes wide with adrenaline.
Khalil did not move at first, surprised, before his face turned red with rage. He raised his hand and slapped the girl on the face.
"You little bitch, I'll show you today" he said, reaching for his trousers. She lifted her head just as the door to the cabin was suddenly kicked open.
"Show her what?" a familiar voice and she knew, she was safe.
"Usman" Laila whispered, relief as her eyes filled with tears.
"Who the-" Khalil could not finish his sentence before a kick landed on his chest and he fell back into a heap.
"Show her what?!" Usman shouted this time, he glanced towards Laila and her bruised cheek. His eyes saw nothing else. Grabbing the man by the collar, he raised his own hand and slapped Khalil so hard that the echo ran throughout the tiny room.
Laila stilled; her heart feeling real fear as she witnessed the rage of her husband.
Her kidnapper screeched as a punch landed on his face, and another and another, becoming unrecognisable as the wrath of a warrior was unleashed on him.
"You raised your hand on my wife" Usman said, lost in a daze as he beat his prey to the ground. His hands did not stop, not removing his eyes from the man below him.
"Usman!" she shouted, attempting to stop him. "Usman enough!" she pleaded with a shaky voice, feeling the touch of death close.
"Usman, you can't kill him, please!" the sound of whelps suddenly stopped as Usman backed away from the now living corpse. Khalil was no longer the man who taunted her not too long ago. He was unrecognisable, passed out, his body broken and yet he was breathing.
This was Usman's mercy.
He didn't say a word as he walked towards Laila and cut open her bonds with the fallen dagger. Her hands instantly went to rub her numb wrists but they quickly fell as she was lifted into her husband's arms instead. Outside stood Hassan and another man, waiting for their commander to return.
"Clean it" was all Usman said. They nodded, only briefly glancing at his bloody knuckles.
Laila felt her heart pound faster than when she was tied and helpless. He walked towards the horse and placed Laila on top. "Usman I-" her silence was quick as Usman looked at her with such intensity that she forced her eyes to the ground. It was better to see dirt than to see his anger.
Her arms went around his waist as the horse began to move. He rode the animal fast, avoiding the populated city and crossing quieter areas. The ride was silent, the horse gentle, the sky was approaching darkness and she could see the shadow of the moon following them as they crossed the horizon.
The silence in the air offered a brief peace, but the silence of her husband made her body shiver from the disappearing of the sun. Day to night.
They soon arrived outside a beautiful villa which was covered by white pillars and large palm trees. Usman halted the horse and got off, lifting Laila into his arms again. He walked up the wide stairs leading to a large brown doorway covered by two archways. The floors and ceilings were covered with elaborate patterns. Colours of white, blue and green painted the whole house.
"Where are we?" Laila asked, expecting and receiving no answer. He ignored her as he opened the door to reveal a small courtyard with a beautiful fountain in the middle. It was surrounded with archways all around, forming a perfect square.
"What is this place?" she asked again, her eyes admiring the beauty. Usman put Laila onto her feet, letting her feel the tiled floor.
"Come with me" he ordered. Laila felt cold at his harsh tone. Nevertheless, she followed him up the stairs and into a large room where the windows were stained with elaborate colours, causing the fading sunlight to shine in like a rainbow.
She stood in awe before looking around at the large bed covered with pillows and surrounded by sheer curtains. The floor was covered in a beautiful rug and the walls were covered in the same patterns which decorated the whole house.
Before she could utter a word, her shoulders were grabbed as she was forced to sit on the bed. After inspecting her, Usman turned her head to the side. She felt his warm hand on her face, butterflies erupting as she tried to ignore the igniting fire between them.
Usman's eyes darkened as he stared at the red handprint on her otherwise perfect face. He left the room in haste, returning a moment later with a bowl of water and a cloth.
It was cold as he placed it on her cheek, compelling a hiss of pain at the slight sting. He held her chin with his other hand, keeping her in place.
Silence ran between them as she admired his attentiveness yet, despite his gentle touch, his eyes did not meet hers. His face refused to look towards her, a mask on him as he focused only on her cheek.
"Usman I-"
"You can leave"
.
.
"What?" she replied.
Usman dropped the cloth and turned towards the window.
"I will take you to somewhere where no one can find you. A beautiful village south of here. I go there sometimes when in need of peace."
Laila shook her head, not able to comprehend what he was saying. "What do you mean?" she asked. He stood and faced away from her. "You crave freedom so I will give you it. I will disguise you as a maid and let you leave. I will even divorce yo-"
"No!" Laila suddenly stood and walked towards him, taking hold of his still injured hands. "I don't want any of that, why are you acting like this?" Laila asked, almost in tears.
Usman pushed away her hold and turned around.
"You wanted to escape me from the very beginning. Now I am giving you the opportunity, you don't want to?" he looked confused. Laila bought her hand to his face, unable to form the words needed.
Don't let me go...
"I- I..-" her voice faded out as her heart felt suffocated. Usman looked at her curiously before raising his eyebrow in knowingness.
"Say it." He dared. Laila felt her breathing get deeper, her heart racing as she slowly shook her head.
"Say it." he commanded this time. She looked up at him, silence surrounding them before she finally spoke.
"I-" He approached her, taking hold of her face.
"Say I am not the only one who thinks of you day and night. Say I am not the only one who aches just to see you." His fingers gently caressed her cheek, forcing her eyes close whilst she revelled in his words. "Tell me you also feel these cursed butterflies from just a simple touch."
He leaned in, breathing in her scent as his mouth found her ear.
"Say you love me." Her eyes closed as she found herself melting into his arms. No longer in control of herself, the words she held back so often were now released.
"I love you."
They did not completely leave her mouth before it was ravaged. Laila stilled, unable to react.
The air was hot, boiling even. Usman dropped from the kiss, grabbing her hands and forcing them around his neck. His lips covered hers again, this time she danced with them too.
What felt like poison to her before was now as comforting as the warmth of hot sand. She felt a desire unlike anything she had ever felt before.
Usman lifted her in his arms and walked till her back felt the soft blanket underneath.
"Usman.." she called out his name as he intoxicated her with his touch.
"Laila." He suddenly said, bringing his face in front of hers. He looked into her eyes, placing his hand on her cheek.
"I could not explain in words what I feel for you. Without you, it is as though I cannot even breathe." Laila's eyes widened as he took hold of her hand, bringing it towards his heart.
"Witness how it beats only for you. You have become my reason, my love and my home." His eyes held something. Something so powerful that Laila could barely meet his gaze. His heart was beating faster than ever, her own only matching its pace.
She felt tears form in her eyes as he confessed his love.
As he finally confessed his love.