31 ??The conversation with Zayn ??

LEIA

This world was so unfulfilling.

I couldn't think of anything other than that. No matter what you had, it would never be enough. Things were still imperfect. Emotions came and went. Happiness didn't last.

People often asked me why I dressed the way I did. They never asked about my religion. Or about the kind of person I was from the inside. To them, only my appearance mattered. And even though it was a significant part of my life, it wasn't the only thing about me.

I often failed to explain things to them. I said I wore it to please God. Because it was an obligation upon me. Because my role models from the past had worn it. Because it made me feel protected. It increased me in faith and happiness and contentment.

They didn't understand. They hadn't felt the way I had. They didn't feel the walls that I felt closing upon me because this world had never given me anything. Every time I tried to gain something from people, I had always been disappointed.

So I had hopes in the afterlife. Many people didn't believe in it. That's why they were so confused, so lost. They wanted perfection in this world and unfortunately, it didn't exist. Not here, anyway.

Slowly, I gathered myself. I stumbled to the bed and threw myself over it, landing flat on my back. I was drifting off into space when my phone pinged. I fished it out of my pocket and stared at the screen.

Unknown: What's the situation at home?

I sighed. Before replying, I made sure to unlock the door and left it slightly ajar. I didn't want to have the guilt of talking to Zayn, especially not alone in a room. I needed his help. That was it.

Me: Ammar wants me to move in with him but I told him to give me time. I have no idea how long I can do this

Zayn: Just a few more hours. I talked to the lawyer. He's looking into your case. Don't worry, you'll be free by tomorrow

Tomorrow. Was it really so easy? Was Ammar simply going to let go of me? I seriously doubted that.

Me: Ammar will create many problems

Zayn: Let me handle him. He isn't a big deal

I breathed a sigh of relief, seeing a ray of hope. Finally. But . . . Should I tell Zayn what I'd kept hidden from him? What if then he couldn't do anything? What if the lawyer refused?

I swallowed.

Me: What then?

Zayn: You mean now that your bank will be gone from your life, what will you do?

Why did he make me feel like that? I wasn't after Ammar's money. He, out of all people, should've known that. I tossed my phone far away, too tired to even be angry.

However, it beeped with a message not even a second later. I tried ignoring it but curiosity got the best of me.

Zayn: I can take care of you

Zayn: And your parents

As if. I wouldn't take his help. Not when he was being so mean about it. I didn't need his riches. I would work my ass off to earn money. I would provide for my own family.

I heard rustling from my right and when I looked up from the pillow, Ammar stood in the doorway.

"The thing you put up the stove is ready I think," he said.

The thing. As if he didn't know what it was.

"The biryani?" I asked purposely, sitting up from the bed.

"Yeah, that." He went up to the dressing table, putting hair gel on his fingers and enfilading it through his hair.

I laid back down, although the closed door was giving me anxiety. "I've put an alarm for that. There's still time."

"All right,"

I almost jumped out of my skin when my phone pinged yet again. Ammar looked over. My heart was galloping out of my chest. Everything would be over if Ammar found out about Zayn right now.

"Who is it?" he asked.

I was unable to let out a response. When another message came through, I started quaking like chandeliers on an earthquake. Ammar walked over, stopping just short of the bedpost.

"Won't you check?"

I gulped. "Uh—it's just a classmate. Nothing important."

He stared at me for a second, before nodding and walking off. He flung the door open and I was about to sigh but he halted. Oh God, what now?

"I'll be upstairs with Uncle. You should spend your last day with your parents, Leia. We're leaving tomorrow." With that, he walked away.

Many minutes later, I opened the messages app and my heart stopped when I saw the texts.

Zayn: Don't sleep with him today

Zayn: Please