• • •

There was silence around us. Understandably, the night brought silence upon everyone; yet this was a different kind of silence. It was the silence before a storm.

The night had aged. No doubtedly, with the way the cold breeze swivelled across the old window. Almost rattling it off it's hinges. As if any minute now it'd fall off. Yet there was stillness to the night. A storm was waiting.

A lump formed in my throat as I closed my eyes. Each time, the images of Esma words ringing before me.

Tears stinged my eyes whilst I tried thinking of utter darkness. A loophole in oblivion that'd take me away.

Holding the thin blanket a little tighter. I willed myself to fall asleep and after turning for what felt like a hundredth time. I sat upwards on the wooden bed hearing it creak. It's old legs crying out.

It had been almost four days since I came here, to Imaam Mebarak house. I was scared, to say the least, but as soon as I stepped inside the house. I was overwhelmed by their love and kindness. Layla and Aslie made me feel more at home than I have in the past twenty years.

Aslie has severe rheumatoid arthritis and found it hard to carry out daily task; yet with Layla being a nurse. She was often cared for, to the best of their abilities. Reminding me much of my grandparents.

Standing up from the bed. I felt my shaky hands wrap around the woolly jumper. Shivers now crawling down my spine. Walking quietly out of the room, I knew at this hour everyone was asleep and Imaam Mebarak would be back from the mosque. It was way past One in the morning.

Glancing around the small hallway, my eyes landed on to the front door. The shadows of the fire flickering against the lantern painting the wood. Wrapping the veil Layla had given me in the mosque, I walked forward, making sure I didn't cause any sound. The last thing I wanted was anyone to see me sneak out.

Imaam Mebarak and his family had been very kind to me and despite repeatedly telling me I was now their daughter. I couldn't cause them anymore trouble.

Stepping in to the cold breeze. I felt the wind brush lightly on to the black veil allowing a few brown strands to crown down my face.

There was a small bench in front of the house followed by some plants, that had now died with the season.

The minute my eyes landed on the bench, I knew it'd be my refuge and every night, for the past four nights that's what I had been doing. Sitting on the bench and staring at the stars, trying to find my home.

This night was no different as I sat down on the cold bench. My eyes instinctively flickering towards the star filled sky. Wondering what Roshan would have been doing. What Nourie would be doing. Wondering if I had married Emre where I would be.

Closing my eyes tightly. I wrapped my arms around each other feeling overwhelmed all of a sudden. The feeling of homesickness crawling through me.

Standing up, I slowly walked around the garden before exiting it. Walking down the pathway and towards the small mosque. The lights were turned on dimly indicating it was empty, well at least for the women side it was.

Walking further down, an unknown feeling crawled down my spine. Almost as if I was being watched. I felt my eyes flicker upwards all of a sudden seeing a tall figure paint the walls with their shadow. My breathing halting for that split second seeing dark grey eyes stare at me.

My arms turned heavy all of a sudden; cold sweats forming in my palms. A dark look flashed across those grey eyes as they scanned my figure.

His stubble had grown a little and as always his raven hair was brushed backwards. The black jacket he wore now fell easily on his muscular body as he stood upwards, almost like a king. Addressing his people.

It was as though the world stopped for that split second as we stared each other. Both with a tale of our own. I was the first one to look away as I walked further down, now a feet away from him.

" Farya"

His deep voice spoke and I had almost forgotten how it sounded. Staring down at my cold hands, I glanced upwards feeling my breathing hitch.

" Moustafa"

I whispered slowly hearing the man inhale sharply, as he looked away. His gaze landing on the forest behind me.

" What are you doing here?" His deep voice reached my ears making my gaze flicker upwards. At loss for words.

" I could ask you the same" I murmured seeing his grey eyes snap towards me before shaking his head. As if he was mustering back both anger and amusement.

" How's your back?"

He asked softly making me tense. The sudden action causing my back to flinch from the pain.

" As good as it can be. It's not everyday you get hot tea poured on your back" I spoke harshly seeing his jaw tense before he nodded. Running a hand through his hair the man suddenly reached for his coat taking it off making me glance at him curiously.

" Put it on. You'll get cold"

Moustafa spoke handing me his coat. And I stared at him for a few good minutes, wanting to refuse, but I knew I couldn't. Not with the cold taking over my body and so I reached forward. Taking a hold of the coat whilst feeling our fingers brush lightly against each other. Sending a fuzzy feeling down my spine.

Wrapping the large coat around me. I glanced at Moustafa seeing something flash within his eyes before he looked away. Almost as if he was having an inner battle.

" Come on"

" Where?"

" Farya"

Moustafa commented making me glare at him. Crossing my arms stubbornly I waited for him to speak making the man exhale sharply. Almost as if he was having a hard time trying to contain his anger.

" I'm not going anywhere"

I spoke seeing the man reach towards my hand. Pulling me in swift motion towards him. I felt my eyes widen seeing him place his hand near my jaw and on my cheeks.

" Don't test me Farya. Get in the car"

He spoke coldly. His eyes blazing with anger making me cower away a little. Reaching towards his hand I pulled it away from my face seeing a dark smirk play across his features but nonetheless he remained quiet.

The walk towards the car was done in silence. It wasn't long, lesser than a minute yet it felt like a millennia.

Standing infront of the large black car I felt my eyes flicker towards Moustafa as he opened the door making me step inside immediately welcomed by the warm breeze.

" Where are we going?"

I asked slowly trying not to lean too much on my back. It was still in the healing process. Layla had insisted she take me to the doctors but I wasn't too keen on going hospital so instead she went to the pharmacy and got me some prescribed medication and some ointment. Least to say it was healing pretty fast. The stitches done for it had been pretty good hence the fast recovery.

Glancing down at the long black dress, I placed the matching veil loosely on my hair feeling eyes trained on me. Flickering my gaze towards Moustafa I could see the man look away. Making something within turn. He was somewhat different.

" Hamza was only Twenty-Six"

He spoke as I stared at a picture of Murat and Moustafa and another man, Hamza. I had seen his pictures around the house so I wasn't overly shocked at what he looked like. He was handsome.

" I'm sorry" I spoke genuinely, at loss for words. In grief at the life lost. It never occurred to me as to why our families hated each other. As far as I was concerned we were somewhat a normal family. As normal as we could get.

I could see Moustafa nod as he started the car, driving away from the small mosque and down the eerie quiet roads.

" You need to come home"

" That's not my home"

I spoke softly seeing him stare ahead. His hand tightening on the steering wheel. " I'm not asking you, I'm telling you" He spoke sternly making me sigh and glance away from the man.

" You can't stay at Imaam's house all your life. You have your home" He spoke again, as he took a sharp turn now approaching the large gates towards his house. I could feel my heart drop, my eyes burning with anger as I stared at him. At loss for words.

" You tricked me!" I muttered baffled seeing red as the man looked at me. A scowl flashing across his face.

" You know what they say. Never get in a stranger's car"

" You're not a stranger. You're my-"

I spoke my words halting seeing his eyes snap towards me. A dark look flashing in them before he stepped out of the car and rounded towards my side. Opening the door,the cold winter air fogged through me making my body shiver. Looking towards Moustafa he stared at me, awaiting making me sigh. Pain gnawing at my insides.

" Why Moustafa?" I whispered softly seeing him stare at me for the longest of times before he indicated for me to get out of the car.

" This is your home Farya"

" This is Hell Moustafa"

I spat back as the man walked towards the double gates. Inserting a key inside, he pulled the doors open, revealing the all too familiar house. Swallowing back a lump I felt my eyes roam around the hallway and towards the staircase.

Dim lights decorated the house as the clock struck two. The sound echoing everywhere. Cold shivers swept down my spine seeing Moustafa step inside the house before reaching towards my hand. Making me follow behind him.

" You've brought me back to hell. I'll never forgive you, Moustafa " I murmured brushing past him and straight up the stairs towards the bedroom.

Rushing up the stairs I walked inside the familiar bedroom hearing Moustafa sigh exasperated as he too stepped inside the room.

Pulling the black veil from my head I threw it on the chair. Reaching towards my hair I felt it cascade down my back and traitorous tears fell down my cheeks.

" I want to go to my home, Moustafa" I sobbed suddenly, feeling my eyes glance towards him. Seeing his face pained as he ran a hand across his face.

" Where is your home Farya?" He murmured in a deep voice. Almost as if he was tired all of a sudden. Swallowing back a sob I shook my head, closing my eyes tightly.

Where was my home?

The bed suddenly dipped and I felt a warm hand reach towards my face. Opening them I stared at Moustafa glancing down at me curiously, as if he was in awe.

" It's better you accept this as your home. Your place is here with me" He spoke, almost as if was brainwashed and forced to utter those words. Moving away from the man, I felt bile rise at the back of my throat.

My eyes flickered towards the suitcase Deniz had brought. Seeing it still packed.

Wanting to distract myself from reality, I walked towards the suitcase before unlocking it seeing all my clothes placed there alongside some photo albuma. Feeling my throat tighten, I reached towards my clothes, taking it out bit by bit.

My body froze suddenly seeing a photo frame before me. It was as though the world stopped for that split second as my shaky hands reached forward.

Striking blue eyes stared at me in laughter as a handsome young man stood in a beach. In navy blue jeans and a white top. His blonde brownish hair strands falling across his forehead as he grinned at the camera. Showing his pearly white teeth.

Roshan

Holding the frame. I pulled it tightly against my chest. Almost as if I was hugging him. Almost as if Roshan was really here.

Placing the photo frame on the bed stand, I proceeded to take the rest of my clothes out of the suitcase. There two big suitcase. Packed with all I had in life. Placing my clothes in hangers, I realised there were some new dresses in there as well. Most likely Nourie would have bought them. All designers dresses.

I found myself sitting down on the bed again. My arms now numb from all the work. Glancing over my shoulder, I felt my eyes flicker towards Moustafa seeing him laying down on the bed. His eyes closed tightly and his breathing even.

His raven hairstrands fell easily across his forehead and his stubble now a little over grown. There a small scar on his chin, only recognisable if you concentrated hard enough.

He was handsome. I knew that for a sure.

Closing my eyes tightly, I found myself laying on the bed beside him. Ignoring how my back flinched against the distant pain.

I didn't know when I fell asleep or when I had woken up. But the sound of loud yelling and laughter reached my ears. Sitting up on the bed, I looked around seeing it empty indicating Moustafa had gone.

Pushing the blanket away from myself, I moved away from the bed and towards the bathroom. Cleansing myself I brushed my hair, pulling it in to a bun. Allowing a few strands to fall across my face.

Applying a thin amount of foundation and some makeup. I looked decent enough to be glanced at. Walking towards the cupboard, I pulled out a long maroon jumper with some black tights.

Mustering my courage I stepped out of the room after fifteen minutes wanting to visit Imaam Mebarak to let him know where I was.

Walking down the staircase, I could hear some laughter and immediately my eyes flickered towards the open kitchen. I could see Elif dishing out breakfast whilst Mirya feasted on some pancakes. Murat sat beside the little girl accompanied by his grandfather.

My eyes suddenly travelled towards Esma feeling my heart drop, I glanced from her towards a stunning woman with long black hair and the darkest blue eyes, that suddenly landed on me.

I could see them stare at me from head to toe and a smile plaster on the woman's face yet it didn't quite reach her eyes.

" Hello there" A voice spoke behind me making me turn around. My eyes landing on dark green ones, leaving me a little breathless. Taking a step back, I glanced upwards at the handsome man grinning at me.

" Hi "

I spoke back shyly, as Kenan reached towards my hand before pulling it towards his lips just in time for someone to smack him across the head. A large hand reached towards mine, taking it in theirs as I glanced down from Kenan feeling my cheeks burn.

A sudden squeeze to my hand had me looking upwards feeling my eyes landing on Moustafa.

Uh Oh!

" Farya"

" Moustafa darling you're finally home"

A voice spoke behind me making me turn around seeing the woman from earlier now stand besides Moustafa. Her arm falling on his broad shoulders.

" You must be Farya Khizan"

She spoke as I felt my hand being squeezed tightly at the sound of my name. Forcing a smile I extended a hand towards the woman seeing her shake it. Her blue eyes glancing towards Moustafa's hold on me.

" My name is Amelia. I'm Moustafa's good friend"

" Don't beat around the bush Amelia"

Esma spoke suddenly as I felt my eyes glance towards Moustafa seeing his jaw tighten. The older woman laughed where she was before looking at me. Her cold eyes piercing against mine.

" Amelia here was to be Moustafa's bride"

• • •

Wow! It's been a long time since I updated. To be honest I've been travelling. Two weddings in three weeks does a lot to a person. Least to say but I had to update. I couldn't make you guys wait anymore.

I hope you all liked the update.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read.♡