Noor POV

The whole night I stayed taking care of him, changing the small towel on his forehead every now and then.

Thankfully his fever was subsiding as the drip was also over long before and before I knew it it was already dawn and it was time for me to pray Fajr prayer.

I decided to return to my room, now that I am assured he has no fever.

His grip on my dupatta was loosened and I snatched the fabric from his hand.

"Get well soon."

I went to my room and freshened up as I took ablution and prayed the morning prayer.

I stayed in my prayer mat longer pouring out all my anxiety and problems to my Only God.

Even though I may be alone with no family or friends in this temporary world to support or protect me, but I for sure know that Allah will always be there for his creations.

I raised my hand closing my eyes imagining the presence of my AlMighty God as my lips quiver and my nose flare feeling the rush of hold up emotions within me that I kept to myself surface as I felt my eyes moist with wetness. My heart heavy with undecided worries.

Ya Allah, there is no one but You for me in this world. I know this is a test given to me by You and I for sure will have and be patient during all the trials and difficulties of it by trusting in You.

But Ya Rab, today I have decided one big decision that will affect my life gravely. A sealed fate. A sacred bond.

I am still unsure and scared if the decision made is right or wrong but there was no other way for me but to accept it. Please guide me through this huge decision of mine and show me the right path.

I layed in prostration as I sobbed my heart out infront of my Creator, desperate for His assurance and guidance by the situation I was in.

And as if He was trying to answer my pleas a short verse which permanently planted in my memories once when I was scrolling down Pinterest popped in my mind.

"قال لا تخافا إننى معكما أسمع و أرى"

" He said: Fear not. Indeed, I am with you both; I hear and I see"

After what felt like hours, the invisible heaviness that was felt seemed as if it never was there and I could breathe my lungs easily.

Truly Allah knows what's best for us and so I decided to not overthink of the situation and just go with the flow.

I will tell him tomorrow.

I stood to take the Holy Quran and read few verses from it to calm my soul.

Like us human who needs food and drink, Our soul too needs to be taken care of and by reading few verses of the Quran or listening it can be done. That's what I heard.

But I read it because its one of the ways to make me calm when the stress or worry is too much.

Sometimes I believe things too easily which is really bad. Like this one time I believed an old lady saying she did not steal anything from the local super market and I defended her for it but ended being robbed for a 100$.

SubhanAllah. Can you believe that?

It was my last bit of money left from my salary to buy sanitary pads and medicine to ease my crams if it gets too intense.

I don't know whether to get angry that she lied to me or to get upset that I believed a stranger easily.

I closed the Quran and put it back in the wardrobe before folding my prayer mat.

I felt my eyelids heavy and my body exhausted. Ya Allah I am sure the body pain will be visiting me soon.

My hand habitually went around my neck as I rotate my head feeling the sore muscles crack as a relax sigh slipped from my lips.

That felt a bit good.

I looked at the clock beside my bed and it read 5:48 am. The sun will be raising anytime soon but I am sleepy.

Maybe I can take a nap at the afternoon?

I have to eat medicine first to refrain body ache and headache from visiting.

I walked out of my room and went to the kitchen to take the medicine from the cabinet.

My stomach gurgled in hunger as I took the medicine and it hit me I didn't eat anything since last night!

I am tired and don't want to cook because my body is exhausted. I wish someone will cook for me.

I smiled thinking of my broken wishes which will never be fulfilled. Who will even do it.

I sighed and turned but was met by a groggy Michelle who seemed to just woken up from sleep in less clothing. Inappropriate would be the word for it.

" Noor? What are you doing here?" Michelle was walking towards me in a black satin nightie which was not even knee length long and too lose as one of its thin strings slid down her shoulder.

Ya Allah! She is not living alone here ! At least she could wear a robe or something when coming out of her room!.

" Just... gonna eat some painkillers." I said with a tired smile as she went to the fridge and took a bottle of water from it gulping it down.

" Oh. It must be hard taking care of him huh. I told you you didn't need to stay with him" she said
As she combs her hair away from her face by her hand.

" It's ok. I didn't mind" I replied not wanting to sound that I was forced for taking care of him.

" You didn't have your breakfast yet right? Let me make something for you and you sit down" she offered which I did not expect that she can cook.

"You can cook?" I asked her astonished while she gave a slight chuckle " Well, not as good as you but I can make a toast and scramble eggs" she shrugged.

" It's ok, I can mak-"

" You look like a ZOMBIE Noor. I bet you stayed up all night without a wink of sleep!" She commented probably after seeing the eyebags under my eyes.

" So no arguments." she silenced me pulling me towards the counter chair and made me sit as she prepares to make breakfast while rolling her brown wavy hair into a loose bun.

I was really tired and didn't want to argue further so I didn't say anything back and just sit while watching her cook breakfast for me.

It was a quick and simple breakfast like she described. Toast and eggs. But who am I to complain about? It actually look really good and I am grateful she made me breakfast.

" Thank you Michelle" I said and she nodded with a proud smile while pouring a glass of water " Eat up".

With a whisper of bismillah I took a bite and it tasted really good! " It's delicious"

Michelle scoffed not believing my words but I pay it no mind and continued my breakfast because I was literally devouring it.

Guess I was a little too hungry?

Michelle was accompanying me while telling me tales of her missions. It sounded like as if she was at vacation if you hear her say.

I took the plate and put it in the sink as I go to eat my medicine.

" Take a good rest and I will tell Maya to not disturb you until you have rested enough" she said with a caring smile like a big sister looking after her younger siblings.

Michelle is actually elder than me of 3 years and she never leave the chance to behave like an elder sister to me
" Thank you Michelle".

I left to my room because I can't seem to open my eyes any longer and as soon as I hit the bed I welcomed the darkness and dozed off to the dream land.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

The loud noise outside woke me up as I raised from my bed and stretched my hand out to wake up as I yawned.

What time is it?

I looked at the rectangular clock beside the bed that read 2 pm. Oh Allah!! It's 2 pm!!! I am going to miss Zuhur prayer!

I touched my scarf to adjust it . Yes I am wearing my scarf at all times.

I can never let my guards down in this place where there are a lot of men. You never know when anyone will barge in.

" Fiona I don't need anyone to take care of me!" I heard a shouting from outside the room. Is someone fighting?

I stepped out of my room to check and saw everyone standing. Michelle, Jack and oh Andrew too? When did he came? What are they looking at ?

And.... him too. But his back was facing me. Is he talking with someone?

" Quiet young man, unless you want me to stay and look after you?" She said, but it sounded more like a warning?

I looked at Michelle who seemed unbothered by the situation and so was Jack but it seemed like Andrew is having fun looking at it snickering.

" And where is that caretaker of yours?" She asked and that's when Andrew's eyes saw me and he smiled
" Oh well speak of the devil".

Now everyone's attention was on me as the broad back that was facing me turned itself and the person who just asked about me came to sight.

It was a woman of Caucasian with brown wavy hair pass shoulder length. She had small almond brown eyes with deep creases under thin brows and a perfect shaped nose.

MasaAllah her nose is really beautiful .

Usually I would be attracted by people's eyes the first time I meet them, but hers seemed to be the nose.

Her lips were of the perfect size , not too plump nor thin and the white strands of hair that were visibly mixed with her brown locks tells her age.

She seemed to be in her early 40s?

" Different species I see" she say while looking over from her small rectangular specs as she eyes me up and down.

Species??

My gaze caught his who was standing still like a stone as the woman walks around me scanning me all over.

" Mom will you stop. You will creep her out" thankfully Michelle interrupted the scanning which was really creepy and uncomfortable.

" Oh well. I am Fiona. The two jackanapes' mother " she pointed at Michelle and Andrew who seemed offended by the word jackanape,

" MOM!" Michelle complained as Andrew protested "HEY! Jackanapes'? Really?"

But Fiona did not seemed to listen to their grumbles and added " And this stone head's one and only dear Aunt".

She forwarded her hand for a handshake but I was hesitate as I try to process the situation going on.

" But I must say, I never expected to see someone.... of a different species like you to be in a place as this." she said, withdrawiwng her forwarded hand as it rested under her chin as the other over her chest while still eyeing me up and down as if I was a strange object.

Different species? What does she mean? I am also a human like her and everyone else. Is she categorizing me base on my outfit ?. 

It's not the first time anyone discriminated me because of that, but it still kinda hurt that they do it.

Especially when the person they are talking is right infront of them.

" Stop being a racist mom. She is a human not any strange "species" of other kind" Michelle defended while quoting the word species with her finger.

I felt a bit relief that someone has defended me for my origin and for what or who I am. Something no one has ever done.

" Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to be rude" Fiona, whom I got to know and was mother of Michelle and Andrew said while I gave a tight smile.

" Anyways, so you are the caretaker, Michelle appointed" She said but it was more like she was confirming while I looked at Michelle and slowly nodded.

"Fiona, I already said I don't want anyone to take care of me" Leo grumbled as he sighed heavily. 

Why is he annoyed? It's not like I am die-ing to take care of him either.

" Has he had his medicine yet?" She asked in a serious tone now turning at me as my body went stiff.

I don't know why but when she is serious she looks scary. I gulped down a lump that I didn't know I was holding in my throat as I hesitantly nodded a no.

I JUST woke up from the sleep and I have to yet pray my prayer. Oh God, will she scold me? or ... kill me???

" You re-"

"Fiona that's enough. I am not a kid for God's sake" He huffed while rolling his eyes.

Did he just defend for me from his own aunt or was he just annoying that he doesn't want anyone to take care of him?

" If you don't want me to stay and live here to take care of you until you are fine. Better listen to me boy" She argued but it was more like a threat than anything else as she squint her eyes at him daring him to defy her.

"Mom, Noor just woke up because I let her rest because she was taking care of Leo until mornings without getting a sleep of wink!" Michelle grunted complaining as I looked down to the floor too tensed to look at anyone.

" Noor, why don't you fresh up and then start your work? I am sure you need to pray too right?" This time Jack spoke up but what caught my attention was how did he know my praying schedule?

Well, I did always tell them I will be praying if I am with anyone. But I didn't know he took attention of the smallest details too.

I quickly left the place before anyone protested and went to do my prayer.

I took my time praying because I don't like when the prayer is being rushed, it's not worth it. 

I fold my prayer mat as I looked at the mirror adjusting my dupatta.

I looked at myself in the mirror. Round gray eyes , small button nose , fair skin. I don't know why Jack want anyone like me.

He can get anyone else that are better than me, so how did he fall for me? We don't even have any physical contact!

If you look closely , I have light dark circles and blackheads on my nose. My eyes looked so dull as if I haven't slept in years and my lips are rough with not enough moisture. 

What if after a few years he regret his decision of marrying an ugly girl like me?

Will his love that he has right now drain out? Will he leave me if he finds someone else more beautiful than me?

 Will I be left alone again? I don't want to be alone anymore.

Will the decision I made last night bring me happiness and love I have ever wanted or will it be a ruin for me?

I felt all the energy I had has been gone in a flash thinking of the worst scenarios as a pang of agony fall on my chest like a sudden beating.

A knock on the door brought me out of my trance as I saw myself that I was crying " Noor I was- are you crying??"

It was Michelle and she quickly entered the room with concern on her face " What happen Noor??? Are you ok? Are you hurt???".

" M-Michelle" I sobbed and I don't know why, I breaked down on her crying on her shoulder as I let every agony out.

I could tell Michelle was confused as she tried to sooth me swaying her hands up and down on my back as we flopped on the floor due to my wobbly legs.

I clenched on her shirt that was now drenched by my flowing tears. After what felt like hours I was able to calm down.

" Shh Noor." She soothes as she cups my wet face while wiping the tears away " Noor, I have always thought you as my friend. Heck ,scratch that fuck, You are my little younger sister Noor and always will. I don't want to see you crying, can you please tell me why are you crying?" 

I don't want to keep everything inside me anymore so I told everything to Michelle. From my parent's death to the contract my uncle signed and Jack's proposal to my insecurities just now. 

I didn't tell her about the forced action her cousin had done on me. I don't want to make a fight between siblings and drift them apart. So I kept that to myself.

" Oh Noor" Michelle's face was scrunch in worry but it was soon faded as a small smile appeared on her face which seemed relax.

"Noor I don't know how you have lived your life before coming here but trust me on this you will never feel a bit of loneliness if you live with Jack. We sure can be Mafias shooting guns and doing illegal business but we always are true with our words and never go back. Well, for us that is I don't know about others" She chuckled rolling her eyes as she explained lifting the mood a little bit.

" I know Jack since we were like what? 10? and one thing you must know about him is that if he loves someone, he loves them from his heart and will protect and be loyal to them till death. You are lucky to have gotten his propose" She genuinely was happy for me and was assuring me about my decision like how I wanted someone to tell me. 

" And remember, I will be there for you whenever you need me whether you are at East and I am at South, I will always be there for you." 

Honestly at this point I feel to cry all over again. That was something no one has ever said it to me all the 20 years of my life I have lived in this world.

I hugged her again, tight, and she did not hesitate to respond to my hug " and yeah, tell me if you want me to deal with that greedy uncle of yours. Just say the word".

I chuckled " It's fine. I'll let you know" I joked.

I guess I will go with the plan I had for Jack's proposal.

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☆OKAY! Another chapter after 4 days! Woah, I can tell things are not what everyone has been expecting, neither did me.

But I wanted to teach Leo some lesson for always hurting Noor hmph!.

Anyways have a great day and happy reading! ;)