Chapter 74 : The harsh reality.

The room was drenched in the soft glow of morning light, casting a subdued atmosphere on the aftermath of a night that had stolen Zeba's innocence. She lay beneath the tangled sheets on bed and her eyes fixated on the ceiling as if searching for answers in its blank expanse.

She wanted to escape, to wash away the stains of the night, but the heaviness in her limbs kept her anchored. The night had taken a toll on her, leaving her emotionally drained and physically exhausted. She had cried until she thought there were no tears left, the remnants of her sorrow staining the pillow beneath her. She felt a profound sense of loss, not only of her innocence but also of her trust in the world.

Prof. Syed lay beside her. She could still feel the echoes of Prof. Syed's breathing. A man she once admired turned into a haunting figure. She couldn't comprehend how he could rest so soundly after shattering her world. Her mind wrestled with the questions of why and how. The morning held no answers.

Weakness clung to her like a heavy shroud, but a sense of survival pushed her to rise from the bed. With each movement, Zeba felt the ache in every inch of her body. Every step towards the bathroom was a struggle, her legs unsteady beneath her.

Using the wall for support, She gathered her clothes from the floor, the discarded remnants of a night that should have never happened. Clutching the fabric to her chest, she took small, hesitant steps toward the bathroom.

In the bathroom's harsh light, the mirror reflected the aftermath of her ordeal. Red marks, like cruel graffiti, adorned her body. The neck, chest, and stomach – once untouched canvases – now bore the painful imprints of a violation she couldn't comprehend. 

Zeba's fingers traced the outlines of those marks as if seeking validation of their existence, "How could someone do this?"

The water turned on, and she stepped into the shower, hoping that its cleansing touch could erase more than just the physical remnants. She scrubbed her skin relentlessly, as if trying to shed not only the physical dirt but also the emotional stains left by Prof. Syed's actions. The water turned murky, carrying with it the remnants of a night that shattered the boundaries of her safety.

With each droplet, Zeba attempted to wash away the shame, the fear, and the disbelief. The rhythmic sound of the water droplets merged with her sobs....

Wrapped in her old clothes, Zeba emerged from the bathroom. Prof. Syed, seemingly unaffected by the events, sat on the bed. As she caught sight of him, a wave of fear surged through her, and she instinctively reached for the nearby table to steady herself. She tried to steady herself, taking slow breathes.

Prof. Syed, with a sinister smile, asked, "Are you scared of me, Zeba?" His voice echoed with a malevolence that sent chills down her spine.

Zeba trembled but managed to utter, "No."

Prof. Syed chuckled and leaned back, his eyes scrutinizing every inch of her discomfort.

Zeba gathered the courage to speak, "You promised... last night... you promised not to leak the video."

Prof. Syed's smile widened, exposing the depths of his cruel intentions. "Ah, my dear Zeba," he replied, "I keep my promises, but only if you keep yours."

Zeba asked confusedly, "Which Promise?" 

Prof. Syed leaned forward, his gaze piercing through her. "I want you here every Sunday at 7 PM, in this hotel room. If you don't comply, well, let's just say your shower video might find its way to the internet."

Zeba's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. "I can't... I can't do that!" she protested.

"Zeba, you don't have a choice. This is the price you pay for your little secret." Prof. Syed laughed.

Zeba hesitated before asking, "Do you do this to your students? Blackmail them like this?"

With a twisted smile, Prof. Syed replied, "I have my ways of dealing with various situations. Don't waste your time on useless questions."

He went towards the drawer and extracted a packet of pills. Turning to Zeba, "Take this," he hissed, extending the packet towards her.

"What is this?" Zeba asked.

Prof. Syed replied with a chilling smile, "Birth control pills, my dear." 

Zeba was taken aback. Her mind stopped working, "Why do I need to take these?"

"Did you forget our little escapade last night? Without protection, my dear. This pill will ensure there are no unwanted surprises." Prof. Syed replied. 

Zeba took the pill and continued to stand there. Prof. Syed demanded, "Take it now, in front of me."

....

The morning light painted a warm glow across the opulent lobby of Malacca Royale. Ava approached the reception where Shazia, stood with a welcoming smile.

"Good morning, Ma'am," Shazia greeted with respect.

Ava returned the greeting, "Good morning. How are you?"

Shazia replied, "I'm good. And how's the wound on your hand?"

Ava glanced at her injured hand, "Not much better than yesterday, but I've taken a painkiller. Hopefully, it works its magic."

Shazia expressed concern, "Hope you get well soon. Is there anything you need?"

Ava shook her head, "Not really. I came to ask about Noureen. How is she now?"

Shazia hesitated, "Oh, they checked out yesterday."

Ava's face fell, "Checked out yesterday?"

Shazia confirmed, "Yes, Ma'am."

Ava sighed disappointedly, "I thought I would talk to Noureen and inquire about her well-being."

Shazia nervously added, "Noureen was well yesterday when she checked out with her husband."

"I was worried about Noureen." Ava shared.

Shazia said, "Don't worry, Ma'am. Noureen will be well from now on."

Ava furrowed her brows and asked, "How can you be so sure she'll be well from now on? Noureen's husband tortures her so how.....can you talk so confidently?" 

And some beads of sweat forming on Shazia's forehead, stammered, "Actually, Ibrahim Sir told Daniel to behave well with Noureen; otherwise, he'll complain to the police. The hotel's CCTV footage is also there as proof, so Daniel agreed with those terms set by Ibrahim Sir."

Ava's lips curved into a smile, expressing gratitude. "Really? Thanks for telling me. It's good news. I hope Noureen will be safe from now on."

Shazia nodded as Ava walked away back in the room. Once Ava was out of sight, Shazia sighed deeply.

Ava returned to the hotel room, finding Ibrahim still peacefully asleep on the sofa. Despite her insistence on sleeping on sofa last night, he had refused to let her.

Carefully, she tiptoed towards him and positioned herself on the floor in front of the sofa. The morning light, filtering through the curtains, painted the room with a subdued glow. She couldn't help but to observe Ibrahim.

Her eyes gently scanned Ibrahim's features. His face displayed the contours of a handsome countenance. The lines of his jaw were well-defined, and a hint of stubble graced his cheeks, a subtle departure from his usual clean-shaven look. His eyes, closed in the tranquility of sleep, concealed the depth and intensity she had often encountered when those eyes were open and focused on her.

Her attention shifted to his tousled dark hair. Drawn to the magnetic allure of his hair, Ava extended her hand with an almost involuntary curiosity. As her fingers made contact, she experienced a subtle resistance, a gentle resistance akin to the silkiness of his strands.

However, when her fingers made contact with his forehead, a jolt of heat shot through her, making her withdraw momentarily. Concern etched across her face, she examined his forehead more carefully and realized Ibrahim had a fever. A touch of worry crept into her demeanor as she checked her own temperature with her free hand, confirming that Ibrahim indeed had a high fever.

The realization hit her with a twinge of regret – the previous night's long drive, where she had suggested opening the window instead of relying on the air conditioning. Ava muttered, "It's my fault. Shit."