Chapter 68 : A Heartfelt Conversation.

The hotel room enveloped them in a hushed ambiance as Ibrahim gathered the first aid supplies. Ava's blood-stained dress, once a symbol of a pleasant day, now bore witness to the brutality they had encountered on the balcony.

Ibrahim approached Ava as she sat on a single sofa, her tears flowing freely. He sighed, "Why didn't you wait for me? You could've sat in the lobby." His anger grew high everytime by seeing Ava's wound. But he was controlling his anger infront of Ava.

Through her gritted teeth, Ava replied, "There's no network in the lobby. I went to the balcony to see if there was a connection." She was trying to tolerate the pain. She got a large and deep cut near elbow.

Ibrahim cleaned the wound, "We have Wi-Fi here. You could've waited a little longer for me if want to go to balcony." 

"Don't scold me," Ava snapped. "I'm tolerating the pain, and I wanted to see the balcony. Is it a crime?"

"It's not a crime, Baby Girl. You went to balcony it's good. But why did you have to intervene in their problems?" Ibrahim sighed. 

Her eyes met his, "The man, Daniel was torturing his pregnant wife, Ibrahim! I couldn't just stand there and do nothing. He slapped her, pushed her – she's pregnant!"

Ibrahim sighed and tightened the bandage. Something was going on inside his head. And he got the name - Daniel. Now he had to handle the man. 

"I can't unsee something like that," she said, "And I don't regret trying to help." Her tears were falling continuously. 

"Why do you have to be so stubborn?" Ibrahim muttered, more to himself than to Ava. But Ava heard that. 

Ava shot back, "Why can't you understand that I can't turn a blind eye to someone in need?"

Ibrahim secured the bandage and gazed into Ava's eyes, his heart aching as he witnessed her tears. Tenderly, he wiped away the traces of sorrow from her cheeks, his touch gentle against her soft skin.

In a soft voice, Ibrahim murmured, "Don't cry, Ava. Your tears... they hurt me deeply."

Ava expressed her frustration. "You scolded me for an hour, Ibrahim. Why did I go to the balcony? Why did I intervene in their fight? You keep asking same question again and again."

Ibrahim moved closer to Ava, "I'm sorry, Ava. I won't question you anymore. I wasn't scolding you, Baby Girl; I just wanted you to be cautious when I'm not around."

"I can't stand seeing a woman being mistreated by a man. Every time I witness such situations, it takes me back to those days when you kidnapped me. I was alone, locked in a room, crying for my family. Those three days felt like an eternity. I didn't miss my parents in my entire life as much as I missed them in those days. There was no one to help me." Ava revealed a deeper layer of her pain.

Ibrahim listened without saying anything. He has caused a deep pain inside Ava. And now it was his time listening all the affects. Despite his efforts to make her forget the trauma, the scars lingered, resurfacing with each new challenge. Every attempt to bring happiness to Ava seemed to be met with an unforeseen obstacle. It was as if some unseen force conspired to shatter the peace they sought.

"Why do men think women are powerless?" Ava questioned, "Why can't men treat women better? Do they find peace in seeing women cry?" Her voice was carrying pain. She wanted to know if Ibrahim felt happy to see her crying in those days. 

Ibrahim remained silent, his gaze averted, as if grappling with his own internal turmoil. Ava pressed on, "Won't you say something, Ibrahim?"

It was as if Ava's words had struck a chord deep within him. Ibrahim struggled to find the right words, the weight of his actions heavy on his conscience, "Do you see me like other men? I've never raised my voice at you, never laid a hand on you. Why do you think I'm like other men? Are you comparing me to Daniel? Am I really that low in your eyes?"

Ava shook her head, "Who I am to compare? I'm not comparing, Ibrahim. You're not like them but you are unique in his own way. You kidnapped me and killed someone right before my eyes. Those traumas haunted my nightmares, and at first, I could hardly cope with them."

Ibrahim pleaded, "Can't you forgive me?"

Leaning back on the sofa, Ava responded, "If you're asking for forgiveness from my mouth, Then yes, I can give it now. But if you're asking for forgiveness from my heart.....then no."

Internally, Ava grappled with conflicting emotions. The most disheartening realization was that she was falling in love with the person responsible for her deepest pain. She had never loved any man in her life, and now, against her own will, she found herself falling for Ibrahim. 

 She was going through a storm. Her tears streamed down her face, Ava wanted to cry harder, to release the overwhelming emotions building within her. She yearned to embrace Ibrahim, seeking solace in the one who had become the source of both her pain and unexpected love. Closing her eyes, she allowed the tears to fall.

Ibrahim gently pulled her into his embrace. His arms wrapped around her, creating a cocoon of solace. Ava, overwhelmed by a surge of emotions, found refuge with her head resting on Ibrahim's chest. The room was filled with the echo of her tears. 

Ibrahim's strong arms encircled her in a soft manner. He softly patted her back, a rhythmic gesture meant to offer comfort in the midst of her sobs. His fingertips traced a soothing pattern, as if trying to erase the traces of distress etched into her soul. 

Ava's tears streamed down, dampening Ibrahim's shirt and he closed his eyes, grappling with the ache of witnessing her pain. He pressed a gentle kiss on Ava's head. His love for Ava radiated through the gentle way he held her, a silent promise that he would weather the storms alongside her.

Hours passed. Ava's sobs had given way to peaceful slumber in Ibrahim's protective embrace. Her breathes created a soft lullaby. Ibrahim opened his eyes. He had not slept, his eyes were closed. He looked down at Ava. Each rise and fall of her chest were like gentle waves in the sea of serenity. 

With a gentle touch, Ibrahim lifted Ava from the sofa. Her form was light in his strong arms. Carrying her towards the bed, he laid her down, tucking her in with a fatherly affection. But he knew that it was not the time by getting called 'Daddy' from his lover, his wife. 

Retreating to the sofa, Ibrahim's eyes lingered on Ava's peaceful countenance. A sigh escaped from his lips. 

Pulling out his phone, Ibrahim composed a message to Shazia, the hotel receptionist:

"Bring my bag. Don't knock, message me once you're outside."

As Ibrahim awaited Shazia's response, he ran his hands through his hair, a gesture of frustration. "Daniel" , "Daniel", "Daniel " he murmured. The night seemed endless for him. 

He received Shazia's message, "I'm outside of your room sir." Ibrahim opened the door. His anger evident in the furrowed lines on his forehead. 

The corridor was was dimly lit and almost empty as it was midnight. Almost all the guests were in there room. Only some workers and staffs were here and there. 

"Why didn't you follow Ava when she went to the balcony? I explicitly told you to keep an eye on her," Ibrahim questioned Shazia with a stern tone.

Shazia, with lowered eyes, nervously apologized, "I'm Sorry, sir. I thought I should give her privacy and I don't have..." 

Ibrahim retrieved his bag from her hand. It was small in size and in black colour. "In my line of work, there's no room for forgiveness. However, I'll give you one last chance because there is a work that should be completed."

Shazia begged, "Please, sir, don't dismiss me from work. My mother is sick; she needs money for treatment. Only I earn in my....." 

Ibrahim hardly seemed different. He didn't even listen what she was saying. "Don't go anywhere until I come." With that, he retreated into the room, leaving Shazia standing in the corridor.

The small bag he brought into the room contained a collection of essentials, but it was the transparent syringe, filled with a clear liquid labeled "Somnolence Elixir." This elixir, a shot designed to usher one into a peaceful sleep lasting approximately three hours. 

Ibrahim had to go for a mission and he didn't want Ava found his absence. It would be better, she sleeps peacefully. The syringe held a clear liquid that shimmered by the lights of the room. Ibrahim, with practiced precision, prepared the syringe for the impending shot. His movements were deliberate and smooth, reflecting the familiarity gained from previous tasks of such elixirs.

Approaching Ava, Ibrahim chose a spot on her hand for the injection. Gently, he readied the syringe, ensuring the liquid within was ready to fulfill its purpose. The needle met Ava's skin under Ibrahim's expert guidance. With a swift and steady hand, he administered the elixir, watching as it seamlessly entered her system. Ava's peaceful features remained undisturbed and her slumber deepening with each passing moment.