Life with Abdullah
After Zoe attacked Abdullah she was reproved by Anson, although she knew he was secretly proud of her. Anson felt like these girls might be ok after all. He hated to leave, but if he stayed he risked Abdullah really taking out his ire on the girls for disgracing him in front of Anson. He lost a lot of honor.
Anson: I must go little one. Now you behave, and take care of your sister. If you need anything you know what to do. He didn't dare tell her to come to him in front of Abdullah as Abdullah would make sure that would never happen. Zoe miserable nodded. She didn't want her daddy to go leaving her and Charmaine here. She had hoped when he came it was to take them away from this scary evil man. She didn't like how he looked at her. She didn't understand the looks, but they made her feel uncomfortable inside.
Anson: Where is my little dumpling Charmaine? Charmaine was standing in the doorway of the bedroom to afraid to come out. She would have but she didn't want to be where Abdullah could see her. Besides she was upset at her daddy for leaving them here.
Realizing that Charmaine was not going to come out, he sighed and not able to stall any longer left. He hoped he could find a way to get the girls back without losing honor, but in the meantime he was reassured that Zoe could take care of herself and Charmaine.
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Anson: I must go little one. Now you behave, and take care of your sister. If you need anything you know what to do. He didn't dare tell her to come to him in front of Abdullah as Abdullah would make sure that would never happen. Zoe miserable nodded. She didn't want her daddy to go leaving her and Charmaine here. She had hoped when he came it was to take them away from this scary evil man. She didn't like how he looked at her. She didn't understand the looks, but they made her feel uncomfortable inside.
Anson: Where is my little dumpling Charmaine? Charmaine was standing in the doorway of the bedroom to afraid to come out. She would have but she didn't want to be where Abdullah could see her. Besides she was upset at her daddy for leaving them here.
Realizing that Charmaine was not going to come out, he sighed and not able to stall any longer left. He hoped he could find a way to get the girls back without losing honor, but in the meantime he was reassured that Zoe could take care of herself and Charmaine.
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After Anson left Zoe was going to turn and go into the bedroom with Charmaine. Before she could do so Abdullah stopped her. He stood in front of her hands on his hips to intimidate her. Zoe looked down.
Abdullah barked: Don't you dare look away from me! Look at me!
Zoe was afraid, but wouldn't back down from this man. She looked up timid yet defiant.
Abdullah with deadly calm: You should be horsewhipped for what you did, but I don't want my new bride to be all scarred up for the wedding. Your sister and you shall be my brides in a weeks time. In the meantime you will both obey and do everything I say! If you fail to do so, I will punish your sister. You obey or your sister suffers. Do you understand me?
Zoe choked back an angry retort. He had hit her where he knew it hurt the most. Zoe had always watched out for Charmaine because she was so scared and timid, and being her twin they had an inseparable bond. That is why their father betrothed them to one man so not to separate them. She couldn't let Abdullah hurt her sister because of her.
Abdullah smiled evilly looking at Zoe's defiant stance change to one of submission. He had won. She would behave. Satisfied his voice took on a more jovial tone.
Abdullah: You will see that living here will not be so bad. You will both be treated well if you remember your place. Insurrection and defiance will be dealt with harshly and swiftly. Now go to your sister, and tomorrow you will be instructed by my son in your duties.
Abdullah barked: Don't you dare look away from me! Look at me!
Zoe was afraid, but wouldn't back down from this man. She looked up timid yet defiant.
Abdullah with deadly calm: You should be horsewhipped for what you did, but I don't want my new bride to be all scarred up for the wedding. Your sister and you shall be my brides in a weeks time. In the meantime you will both obey and do everything I say! If you fail to do so, I will punish your sister. You obey or your sister suffers. Do you understand me?
Zoe choked back an angry retort. He had hit her where he knew it hurt the most. Zoe had always watched out for Charmaine because she was so scared and timid, and being her twin they had an inseparable bond. That is why their father betrothed them to one man so not to separate them. She couldn't let Abdullah hurt her sister because of her.
Abdullah smiled evilly looking at Zoe's defiant stance change to one of submission. He had won. She would behave. Satisfied his voice took on a more jovial tone.
Abdullah: You will see that living here will not be so bad. You will both be treated well if you remember your place. Insurrection and defiance will be dealt with harshly and swiftly. Now go to your sister, and tomorrow you will be instructed by my son in your duties.
Zoe filled with rage and bowed her head.
Abdullah smiled. In a weeks time they would be his legally, and he could do anything he wished, and nobody could or would stop him. If they tried they would regret it. He would make sure of that. He had to admit he admired Zoe's spirit, and hoped he could tame her into a perfect wife while keeping the fire in her, but that Charmaine he must admit while submissive she was as skittish as a mouse, and did not interest him like Zoe did. Maybe if he could groom her into a submissive wife, but not so timid he would save her for his son. His son needed a wife, and why not mingle two of the same blood into his family? His son would not know how to deal with such a one as Zoe, and so she would be his. Well he wasn't sure yet. Maybe there was more to Charmaine, only time would tell, and frankly she was healthy enough to give him big brawny sons. He was worried though that if she did bear him sons she would pass on her weakness to them.
Zoe turned and rubbed her eye trying not to cry. She was so upset, but crying wouldn't help. She had to be brave for her sister. She had never been so unhappy or felt so powerless. If it wasn't for Charmaine, she would put this monster in his place, but now her father was not here to help her, so she didn't dare. She walked slowly away.
Charmaine stood in the doorway petrified for her sister. How could her sister talk that way to Abdullah? She wanted to shrink into the walls and have Abdullah forget about her. Zoe seemed to delight in drawing attention to herself. She knew that whatever her sister was doing it would not turn out well for her. When she heard Abdullah threaten to punish her for Zoe's being bad she became real scared. Zoe had a temper and was not able a lot of times to control her tongue. She didn't want Abdullah to hurt her. She didn't know what to do. She was terrified.
Akbar hated his father for terrorizing these girls. His father knew they were too young to even be living here. He was appalled that his father was going to marry them against the laws of the land because he was powerful and could do anything. Akbar wished he could do something, but he saw what his father did to his mother. He threw her out on the street with not a dime, leaving her destitute. She had no family, and Akbar was powerless to help her. He had from time to time snuck out and gave her food, but one day he had been caught by Farid who told Abdullah. Abdullah had him whipped within an inch of his life, and told him that if he ever did this again, he would not only get the same, but he would watch his mother die by his hand a most slow and painful death. Akbar knew at that time he couldn't fight his father, and didn't dare try. He tried to subvert his father when he could, but could only do so much. He tried to warn Anson, and if Anson wasn't willing to rescue his own daughters why should he take anymore risks? The girls were prisoners just as much as him, and all he could do was try to make things a little more bearable for them.
That evening.
Akbar walked into the girls room to check on them. He saw them lying in bed. Charmaine was cowering under the covers, and Zoe was lying back looking up at the ceiling. She, in spite of being so brave, looked so young and vulnerable. This one tugged at his heart strings.
Akbar: I came to see if either of you required anything.
Zoe: No thanks.
Akbar: Well if you need anything, I am your humble servant.
Zoe didn't reply.
Akbar stood there awkwardly. What could he say?
Akbar: Look, I know this is not where you want to be, but my father if you obey him can be a good man. He will treat you right, and you will be two of the most blessed women in the town. You will get great honor and rewards. There is not a woman in the whole village who does not envy you or wish to be in your place. You are most honored of women.
Zoe just continued to stare at the ceiling.
Akbar was starting to get upset. He knew their lives as women were hard, but being with his father they would have a good life. They were marrying above their station. They could be married to stinky goat herders. He turned to leave. His words were lost on them.
Zoe realizing that she had offended Akbar and knowing he was just trying to be kind spoke.
Zoe: Honored Akbar. My mother used to read to my sister and I every night before bed. I am missing my mother so desperately, and was wondering if you would be willing to read us a story.
Akbar smiled: Sure little one. He went to the bookshelf and pulled off a book of Al Simhara folk tales that his nurse read him when he was their age, and which he enjoyed.
Akbar sat gingerly on the edge of the bed and started to read.
Zoe at first half listened, but the sound of his voice was soothing and she found herself propping herself up on one elbow to hear better. She was grateful to Akbar for distracting her. Charmaine laid in the other bed with the covers pulled over her head. Zoe needed Charmaine, but she was just retreating from her and everyone. Zoe needed someone desperately and Akbar was better than nobody.
Akbar stopped reading realizing Zoe was looking at him. Her gaze was so forlorn yet he saw gratitude in her eyes.
Akbar uncomfortable harummphed in embarrassment. He got up.
Akbar: That is all for tonight. You need your rest. She laid back and he covered her up. Sleep tight little one. It will be ok I promise.
Zoe closed her eyes suddenly exhausted. Akbar turned off the light and stood at the door watching Zoe. Soon her breathing became regular and he could tell she was finally asleep.
Akbar stood there filled with sadness. They were too young, and his heart ached for them like it did for his long departed mother. She had died finally of starvation and the harsh life of the street 10 years ago. As he stood there he was determined that such would not be the fate of these two. He would turn them into willing obedient wives who would please his father so that their lives would be everything good. As he left the room he was over come with a thought so shocking it disturbed him. Well he dismissed the thought immediately as there was no way that Zoe ever could or would be his. He shook his head sadly. How he wished things were different, but they weren't and he would have to accept that hard as it was.
That evening.
Akbar walked into the girls room to check on them. He saw them lying in bed. Charmaine was cowering under the covers, and Zoe was lying back looking up at the ceiling. She, in spite of being so brave, looked so young and vulnerable. This one tugged at his heart strings.
Akbar: I came to see if either of you required anything.
Zoe: No thanks.
Akbar: Well if you need anything, I am your humble servant.
Zoe didn't reply.
Akbar stood there awkwardly. What could he say?
Akbar: Look, I know this is not where you want to be, but my father if you obey him can be a good man. He will treat you right, and you will be two of the most blessed women in the town. You will get great honor and rewards. There is not a woman in the whole village who does not envy you or wish to be in your place. You are most honored of women.
Zoe just continued to stare at the ceiling.
Akbar was starting to get upset. He knew their lives as women were hard, but being with his father they would have a good life. They were marrying above their station. They could be married to stinky goat herders. He turned to leave. His words were lost on them.
Zoe realizing that she had offended Akbar and knowing he was just trying to be kind spoke.
Zoe: Honored Akbar. My mother used to read to my sister and I every night before bed. I am missing my mother so desperately, and was wondering if you would be willing to read us a story.
Akbar smiled: Sure little one. He went to the bookshelf and pulled off a book of Al Simhara folk tales that his nurse read him when he was their age, and which he enjoyed.
Akbar sat gingerly on the edge of the bed and started to read.
Zoe at first half listened, but the sound of his voice was soothing and she found herself propping herself up on one elbow to hear better. She was grateful to Akbar for distracting her. Charmaine laid in the other bed with the covers pulled over her head. Zoe needed Charmaine, but she was just retreating from her and everyone. Zoe needed someone desperately and Akbar was better than nobody.
Akbar stopped reading realizing Zoe was looking at him. Her gaze was so forlorn yet he saw gratitude in her eyes.
Akbar uncomfortable harummphed in embarrassment. He got up.
Akbar: That is all for tonight. You need your rest. She laid back and he covered her up. Sleep tight little one. It will be ok I promise.
Zoe closed her eyes suddenly exhausted. Akbar turned off the light and stood at the door watching Zoe. Soon her breathing became regular and he could tell she was finally asleep.
Akbar stood there filled with sadness. They were too young, and his heart ached for them like it did for his long departed mother. She had died finally of starvation and the harsh life of the street 10 years ago. As he stood there he was determined that such would not be the fate of these two. He would turn them into willing obedient wives who would please his father so that their lives would be everything good. As he left the room he was over come with a thought so shocking it disturbed him. Well he dismissed the thought immediately as there was no way that Zoe ever could or would be his. He shook his head sadly. How he wished things were different, but they weren't and he would have to accept that hard as it was.