Tears poured down my face and soaked into his shirt. I still couldn't believe I was in his arms — and that the monster had finally let me go.
He gently stroked my hair, whispered comforting words, and held me tight. Then he pulled away just enough to cup my face in his hands, looking straight into my tearful eyes.
"I'm here now," he said softly. "Wipe your tears. You're safe."
He took my hand and guided me to sit on the bed. Then he turned on the lights, his warm smile trying to bring me peace. But as he saw my tears continue, he sighed gently.
"You're crying again..."
He sat down beside me, brushed his fingers across my cheek, and added,
"There's barely a drop of blood left in your body. Why won't you listen to the doctor? Why do you hide your pills instead of taking them?"
My lips trembled. I stared into his gentle face, the only safe place I knew.
"He was hurting me, Ehoora. That man... he's strange. He's going to slaughter me. One day he will."
Frustrated, he ran a hand through his hair and said,
"If that man were real, I would've killed him a thousand times by now — ripped him apart right in front of you."
Tears welled up in my eyes again.
"So I'm insane, is that it?"
He lowered his head, covering his face with both hands.
"Ayaat… don't believe what you see. Please."
"But..."
His voice turned firm, his eyes locked on mine.
"Tomorrow, we're going back to your doctor. From now on, you'll take your meds, and we won't talk about *him* anymore. Understood?"
I just nodded, afraid that if I spoke, I'd break. I knew if he got upset, it would crush me.
He kissed my forehead.
"Sleep in my room tonight. I'll stay with you till morning."
He helped me lie down, pulled the blanket over me, and sat beside the bed, distracted by his phone.
Even with the safety and comfort he gave me, sleep wouldn't come.
"I wish I'd just die... It would make everything easier for you."
He looked up from his phone, his face darkening.
"You're not going to die."
I turned on my side, whispering,
"He's going to cut off my head. He'll throw it in your room, burn the rest of me outside the building, and hang what's left."
Slamming his phone down, he stood up.
"You idiot — no one dares hurt you. And if I ever find the one responsible for this mess in your head, I'll do *exactly* what you just said — to *them*."
Who's responsible for this?
Oh... right. Him.
I gave a bitter smile.
"You'd do anything for me, I know. But Ehoora... I can feel it. You're getting tired of me."
He forced a smile.
"I'll never get tired of you. Even if you never listen to me."
His words and smile made me smile, too. And that night, I finally drifted off to sleep.