Chapter Twenty
Aisha listened to the elevator door close, and then it was silent, telling her Drake had gone back to his office.
The first thing she did was pull out the bag she’d brought with her. She needed to remember to pack the outfit she’d worn when she’d left Afghanistan. If she didn’t wear the tombaan and parahaan outfit, she would stand out, and the chaadar head covering was essential to an Afghanistan woman.
All the new clothes she got would have to stay because there was no place she’d be able to wear them back home.
She packed only the things she’d brought with her. After that was done and the bag was hidden in the back of the closet just in case Drake came back, she looked in the office for Ryker’s number. He was the only one she knew who would help her.
She was starting to get desperate when she saw the card he’d given her in the top drawer of Drake’s desk. She picked up the phone on the desk and dialed.
“Ryker.” His bark and the rough tone of his voice startled her for a second.
“Yo, I don’t have all fucking day, so if you got something to say, say it.”
“Oh, um … hi.”
There was a pause. “Aisha?”
“Um … yeah.”
“Honey, what is it?”
“I need you to do something for me.”
“I told you I’d be here for you, whatever you need.”
“I need you to take me back to Afghanistan.”
She heard him inhale hard. “Wait a fucking second. I didn’t just hear you say you wanted to go back to that hell hole?”
“I … yes. I have to.”
“Really. I’d love to know what Drake has to say about it.”
“It wasn’t fair for me to be thrown into his lap.”
“What the fuck, honey?”
“He doesn’t want me here, Ryker, and I totally get it. I’m useless.”
“Whoa, wait a second…”
“No, listen. I can’t do anything by myself, and he’s starting a business, for God’s sake. He doesn’t have time for me. The fact that he doesn’t like looking at my back makes me feel bad.”
“Hold on…”
“No. Please. I’m begging.”
“Have you talk to him at all?”
“There’s nothing to say. Another reason is I left my cousin and aunt to take the fall for me if the town found out they hid me. They are the only family I have left.”
“God, honey. If you go back, you’ll die.”
“Not necessarily.”
“You and I both know the chances are high you won’t survive a week back there.”
“Please. If you don’t do it, I’ll have to go to the embassy.”
“That’s bullshit. Listen, I’ll come over, and we’ll talk to Drake together.”
“No! I’ll leave him a note. It’s not fair to put him on the spot like that.”
“Jesus Christ, Aisha.”
She exhaled. “Stop, listen. I’m sorry I bothered you…”
“No, wait a second.”
“No. I’ve got to go. Please don’t feel bad. I’ve got to learn to do things on my own. Take—”
“Don’t you fucking hang up,” he yelled.
“—care. Bye.”
“Goddammit, Aisha.”
She hung up and laid her head on the desk. The misery was fighting to take over, and if she let that happened, she wouldn’t be able to do anything.
She pulled out a piece of paper and pen.