How to Keep Things Hot and Exciting While Deepening the Trust: My Story of Courage

By Lola Zakee

Lola Zakee is an intelligent young woman who is admired by many. She loves life, nature, animals, and has a heart of gold. Lola’s only mistake in life is that she is not smart when it comes to men.

After she marries a man she barely knows, Lola unknowingly embarks down a dark path as he repeatedly abuses and rapes her, keeping her against her will. When she finally manages to escape, she begins anew, only to remarry and fail again. As she tries to live without regret or fear, Lola is soon gifted with a blessing that prompts her to make difficult decisions to save her unborn child. Just when she is ready to give up, God sends her Kareem. As they travel the world and escape one danger after another, Lola inherits millions and devotes her time to helping others, risking her own life in the process. But as the clock ticks away, now only time will tell what Lola will do next as she faces hardships, pain, and agonizing choices with strength, courage, and patience.

In this compelling story, a young woman must determine what to do to survive life’s greatest challenges as she chases her dreams to realize a happy existence.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Mar 31, 2021
• ISBN: 9781665704526

Lola Zakee

Lola Zakee has overcome much hardship and pain in her life. Despite her obstacles, she remains strong and continues to fight for her right to save herself and her child. This is her second book.

Book preview

Copyright © 2021 Lola Zakee.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means,

graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or

by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the

author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author

and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of

the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of

people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

Archway Publishing

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.archwaypublishing.com

844-669-3957

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or

links contained in this book may have changed since publication and

may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those

of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher,

and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are

models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-6657-0451-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6657-0452-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021905583

Archway Publishing rev. date: 03/31/2021

Contents

Overcoming the Past

Starting Over

Blessings

A Long Way from Home

Bold

WOW! You’re A Warrior!

Survivor

Angel

Overcoming the Past

I t all started on one cold, winter, snowy day. Lola came home from her evening class. She had her purse over her shoulder, books in one hand; she opens door and can hear laughter. It was her roommates and they had a guest. As she goes up the stairs she can recognize the guest’s voice. A man, a man who always came to one of her jobs. Lola worked three jobs: cashier, librarian assistant and as a receptionist. Her life was going great, she had excellent credit score, she put herself through college by working hard, she was financing her new car. Her G.P.A. is 4.0, never tardy and had perfect attendance. Lola is loved and adored by many, she was the type that would help anyone in need, if she saw someone struggling, she wouldn’t hesitate to jump right on in and help out in any way she can. She had an angelic voice, gentle hands, dark, long, soft, natural, wavy hair. She has big beautiful brown eyes, flawless, bronze skin color. Weighing only 127 pounds and her height is 5’5", not too tall, not too short, just perfect. Lola always dressed in style, she was admired by many of all ages. She knew how to turn someone’s frown upside down and she didn’t have to do much, sometimes just a smile would make everything right and brighten someone’s day. Lola had nice, thick dark eyebrows that arched beautifully. Her teeth were pearly white, her smile is warm and welcoming. The way she walks into a room as she glides in and all eyes are on her. People would stop and stare, she wasn’t attention seeker, she wasn’t someone from a royal family, Lola was just an ordinary girl but she wasn’t seen this way in views of many. They saw Lola as a highly respected and successful person. When she speaks everyone is quiet and waits patiently to hear what she has to say. She always had something interesting to say, she’s known as international motivational speaker. Lola is a true artist indeed with her paintings, photography, writings, especially writing wedding poems, traveling the world and telling about the wonderful places to visit and things to do such as the perfect place for hiking or riding bikes, scenic views and so much more. Lola can bake you a cake like you’ve never tasted before with her special ingredients and the herbs and spices in her cooking is finger licking good, which will have you keep coming back for more. She volunteers and cooks for her neighbors, family and friends. Lola’s father is a chef and her mother is a cook. She learned by watching them at an early age. She did it with love and so much passion, adding a little bit of this and a little bit of that and a drop of this and a pinch over here – she would sing or hum and dance as she would cook and bake. Lola had it all and more until one day in a blink of an eye it was all gone and she had to start all over. The sweet, innocent person had to change to become a survivor and gain strength to become stronger and wiser to save herself. She had to do things she wasn’t proud of, loss of innocence.

As Lola walks up the stairs and puts her books, keys and purse down on top of the antique stereo, she walks into the room where all the laughter was coming from; and there he was, the man, the man who always came to her workplace. He wasn’t the only one though, Lola had regular customers came on her line regardless how long her line was. Customers just loved her for her friendliness and patience. She is being helpful bagging their groceries light enough to carry and then putting the shopping bags into their carts. Especially for the elders. Lola is admired by many, she loves life, nature, animals, her heart is pure, she has a heart of gold always being helpful and loving person.

Lola looked at him and then looked at her roommates Tiffany and Gabriella. She asked the man: what are you doing here? The man replied: well, I’m here for you Lola. Lola: Oh?! (shocking look) How did you know where I live? Tiffany and Gabriella were in shock they thought he knew Lola and that she was a friend of his. The girls leave the room and Tiffany tried to call 911, Lola told them it wasn’t necessary. She asked the man to leave but he kept saying he was here for her. Lola asks: what do you want from me? He said: I want you for my brother. I like how you’re sweet and kind, nice and loving. My brother is single and I wanted to know if you would be interested? Lola didn’t know how to react, she was thinking: should I kick him out or let Tiffany call the cops or do as man says and let him leave and no harm done? She couldn’t let Tiffany call the cops because they let him in and no sign of breaking and entering, she could kick him out but this will only make him keep coming back. She asks: what is your name? He replies: Uri Aswad and my brother is Bilal Aswad, here is his number. He doesn’t live nearby he lives overseas. Why don’t you give him a call or I can take your number and he can call you? She told him she will call him, she didn’t want to give her number out. Uri left. Tiffany and Gabriella came towards Lola: Are you ok? What are you going to do? Lola looks at the paper and sees the country is in the Middle East, she always wanted to travel outside of USA and so she kept the number. She wasn’t seeing anyone at the time, she was single and this would had been her first love if it worked out. Lola told the girls, she will keep the number and contact Bilal, they will talk for few weeks on the phone and see where this goes. Was Lola just saying this as an excuse to travel to another country or was she really thinking that this man she never seen before could be the one for her? As smart and intelligent Lola is, one would say: what is she thinking?!

The next morning Lola went to work as if the night before didn’t happen. Good morning everyone she says as she walks into the office. She was wearing black pants, powder blue blouse with buttons and black blazer with shoulder pads, and black heels. She wore light make up, black mascara, blue eye liner, nude color eye shadow and lip gloss. Over her right shoulder she is carrying her black purse and in her right hand is her cup of coffee as she makes her exit. After being greeted back by her employees and supervisor, she then sits at her desk and starts her day. Candy dish filled incase when children came in she would offer them candy. She would make sure her mixed nuts and raisins are within reaching whenever she got hungry for a quick bite before lunch time. Her water bottle always at her desk but not in sight for clients to notice. She listens to her messages and then gets back to clients, as she is talking with them she is filling out the forms on the computer, she can type fifty wpm. Once completed and then she sends the forms out to right person. The phones ring non-stop and she transfers calls to the right person, as clients walks in she greets them and talks with them until they are called in if she is not on the phone with a client. She files documents and types away filling in the clients’ information, distributing the mail and ordering supplies needed for the office. On her lunch break she eats light and healthy, cup of cup of yogurt, fruit and water bottle, she doesn’t take advantage of the full hour instead she uses that time to make copies, print documents and fax documents to wherever they have to go for that day. Soon as she finished eating and caught up on her duties, if she had time left to use from her lunch hour she would then use that time to step outside and use her cell phone to call Bilal, she had purchased a phone card to make long distance calls. After a few days, Lola began to like him and she gave him her number to call. After her receptionist job Lola went to her next job where she worked there on weekends as well, cashier at supermarket. Lola’s line was always the longest. Lola was being watched like a hawk by her managers and co-workers, wondering why she always had the customers on her line. She didn’t do anything different other than being nice and considerate of others and as mentioned earlier, especially being patient with the elders. She took the time to bag their bags lightly and properly. Lola then put their shopping bags in their carts for them. she was a gentle soul and always smiling. She always said: hi, how are you today as she rang them up. No matter how tired Lola is, it never showed, she’s known as a hard worker and always wanted to pay for her own things.

One day as Lola was working at the supermarket, her Store managers came down and customer service co-workers came around; they saw the other cashiers standing around with no customers on line. One of the managers tell the customers who were on Lola’s line, this register is opened. The customer says: thank you but I want to be on Lola’s line. They knew her name from her name tag. Customer service tried to take some of Lola’s customers but customers just wouldn’t budge. This didn’t bother Lola at all, she kept working and doing her job smiling, greeting and talking with her customers. Lola took it as an advantage, keeping her busy killed time and made it go faster but she also realized she was working harder than others, however this didn’t bother her. Once she left work she went to her evening classes and then afterwards she worked at the library assisting the librarian, checking books in and out, re-shelfing books, assisting students with the computer, pointing people in the right direction and answering calls. Later, Lola receives a raise and a promotion at her supermarket job. She became the new front-end manager and helped assist the customer service department. She was given a key and was entrusted to take over when other managers weren’t around. Even though she could had worn jeans with a t-shirt and sneakers, Lola dressed khaki pants or slacks and wore heels, she knew she would be standing for hours but she was comfortable and always looking fashionable. Lola has style, soon few other employees started dressing up. Many look up to Lola, whether it’s the way she walks, talks, smiles, laughs, dresses, and how she handles herself. A young woman having several jobs, speaking multi-fluent languages, sweet person and educational.

Two weeks later she received a raise from her receptionist job. Lola had it all and more except the one thing she always wanted, the right man. She would talk to Bilal on late nights after work and her classes. In between her jobs she studied for her classes during break times. She changed in the car at times for each job and/or before going to her classes, she did this to save time and money, instead of going home to change, and she would take a fruit to eat like a banana or apple as she drove to her next job or classes. She was almost finished paying off her car as she was paying more than what was asked for, she had six more payments to make on the car and she was trying to go for four payments but same time calculating to make sure she wouldn’t mess up her credit score or be backed up on bills. Lola made time on Sundays for her family and friends after her supermarket job, there would be BBQ parties, she would go swimming, just enjoying life with loved ones. On early Friday mornings, Lola would go to the park before work and walk five miles and jog back five miles. She would do her morning workout then hit the gym and weightlift, she has a nice firm toned body. Her arms and legs nicely shaped. She then would take a shower at the gym and go to mosque to pray. She would change afterwards in the restroom, fix her hair and then drive to work, at the red light she would do her makeup, quick mascara, eye liner and lip gloss, once she entered parking lot, she would add the touch of eye shadow and walk in to the office. Good morning everyone as usual greeting them with a smile.

Whenever Lola is around, everyone is sure to have fun, she made people laugh, she always had jokes to share, if someone was down she would know how to cheer them up. Lola is always just a phone call away. She would go with her coworkers to amusement theme parks and do lunch or dinner with them. Lola is always invited to every party, she’s the popular girl whom everyone loved and adored and highly respected. Weeks have passed and Bilal was making so many promises to Lola. She started to fall for him. He asked her to marry him and she says: "ask me when I come down." She had a big smile on her face and Bilal was excited to see her, he couldn’t wait. That night Tiffany and Gabriella was out for the weekend. Lola packed her suitcase and without telling anyone she just up and left, just like that. She packed few dresses, t-shirts, jeans and shoes. She didn’t want her roommates to think she left. But Why? Why didn’t Lola tell anyone where she was going or why she did what she did? Even Lola didn’t know why she did what she did or what she was doing. She was high on happiness and excited to get married. She wanted to travel to other countries and this is what she did, she traveled for pleasure and in return getting a big wedding out of it as Bilal promised her. She was getting two dreams in one, traveling and getting married to her dream man. But what was a wedding without Lola’s family and friends there? She didn’t think she just did whatever came to her mind and seek action without hesitation. She took a cab and arrived at the airport, waiting six hours at the airport for next flight out. She purchased the ticket and when asked how long she will be staying there, she replied two months when she meant to say two weeks. It didn’t matter to her two months or two weeks, she planned on being back within two weeks after the big wedding and exploring a new country. She looked up things to do in U.A.E. as she was killing time and waiting patiently to board the plane. She walked around and bought some snacks and drinks. She always carried a water bottle. She checked in her suitcase and then boarded the plane. She had to go through customs, shoes off, metal detectors, everything placed in basket through the scan. This was going to be a long flight about twenty-one hours in total not to mention the six hours additional wait time in another country. Lola took a nap on the plane. She closed her eyes and went to sleep with a smile; she let the stewardess know it was ok to wake her up when it was time for food. She kept the table opened in front of her. She got the window seat and no one was sitting next to her. Although she wouldn’t have mind if anyone was sitting next to her, she would actually might have liked this a lot as it would had kept her company and wasting time talking and laughing with the person, telling jokes and stories. Lola is a very sociable and friendly person and just loves meeting new people and different cultures, learning new things on daily basis, she was such an explorer and had this vibe in her that made her yearn to learn for more. Lola even learned to speak several languages fluently including basic ASL. Plane lands and it’s a few hours wait before boarding next plane. Meanwhile, Lola washes up in the restroom, changing her clothes from jeans and t-shirt to summer dress and sandals. She buys herself a cup of coffee and sits near the windows, sipping her coffee, she starts to do her nails, her dress is a yellow summer dress with flowers and her nail polish is neutral color which is perfect hence goes with anything. After finishing her coffee and doing her nails, She fixes her hair in a side pony tail with a yellow hair scrunchy, her sandals are beige color, wedge shoes. Last but not least she brushes her teeth and does her makeup. Few more hours to kill, she decides to walk and look around the shops. She took her sweet time and soon it was time to board the plane again. Within few hours Lola was going to meet her husband to be and she had planned everything to do once she arrived and some things with her husband to be, Bilal. Lola has been used to doing things for her own, she was a free spirit, going and coming as she pleases, she’s never been in a relationship before and this would be her first experience, too many emotions running through her body, exciting, happy, emotional, and joyful tears. She thought how fun it would be to wander around solo in a new country and smell the different air, taste exotic foods and drinks. The plane was huge and spacious. Some kids were playing cards and adults were playing dominoes, two other men playing chess, she can hear a baby crying and few got up to walk around and stretch their legs. Lola stayed in her seat and just looked out the window, while observing others. She knew she had arrived at the Dubai airport, as she looked outside her window she can see so many lights, it was beautiful, the lights reminded her of the city lights in New York City, colorful and bright. she had a picture of Bilal and he had a picture of her so when she got off and went through customs, she knew who to look for. She got through customs and before going outside, Bilal came running towards her. They hugged and they were both smiling, she was shy of course, this was her first boyfriend and now to be married to him. Lola had many male friends but that’s all they were to her, some wanted to be more than just friends but they didn’t have the courage to ask her out and some were afraid to be more than just friends with her as they didn’t want to lose the friendship incase if the relationship didn’t work out. Lola wasn’t really interested in dating anyone as she was more focused on her school, making money and paying her way through college and handling her own bills. The one day she had to herself, she made time for family and friends and coworkers. She wasn’t about to take on more by getting involved in a relationship. Lola has proven to herself she can handle it all and now ready for the next big step, MARRIAGE.

Bilal introduced Lola to his sister, Hannah. Hannah is divorced and has twins, girls age three years old, Sienna and Ameera. Hannah rented a limo for them and even had it decorated with balloons and lots of flowers. There were champagne in the limo but Lola passed as she doesn’t drink. She tasted champagne once and didn’t like it and since then she hadn’t tried any other alcoholic beverages. She certainly didn’t want to start drinking now. Bilal was convincing as he said: c’mon it’s just a sip, plus it’s our big day today. Lola didn’t like how he was making her do things she didn’t want to do, she can already tell he was going to be a control freak or was this just all in her mind? It was late, around ten o’clock at night when she arrived at the Dubai airport, and nice, cool breeze, thank God not as hot but then again it was night time. Hannah dropped Bilal and Lola off at their house. Hannah had to go home to her kids. The house is nothing Lola expected it to be; it was small and tight, no windows except one but led to a brick wall, in case of a fire – good luck trying to escape, the only way out was the front door, the only door. The window also had bars, seventeen-inch television in black and white, no color and all in Arabic. Radio barely worked, the kitchen can only fit one person at a time, she wasn’t complaining but not what she expected, for example, mansions, huge back yard, big buildings, this was a change for Lola. She eventually got used to it and managed to work around it in her two weeks as she had planned but things didn’t go according to her plan. Her two weeks stay turned into two months nightmare. Lola and Bilal get married next morning. They go to see an Imam who signs a paper saying they’re married. First before going to see an Imam, the bride and groom needs two witnesses each to approve their marriage. Then the dowry money for getting married, how much the groom is willing to pay for her hand in marriage and the money in case if leads to a divorce. They both agreed on fifty thousand dollars. Bilal was full of many promises but was all broken promises. He had used Lola to marry her for the green card to get into USA. Lola didn’t know this at first but she figured it out a little too late. When she figured it out she asked for divorce and this made things worse. Now Lola’s life was on the line it’s do or die time – what is she to do? Bilal now owned Lola. Lola was a virgin and her job was to obey her husband and do as he pleases no matter what. Whatever he wants whenever he wants, he just takes it. No point in calling the cops or screaming for help. Lola remembers this as she takes in the pain, she doesn’t scream, she’s in pain and shedding quiet tears as he forces himself inside her. She begs for him to stop or at least to go slow, he ignores and does as he pleases. He says: You’re born and raised in America and expect me to believe you’re a virgin! He scoffs and goes in her harder. She closes her eyes and thinks happy thoughts, times shared with her family and friends. She didn’t ever think something like this would ever happen to her.

Bilal took advantage of this and kept raping Lola repeatedly, and each time Lola wanted to scream but instead she closed her eyes and shed tears. She tried not to cry but the pain was unbearable and being her first time, he was being rough with her. She kept begging him to stop, she told him he was hurting her, he didn’t care. She tried to push him off but he kept pushing his body weight down on her and she got weak using up all her energy. As weak as she was, she didn’t give up. She went along with it and making him think she was enjoying it, she breaks glass mirror on the side of table lamp and uses all her fore cutting his face. He gets off Lola as he screams AHHHHH! YOU BITCH, in Arabic. He chases her as she goes for the door to run out. But she can’t open door as he has the keys. He punches her in the face and knocks her out while he cleans himself off and then once she awakes, he goes for round two this time tying up her hands. When he finally finished, he smoked a cigarette and went to take a shower. Lola can barely move, she was bleeding being her first time and he called his sister to show proof Lola was a virgin. While he was talking to his sister before getting in the shower, Lola thought of escaping even though she can barely move. But how? She doesn’t have the key and door only opens and locks with key. Bilal gets off the phone with his sister and she goes right over to their house. Lola can hear the car and Hannah has spare key to Bilal’s house, Bilal and Lola’s house. Bilal is in the shower, Lola could had escaped but Hannah showed up and seen Lola. She smiles and says: Don’t worry it always hurts first time but it’s nice pain Hannah winks at Lola as she says it. Lola gives her a blank stare. She wanted to tell her something, anything but why would Hannah help a stranger, a total stranger, a girl from America against her own flesh and blood brother? Lola stayed quiet and told Hannah she is going to lay down. Lola goes into the bedroom and plans how to escape, what can she do, when, who to turn to, no phone in the house and the only phone is Bilal’s cell phone and Hannah’s cell phone. When Bilal got out the shower and Hannah was about to leave, Lola thought of an idea. She acted as if she had passed out, this way they can take her to the ER. Bilal and Hannah didn’t care instead he was telling his sister to take the bloody sheets home and put it outside on the clothes line for everyone to see that Lola was a virgin. Hannah says: Don’t tell me you’re going to have a wedding or plan a honeymoon, remember this is all just an act until you get into USA. He says: I know, I will tell her we will have a big wedding in USA with her family and friends, then I won’t show and will leave her. I will quickly marry someone else to stay in USA before getting deported back.

Lola heard it all as they thought either she did pass out and not care or she fell asleep and didn’t hear any of it. She couldn’t believe all of this was happening to her, the lies, her virginity, and now to use her to get into USA? What was so important to get into USA?! She didn’t care at this point now she had to get away from these two and find a way out to get home safe, USA.

After Hannah leaves again, Bilal kicks Lola and says wake up, take a shower and go to sleep. She can hardly get up. He kept saying: stop faking it and get up. Lola knew it wasn’t worth speaking to him or explaining anything to him. The sweet, innocent, girl whom everyone once loved and respected became a different person. Lola had to do something but took a lot of planning and definitely more than two weeks. Even if meant doing things she never thought of doing – whatever it takes to save herself from this evil man.

Hannah would stop by early with her kids and drop Bilal off to work, then take her kids to school. Lola would stay home alone while Hannah would go out shopping with her friends. The women in UAE didn’t have to work as long as someone always provided for them, for example their husband, father or brother, uncle, a male family figure. Lola would be home alone from dawn until sunset. Lola would clean and do laundry if needed to be done, prepare dinner, she felt like Cinderella although she didn’t mind hence being better than doing nothing. She got used to doing all this and more at an early age. This was nothing new to her. Lola wasn’t allowed to go out or have any friends, no cell phone, nothing. She would be locked in the house all day, even if she wanted to go out she couldn’t she had no key. Hannah is no better than Bilal, she could at least had taken Lola out and shown her around or but to them Lola was nobody just someone to use and then throw away once Bilal gets what he wants.

Lola tried escaping few times and each time she would get a beaten from Bilal and sometimes Hannah would just stand there and watch it happen, smiling.

If Hannah felt like it, she would say to Bilal: where was your wife today? Making Bilal believe Lola went out. This made Bilal really angry and he would beat Lola so badly until she turned black and blue and blood all over the floor. One day Lola couldn’t take it anymore and shouted at Bilal: Why don’t you just kill me?! Bilal laughed an evil laugh and said: I need you alive! At this point Lola knew he wasn’t going to kill her but just torture her, this gave her hope to get stronger and wiser and gain her strength to fight back with every power she had let in her; but how?! She couldn’t take him on, Lola wasn’t a fighter, she was a delicate gem, she had to sharpen her brain and trick him into making him think she loves him. This was the plan after a month and half of torture. Lola planned and planned, she knew what their favorite food was, what time they left for work and came home, everyday it was same timing and always on the dot. It took a few days to study them and know their daily routine and she also knew she couldn’t leave the house. She also knew he wouldn’t take her out; so, she asked one day if she can go grocery shopping to cook them food and for Hannah to bring her kids over so she can meet them and eat dinner together. Bilal and Hannah looked at each other and Hannah says: this would be perfect and from now on you can even baby sit them on weekends because my brother and I have some business to take care of. Lola replies: of course, no problem.

Bilal tells Lola to make a list of items she needed to cook for dinner and he will go with his sister to buy it. Lola knew she couldn’t leave the house for anything, but this was ok, her plan was still going to work. The next morning when they went to work, on their lunch time, Hannah went to the store and bought the items and dropped it off with her kids. She picked up Bilal and they left. Lola watched the twins Sienna and Ameera. Pretty girls but WHOA, they were just as evil. They tortured Lola, tied her up by tricking her they were going to play a game, then threw the food out in the trash, Lola had to have food ready soon. She struggled to get untangled. She promised the kids a good story and snacks if they would untie her. Ameera tried to untie Lola but Sienna was just not having it. Lola gets herself untangled and then locks Sienna in the bedroom, she closed the door and put the couch in front of the bedroom door. Sienna screams and cries for help and Ameera, in Arabic says: if you be good I will let you out, Auntie Lola is going to cook for us good food. Sienna kept on screaming and started banging and kicking bedroom door. Lola tells her nobody can hear you darling but if you behave I may just let you out. Sienna fell asleep crying, screaming, banging and kicking the door. Ameera and Lola ate sandwiches and grapes with glass of milk. Once they finished eating, Ameera took the dishes and placed them into the sink. Lola started to prepare dinner. Ameera asked Lola if she can help with the dinner. They cooked together and Lola remembered Bilal doesn’t like herbs and spices. Lola gets the herbs and spices and sings a little song as Ameera repeats it: a little here and a little there, pinch of salt here and dash of peppers here they humm away. Sienna wakes up and says: please let me out, I’ll be good (in Arabic). Lola let’s Sienna out and tells her to go wash up and she will make her a sandwich to eat with glass of milk. Sienna says: ok (with a sad face).

Lola prepared Sienna and Ameera’s dinner separate as to not add peppers to burn their tongues. Lola is finished cooking and now puts food on the stove, she does the dishes and then waxes the kitchen floor. She looks at the time and it’s perfect timing, the food will be done and set on the table as soon as Bilal and Hannah walk in the door. The girls set the table and Lola puts all the cold beverages in the fridge, and cool water for herself and the kids on the table, while hot water for Bilal and Hannah. Bilal and Hannah walk in and the kids run to their mother: mommy, mommy (hugs and kisses). Bilal washes up and Hannah is busy talking with her kids, Lola pours the food into the bowl and plates, she warns them the food is right off the stove and the kitchen floor is waxed. The kids take the first bite and say: mmm mmm mmm, try it mommy then Lola takes a bite and then she waited for both Bilal and Hannah to take a bite but Bilal took a bite and then screams: ahhhh ahhh ahh hot hot hot! Lola says: I told you I just took it off the stove. He drinks the water but it was hot water, he then runs into the kitchen to get cold beverage but he slips and falls flat on his face. Lola says: I told you honey I just waxed the kitchen floor. The kids are laughing, Lola wanted to laugh, Hannah didn’t know what was going on – her kids’ food tasted right and then she tasted hers and said: "ohh noo, my brother can’t handle spicy foods." Lola acted like she didn’t know and fake apologizing deep down inside she was really laughing as she looked at the kids their faces were unforgettable – she made them laugh so hard, Hannah just took her kids and left. Lola played her cards right tonight but this wasn’t over, it was just the beginning. Bilal’s face bleeding and he couldn’t get up. Lola helps him up acting like the good caring loving wife, he gets into the shower and she looks for his keys to escape, but it’s almost midnight, where will she go on foot, how far, to whom will she turn, what will happen if she got caught outside by cops or worse, kidnapped? His keys and phone were on the table, she was already dressed all she had to do was grab her shoes and run for the door. She did, she left door opened and keys on table after unlocking door as if to make it seem Hannah left the door opened when she left with her kids. Lola goes on top of the roof and makes a phone call home to USA, she calls Tiffany and Gabriella but no answer, she realizes the time difference and they could be in class. By time she tried to make another call, Bilal was out the shower and realized door opened and Lola missing. He thought the worst that someone kicked in the door and kidnapped her. He couldn’t find his phone obviously since Lola had it but he didn’t know that. He knocks on the neighbor’s door and asks to borrow their phone. He calls Hannah and asks if Lola is with her or where she might be and why she left door opened when she left with her kids?! While they were arguing, Lola can hear and see Bilal from the rooftop and she is laughing so hard on the inside. She looks over to the right and can see the neighbor and she places her finger over her mouth and says: shhh. The neighbor knew Lola was in some sort of trouble and waited for Lola to make it down safely and back into the house before Bilal can see her. Lola whispered: thank you to the neighbor and then jumps into bed after placing Bilal’s phone back on the table. Lola acts as if she is sleeping the whole time in the bedroom. Hannah comes over and Lola can hear them screaming outside. Hannah telling Bilal: what do you mean you don’t know where your phone is? Don’t you know all she has to do is make one call and they’ll come for our heads?! Lola can hear everything and she can’t stop laughing. All of a sudden it got quiet and they both came inside and Hannah started shouting again (in Arabic): you idiot, your phone was here the whole time on the table next to your keys and look she’s in the bedroom sleeping. You almost gave me a heart attack thinking she escaped or got kidnapped. Perhaps you lost too much blood when you slipped and fell in the kitchen floor. Get yourself checked out!! Lola couldn’t stop laughing so hard she wanted to let it out but she knew she would get a beaten if she did so she kept it on the inside. Hannah leaves, Bilal goes out and comes home with cases of alcohol beverages. Lola can see as she peeks out, Bilal thinks she is still sleeping. She wonders if he went on foot or took a cab, either way she didn’t care but this meant things can get ugly for Lola. If he starts drinking, gets drunk and beats Lola or keeps on raping her this would be too much for Lola she had to do something and think quick – few hours until morning. Next day is a weekend and Bilal doesn’t work weekends, actually on Thursdays and Fridays nobody in UAE works it’s the weekend there.

Lola wasn’t the type that would seek revenge she would usually leave it to God but being raped repeatedly and the torture she has been through and still going through she wasn’t going to let them off that easily. She enjoyed watching them suffer a little while she got a laugh out of it until she planned her escape.

Being that she was in another country. Lola didn’t make payments on her car and so it got repossessed. Even worse, she didn’t notify her jobs by putting in her two weeks’ notice or even letting them know she was going to be in another country. She didn’t tell her school. She just up and left. She asks herself over and over what was I thinking? She just went for it and same time she lost it all and more. Lola was chasing this guy who she didn’t know, he came from a rich family and well if he was interested in her then why not give it a try. The marriage didn’t last two months, she was now living in a different country with this guy who she thought she knew. Lola was in for a surprise. He had tortured her and abused her over and over. He repeatedly raped her and she ended up having a miscarriage. She was so abused, he didn’t take her to the doctor’s or hospital. She had no one to turn to, she knew no one in that country. It’s not like she can call her friends back home in New Jersey and ask them for help, they were on the other side of the fence, another country. So how did she escape? Lola had to make it seem like she was in love with him, gain back his trust and do as he said no matter the consequences. She had to escape and that was her plan. Whenever Bilal left for work he would lock her in the house and she had no extra keys to get out. God forbid if a fire were to happen there were no windows in the house. There was one window, but no escape. The window led to a brick wall and had bars. She cooked his favorite meal, got dressed up nicely, did her hair, nails and makeup. When he came home they would eat together and then depending on his mood he would take her out for cup of coffee and then home. She kept doing this for a week. Little by little she gained his trust and she would make fake love to him and please him, she had to act quick because her passport was stamped for two months and needed to be out before she ended up staying in the country illegally and who knows what punishment she would have faced. Three days prior the escape she tried again one more time but this time there was no way she can leave even if the door was opened for her, he had her passport. She didn’t do anything stupid, instead said to him: let’s go to USA together, plus it’s better there for you better job, the money is good and since we are married you can get the visa. She did what she had to do to get out of this hell hole, she had to save herself even if meant she had to lie to him playing along making him think she loves him. He says: good idea we will leave tomorrow evening after I get off work.

The next morning Hannah picks up Bilal and take him to work. Lola starts packing and getting ready to leave with Bilal although if her choice she would had left him and went back home alone. Hannah stops by and says: Bilal said to iron his favorite red shirt. Lola says: ok no problem. Hannah says: you’ll be baby-sitting my kids today and here’s an extra key and cell phone, take the kids across the street and around the corner there’s a park. Have fun! Hannah calls Bilal and says: "Lola has key and cell phone you may call her any time the phone is fully charged." Lola irons the shirt and then took kids to the park. She felt she was being set up. Sienna purposely disappears on Lola and nowhere to find her. Ameera calls out Sienna’s name but still nothing. Loud enough Lola says: come on Ameera let’s go get ice cream. Ameera says: but what about Sienna? Lola says: well if Sienna wants ice cream she better hurry up and come before we leave without her. Sienna pops out and says: Here I am. Lola takes kids home and locks them in the bedroom until Bilal gets home from work. She wasn’t going to let anything ruin this day, she needed to leave and was willing to do whatever she had to do to get ready and pack their suitcases. Hannah was a distraction and Sienna acting like she was missing was all part of the set up. Lola puts the cell phone off and gets back to packing the suitcases and leaves out what to wear tonight at the airport. She puts aside clothes Bilal is going to change into once he comes home from work. She makes sandwiches for the girls and with glass of milk. She makes sure they don’t leave the room. While Lola goes back to her ironing she hears someone at the door but doesn’t say anything she continues ironing. All of a sudden, the door is broken down and Lola jumps out of fear and the iron goes up in the air from her hand. Lola falls back and sees it’s Bilal. As the saying goes what goes up must come down, the iron comes down on his face leaving a mark (hot iron). Lola screams due to fear thinking a burglar broke in meanwhile Bilal screams due to being smacked in the face by a hot iron. Lola quickly rushes over to the bedroom and lets the twins out without Bilal seeing, he was too busy screaming in pain and running into the bathroom to put cold water on his face. Lola then rushes to Bilal and says: OMG! Are you okay? What are you doing home so early? He says: I worried when you didn’t answer the phone! Why did you get scared? Why didn’t you answer the phone? Why is the phone off? So many questions and before Lola can answer all of them she simply said: Well you kept scaring me with stories that women get kidnaped and burglars always around, so I got scared and jumped – how would I had known it was you or that the iron would hit you in the face? All is forgiven as Lola is really laughing hard on the inside saying to herself – bastard you deserved it and so much more. She goes to him and kept saying I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I’ll make it up to you soon!! She gently applies make up to his face to blend in covering the red mark made from the iron. Lola started to laugh, she couldn’t hold it in and Bilal’s face expression was angry and he says: oh you think it’s funny? Lola makes up a story to change subject and says in Arabic: no sweetheart, I remembered something funny happening when I was a child. Luckily for Lola, Bilal didn’t want to hear the story and now Hannah is at the door and says: Are you guys packed and ready?

*Leaving for the airport – Dubai to USA*

Capturing the memories and moments before leaving Dubai: Lola was just happy she was going to get out of this country soon. Here she had no support, she had no power over Bilal. Her only chance to survive was to get him to trust her and leave the country safely. She didn’t want to stay another day longer, her body was getting weaker and weaker due to being raped repeatedly and beaten, losing a lot of blood on daily basis. Even worse, she had a miscarriage and was bleeding badly, so bad that she had changed pads every half hour. Lola couldn’t even stand or walk to the bathroom, she had to crawl. Her face wasn’t even recognizable anymore. Bilal refused to take her to the hospital as most of the doctors were male and he was the jealous type – he was beginning to fall for Lola but Lola eventually would forgive Bilal for everything he has done to her as she always forgave people, but to forget was another thing. Never-mind loving the guy – the guy she thought she liked was not the guy she spoke to on the phone getting to know him otherwise she would had never got on the plane. Lola also knows she was in the wrong for leaving her family and friends, work and education behind without saying a word to anyone. Has she learned her lessons? If you read this far you’re braver than you think. Mind you she was living with no phone, no freedom, no one to talk to for eight hours that she was alone while Bilal was at work. How his sister and the twins stressed her out and causing a distraction they were nothing more than to keep an eye on Lola. Lola was treated as an object, a sex slave. She got in trouble by Bilal for calling her cousin in USA and wishing him a happy birthday. As he would monitor her calls, he didn’t care that it was Lola’s cousin, it’s the fact she made a call to someone other than Bilal.

The plane was ready for take-off… It took a while which panicked Lola. Bilal teasing Lola saying: we won’t be able to fly to USA tonight it will have to be tomorrow, there’s a problem with the plane. Lola was not having it and told Bilal to shut the F up, she was cursing him in Arabic and English, she just wasn’t having anymore of his bullshit!! Enough was enough. Lola asked the stewardess what’s going on? How much longer before take-off? What’s the hold up? The stewardess had no answer for Lola which made her panic more. Lola calmed down and then took a deep breath and said a prayer. The stewardess came back and said we’re ready for take-off now. Lola put on her seatbelt and closed her eyes as to not be bothered until plane landed after take-off. She didn’t want to hear a peep from Bilal. She just thought about her family and friends back home in USA, her coworkers, her education, and her jobs. Lola’s been through hell and back with Bilal and just when she thinks everything’s back to normal – all hell breaks loose on her, one by one, she loses everything. How? Why? Now What happened? Does Lola ever get a break? When she thought the worst was past her, she’s in for another surprise after another.

Newark Airport – they landed and now Lola is starving and can’t wait to see her family and friends to have big dinner. But once they landed Bilal’s brother Uri kidnaps Lola and takes her to another place. A place unknown, it’s dark, nothing around, cold, and if she screamed nobody can hear her. Lola didn’t tell anyone when she left, she sure didn’t tell anyone when she was coming back into USA. Now Lola was under Uri and Bilal whereas before it was Bilal and Hannah and the twins. While Lola was on the plane she took advantage and got good rest, she didn’t care about eating on the plane even though the food was probably good, she just wanted to get rest and home safe to her loved ones and eat with them. Of course, even though this was her plan it didn’t work out as she had planned. She was now being held again against her will. She even had plans on seeing doctors for her miscarriage and a regular check-up. If Lola learned anything she learned not to make plans anymore in advance as they always don’t seem to work out for her. She just started to go with the flow. Now to escape these two was the only thing on her mind. She was hungry, cold and in a place unknown to her. Meanwhile Bilal and Uri are talking about what to do with Lola. Lola calls out for help but nobody can hear her. Few minutes later, Bilal walks in and brings her food, water and blanket. Then Uri follows and says: You will be here for a week as a punishment for the things you did to my brother. Lola nodded in agreement and stayed quiet rather than making things worse. She can handle this for a week, she hoped, she said to herself she came this far and not going to give up. Uri and Bilal left. Lola saw that Bilal had copies of the keys to wherever she was being held at. As the guys left, Lola thought of another plan, to get close to Bilal. Her plan is to trick him so she can get the keys from Bilal and get the hell out of this place. When Uri arrived with breakfast for Lola the next morning, she asked: Where’s my husband? Uri was surprised and said, "excuse me?" Lola said: My husband, Bilal, where is he? I need to see him, I want to see him. Uri replied: that’s not a problem, he shall be here around noon, to get you lunch. Lola thanked him with a smile. Uri was confused and Lola didn’t care, she had them both where she wanted them. Lola was planning her sweet revenge on both of them, no matter the consequences she may have to face. She was already in so much pain from what she went through with Bilal in Dubai she was willing to take little more and do whatever necessary to get herself out. Does she make it? To Lola it’s whatever it takes to save herself. However, it now becomes a fifty-fifty chance of do or die. What will she do? Will she go for it or will she give up knowing it can kill her? It’s two vs one. Two big strong guys VS one female, a non-fighter, no weapons, no help, just herself. No matter how many blankets Lola had, she was still cold. Even though it was spring time. She planned on how to get close to Bilal and hurt him, how to get the hell out and go after Uri all at the same time. Lola had to warm herself up, she started doing jumping jacks, running around the place, she had extra water bottle in case she got thirsty and an orange for later if she got hungry. She started doing sit ups and crunches, pushups and getting back into shape before she left USA. She had few hours to kill so she took advantage of doing more pushups and sit ups. She drank the water and ate her orange, too a nap until it was noon time for Bilal to show up.

Bilal shows up, Lola is well rested. She awakes and smiles at him. In Arabic, she says to him: how are you darling? he couldn’t believe his ears and replies: I’m good sweetheart. I’m looking for a place for us to live, away from everyone. It’s just you and me. Lola had to watch her face expression and remain calm and cool and say: that sounds nice. We can live on the mountains and near the rivers. As Lola is about to tell Bilal where they can live, Uri walks in and this is perfect timing for Lola to make her move on both of them. Uri witnesses the two of the hugging and kissing. Slowly without sudden movement, she acts as she is grabbing onto his tushy and slips her hand into his back pocket and takes out the keys. Uri doesn’t see this but watches them kiss and hug. He stares and thinks no one sees them but Lola felt his presence in the room. Once she gets hold of the keys, she gently pushes Bilal away and says with a smile: oh honey look we have a guest. Lola acts as if she is folding the blanket and instead slowly makes her way to the door. The brothers are talking and Lola attacks Uri with a pipe found on the floor and Bilal pushes Lola to the floor she makes him get closer to her and drops him to the floor with her legs. With her stilettos on she gets into Bilal’s right eye and makes him scream. She says in a loud tone, angry voice: SCREAM BITCH! SCREAM FOR ALL THE PAIN AND SUFFERING YOU PUT ME THROUGH! YOU WANTED TO HEAR ME SCREAM NOW YOU SCREAM! LOUDER!! NOBODY CAN HEAR YOU – SCREAM LOUDER!! Lola’s face was turning red from how nangry she was and screaming at him, all the meanwhile stepping on him and kicking him with her heels on, in his eye with her stilettos, with ball of her foot from her heels going for the groin and twisting it with her foot, with her pointy stilettos kicking him in the back and head with all her might. She cried as she did this, this isn’t her, she didn’t want this to happen but regardless whatever she did to him will never be enough for the three months she endured from him and his family members

Lola searches their pockets for money, cell phone, and credit cards, leaving them empty like they did her. Not for her to use but to make sure they suffer and don’t get out for a while. She leaves and takes the blanket. She locks them in and has no idea where she is. She sees a homeless woman with children and she gives them the blanket and all the money she gathered from the brothers. Lola continues to walk. She throws away their credit cards. She didn’t want their money, she didn’t want anything to do with these brothers. She could had left them there to die and nobody would had known, but she has a heart and no matter what they did to her she couldn’t let that happen yet she was in no hurry to set them free anytime soon either.

Lola kept five hundred dollars from the thousand dollars she gathered from the brothers in cash. She needed money to get a cab and go to the mall for change of clothes and shoes. She didn’t want to see anyone the way she was. After getting new clothes and shoes, she then took a cab to a hotel in NY. She stayed for a night, get well rested, took a hot bath, nice shower, threw her old clothes and shoes away and put on her new clothes and shoes after washing them at the hotel. She said a prayer and called Tiffany and Gabriella. She told them she was in NY near the hotel where she was staying but she didn’t mention she was at a hotel. They came to pick her up and left NY. They went out for lunch. Lola didn’t eat well for days and so she didn’t want something big right away. The girls asked her: "so,