Enjoyed Arsalan's past in the last chapter, his friendship with the Johnson Brothers and his loss, and then Bashar's part .. ??

***

Amal

The clouds roared loudly in the raining night, making me flinch.His eyes snapped to mine.The charcoal orbs looked much darker now almost black making me gulp.Our daze had broken as we snapped back to reality.A thick ice formed all around us, unbreakable it was.He looked down at me, masking all of his emotion.His face devoid of any reaction.

His intimidating figure stood tall before me.I shifted in my seat, feeling nervousness consume me.Goosebumps appeared on my skin with the coldness in the room now.The clouds roared again, making me move my eyes to the window.

The man seemed unfazed with the rain.But fear suddenly rushed through my body thinking about all the times Jalal Khan threw me in the garden when it rained.Making me spend the night in the cold rain.

You deserve it all beautiful.

His words echoed in my ears, making me resist the urge to cover my wars with my hands.The charcoal eyed man moved towards me, making my breathing rate high.

He was going to do the same.

He was going to throw me out in the cold rain.

I anticipated as he stepped closer to me.Backing away in my seat, I held my hand up in guard as his hand reached mine.

"Please-"I rushed the words out as tears brimmed my eyes.

He frowned as his fingers took the now empty mug out of my hand.

"The mug-Amal."He whispered making me shut my eyes tightly.I opened my eyes seeing him still look at me.I swallowed down my throat and curled myself further from him.

"Breathe."He said.

I blinked at him confused, furrowing my eyebrows.

"Breathe."He repeated with a twitch to his lips and only then I realised I had held my breath.

He moved away taking both the mugs away with him.I inhaled and exhaled, taking in large breaths.

The next thirty minutes I spent looking into space aimlessly, but thinking: how little did I know about the man.Although he spent so much time telling me about his friend but he didn't say anything about himself.I didn't expect him to tell me about himself because I wasn't ready about telling him my past.

Getting up from the sofa, I checked the window, ensuring that it was locked.Making my room into the bedroom, I saw the man already under the covers.Changing into my night cloths, I laid down too facing the window.The warm covers instantly soothed my cold body, making me pull them closer.Curling myself under the covers, I said a small prayer before closing my eyes, wanting the sleep to consume me.

*

Arsalan

The bed shifted from besides me making me bite back a groan.The covers being pulled away.Fisting the comforter, I pulled it over my legs again, wanting to return back to the dark abyss of sleep.

I groaned, as I got disturbed again.Annoyed, I turned over my back.Changing my side, I opened my eyes , only for them to widen.

Amal, she was sweating, her eyes closed tightly as she cried silently in her sleep.She shifted yet again, trying to get away from some-invisible-thing.She was breathing heavily and only now did I sat up in bed.Leaning forward, I switched the lamp on.

She was having a nightmare-

Hesitantly, placing a hand on her shoulder, I shook her lightly but she only got away from me.

"Amal-"I called out to her, shaking her again.She cried more harder noe making me frown.

"Amal-wake up."I tried again yet failed.

She twisted and turned in her place, crying silently.

Looking horrified at her, I got up and came over her side.Bending down to her level.I gently shook her,

"Amal, wake up.Look its me-Open your eyes."She shivered and stilled.

Running a hand over her sweaty forehead, I called out to her,

"Amal-its okay.Wake up.Open your eyes."

She opened her large grey eyes and blinked.Her breathing was heavy, and her face was moist with her tears.Her blinked again before looking at me.A gasp left her parted lips and she jerked up.Her face looked horrified and she backed up against the headboard, away from my touch as if I burned her.

"Amal-are you okay?"I asked, moving away so that she could calm down.She gulped wrapping her arms around herself.Fresh tears left her eyes as she nodded.

Standing by the window, I folded my arms across my chest.My eyes scanning her.

Huddled against the headboard she seemed to carry the pain of universe on her shoulders.Her breathing rate was still high, as she kept gulping lumps down her throat.Her hair were covered with her scarf as always but the sweat covering her forehead, glistened against the lamp light.

Good ten minutes passed.Leaning forward, I took a step towards the bed, when her soft voice filled the room,

"Please, stay away."She wasn't meeting my gaze as her eyes remained fixed on the bedsheet.

I lifted a hand up, before taking my former position.Sighing, I asked,

"You want to talk about it?"She remained quiet but gulped before placing her chin on her knees.

The rain from outside had stopped and now silence filled all around us.

"It was dark.I was in a dark room as always locked away."Her eyes were wide as she looked before her on the wall.I listened, frowning at her words.

What-locked away, as always-

"They were laughing.I knew they were here before they even stepped in the room.They were making fun of me.Taunting and mocking me.They kept calling me-me this name, this-is beautiful."

Her hands covered her ears before she even pronounced the last word.I stilled not understanding any of it.But I didn't wanted to ask her right now when she looked so not herself.

She closed her eyes, and rubbed away her tears harshly making me hiss lowly.

Suddenly coming back to reality, she snapped her eyes my way.The grey orbs widened yet again as she wrinkled her eyebrows, looking down at her lap.

"I am sorry."She said slowly.

Shifting her my place on the bed, she went on her side, making room for me.

"I-I shouldn't have-"

"Its okay."I cut her off still not moving from my place.

She lowered her head, her eyes closing tightly as she whispered out,

"Sorry, I should have disturbed your sleep.Sorry, you can have your side back."She indicated to the bed.

"Amal, its okay."I said moving over to the bed.

Hesitating to lay down, I sat down on the soft mattress and switched the lamp off as she laid down and turned her back to me.Sighing, I laid down too facing her side.

I couldn't see her face, but I could tell that she wasn't sleeping.All sleep had drained from my mind too and it now dwelled upon some important matters.

Amal wasn't like anyone I had met before.She was entirely different.Closed off and guarded, much like me.She didn't gave off much at times, almost hiding all the fear.

The way she reacted when Bashar came was out of mind to accept.The fear she held in her eyes when she turned after shutting the door or the way her breathing was increased as if she had seen a ghost.

Or the way she backed away when I retrieved the mug from her hands.She fearful grey eyes looked up at me as I was the most cruelest person ever.

Or the way she walked around the apartment or rather tip-toed.She walked so lightly on earth.Staring into space, was one hobby of her, I had noticed in these two days.The kitchen was the only space, I knew she felt comfortable in.

She barely smiled and laughing was out of league.Ammi had wanted to talk to her but I refused because I knew it would be too uncomfortable for her.Hell, the woman wasn't even comfortable with me.

What was it Amal, that had caused you so much pain?

*

Pulling the black coat over my shoulders, I fixed my tie.Running a hand through my hair, I left the room.My coffee mug awaited me as I grabbed it from the counter before entering my home office.Grabbing the files, I placed them in the bag.

My phone rang somewhere near as I tried to remember where I placed it.Keeping the mug and office bag on the counter, I walked forward into the living room.Finding the device on the table, I read the caller name before sliding the green button.

"Good morning Sir,Um-"

"David, what is it?"I asked looking over at the clock that read ten.

"Sir, I actually w-wanted to te-tell."

"David-"I warned, suddenly feeling the news I was going-

"The contractor ran away."The man on the other end blurted making me raise my eyebrows.

"What-"I asked.

"He ran away, Sir."The man said again quiet clearly now.

Anger flowed through my body as I shouted.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU SAYING-"

"Sir, He ran away a day before leaving all the work midway.He didn't even get workers."David explained but I wasn't getting any of it.

"I DON'T COME IN FOR WORK FOR TWO DAYS AND THE CONTRACTOR RAN AWAY.WHAT WERE YOU DOING WHEN HE RAN AWAY."

"Sir, I tried-"

"I don't know any of it Arrange another man to work.The opening was in five days and we aren't even done yet."

"Y-Yes Sir."

"Do anything.I want the work started when I come today."I warned disconnecting the call.

"Shit."I hissed.I huffed angrily running my hand through my dark hair.

I turned around shaking my head when my eyes landed on her.She stood frozen near the drawers.Her eyes were wide, she looked up at me.

"What-"I asked trying to control my anger.

She shook her head vigorously making me take a step forward.She instantly took one back before blurting,

"I want to go to Aunty's house."Her lips quivered and I feared she would cry any minute from now.

I huffed yet again,

"Go get your coat, I'll drop you off."She nodded again before going away.

Damn the contractor.

Repeating ALLAH 'S name again and again in my heart, I thought about what HE had stored for me.

Amal came out with her bag and coat and we left.

The day at office was very busy.Bashar was as furious as me, except I didn't grab David's collar as he did.I spent the day at the new building, getting all the work completed myself.

At six in the evening when I left the office, Bashar asked me,

"That was your rude wife?"

I smirked at the man,

"Did she hurt your ego?"I asked playfully.He narrowed his blue eyes, as I opened the car's door.

"No.But she slammed the door on my bloody face."He remarked.

I shook my head,

"She said sorry, she misunderstood you."I said.

He rolled his eyes.

"See you later, bye."He said getting into his own vehicle.

"ALLAH Hafiz."I said instead, seeing his face turn to me and realize his words.

"Yeah, ALLAH Hafiz."

He drove away and I got in.

Wife.

It still felt strange.Driving through the busy streets of London, I realised that Amal wasn't home, she was at her Aunty's place.

Taking a U-turn I drove towards Aunty Shahana's place.Half an hour later, I parked the car.I was very tired and wanted to call Amal down instead of going up.But realised that Amal didn't have a phone.

I had to get her one soon.

Debating for a second, I got down from the car before walking towards the building.

Aunty Shahana greeted me warmly at the door and offered me a glass of water.Amal was nowhere in sight.So I asked,

"Um-please call Amal, we would be leaving."I stated.

The old woman smiled my way before going into the kitchen.Sikander came out and we exchanged greeting.He had come home from work an hour before.

As Amal came in sight, I stood up ready to leave.She had her eyes lowered as she whispered,

"Assalam O Alaikum."

"Walaikum Assalam."I replied feeling as if we were meeting for the first time.

"Okay Aunty, we shall take our leave now."I said but Sikander interjected.

"Sir, please eat dinner with us."I was ready to refuse when Aunty hesitantly said looking at Amal.

"Please, eat with us.We never had our son-in-law eat with us before."I tensed hearing her words.Looking over at Amal, I saw her still too.

"It will be a pleasure to get with you Aunty Shahana."I smiled seeing her reciprocate the gesture.

Later as I drove towards home, I cast a glance at Amal.Seeing her eyes trained outside the window.

"You make delicious food."I said trying to make a conversation.

She really made tasty and delicious food.

"Thank You."Were the last words she whispered that night.