The night was dark. White dots glittered as the black coat sprayed against the sky. Only a couple of houses had their lights on. Slowly, one by one, the lights turned off. Engines quieted to a dulling purr. The moon was a brilliant light, shining down upon the dark shadows and edges in the world, illuminating them.

Leaning against the brick foundation of my house, I slipped my fingers into my pockets, feeling the gentle breeze whistle passed me. My black hair floated among the airy force, small strays landing against my pale forehead.

My skin felt cold, the atmosphere around me chilling it even more. Slowly breathing, I gazed up at the different stars that leaned down to me, almost like it was within my grasp.

They weren't; it was an illusion.

Owls flapped their wings, hooting as they perched upon a thin branch. Thousands and millions of specks decorated the sky, I found comfort in them. Was it really that long ago when my parents disappeared?

It seemed like it was just yesterday, their voices laughed in the kitchen as the warmth of their ardor embraced me. It seemed like just yesterday that my father chased me around the house for hiding his favorite pen.

Time had no limits; it kept going even when people were stuck. Time didn't discriminate against anyone, whether they be male or female, time would never stop.

No matter how many times that I wished it did.

A numb feeling entered my chest, forgetting the world around me. A cloud of darkness loomed over my shallow figure, not letting me forget the horrors of that night. I remembered everything so vividly, the stench of blood, a baby's cries, and my mother's haunting screams. It was a constant movie, racing against my mental barriers, forcing me to remember, yet there seemed like there was nothing I could do to stop it.

"Ibrahim, are you out there?" a gentle voice asked.

Except her.

"Ibrahim!" she called out again, her soft steps touching the ground beneath. Her steps came closer, my lips sealed shut. I didn't trust my voice. My body longed for her presence, but my mind screamed against it. "Ibrahim, where are you?"

"Here," I croaked.

My head hung low, but my ears heard the hurried steps that she took towards my direction. Her small sandals came into my vision, and I didn't dare lift my eyes to meet hers. Her breaths came out fast, clearly tired from running around looking for me. She panted out of breath, her hand wrapping around my arm.

My body tensed under her touch, feeling electrified at her presence, her gaze. Blood rushed to my face, and a familiar feeling settled into my stomach, a feeling I'd always get around her. Lifting my eyes, I was met with her brown ones, a lighter shade than mine.

Her hijab was loosely wrapped around her head, her sleeves were rolled up to her elbows, a small stream of water gracing the skin. She must have been washing the dishes, I thought.

"Are you alright?" she questioned, worry etched across her features.

Looking back at the midnight canvas, I whispered, "Yeah."

Silence stretched between us, even the crickets seemed to quiet down. No words were spoken, no thoughts were exchanged, it was just a peaceful silence. The air seemed thicker than usual and I wasn't sure if it was just me trying not to break down or if it was her presence shredding down my mental barriers. Not even the Great Wall of China could protect my heart now.

Her grip tightened around my arm, I was very aware of her soft breaths as she stepped closer to me, linking her arm to mine. Her cheeks leaned against my shoulder, much to my surprise. I felt her soft body press against my arm, she was undeniably close to me, and the funny thing was that I didn't mind it at all. I took my right hand out of my pocket, raising it to rest against her hand that gripped onto me.

She gasped, looking up at me, and I found myself staring back, getting lost amongst the emotions that swirled in her mesmerising brown eyes. The moonlight touched her tinted cheeks, making her even more beautiful than she already was. The way her eyes lit up whenever she saw me had taken a toll on my thoughts. It made me want things I had never wanted before.

Her free hand caressed my cheek, her fingers lightly touching the small hairs beneath. I closed my eyes as I leaned into her touch, wanting more of her affections, more of her love. Her touch was warm, heating the coldness of my skin.

"You seem stressed," she stated, quietly.

Opening my eyes, I was reminded once again about the horrors of my past. "It was nothing," I mumbled.

She smiled, "You can't lie to me, Ibrahim."

"I know."

"So," she drawled, "tell me."

Threading my fingers with hers, I kept her hand on me, refusing to let her remove it. Her slender fingers fit against mine so well, we were a puzzle that completed each other. My heart beat faster every second I stood by her, and frankly, it didn't bother me at all.

"I-I miss my parents," I shuddered in a shaky breath. "I really miss them, Tasneem."

She leaned up to place a soft kiss against my skin, the area her lips touched instantly warmed up. I felt her warm breath against my ear as she softly murmured, "I bet if they were still alive, they would be extremely proud of you."

I turned my cheek to gaze down at my wife, wondering what good deed I did to have gotten her. She seemed almost too surreal like a figment of my imagination, and if I didn't hold onto her she would vanish into thin air.

"Life is hard, Ibrahim. You went through the unspeakable, and I wish I could have been there for you then. I'm sorry that I can't take your pain away," she whispered, her voice low. "But let me be there for you now, let me shoulder some of that pain, Ibrahim."

I chuckled, dropping her hand. "If only it were that easy, Tasneem. The stuff I went through..." I trailed off, "it's horrible. It would scar you."

"So?"

"Dear bride of mine, bravery like that won't get you anywhere with me," I mused.

She smiled, "I can at least try though, can't I?"

Tasneem had no idea the type of man she'd married. She only saw the scars on the outside, not the damage on the inside, yet with each passing day that we spent together, she seemed to unravel me. I was the ball of yarn that kept spinning in her palms until I was left defenseless.

"I don't want to hurt you," I whispered, placing my forehead against hers. "You don't deserve that, Tasneem. You're too good to be hurt."

"You'll hurt me even more if you keep me in the dark," she responded, her voice barely above a whisper.

I breathed deeply, realizing that she was right. I was dragging her through a twisted road with no possibility of an end. I wanted to protect her from my monsters, I wanted to keep her safe from me, from my horrors.

Pulling me from my thoughts, Tasneem had cupped my cheeks into her soft palms, her eyes staring intensely up at mine with a determined expression. I was a lost soul with only Allah in my heart, yet as I gazed down at her, I wasn't so lost anymore. I felt safe.

"I don't have much to offer you, Ibrahim, but I can offer you what you were deprived of for years," she said, comfortingly. "Would that be enough?"

Pride swelled deep in my chest, and I couldn't believe that she was my wife. She was mine, and no one else's. No one had ever pushed so hard to understand me, but here she was, standing in front of me without knowing that my heart laid in the palm of her hands.

"It would be more than enough," I murmured, leaning down so our lips would meet.

Her arms circled around my neck, pulling me closer to her tempting body. I trailed my fingers down the curve of her waist until I was touching her hips. Her lips were smooth and soft against my own as I lightly nipped at the skin, erupting a gasp from her.

This kiss wasn't like the rest, it was gentle, slow, and sweet. I felt alive again, her lips caressing my own, and the feel of her against me all made me feel lighter. I didn't feel like a caged up beast, chained to his memories. I was free and in her arms.

She detached our lips, dropping her arm to touch the tender skin. She looked so innocent, shielded from the evils in the world that were willing to devour her. She was pure, untouched, and mine.

"You are more than enough, Tasneem."