The soft winter sun rays glided through the large bedroom window as Nawal set Salman's clothes on the bed for the day. She was about to leave the room to prepare a big breakfast for him when he emerged from the bathroom clad only in a black bathrobe.

Since last night, she had been very quiet. Lost in her remorseful thoughts and gripping with the reality that how harsh people could be around her. She was grateful to Salman for being there at a time when she was the most vulnerable. She shuddered thinking how she would have defended herself if he wasn't there for her.

Salman eyes scrutinized every feature of his dismal wife and could tell she was still distressed of what happened last night. He slowly sauntered to her. Her head was bowed down, chin to her chest, lips pursed together. He slipped his arms around her waist, he pulled her closer until closing the gap between them.

"Don't think much of last night. Abou was angry. He didn't mean any of what he said." He spoke softly against her hair. Her head rested against his chest, her cheek touching his bare chest showcasing through the gap of the robe. The small water droplets still clinging onto his springy chest hair wetting her cheek. The warmth of his chest and the strong heart beat brought tranquillity to her heart. She clutched the lapels of the bathrobe as if it was the only way for her to survive. Inhaling his freshly bathed scent of aftershave and his expensive shower gel, she was at ease.

The clock ticked. The sun rays brightened. But Nawal didn't loosen her grasp on him. Perplexed, Salman gently drew her back and gazed down at her face. There were tears sparkling in her brown eyes.

"Nawal you have nothing to worry about when I am by your side." He whispered. His lips touching her closed lids. Lips that healed her ache.

She had so much to say to him but her lips trembled. She licked her bottom lip and ruefully smiled.

"I know," her thumb lightly traced his bearded chin, she could easily feel the indent of the deep dimple there, "You are getting late. I better prepare your breakfast."

He nodded and his arms slipped away.

Stepping out of the room, she vowed she would work hard to keep him happy until her last breath.

****

It started that afternoon, multiple calls from different numbers. She ignored them all. She was well aware who was calling her. One after the other, she continued to block the numbers. But Daud was obstinate. In the end, she was fed up and switched off her phone. She rather stayed phone free than face Daud again.

Her head pounded and the queasiness of her stomach was getting worse by the minute. She wasn't able to eat much during breakfast and even at lunch the smell of food had churned the inside of her stomach. Instead she was eating clementine. Bringing a 1 kg bag of clementine, she peeled one by one and ate them and soon they all disappeared.

She had decided to tell Salman about the baby as soon as things settled at home. She winced as she heard Manal shouting yet again for the umpteenth time today at Seema. They were arguing again. Apparently, Manal wasn't happy with her father's new rules. Nawal had taken Salman's advice and had stayed out of the argument and instead was relaxed on her bed watching an old favourite movie 'Baby's day out'. She laughed along the movie and her mind kept wondering whether her baby would be like that. Her hand lightly resting on her flat stomach and her smile never ceased.

She wanted to see Salman's reaction when she would tell him. His eyes would lighten up and his lips stretch in broad smile. He might take her in his arms and hug her. Then together they would plan all for their baby...

Just then Manal burst in the room and banged the door closed behind her. Startled, Nawal sat up on her bed and clicked the pause button on the movie. Manal collapsed on the bed and her shoulders shook in silent sobs.

"Manal?" Nawal said cautiously touching her shoulder.

Manal aggressively shrugged Nawal's hand off her shoulder, "I hate my life." She hiccupped as tears continued to lash down her cheeks.

Nawal sat beside Manal and rubbed her back soothingly, "It's okay. This time will pass. Just remember whatever Allah plans is for the good."

Manal rolled her eyes as she wiped her moist cheek with the back of her hand, "Oh please you of all the people shouldn't be preaching. Until recently you hated being married to bhai."

Nawal's eyes widened, "I was reckless then. But now I understand Allah's wisdom in what He had planned."

"Preach someone else Nawal. I am going to make my own destiny." Her bright red eyes clashed with Nawal's, "I will get what I want."

Nawal sadly shook her head, "Don't take a step you will regret for the rest of your life."

Manal laughed scornfully, "I rather take that step and regret than regretting all my life thinking what if?"

"What ifs don't come true. There is no point in pondering over them."

Manal stood up and backed a step, "You know what Nawal, just shut up. I am fed up of each one of you at home giving me lectures."

She spun around ready to march out of the room when she bumped into Salman who had his arms crossed over his chest, "Apologize this minute to Nawal."

Her jaw clenched, "I most certainly will not." Her chin tilted high in arrogance.

"Manal I am warning you," he hissed.

"Stop it!" her voice rose. "Everyone is warning me here. I am sick of this house. I am sick of all of you." She pushed her brother and strode off the room.

Shaking his head in disbelief, he stepped near the bed, "I don't understand her audacity. First she is rude with you and then look at what she said."

Nawal mused, "She is upset. I think give her some days and she will be fine."

Loosening his tie, he sank on the bed beside her, "I don't know she is very hard and hot headed. I fear sometimes she may take some wrong step in all her rage."

"Why don't you change and I will get you some chai." Nawal said as she stood up.

He grabbed her wrist, his thumb tracing the gems on the bangle he had gifted her, "Do you have that chocolate cake left?"

Her lips twitched, "You liked it?"

"Ya you can say that." he said as he ran his hand at the back of his head.

She chuckled, "You can compliment me, you know."

He narrowed his eyes, "So your head will be in clouds."

"I love the clouds."

He tugged her wrist slightly that she leaned forward, their noses nearly touching and their eyes never blinking away, "I rather want you here beside me."

"I am beside you. Always." She whispered. This was the first time she had expressed her inner most feelings for him.

He blinked several times to believe what he had heard. His grip on her wrist slackened and she hastily stepped back. Her cheeks warmed and her heart fluttered as she turned around. Even months after living together as husband and wife, she had never been flirtatious with him or spoke of her feelings for him. Now that she did, it was all new but she liked it.

Biting her lower lip, she scurried away to make tea and not to forget to bring a big slice of chocolate cake for him.

****

The new semester started amidst the harsh winter morning where the thick fog had completely obscured the view to the naked eye. Wearing a heavy winter jacket and a woolen scarf around over her hijab, Nawal was zipping up her leather tall boots when Salman said, "I will drop you off ok?"

She nodded as she stood up, "Yes I was about to ask you. I don't think I can go in this fog on the bus."

"You know I won't let you. We better leave fast then as the traffic will be bad." Salman advised grabbing his laptop bag.

It had been only a few days since she had found out about her pregnancy but she was bursting to tell Salman. However, every time she thought of telling him, something or the other came up. Now since last night, Manal had calmed downed after throwing tantrums for two days. She decided today she would finally tell Salman but it seemed that rather something else was planned.

After bidding farewell to Salman, Nawal was walking down the campus when her phone rang with an unknown number displaying on the screen. Her heart thudded. She really didn't want to bump into Daud now. She had to rush to her class immediately. Hurriedly, she switched off her phone and strode to her classroom.

She loved spending time in university but Daud's persistence to meet or talk to her had ruined her happiness of returning to university for her final semester. Every person lurking behind her startled her that perhaps Daud was following her or approaching her. She was being paranoid and she reprimanded herself silently but she had to be cautious. As soon as the classes ended for the day, she dashed to the bus stop not even waiting to chat with Aoife and Lisa. As the bus wheels turned and distanced her from the campus, she took a deep breath of relief.

Her head was throbbing badly. How will she survive this semester if she feared to be faced by Daud and if he continued his tenacious ways to get back to her. What she really wanted to do was tell Salman everything. But she was scared. Very scared of his reaction. She had to make a decision fast whether to get his support in this or not. Her heart yielded that Salman would support and protect her but when she thought rationally with her mind she feared her husband's hot temper. Not knowing what to expect she continued to seal her lips for the next few days.

****

It was late night as freezing winds blew through the silent night. Few days had passed since the university had commenced. She was living in constant fear that she may meet Daud at the campus. She was still staying bare minimum at college and running back home at the first opportunity. All this stress had led her to exhaustion that she was hardly able to keep her eyes open after 9pm. Now close to midnight, sleep vanished as she stretched on her side and glanced at the other side of the bed. It was empty. Her eyebrows knotted and she tied her hair in a messy bun. Leaving the room for the study room, she found her husband sitting on the two seater sofa hunched over multiple documents he was reading.

"You are still awake?" she croaked sleepily.

His eyes lifted from the document, "Ya but why are you awake?" he mumbled.

"Come to bed." she murmured.

He angled his face, gazing at her as his eyes softened with realization that she missed him, "Just a few more minutes."

Instead of going back to the bed, she drowsily walked up to him and sleepily fell on the sofa beside him. Her head against his shoulder and arm looped through his arm, she was asleep in no time. Salman was concentrating on completing in scanning the document that's when he realized her weight against him was growing heavier.

"Nawal?"

"Nawal?"

Her chest was rising and falling gradually indicating she was in deep sleep. He smiled as he discarded the document on the coffee table. Never had she done this before, seeking him out in sleep. His heart beat speeded, she was getting used to him as he had gotten used to her. As she slept against his side without any care, he understood the age old metaphor he had heard his parents and grandparents spoke of. Husband and wife were two wheels of a bicycle which were equally dependent on each other.

****

The next night after work, Salman had planned to spend more time with Nawal now that he was finally becoming freer and the stress level at work was reducing. But when he entered his bedroom after having a long chat with his father after dinner, he was shocked to see that Nawal was fast asleep.

"Are you okay?" Salman worried as he leaned over his wife who was laying on her side on their bed.

She sleepily fluttered her eyes open and smiled weakly, "I was just feeling tired."

His eyebrows furrowed, "You've been feeling tired a lot lately." His frown deepened, "And you are sleeping earlier. We better get you checked by the GP tomorrow."

Her arm slid out of the duvet and her fingers delicately caressed his bearded cheek, "Hold me, please."

He had to blink several times to believe what he had heard was true. In the last few weeks, there had been subtle changes in her attitude. She was suppler towards him and recently she craved to be close to him as he did with her. Stretching beside her on the bed he wrapped her in his arms. She rested her head on his chest and sighed. Her fingers running over the small springy hair on his forearms.

"I was thinking," she whispered.

"Hmm..." his hand rubbing at circular patterns on her lower back.

"Let's go on a holiday." Her eyelids lifted and she gazed at him.

His eyes brightened, "Where would you like to go?"

She rolled over him, their legs tangled and she was hovering on top of him. Her chest crushed against his. Her hands on either side of his head on the pillow. Long dark brown hair fell framing his face like a satin curtain. She leaned forward, lightly touching her nose with his, "Just take me away from here. Far away. Where there is only," her head dipped and her lips touched his roughened jaw, "You" her lips trailed to his chin. His breathing ragged and heart beat accelerated. "Me" her lips on his chin. Lips inched upwards lightly feeling the softness of his lips, "And sun." What she really wanted to say was take her away from Daud. She feared him now. His persistent ways to destroy her life and most of all ruin her relationship with her husband were bothering her.

Their eyes were locked as his palms cupped her face and his fingers sank in her luxurious tresses. "As you wish," he whispered then gently and slowly pulled down her head so that their lips meet but she covered his lips with her fingers, "Let me."

He stilled and waited. Her lips brushed his tenderly. Electricity shot through him. He could feel the smoothness of her lips and taste her raspberry lip balm. Her heart thudded against his chest as she deepened the kiss, then and only then he responded to her kiss softly and gently as she was kissing him. Her fingers lingered down his chest unbuttoning the top buttons. The solid pectoral muscles bunched under her fingers. The black short curls on his chest tickled her palm. Her hand roaming over the tightened muscles going down his lower abs feeling each solid pec.

His lips descended down her neck, her head arched giving him more room. His hand was traveling down her back, fingers trailing every ridge of her spinal cord to the ends of her t-shirt. His fingers sneaked under her shirt, a moan escaped her lips as he caressed his way up her side feeling the indent curve of her waist tracing the edge of the lace of her bra strap.

His phone rang. Fingers stilled and her head fell on the crook of his shoulder.

"Shit. I forgot I had a conference call with American clients tonight," he murmured in frustration.

Exhaling deeply, she slid down to the mattress and untangled her legs with his, "It's okay. You better go and take the call."

There was disappointment written all over her face. If it was in his power he would have ignored the call but he couldn't. He was crushed, he desired to take her back in his arms and continue where they left off. But it will have to wait.

"I will be back in an hour's time. Go to sleep." he chastely kissed her lips.

She smiled dreamily, "Later" she whispered.

He smirked and winked, "Later."

Neither of them knew that they will have a long wait for the 'later'.

****

The next morning the couple was hurriedly getting ready for the day when Salman's arms snaked around Nawal's waist from behind. She was standing in front of her dresser fixing her hijab.

"So about this holiday..." Salman said huskily in her hijab-clad ear.

She rose her eyebrows questioningly.

"You said anywhere sunny right?" Salman wanted confirmation and she nodded in her affirmation.

"How about we plan a week trip to a beach resort in Spain?" Salman suggested. His eyes meeting hers on the mirror's reflection.

Her smile widened, "Oh that would be wonderful. It would be so much better than this dreadful cold and wet weather we have."

He nuzzled his nose against the hijab on her neck, "Hmm... yes lots and lots of sun." he lifted his head and again his eyes met hers at the mirror, "Will you wear a bikini for me then?"

Her eyes rounded in alarm, "What?"

He pressed her sides with his hands and winked at her, "I am sure you are going to look hot in it."

"No way!!" she wiggled out of his grasp.

He chuckled, "You have worn far less than a bikini in front of me."

Her cheeked flushed, "Ya well I can't."

"What if I can persuade you" his lips curled teasingly.

Grabbing her bag, she scrunched her nose, "We shall see."

He was still laughing even when she left the room leaving him alone fantasizing how she would look in a bikini.

****

That day she had made up her mind to tell Salman of the baby but that day her worst nightmares came true. She was on her way back from college on the bus when a text message on Whats App alarmed her. It was from an unknown number and all the message contained were three pictures. Three explicit pictures of herself with Daud in a hot embrace in the car park of Dundrum shopping centre. The phone slipped from her hand and landed on her lap. Her hands shook as she held it again. Her astonishing eyes not believing what she was seeing.

How?

When?

Who?

But all her questions were answered in the next phone call when another new number called her. Unlike the previous times of ignoring or blocking the number she answered this number.

"It seems you need some visual aid to accept my calls." Daud drawled.

Her lips quivered and only one word formed from them, "Why?"

"Now now Nawal how much I tried to gain your attention but it seemed you were strong on ignoring me. So I had to gain your attention somehow."

"You are a horrible person. You really want to ruin me." Nawal hissed.

"Oh no my darling. All I ask is to meet you once and I promise to delete the pictures straight away. In fact, I will give you the honour of deleting the pictures from my phone."

Her mind was racing. She didn't want to meet him anymore but the pictures...

Daud easily gauged her hesitation, "I wonder what will happen if Salman got a hold of these pictures."

"You ass—" she said through her gritted teeth.

He interrupted her, "I wouldn't be using such a language if I were you."

She swallowed hard, "When do you want to meet?"

"Now."

Tears filled her eyes, "Where?"

"Come to my office."

The call ended and her hands curled in fists until her long nails bit into the flesh of her palm. She will go there and delete the pictures. That is all.

But life was never this simple.

****

Meanwhile, Salman had just stepped into his office after having a long meeting with new suppliers in the conference room. He had not taken his phone to the meeting. Settling back on his leather swivel chair, he clicked on the different number of notifications on his phone. When What's App appeared on the screen. There were new texts from several people but an image text from a number attracted his attention. Clicking on it...the image enlarged and his heart literally stopped and then pumped blood through his veins faster than he could ever recall.