Amal

"You look like Snow-white.."Marwa's soft whisper made me turn to her.Her bandaged forehead and busted lips made her look very weak and sick.Which she was.

"What..?"She dragged the words out slowly making me shake my head.Biting my lower lip,I concentrated on wrapping the crepe bandage around her wounded shoulder.Gulshan had done Marwa's bandage last night but it wasn't proper.Training for six months to be a nurse, I had experience to aid wounds.

Marwa's hiss made me stop my fingers, slowly and softly I secured the bandage, moving away.Inhaling a sharp breath in, I kept the ointment away feeling Marwa's dark brown eyes trained on me the whole time.Keeping everything away, I turned to the woman lying on the bed.Taking her hand in mine, I traced the red marks that were turning bluish-purple running up to her arms.Her luscious thick black were sprawled on the pillow as she stared up at me.Her large eyes questioning me.

"Marwa.. Why do you do this?"I asked exasperated.

She huffed turning her face to the other side.

"Marwa..Why do you inflict pain to yourself ?You know Jalal very well and still you always come in his way.Please stop doing this.It won't lead us to anything except disaster."I exclaimed restlessly.She listened to my words but didn't react.Her eyes kept staring off in space.

"Please, next time don't try to talk back at him.Last night he could have harmed Saman or Akbar..."Just as the names left my lips, her eyes snapped my way making me stop instantly.

"I'll do anything to protect my children."Her shaky yet determined voice filled my ears.I grasped her hand firmly,

"I know you will.But Marwa that animalistic man is capable of doing anything.Aren't precautions necessary in handling the situation.Marwa you are a very strong woman unlike me and in this house you are my only hope."

She smiled listening to me.Sitting up a little, she leaned against the headboard.

"Amal..You know being with you has always made me feel that in this darkness I am not alone.But maybe I am selfish to think like that.Inside I feel pity and sympathy, that I have for myself."Her smile turned into a frown and she closed her eyes.

"That means a lot."I said after a while.She yawned and a foreign giggle left my lips.It felt like ages since I last laughed or giggled.I was in shock and so was Marwa, her eyes wide.

"Snow-white you look like Cinderella now."She said making me compose myself.Getting up from the bed I bid her goodbye and left the room locking it again as it was before.

Nibbling on my bottom lip I made my way to the kitchen, only to find Gulshan prepare lunch.Rounding the marble islands I washed my hands feeling the cuts sting.

"Did Saman and Akbar eat?"I asked the woman working.

"Yes, they did.I'll leave them to their mother in a few minutes."She replied making me nod my head.

Walking out from the kitchen, my wounded feet lead me to the spiral stairs.Reaching my room I pulled away my dupatta throwing it on the bed feeling extremely tired and restless.

It was a relief when early morning the doors were permitted to be opened for me by the guards.I had quietly walked up to my room in a daze and locked myself in it.Jalal dressed in his room and left for work after breakfast.Although he wasn't home, but I didn't have a wink of sleep.Once he was out of the house, I unlocked Marwa's room taking the risk to know about her condition.Serving her food and medicine, I changed her dressing.Although my wounds needed bandage too but I thought why hide them, when they were imprinted in my mind.

Sighing I fell back on the soft bed.I wasn't hungry even when I hadn't had anything from yesterday's lunch.My fingers pressed on the closed lids of my eyes as I traced them.Aunt Shahana's smiling face appeared on the back of my mind as I sat up.Leaning towards the phone, I pressed the numbers that I had memorised by heart.

Pressing the receiver against my ears I waited.After three rings she picked up, her soft voice reaching my ears,

"Hello.."I bit my lips to stop the cries bubbling in my mouth.

"Asslam O Alaikum Aunty.."I said gaining some strength.

She gasped.

"Walaikum Asslam.. Amal beti is that you?"She asked in surprise making me lean back on the headboard.

"Yes Aunty.Its me."

"A..Amal.. I waited for your call.I was so restless these past days.. Tell me how are you?Are you Okay?"Her voice was out of breath and I could feel that her tears were at bay.

"Aunty..I am fine.I am good.How are you?"

"leave about me, you tell me .. I know you're not fine...Amal beti.."She trailed off crying silently.

My tears were already rolling down my cheeks as I sniffed.

"Aunty.. please don't cry.. Please.. I am fine.. just bruised a little.."

"Oh ALLAH..Amal.. "

We were silent for a few moments crying silently.

"Aunty.. I couldn't contact you, J..Jalal was very angry these few days.. So.."I didn't need to complete she understood well.

"Okay Amal.. I miss you so much .. It has been almost six months since I last saw your face.. "

"I miss you too Aunty dearly.Just pray for me.. "

"Mere jaan ..I am always praying for you, I am very ashamed Amal.. It is all because of me that you are in this situation.. That Jalal is so-"

"Aunty please .. don't blame yourself.It was all destined to happen.We cannot change what ALLAH has stored for us.This is all for the better.And why do you worry when we have ALLAH with us.HE is the best healer and He will heal me."I cut her off sniffing.

"Hm.. Indeed."She sniffed too.

"Lets not talk about this.Okay!"

She hummed.

"What were you doing?"I asked.

"I got some new order from Rubina.. She has left four new dresses and I have gotten a lot of sewing to do.You know an old woman came by yesterday she asked me to wove a sweater for her grandson."She told me excitedly.The mood got a little lighter and I felt nice listening to her soft voice as she told me about her work and other casual things.

"And Sikander called yesterday..He was asking about you."She informed slowly making me miss my cousin dearly.Sikander was a brother to me and Aunty Shahana was a mother to me.They were the only family I had.Despite Sikander was Aunty's own blood but she still loved me more than her own son.Him being four years older than me, made him a protective figure for me, but in front of Jalal anyone could loose.

"He has settled well in London and plans to call me soon.. But when you are here, I've clearly told him that I am not going to go anywhere."She stated in finality.

I smiled a little over her words.

"Aunty .. you should not miss such an opportunity.Maybe I am never gonna get out of this place so will you stress yourself alone in that house.."I tried to make her understand.

"Okay .. My darling Amal.. I'll think about it."She huffed.

We talked for a few more minutes before I said my goodbye to her.Gulshan brought a tray of food for me and despite my refusal she persisted that I eat and I did obey.

***

Splashing water against my face I felt freshness cloud over me.Coming out from the washroom I folded some clothes and kept them away.It was almost time for dinner and Jalal was back home.

Reaching towards the dining hall I sat down quietly as the maids served food as Jalal sat down too.We ate in silence not once glancing at each other.

After dinner I helped in the kitchen to clean up.After finishing I went back to my room but as soon as I opened my bedroom door, I was interrupted.

"Amal .. strap my sandal."A cold voice called out making my heart lurge in my mouth.Turning around slowly, I saw Jalal stand near the staircase.He was dressed into another one of his expensive shalwar Kameez, demanding me to strap his shiny black pathani sandal for him.I hesitantly nodded at the odd command.

He stood emotionless glancing at his watch.I kneeled down before him, my shaking fingers reaching to the buckle of the sandal.Strapping the pair for him I removed my fingers.Just as I was about to stand he stepped on my fingers with his heavy weight making me yelp out in pain.

He laughed loudly and backed away.

"Oh did it pain..?"He mocked as I crawled backwards on the floor.

"You deserve this, so don't cry just now."He stated calmly, a hidden promise in his voice and he went down the stairs.

I watched as the ruthless man was out of my sight.I stood up crying and locked myself in the room,crying.

***

It was 2:00 am as I stared out of the window.The dark night whispering tales to me and my eyes studied the vast dark sky above me.This time of the night felt almost too nice.Solace,it was solace of the calm night that caged me in.Captured me like a moth drawn to flame.I wanted to be free and tell all my pains and misery to the welcoming night.

To the stars that were too far from me but seemed very close as they peeked from behind the moving clouds.They were telling me a tale of their own and asking about mine.Whispering their secrets to me.Capturing all my attention, luring me in.Opening the glass window I let the cold air fill the dark room.Inhaling as much as I could of the fresh air, I closed my eyes.Although my eye lids were tired and droopy I just couldn't sleep now.I couldn't miss this beautiful and serene night created by the best Creator.

But on the dark blanket that was embellished with small crystals that looked almost too beautiful, I missed the moon.The moon was something that I always felt was mine.Even before stepping in this house, I had always shared all my worries with the moon.The moon was something that always sparked love in me.Although I loved the nature all together.But the moon was different.It was different.

I wished, I could take it and hide it in a jar away from Jalal, as my husband isn't a fan of beautiful things ..

My mind was blank as I stared ahead of me.My eyelashes kissing my eyebrows as I saw a shooting star across the sky.It happened so fast that I remained flabbergasted.My lips parted in shock and eyes wide.I closed my eyes for a second before opening them again.

MashALLAH ..

I breathed in some more air, suddenly feeling breathless.I wished to see it again and again and again..

My heart beats were calm as I tried to listen anything from the silent night.I leaned behind on the wall and slid down before my wall length window.

My stomach twisted in knots as flashes appeared at the back of my mind.The painful events replaying at the back of my mind.My fingers gingerly pressed against my temples as I forced myself to open up to the listening night.

Trying to relive the bitter memories.

How it all happened .. How I got married to Jalal Khan..

***

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And a Question for You all ..

How many of you talk to the Moon .. ?? :) Because I Doo .. :D

Oops It was a secret that I blurted .. :D

Missed you All So Much ..

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Until Next Time,

_Hafsa