The once midnight blue sky had disappeared against the now early dawn sky.The shimmering stars were fading away.The city lights still illuminated waiting for the sun rays to greet them.

Sleep had disappeared into thin air not even roaming around me.That night had stolen all my sleep.All I did at nights were to stare up at the open sky.And so I did the same last night.The stars allured me to graze up at them.To stay awake and watch them.

The man seemed to be in heavy sleep, he seemed to have hidden under my thoughts.The weight of my thoughts had over taken him.But not for long,

"You didn't sleep?"A deep sleepy voice said.

I turned my head just a little to see him sitting up in bed.His hair covering his eyes,

"No."I said softly.

Getting up from my sitting position, I made my way to the bathroom.Locking the door, I turned the tap before looking up in the mirror.My eyes were red and so was my nose.My pale skin stood out more in the red wedding dress, I hadn't changed.

Splashing the cold water on my face, I mentally prepared myself for the day.Listing all the behavior I had to maintain, the obedience, the respect I had to give.My wet hands pressed against my eyelids.Drying my face, I picked up the clothes from the counter before running the shower.

Arsalan

I moved my arm on the other side of the bed.My eyes were shut but I could feel the coldness that spread around the other side.

Amal

My eyes flew open finding the other end empty.I sat up quickly, ready to dash out when-when I saw her.

She sat on the window seat.Her knees were pulled before her chest as she had crossed her arms on her knees The red bridal dress from last night was still on, as she remained lost in her thoughts.Her hair were covered by her long dupatta that dangled down her shoulder and onto the floor, spread like an expensive curtain.Her grey eyes were fixed on the sky outside and from the side, I could notice the wetness under her large eyes.

"You didn't sleep?"Although I knew the answer, I still asked.

She turned her head to me before whispering a soft 'no'.I shook my head and she got up, going into the bathroom.I fell back on the pillow, thinking deeply as to why she didn't sleep.

What must have kept her awake?

me?

I sighed loudly not knowing what to do next.My routine couldn't be the same because I had a wife now.It seemed strange to find myself married.It seemed even stranger to have a woman walk around the apartment.To have-

The door clicked open and she came out.The atmosphere of the room suddenly changed and a strong and soft fragrance bloomed all around.

Strong and soft?

Something was different, I couldn't point out.But right now , I couldn't tear my eyes away from her.From Amal.She was dressed in light pink, her matching dupatta hiding away her hair.But from the bursting morning light in the room, I could see the rough strand of black hair that peeked from under.Her head was low and so were her eyes.She walked so lightly on the earth that if I wasn't looking her way, I wouldn't know someone else was in the apartment other than me.

Twisting the bedroom knob she was out.Leaving me to my thoughts.

After showering and changing into casuals, I walked out to find the room clean, the bed already made.A smile curled my lips.Walking out from the room, I found the woman in the kitchen.Upon noticing my presence, she turned around.

I stopped by the counter, ready to tell her where all the grocery and everything else was but she beat me to it,

"Um-what should I make for breakfast?"Her words were soft but made me frown.

She wasn't even looking up at me as she fiddled with her scarf.I looked down at her, mentally thinking thar maybe she was confused to decide what to make for breakfast, after all it was our first day of marriage.

"Make whatever you like, I eat everything but I like coffee instead of tea."I stated.Moving round the counter, I reached forward to show her the ingredients when she suddenly back away.Taking several steps away from me.Knowing she was uncomfortable, I moved to my previous spot.

"I know where everything is.If I don't find something, I'll let you know."She said and I nodded.Glancing at her back one last time, I walked to the living room.

I didn't have office today so I decided to relax and show Amal around the house.The sound of plates, spoons and utensils filled the silent apartment.It felt odd, I had always been alone here, so it did feel different.

Minutes later I heard a low,

"Breakfast is ready."I replied with a smile before getting up from the sofa.We ate silently, both of us enjoying our own world.I would cast her a glance often, always finding her gaze down.

After breakfast, I did some office work while Amal emptied her suitcase and settled the wardrobe.I had already made some room for her clothes, emptying the drawers too so that we had equality for our things.

To give her privacy, I worked in the living room.Time passed quickly and soon lunch time fell on us.I had just closed my laptop when Amal came in,

"What should I make for lunch?"She asked.She looked up at me for a second before averting her gaze.

What the-

"Amal, why do you keep asking me that?"I asked instead.

She tensed and took a step back when I stepped closer to her.She shook her head making me frown,

"I will make only what you order me to make."She whispered biting back her words.

Now what the freaking hell.

"No Amal, you will make whatever you want to make."

I wasn't getting any of this.Was I missing something.I remember clearly that ammi would never ask abbo what to make, nor did any other women in our home then why Amal-

"How could I?"Her posture was stiff as her eyebrows wrinkled.

"Amal, what do you mean?You are my wife.You are equal to me.You have all the rights in this house as much as I have.This is your house too.You can make whatever you want.You are free here.You do not need to ask me for everything."I stated.

From the inside I was seething, knowing well who was at fault for her behavior.

Her grey eyes turned glassy before she muttered a low,

"Okay."

Turning around she made her way into the kitchen while I went inside my-our room.

Later in the evening, as the sun went down, Amal stayed in the bedroom, sitting in dark.She wouldn't come out nor talk or even smile.Assuming she was missing her aunty, I called Sikander before forwarding the phone to Amal.

She looked up at me confused before taking the device from my hand.Pressing the phone to her ear she greeted her brother.I had this urge to sit beside her and listen to her as she talked but knowing well that she needed privacy I walked out.

Aunty Shahana would probably tell her about the new place they shifted in.Atleast she would be at peace knowing her aunty wasn't staying at the old rotten place.

I sighed running a hand through my hair.

*

Amal

I looked at the now dead phone in my hand.I missed aunty and bhai all day and now talking to them, I found myself a little relax.Embracing the soft cushion close to my chest, I smiled.

The man that sat outside, the man that was my husband was so kind to find Sikander bhai a new place.It wasn't very far from the old building where we previously lived.Aunty was happy and sad.She liked the house alot and was inviting us for dinner but I politely declined not wanting to burden her or myself.I didn't know how much time was left before the dam broke.

Before he starts abusing me.

My breath had hitched when he said all the things in the living room.My mind had stopped thinking and brain had stopped functioning.Never in my married life, had I heard such words.They seemed to kind and sweet that they burned my skin.

I couldn't even think to move a glass from its place in Jalal khan's mansion without his permission.

Jalal Khan

I suddenly felt nauseous even imagining myself back in that place.But I couldn't rub the images from my mind, they were imprinted deep.

Oh beautiful, I'll keep chasing you.Beautiful Amal, my beautiful Amal you cannot run away from me.

"Amal-"The voice was different.

I opened my eyes and the blinded lights filled them making me squeeze them shut again.

"Amal, what happened?"

I opened my eyes again, finding my hands pressed against my ears.Arsalan, he was standing besides the bed, looking down at me concerned.

I shook my head vigorously.Removing my hands, I forwarded the phone to him,

"The battery died."I said.

"Oh yeah, I should charge it-"Taking the phone from my hand, he moved around plugging in the charger.

Amal, I will always find you.

Pressing my palm to my mouth, I rushed to the bathroom.Coughing, I emptied the contents of my stomach in the toilet seat.My stomach twisted badly as I vomited.

Footsteps rushed in and I heard a low 'shit' leave the man's mouth.I coughed away and a large hand rubbed against my back.When I was done, I flushed before standing on my wobbly legs.The large man filled all of the bathroom as I washed my mouth and hands.

"What happened?Are you okay?"I nodded whilst the tears kept flowing down my eyes.He shook his head.

"No you are not.Come outside, I'll get you some water."He left and I followed behind.Sitting on the bed, I folded my feet under myself.

All words had died down in my throat, I couldn't even utter a word.My shoulders shook as I sobbed.Biting my lips I tried to muffle the bubbling cries in my mouth.

"Here."A glass was forwarded my way making me accept it instantly.Gulping down the water, I placed it on the side table.The man moved back and sat on the floor before me.His back was against the wall as he sat there staring at me intently.

I noticed the dim lightening in the room now, the large windows welcomed the light from outside before me shift my gaze all around.

"Tell me Amal what is wrong."It wasn't a question.It was a statement.

I swallowed down my throat.My mind yelled a thousand thing to say but I couldn't.So I shook my head.Anger flashed through his face before he masked it.

"Don't test my patience."He said lowly making my heart jump.

"You-you have made the wrong decision.You don't know what disaster you have accepted.I will only ruin you.You will not be able to stay happy as long as I live here-"

I heard the low groan but I wiped my tears and dared to say,

"You don't know anything about me.You shouldn't have ever accepted to help aunty.You should have listened to me that day- "

"Amal."He said angrily.

I gulped seeing him stand up from his place.

"It isn't anyone's fault.We were meant to be here.If we weren't then you would have been with your aunty or Allah knows where.Stop beating yourself up like this."His tone was clipped as he uttered the words out before walking away.

But before he left I heard the low whisper,

"Stupid."

***