A treat for you all ;) ;)

An

Putting the plates in the cabinet, I closed it.Washing my hands and drying them.I walked out from the kitchen.My new phone lay somewhere in the living room.Wanting to talk to Aunty Shahana, I made my way in the large living room.But before I could take another step.The main door opened making me halt in my steps.

"Hi"The man said as his charcoal eyes stopped on me.

My eyes quickly snapped up to the wall clock opposite to me.It read twelve.How was he home so so early.He stayed by the door as his eyes assessed me, before he said,

"Come in-"I looked at him confused but all the confusion vanished in thin air when he moved inside and a stunning woman walked in.My eyes widened seeing her before me.

Dressed in a purple shirt and jeans, she looked like a model straight out of magazines with her hour-glass figure.Her dark hair fell in loose curls over her shoulder as she held an expensive bag over her arm.

Her asian-indian features adding more to her heart shaped face.The light brown of her eyes stood out more with the winged liner, her makeup minimal and alluring.

The matching high heels she wore, made her stand tall but the man besides her was still much taller than her.Unconsiously my hand wandered over to the loose strands of my hair, brushing them back.

I must be looking like a maid before her.

I cleared my throat before averting my eyes, feeling a heated stare on me.

"Amal-She is Rhea.And Rhea this is my wife Amal Arsalan Khan."The man introduced making me snap my way back to the woman who smile warmly at me.

Returning her gesture, I fiddled not knowing what to say but it seemed I didn't need to say anything as the man moved towards me, before stopping just close.

"Rhea is an Indian and works in my office.She is the assistant head of the design department-well right now she is here to take you for shopping."He smiled down at me making me frown.My eyes returning to the woman who shifted on her feet awkwardly.

So she worked in his office.

I felt my jaw clench.Feeling an unknown emotion stirring in my body.Or heart.

"Okay."I whispered out.

"I'll just get my bag."I added loud enough this time seeing the man give me a curt nod.

Walking away from them, I opened the bedroom door.Standing before the mirror, I fixed my woolen scarf around my head.Comtemplating I applied light pink lipstick before grabbing my bag.

Walking out, I saw them silent.And so I walked silently past my husband and towards the woman.I smiled at her once again.

"Amal wait."I heard from behind making me turn around.

His eyes said that he wanted me to walk back to him.With shaking feet, I reached near him-my heart almost thudding against my ears now.

"Take this.And have fun."Placing his shining card in my hand he said.Making me look up at him and smile.But what he did next left me breathless.

Leaning towards he placed a kiss on my forehead, a low gasp escaping my lips.Shocked by this actions my eyes widened like saucers.

"Now go."He said softly making me turn around robotically.Glancing up at the woman I saw her grin widely at me.Making heat to flood my cheeks.

As we walked down the corridor quietly, Rhea said softly,

"What should I call you?"Her eyebrows wrinkled together as she looked at me.

"Call me Amal.I like it that way."I spoke sincerely passing her a smile.

"Okay Amal."She said.I could feel the positive vibes wavering off her.We got on the elevator and when we stepped out of the building, a black shining car waited for us outside.

Mercedes Benz

"Mr.Khan has arranged it."Rhea said making me nod.The driver opened our doors and we got inside.As we drove towards our destination.Rhea told about how excited she was to assist me shop and how much she loved shopping.

When we reached the shopping centre, excitement too bubbled inside my body.Rhea stopped at every shop making me pick out loads of clothes.I would hesitate and say,

"No-I don't think, I need these many clothes." But she'd close her eyes and say,

"Mr.Khan strictly said to purchase everything you keep your finger on."And I would small like a teenager.

Rhea seemed to be a great company.She helped me choose different colours and dresses.She picked out matching heels and clutches for me too.Pants, sweaters, shirts, shawls, jackets, fancy dresses and shoes.And not to mention jewellery and makeup products.

I would feel hesitancy but the woman moved with a confidence around her.Walking flawlessly in the high heels she seemed to have the world wrapped around her fingers.And in the end we became good friends.We had a late lunch in the cafeteria.I didn't know what to choose so she ordered for me too.

I felt very free, everything seemed new and I was experiencing alot.Rhea's bubbly nature never bored me.Making me realise how much I had missed on life.

Taking another bite of my club sandwich, I laughed at Rhea's childhood pranks.My hand flying to my mouth trying to suppress the bubbling laughter.

The sudden ringing of my phone made me fish it out from my bag seeing my husband's name flashing through the screen.

I glanced up at the woman before me, as she spoke teasingly,

"Pick it up.I am not listening."She said covering her ears and looking around.Shaking my head, I felt my throat dry up.Sliding the green button, I pressed the golden device to my ears.His deep voice filled my ears as he spoke,

"How is your shopping spree Wifey?"

Something just told me that he was smirking.Devilishly.Gulping down I replied.

"Good."Hearing him return a soft hum.A soft sigh escaped his lips and I glanced up at Rhea who winked at me making me instantly avert my eyes.

"Are you okay?Do you have fever?"I asked skeptically.

A deep chuckle vibrated my ear drum as the man spoke,

"Yes.I am completely fine."Humming in reply I remained silent.A silent minute passed only our breathing exchanging.

"Amal-"I hummed again.

"Don't take long.I'll be waiting for you at home."He added. Making me tense all of a sudden.

His words sounded different.They weren't for me.They were for someone who deserved them.A lover.

Yes, as two lovers would exchange these words.They weren't for me.

"Okay."I replied.

After a minute of silence, I hung up.

Two hours later when I stepped inside the house with hands full of bags, I saw him sitting in the living room with his laptop before him.

Looking up me, he narrowed his large charcoal eyes.

"Assalam O Alaikum."I said.

"Walaikum Asalam."He said quietly returning his eyes back to the screen.His face showing no emotion.As I fiddled on my spot, I continued an explanation afraid that he'd say I took so long to get home.

"We stepped out of the mall forty minutes before but the traffic made us late.But I'll prepare your dinner on time.I-"He cut off my ramble with a loud sigh.

"Amal- its okay.And don't worry about food, I ordered takeouts because I knew you'd come home after a long day."He said.Nodding my head quietly, walked inside the bedroom.

Hanging the new clothes and putting away the shopping bags, I hanged the three button down shirts I bought for him.Biting onto my lower lip, I thought to show him but neglected the idea soon and hanged them in his corner.

Well Rhea forced me to buy something fir my husband.

Freshening up, I went to the kitchen ready to set the table as it was almost dinner time.

The cold air swayed past me making me shiver.Goosebumps travelling up my arms.Folding them on the railing, I leaned a little closer.My raw tendrils softly caressing my face.

The lose bun remained at the nape of my neck as the shawl was draped over my shoulders.The night sky welcoming me with open arms.It all looked peaceful with minimum traffic on the roads, with the skyscrapers standing tall against the horizon.The trees dancing on the tunes of the wind.

The sky remained devoid of moon.The stars staring right down at me with their dim lights.I exhaled, inhaling in a fresh breath feeling my once warm skin turn cold.

After praying, I decided to stand in the balcony for sometime, missing that I wasn't home today.Strangely, I had become fond of this home.Strangely the grey walls cocooned me into warmth.They made me feel the word home.The white flooring and walls, the expensive painting and large sofas were still imprinted in my mind like a fresh memory because they had heard me scream, heard me cry on endless nights, had known my pain.

I was grateful that the grey walls were more homey.Much welcoming and safe.Footsteps sounded behind me but I didn't need to turn around and see, I knew well who it was.

The presence lingered close to me making me more conscious.Two hands gripped the railing just besides me making me turn my head to the man.His eyes remained on the sky before us, letting me have a closer look at him.The wind making his hair messy, the dark strands now falling onto his forehead.Making him look boyish.

His once casual clothes were now swept with a long sleeved grey shirt and dark sweatpants.Feeling my eyes on him he turned his face making me blink away and avert my face on the other side.Warmth flooding my neck and ears.But I did catch his smirk as his lips curled.

"Amal.My company is launching a party this week and I want you to accompany me."He said in the dark of the night making me tense.

My nerves freezing up.Glancing up at the man I saw him expecting an answer from me.Panic rose with lin me as I backed away a little.

His nails were digging in the skin of my waist.

His grip was very tight as he dragged me with him in a sea of creepy looking men.As if I was a piece of meat.

There were barely any young women here as same as my age.It was a party.A hell party-

"Amal-"A soft voice caressed my ears making me blink at the man as he tensed before me.Concern filling his charcoal orbs.

"Huh-"

"Amal, I was asking if you'd like to accompany me?"Fresh tears brimmed my eyes as I spat out harshly, sudden anger rising in my veins.

"If you want to insult me and dragged me like a prized possession you could do this here too.Not in a sea of hungry men."

The man's faced hardened, the softness long gone as he looked down at me with his dark eyes.His arms reached forward as he pulled me in,

"I have no plan to do such a thing.I am not him, I am me.And you dammit are my wife not a trophy I need to show off."He spoke sharply, his eyes glaring at me.

Like a slap on my face, I returned to the reality.He was not Jalal Khan.

He was not.

He was not.

A tear slipped down my cheek, the charcoal orbs observing it with intensity.It vanished from my skin as a rough thumb rubbed it off softly.His hand left my arms as he stepped back and turned around.

"Uff Amal-"He whispered under his breath, pulling at his hair strands.

"Atleast give me a chance so that I could erase him from your mind.From your life.I asked you to trust me, so have a little faith in me that I am here with you.And I am not him.I am your husband."He shook his head turning to me.

"I won't force you Amal.You would come to this party yourself."He said with such confidence that I felt my walls crumbling down.

I did buy a fancy nice dress today.

I turned to the railing again trying to process everything.The footsteps walked away and I pressed my palm to my heart as it ran wild in my chest.

Minutes later the man walked in again, his left hand behind his back as he faced me.

"I have a surprise for you."He spoke softly yet his face was devoid of any emotion.I smiled slightly trying to suppress the overwhelming, over-flooding feeling.He retrieved his left hand from behind his back.He held a jaw with-

with fireflies filled in it.My heart leapt to my mouth as I stared in awe at the jar.My eyes widening as they danced inside the jar.Handing it to me, he stepped in closer.

A grin covered my lips.And so did his lips.

"Free them Amal, along with your insecurities."Looking up at the man, I nodded sincerely.

Twisting the cap, I opened it letting the fireflies free.In the dark night they shined around us as they swayed before us.I couldn't even count, there were so many.

"How-"I asked astonished.

"I collected them for you."He simply replied looking at the lightening bugs.

My fingers moved in air trying to catch a little one but they moved so fast, I couldn't get hold of any.

"Thank you."I whispered with all honesty for everything.

His charcoal eyes clashed with my grey ones.And he nodded quietly a small smile curving our lips.His hand reached towards mine as he guided them to a lightening bug.Closing our palms, it got trapped in my palm.Tickling my skin with its wings.

He let go of my hand and I pulled my palm closer, examining the firefly in it.

To reduce my darkness he brought stars for me on the ground.

And for a long time we watched the fireflies lighten up the dark night.

***

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_Hafsa