The woman placed the tea cup before me and walked out of the bedroom.Her actions caused me to frown deeply- as if I was a little boy getting ready for school as his mother prepared his lunch and breakfast.Narrowing my eyes at the tea cup, I sighed out deeply.

Shrugging the jacket off my shoulders, I walked to the wardrobe trying to find a different shirt instead of the dark blue one.Picking out a crisp white shirt, I stripped the darker one.Pulling the white fabric across my arms, I started to button it when-

When I saw the loosening thread of the button making me hiss out in annoyance.

Shit.

Now what??

My mind almost rushed the thoughts of Zarah's tips like a hard slap on my face.Her words playing in my mind like a mantra now.

Bhai if you pluck the buttons out of your shirts and ask Amal bhabi to sew them for you then it would be so-

Rubbing a hand past my jaw, I glanced at the bedroom door.The woman probably in the her favorite place kitchen.I was in no way changing this shirt too- I thought.Deciding on a decent idea, I called out for my wife's help.

" Amal-"I called out loudly.

A second passed as the gorgeous woman came inside the bedroom.Her form stopping by the door frame.How should I say it?

Scratching the back of my neck, I thought of dismissing the idea but it was very late now as the woman stared expectantly.

" C-could you fix this?"I asked pointing to the top button.Her lips parted slightly before she nodded her head.Looking through the cabinets she took a box out.With the needle and thread in her hand, she extended her other arm towards me.

" Your shirt?"She asked softly making me wrinkle my eyebrows.My charcoal eyes moving down to look at the button.

" Do it with me wearing it."I stated brushing my hair back seeing the woman cast me an incredulous look.Shaking her head she said,

" Why don't you wear another shirt?"

She moved towards the wardrobe as she looked at the hangers.

" Amal, I want to wear white today.And I am not changing it as its the fifth shirt I've changed into."

The woman turned around, her grey eyes looking up at mine.Her body stiffened but she nodded and moved towards me.

Taking another step closer to me, she started her work.Her shaking fingers took the fabric of my white shirt in her grip, before she starting to sew the button like an expert.The thin needle in between her slim and long fingers as she tucked the button.

Her focus grey eyes remained on my white shirt, determined.Pushing the needle again through the button, I hissed as the sharp needle poked on my chest, making me hiss lowly.The woman's features horrified as she gasped loudly before looking up at me.

" I am so sorry-I didn't mean to."She said as her hands moved to her mouth.I shook my head feeling the stinging pain subside.

" Its okay.Just finish it."I said inhaling a deep breath.

She replied with affirmation before continuing on her work.When the button was fixed properly, she moved away.

Smiling softly, she moved around the room keeping the sewing box away as I fixed my tie.Sipping from the hot tea, I wore my shoes.Hearing the soft ringtone, I felt the beautiful woman walked out to the living room.

Following behind her, I could hear as she greeted someone her soft expressions changed into worried ones.My eyebrows drew together as I leaned against the hallway's wall seeing the woman stand by the kitchen counter.

Her striking grey eyes looked up at me worried as she nodded to herself.

" Yes Sikander bhai.Okay."She said.

Biting the inner side of her cheeks she closed her eyes before nodding again to herself.Saying bye to her cousin, she placed the phone on the counter.Her palms rubbed together she her hesitant eyes looked up at me.

" Aunty Shahana is very ill.Bhai called to ask if I could visit her today."She informed softly making me nod my head.Encouraging her to speak more.

" So, could you drop me off to her place before going off to work."

" Yeah sure.You get your bag and coat."I said seeing the woman visibly as she moved to grab her things.

As we sat in the car, the road lead to our destination.A thick silence covered us like fog.The blues and grey contrasted with white covering the canvas of the sky.Amal seemed to be bothered and worried about her Aunt's health as she kept staring out quietly.

" We can take Aunty Shahana to a doctor.I am sure she would feel better."I said glancing at my wife.

She turned her head towards me before speaking.Her soft and quiet voice filling the car now.

" No.Aunty Shahana has always avoided doctors.She doesn't likes going to them.She needs extra care when she's sick."

" Maybe seeing me she'll feel a bit better."She added making me give her a curt nod.

Stopping the car before the main entrance of the apartments I tapped the steering wheel with my fingers.Amal inhaled a deep breath as she unbuckled her seat belt.Looking at the dark browns doors, I could feel the woman open the car door.I clenched my jaw tightly.

She's not even going to say something.

I turned my head angrily towards the still open car door thinking why did she not shut the door.My eyes widened a fraction seeing the woman still seated on the car seat.

Arsalan pagal ho tum. (Arsalan you are mad.)

The woman bit her bottom lip as her grey large eyes met my charcoal ones.The innocence and softness filled in them, making my anger wash away with every passing second as I gulped thickly.

" I will call you so you could pick me up."She spoke softly.

" Okay."I replied shortly.

" I'll be going then.ALLAH Hafiz."She said making me greet her back.She took her bag before getting down from the vehicle.

" Amal."Before she could shut the door I suddenly called out.All the words mixed in my mind as I stared blankly as her.The woman in question rose a perfect brow at me.

Say something

Say something

Say something

My heart sang in my chest as I scratched my head awkwardly.The woman giving me a soft smile making me shake my head.

" Nothing."I said and she smiled once more before shutting the door.Walking inside the building she turned back once before disappearing and I waited outside till she got out of sight.

Reversing the car and speeding it on the road, I thought about the woman.

She haunted my dreams before and now.She was haunted my days too.Smiling to myself, I switched on the radio.

Opening the apartment, the darkness welcomed me.Unconsiously my voice calling out,

" Amal"

The reality dawning on me all of a sudden like a hard slap.Amal was still at her Aunty's place.Pulling off the tie, I threw it aside and switched the lights on.

The apartment seemed eerie silent.Like everything had frozen up or as the walls were stripped off their paint.It felt oddly cold as I walked inside the bedroom.The tidy bedroom greeting me.

Sighing out deeply, I shrugged the suit jacket off.Walking inside the washroom, I decided to freshen up.After showering I changed into a pair of comfortable sweatpants and a long sleeved grey shirt.The grey colour reminding me of particular large eyes.

Checking through the messages I found a message from my wife.

I would need to stay the night.Aunty wants me to be with her.Dinner's in the fridge-

Staring at the message, I placed the device on the kitchen counter before opening the refrigerator door.A container of baked beans and left over pasta came in my view making me pull the both out.Grabbing a juice carton, I took a plate from the cabinet.

The grey walls staring at me, as if they were annoyed with my presence making me say out loud.

" Amal is not coming home tonight.She'll stay there."Nothing replied but everything heard.Taking the food and juice carton, I walked to the living room.

Switching on the television, I sat with the food around me.All of the things reminding me of how I lived before I married Amal.

The news seemed very boring tonight as I munched on the baked beans.After the fourth bite, I couldn't take anymore as I stood up agitated.Keeping the keys and phone in my pocket, I walked to the door with my hands full of containers and plates.

Atleast Bashar would be home.

Closing the door behind me, I walked across the hallway and knocked.The door opened as the man appeared in the doorway.Noticing my appearance he smirked,

" Great! You brought dinner."He exclaimed opening the door wider and a chuckled escaped me as I went inside.

*

Amal

My grey eyes glanced at the clock seeing it read past six in the evening.Arsalan must be home by now.Did he get my message-I thought.

The front door opened as I stood up from besides Aunty Shahana as the old woman slept soundly.Walking out of the room, I saw Sikander bhai enter the house.

Greeting him, I offered him a glass of water.

" How is ammi?"He asked gulping the water down.

" She's fine now."He nodded before into his room.Walking towards the kitchen, I decided to check on dinner.Aunty Shahana would be up in a few minutes and even Sikander bhai would want dinner after a tiring day at work.

Getting myself busy with work, didn't help much as all my thoughts stopped on one man.All thoughts leading to him.

An hour passed in a blur as I sat with Aunty and Sikander bhai now.The dinner table filled with silence as I moved my spoon around the plate carelessly.The rice staring at me blankly.

" Amal? What's the matter?"Aunty asked shaking me off my thoughts making me look at the woman.Seeing her weaken features look at me worriedly.

Shaking my head, I said softly.

" Nothing."Taking a small bite of the food I said.

She looked down at my filled plate and asked,

" Then why aren't you eating?"I swallowed down my throat and wrinkled my nose.

" I don't feel like eating."I stood up taking the plate with me and excused myself.Cleaning the kitchen, I washed the plates and spoons as Aunty and Sikander bhai finished eating.

Aunty insisted to help but I sent her to her bedroom because her high blood pressure was already making ber look weak.Keeping the leftovers in the fridge I switched off the extra lights before walking to Aunty Shahana's room.Giving her the medicine, I lay with her.She talked to me for a while before sleep dawned on her.

Spreading the blanket on her, I stared at the cream walls of her room.The colour not as appealing as the grey ones in my home.

Taking the phone in my hand.I contemplated in calling my husband or not.While my inner self was still battling, the device vibrated in my hand, making my breaths quicken.My husband's name flashing across the screen.

Sitting up in my bed, I glanced down at Aunty as she snored softly.Taking in a deep breath, I pressed the green button.

" Assalam O Alaikum."I greeted first whispering the words out.A deep sigh reached my ears, as if he was relieved.

" Walaikum Assalam." He said in his masculine deep voice.A minute of silence passed between us before the man said,

" Amal-"

I hummed before sitting crossed leg.

" What were you doing?"He asked quietly.

" Nothing.Just had dinner sometime ago and now I am here with Aunty Shahana."I whispered hearing the man hum this time.Before the silence could disturb us, I asked

" What were you doing?"

" I am here in bed under the covers, in the silent house."He sighed making me bite down on my bottom lip.I could almost detect the sadness in his voice.

" You should have gone to your gym."I said hearing a chuckle vibrate my eardrums.

" No.I was too tired today.And actually I spent my time gaming with Bashar."I smiled and whispered,

" Oh, that's great!"

" Why are you whispering?"The man on the other end asked.

I glanced at Aunty and stood up from the bed before walking to the small window.

" I am here just besides Aunty."I said with my voice a little higher than a whisper this time.

" Okay."He yawned and just then a yawn escaped my lips.

He chuckled again making me resist the urge to laugh.

" You should sleep."I stated leaning against the wall.

" Yeah, I should."The man said, his voice quietening again.

" I am gonna hang up now."I stated unsure but my heart beat a little quicker now.Jumping in my chest.

" Wait Amal.I wanted to say something."His rushed voice made me stop any movement.

" Yes"I whispered.

Silence spread across our lines and I felt as if he was here, right besides me as he stared at me.Breaking my high walls bit by bit.

" Our home missed you."He said surprising me.

Shaking my head, I felt the heat rushing towards my cheeks,

Really.

Short of words, I didn't know how to respond.So deciding to reply the man in his language, I said

" I miss our home too."

After two minutes of silence, he hanged up but something just told me and made me feel as if he was smiling and so was I.