The statue of liberty remained before me and as I stood just some miles away from it, I felt nothing.Just like the last five months I had stood before it.I felt nothing.As if there was nothing to feel at all.No sentiments and no emotions.Not even awe.Just.Nothing.At.All.

The chilling air had been swept with warmth as the weather changed with time.Pulling and pushing things.Leaning against the railing of the glass balcony, I looked down to the busy roads of New York.The thirty six floors below me not scaring me at all.The height just another measurement for me.

Inhaling in a deep breath of the warm air, I tried to remain oblivious of the party going on just behind me in the crowded hall, as people danced and drank.Laughed and ate as they chatted away, celebrating the after party of the project and training we had been developing since the past few months.

Time passed fast from the palms of my hand, just like sand.Washing away with the winds and never returning.Like it was never meant to return.

And as no time returned, so did the people who left me on the bumpy road alone just to live away, or should I phrase-to waste away my life.Now Amal remained like a prominent memory to me.

I took another sip from the cold drink, a presence lingered behind me as I sensed it.Not wanting to turn around to look, I stayed put.Just a second passed before the woman leaned besides me.Her back against the railing.

A sly smile played on her red dark painted lips.My stone hard expressions didn't change as I stared at the woman.Just something about her feeling every familiar.The dark of her long hair lay in loose curls on either side of her shoulders.Her dark eyebrows in perfect arches.Her slim contoured nose.Her black eyes standing out on her creamy skin tone.The burgundy sleeveless silk dress fitted her perfectly as her matching heels made her look more taller.

" What a handsome hunk like you-is doing here all alone?"Her thick accent cut through the air, as she asked dipping her red liquor.

I narrowed my eyes, something fitting right about her.

" Nothing."I pronounced out.

Her finger trailed up to my arm, my eyes following her actions.Stopping at my shoulder, she leaned closer before placing her hand on my shoulder.

" You won't mind a company, right?"She whispered in a low voice.

I didn't respond her.

The woman smiled slyly at me.I remained paralyzed within the air around us.The woman curled her arms around me.Standing between the balcony railing and me, she wrapped my arm around her slim waist.

My fingers tightened around the plastic cup in my hand as she boldly leaned forward and kissed my neck.I stiffened.Her dark lips lingering on my skin.

" You seem so lonely, baby."She whispered.

I swallowed down my throat.Her strong perfume intoxicating my senses.

" I was watching you throughout the party, is there something I could do?"She said linking her arms around my neck.

I leaned back a little.Her black eyes staring at mine charcoal deeply.The dark orbs giving away all the wrong signals.

The warm wind whizzed past us.The soft music playing in the background filling the balcony now.The light from the crowded hall illuminating the balcony, mixing up with the city lights.

The woman in my arms sighed before leaning a little more closer.

" I forgot to tell you my name, Khan-"Her finger trailed down my forehead to my chin.

" My name's Ama-

Amal

Amal

Amal

Amal

Amal

riella"

As if cold water had been poured on me or hot lava had fallen upon my skin, I woke up.Like an unconscious man coming back to his senses.I looked at the woman in complete shock.

" Amariella it is-"She giggled.

Pushing away her arms, I took a step back.The once shining black eyes now looked at me with unbelievability.Amar- the woman raised her palms in a questioning manner.Her lips parting in shock.

" I have to go."I said stepping away from the woman.Turning around, I left the balcony and straight to the grand hall's door.Wanting to immediately leave the place.I ran a hand past my jaw as I wait for the elevator.A sudden fear enveloping my heart-thinking that tomorrow I would be returning back to London.

I am sorry Amal- I almost betrayed you.

*

Just as I opened the front door and entered my apartment with my luggage behind me, I felt it.I felt as Amal was in my bones.Like she was half of me.Half of my blood streams mine while the others hers.Like she was embossed in my body and house.In my senses and in my soul.

The smell of dried up flowers kick in as I sniffed it.Shaking my head at my stupidity, I walked to the bedroom.

Nothings changed except timr.My charcoal eyes raked over everything.Firstly, the vanity table making mr walk to it.Instantly, the flashbacks hit me hard.Amal's perfumes and her cream jars would be alined neatly along the mirror.And her favourite perfume bottle would always be uncapped and her earrings would be on the earring holder stand with many other pairs of matching.

The glass bangles would always be spread in front of her perfumes.And she would wear them after praying.

But now in the darkened room as I looked down at the table, I felt everything of her.Some bottle and jars remained missing making her side look almost vacant in comparison of my colognes.But her red glass bangles were the same.Untouched.Since the day she left, the bangles remained on their place.

I traced my finger through the hollow of the bangles and to the earrings still in the golden holder.The heaviness weighed my heart down as I slid on the bed, feeling utterly cold and lonely.The exhaustion of the flight making me sleep with my shoes on.Amal's side of bed becoming my cocoon for the night.

*

It started with a laugh.A hearty laugh.I wrinkled my eyelids as the light pierced through the curtains and into the bedroom.Rubbing my eyes, I sat up on the bed.The once ironed suit now all wrinkled up.I shrug off the coat very irritatedly.

Getting off the bed, I followed the loud laughter.The crockery in the kitchen all clinking together.My steps slow down more as I saw the woman before me.

Her smiling face like a full bloomed rose, fixed on the work she was doing.The peach dress against her slim figure suiting her well.In a daze, I leaned against the counter before folding my arms.Large grey eyes slowing lifted up to meet mine as my wife smiled shyly.

" Sorry."She whispered her hand touching her ears yet the cheerful glint in her eyes didn't wash away.

" Amal"I just whispered before moving round the counter my heart melting instantly.Pulling the woman in my arms, I closed my eyes.Suddenly her body washing away against my arms.Like sand she slipped away.And like a slap on my face, I opened my eyes only to find myself in the kitchen with my arms around air.

Oh Arsalan.

Feeling a smile lift my lips up, I walked back into the bedroom to get my day started.

When I placed the breakfast dishes in the sink, a knock distracted me.Washing my hands, I dried them off first before walking to the door.

Who could be here this early.

The thought just crossed my mind before I pulled the main door open.Before me stands a woman about the same age as mine.The dark of her eyes glaring daggers at me as if I had kidnapped the child that remained besides her, holding onto her finger .

Her features practically screamed that she's a Pakistani.Frowning at her, I trailed my eyes down her.

Do I know her in any case?

I asked myself.But the woman had her own story as she rudely pushed passed me and into the apartment.

" Excuse me-"I started but was cut off as she picked the boy in her arms and said through gritted teeth.

" It's better that you close that door and we sit and talk.Because I don't think that I am on the wrong address."Glaring at her with the same intensity, I closed the door shut before offering the woman a seat on the sofa.

" I am Marwa."The woman introduced as soon as I sat opposite to her.

SHIT.

My widened eyes maybe gave her a signal and she smiled warmly.

" Sorry for my rudeness."She added making me shook my head in negative.

" Its okay."I said just wanting to know why was she here.

Leaning back comfortably on the sofa she asked, raising her brows.

" What game are you and Amal playing?"

The air around us tightened with just the name being pronounced and I stiffened.

" Its not what it seemed."I said trying to ease off the heavy weight off my shoulders.

" Then what was the matter?"She asked.Her features carving into concern.I cleared my throat but she beat me to it.

" Arsalan, Amal's always been very sensitive and I thought it had caused all of this.And I am sure that the reason was her insecurity and her sensitiveness.I don't know how you both have given up on this relationship."The woman shakes her head disappointedly.

Before she could say anymore.I narrated all the story to her.All of it.Gaining different reactions from her.When I completed telling her that I don't even know where Amal went, she dived into deep thoughts.

The silence covered us and I avert my eyes to the baby boy who stepped towards me with his chubby feet.When the baby was about to fall on the ground, I swung him up in my arms.A warm feeling filling me just thinking that Amal must have loved him.

He was the baby born on her wedding day.

Marwa stood up from her place before taking her baby from within my arms.

" I don't believe this.I will do everything to get you too back."She promised but I smiled sadly.

" My love wasn't strong enough to stop her from going."

Marwa looked back to me.Her features mirroring mine as she whispered and then left leaving me in a deep thought.

" You're wrong, Amal's love wasn't strong enough to make her stay."

*

I took the photo frame in my hand before running my hand over the glass.It was a photo of my wife's smiling face that I had clicked the day we went to the fair on my bike.I had secretly snapped it while she got her henna done.And I had placed it on my office table just the morning before she left.

S

E

V

E

N

More days passed but the words Marwa said didn't go away.Like a mantra they kept rotating in my mind.

Amal loved me.

Amal loved me.

Amal loved me.

Amal loved me.

The examples were enough to know that when someone goes away only then you realize their worth.But I had realized her worth before even knowing her completely.Because I had not fallen for her face or her beautiful features.I had fallen in live with her everything.Her story, her scars, her imperfections.

Amal could never be one thing, Amal

was everything.

Placing the photo frame back on the table, I stood up before shutting off my laptop.Collecting the car keys, I left the office.The London traffic welcomed me but too absorbed in brain storming a meeting in my mind, I don't get irritated.

Stopping on a diner, I enjoyed my dinner alone.The dim lightening and the delicious food kept me together making me ignore the young couples sitting with each other, enjoying their candle light dinner.

Paying the bill, I stormed off back to my house.Opening the main door open of the apartment, I kicked off my shoes firstly.Closing the hallways and kitchen lights, I kicked the bedroom door open.

Shrugging the jacket off my shoulders, I threw it on the floor.A movement in the corner of the room made me halt for a second.Making me turn towards my wife as she folded the prayer mat.

" Great Amal, you're here again."I said making unclasping my wrist watch on the vanity table.

How much are you gonna trouble me,Amal.

***

I only have a sorry to offer to you ..

I really am sorry.

And guys The Awaiting Bride is gonna complete 100k reads, so love you all alot for the support and for always helping me to stand where I stand today.

:)

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Until next time,

_Hafsa