My eyes scanned the dark room.Stepping inside, I shut the bedroom door behind me.My husband's body rested on the floor as he sat at the foot of the bed.His back against the hard wood.

My heart clenched painfully in my chest seeing his appearance.The once ironed white shalwar kameez he wore was now all wrinkled.His sleeves pulled up to his elbows and his dark hair strands roughly messed up on his head.

The dim light from the lamp illuminated the room.Allowing me to make out his features.Reaching forward, I kneeled before Arsalan.His lashes were wet as they rested on his high cheekbones as his eyes remained closed.

" Arsalan-"

I gasped out lowly.His eyelids opened before he glanced at me.The weary tiredness swimming in his eyes and the hollow under his eyes didn't go unnoticed by me.

" You're here."He croaked.

My throat clogged up.Folding my legs under me, I inched closer to him.Cupping his cheeks, I caressed my fingers under his eyes.The man closed his eyes and leaned into my touch resembling a small child in his mother's grasp.

" Its okay."I managed to utter only these two words out as the man snapped his eyes open but this time with his charcoal orbs glassy and soon the glassy glaciers broke down and the tears rolled down his cheeks.

" Daadi Maa-"He spoke.

I pressed my lips onto his forehead as my own tears brimmed my eyes.

It had been only two days since Daadi Maa had left us forever, turning to the world where we all had to go one day.She had all left us behind returning to ALLAH.The past week had been very scary as she fought for life and death each death.We hadn't known how our happiness was turned into this mashed darkness.The wedding festivities had finished and life had turned into routine when this happened.

The exact minutes and time was embossed in my mind now and somehow I couldn't wash them away.The memories were very fresh.Daadi Maa had lifted her weak frail hand and pointed towards Uncle Nawaz.As uncle had leaned towards her, she had managed to speak only these words.

" Never leave each other."

And then she had closed her eyes before whispering the Kalma.The hospital room had erupted into loud cries as we all broke down to tears.Uncles had succumbed to the floor besides her bed as they cried for their mother.

Daadi Maa's grandchildren had also broken down but I had noticed my husband only wipe his silent tears once before he had walked out of the room.

The most heart wrenching moment had been when the men had come inside the large hall to lift the coffin.My legs had turned weak as I stumbled to stand still.I couldn't understand whom to support, myself or the others.

Daadi Maa's sons and grandchildren had lifted the coffin to their shoulders and the house had exploded into duas.My husband was still stoic face then, not shedding a tear and I knew better as to what it was leading.

Altogether, that night I had concluded that one very important part of my life had gone away.Daadi Ma was the woman holding all the pillars of this house together.She was the woman who the control of the whole house.She was always making sure that everyone was together.She was the man of the house and she was respected as one too.And now without her in this house, it felt incomplete.

In the past two days, I couldn't even count how many times, I had peeked inside her room just to realize each time that she wasn't there.That she wasn't coming back.

And as my husband cried in my arms now, I let him.He had taken in all the emotions, storing them inside himself.The past days, he had stood up as a shield for everyone.Taking charge of every arrangement that needed to be done.Holding everyone up together whilst the water of sorrows drowned us.He was there for everyone that needed him.

His condition worried me.The burden of emotions on his shoulders was weighing him down.

Soft tears rolled down my eyes as my husband clutched onto my arms before hiding his face in my chest.His cries filled the eerie silence of the night.I rubbed my hand on his back, rocking both of us slowly.

Let it out, Arsalan.

Cry it out.

" Amal-"He whispered after aching minutes of silence.

I hummed afraid that my quivering voice would break him more.My fingers wiped my tears away as I sniffed.The man before me shifted, bringing his face up and sitting before me.

" I feel as if I've lost Abba again."The hoarse voice broke something deep within me as I shook my head lightly and closed my eyes not able to meet the charcoal orbs as they stared at me.The sob bubbling in my mouth ripped off hearing the man speak.

" Abba was just like Daadi Maa, the exact copy of her."

I opened my tired eyes and stared at the man.His stubble had grown and his hair were a mess.His dull eyes were sorrowful as tears slid down his cheeks.My shaking hands cupped his face as I pressed my lips onto his forehead yet again.

ALLAH, please ease his pain.

" I loved my Daadi just like I loved Abba."

Moving back, I brushed his tears away.

" Amal-"

His words died down as I pressed my lips onto his.I didn't kiss him.I just pressed my lips onto his shutting him because I couldn't take in more of what he was telling.Arsalan stiffened for a moment before he relaxed.Even though my eyes were closed, I could tell he had closed his too.

The salty taste of his tears mixed with mine.Our breathing lowered.Our heart rates relaxed.But as my lungs went out of breath, I moved back.

" Amal-"The man breathed out in utter protest and yet again I sealed his words by kissing him.I pressed harder onto his lips, draining all of his pain from deep within his chest.Large hands cupped my face, bringing me closer as my husband took the charge.His arms curled around mine.He pulled me in so that my once sitting figure on the floor was now on his lap.

Arsalan angled my head kissing me.This kiss wasn't like all the other ones we had shared.It was one filled with mutual pain and sorrow.It was soft but it was bittersweet.

And we were a beautiful mess.

Seconds tickled into minutes.And I broke off firstly, gulping in as much as oxygen as I could.Resting his forehead against mine, the man sighed.I brought my hand up and caressed his jaw softly.And like a child he melted into my touch.

I smiled seeing him close his eyes for a second.Upon opening them he stared at me.His dark orbs looking through me.I placed a kiss on his cheeks before daring to utter the words.

" You should rest now, I'll be going."

Since Daadi Ma had passed away Zarah had grown utterly lonely.She was attached to her grandmother greatly and on her loss she had become very silent.Since she slept mostly with her grandmother, sleeping alone in her room now scared her.And for the past days I slept in Zarah's room.Although Shahwar had assisted that she'll stay with Zarah but because of her baby girl, I had taken it as a responsibility to stay with her.

" Please don't go."

The words caught me off guard as I stared at the man.His eyes silently pleading me.I swallowed down my throat.

" But Zarah-"

I was embraced as strong arms pulled me to his chest.Arsalan's face nuzzling in the crook of my neck sending warm shivers down my spine.

" Please stay.Zarah would sleep with ammi."The man spoke reasoning.

I sighed softly and wrapped my arms around his waist before whispering an 'okay' out.

" Lets sleep."I stated after a few minutes as the yawns lulled me to sleep.Arsalan kissed the hollow of my neck softly before moving back.I stood up from his lap and my skin flushed heat as I looked at him.

Leading him to the bed, I made him lay down before occupying the other side of the bed.Just as my head rested against the pillow, Arsalan rolled onto my side.His head moved down and rested against my stomach.

" Don't leave when I am sleeping."He warned softly making me smile to myself.

" No I won't."I promised running my fingers through his hair.My mind dwelled back to the time when I touched his dark strands for the first time ever.He wasn't feeling well and I had caressed his head while he slept.

I wanted to ask him if he remembered but as I caught his eyes closed, I knew it was a question for another time.A yawn left my lips and I closed my tired eyes, delving into a dreamless sleep but with my king in my arms.

I dusted my cheeks one last time with the brush, coating my prominent cheekbones with blush.Turning away from the vanity table, I pulled the long red dupatta from the arm chair before draping it across my shoulders.The golden and red bangles clinked in my wrist each time I moved.

Slipping my feet in the matching sandals, I strapped them.Stepping towards the mirror again, I wrinkled my nose seeing the rouge strands mess my hairstyle.Brushing the strands away, I sighed loudly.

Today was Aaryan's birthday party.It wasn't a big celebration and no guests were invited because after Daadi Ma's death, the preparation had stopped and even at one point the party was cancelled but Uncle Nawaz decided to celebrate it as it was planned and so here we were today.Arsalan had also extended our stay in Pakistan for two months and I was happy to stay with my family for a longer time.

A theme was set for the day for the newly weds or the young weds.The men were ordered to wear golden and white sherwanis while the women were to wear red dresses.

My figure supported a red shirt finely stitched with net material that had stone embroidery on the border.Underneath I wore a skirt of silk and banarsi fabric printed in golden motifs.I had done a low bun for my hairstyle, parting my hair from the middle.My jewellery was ivory white and pearly standing out against the red colour.

The past weeks, I had grown very attached to Shahwar and Ahya.According to Aunty Meena we were soul sisters apart from being sister in laws.Just thinking of going back to London saddened me but London also held a bigger part of my heart.

My home.

Clasping the pearl bracelet around my wrist, I moved towards the door.Late afternoon sun rays graced the house, the light piercing in through the large windows.The eerie silence of the house was swept by the low buzzing making me walk towards the double doors in the front.

The pots of plants lined by the pillars, had flowers and leaves dancing to the tunes of wind.Descending down the steps, I walked towards the garden seeing Ahya arrange the table with Aunty Meena.Chairs were lined around the large table which was covered with a blue velvet cover.

Dressed in all red, the woman walked towards me.Her eyes raising in appreciation.

" You look like a bride."Ahya said as she embraced me.Laughing at her comment, I retorted back.

" I feel its the other way round."She smiled shaking her head.

Aunty Neelum and Ammi joined us with our Uncles.Everyone settled on the chairs as I looked around for my husband and his cousins finding them missing.Frowning, I turned to ask Ahya when the woman pulled at my hand.

" Shsh, come with me."She said.

Following behind her, we stepped in the main hall.Walking across the large hall, we stepped in the veranda.I smiled seeing the rest of the family here.Shahwar dazzled in a red show-stopping dress as she posed for pictures with her husband whilst my husband clicked for them.

Dressed in a white sherwani that was printed with contrasting gold with matching white trousers, he looked like a model straight out of a bridal couture magazine.His dark strands were styled backwards and his stubble was also trimmed and neat.

" Amal, come join us."Shahwar called out breaking my daze.

I smiled softly at the woman before going to stand besides her.Having my back to the man, I could feel his intense stare burn me.

My heart leapt in my chest as my eyes stared at the mesmerizing woman whom I called my wife.Dressed in all red she looked like the most beautiful woman, I had seen in all my life.

Amal

My Amal

I looked down at the camera before clicking some snaps of Shahwar and Salah and my wife.The couple posed for the pictures while my wife blushed and shyly smiled.I bit my inner cheek trying hard to control my grin as Amal avoided my stare.

Imraan and Ahya also joined us.And we took loads of pictures before Zarah came to call us for the cake cutting ceremony.

The evening passed in a blur as Aaryan cut the cake and dinner was followed afterwards.I couldn't get a chance to say anything to Amal because each time, I stepped towards her she was always working or helping around.

I ran my hand through my hair annoyed at the women- my cousins- who gathered all around her like honey bees.Taking Maira from Ammi's arms, I hushed the baby as her mother was too busy kidnapping my Amal.

Uncle Yousuf called out to me as I nodded at him before listening to what he had to say.

Another half an hour passed and the party summed up.I walked towards the french doors before stepping inside the front room.Everyone was still in the garden enjoying tea whilst I slumped on the sofa grimly.Folding my arms across my chest, I jutted my lip out like a baby.Taking out my phone, I scrolled aimlessly through my emails.

The soft clinking of bangles distracted me as I looked down at the shadow of someone walking through the doors.

Someone

I smirked darkly before standing up from my place.As expected Amal walked in through the doors holding some dishes in her hands.Her eyes glanced at me as the woman slowed down in her steps.

She smiled at me, yet her eyebrows knitted together.Walking towards the woman, I sensed her taking a step back from me.

Bad move, baby.

" Arsalan."She gasped out as I circled my arm around her waist and pulled her towards me.Pressing my index finger against her red painted lips, i faked an angry expression shutting her.Taking the dishes from her hands- I placed them on the table before pulling her hand making her follow behind me silently.

I stepped down the veranda before turning to face the woman.Amal looked up at me confused yet an amusement sparkled in her eyes.

" Are you alright?"

She asked softly, secretly smiling to herself as she placed her palm against my forehead to check the temperature.Shaking her head she with drew her hand but I caught it and pulled her to me.Her soft body collided with the hard contours of my body making her gasp.

" Arsalan-"

" I have written something for you."I stated.

My charcoal eyes bored into her grey ones.The dim lightening in the veranda made her large eyes look darker yet the sparks shined within.My hands covered hers as I stepped closer to her, reducing the distances.

She looked up at me as I was her world and I looked down at her like she was my universe.

" You are the fire,

Burning in my chest,

You are the ice,

Freezing me with every second,

You make me go insane,

Yet you are the craze I want to have,

I wait for you to burn,

I wait for you to freeze me,

I wait for the chaos you create in me,

I wait for the magic you cast on me,

You can be my downfall,

But you have already become my salvation."

I confessed cupping Amal's cheeks.I hadn't known that I could write something for her and it almost felt funny that Arsalan Khan, a business man who had no interest in fairy tales would be nervous and excited about writing something for his wife.

But as I saw the tears brimming the grey pools, I knew I had accomplished the great mission.

" Janaan, don't cry."I pecked Amal's cheeks, drinking away her tears.

My wife sniffed before she smiled at me lovingly.

" I absolutely love it."She stated grinning.

My heart skipped a beat at the ecstatic expression on her face making me twirl her in my arms.Amal giggled making me chuckle.

" Stop please."She said between giggles.

Pulling her back in my arms, I pressed my forehead against her.She heaved lightly, yet her lips remained stretched in a grin.

" I have to say something to you too."My wife said making me encourage her by humming.She moved her forehead back and bit her bottom lip.

" Me kisse se beintehaa muhabbat krte hn."

I rose my eyebrows and smirked playfully at her.

" Acha.Kissay?"I asked.

She circled her arms around my neck.Her eyes boring right into mine.

" Its you Arsalan Khan, always have been and always will be."

I didn't know who embraced first: Amal or me.Yet as we wrapped our arms around each other, we completed each other.And to be loved by Amal was the best feeling of the world.

" I love you Amal Arsalan Khan."I said tightening my hold on her.

Arsalan and Amal

made for each other.