The Space Between

Chapter 21; Mine

Sarah's feeling changed from sadness to anger as she sat silently. The ride was quite and Sarah could feel a turmoil swirl inside her chest. She spoke in a clipped tone. "You got mad that day when I came but you didn't seem to mind her"
Xavier looked at her and sighed. Knowing that she must have gotten the wrong idea. "It's different for you. She's not someone who is bound by rules" .
"Oh it's different for me? How different that you can't even bear to stay in the same room as me for a minute. Do you hate me that much?"
This time she didn't hide the irritation  and Xavier stopped the car mid way. He turned towards her. "I don't hate you.."
"Then what is it? Do I repel you? Is it because of my religion - "
Xavier didn't let her complete. She was getting it all wrong. "It's because of me"
"What?" Sarah asked shocked.
Xavier looked away as he spoke.
"I'm trying to protect you. From me"
Sarah couldn't understand what he was saying. Her frustration remained. "By kissing her it seems"
Xavier's head snapped towards her and he pulled her head closer. Their foreheads touching. Sarah stared wide eyed and confused. "I thought it was you. I was not in my right mind and it was a mistake" He whispered closing his eyes but he opened them. Before he could do something that would go against her morals. He let her go and started the car. His jaw clenched and the veins of his arms being visible. Trying to calm his beast down. Sarah sat back in a trance. Not knowing what she had just heard and experienced. Was it really her that was leaning in?  She interrogated herself silently.  Her home came in view and Xavier parked at a distance. Sarah looked at him and thanked him for the ride. He just nodded. Driving off after making sure she entered her house safety.

"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?" Xavier's voice fumed as soon as he came back dropping the keys on the nearby kitchen counter.  Staring at Amelia while she stood up from the same couch that they were sitting on previously. Turning her attention to him and putting her mobile away, she spoke carelessly  "I just told her the truth. She deserved to know"
"That's not the point. The point is that you gave the wrong idea. You know what happened was a mistake and I was under the influence" Xavier countered back pacing back and forth. He didn't even want to think what Sarah would be thinking of him right now, the mere idea of being the bad guy in front of her was unbearable. He moved his hand through his hair. Amelia stood up and raised her eyebrows as she said "It doesn't matter anyway. She's not really that special what is it that you see in her"
Xavier looked at her and his eyes became more furious.
"Oh my God. Not this again. What you're trying to do won't work. I won't be impressed"
Amelia shook in anger. "I have tried being nice. I have tried being understanding but nothing matters to you. "
"You crossed a line this time Amelia. Its better if you leave. I don't want to see you right now. " Xavier finally said looking at her one last time and moving away to his room. Sarah was a sensitive spot for him, he thought Amelia would have known by now but once again, she did this without any care and too blinded by petty emotions.
Amelia stumbled back as if hit by a bullet. Her eyes once again betrayed her filling in the water. Taking her bag, she decided to leave. Her anger leading her emotions. Xavier heard her go as her heels clicked the floor. He sat down on his bed as he felt a pain forming at the back of his head. Taking his medication he decided to lay down.

Sarah looked at herself in the mirror. Her cheeks were still flushed and her eyes seemed to gloss over as if in a trance. Her breaths were slowly strating to turn to their normal state. Her mind replaying the event. His warm breath on her cheek. Him saying that it was her who was on his mind. It was really funny to think how everytime they met, Something happens. Something intimate that they just can not ignore. Not even in the deepest corners of her mind was the thought of any physical contact with the man yet only about five minutes ago he had his hands on her neck and his forehead touching hers. Shaking her head, Sarah decided to go and take a shower. And head down after to check on her parents. As she went down, she saw her mother in the kitchen making a night snack for herself. She sneaked up on her and laughed as her mother hit her head saying that she sacred her. Sarah kissed her mother's cheek and muttered a quick sorry. As she watched her mother put the chips in the hot oil, a question came in her mind. "Mom. Can I ask you something?" She called and Aimen hummed as a silent go ahead, her back turned towards Sarah.  "How did you and baba meet?" She asked. Aimen turned to look at her and asked "Why do you ask?". Sarah shrugged "Just because. No reason" . There was a reason though, Sarah was checking if her story would align with theirs. Aimen answered putting the salt on the chips after taking them out of the oil and placing in the plate. "Since it was arranged, I only got to meet him during the brief time that we were engaged. I mean even now I think I learn new things about him everyday" Aimen said laughing slightly. "Do you love him?" Sarah said folding the arms across her chest. Aimen also came to stand beside her, leaning against the kitchen counter with the plate in her hand. She chewed on and answered shrugging her shoulders "I guess.." . Sarah watched her mother and the far off look she had in her eyes as if she wasn't here mentally but just physically. Sarah wondered then how they were able to stay married for so long. But she had also seen the little signs of mutual understanding between them. How when her father didn't like a certain topic, her mother would just take one look at his scrunched up nose and know it was time to change the subject. How when her father grew too silent, her mother would lightly touch his hand and smile. Sarah could state such countless moments. Aimen spoke again "I know your generation doesn't like to hear it but love isn't everything in a marriage. Soon the most important thing becomes respect and understanding ". Aimen spoke and a silent understanding passed between them. As though they were not related as mother and daughter but conversing  as two women.