Destined To Be.

Chapter 30

James,

1 week later

With Tommy spending the weekend away with Farren, I've decided to have a lads night in with Mark and Anwar.  It's been a long time since the three of us got together and this was my way catching up.

Who would have thought that these two would finally settle down.  Mark has 3 little ones all under the age of five, I guess my man hasn't heard of contraception.  Anwar on the other hand has fallen in love with a girl from Pakistan.  The same Anwar who said he was going to marry a western girl and shock his whole family in doing so.  I guess it was his way of rebelling against his conservative family but a second trip to the homeland and my boy fell head over heels in love with a city girl , a doctor to boot.  I'm happy for both of them, I guess they are going to get on my case of not finding a woman of my own, knowing perfectly well that the only woman I see as wifey material is the one and only Ayla.

Ayla!!!

It's been a whole week that I haven't seen her again.  She has gone back home from what I gathered from Inaya and hasn't been back for a visit since.  I think she's avoiding me.  I can feel it. The way she reacted upon seeing me, her reaction to being in my arms and the lack of eye contact has left me in no doubt that she is affected by my return.

Damn it!! 

I hate the way she was around me.  No eye contact , no communication.  She seems to have erected a huge iron clad wall around herself.  Can I blame her?  Hell no!!   She's been through so much at such a young age.  She's no longer that girl who used to wear her heart on her sleeve.  That girl was open hearted and feisty,  She was bold and sassy.  That beautiful girl is gone and in her place is an stunning woman who's vibrant eyes have dulled to a lighter shade.  Her once curvy body is now rail thin.  She seems resigned and wary. 

My gut clenches at the memory of seeing her open the door and when I first saw her in the flesh after five long years.  Her shocked eyes as she slammed the door in my face but it was I who was even more shocked at what she has become.

The physical change is obvious but how is she internally?  Is the girl of my past still residing there or has the cruelty of life diminished her.  Then it hits me!!

I don't know this Ayla!!

How can I!! I've been away for half a decade and a lot has happened during that time.  What if I'm fighting a loosing battle?  What if my return is futile?  Yes, her reaction to being in my arms gave me hope at that time but what If I read more than I should have in to it?

The ringing of the doorbell stops my thoughts as I wipe a hand over my face and make my way down the hallway.  I barely had the door open when it was banged open and I found myself crushed my a huge pair of arms in a bear hug.

Only one person was capable of this kind of brotherly laugh as I find myself laughing long with Marky boy.  I see Anwar shaking his head at our antics.  Good old Anwar always the sensible one.

"Put me down, you big ape!!" I slap him on the back playfully.

"Man I've missed you!" He takes a step back and gives me once over. "Damn boy I'm loving the tan on you and look at those eyes? Could there be anymore greener?"

"Marky , if you have stopped ogling our boy James here I would like to greet him to."  Anwar shoved Mark out of the way and we share a man hug, which consists of a lot of back slapping and such.

It's good to have them here.  Our friendship has even lasted with me being oversees.  In fact they were supposed to come and visit but life would always get in the way.