This is not the End

Stolen Prologue

"Samar, I know you love me, and I never doubted that. But I'm tired of this uncertainty about our future. One day, I am the happiest person on this planet when I'm in your arms, and the next day, I don't even know what my future holds. I can wait for you for eternity if you give me the slightest chance that we could be together in this life. But you've never been able to give me that hope, and I, who am so desperate for moments of happiness, am always waiting for that one phone call, one knock on the door, one text message. I still don't know what I should do. Everyone I speak to tells me to move on, but I don't know how to do that," Ria said, breaking down into tears as she rested her head on his chest.

Samar held her tightly in his arms, kissing her forehead and gently brushing her hair away from her cheeks. He wanted her to let out her emotions, as she had kept all the pain inside while he was away from her. He didn't say a word, understanding that she needed this release. After a few minutes, Samar lifted her chin and said, "You know, you look most beautiful when tears glisten in your eyes and you smile at the same time." A twinkle appeared in Ria's eyes as she smiled, pushing him away and saying, "You always know how to make me smile."

Samar leaned forward, wanting to kiss Ria, and Ria desired it too. However, she wanted to playfully punish him for staying away for so long. With a mischievous smile on her face, she ducked out of his arms and said, "Let's go back. It's going to rain, and it's Kabir's birthday celebration."

"You go ahead. I'll join you downstairs in a little while. I need to make a call home," Samar told her. Ria felt a weight lifted off her chest, as if she had let go of a burden. She felt relieved that Samar had finally opened up to her.