Over again

Chapter XXX

After all that happened in the past year and a half, Zain felt exhausted. He no longer knew where to go, what to do. Everything that he built, was stocked now. He remaind again without the person he loved.

He had so many commitments to do before he goes to Miami. He wanted to fulfill Aaliya's dream and to spend the summer in Miami. A week after he was divorced from Sanam by Sharia, he decided to go to his lawyer. He gave him all powers. Zain didn't want to appear in court and lawyer was supposed to do the legal part without Zain. All he wanted was to get away from the family for at least three months.

From the law firm he went to a travel agency and booked a plane ticket to Miami. He returned to home and went to the bed. For some reason he fell into a deep and restful sleep.

That night he dreamed strange dreams. He walked the streets of the city and every time some boy would come running into his arms. The boy called him father. Zain wake up in a sweat every time but fatigue would overcome him and he fell asleep again, only to dream the same dream.

At home he spent a few more days, avoiding family. They didn't force him to be with them. All gave him space as much as he needed. Wednesday morning, he got up and packed his suitcase. He had flight in the late afternoon. He went to his mother and said goodbye to her. On the way to the airport, he dropped to his father's office and said goodbye to him. Usmaan wished him a safe journey and for the first time in many years, hugged his son.

As soon as his feet touched American soil, he felt some relief. He felt good being away from family and friends. He catched the first taxi and drove to his hotel. When he reported and got the key to the room, he took a shower and went to sleep. He woke up the next day and the time difference was killing him. He thought it would be all right, but it wasn't.

He took his plan-travel out. Aaliya had told him the sights she would love to see. He wanted to fulfill her dreams back then. When he didn't got the opportunity to do so, he decided to live her dreams. Now he's in this big and unfamiliar city.

He was visiting all the places she wanted to visit. The first days he visited all famous places of Miami. Those areas that his agency recommended. He wished to have a house in this city. It would be his little place to escape. A place where he can feel safe and far enough away from his family. His refuge.

He had a lot of fun in the city, he went out to the clubs, lived everything that he could live with Aaliya.

One early evening he decided to go down to Miami beach and watch sunset. Many told him that the sunset in Miami looks wonderful. He was aware that at that time was a big traffic jam, but he didn't care. He wanted to experience that feeling. The hectic American life.

When he finally pulled out of the mess in which he maintained for two hours, he walked to the beach and sat down. Behind him was a city full of life. Trumpets of the car that break through the streets, loud music in the distance, laughter in the house behind him. All seemed so nice, a bit magical.
After a small pause, he got up and walked down the beach. He saw a boy running right into him. The boy didn't have more than two years. He was like a doll. Brown curls of hair falling over his forehead and big brown eyes shone in the dying sun. He was like a dream. The boy ran toward Zain.

Zain couldn't resist the boy, dropped to his knees and spread his hands. Boy ran into Zain's arms. He hugged him hard and screamed: "Dad!" Zain momentarily stopped breathing.

Down the beach, ran tall man who was calling the boy. Zain let the child on the sand and stroked his hair.
"Go. Look, your dad is looking for you. Run!"-Zain said.
Boy just smiled that sweet, naive little smile and ran to his father. Man picked him up in the arms and approached Zain.