Over again

Chapter XXXI

Aaliya was standing in front of Zain and clutching Zaid. She watched him, quietly, that others don't see. She so wanted to came closer to him and wipe tears, but she was afraid. She was holding her son and didn't know what to tell him. How to approach him?

Zain approached Aaliya but she quickly turned around and carring Zaid in her arms, ran out of the park. Zain ran after her but before he could stop her Aaliya entered the cab. Man, who was watching it all, approached Zain. He was clutching Aaliya's jacket and Zaid's toys. Zain took it and headed for the hotel.

He was lost, he had mingled feelings. He was happy, happier than any other person in the world. He was confused, he didn't know why. He was angry. Furious because he had so long been away from her. Perhaps, if he came before and found her she would now care their son in her arms. He stopped. He felt his world crumbling under his feet. His son. Whos son is that boy? Who's this child? Who's the lucky one whose son she caries now in her arms.

Aaliya ran out of the cab and quickly came in the house. She closed the door and put Zaid, who was sleeping, on the couch. She want to the window and looked out to the street. She was afraid. Aaliya feared that Zain followed her. When she was sure that there's no one out there, she sat down on the couch. She looked at ceiling, when down her cheeks rolled the tears.

Aaliya remembered everything. She remembered all the wonderful moments she spent with Zain. She remembered the wedding, and how happy she was. And she remembered that day when she lost everything. She looked at the couch where now slept her son. He looked so calm and peaceful. He didn't know how much pain his mother bears. He didn't know her past and she didn't want him to ever know it.

Aaliya got up and approached her son. She stroked his hair and kissed his forehead. Slowly, she picked him up from the couch and carried him to his room to sleep.
Aaliya returned to the kitchen and poured a glass of red wine. She didn't want to drink. That sweet poison would carried her thoughts away, away to the past. To the same past that she so desperately was running away from.

The door of the house open and entered her mother and father. They were carrying bags of food. Shabana stopped when she saw Aaliya, with a glass of wine in hand. She threw the bags on the floor and approached her.

"Aaliya what's going on? Why are you drinking so early? Is everything okay?"
Aaliya turned to her mother and hugged her. She cried.
"Aaliya?"-Shabana called out quietly and stroked her hair. "Dear what's the matter? Please tell me. You're scaring me. Is everything alright with Zaid?"
"Mom"-Aaliya spoke. "He came. He found me."
"Who came Aaliya?"-Ghulam came closer. "Say clearly what is it about?"
"Zain, dad. He came and found me."
"How do you think he found you?"-Shabana shivered.
Aaliya lead parents to the living room and told them everything.

Zain has long set in the hotel room before he finally decided to go back to the beach. Now finally he knew where to begin his search. At the same time, just like the last few nights, Zain came to the beach. He sat in a shade. As someone who spy on people from a nearby house.

Even he couldn't remember when he became like this. What has love did to him? But he didn't care. All he wanted now is to see Aaliya. Time was passing and he sat patiently and waited.

Just like every night Aaliya went out to the terrace. She was standing alone, the hair freely fall over her bare shoulders. She was watching the moon that illuminated the beach. Slowly the hand crossed over her face. She cried. Zain's heart broke when he saw her crying.

Aaliya stared into the darkness and Zain froze in place. What if she saw him? He didn't move. Aaliya was looking at the sea when something in the darkness shifted. It seemed like a silhouette of a man. Through her mind passed Zain. What if it's him? What if he knows where she lives?

Without much thinking, she headed for the stairs that led from the terrace to the beach. Aaliya watched the silhouette that is now no longer moved around. She didn't want to lose the stranger from her sight. She slowly moved through the sand. When Aaliya approached at just a few meters from a man, she stopped.

Her suspicion turned out to be true. It was Zain. He looked at her with those eyes, the color of chocolate. He stood only a few feet away from her. The man whos smile illuminated her as the moon illuminate the beach. The smile that made her knees buckled, that took away all the power from her legs.

The same smile that he had on his face when they danced on the beach for the first time. The same smile that welcomed her the morning after the night, when she was his.

Silence was eagerly waiting. Who will win in this game? Who will speak, look away or stretch out a hand first?

"Hey.."-with quivering voice spoke Aaliya.

Zain had just watched her. He couldn't talk. The words were stuck in his throat. So many things he wanted to duck, but the words didn't cross over his lips. He came closer to her, so close that he could feel her breath on his face. She was watching him, deep in the eyes, deep in his broken soul.

Don't even know how but his hands stray towards her. One around her neck and other around her waist. He pulled her closer as he could, he kept her tight like it's his life. He buried his head in her hair and breathed deeply. She smelled like a summer night and the sea.

Aaliya was standing at the place, lying hands down her body. Lost in memories. Trembling hands went up along the well-known, solid back up to his neck. She moved closer to him. And now, after a long two years, she felt safe there in his arms. She lowered her head to his chest and listened to the beating of his heart. She listened to his breathing which was deep, calm.

They held onto each other and for those happy days they spent together. As if they went back in time.

"Aaliya?"- came voice from the darkness.

Aaliya quickly separated from Zain and looked at the place where the voice was coming from. Out of the darkness came the man whom Zain already saw somewhere.

"John, what are you doing here?"-asked Aaliya.
"I came looking for you. I was afraid that something happened to you when I haven't found you on the terrace. Are you alright?"-he asked without taking his eyes off Zain.
"I'm fine. Sorry I haven't told you when I left."-Aaliya moved away from Zain and took John's hand.
"Come on. Let's go in the house."
"No. I want to know if this man hurted you?"
"John of course not. He would never hurt me."
"But he did Aaliya. Do you remember? Two years ago."
Aaliya looked at him. She said nothing.

Zain then stepped in.
"I'm sorry. I really didn't intended to touch your privacy. I had no intention to hurt Aaliya. Didn't have it then nor I have it now. If I knew she was married I wouldn't come here. All I wanted is to see her. It seems I was wrong."
Once again he looked towards Aaliya and left.

"Zain!"-Aaliya went after him but John stopped her.
"Don't Aaliya."
"But we lied to him. He got it all wrong. He needs to know that we're not married."
"Please Aaliya don't. It's better this way. Trust me. It's better if he thinks like this."
"John but he needs to know that I'm not married."
"And take your child away?"
"He doesn't know that Zaid is his son."-Aaliya said, looking after Zain.