Sands of Time - The Al-Hakim brothers - Javier and Amanda story - Completed

Chapter Ten

Hearing the carefree laughter was her undoing. She turned and walked away from the homestead, disappearing into the darkness, passing the outbuildings towards the fenced paddock and leant against, letting the darkness swamp her. Pain tore through her heart, remembering how she had been a part of that family once.

Another life time. She followed the line of the fence to the end and wander off into the open fields, finding a quiet spot behind a tree, sitting on the ground, staring at the cloudless night with sparkling stars and quarter moon, drawing up her knees and hugged to her chest. Their chatter and laughter filling the air, making her realise how lonely she really was.

Silent tears trickled down her cheeks as she lowered her head onto her knees. She would wait until it was quiet. She had no appetite and knew she would never be able to sleep with that lot. Also knew she had to move on. She couldn't keep looking backwards.

She moved on from her parents, so would from this, when they left. She could only hope it would be soon. Only to moan as music hit the air. That was all she needed. Vivid memories came of her being in Javier's arms, kissing as the others hit the dance floor. The knife just twisted deeper into her heart. Crying out, covering her ears. She just wanted to die.

Jerking to her feet, she rushed further into the bush. The music softening until she couldn't hear it anymore or their laughter. Sighing, she wiped tears away with a shirt sleeve, only to curse as she went down, tripping over uneven ground, twisting her ankle, shooting pain up her leg.

Rolling over to sit up, she cursed herself. Damn, she should've never had left the property, because of them. She was never good enough for him. He would marry his own type. Not anybody like herself. That's why he was so shocked by his sister's suggestion to marry her. Only good enough for a romp under the sheets.

Taking deep breaths, she looked around, not to see much at all. In fact, she couldn't even see a light from the homestead. Swearing louder, because the nights were cold and she wasn't suitably dressed for a night under the stars. Blindly, she felt around for a stick that would hold her weight, coming up empty, so shifted onto her hands and knees, crawling towards a tree and used as a clutch, struggling to her feet, wincing in pain at any pressure on her ankle, leaning against the tree, exhausted, broken out in a sweat. She was never going to live this down. How could she have been so stupid? This is what happens when one wallows in self pity. Never again.

"Enjoying yourself?"

Her head shot up, heart racing. This was the last thing she wanted. "Having a ball," she came back sarcastically. Leaning against the tree for support, she crossed her arms. "What do you want?"

Javier crossed over, leaning against the tree, crossing his arms, looking around. "Enjoying the views," he noted dryly, "not that one can see much. Not like our desert sunset that lights up the whole sky."

"Well, it's not actual sunset, is it? When we have a full moon it lights up the whole area."

"What are you doing out here Amanda? Ellie is very concerned, since you have not eaten."

"I wasn't hungry. I'm not your concern Javier." Angrily, she pushed off the tree, crying out in pain and was gathered hard against Javier, clutching at him for support, whimpering.

"What the hell have you done to yourself?!" He roared, sweeping her off her feet into his arms. Biting her lip, she buried her face into his shoulder. "Amanda?" He asked softer. She shook her head, never feeling so embarrassed. He released a long breath. "Can you walk?"

Sighing, she shook her head again. Breaking out into his language, he shifted her higher and headed back the way he came, however, at a much slower pace. The uneven rugged ground was no help. Sure footed, he trod on, pausing when he felt unsteady, only to head forward, finally seeing the distant lighting from the house, and soon they were at the horses' paddock and on evener ground, quickening the pace. Mandy looked across.