Kohled Eyes

Nikah | Part Three

"Tonight?"

Time had frozen. The shock was deafening.

"Two hours, at the most. I'm tellin' you, take another shi-"

"Make preparations Cap." I said, and continued slowly, "I'll be there" .

He didn't leave. I looked around me. This was too unexpected. This can't be happening.
Tonight?
I looked at my palms. I buried my face in it. Cool down. What just happened?
I could take another ship. They'll be glad to take me aboard. That way I'll get to spend time with her. What do I even get travelling with Captain Omar? I don't gain nor lose anything travelling with him, and I will neither lose by travelling without him. And he will obviously understand...
"I'll be there. Make ready"
He left us.
I sighed and began, "I worked with pirates, yes. I'd love to explain, but I hope you trust me enough to let me explain when I return- with God's grace - a year later. I'm leaving tonight with him, I-"
"Son," her father interrupted, and continued, kindness radiating in every word and action,"We trust you. We trust that you're a good man, and we trust in God that he'll return you safely. Now shut up and go see your wife and try not to get beaten up for only spending two hours with her. She's a little possessive that way."
Before me, was a great man. And my wife- she is a lucky daughter.

Her family was smiling encouragingly, nodding and making me feel at ease again. Before me, was a great family. And I am lucky to now be a part of it.

I stood up and made my way to her room. Standing before her door, I hesitated; then knocked. My heart was heavy, and yet fluttering. Is that even possible?
I felt nervous. She was definitely going to slap me.
No answer.
I knocked again. My heart was beating harder.
No answer.
I knocked again, this time louder and slower. A pause.
No answer.
I thought for a moment, and pushed the door open. I stepped inside, and the sight before me made me forget everything that had held my heart down behind that door. It even made me forget the things that had sent it fluttering. It made me forget everything. All that existed now on earth, was this room.
It was a simple room. There was a bed and on the bed was my wife. I walked around the bed and closer.
My wife was sleeping. Curled up and hugging a pillow with all the passion she could muster. There were tear streaks on her cheeks, but I knew those weren't tears of sorrow. Her face held the most beautiful smile on earth. It was a smile that made me want to kneel down and sob. Something sent down from paradise. It was a part of Heaven.
I sunk into a chair beside the bed. I just didn't have the heart to disturb her.

He continued looking at her.

She had been waiting till he comes, but then decided to ponder over him until he did come. And dreaming about him, she had reflexively curled up and shed tears of gratitude. Her heart was brimming with emotion.
She was grateful to God for uniting them. She was thankful that he had come, and thankful that his love for her had not wavered. She thought about all those years of agonising waiting, not knowing whether he even existed, and was glad that her faith had remained strong. Of that waiting, not knowing whether - if he did exist - he still loved her, and was thankful that he did. She was thankful that she had held on, she was thankful to God for giving her the strength to love and not waver in her love. And her waiting was not in vain. Her waiting was worth it.
Patience is a virtue.
She let the tears flow, and continued being glad. All that she felt cannot be put into words. Heck, not even a fraction of it can. She let the tears flow, smiling; with happiness and joy and passion. She embraced her pillow with all that passion and buried her face in it. Her pillow was one thing she couldn't hide herself from. Her mirror was the other. And now, she was hoping to add a third to that list: him. Slowly, unaware, her tears stopped and she drifted into sleep. The only movement was the gentle heaving of her chest, her breathing barely audible.

He stroked her hair and softly kissed her cheek. There were tears in his eyes too. And those too, were tears of gratitude. And joy.
A shadow passed and she was alone in the room.

She was awoken by the horn blast of a ship setting sail. She hadn't planned on falling asleep, but when she had realised that she was falling asleep, she had given in: with the hope that she would wake to the handsome face of her husband. To the touch of his calloused fingers. To his beautiful hoarse voice.
His voice had been very soft back in Colombo, it had surprised her when she had heard his voice, occasionally hoarse, in the hall. Sadly, nine years in the open ocean had taken its toll. But- it still had its charm. In fact, the hoarseness only made it better.
How could he ever lose his charm? She thought, and proceeded to get off her bed and head down to the hall. Pouting her lips, she wondered why he hadn't come. She was major part angry, small part disappointed .

Little did she know that aboard the very ship that had woken her, was her husband. Confused.
Was he to rejoice for getting married to whom he wanted to get married?
Or grieve for not even being able to spend a night with her?
He chose to pray. Pray that he'll be able to see those bottomless black eyes, soon.

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