The Light At The Very End Of The Tunnel

Locks Of Esna Again

Firas
I felt her pull away. And I knew that our very temporary bliss was weathering away like a tornado on a thatched roof. She stood up and folded her arms. Shielding herself from me.

'We can't do this Firas' She said quietly. Looking anywhere but at me.

'Don't do this Menna' I said feeling like I was loosing my mind. I was sick and tired of missing her.

'They won't let us be. I can't put my family in danger' She said looking so dejected it made me hurt even more.

'I can protect them' I said fiercely

'No you can't!' She said her face set. 'What's going to happen when you go off to your next mission?!' She continued eyes blazing. She was still angry I left her.

'I have been discharged.' I said quietly, trying to force some calm into my quaking voice. Her expression was that of utter surprise as she looked at me. Eyes huge. Mouth slightly open.

'How come?' She asked

'I needed to be with you' I said closing the distance between us but she stepped back.

'Firas... ' She said. I could tell she was trying to decide whether to believe me or not. I have never lied to her. And I never intend to.

'Father is no longer in debt. Mother convinced him to liquidate every asset. He isn't as rich as he was, but I don't have to marry Layla to save him' If only she contacted me earlier. She looked fazed. Dizzy.

'Are you okay?' I asked. I was worried she'd pass out again. She didn't reply, she simply nodded. She looked blankly at the sea. Apparently deep in thought. I wish I could tell was going on inside that beautiful head of hers.

'Menna.' I began tentatively. 'I..'
She shook her head. What did that mean.

'I can't Firas.' She said looking down.

'Yes you can.' I said my blood curdling. I couldn't believe she was giving up on me. After all I've done for her. I left the army for her. I've looked for her for so long it was a miracle I found her. I couldn't even believe I found her. Yet there she stood looking utterly woe begone. Dejected. She looked so defeated it made me feel like there was a heavy rock squashing my heart.

'Menna' I said again.

'No Firas! I don't have the strength to go back. I just....  I can't' She said. Holding her scarf with both hands in frustration.

'Menna' I reached out but she moved away. She was killing me.

'Do you have any idea what I've been through?' She said crying. It hasn't been easy for me either. But I chose to keep quiet. Whatever it took to get her to go back with me.

'Menna I'll fix this. Please, just give me a chance' I said hoping beyond reason she would agree.

She sank to the ground folded her knees, hugged them around her arms and bent her head. Her whole body was shaking.

'Tell me what you want' I said. 'Do you want me to leave you alone?' She kept crying.

'I will do whatever you say. Whether you mean it or not. So please tell me what to do. Because I've lost all sense of direction since you left.' I continued.

'Please' I whispered. I was running out of strength.

She looked up at me. Tears spilling. Lips quivering. She looked so innocent. And she didn't deserve the hurt surrounding her. I bent down in front of her. Leveling her head with mine.

'It's too hard.' She whispered.

'I know' I said understanding exactly what she meant.

'What about Layla?' She asked looking down. And my face broke into a smile. She glared at me with her mesmerizing eyes. I sighed in relief. She seemed to be coming around. After all my grandmother did. After all father did. She was so forgiving. She must love me. She just must.

'I love you Menna. Only you' I said. Might sound cheeky but it was true.

Her lips twitched. 'Continue' She said mischievously. This was so typical of Menna. One second she was crumbling like a house of Cards with painful emotion. Next minute she was smiling. Fit to burst with giddiness.

'You are everything I need to be happy' I said wiping her tears. She didn't move away this time. Thankfully.

'These past months have been brutal. I can't live without you Menna. I want you back. I want my wife back' I said

'Mmm hmm' She said urging me to continue.

'I came here everyday since you left. Hoping I'd find you. The people at he docks said you used to come everyday' I said. Her eyes snapped to mine. All hint of humor vanished from her face. But I was still smiling. For the first time in months she was here before me. And I might have asked her to choose for us. But I wouldn't have left no matter what she said. I was ready to do anything to change her mind. She was blushing now.

'So did you miss me?' I asked. Trying to get her to smile again.

'No.' She said rolling her eyes.

'Did you think of me every minute of every day?'

'Not even a second' She said blushing crimson again.

'Well, do you at least love me?' she blushed even harder and looked away.

'If I remember correctly you were all over me telling me you loved me before I left' I said seriously. But suppressing a smile.

'That was...  Things change' she said evasively.

'Well then' I said standing up. 'I have no place here'

She stood up at once too. Looking panicked. I wanted to laugh so much but I maintained a straight face. She had been lying through her teeth with every denial. But I don't know anyone more sincere than my Menna. I turned around to leave finally letting myself smile when my face was away from her.

'Wait' She whispered.

'Yes?' I said turning around.

'I...  Uh. I.. Dddid..' She stuttered

'Yes?' I said again.

'I did kinda missed you' She said, twisting her fingers nervously

'Kinda?' I said with an exaggerated expression of hurt.

'A little more than Kinda' She said timidly. And then I busted out laughing. She was just to adorable. I wanted to pinch her cheeks. She didn't share this humor however. She huffed and puffed. She turned around and started walking away from me.

'Hey!'

'Catch me if you can!' She yelled over her shoulder laughing and running down the banks of the shore. I tried to give her a head start because I was pretty sure she couldn't outrun me no matter how much she tried.

I caught up with her within seconds. And grasped her around the waist swinging her to my right. She shrieked and broke out into a fit of giggles. That was the most beautiful sound I've ever heard. And I intended to keep that smile on her face. For as long as I could manage.

A/N

One more chapter to go. PLEASE vote if you like my story.