AFTER DARK

Chapter 15

Ya I could... I could come back here , I thought but I didn't want to leave in the first place. It had been a long time since I felt this light. I don't know if it was the effect of the surroundings or the hope that I'll soon leave bad memories behind, somewhere in these Arab lands. The former was definitely a factor but it was the latter that slowly breathed a new life in me.

Standing by Rehan's car, I admired the beauty of the place once, then sat inside.
Rehan opened the driver side door and took the ash tray out and spilled the contents on the ground .

"A colleague of mine was in my car yesterday... guy smokes like we breathe, haha."

I giggled, only halfheartedly. My hand fell on my scar, and I was back at it, rubbing it compulsively.

Somewhere deep down, I was a little ashamed for assuming Rehan was just like other men, who smoke and beat their wives. I was ashamed of judging him on the account of a couple of cigarette butts. It's shocking really, how we overlook the simple humanity of a person because of our blatant prejudices.

Moments later, I felt a gentle hand on top of mine. It was Rehan, he put it there so I stop rubbing my scar, which I eventually did.

He didn't have to say anything, he simply caressed my hand, and the itch slowly went away. I didn't scratch for the rest of the ride back home.

When we arrived at hotel, I didn't feel like getting out of the car. I wanted to stay with him a little while longer. I wished to hear something good from him; something that would reassure me that we will meet again soon.

Rehan, nevertheless, simply stared at me, probably wondering when this freak would get out of the car.

So, I smiled and opened the door to leave, and that was when he said what I wanted to hear through the entire long awkward pause we just had.

"Would love to take you out tomorrow night ... what do you say?" he asked, spreading his lips wide.
A burgeoning sense of excitement reflected in my ever growing smile. With a cool head, I nodded in affirmation.

As delighted as I was to be going out with this wonderful man again, I was worried as to what I would tell Daria. Surely, she wouldn't be thrilled to hear about my new adventure in life.