1. DINNER

"The nightmares drag me to the its sea,

There is a darkness where I can't see me,"

Author's POV

He loves to chase the winds. The cold air hitting his bare face was what he liked the most. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel tightly in his palm. Jaw locked tight, looking at the darkness in front of him as he continued to drive on the lone street. The gushing wind hitting his cheeks. Cold airs making his skin go cold and numb. Lips moved as he murmured prayers under his breath.

He didn't like it, the feelings he felt. He wanted to let go of them, not to hold them. His shaking hand making it obvious for the nature around him, about how he felt. His heart going at the speed he never felt it would be possible; after all he was going to meet his wife, finally after two months. His mind going numb at the memories of the past he wanted to forget.

The sudden burst of memory triggered his brain making his hands go numb. Car loosing all the control and he forgot how to breath.

Again.

These memories are his worst enemies. He always wants to forget them, but there is always something which makes him remind them, of his past and because of that he can't live his life like he lived before.

"I hate it here." A low grumble escaped under his breath as he rubbed his face. Inhaling a huge amount of breath he rubbed his face, again. Somehow, slow breathing calmed him and he scrutinized around himself. He was at the right place at the right time.

Moving out of the car he locked it and made his way towards the big mansion. His steps falling firm and hard on the cobblestone pathway leading him towards his little past which created a garden in his heart. Those dark brown eyes flashed in his brain making his lips twitch upwards. Pearly white canines shining under the moonlight.

He pressed on the doorbell as the wind gushed towards him, caressing his hairs so softly ever; once like his mother used to do. And a small smile formed on his face on the memory.

"Assalamualaikum." His gruff voice rang in the atmosphere around him making him cringe at his own voice. A frown marring on his face.

"Wa'alaikum assalam! Dear son-in-law. We were waiting for you" said the man with his pot like belly hanging out and the crisp white shirt fitted well around. Fateh Hussein was a rich man with wise mind, he knew what to do and how to do. He was a cunning fox.

Everything around him screamed money, luxury, and enchanting miracle. And he knew he was not near them. Not even in the future, but still they gave him a chance. A chance worth using.

The highness and royalty was screaming from every corner around him. But, still he felt uncomfortable standing under that big chandelier. Yellow bright hues of light shined in the every corner screaming royalty, bathing the place like a fairytale he once saw in a movie.

"It’s so good to see you again Waqas Rehan," his wife smile towards the man in his early thirties.

"Come inside." She ushered him inside towards the dining table.

"First I would like to use washroom." He voiced out his words as if testing them for the first time. The unwanted feelings crawling on his back making him have a thought of running away and never come back here.

"Sure Hun, Misbah will show you the way. Go Misbah" the maid walked in front of him, leading him towards the bathroom.

"Thank you." He politely thanked her with a small nod and went inside to do his business.

__

He sat down at the very corner but still heard the chattering around him which annoyed his brain cells. The slow murmurs growing louder by each passing second. Gripping the fork he started having his chicken alfredo pasta not paying any attention to the ongoing chatter.

"Assalamualaikum." His ears perked up listening to her familiar voice. Slowly lifting his eyes he saw her smiling brightly like the moon. His heart fluttering like a butterfly.

Ignoring the shudder go through her spine by seeing his intense gaze pinning her, she neared the table with soft steps.

"Oh, Zohra, dear! How are you?" Asked her father raising spoon for another bite.

Waqas rolled his eyes at his small courtesy.

"I am better than before." She answered and walked with slow steps towards him, timidly, he stood up and pulled her chair out for her. Passing him a gentle, soft smile she sat down, while he was enchanted by her small smile.

Loud thunderous voice strikes against the clouds making them look out the window.

"I guess a storm is about to hit. It’s better that we should stay inside." Suggested her father. Lines of frown marring on his face as he gingerly looked at the dark clouds.

He grumbled under his breath but didn't let it show on his face that how unsatisfied he was with the weather. The bright hue’s of life was suffocating and he wanted to just leave this place.

He noticed her struggling for the bigger bowl of curry. Looking around he found no one paying attention on her. Without thinking, his hand moved forward to help her.

Their hands brushed making him yank his hand back which resulted into dropping some bits of curry on his clean, white, linen shirt.

He stood up abruptly making all the heads turn towards him.

"I will help him" Zohra offered and quietly took him to her room.

He was alert all the time and walked steadily behind her, gingerly. His hands shoved in pocket as he scrutinized the bright lights and the shoe pieces which didn’t make any sense. The carpeted floor didn’t let the walls know about his small walk with his wife.

"There's the washroom" she gestured towards the door on the left. As they entered her room.

He washed his sleeve and sighed seeing yellow mark already making its place, staining his once whit cuff. He avoided making eye contact in mirror. He never saw or made eyes contact with himself, in the past few years.

It only made worse for him. But he gazed at the fancy white marble of the sink and the fancy cabinets located around, not paying any more attention he came out.

He came out and took in the details of her room. White with golden hues on the side walls. He never knew a girl can like another color other than pink.

"You have a good theme." Commenting, he initiated the conversation making her hum and nod her head.

"You know what is more well?" She asked him with a gentle smile. Something, untamable shining in her eyes.

He nodded his head in no while narrowing his eyes on her. Cautiousness dripping from his gaze.

Holding his sleeve she dragged him to the other side of the room in front of what looked like an old wooden cupboard. She pulled the door open and dragged him inside the darkness. Seeing all dark around him his breaths quickened but soon he composed himself when she switched on the lights making the room bath in the hues of white, striking white, which hurts your eyes but he was amazed by the beauty of the hidden library, it was like one of the royal libraries he had heard of from the people about. The shelves of books were made of white marble and two walls were filled with them. In the centre of the room was kept a purple wooden coffee table which had so many drawers in it.

She left his side and started telling him about the books, the coffee table, the chandelier and big wall window on the right with purple curtains hanging on it. She drew open the curtains. And saw the rain pouring outside, already.

He was amazed by the beauty of library. And her.

"This is my favorite place." She informed him making his corners of lips twitch upwards.