Chapter song. Star by Colde.

Aahil found it hard to sleep that night. He couldn't bring himself to sleep, not that he tried to. He was used to having days when insomnia strikes, and he is left helpless in its arms.

That day was one of those days.

It wasn't that he wasn't in need to rest, he actually was. He was exhausted to say the least, he'd stayed up late exerting the little energy he has in training-brutal training that pushed his limits to the very stage where he couldn't feel his limbs anymore.

He knew he wasn't supposed to train that hard, he wasn't supposed to strain himself that hard unless he wants to deal with the after effects, but he wasn't paying any heed to that.

What he feared rather than his injury worsening, is staying idle and no longer being one of the best players out there. He couldn't have that. He would swallow the pain if he has to.

And he does. He has to take it all. He will.

However, at one point, he got tired of tossing around in bed and simply got up, knowing sleep had long eluded him. He would be lucky if he gets to sleep during the second half of the night.

On getting on his feet, he made his way to the window to get some fresh air, perhaps, it would help him clear his mind as it always does.

His steps were light, a sign of his body being tired and in need of rest he wouldn't get even if he wanted to. He pushed still, only stopping once he was by the window. He pulled open the curtains and allowed air to seep into the room, somehow reducing the suffocating feeling he felt within.

His eyes flicked close for a moment as he inhaled sharply, taking in as much air as his lungs could before exhaling it softly. He the exhaled, and repeated the action a couple of times before he parted his eye lids open, setting it on the sight ahead.

There was one reason he still looked forward to spending their end of the month when possible in Jeju vacation. It's hard to explain, but there's something about the air in the house and surrounding it. By the end of it, one is left with a healing heart.

Not to mention the environment was one to revere in.

There's a beach just behind the house, one could easily trek there to take a breather. It was one of Aahil's favorite place to be, for such reason he picked the room that has the best sight of the beach.

Instinctively as he planted his gaze in the direction of the beach, peace instantly crashed over him as he watched the soft waves against the shore and back again. The Moonlight casted a beautiful glow on the sea, making it seem more beguiling.

Then something caught his gaze, or rather, someone. His brows drew in, lips set into a slight frown upon making the identity of the person.

Without so much as a second thought, he turned around and picked up a hoodie, before shrugging it on. His hand reached out into the closet to pick out an overcoat as well, along with a beanie. He picked up the first one in sight, only to place it back with a furrow of his brows.

He pushed aside the ones that came to sight, only to stop when he sighted the particular one he had in mind. It's a custom made beanie, one that he'd personally adored.

It even had his initials, AT04 written boldly on the front.

A small smile graced his features as he snagged it out, and closed the closet before stepping out, after stepping into the nearest shoe in sight. The digital clock by his bed reading 12:05am. Shortcake, his car, purred from her makeshift home upon sending movements around the room but was quick to curl herself back in the warmness it offered and drift away again.

The house was eerily silent as he descended the stairs and made his way out through the backyard, no doubt, they'd all retired for the night. That was the least of his concerns, he had one direction in mind, the beachside.

And so, he traipsed out, his steps slowly upon reaching there and spotting his target not far from sight. The small smile he had donned earlier ceased to exist, and was replaced by an indifferent expression.

The closer he got, the clearer he could make out her features. Amina was crouched not far from where he was, with one arm on her knees while the other twirled around a sparkler in her hand almost in a daze.

There was no smile on her face, not from. It was simply bare of any expression, almost like he had zoned out of the environment, unplugging herself from the reality.

The sparkler cracked and elicited more sparks, the luminescence from it giving a warm glow to her face, making it appear even more enticing under the moonlight.

Aahil could swear for a split second he ceased to breath as he came to a stop a few inches away, his gaze on the woman that seemed to derive solace by curling herself up like that and enjoying solitude in the middle of the night.

Perhaps, it was instinctual feeling, or she could simply sense the change if air in the environment, but she snapped out of whatever trance she was lost in. Her head tilted to the sight, coming to sight with his shoe clad feet.

Then, she slowly tilted her head up, her curious gaze now meeting his indifferent ones-or as indifferent as he tried to make it seem. She then blinked once, twice, and her lips curled downwards into a slight frown though there was no trace of anger or ill feeling towards him like it usually holds.

For the first time in a long while, she wasn't staring at him like someone whom she harbors deep hatred for, because at that moment, there was little of that emotion towards him.

She dropped the sparkler on the beach sand, and pushed herself up on her feet, now standing in front of him and appearing in his words, 'short'. Truth be told, she had never seen the different in height till then. But she wasn't particularly short, she's taller than some people so that counts, right?

Now standing on her feet, Aahil gave her a quick once over that didn't last a second. Her oversized button-up shirt, with its soft fabric, drapes elegantly over her figure. The collar of the shirt rests playfully on her shoulders, hinting at a subtle allure.

The sleeves are casually rolled up just above her elbows, revealing a glimpse of her sun-kissed skin. The pants she wears are cropped, stopping just below her knees. She exposed more skin than necessary, as if the chilly air of the night wasn't a bother aside form the fact that there were males around the place.

She was unbothered, because she truly doesn't care. She said it before, she never claimed to be the perfect Muslim so she never held up to the rules all the time. She adhered to them on most days, and on others, she was simply there.

The act nagged Aahil though, more than he'd like to admit. Hence, why he found himself unfolding the overcoat he'd brought with him, and stepping closer to her. Extending his arms out, he carefully draped it over her shoulder, the article of clothing offering instant warmth and covering her completely.

Amina stilled, the scent of the cologne deeply infused in the overcoat. It hinted strong base notes of leather, oud, and patchouli, giving it a deep and rich scent. It's alluring no doubt.

He simply draped it over her shoulders, making sure it covers her up well enough. Then, he brought out the beanie and placed it on her head, covering the hair that she seems to adore leaving out in the open like that.

When he was done, he found himself mumbling, "Much better." Under his breath before he took a step back, his hands slipping into the pocket of his hoodie, his eyes narrowed at her slightly. "Do you plan to catch a cold or something?" He scolded.

She shrugged, unbothered by the scold. "If it'll get me out of work, why not?" To think she only has a day more before she returns to her daily life. How she wish she lived a different life. She wasn't ready to face work yet.

Aahil didn't miss her words, it has his brows furrowing and his frown deepening. He wanted to inquire about it, perhaps she was willing to share. However, before he could part his lips to speak, she beat him to it.

"Why do you care? Does my uncovered hair bother you so much?" She playfully teased, drawing the coat closer. This might sound hypocritical to say, but she was suddenly chilly and the coat offered just the warmth she needs.

She hadn't realized it was cold earlier, till she had the warmth of his coat. Plus, it smells heavenly. It's a bonus really. A cherry on top you could say.

He scoffed under his breath, "Of course." He made a remark about it before, but she ignored it.

Maybe, if it was someone else, he wouldn't have cared. He acts the same way with Benazir, but hers doesn't upset him as much as this woman's does.

Is it so hard to just cover up? She'd be doing everyone a favor really, including herself.

"-why go around roaming about like that? Are you forgetting Chris and the others are around?" They claim it's late, so they decided to stay over. They have enough room to entertain all the team players really, so they had rooms to themselves each. It's no bother.

Despite his insistent nag, Amina simply turned around, focusing her gaze on the sea instead. "Everyone's asleep." She commented lightly.

"I'm awake." His gaze was pinned on her. There's something about her. The Amina he knows would've gotten upset over how he's been acting and things he'd been saying.

She'd claim she doesn't need his help.

That he has no right to speak to her as if he has control over her.

That he has no business with her. That he should stay as far away from her because he does nothing but anger her.

She did none of that. Instead, she smiled, albeit it was faint. "Clearly." She made no further remake, simply exhaling a low breath.

He stared at her, as if trying to put the puzzle that's he together. He couldn't put the right pieces in no matter how hard he tried. There's just something amiss about her that night, it's hard to point a finger at really.

Unable to help himself, as it's been nagging him, he found himself inquiring. "What's wrong?" His voice came out surprisingly soft like water waves. "Did something happen to you?"

He thought she would deny it really. Because in all honesty, with the way their relationship has been going, there was no such thing as sharing problems with one another.

But much to his surprise, she kissed her teeth and bobbed her head. "Yes." She took in a sharp breath, then exhaled it shakily. "Everything's wrong." She admitted in a low voice. Turning her head around, she met his gaze and offered him a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "You were right. The outside world really is cruel."

If possible, his frown deepened. He knew he said that, he was aware when he said it because whether she wants to hear it or not, it's the truth of the matter.

He knows because he'd seen it, he'd lived the life as well. It's bound to be even harder for her as a lady, especially knowing her upbringing.

Truth be told, he didn't even think she'd last thing long, but she did.

However, hearing her say it then, he couldn't miss the sadness clouding her gaze and the gloomy aura following her around.

If it wasn't enough, she added, and with every word that left her parted lip, it shows the fragments of her heart slowly chirping away.

"I thought I could make it, you know. That everything will be alright, that I could withstand all the hardships but honestly, I'm nothing but an immature loser. I can't even live properly on my own." She huffed out a frustrated breath, blinking as if to hold back her tears.

Aahil watched quietly, then chirped in when he saw her tears. "Don't cry." His voice came, soft like earlier. It took a sharp turn too soon though, "you look ugly when you cry. I've been blinded enough for one day please. No more." He turned around to stare at the sea as well.

She shook her head, chuckling lightly under her breath. "You'll never change." Was she expecting her to comfort her? Not really. She knows him that much. That's the definition of comforting in his books. "You're the same as ever." She reached out to wipe away the tears in the corner of her eyes, plastering a smile.

She didn't want to cry. She promised herself not to.

However, the more she thought about it, the more she could feel her eyes blurring. She'd been holding the tears for days, she wasn't sure how much longer she could hold it.

She bit her lower lip hard, looking away all in attempt to not let him see her close to breaking down.

But, he did.

"You can cry if you want though." He added in a low tone, she could've missed it if she wasn't paying close attention to him. "It's okay to do so. I promise, I'll try not to take a picture of you or laugh."

Even in that moment, she couldn't help but turn around and glare at him, unable to help herself. "Can you not say anything encouraging?" She sniffed, her gaze blurring even more.

The corner of his lips tilted upwards slightly. There she is. The Amina he knows. She's back.

At that moment, he could only think of one thing that would bring her comfort, and so, he encouraged. "Let it out. I promise you'll feel much better once you've let it all out. Crying has never been a sign of weakness. You've been strong for long, it's time to let go of some of the weight on your shoulders."

That did it, she didn't even realize the tears had fell until she felt it cascading down her face like waterworks. She didn't hold back anymore though, she simply broke down then and cried ugly tears.

Aahil kept his promise of not laughing. And he's, he fought against every fiber of his being and did not take a picture.

Thank God.

****

This chapter used to be one of my favorites, like absolute favorite!

I was so much obsessed with See You in my 19th life OST when writing this chapter. It gave light, with little tension type of feeling.

Like irin cute, healing romance movie type of vibe. I wish you could see it through my lens.

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed? Like there's just so much you want to do and so little time to do it?

I personally have a lot to do that I'm way too occupied to actually do that. I've got this book to finish, my publishing to round up which apparently still is quite tedious, tests to study for and a shit ton of school work I'm yet to do anything.

Forget, add me in your prayers abeg.

Toh, na barmu lahiya.

Love, Jannah Mia ❤️