She was a delight to each one who had the fortune to cross her. A true leader at heart and soul. Gratefulness ruled her life.

The salty air of the sea tingled the olfactory lobes of my nose, pulsating a fresh new experience.

The blue expanse, a pleasant thing, hugged us day and night.

And the peace we experienced just reserved a dear place in the most beautiful part of my heart.

We had boarded a cruise to enjoy a beautiful vacation.

Although, super successful and rich, we had a challenging ride of ten years of building the vast empire we loved working for.

And my wife had been like a firm mountain to hold on to in times that grabbed you into a spiral, lulling you into a pitch dark black hole, never seeing the sunrise again.

She took the form of an ocean filled with faith, and positivity. Believed in me when even my up bringers abandoned. 

We were twenty when we set out on the journey and now after a decade, we were what the people call the tycoons of business.

Success is the only thing they see, don't they?

Sweats and tears all forgotten.

Today was the second day onboard and we were starting to get in love with the ship.

Though the best part of it was, I had my wife, Siyaane all to myself.

She was a delight to each one who had the fortune to cross her.

A true leader at heart and soul.

Gratefulness ruled her life. Naturally,  fear dashed as far away as it could.

A face full of smiles and dimples, I always wondered how she could manage that.

She was the best gift God ever bestowed me.

We had a great day today. Woke up at our leisure. Had breakfast served on our bed. Got full body massage enjoying a good hearty talk that could last ages.

Though there settled this feeling deep inside the pit of my stomach that something was not right with Siyaane.

Slight worry lines hid behind her smiles.
Those did not suite her in the least.

We were on the top deck of the cruise now viewing the vast expanse of the ocean.

I looked at her. " What happened, sweetheart? "

She started back and for a moment seemed lost in her thoughts.
"Nether, I feel like someone is watching me"

It was best thing about her. Honesty.

Though this time, the news hit me with a shock.

I had done a terrible mistake keeping the personal security off.

"Why Siya, what made you say that?"

The sea winds blowed fiercely now. That might just be in my mind but I hardly noticed.

"Neth, there is always this shadow behind me, while boarding the ship, ...while waiting for you in the lobby yesterday. I just thought maybe it was a trick of light.

But then even today morning when you had gone to take the massage earlier and I returned to the suite searching my goggles, on my way, the same shadows followed me. " 

Beads of sweat arose on her forehead. For how much time were they hiding there, behind her smiles?
I was really stupid.

"Well, now I won't leave you alone anymore. I am calling the head security to look into the matter urgently."

"You just enjoy the trip, and please stop worrying. It rarely suits you, dear ".

Looking straight in her eyes, I rubbed off the sweat with my handkerchief.

She seemed to relax now. Even appeared to be  calm again.

" I love you, Neth. I truly do."

"It is nothing dear. " 

I quickly picked up my phone addressing the issue.

Within a few minutes a dozen guards spread out .

She suddenly grabbed my arm with her smooth thin one,

"So let us go back to our suite, shall we? " she had that particular smile across her face. It made my insides go rigid yet so awesome.

I smirked," Thought you would never ask. "

Laughing, we made our way to the top desk of the cruise - our suite.

The sun had sunk, yet the crimson lights hanged out in the sky.

Next day, I woke up to the rays of the bright sun carecassing my eyes.
Blissful was what I felt.

I spread my arm to hug the person who was the reason for it.

However, she was nowhere to be seen. I searched everywhere yet it was as if I was the only one that ever boarded this thing!

My Siyaane was missing.

I called the security but none of them picked up my call.

How dare they!

Memories did a melancholic dance feasting my fears . 

"SIYAANE! where are you? "

Was this a dream?

I pinched.

"oww!" no, it's not.

Grand hall. Only thing left to search.

Skipping steps, I sprinted there.

Something pumped furiously inside me. It was my heart or my fear, I did not know.

But when I opened the doors,  my breath caught in my lungs.

Our families with balloons in their hands.

Siyaane was there as was the entire crew of the cruise and all its residents.

"Happy Birthday!! "

"Happy Birthday, Nether" Siyaane said And kissed me softly.
 

Tears of happiness streamed down my face.

Confessions and regrets burst out one after another.

I quickly hugged my mother. Eight years had past.

"Neth, " she said " sorry if we scared you yesterday. We just wanted to meet Siyaane alone to give you a suprise". Her wrinkles were now evident but her face was as bright as sun, despite her blood red eyes.

We had been apart for eons from our families. Ideologies and beliefs had broken us apart.

Yet, now we were all together. All one again .