EIGHT YEARS LATER

Walking slowly and stealthily, I made it to the bed and gently put my knee towards the sleeping form of my wife.

She was lying on her stomach, her hair sprayed all around her face. I leaned in a planted a feathery kiss on of her naked shoulders. She began to stir and using the opportunity, I took the red rose that I was holding in my hand, removed the hair from her face and gently caressed her cheek with the rose.

"Hey, good morning sleeping beauty," I murmured close to her ear, inhaling her intoxicating scent of lilies. I slid the rose from her jaw to her shoulders and removed the duvet from her revealing her bare back. Using the rose, I kept caressing her spine and planted kisses down her shoulders.

"Wake up," I cooed on her ear. Moaning, she stirred in my direction, her bare chest came in view. I smiled and moved to kiss her lips.

"Happy birthday," I murmured and brushed my lips against hers. She smiled and wound her arms around my neck.

"Good morning," she mumbled, her brown eyes drowsy yet lively. I smirked and propped on my elbows near her. She also turned in my direction, her hands travelling down my bare chest; I saw flashes of hazy lust in her eyes. I smirked.

"Since it's my birthday, how about I demand for anything I want from you?" She said, her voice heavy with desire.

"Have I ever denied you anything love?" I rasped and pulled her to my chest. I get her smile as she wound her arms around my chest and buried her face in my chest.

We stayed like that for a few moments until we were rudely interrupted by my phones alarm. Sighing, I reluctantly pulled away from her and went to my side of the bed to switch it off. The mood was badly ruined. Raking my hand through my short hair, I sighed.

I felt the bed shift behind me and her arms came around me, her face buried in the crook of her neck. I felt her hardened nipples press against my back and I immediately stiffened. She began to kiss my neck and my shoulders, her fingers stroking my pecs.

It was glad that she was this way: initiating and sometimes leading. But it's been years and I knew that she would come around. After she was cleared of drugs, she wouldn't let me touch her. She was too shy and I had to be very patient. It took some time but thankfully, she came around.

"We still have time till the kids wake up," she rasped, brushing her lips against my earlobe. I groaned and placed my hands in her that were resting in my chest.

"Of course." I said and immediately turned and smashed my lips against hers.

***************

I got dressed in a casual two piece suit. Bree did my tie for me and quickly went to attend to the kids.

It's been eight years. We have a daughter who is seven years old: Ayesha and a four year old son: Zeeshan.

We had moved in a Banglow three years ago after saving up enough. We both made this house but our love had made this house into home. I was still working for MA investments. I was recently promoted to Vice President at the northern branch of the company and I was also made a board member of the financial board. Amber had quit her practise when she got pregnant with Zeeshan five years ago. She wanted to raise our kids by herself and not by some nanny and I was supported her decision wholeheartedly

The academy and her boutique progressed a lot in all this time. SHAHEEN academy became affiliated with Hope foundation that was founded by my Boss's wife, Khadijah Atish. Almost every year the academy takes in orphans from the Eidi orphanages and the academy takes responsibility for their futures. I had donated all of the inheritance I had received from Gran into the academy. Our main funds always came from MA investments. The academy has evolved into the best and most prestigious private school as well as boarding school through out the country. Shehzad And Khadijah were the most powerful couple in the country right now. But I was glad that they were very humble and down to Earth. Over the course of these years, my family became closely acquainted with Shehzad Atish and Khadijah.

I order to set an a example, we sent our children at the academy. Ayesha and Zeeshan has become close friends with Hira and Haroon, the youngest of the Atish kids. I guess that the reason why we got off so well was also because Shehzad and I were from New York and we would always talk and exchange about our old times back at NYC.

I still can't believe sometimes that it's been nine years since I moved to Pakistan. I never thought I would settle down so well. But I was glad. I learnt and became fluent in Urdu over the years.

I'm very lucky to have met Amber. I'm very happy that I have her in my life. My love for her increases day by day.

She's the perfect wife: self sufficient, caring and so much more. Over the years, she learned to depend of me completely and trust me to the fullest, yet sometimes I find her pondering over the past. She's still reserved when it comes to expressing her feelings. Although she had never once said 'I love you' to me in these nine years, but through her devotion and actions, it was enough to convey the message. I understand that she's like that by nature. Because Zeeshan resembles her in this regard while Ayesha is just like me: open and understanding about her emotions.

Sometimes, it makes me wonder: when I had met Amber, we were total strangers. No one could label our marriage: it was neither a love marriage or an arranged one. I wouldn't even put it that way: I would simply put it this way--it was a fated marriage. A demanded marriage.

We were meant to be. We never dated, didn't even know each other yet we have become so familiar. We had our fair share of differences and qualms, but we overcame them all-- together. And for that, I'm grateful. I've been dealt with a person who happens to be the exact opposite of my personality yet we complement each other so well.

She wasn't the prettiest girl around but in my eyes, she was beautiful: inside out. She was a once broken soul who I helped in healing. And even though, there wasn't any attraction that drew us together, there was definitely understanding, sacrifice, overcoming suffering and passion that made us fall for each other so much that now we can't even go on one day without out each other. I mean after all, isn't that what love is all about?

Even now, when I look at my family: Amber preparing school lunch and my lunch, Ayesha adjusting her uniform and Zeeshan eating his cereal, I realise that my dream came to life. There once a time when I had dreamt of such a moment and now it was right in front of me. And my heart swells with love and affection.

Oh God, I'm so grateful to You.

"What's wrong?" Amber shook my shoulder, bringing me back to reality. I smiled at her and shook my head mumbling a nothing to her. Shrugging, she went to the kids. "Chalo bacho, jaldi karo. Waleed bhai nay aap ko chorna hai aaj. (Come on kids hurry up. Waleed has to drop you off)"i frowned at her announcement. Why was the chauffeur dropping the kids off?

"Waleed? Kia tum nai aaj jaa rahi academy?(waleed? Aren't you going to the academy today?)"I asked, eyeing her with worry.

"Oh I forgot to tell you. I've temporarily resigned from my position as principal of the academy." She informed. That came as a great shock to me.

"What? Why? When?" I asked. She passed me a small smile and just as she was about to reply, a honk came from outside. "Chalo bacho, (come on kids,)" she gushed. The kids immediately jumped on their feet and sling their bags on their shoulders.

"Allah hafiz mama, Allah hafiz daddy," they chided and ran out the door. I passed them a smile. Me and Amber went to the porch to bid them bye for the day.

"So, why did you resign?" I asked when we got back to the kitchen. She didn't answer and proceeded to bring me my coffee and breakfast.

"Amber?" I called seriously. She knows that when I use her full name, I'm serious. She sighed and took a seat beside me.

"Kia hua? Tum theek ho? (What's wrong? You alright?)" I inquired. She nodded and stared into my eyes.

"I've decided to start my practice again." She declared, her voice strong.

A slow smile made its way to my lips and I breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank God," I breathed. I was really worried because her behaviour was strange and fridgety and she's usually that way when she wants to confront me about something.

"That's great honey," I drawled and grasped her hand softly. "I support your decision wholeheartedly. But why all of a sudden?" I enquirer, generally curious.

She shrugged nonchalantly. "I just think that it's time I resumed my original work. The kids have grown up now. The only reason I quit in the first place was so that I could raise them. And now I think it's time that I start practicing medicine again." She explained.

I nodded in acknowledgment. I know how talented she is as a doctor. Even when she quit, many physicians consulted her regarding cases they couldn't properly diagnose and even medical journals requested her to continue writing even though she wasn't practicing. It only shows how gifted she is. And high on demand too. I chuckled at my own joke and stared at her solemnly.

"Of course. I understand your passion Bree. You have my full support." I encouraged and started devouring the paratha and eggs.

She was silent so I was a bit concerned. "What else?" I probed. She sighed and glanced in my direction. "I had talked with the Liaqat National about joining. They said that I needed some credit hours in order to practice again. They need me to join volunteering. Maybe it might be to the border." She stated.

The fork fell from my hand and I stared at her aghast. The border? It's a battle field out there. The state of the country is such that numerous military operations are being carried out in the country especially on the border against terrorism.

"Absolutely not!" I thundered and jumped to my feet. "Apply at another hospital! You're not going anywhere especially the border." I commanded, my voice high and loud. She gaped at me with shock: of course, I have never yelled at her or raised my voice but when it concerns her life, I can never compromise on it.

"Wait, that's not fair. You know that it's the war relief that's going on and every hospital will have the requirement since they need as many people as they can gather for the medical corps." She tried to reason but I didn't listen. She had grabbed my forearm but I gently released it and headed for the bedroom.

"Zac!" She yelled behind me but it fell on deaf ears. It's hard denying her anything and I have never denied her anything especially when she seldom asks me for anything.

"I'm going to work now." I told and grabbed my briefcase. She huffed and turned away from me. I leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Stop sulking, I don't want to start my day with you going on like this." I told her softly and touched her cheek. I know that she can't resist me so she nodded. I grinned and brushed my lips on hers. "I love you," I said and wound her in my arms.

She was stiff but relaxed. Her arms came to my waist and I put my chin on her head: my little tranquil world was right here, in her arms

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