Chapter 5: The Meeting.

*

"When two broken hearts meet, they find their missing part in each other."

-Luffina Lourduraj-

*

Zamaairah looked around the house in awe as memories came back to her. She had ran through these halls years ago when they were all children. She had gotten hurt, learnt to love and hate, to cry and yell amongst a few others, in this same house. The good times of my life were spent here.

"How have you been, Aapa?" Karmaan asked her as they walked. Zamaairah noted how tall he had gotten.

"Alhamdulillah. How have you been? How are studies?"

"The usual I guess. Do you come by the campus often?" he questioned her and she let out a small laugh.

"No. I usually come by when I am invited for lectures." Zamaairah informed him and he nodded.

"But it was nice seeing you." By now the two of them were standing in front of her rooms door. Zamaairah let out a chuckle when she saw the room. Karmaan opened the door and let her in before following her.

"We hope everything is to your liking," he told her with a bow making her laugh. She set down on the bed and sighed in relief.

"How long are you staying?" Karmaan asked her, looking around the room.

"I don't know. I came for the anniversary and I'll leave after that I guess. Why?" Karmaan shook his head.

"Nothing. I'll leave you to rest. Allah hafiz," with that Karmaan waved her goodbye and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him.

Zamaairah sighed and laid back on the bed, staring at the ceiling above.

The room hadn't changed much. It was still painted white and lightest shade of pink, with white curtains and soft bed. The additions were the plants and other decorations in the room. Probably the bhabhi's.

A knock on the door made her sit up on the bed. She called out a come in and then stood up to greet whoever had come to her room. The door opened and Safwah walked into the room before closing the door shut behind him. At the sight of Safwah Zaeef's face, Zamaairah felt her heart rate quicken. She instinctively placed her hand over her chest and took deep breaths. Not now. Not now. Not in front of him.

"As salaamu alaikum," he said, standing at the door. He didn't move ahead into the room and Zamaairah was grateful for it. I don't think my heart would be able to take it.

"Wa alaikum mus salaam," she replied, forcing a smile at him. Safwah frowned.

"Did I do something?" he questioned her and she shrugged, crossing her hands over her chest. Safwah stared at her for a moment before sighing. "Zama. Let's not do this, please. Tell me what's wrong?"

"What's wrong is you not telling me you were hurt, Safwah." Safwah watched her green eyes change color, pools of golden and black mixed with the forest green. She's angry. Furious, he thought with a smile. He held out his hand, testing the waters. Ah so he thinks he can come around like that- Zamaairah swatted his hands away, making him flinch at the impact. His hand may be healed but putting pressure on it made it ache.

Zamaairah saw the flinch and frowned, before walking over to him and examining his hands. Did I hurt him? Safwah stared at her work. Her rosy cheeks and her chapped lips, the way she bit the insides of her cheeks and the way her long dark lashes graced the eyebrow bones of hers so perfectly.

He immediately averted his eyes before his thoughts wandered into dangerous territories, one he knows too well.

"Are you hurt?" she finally asked, letting go of his hand. He immediately held her wrist, making her gasp slightly. Her green eyes met his gray ones, fierce and bold. He had imagined the meeting of theirs to be a little more dramatic. Don't melt Zamaairah. Don't melt at his adorable, cute self. Not at all Zama!

"No."

"Don't lie." She said, glaring at him. He watched her eyes change color under the bright light. Ah but I missed him, more than I can express.

"I was hurt. Now-" he smiled, pulling her to him. Her small 5 foot 6 inch frame crashed on his 6 foot something body, making her frown at him. He encircled his arms around her waist and waited for her to rebut but it didn't happen. The familiar arms made her lose her anger and was replaced by peace.

He looked down at her to see her already looking up to him. Her eyes were now glassy, as if she's fighting tears. I could have lost him. I could have lost my anchor in this world.

"Why are you crying?" at his question, Zamaairah began crying silently. There was not one sound from her, just the pools of tears running down her face. Safwah let out a chuckle as he placed his hand on the back of her head and pushed it to his chest gently. This woman.

"Shhh. Its okay." He consoled her, rubbing her head and back. His other hand held her firmly against him.

Zamaairah's muffled sobs could be briefly heard until she began calming down. Once Safwah confirmed she was no longer crying, he held her by the shoulders to face her.

"Why?" her green eyes were bright from the tears and her cheeks were red and swollen. Safwah held her face, his thumb grazing her cheekbones. Zamaairah's eyes fluttered close, the wet eye lashes settling gracefully on her cheekbones. Why?

"I know you are hurt. But I couldn't do anything. I promise I am fine." This time Zamaairah opened her eyes and frowned, wrinkles appearing on her forehead. Safwah's fingers tentatively soothed them out making her frown.

"You promised. You promised to come back safe and sound, Safa." She told him and he smiled.

"I know. And I am back safe and sound."

"Half dead. You were back half dead!" the look on her face was one Safwah had never seen.

"Zama." He muttered, cradling her face in his hands. His large calloused hands felt a little rough on her soft skin but she didn't say a word. Instead, she placed her hand over his just as tears began falling again.

"I- I could- I could have- lost- I could have lost you too," she stammered, tears running down her face. Safwah wiped away the tears with his thumbs. He leaned towards her and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"I am fine and here with you." He reassured her, making the sobs die down. He smiled, holding her in his arms again. Home.

"How have you been?" he finally asked her as they parted. Zamaairah wiped away the tears with her free hand.

"Good. Tired. My energy is low." She told him and he frowned.

"What have you been doing?" he demanded making her laugh slightly. He watched her throw her head back a little and flash the white teeth against soft pink lips. He smiled unconsciously.

"Work. Children can be tiring." She told him, leaning onto his chest and closing her eyes. This feels nice. Safwah's scent enveloped her like a blanket and her eyes began drooping. This is much better than his cardigans.

Safwah watched her silently before he sighed.

"You should sleep, Zama." He whispered to her but she made no sound. He let out a low chuckle and shook her shoulders lightly.

"As much as I would love to stay here with you, I have work to do. Go sleep and I'll see you when you wake up." He told her and she hummed in reply. Safwah sighed and picked her up bridal style, in his arms before walking over to the bed. Zamaairah didn't gasp or flinch. Safe. The one word in her mind.

"I missed you," she muttered in her exhausted state. Safwah halted his actions and stared down at the woman in his arms. She was small, compared to his large built and she fit perfectly in his arms. Safwah didn't understand how such a small body as hers could keep in so much emotions.

"I missed you too," he replied and took two steps to stand right before her bed. He laid her on the bed and smiled at her. She barely opened her eyes to see him. She is exhausted, he thought dejectedly.

"Allah hafiz," he whispered as he placed a kiss on her forehead. He stood back up and smiled at her one last time before walking out of the room.

***

As salaamu alaikum! Long time no see, my loves. 

I updated because these are pre-written ones. My finals begin soon so good luck to me on that. After everything is done, I'll begin my usual updates, In sha Allah.

Till then, do stay safe. 

I love you guys. 

| R - C - V |

xx,

Aalihha.