The Foundation upon which our love has been building won't let it collapse
For it is He who holds souls together;
It is He who binds them to never let them fall
–H

❥⁠˙⁠๑

Her

She wonders if she can understand Adam.

The ceremony held down passed away smoothly. She was with Adam every time like invisible threads of fate were not ready to let them walk away even for a while the night. Barak was also with them but the keen guests didn't let him speak to his parents. All the while, they were busy receiving compliments, blessings, and gifts. Especially Evalena.

The new bride got so much love from the Dawood family and its relatives and friends. She was glad to meet new people and every one of them was blessing their relationship. The girl was selfless. Without giving a second thought, she was ready to come and live for Adam and his child. Even though she was well aware of the heartbreak she was going to receive in the midst of this all or at the end of this journey. She doesn't know when but she doesn't care though.

She has already been drowning and they ask if she is afraid of getting wet.

However, the reason for her confusion regarding Adam was his behavior. Last night he said she couldn't expect anything from him but this night, he was treating her like a bride should be treated by her husband.

Through the ceremony, he didn't let go of her hand.

The intensity of his grip might have reduced to a feather touch but the touch was present. Sometimes he interlaced their fingers like he would never let her go or sometimes he gently brushed their hands together like seeking comfort just by a mere touch like it could give him another life.

It was new for Evalena.

Every time he pushed up her bangles just to hold her hand firmly, she would feel her heart skipping beats and then thud inside as those bangles jiggled.

From a man so tall and muscular enough to unnerve anyone, she wasn't expecting faint touches like mild and pleasing sunrays of the autumn dawn kissing her skin. He was mindful of her exquisiteness while holding her hand like he was afraid of breaking her in the moment.

Like a glass doll, he treated her. She wondered how she looked through his eyes; his perspective.

Every time someone blessed them, she would steal glimpses of him. He only smiled in return which he does always. What else do you expect from a gentleman? But she wondered if he felt the way she felt whenever the guests complimented that they looked so good together.

She knew she was in his mind. Doesn't matter if she died years ago. Evalena knows she breathes in his memories, she is still alive in his heart. And every time she thinks about her, she can't help but feel an ache of discomfort in her bosom but can it help her in any way? It's better if she tries to look beyond it.

She still blooms like a cherry blossom when the memory of their ceremony passes through her mind. It's night and anyone can't accuse her if she dreams of him. Again and again.

Women are talking around her but she is lost. Her friend sits beside her, giggling as the women crack silly jokes but she is busy fooling in her mind with deceptive thoughts. So what if he doesn't love her? She loves him. She loves him a lot and she is proud of it.

When they were together, amidst admiring eyes and mouths that blessed them without ceasing, she recalls him putting an arm around her shoulders just to pose for a family picture.

When she was a little girl and Adam was her best friend, they used to hang out like that—in each other's arms. Someday, it was her, holding his arm and clinging to it like a koala. And sometimes it was him, hugging her by her side, having his arm wrapped around her shoulders.

But now that they have grown up into mature people, his single touch—even the most innocent of all—makes her feel so much within her. Her heart pounds in her chest, adrenaline rushes through her system, sparks erupt, eyes flutter, skin burns, and tongue stutters. How does he manage to make her feel this all, she still wonders but amid such magical sensations, her subconscious reminds her of the cruel reality of their fate and feelings.

If her love for him is like an ocean that is bottomless, is he aware of the taste of even a drop of it?

"And I'll miss you so much, Lena!"

She's taken aback; her trance breaks when she feels a pair of arms wrapping around her, pulling her in a hug. She is her dear friend; Reumah.

She looks to her right, clueless about what she said and why she said. Reumah kisses her cheek and returns to her place. At Evalena's silence, the ladies chuckle softly.

"Don't tell us you were busy thinking of your hubby!" One of them jokes, making her blush in an instant. How do they know? She thinks as her brows pull together in a small frown. And as her eyes speak more her tongue, her friend laughs harder.

"She was," comments Reumah.

Evalena doesn't say anything. Rather, she lowers her eyes, not knowing how to throw off the topic. She doesn't know how easily anybody catches her daydreaming.

"Well, what was in your mind, ha?" A lady playfully wriggles her eyebrows, her question sounds mischievous.

Evalena swallows. They can cook anything in their heads but here Evalena knows that even holding hands means a deep face of intimacy for her. She can't get the image of their joint hands out of her mind, how can she think of more than that? Adam's dimple smile is endearing enough to melt her heart, what other can come to fool her mind then?

Oh, but she isn't aware of the direction they point out. For her, romance is something else.

"Come on, don't tease my precious daughter!" Her mother-in-law comes to rescue her and she's more than grateful to the wise lady.

"Of course, why would she tell us?"

Evalena huffs and can't help but ask, "How did you know I was thinking about..." She bites her bottom lip, not knowing how to complete without getting embarrassed to the point her cheeks turn rosy.

The ladies chuckle and one of them speaks, "Oh, darling, you have no idea how much your eyes tell."

In response, Evalena's eyes go wide in astonishment. Is she really this obvious?

"My eyes?" She mumbles like she doesn't know who is too well tangled in her soul.

"Yes." Arielle nods. "There's so much love and sweetness for Bhaiya in your eyes." Her lips slowly curl into a small smile like she's been controlling not to do that. Because she knows it would unsettle Evalena even more. And it happens.

Evalena looks away. "Maybe you mistook it," she mumbles, pushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I-I was thinking about..." She seeks for a word to add to her lie but nothing comes out of those quivering lips and it amuses everyone present there.

"A patient, right?" Reumah jokes, throwing her head back.

Evalena frowns, pursing her lips. Reumah regrets it in a second and immediately apologizes to her, hugging her tightly. She kisses Evalena's cheek again, saying, "I'm truly sorry!"

"It's okay," Evalena mumbles, not sure what to say after. Any word coming out of her mouth would give other ladies a chance to bring Adam again in this conversation.

However, she saves herself from getting contrite again. Her mother-in-law talks about their leave tomorrow and soon sends her with a few more gifts, accompanied by Arielle. As she lets go of her white furry cat that she pets to hold the gifts, her cat doesn't wish to leave them alone and follows after them.

In the middle of a corridor, encompassed by quietness and the warm glow of lamps glowing on the way, Arielle decides to speak, "You think I really misinterpreted?"

Evalena shakes her head gently. Both know the reality. She denied before only because of being among women there.

"The Dawood family has mastered reading people through their eyes. Nobody can blame." At Evalena's sarcastic remark, Arielle can't hold her laugh.

"I'm humbled, dear Bhabhi." Now it's Evalena's turn to chuckle. She holds the light bag closer to her chest.

"Well, I'd love to learn something from you. I, too, wanna read people through their eyes."

"Let me guess; you wanna read Bhaiya's eyes, hm?"

Evalena looks straight, cheeks turning pinker. His name mentioned can make her feel so much within herself. This is just the sweet innocence of hers, getting tickled by the thought of her other half; her husband.

"Yeah. He's quite mysterious, after all. I wanna know why he does what he does."

"I can't disagree."

"So, how do you do that?" Evalena stops at some distance when she sees her room has arrived. It is still a few steps away but surprisingly through her random questions, she wants to hear the genuine answer.

Arielle, too, halts, followed by her cat. Her white fluffy cat goes to her owner and stands closer to the embroidered border of her lehenga that smells just like her.

"You can only smash into a house whose locks can be easily broken. You can jump from only the window which is open." Arielle shrugs casually, leaning closer as she adds, "Your eyes are like those opened windows. We can read you only because you let us. And you can't read him because he never allows anyone to."

"How can I make him allow me then?"

Mirth dances in Arielle's eyes for Evalena's bold question. The woman standing in front of her isn't a newborn duck who doesn't know anything. She has known Evalena since her childhood and she knows she has Queen Esther's humility, courage, and modesty. But she has Leah's cravings and desperation for her husband, too. She craves Adam's love and out of desperation, she wants to know how she can move closer to him.

"By winning his trust."

Evalena sighs. "Of course." And she walks ahead, followed by Arielle who doesn't know what switched off the curiosity inside Evalena. The sudden change couldn't go unnoticed by her but she doesn't decide to ask either. To her, maybe Evalena has something she doesn't want to share.

Evalena enters the room and catches the father and son duo praying together. They had their heads bowed down to the ground as they mumble under their breath. Arielle walks past Evalena to place the boxes before she moves to leave. However, Evalena beholds them lovingly. Adam has been teaching his son quite well, after all. The sadness bore in her eyes is now buried in her heart.

With the intention not to make noise and disturb them, she quietly walks into the restroom to shed off her heavy raiment.

She removes her make-up and then jewelry. But as she moves to put off the flowers from her bun, she catches his reflection entering the restroom.

"Oh, sorry. I had no idea when you arrived." He moves to step back when she giggles.

"I'm just getting my bun undo. You can walk in," she says, going back to her task of removing roses but her senses don't leave Adam until he walks in. He keeps his eyes down but steals a glance at the roses lying over the white marble slab along with bun pins which she puts down.

He turns on the tap and starts splashing water on his face. Evalena sighs once her hair embraces freedom and cascades down her back, hiding the backless neckline of her blouse.

"The flight is at 11 AM; tomorrow," he says, while going to grab the towel. She only hums, her entire focus is on her face, precisely her freckles that cover the area around her nose, under her eyes and she recalls the compliment Adam gave her.

You're altogether beautiful, Doctor, there's no flaw in you.

Her heart melts nth times, eyes softening. Adam puts the towel back in its place and looks at her to tell her something else but her long and dark hair doesn't seem to go unseen by him. She has such captivating attributes but only finds flaws in herself. How can Adam highlight them when he finds none?

To his luck, she's busy staring at herself which saves him from getting caught by her.

"Eva?" He calls her name which sounds soft as always to her. She turns around, blinking. "You heard me, right?" He tries to confirm and like he expected, she didn't hear him.

"I said, tomorrow, at 11 AM, we have a flight to catch."

"Oh."

"Get ready by then. Your suitcases, too."

"Okay."

He then leaves, wiping the image of her dark hair and big emerald eyes off his mind. They can't dwell forever where they'd find the woman with hypnotizing ocean eyes and hair like gold silk threads under the sunset glow.

Taking a shower and changing into a white cotton kurti, she comes out.

"But Daddy, why should we love God first?" She hears the young and excited voice of Barak and she can't help but eavesdrop on the father and son's conversation while walking towards the vanity.

Barak is lying beside his father as they are holding a book. She doesn't catch the name of the book but surely listens to them as Adam answers Barak, "Because God was the first one to love us. His love is never-ending. It's precious. It surpasses every kind of love. Is steadfast; endures forever."

Barak doesn't speak. He listens to his father like he is telling him the deepest theories of the world. Like he is giving him revelations. His big eyes don't leave his father as he registers the words said by him.

Evalena combs her hair down, her ears set on what Adam says.

"How can we love God?" Barak asks innocently, his voice low and soft.

"By following His commandments."

"And what are the commandments?"

"The first command is; to love the Lord, your God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your strength and soul."

Adam closes the book in his hand, sighing. He puts it on the nightstand, beside the full moon night lamp. Meanwhile, his eyes, like they have a will of their own, go to his wife who stands before the mirror, brushing her long hair and he doesn't even realize when he starts getting spellbound with long and dark hair.

However, he obtains back his attention to his son. "And love your neighbor as yourself," he continues, smiling down at his son.

"My neighbor?" Barak seems to think deeply as he says, "Yes, I love my neighbor. They love me, too."

At his innocent remark, Evalena smiles. Her fingers braid her hair as she turns around to behold them. Adam caresses Barak's head softly, his fingers running between his son's silky hair.

"Very well. But in God's perspective, He wants us to love everyone. Like He has loved everyone."

Barak frowns, jumping upon the bed. "Everyone? No, Daddy, I can't love my classmate. She's very annoying," he says, looking away like he just remembered that person.

Evalena makes her way to the bed. She sits beside Barak and he excitedly grins at her, scooting closer to her like he has been waiting for her. Evalena smiles, hugging him as he shows his love towards her by wrapping his arms around her neck.

"I missed you so much!" He says, pulling away as he peers at his mother with those twinkling eyes.

She kisses his forehead. "I missed you, too, my love." She smiles when he smiles at her. She lies beside him and looks at Adam, realizing he has been watching them already.

However, as she catches him, he focuses on his son. The boy asks him to continue and so he does, "Then learn to love everyone."

"Impossible, Daddy!"

"How so?"

Barak huffs. He sits upright and his parents watch him as he starts speaking, "She's very annoying. She's always angry and she hates me, Daddy! So, I hate her, too."

"You shouldn't," Adam clicks his tongue, showing his disapproval.

Barak watches him with confusion. "Daddy, you don't know her!"

"I don't." Adam nods. "But you know one thing? She's Jesus' daughter. Do you love Jesus?"

Barak gasps. He palms his hand over his lips as his mouth falls open in wonderment. How does the boy know the girl he hates is his God's daughter? He watches his father with amazement at the fact. Evalena smiles, watching and listening to them. Adam has an awesome way of teaching kids.

"Yes! Very much!"

"Then love His daughter, too."

Barak falls back into the mattress. Adam watches him with amusement. His son is overdramatic. He runs his hand through his hair, pushing those bangs back that cover his forehead.

"It's hard." Barak sighs, hiding his face. Evalena chuckles. Isn't Barak so cute?

"Not impossible."

"How shall I love her then?"

Now this seems like a question to Evalena also. She, too, wants to know how can someone love someone if they're not ready for it or if the person doesn't deserve it.

No, she doesn't think that Barak's classmate is undeserving of love. She knows they are kids. It's expected for kids to have such emotions between them but for the sake of maturity, she wants to know how to love someone even if they don't want to.

"Ask Jesus and He'll help you."

"Will He?"

"When did He deny?"

Barak nods silently. He knows God doesn't deny if we ask according to His will. And for us to love everyone — is His divine will. Like He loved everyone unconditionally to the point He gave His only Son so He would die for the world's sins against God and free everyone of their slavery to sin.

As the boy doesn't ask much, he enjoys the touch of his father's fingers gently touching his scalp. His eyelids get heavier and he starts falling asleep.

However, Evalena can't stop herself from asking, "God doesn't deny if we ask according to His will but how can we love like Jesus? For I know humans love selfishly."

Adam nods. He, too, knows that but to him, everything is possible.

He lifts his gaze to Evalena and says, "You're right. One should love like Jesus and it's possible to love like Him. As He says, if you remain in Me, and I in you, you'll bear the fruits that'll help you. One of the fruits is love. We can love like Him if we remain in Him."

"And how can we remain in Him?"

Amusement catches Adam's amber eyes as he listens to his wife. Evalena never seemed this curious except for when she was in childhood. She used to listen to the stories he would tell her. This night seems to remind him of one of those golden moments.

His hand pushes the strands of Barak's hair back. Gently. Very gently he does that while his eyes remain on Evalena.

"We remain in Him by studying His Word, praying to Him, and following His commandments because they're for our own good. When we read the Holy Book, we don't just read a historical book. Rather, we read His thoughts because, through that Holy Book, He delivered His thoughts, laws, and ideas to us."

Evalena hums, thinking deeply about what just Adam said. He talks about reading the Bible which is written by God's Spirit Himself but she doesn't do it often. Twice a week maybe. But she can't get more time because of her busy schedule. She's a doctor, after all. She lives a hectic life. But she knows better to give to her Creator.

Adam lets her think deeply as he lies beside his son but his eyes don't shut. He watches Evalena who lies beside Barak, staring at the ceiling blankly.

"Adam."

At her soft call, Adam hums, putting an arm around Barak. His fingers touch her elbow gingerly but he curls them back. She doesn't seem to notice it though.

"You said to love God first." He hums again. "But it's hard to love Him because we fail every time."

"But there's something that humans don't understand about God's nature." His statement earns her attention as she looks at him just like Barak did. She hears him say, "People think it's hard to impress God but it isn't. You just have to have a heart with pure intentions. If you decide to love Him the way He likes, your thoughts alone please Him and He's ever ready to help you. Even to make you love Himself, He will help you—this is the thing about God people don't realize. No matter how many times you fail to love Him, He's attracted to the purity of your intentions and the yearning of your heart to love Him. Your outcomes also please Him but your heart does more. Even now, you know, He's loving you because you want to know how you can love Him."

Evalena doesn't say anything. She can't. She's too overwhelmed to speak before him. No question arises in her mind but his words linger. Adam has told her something she never knew. She always thought good deeds attracted God but He talks about heart. She thought it was hard to impress the One and Only Holy Lord but it wasn't. How strict the mindset she had till now, she wonders.

"God knows we live in a corrupted world and we can't do anything perfectly then how can He demand something we aren't capable of?"

"But we have to be holy to see Him."

"Time will come when you live a holy life and He'll lead you to that stage." He blinks as if assuring her. However, she thinks that her husband is already near that stage. He teaches her effortlessly.

"Unless, just don't take His love, His mercy, His forgiveness, and His kindness for granted. It hurts Him." He smiles weakly as if doesn't want to. He knows how badly it hurts when kindness is taken for granted. He is just a speck of dust who feels deeply and gets hurt like anyone else, so let's think about the One Who puts emotions in humans. How much more does it hurt Him?

Evalena takes a note of that. She nods her head and looks away, still thinking. Her eyes remain open and under the glow of the lamp beside her, her face shines to his eyes which he can't ignore. His eyes wander over her countenance, skimming through her features while his heart is afraid of getting caught. What he would answer, he doesn't know, but he can't avoid touching her with his eyes.

"Adam?" She turns, putting an arm over Barak. He curls closer to her in response.

Adam hums, eyes already set on her. Softness dances in them along with the warmth that is empyrean. Their hands touch faintly but they are too busy to take note of that.

"Tell me often about God," she says and he smiles, nodding his head. To him, it holds the greatest pleasure.

She smiles back and closes her eyes, ready to fall asleep. But Adam doesn't. He lies in the same position, watching his son and wife. His eyes glide over some details and land where their hands touch. Softly. And the metal wrapped around her ring finger shines to his eyes, reminding him of their sacred bond, beautiful vows, and eternal endurance.

The same hand he has been holding for hours. However, he doesn't want to hold it now. He feels guilty. Hours before the faint touches have now become painful abrasions to him. How would he be able to forgive himself for feeling this all? 

❥⁠˙⁠๑

A/n:- Heya dear, I hope you liked the chapter. It seems long to me yet short.

How was it to you?

Also to those who wonder who are Esther and Leah, let me clear it out.

Queen Esther was a Jewish woman chosen by the Persian king to become his wife. The king had the fear of the God of Israel, the Lord Himself; Yahweh. She's known for her courage and modesty because when her people were in need and were about to perish, she took the lead and saved them through her wisdom and God's lead.

About Leah, she was the first wife of patriarch Jacob. She had weak eyes and wasn't as beautiful as her younger sister Rachel. Jacob loved Rachel and Leah craved his love. However, our God is the God who looks at the heart, not the outer beauty so she was favored by Him and was blessed amazingly!

You can search for their stories and trust me, they're amazing and mind-blowing to those who learn from them.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I'll write interactions between Adam and Eva often bc it's the time.

Like, comment, and share. Take care of yourself. Stay happy, stay beautiful :)

Instagram:- @wattpad.ahava