Saudah was in all ways different to Farhana. Her body, her eyes, her nose, her scent- not one trace of Farhana lingered in his mind as he looked at her. Yet still, as his footsteps thudded along the plush cream carpet, he couldn't quell the nerves that bubbled up within him neither could he stop his hands from shaking ever so slightly as her grip tightened around his own.

Her dress swayed beneath her, delicate white trimmings sweeping the carpet behind her as she tried to match his steps. Her heeled sandals sunk deep into the fibres of the floor, chaffing against her foot with each step and she was almost grateful to see the large cream door before them.

"Riyaadh?"

"Yeah?" he turned back to look at her, shaken out of his reverie at the sound of her voice.

"Would you mind slowing down?"

"Yeah," he scratched the back of his neck as his eyes roved over the slight crimson flush to her cheeks. "Sorry."

"Thanks." She tried to quieten her shallow breaths- breathing was almost impossible in her dress that had been so tightly sewn, she could feel the beading of her bodice dig deep into her ribs. 

As their hotel room loomed nearer and nearer, he steps slowed to an almost imperceptible shuffle. His fingers were itching for the cigarette he knew was stowed away in the pocket of his pants. He needed to feel it rolled between his fingers, smell the slight pungent odour of burnt paper as he lit up and taste the strong burn of utter bliss as he pulled in that first puff. She could feel his finger tips tap against her skin as he slid the keycard through the slot...

He tried once

Twice

Three times

Before the tiny green light blinked up at him.

He opened the door, tugging his collar away from his neck.

They were finally alone.