Chapter 57: Home. 

*

"I want to cherish your warmth, 

I want to be your shadow, 

I want to be called yours, 

I want to be your home"

-2am-

*

Nahal walked around the backyard, her fingers grazing the tip of flowers, leaves and stems randomly. She liked the afternoon atmosphere in Sawarah. It reeked of dust, multiple flower scents and fresh air. It was a breather for her after the hectic schedule of work she had been caught in all this while. Now you are married too. She reminded herself, smiling. She stood by the gray picket fence, looking towards the large barn and stables in the far off compound. Maybe I should ask Yahyah to get horses and chickens? And become a farmer? It would be so lit though. She let out a laugh at her thoughts. Of course it would be amazing. But what of her Engineering Degree exactly?

"What are you thinking?" she tilted her head to the right to see Yahyah walking towards her. She immediately smiled brightly at him. He let out a small laugh before taking a stand beside her.

"I was thinking of becoming a farmer" she told him honestly, watching his face for the reaction. Yahyah's expression morphed into a surprised one before he raised an eyebrow at her questioningly.

"Why?"

"Because I want to. I mean you have the stables and honestly, getting horses and keeping them would be amazing" she told him and his lips curled into a smile.

"It would be amazing but tending to them takes a lot of time and energy" he told her and she shrugged.

"We can always ask for extra hands" she replied and he let out a small laugh.

"You've thought this through then" he told her and she shrugged again with a sly smile.

"I've always wanted a horse but it was kinda illegal to keep one in your house in UK" she told him and he laughed.

"Why would you want to keep a horse inside your house?"

"Because"

"Because?" Nahal let out a laugh, looking away. Yahyah grinned at her, blinking slowly to avoid missing anything about the beauty in front of him. He leaned towards her and she turned to him, upon sensing his body heat. What is he doing? She felt his long, slender fingers graze her cheeks softly while her eyes fluttered rapidly upon the warm contact.

Yahyah smiled at her as he watched her lean onto the palm of his hand. The hand of his found its way to her waist and pulled her to his body. She let out a small gasp at the sudden contact but before she could even think, Yahyah was kissing her.

-

Dinner at Yazdan and Yahyah's all time favorite restaurant, Aurevoir was filled with chatters and laughs. It was light brightly and the tables were divided into two sets; the front and the back. The elders were at the front while the youths were at the back.

Yahyah set beside Yazdan at the end of the table, with a grin on his face. He was happy about today. It's been a while. Nahal was seated on his right while Yazdan was on his left. His gaze roamed down to his and Nahal's entwined hands which rested on her lap. He grinned.

The elders seated at the front were discussing politics, business and other elderly things they discuss while the youths who hogged up the back tables were laughing and joking about something.

Out of them all, Yahyah noticed Sahl was very silent tonight. It was likely for the boy to keep to himself but when he's with Safwah, the duo are usually talking and laughing. Yahyah frowned and turned to Yazdan beside him. He tapped Yazdan's shoulder and the said man turned to him with a questioning look.

"Something is up with Sahl. He is too quiet today" Yahyah told Yazdan causing Yazdan to glance at his brother and frown.

"Now that you say, I noticed it too. But not just today, since the reception he has been gloomy" Yazdan replied and Yahyah nodded at him.

"Ask him. Maybe something is up" Yazdan nodded at Yahyah's suggestion before glancing at his brothers. Yazdan knew that something was wrong with Sahl but truthfully, he was too scared to ask him. He had a gut feeling it had something to do with Safwah leaving for India.

Dinner dragged on until they all retired to their respective places to rest for the night. Yahyah and Nahal bid Yazdan and Aanabia (who opted to drop them home) goodbye as they stood by the main door of their house. Nahal liked the warmth that wrapped her like a comfortable blanket. She turned to look at Yahyah with a small smile.

"What is it?" Yahyah asked, without glancing down at her. Nahal gasped slightly when she felt his hand on her waist, holding her. Yahyah still did not face her. Nahal smiled brightly.

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing" she replied cheerily causing Yahyah to turn to her with raised eyebrows. Nahal let out a small laugh, hitting his chest slightly before she walked inside the house.

"Lock up" she called out to him and Yahyah heaved a sigh, running his hands through his hair. He did, indeed lock up before heading upstairs to where his wife was. His mother and Zul were in the house while the Zaeef's were at the hotel, which would make it easier for them to get to the airport tomorrow for their flights back home. Hifzah was staying over with Aanabia, since she too had a flight the following morning (only an hour or so before The Zaeef's). 

Nahal's flight however, was another issue. The woman was double minded about leaving. She did not wish to leave Yahyah alone here but she had work to do in Manchester, namely the Ibrahim Contract.

So that night, the duo set in their room and discussed ways out of whatever mess they were in. They had long decided that communication was the key in their relationship and thus, were carrying out just that.

After hours of long discussion, a handful of kisses and teasing, the duo retired to bed with a clear conscious.

Nahal set the bed, looking over to see Yahyah sleeping on the couch. He, being the gentleman he is, stated that he'll sleep on the bed with her when she's comfortable. She sighed and got off the bed, walking towards him.

She knelt down by the couch and smiled at Yahyah who was soundly sleeping.

"Hey" she pushed his shoulders slightly to wake him up. Yahyah woke up with a start and frowned at her.

"Something wrong?" he questioned, sitting up on the couch. Nahal shook her head apologetically.

"Sleep on the bed with me" she said, looking at him with doe like eyes. "Please" she added.

Yahyah rubbed his eyes and let out a small laugh.

"You sure?" he asked her, already gathering his gray blanket and pillows (He slept with four pillows). Nahal helped him pick up the pillows and silently walked back to the bed. She placed the pillows on his side and got onto the bed with a content smile.

Yahyah heaved a sigh before getting onto the bed and laying down. His head on one pillow, one in his arms and the other two were at his back (to support his back that is). Nahal frowned at him. Why does this man sleep with four pillows again?

"Stop staring. It's rude" he muttered, switching off the lights at the top of the bed. Nahal chuckled lightly before laying back onto the bed and pulling the covers over her body. The Air conditioning made the room cold and she pulled the blanket over her. Yahyah pulled the other side and she frowned.

"I thought you had your own blankie?" she asked him and he shrugged, even though she did not see.

"I don't. We share. Stop hogging it" he whined the last part and she glared at him in the dark before pulling the blanket over to her. Yahyah frowned at the cold hitting his body before he realized what his wife did.

"We share!" he told her, pulling the edge of the blanket. The cover/ blanket was big enough for four people and here were these two, not being able to share it. When Yahyah realized his wife was not giving up, he sighed and set up on the bed.

"I have a solution" he told her in the darkness.

"What is it?" she asked back.

"This" without looking where she was, he scooted closer until he felt her body heat and pushed her onto the bed, with him.

Nahal gasped and tried to move but her husband had already encased her in his arms. He smiled to himself victoriously. Argh. I need to sleep like this? The warmth is good though. Is that...... aftershave I smell? Good lord Yahyah.

"I love you" he whispered to her, placing a kiss over her ear. Nahal blushed bright red, heat radiating off her body in waves. When Yahyah felt the warmth, he smiled. He was making her blush, he thought triumphantly. 

"Sleep" she told him, shifting in his arms to become comfortable. Might as well face the music. He is not letting me go anyway. 

"Mhmhmm. Reply to my I love you first" he told her in a sleepy voice. She smiled to herself. 

"I love you too, Yahyah" she whispered, closing her eyes and breathing in the mint aftershave of his. 

Home? Home. 

- 

"You sure you have everything?" Yazdan asked Karmaan for the nth time and the youngest sibling nodded at him. 

"Yes Bhaiyu. I have everything" 

"Good" Yazdan stated, ruffling his hair causing Karmaan to whine and swap his hands away. Yazdan frowned at him. Weird little sibling. He turned around, shoving his hands in the jean pockets of his as he did so. 

"Alright ma, take care" Aanabia smiled at her mother-in-law, hugging her from the side. Qaidah smiled back. 

"Yes Aanabia. I will. Make sure you both are safe too. Eat on time and take care of each other" she told her and Aanabia nodded. Kulthum walked over to them with Amyrah. The two women grinned at each other before pulling Aanabia in a bear hug. Since she was hugging Qaidah, the older woman also got dragged into the bone crushing hug. 

"Alright, break it off. You'll break bones" Kayan told Amyrah, pulling her by his hoodie that she was wearing. Amyrah glared at her husband as she broke the hug. The women broke apart too with heavy breaths and laughter. Kayan grinned at Amyrah, one reserved for his wife it seemed. Amyrah shrugged and showed him her tongue before turning to the girls, who were busy saying their goodbyes. They sure will miss each other. 

"I'll miss you guys too" Aanabia told them. It hadn't been long since she knew them but they felt like family. Well they are technically, her mind told her. She felt a familiar grip on her waist and turned to her husband beside her. 

"Ah which reminds me. Bhaiyu. Make sure you take your insulin's on time" Kulthum told Yazdan who nodded at her. Aanabia smiled. 

"Don't worry. I got that covered" she winked at Kulthum who laughed. Just then the announcement for their flight aired and they made their move. Qaidah hugged Yazdan and Aanabia, placing a kiss on each of their foreheads before bidding them goodbye. She also told Aanabia to take care of her precious son for her. 

The goodbye was emotional, for Yazdan anyway. He always left for home alone when his family returned to their own states. Yet today, he would be returning with Aanabia who was a gift on its own. Alhamdulillah. 

"Shall we head out for lunch before home?" Yazdan asked her, as they walked out of the Adelaide Airport terminals into the car park. Aanabia nodded at him as they parted in front of the truck of his. 

Lunch it was. 

*******

Heyyy. Salaam. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS FAMM!! 

So I know I did not update lately. I apologize for the agonizing wait. :)

Happy Holidays!! :) 

| R - C - V |

xx, 

-Aalihha.