I sighed and stepped in. It's only been three hours since I left the apartment to meet with Aaliya because I couldn't afford to be away for long even though she insisted that I stay for lunch. I carefully made it inside and the first thing I did was look for Amber.

She was lying in bed, still sleeping and I was glad that she hadn't woken up while I was gone. I had used these three hours wisely and fetched the groceries as well as paid the bills as well. I also needed to clean the house since I had dismissed the cleaning lady due to Amber's rehabilitation. I knew that Amber wouldn't be waking up anytime soon so quickly changed into my dirty clothes and began to do the long delayed household chores.

It was almost Zuhr time by the time I was finished and my back was aching like hell. Because of Amber's rehab, causing me to adopt an abnormal sleeping routine, I was always tired and my body ached. And I can't correct my routine because of Amber's sleeplessness.

I hoped under the warm cascading water of the shower and my mind went back to the conversation that I had with Aaliya this morning. Though she was able to inform me a lot on things I didn't know and needed to know in regard to Amber, but what even confused me more was the fate of Tooba. Of course I couldn't tell Aaliya that I had never met with Tooba so I discreetly changed the subject and decided to leave in time before she could insist on me staying for long otherwise she would've asked me questions that I didn't have any answers to.

That begs to ask, what happened to Tooba? Where is she? I didn't want to think of her circumstances before understanding them so I didn't guess any further. It's a question I need to ask Amber when she's in the clear. I quickly got out of the shower and dressed into fresh sweat pants and a plain white shirt. The dirty clothes reminded me that I also needed to do the laundry.

After my prayers, I was done with the laundry and decided to call it a day and take a nap. Lying down, I faced Amber who's back was facing me. I sighed and reached for her shoulder. I so desperately wanted to hold her but I knew that her feelings were channeling negatively against me because I made her suffer and unintentionally go through pain, so I had to be patient.

Sighed, I set my alarm for two hours and closed my eyes.

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

"Yes sir,"

"And have the stats on the Donovan contract evaluated by next week. You'll have to come and give a presentation on it to the board of directors." Mr. Atish instructed.

"Alright I will sir, anything else?"

"No that is all." He said sternly and hung up. I sighed and put my cell phone away. Boy, I got a lot of work on my hands for this week.

Thankfully I had landed a job with MA investments as a financial consultant. Mr. Atish was kind enough to understand my situation so he allowed me to work from home and when I had finished my first assignment two weeks ago, the board of financial consultants as well as Mr. Atish were impressed.

I passed a hand through my hair and jumped to my feet. I made it to the balcony and found Amber sitting on a chair and basking in the sunlight, her brown hair glistening and skin pale yet healthy, having that beautiful tan that I love so much. Because she had lost so much weight, her bones were sticking out. Her plump and strong hands had become skinny as well as her face. There were huge bags under her eyes but I was glad that spark of life was back in her soft brown eyes.

And now those same eyes were viewing a journal in her hands as her eyes trailed in it.

"Hey," I greeted and sat on the chair next to hers. She ignored me and continued reading. I pursed my lips and nodded in understanding.

It's been two weeks since I met with Aaliya and came close to the truth. I wanted to ask about Tooba from Amber but I got busy in my new job that I couldn't get the time to ask. These two weeks have been pretty productive not to mention progressive. Amber had started to show some sort of improvement in her condition and would be active as much as she could be.

I think that her mind had finally cleared and she's started to accept reality. Her night thrashes and nightmares have also stopped considerably. Thankfully, I was able to correct our abnormal sleeping routine as well and now, I can finally get back to sleeping at my usual normal times. During this time, much to my delight, Amber sought peace of mind by reciting the Qur'an and praying With me. This significant change was enough to make me happy that all my efforts were finally showing some result.

It's almost like we're back to normal except, she refrains from talking to me unless it's important. Her attitude is ice cold towards me and It's almost like, she's unwilling to associate herself with me. I can understand that; she did say that she hates me for putting her through so much. But I wanted to earn her trust once again. I wanted her to fall in love with me. Realising that I had won our little wager long ago, but it didn't matter anymore. I had broken every one of Amber's marriage demands. So much distance has been created between us that whenever I think about how I'll ever be able to make Amber mine again, it terrifies me because my mind only comes up with one possibility; once Amber will start to think clearly and be back in her feet, she'll terminate this marriage.

I'll have no choice but to go through with it because that's what I had agreed on and I was a man who would honour his promise no matter what. I know that but I pray every day, every second of the day that Allah would change Amber's heart. Evaporate the bitterness and anger she feels towards me.

But sometimes, the logical part of me just feels tired and annoyed with my present circumstances and just wants to give up: it beckons me to stop caring so much and start thinking about myself. I must agree that in the course of these two and a half months, I have only thought about Amber and her needs and what's best for her: the whole point of her rehabilitation was because I couldn't bear to watch her destroy herself and that's why I intervened. This part of me makes me think selfishly and urges me to accept the fact that if Amber left me after all of this was over, then I would be okay with it. I had fulfilled my duty as a husband and stuck with her and cared for her in this difficult time and that's all required of me. I didn't owe her anything else. By all means, my logic and ego demanded that I leave Amber after this whole fiasco was over. That the feelings I held for Amber were more of pity and sympathy then love. This part of me only contradicted my actions however thankfully, it was only a small insignificant part of me that held such disgusting and selfish thoughts and opinions. And no doubt, the devil was trying to stray me from my path.

My heart, however, told me a different story and this was the greater part of me that I wanted to follow and believe: my feelings were of love after all, why else would I still be here? If I didn't love Amber then why would I work so hard for it? I wanted to prove to her that I was faithful to her and I have, now it's up to her to realise this herself. What I did till now may be counted as my good deeds but I didn't care. What I cared for was the well being of my wife and I have achieved exactly that.

I'm not going to leave her. I will not leave her but if she wants to leave me then I won't stop her. It's not because I'll be giving up on her, no far from it, it's because I know that love means to be selfless and sacrifice your own happiness for the sake of the one you love.

And my love for Amber is true, I'll respect her wishes and not argue. Or I'll stay and wait patiently until she's ready to accept me.

"What?"

I was brought out of my train of thoughts when I heard Amber snarl at me. I smiled warmly at her and shook my head, realising that I've been staring at her all this time.

"What are you reading?" I inquired.

"Journal of prosthetic surgery." She replied dryly.

"Aren't you a cardiologist? Why are you studying about prosthetic surgery?" I asked, trying to relieve the tense atmosphere between us.

"I also deal with emergency general surgery." She muttered and kept her attention on the journal. I grimaced and sighed.

"I'm going to,"

"I want to go out today." She demanded all of a sudden. "Can I have my keys back," she said and slammed the journal shut. I gawked at her in utter shock. I immediately composed myself as I registered her demand and shook my head. "Okay, where would you like to go?" I asked with an encouraging smile. I'm sure that she's feeling bored and suffocated from staying in this place for far too long. I'll remedy that for her. "How about we go out for lunch today?" I asked and took her hand gently. She snatched it away as if my touch repulsed her. "I want to go out alone, so give me back my keys." She stipulated obstinately. Sighing and passing my hand in my hair, I jumped to my feet and stared at her sternly. "You know that I can't do that. If you want to go out then I'll take you anywhere you want to go but I will, under no circumstances, let you leave this place until I trust you enough." I stated my thoughts.

She stood up and glared at me. I know that determined look in her eyes and I wasn't going to yield to it. It kills me that I can't fulfil her demands because there isn't anything I want more then to give her all that she wants but I know that her head still isn't in the clear and still craves for drugs because I can see it that she hasn't truly accepted that I helped her and instead, she's still very antagonist towards me because of it. I've hidden her keys and money away and the keys for it is always around my neck. I'm even more careful with my won keys and money because i know that addicts have a tendency of stealing and causing harm to others and even though I know that she rehabilitated, she hasn't regained complete lucidity.

It pained me to look at her in this light but I had no choice.

"I'm saying that I want to leave. I'm sick and tired of staying in this dump so if I want to leave then I'll leave And you're not going to stop me." She seethed. I stared at her blankly.

"So give me my keys, right now!" She ordered in an even tone, her eyes throwing daggers at me. I folded my arms against my chest and looked at her sternly. "And I said no."

Upon my response, she had caught my collar and glared directly into my eyes: her brown eyes turning into hard shards of malice. "Who the hell do you think you are? I've put up with your shit for too long but not anymore. So give me my keys, before anyone gets hurt." She warned. I breathed in deeply and gripped her hands into mine. Kissing her right hand, I let my lips linger on her palm as I looked at her from beneath my lashes.

"Where would you like to go? Tell me, I'll take you?" I said calmly. She began to quiver with anger, her eyes flashing with fury.

"I want to be alone, i don't want to be here with you for another second. Give me my keys right now!" She hissed, releasing her hands from mine. I know that she's lashing out so I'm going to deal with her calmly. "Come on, get dressed, I'll take to a new bistro that opened down the street." I told her and went inside. I went to the bedroom and got dressed into a casual white collar shirt with faded blue jeans. When I saw Amber enter the bedroom and head for the closet, I sighed with relief upon seeing her submit to me. She got out from the bathroom dressed into a fresh jade suit of shalwar Kameez.

I smiled at her when she sat by her dressing table and began to brush her hair. I went to her and leaned in to kiss her cheek. She flinched away, earning a chuckle from me. I made sure that she was busy in herself so I made my way to the closet. I removed the key around my neck and discreetly unlocked a small drawer, taking out my keys and money. When I got back, she was ready and sitting on the bed.

When we arrived at the bistro, thank Allah, she was very obedient and followed my instructions. But the look of relief and respite enter her eyes and expression was enough to make me joyful. I was glad that she enjoyed the fresh air and open environment. But that didn't mean that I was convinced. Her behaviour was unpredictable that's why I still had my guard up. After we were done, I took her for ice cream. She was awfully quiet and even when I tried to make small talk with her, she ignored me.

When we got back home, it was Maghreb time. I wanted so badly to pray in the nearby masjid. Because of Amber's condition, I haven't visited the masjid.

"If you want to go, then you can." I heard Amber say to me. I realised that I was staring out the window towards the direction of the Azaan. It meant a lot that she noticed one of my needs and I appreciated that. I can't believe that after so long, she noticed me. It swelled my heart with happiness. I went to her and kissed her forehead. "You be good okay, I'll be right back."

I double locked the doors and then put a lock on the threshold as I made my way towards the elevator. It gave me so much peace when I prayed in the masjid behind the imam after so long. I prayed to Allah to make things normal between me and Amber and to open up her heart towards me. Because I know that if you expect change, then prayers and dua is the best remedy.

When I returned back, I was greeted by the fresh smell of food. When I followed, I found my wife cooking dinner. My heart fluttered with bliss. Maybe Allah has finally answered my prayers.

I still can't believe that Amber is cooking. I came from behind her and hugged her. She stiffened in my embrace. "Let go!" She shouted, making me jump and release her. I was surprised at her outburst. She turned and scowled at me.

"Don't touch me. You don't deserve to." She snarled. I blinked at her in bewilderment. She turned back to the sizzling pot on the stove.

"Dinner will be ready in ten minutes." She said. I sighed and headed in the bedroom. I guess I was right, she's not just coy but also timid and reserved. I haven't touched her ever since I made her stop using cocaine and after that, I've observed a marked change in her behaviour as well as her personality. The look in her eyes made my mind recall out first night. She was exactly as timid then as she is now: maybe on her first night, she was herself and didn't give into drugs. That thought made me feel elated. I want to ask her about it; I want to ask Amber about so many things but that time isn't coming up anytime soon.

I laid out the table and sat down waiting for Amber to bring the food. She had made chicken curry and it smelled divine.

"Hmm," I moaned when smelling the delicious curry. I put some in my plate and quickly dug in. The fact that Amber made dinner was enough for me to rejoice over and make me even more hungry then I already was. I was half way through when I notice that Amber hadn't even started yet. "Amber, why aren't you eating?" I inquired. She eyed me and remained silent.

I took her plate and put some curry in it. I not only found it strange that she wasn't eating but it also made me skeptical. She didn't even touch the food once I placed it in front of her. What is this? Is she throwing about her one of tantrums? She ate lunch without hesitation, then why isn't she touching her touching her dinner?

"You aren't feeling hungry?" I enquirer softly. She shook her head in the affirmative. I nodded and finished my meal. I got up and retired to the bedroom. After dressing up from the bathroom, I started to feel a headache rise. That's weird, and my head also began to feel light and also started to spin. Maybe it was the stress.

I got to the bed and lied down, my mouth getting dry and my eyelids drooping, my eyes seeing spots of black.

Wait a minute, have I been drugged? I realised too late and soon, I drifted into unconsciousness.

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