"What else do you want from me? Rip off my heart and step on it?" She furiously yelled at him. "Maryam please listen to me. Let me explain. What I did was totally unacceptable and unforgivable but I know you have kind heart and you're a nice person. Baby I didn't do it on purpose. I regret from my heart. Can't stay without you. Can't stay apart. Please forgive me now. And, end this part."

"Unbelievable, you're so unbelievable Yaya Mujahid. Do you know what you just said?" She was fed up with him. "Mistakes so happen in life and no one is beyond making it...."

"Your own is more than that. You did it on purpose because you knew I was deeply into you. All I ever wanted to do was love you and bring happiness, to heal where you were ever hurt. What I gave, I gave freely from my soul, yet you thought yourself entitled to all I ever had and more. You were as a guest at a restaurant who, because he pays the bill, he feels entitled to be rude to the chef. Yet love is more akin to cooking one another meals for the joy of feeding the other, the coziness that comes from nurturing being the reward. What you saw and felt isn't love at all; I'm sorry that I failed to teach you, yet it was also your duty to learn.

I should have seen the signs, how you were cold, how you never took the initiative for connecting with touching words or physical love. I should have seen how every good thing you achieved was solely accredited to you, yet all my achievements were also accredited to you. I wish you had learned humility, humbleness and kindness, the happiness that comes from feeling as part of a team, one where each is boosted by the other, proud of the other's success. Love brings joy to giving, it is the difference between feeling as a valued helping friend or a slave; it's the magic ingredient that makes everything wonderful. What you showed me was indifference to my pains, refusing my emotional needs, demanding resilience and compliance."

Mujahid felt like showing his real self and beat the crap out of her but that wasn't the way out. He took a deep breath and shook his head. She cant be the first girl to run free from his trap. He Stared at her tear-stained face. "Babe I'm never going to give up on you. I'm never giving up on our love. Please please, I'm ready to change for you, for us, for our love and future." He held her hands, "forgive me My love. I just cannot stop thinking about you. You make my world so beautiful. You are perfect, just the way you are."

"I was so foolish to lay my hands on you babe. I swear I didn't mean every hurtful word I said to you. I let my anger and jealousy get the best of me. You're so special to me baby. I'm ready to apologize even if it means it will take me years, I will never stop apologizing because I'm so in love with you."

She slowly snatched her hands away, wiping her tears. She was starting to get convinced. She shifted back a little bit. "But you made me feel like you actually loved me and left like it was nothing," she whimpered again. "I know now what it feels when the person you love the most is hurt. I am so sorry for disappointing you, baby! Please forgive me and give me another chance to make up for all the stupidity I did. Please baby."

"I know you still love me and I love you too. Even though I never showed you but I promise you, you are my everything."

"Yaya Mujahid I'm sorry but I don't think I can give you another chance. You've caused a lot of pain and damage to my heart. I.... please just go." She immediately walked away leaving him fuming inside. He smirked and turned away. He left the house without a second thought. He knew she'd come around, it was just a matter of time.

••

The next week quickly came by and it was just a day to their trip. Everything was set and they were also ready. Maryam was so excited about the trip. Mahmud was very relieved about it. He was glad she was going back to her normal self even though he could see that she was still downhearted.

The next day, they got set and traveled to Abuja before leaving to Bora Bora. It was a long, tiring but exciting journey. "Where are we please Capt, tell me already," Maryam bugged him as she looked at the island through the window. They were about to land. They buckled their seatbelts on. She looked at him and grinned, waiting for his reply. "What?" He chuckled. "I told you, you'd find out yourself."

After a while, they finally landed safely and headed out of the Jet. That was when her eyes landed at the name of the airport and the city. She dropped her bag and gasped for air. "Is this? Omg... are you for real." She embraced him in a tight hug without knowing. She couldn't hold the excitement anymore. Aydah looked away laughing. He already told her where they were going.

She controlled her emotions and let go. It wasn't right, but it felt so right. She sheepishly looked down. "Thank you so so much Capt. You're the greatest best friend ever." He beamed nonstop at her. "Common, let's go. Our luggage would be taken to our hotel now," he explained, picking up her bag with his uninjured hand.

She squealed and hugged Aydah while they walked out of the airport to the car. She looked out through the window to get more view of the island. It was already night but the place looked so bright. The Bora bora island, A paradise on earth, it is an epitome of natural beauty, pristine waters, sapphire blue skies, tranquil environment and serene beaches.

It was a short journey to their luxury hotel but Maryam enjoyed every second of the ride. They stayed at Sofitel Bora Bora Private Island. The girls were taken to their room while he went to his. Maryam looked out through the window. They had beach views. "Omg they have a beach here," she briskly talked. "Maryam calm down. Almost Every hotel has a beach in bora bora, that is why it's called an island," aydah explained. "I can't wait to explore the place more tomorrow. We are going out early tomorrow. I just can't help it, I'm so so excited." She sighed dreamily. His love in her heart slowly swelling up.

They explored the room and the en-suite before having their dinner. They did everything that was necessary before going to bed. Some hours later, Maryam was still awake while Aydah was fast asleep. All she wanted was to see Mahmud but she was sure he was definitely asleep by that time. She heaved a sigh and closed her eyes. What is going on with her. She has been thinking about him a lot. Is she in love with him? No! That was not it. Perhaps she's just happy about everything he has been doing for her. He bought her favorite flowers, teddy bears, chocolates and now took her on a whole trip. What more could she seek for from him?

She stood up and looked out through the window. Some couple were still outside the beach having a romantic night. She smiled and wished things would be like that with her and Mujahid. But it might be since he has promised he'd change. Maybe they might even get married soon this time. She was thinking about giving him another chance.

She placed her palm on the glass and looked at the sky. Stars filled the sky like pale corn into freshly turned ground. It was the promise of life in the darkness, a sense of warmth springing from the cold. It was a vastness to bring humbleness and an eternal space to bring gratitude for the coziness of home.

Same goes to Mahmud. He was still awake thinking about what he does best; Maryam. Ahmad's words kept coming back. He was confused and helpless. Scared and hopeless. Whenever he thought about confessing his love, he immediately gets discouraged when he remembered his brother. What was he even thinking about? She might think he only brought her here to impress her and ask her to be his forever. He sighed helplessly and turned to the other side of the bed.

The next day, after having breakfast and freshened up, they set out to the beach. The cool water laps at her feet, fizzing and bubbling like brine. Even though the sun is beating on her back, beaming in her eyes, She couldn't help but smile as the wind caresses her face. Waves ahead roar and roll down, crashing onto the shore with a soft hiss; peeling away at the deep bronze sand beneath her feet. Without hesitation, she plunge into the blue-green water, her board pressed up against her chest. A chill surges through her, but a small wave washes it away. "Okay remind me where you learned how to surfboard?" Mahmud asked panicking. "I'm really not comfortable with you doing this."

Maryam laughed heartily. "We've been on so many vacations with my parents and I've learned how to surf when we travelled to Hawaii and Miami so," she paused and wiggled her brows. "Stop worrying."

He watched as she paddled further and further, spinning her board around as a wave comes tumbling towards her. Every fibre of his being hums with adrenaline. And before he knew it, she was above the wave, soaring like an eagle, the wind propelling her forward. Except she's going so fast, it's almost as if the wind is flying with her. Aydah was busy taking videos and pictures for her instagram page while Mahmud sat on a wooden chair keeping an eye on maryam surfing.

His eyes moved from the breaking wave to her. Soon she surfed back to stop terrifying him. Her gown was soaking wet and it clinged on to her petite body. She smiled sheepishly when their eyes met. "I'll go change now. I will be back in a sec. Make sure you don't get a heart attack before I get back," she teased. He laughed a little, "I'll try not to."

He ordered some drinks for them and snacks. Soon, Maryam was back, wearing her SOJOS Mirrored Aviators. Same as Aydahs'.

Aydah had her own lunch at the counter to give them some space while they had theirs at the beach. Maryam looked at the breaking wave and grinned. "You know it's been just a day but I'm already feeling better. I'm so so happy you brought me here. You're greatest best friend ever. I can't thank you enough. I wish I could repay you with something."

That was the perfect time to pop the question but something caught his throat and he couldn't utter the words. "I did it to make you happy and to make up for whatever wrong thing I did."

"How's your arm?" She asked looking at it. He still had a cast on. "Ohh.... I'm getting much better now Alhamdulillah." He responded looking at the arm. "I would like to play volleyball," she excitedly spoke while looking at the people playing it. "Come let's go." He urged standing up. "No I'm not playing if you're not," she shrugged. "It's better we stay here for a bit."

Later in the night when the fires were turned on, they played how low can you go, Sand Hopscotch, Build an Inukshuk and Limbo dance till it was midnight. He accompanied them to their room before heading to his own. He sighed like a slight spring breeze, soft and gentle, almost lost against the drone of the traffic. He messed up the only chance he got. He was mad at himself for not proposing to her. He looked at the place she wrote her name with a marker on his cast earlier. His soft lips stretched into a smile but didn't quite reach his dark eyes. They were lit with sadness.