Even though it was a dream

What I long for

Hala opened her eyes the next day, blinking and as the sunlight was getting to her through the window. Ayan was there, he was already dressed, and in a surprisingly cheerful mood.

Really?.

Hala was still for a split second, a wave of confusion washed over her. She wanted to forget about whatever happened yesterday, she tried to push away the memory of the nights darkness, by treating it like a nightmare, but the feeling lasted only for a short moment.

Then, she saw Mrs. Sera, Ayan's mother, sitting on the couch in their room. "Oh," Hala thought, everything was coming in place now,

"so that's why Ayan was pretending... huh?."

Ayan was acting as if the previous night had never happened. He turned to Hala, a smile was on his face.

"Morning, Hala. Get ready; breakfast is almost here."

"You are a sleepy head I got it but the breakfast is here".

A delicious meal arrived from Hala's family, a tradition after the wedding. The morning went by smoothly, just like the day after the wedding. There was polite chit chats, there were some forced smiles, and also Hala was carefully avoiding any real conversation. Why?....Because it was all a performance.

As the day went by, everyone retreated to their rooms, exhausted from the day. But once again Ayan's behavior shifted. He became distant, not responding to Hala's conversation. He would give her a glare to shut up, but there was also a some sort of passion in his eyes?.....

Hala is confused. Is this some hesitant interest in his eyes? She said.

He liked Hala, she knew that, but that so called male ego, that wall, it was always between them whenever he tried to let himself love her.

Hala also couldn't give up because this was, after all her life and her future.

The days went by...there was something that was keeping Hala from crashing out.... Some days, Ayan would surprise her with small gestures giving her attention but also the taunts about Arham...."ugh it was a torture", they tortured Hala side by side. There were the days that gave her a sort of hope.

But the next day brought a storm, as Arham's family arrived to meet Ayan and his new wife.

Arham was Ayan's cousin.

"Ayan Hala, they're here," Mrs. Sera announced. Ayan's face was something else. His eyes were burning but no one could tell. But Hala she was already fearing him.

"I'll be right there, Mom." He turned to Hala, his expression was dark.

"Get ready, Hala." Hala nodded, her heart was pounding.

She knew what this visit meant.

Everything was going to get more complicated.