Flawed Hearts

Chapter XVII: The Lion and The Star(II)

Aslan had woken up from his sleep sweating. He muttered a prayer, rubbing at his temple to wipe away the remnants of his nightmare. He sighed, closing his eyes for a moment. He took in a deep breath and exhaled, forcing his racing heart to calm down.

His nightmare was vivid and he felt a sudden pain tug at his heart. He felt as if he was living the events that took place over and over again. His heart constricted with pain and he felt his body shake as fear overtook him. It was back, his nightmare was back. He had feared for that moment but it was already here and there's nothing he could do about it but brace himself for the worse.

He stood up on shaky legs and walked into the room, passing a sleeping Najmah. He stared at her as events of his nightmare flashed through his mind, wishing he could turn back time and change what happened but the deed had already been done, he had to live with the consequences of his actions.

He bit back a sob as he stared at her innocent face, sleeping so peacefully. He didn't deserve a woman like her in his life not after what he did. Heck, he didn't deserve any woman in his life and that's why he made up his mind to let her go the moment she asked for a divorce.

It'd be hard for him he knew that for sure but try as he might, he couldn't put his past behind him; it was going to come back and bite him in the ass. Nothing could be hidden forever and sooner or later, the truth would be out in the open. He feared the day she'd find out what kind of a man he was would she stay or leave?

Even as he asked himself that, he knew the truth; she wouldn't stay, no one would.

{••}

Aslan really did enjoy art, the way the colors merge together on the canvas always seemed magical to him. He was a wild person but art has forever grounded him, and that's how he found himself minutes later in his art studio after he left his room with a paintbrush in hand.

He looked at the painting before him, the previously white canvas now covered in a plethora of dark multicolored structures, wondering how to go about his nightmare. He always painted when he needed to feel calm and his nightmare had him agitated.

He sighed as he glanced at a painting tucked in the corner of the room. He stood up and walked towards it as if in a trance, stumbling a little, picked it up and stared at the name in cursive writing at the end of the canvas. He used his thumb and grazed the painting, closing his eyes in the process. The name brought back memories he had tried to repress for the past two years.

Flashes of a plastic bottle, a party, a car crash and someone rushed to a hospital dashed through his mind before he shook his head, ridding himself of the terrifying event.

He took a deep breath, tucked the painting back into the corner he took it from then walked back to his stool, picking another white canvas on the way. He dipped his brush into his chartreuse paint on the pallet and continued his work of art, letting the bad memories fade away.

{••}

Najmah had woken up at fajr time, glancing over at Aslan's side of the bed. She sighed as the side looked neat and tidy, meaning he hadn't slept on it. She threw the duvet off her body then sauntered into the bathroom to perform ablution.

When she was done, she went to the balcony in the hopes of catching Aslan but he wasn't there. His laptop was still running so she switched it off and arranged his papers for him before going back into the bedroom.

She prayed rak'atainilfajr before performing her fajr salah then did a lot of supplications before going back to bed. As she closed her eyes, she heard the door open and the scent of his Arabian oudh wafted into her nostrils. A smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she felt the side of the bed dip with added weight.

{••}

Najmah pried her eyes open, her gaze clashing with Hilal who was seated cross-legged, staring at her unblinkingly. She let out a shudder, scrubbing a hand over her face to rid herself of the sleepiness that still clogged her.

"What are you doing here?" she queried sleepily, prying her eyes open. "Aren't you late for school?"

Hilal didn't reply, instead, she moved towards Najmah and snuggled into her body, resting her head on her shoulder.

"Are you on holiday?" she questioned, knowing that Hilal wouldn't talk.

Hilal nodded, drawing the duvet over them. "I had a nightmare," she whispered, her voice so low Najmah would've strained to hear it if she hadn't been snuggled against her.

"Alright," Najmah cooed, wrapping her arms around her body as she rocked her back and forth. "Aunt is here, she'll keep the nightmares away."

{••}

She was passing by the studio room when she caught sight of him on a stool, dozens of paint bottles lying unscrewed at his feet. She stepped into the room, careful not to make any sound as she watched him paint on the canvas, totally oblivious to her presence.

She sipped her coffee gently, smiling as she watched his muscles flex with each stroke of the brush. Her hands twitched as she itched to pick a brush and paint together with him. She frowned, wondering where her sudden thoughts came from. She had to talk to Dr.Arzu, her emotions were beginning to go haywire but for now, she was going to watch him. She set down her mug on a nearby table and continued into the studio, heading towards him.

"Aren't you going to the office today?" she questioned, startling him.

"Ya Allah!" he gasped, the brush slipping out of his grasp. "Are you trying to give me a stroke?"

"Don't be such a drama queen," she nudged him on the shoulders a little, looking past him at the painting.

"This is a beautiful piece, when you're done can I hang it in the room?" she questioned, gazing at him.

He shook his head at her question, smiling inwardly. Najmah was beginning to act differently around him. The first month she arrived in Istanbul, she would only utter a few words to him but for the past few weeks, he has come to realize what a real chatterbox she was. Although shy and reclusive, sometimes she tends to deviate from her usual SPD self and engage in a conversation with him. Whatever Arzu was doing, it was working, and he was really grateful for that.

"Why would I do that?" he quirked up his eyebrow, whirling around to face her.

"Because I like it?" she replied smirking.

"Ha ha!" he laughed humorously, shaking his head. "Not a chance."

"We'll see about that," she grinned at him, aiming at the painting behind him.

He grabbed her before she got her hands on the painting and they toppled over, landing with a thump on the hardwood floor with Aslan on top of her.

"Ouch!" she cried out in pain once her head hit the floor.

"Don't be such a drama queen," he scrunched up his face, mimicking her.

"I do not talk like that," she whined hitting him on the chest.

"Sure you do," he smiled, the indents on his face showing.

Before she could stop herself, she reached a finger and poked him on the cheek, fascinated with his dimples. Her gaze flickered to his and she caught her breath at the intense emotions she saw in his eyes.

He leaned forward, their nose almost touching, his gaze flickering between her lips and her eyes. Najmah closed her eyes in anticipation of a kiss that never came as an intruder barged into the studio, interrupting their moment. They both snapped their heads up as they heard a gasp, Aslan scrambling up to his feet while Najmah wished the earth would swallow her up.

"I'm so so sorry for interrupting but the door was open," Lale grinned apologetically at them, gesturing towards the door.

Aslan scratched the back of his head, offering Najmah his hand.

"It's not what it looks like," Najmah tried frantically to explain.

"I was just uhm...and Aslan was...we..." she gestured at the painting, loss at words.

"Uh-huh," Lale grinned, rocking back and forth on her feet. "Worry not dear sister in law, your secret is safe with me."

She winked at the both of them before sauntering out of the studio forgetting what she went in to do before she saw them. She happily danced back to her room, knowing that at least one of them had a chance at being happy again. She couldn't wait to tell Ferah about what she saw, she was sure that the woman would be elated.

Meanwhile, Aslan and Najmah stood awkwardly around each other not knowing what to do.

"You know if you wanted a kiss from me, you could've just asked me right? No need to go all cavey on me," he smirked at her, trying to ease the tension between them.

She flipped him the bird, throwing a paintbrush his way. "Get over yourself Mr.Smarty pants."

He grinned, glad that the tension had dissolved. He watched her walk out of the room, knowing that he was in for a treat. He was slowly falling for her and she had no idea.

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