Ya Amar (My Moon)

Thirty eight

My retinas were unused to the bright light streaming through the closed windows. The light was oddly bright that I had placed a palm over my face to protect my eyes from it. I grunted rubbing my eyes. The feeling Amir's hand gave while running down the side of my face was soothing.

"You woke me up" I said removing my hand from my face to look at him.

"Did I?" he asked, the left corner of his lips up. His hand moved down to my chin, paused and caressed gently.

"It is morning already" I touched his bare shoulder.

"Yes babe" he replied returning his hand to the side of my face.

Last night, we arrived at Prague after a stopover at turkey. I was so tired from the flight that immediately we checked into our hotel, I took a bath, prayed and crashed into bed. This morning, after fajr I crashed into bed leaving Amir to continue his prayer. My hand moved down his arm before pushing the blanket from his body to his waist. His bare chest gawked at me making me smile before touching his chest.

"You are slightly red. Like what you are seeing?" he asked. My cheeks flamed preventing words from leaving my lips for a while.

"Thanks for everything you did in Nigeria" his fingers racked my scattered head. "Especially for Raihan"

"Raihan reminds me so much of Ali. They just have so much in common" My fingers glided down his chest, soft and gentle. I looked into his honey wheat eyes. His eyes dilated with a known pain.

"What happened to you here?" I brushed the tips of my finger over a scar right above his chest.

"A bullet wound" he took my hand from his chest and planted a soft kiss on it.

"Bullet wound?" I gasped. "When? Where? How?" he laughed turning my wedding band.

"It's been long. It happened when Santino was crazily after my family then. The bullet was meant for Sherifah but coincidentally I stepped in front of her and boom. We were not expecting it. It missed my heart a bit"

"That must have been terrible"

"It was terrible because I was out for a whole week"

"Alhamdulillah, it missed your heart"

"Yeah, Alhamdulillah"

"What were you doing with a gun in your wardrobe?" I asked.

"You are finally asking?"

"Yes, how did you get a gun? Why is there a gun with you? And what do you need a gun for?"

"I have a gun when Santino was a rebel in our life. I needed it for protection so dad thought we needed to know how to use a gun in case of anything. Ali and I learnt it. Sherifah was too scared to hold one. It is licensed if you are worried"

"Was Santino so terrible?"

"He was worse than you think and I do not wish to witness those things he did again"

"We should get up from bed. We have a city to tour" I got up from the bed. "Get your lazy body up Mr Hussein"

I strode to the bathroom but paused when something soft hit my back. I turned back to look at Amir who was sitting on the bed to the pillow he had thrown at me.

"Why will you do that?" I asked amused. He shrugged running a hand through his hair. I shook my head at his mischievous act and headed to the bathroom. Another pillow landed on my back again. "Amir!" I called turning to gaze at him.

He got down from the bed laughing. It was not funny so I picked the pillow and threw it at him but he bent down missing it. Laughing, he threw the pillow at me. It settled on my face.

"That was a bad throw" he mocked me.

"Amir!" I called through my teeth but he threw another pillow at me. "Really?" I asked opening my hands.

Without hesitating, I threw both pillows at him with the will to retaliate and they both fell on him. I jumped up squealing.

"Do not underestimate me" I stuck my tongue out at him doing a happy dance.

"You are going to pay for that" he walked towards me ready to throw the pillows but I was fast enough to dodge the first one by ducking. My feet moved under me and we were running around the room. Each pillow he threw missed me. I was happy and jubilant, making faces at him for his misses. I ran into the bathroom when I got the chance, closed the door and locked it.

"Open the door!" he banged the door. "Hayati!" he shouted hitting the door harder.

I laughed walking away from it, my chest rising and falling. There was no way I was going to do that. He kept shouting and banging. When he got no reply, he stopped.

"I will get back at you" he shouted.

I hopped out of the hotel's main entrance pulling my husband along with me. Excitement filled my body. The wide happy smile on my face said everything I felt. My stomach churned as anxiety of what will happen sets in. I knew by the time I began to tour the city, my nerves will calm down. The red vintage car we hired waited for us, a white guy not really old but seem to be around his early forty stood by the car.

"Good morning" I greeted him throwing a small bohemian bag I held into the back.

"Morning" he answered. I hoped in pulling Ami along with me. The guy driving us was a chauffeur or guide who will drive us through the city of Prague. I was elated ready to see what he had for us.

Prague was indeed a romantic city. It had breath taking view, astonishing architecture, cobblestone streets and wonderful art. Prague is the only city in the world that has a special day for lovers. When May 1st is known as worker's day, Prague had made it a day for lovers. Rumours believed that a kiss in front of the statue of the romantic poet Karel Maha in the Petrin Hill Park on May 1st will make your love eternal. I did not believe in that but Amir and I took a picture in front of the statue with the camera I took along.

Petrin Park oozes romance. The park had blossoming cherry trees. It is also believed that when a woman is kissed under a blossoming cherry tree, she would be beautiful and attractive all year along. I had laughed when the chauffeur had said that. That was one ridiculous belief. Anyways, I took pictures of the cherry trees and also took pictures under it.

The chauffeur drove us to the historic castle of Vysehrad. The stunning castle vaunts beautiful gardens. The gardens were perfect for romantic strolls in the evening. An amazing sunset view over the river can be gotten from the place.

At one point, Amir and I had gotten down from the vintage car and taken a walk on the cobblestone streets. We visited Prague's finest city centre park Letna. Letna is a vast space between Milady Horakove, a buzzing shopping street where I had bought lots of things for myself and the family at home and the Vltava River. On the south, the Letna gardens offer amazing views over the city and its bridges. Like any city in Europe, Prague has two bridges where you can lock your love over the small canal.

We had an amazing view of the Old Town and Vltava River from Lesser Quarter which is built on the slopes of Castle Hill. We visited Cesky Granat Tornov where I bought garnet rings, bracelets and a necklace. I do not like necklaces. I don't know why but I had to choose one because Amir had chosen it for me. He liked it and wanted to see it on me so I could not refuse it and it was beautiful with semi-precious ruby stones which the seller said came from a city near Turnov in Czech Republic. The shops in the historic centre sell Bohemian crystals, another Czech product. Bohemian Crystals and garnets were nice gift I could take home for my friends and family.

We were supposed to take a ride on Vltava River which flows like a silver ribbon through the heart of the city but we couldn't due to my fear for deep water. Amir had tried to persuade me because we were going to see beautiful places like sailing under Charles Bridge past Kampa Island and the old mill that is now Kampa museum and Noradni Divaldo, the national theatre. Live piano and refreshment makes a trip unforgettable but I could not just take the risk.

After viewing the opulent interior of one of the Opera houses, we had a wonderful lunch at Nebozizek Restaurant which is surrounded by woodland in half way up Petrin Hills. I got the best panoramic views from it. I took picture of the view. While the sun set in the horizon spreading its red rays of lights through the blue sky, Amir and I walked hand in hand through the cobbled lanes talking and reminiscing about our day. He tried persuading me to take a ride through the Vltava River and I told him I will try the following day with his help.

"We are having dinner tonight. I made a reservation" Amir said after we entered our suite.

"That's nice" I replied dropping the shopping bags in the living room before removing my scarf.

"Put on something nice and pick something nice for me" Amir said marching towards me. I stood smiling at him. "I want you to look pretty tonight" he held my waist pulling me to his body.

"I will trust me" I enveloped my hands around his neck.

"You enjoyed your day right didn't you?" he leaned closer his voice low.

"Yes, I did. All thanks to you" I closed my eyes as he touched his lips with mine.

My heart stumbled in my chest faster than I wanted. His lips moved slowly against mine nibbling and caressing. I did not delay to respond and gave him what he wanted. His hand moved across my back pulling my body closer. Gradually, he pulled down the zip of my dress.

"You should change" he said after he broke the kiss. "We have to pray" he kissed my forehead and released me.

Sweaty, I nodded and went to change my clothes in the bedroom.

Red roses were flowers I had seen many times but anytime my husband gives them to me, I can't help myself but admire how beautiful they look. I placed the roses in a glass jar filled with water grateful Amir was able to give me flowers. He knows how much I loved them and never failed to gift them to me. I smiled swirling around to look at him.

In a cotton crisp white button down shirt tucked into black tailored trousers with a grey sharp blazer, Amir made my breathing seize. The slim shirt enhanced his physique, sitting straight on his shoulders and draping naturally down towards his hips. The man in front of me was just too handsome. His look was sharp with his hair groomed to perfection. He sealed his dressing with brown loafers.

"The flowers are pretty" I spoke staring at him. "You are looking too attractive tonight" I complimented placing a hand on his arm.

He said nothing but stared at me. He raised a hand and placed it on the side of my face stroking tenderly, his eyes filled with a look I could no decipher. He kept doing that for long that I had to worry.

"Is something wrong with my face?" I asked pointing at my face.

"Nothing" he replied still doing what he was doing. "It is just...." He sighed looking away before removing his hand from my face. "We should leave. Get your purse" he said and walked out of the room.

Confused about what just happened, I sat on the bed to put on the silver stiletto sandals that went with my plain lavender embellished dress with marching scarf.

It was a moonlit night. The moon cast silver glow of light through the dark blue sky. The restaurant was situated on the summer terrace of Petrinske Terasy restaurant. From above, the city looked magical giving the atmosphere the feeling of love and romance. There was nothing I wanted more than what I had gotten. Amir and I sat in our chairs. I smiled overcome by joy at the beauty of the restaurant. A waitress came to take our order. Together, we browsed through the menus and gave our order.

Before our food arrived, we talked, laughing quietly at what we were saying. Amir held my hand over the table, the corners of his lips up. There were other couples present every one engrossed in what they were doing. The waitress finally arrived with our food. Amir's phone beeped and he took it out of his pocket to check.

"Thank you" I said to the waitress with a smile after she dropped our food. She bowed a bit and left. "This looks delicious" I said picking up my fork.

I got no reply and looked at Amir. His eyebrows were together with worry lines on his forehead as he looked at his phone. He moved on his seat, his hand gripping the fork by the white napkin.

"Is anything wrong?" I asked with concern but got no reply. "Amir" I called tapping his hand to get his attention which I did.

"Yes" he replied jerking his head up.

"Is something wrong?" I asked again. He laughed a bit locking his phone, the twinkle in his eyes back.

"No, nothing at all" he picked his fork.

"You made me worry when you did not reply"

"I am sorry. I was just engrossed" he smiled, not the bright one he had before we walked in.

Before his phone beeped, Amir had contributed to our conversation but after that, he seemed to lose his focus. His eyes kept gazing ahead of me and most times he says nothing. He was not at ease. He kept moving on his seat, his food barely touching his mouth. When he eats his eyes darts around and I could see tension in his eyes and on his face.

"You are lost Amir. Something is wrong" I said dropping my fork, tired that I was the only one speaking.

"Nothing is wrong with me" he said firmly.

"But your attention is not here" I argued back. "I have been speaking and you have barely spoken more than three words" I said but he had his eyes fixed ahead of me. "What are you looking at?" I asked turning.

"Don't turn back!" he gripped my hand.

"Is something wrong?" I asked looking at him, worry kicking in stronger than before.

"Let's leave" he took his wallet out of his pocket.

"What?" I exclaimed. He slammed money on the table.

"We are leaving now" he stood up pulling me up.

"Why?"

"Don't ask" he shoved my purse into my hand.

"We have barely spend ten minutes and you want us to leave. I have not eaten enough"

He said nothing as he pulled me down the cobbled lane walking fast. I could barely walk fast in my four inches stiletto heels which made my ankle hurt.

"Amir slow down" I yanked my hand from his grip.

"You can't act irrational now Angel. We have to leave now" he said with uneasiness.

"You are acting strange. What's wrong?" I folded my arms around my chest.

"Don't act stubborn Noor" he gritted. "There...."

Suddenly, Amir pushed me down, his body over me. The sound of bullet hitting the pole behind us followed next. My heart jumped in my chest. Amir pulled me up not allowing me to gain balance. Fast, he shoved me into another lane as bullet hit the wall we just left.

"Can you run?" Amir asked his voice urgent.

"What?" I asked mortified, my heart stomping harder in my chest. I could feel my body damp with sweat.

Without any reply, he pulled me and began to run. I could not run fast. I was putting on four inches heels. Behind us, there was hard stomping of feet against floor. Amir kept looking back as we ran and I did the same thing. Behind us, there were four men dressed in black running after us, guns in their hand. I could feel the throbbing of my heart in my chest, the hard stomping of feet ringing in my ears and my pulse beating in my ears. Due to the sandals I was putting on, I could not run fast.

"Amir!" I called, fear twisting my gut. He said nothing and ran faster grasping my wrist tighter. "Please slow down" I begged when I tottered almost falling.

"Kick the damn heels off" he gritted racing across unknown streets.

I could not think. Fear took away every possible feeling knocking away every other thought away. What I knew was we were being chased by men in black with guns. I tried my best as I ran to kick the sandals off. Luckily, I did not tighten the buckles hard. The sandals came off but I dare not turn back to pick them up. We got to a Y junction. Amir went left. He was a fast runner, very fast that meeting up with him was hard.

The men behind us began to shoot, each bullet missing us. I felt oxygen flooding in and out of my lungs rapidly. I was getting tired, my joints becoming numb due to pain. I raised my dress up running after my husband. When I glanced back, I realised there were only two men after us. Where are the rest? Amir slowed down and I sprinted passed him. Instead of following me, he stopped and charged at one of the men. My heart jumped into my throat. Grabbing the man's hand that had the gun, he twisted it to the back and threw a kick at the other. The man he had groaned. Amir kicked him hard on his shoulder then another kick on his head sending him to the floor.

I stood, frozen to the floor. The man on the floor was bleeding and my husband had done that. The other one shot at me but Amir was fast enough to push my numb body away, the bullet hit a glass. I fell on the floor landing on my palms, my head hitting a wall. I had expected help from Amir but Amir and the other guy were fighting. He took something and smashed it on the guy's head. The guy groaned with pain as blood gushed out of his head before he went lifelessly on the ground.

I could not scream. Instead, the fear I had begun to fade and turn to excitement. I was watching real action. I was not watching a movie. The man I got married to was fighting and had just brought down two men. How did he know how to fight? Amir grabbed their gun, shoved them into his pocket and grabbed me up with one hand before he kept running.

"Amir what's going on?" I asked panting.

He suddenly stopped and I hit his back staggering back a bit. Ahead of us, there were five men blocking our way. They stood with certitude, the aura of wickedness and heartlessness oozing from them. Three of them held long guns I know as rifles and two had pistols. Amir panted hard, his blazer wet from his back. I stepped a bit from him to have a look at the men. Amir pushed me gently to his back as if to prevent me from looking at them. When they took a step forward, he took two steps back to give enough space. I looked around my eyes wide with a horrified look on my face. What's going on here? Can someone please tell me?