Chapter 43

"I'm fine," she whispered. She then wrapped her arm around the urn. "I love you, Dad." She stepped onto the shore where the water beat the sand. She took a deep breath and knocked it over. The wind picked up the ash and carried it downstream. Aquila watched them until the last pieces disappeared into the water below. He approached Atiya who put the urn on the floor. He put her arm around her and she leaned against his chest. He held her tight while her shoulders shook. The only sound that surrounded them was the babbling of the river. There was darkness all around as the sun had set behind the trees. They stood there until she calmed down. She turned and put her hand on his chest. "Aquila ," she whispered, looking up at him through her heavy eyelids. He smiled at her. He just wanted her to know that he cared about her. To give her the strength he knew she lacked. "I love you," she whispered. Those three words made his heart tighten. That was all he wanted to hear, and the way his body relaxed at the words suggested that was all he wanted to say. He loved Atiya . completely. He wanted to protect her and take care of her. He wanted her to have a child of his own. Let him start her and her family. When she met her eyes, he thought of telling her the truth. Please let me know whatever the outcome. But her tear-streaked cheeks and her hunched posture told me that this was not the time. He carried her burden and promised not to burden her any more. So he pushed her past and put her arm around her shoulder. He held her there, holding her to his chest. And he let go of her lips and told the only truth of which he was absolutely sure. "I love her," he whispered, burying himself in her embrace. Tomorrow he will tell her so. But today they are together and hug each other. He did her best to get her to the door of her apartment that night. His only saving grace was that he refused to leave until she agreed to a date at Rose 's celebration the next day. After she said yes, she kissed him on the lips one last time, turned her back and disappeared behind the door. He shuddered as the click of the steering wheel filled the silence around him. Without her by his side, he felt lost. He got back in the limousine and got in. He leaned his head back in the seat and sighed. It was a perfect day. The next time he sees April , he will kiss her. This woman was a genius. He looked out the window as the city lights passed by. A thought kept popping into his head and he swallowed. That was the only thing that kept him away from Atiya . truth. He moaned and rubbed his face. He already knew what he was about to do. He continues. Wouldn't that be best for the two of them? Why dwell on the past? Why . . .?The truth was Atiya deserved to know. It was something she was very passionate about and he hid it from her. What kind of man who loves a woman does that? In a desperate attempt to distract him, he pulled out his mobile phone. He scrolls through his own messages to reach Raquel 's. They kept telling him the details he had promised to help with the celebration, but he seemed to have forgotten. He clicked on her last message and typed in a reply. Forgiveness. Was busy. I will talk to the caterer in the morning. A few seconds passed before his phone rang. I'm disappointed. Where were you I've been calling you all day long. He sighed. Her words annoyed him. I'm sorry, I had something to do. What could be more important to Rose ?

A feeling of guilt surged through my chest. These days he always lets someone down. He sighed. Be more careful. I promise. Good. Don't forget, I have someone to introduce to you. People who can influence our future. Make sure the distractions are gone by then. Aquila winced as he watched his mother characterize Atiya . She was his distraction. And she came with him too. Gritting her teeth, he decided that the best thing she could do for her Raquel was tell her straight. I don't know if I can. My distraction is on dates. He waited, listening to the phone ring. Every second he felt his mother's discontent, even though she was miles away. The phone rang in the silence. He glanced at the message. What's her name? Is it a bakery? He sighed. Yes. Let's talk about that in the morning. Moaning, Aquila puts his phone in his pocket and focuses on a passing building. Guilt grew within him as he thought of all the people he seemed to have let down in his life. He folded his arms and tilted his head back before going into a frenzy trying to figure out what had disrupted his life. He closed his eyes and cleared his head. He will know everything in the morning. Tonight he won't think about it anymore. Tonight, the memory of him holding Atiya for just a moment will drown out the pain. And tonight he will be happy. Something he hasn't done in a long time.