Chapter 5

6 months later...

The sunlight beamed through the window, shades of scarlet, tones of orange and an array of blue flooded my room. Dawn, once again, had returned. The most difficult part of waking up for me was the echoing silence, that despite there being no noise, the silence was deafening to me. My clothes were laid out on my dresser. Dark tones, grey and black was my only vision. Today was the day. The red roses were her favourite. Something about the mysterious, sharp red shade made her happy. She was gone. Her last breath was stolen from me. The only thing she repeatedly said was 'sabr' (meaning patience). Mama breathed her last breath, on a cold evening in December. The harsh winter had destroyed her further. Her emotional scars were deeper than the ocean. All I wanted to do was alleviate the pain for her. But she was gone now. Dead. Nothing more than a bunch of rotting flesh, with no soul present in her lifeless face. She had an ice blue tone to her face, making it look like she had frozen to death when in reality it was a monstrous amount of pneumonia that led to her demise. My heart physically aches and I fall to my knees with my hands covering my face. The tears flowed like a waterfall making my eyes go red in pure pain and agony. I was dejected. Heartbroken, just like that day, six months ago. I hadn't seen her at all. When I had needed her she was not here. I still love her though I refuse to accept it. My heart aches and longs to see her proud smiles, her bright angelic brown eyes but just like a mirror, that image was shattered. My beauty was no more beauty, but more of a beast.

I am a shadow of myself. The eyes that sparkled previously now were lifeless as a statue. Glancing at the reflection in the mirror, I hated what I saw. I didn't recognize myself. I was a changed man. Gone were the youthful eyes sparkling with mischief, instead replaced with a harsh stare that held unshed pain, anguish and tears.

KHADIJA POV

Clutching my stomach in pain, I keeled over in pain. I had coughed up blood once again. The question that was ringing in my mind constantly was "where are you?". I could easily die of a broken heart at this stage. The worst thing to me was how he hadn't noticed. I was present at her funeral, in the shadows. I wanted to do nothing more than clutch onto him. The pictures on my phone were talking to me. "Why did you do it?", just trust!" I am trying to help you, he had said, with such pain visible in those mesmerizing eyes. Unfortunately, this was real life and the truth of the matter was, I was to never see him again. They say soulmates stay forever, they lied. I needed a kidney transplant. Lupus. The trouble was Alisha only had one because she had given it to her mother.

The red cross of the hospital flooded my vision, I suddenly felt faint. All I heard was "Are you alright Miss?" The white walls with the white light with the white tables were all I could see. Here, once again. Dr Ross appeared with a grimace present on his face. "Back so soon, Khadija?" Nodding meekly, I sighed deeply running my fingers through my dry scalp. My throat was once again closing in on me. Water. Drowning. Mama had said inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale. The rapid beeping of the machine caught my attention and suddenly I realized Dr Ross had been talking to me. "Calm down, love, I have good news!" We have found someone who is willing to give their kidney to you.

My breath halted. It was those green, piercing eyes once again. He looked so mature now. The stress of growing up and becoming the man of the house had transformed him. I looked at him shocked, unable to speak as he tentatively inches closer to me. Suddenly, my tears flowed freely. All of the pent up sadness had been ripped out of me. He held me tightly afraid I would let go. My red brimmed eyes looked at his green orbs.

KHALIL POV

"What has happened to you, beauty?". My eyes glossed overlooking at the only person I had left.

KHADIJA POV

Hearing that nickname made me sob uncontrollably. After everything, the green-eyed monster was still there. I have no mother, an abusive father and him. He still stayed. My father had dragged me out of Alisha's apartment, forcing me to stay with him. Gone was the light and happiness I had felt. The blissful smiles, the laughter we shared. All I was faced with was the same grey wall, feeling like a prisoner. Khalil gasped sharply when he saw my bleeding and bruised arm. He said in a hoarse whisper, "why?".

KHALIL POV

I loved her still. God, I loved her. We just needed time, patience and to be together. She was going to lose her life if she hadn't escaped the clutches of that evil man. My beauty was back and my heart was full once again. I pulled out the ring once again and smiled. Her melodious laughter echoed through the room. She clutched my hand tightly and brought it to her lips and said "this time it's real."

KHADIJA POV

The Grinch grinned at me with that same mischievous smile all that time ago, I was now an engaged woman once again. The best thing that ever happened to me was in front of me. Bliss, pure bliss. He told me that he was going to give me his kidney. I refused profusely. I had a donor match already! Khalil looked at me and grinned. " Stupid, it's me !" All I could do was look at him in shock, then seconds later she received a light, playful punch for calling me stupid. "Hey Grinch, I love you."

KHALIL POV

Now it was my turn to look confused. What did she call me? Grinch? It took me a few seconds to process what she had said. I looked at her with my eyes widened, I replied, "yeah I love me too." She giggled lightly and soon the beauty was almost doubling over in laughter. " I'm joking, I love you too idiot, plus it wasn't that funny." I hugged the girl who was my whole world. We were to be married next month, on a hot summer day in June. She would look beautiful in whatever she picked, but I secretly wished she wore yellow, she was my beauty after all.