Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Today there is an office party of Zain Amir and after much pleadings Amaya has agreed to be his date, finally.

Getting ready in his black dress suit, Zain Amir is ready to show the world his source of happiness. His best friend, his Amu.

The scene inside the very next door of Zain's is not much similar. After years maybe, Amaya Kareem is nervous for the first time. Business parties that too arranged by Zain's office screams danger.

A part of her doesn't even wants to walk out of the door knowing very well how badly this party could end. Yet another part of her knows one day she have to face it, and that one day better be today.

Maybe if she would chose another day to face it and that day Zain Amir won't stand with her, then what? At least today she will have her friend next to her to stand by, a friend who may give her a shoulder later tonight.

The clock shows 7PM and the certain fear engulfs her. No she can't go back to the hell, she can't go back to life she ran away from. No she can't go.

Suddenly her alarm goes off showing her home screen photo, a selfie of her and Zain. And that's the push she needed to take a step forward.

It's been years, and she had already lost so much. She is now twenty three no more a scared nineteen years old. It's time to face the world. And there are hardly any chance of people knowing her there. She would be there just as Zain's best friend, his date for tonight, that's all.

This is the step she have to take. She is living again, so visiting the past shouldn't haunt her anymore. She needs the courage to face it now and she will, with her smile she will conquer the world.

☆●☆●☆●☆●

Standing in front of Amaya's door, Zain lost a few breaths today. Clad in black long dress with a side slit, with minimum makeup along the red lipstick she looks eternal.

For a moment Zain Amir is ready to put his heart out on her feet today. And the moment he thought she can't look anymore beautiful, she smiled at him making him lose his sanity in the place. Their eyes clashed.

Amber against hazel brown. Love against hope.

"You're looking Serene Amu"

"You're looking human for the first time Zain" Her sassy reply made Zain come back to reality.

This woman will surely be the end of him. A chuckle left his mouth and slowly the corridor fills with their laughter. Taking his hand out for her he waits patiently and she holds it, with faith, with hope sighing a little, all she needs is courage and Zain knows how to give it for her.

Stepping inside the party, Amaya is quite impressed with the decoration, everything here screams elegance, power and mostly money. If it had been a few years back there would be a very different Amaya here but today she is nothing like that.

Today she is not lost, she truly belongs here. Amaya Kareem did it, she is nervous but she knows it's better now than never. Zain is surprised by the way Amaya mixed with his associates, as if she belongs here at the same time there's something about her that makes her stand out among the others. Amaya is surely the moon glowing amongst the dark sky full of clouds of people.

The way she keeps her head high, her sophisticated poise self, she talks in her sweet tone with a firmness presence in it. And by the end of the party there are admirers of Amaya filled through the hall.

"Mr. Amir I must say, she is a gem you got." Mr. Latif an associated spoke his heart making Zain simple smile and Amaya numb.

●●●

These high cooperates parties is not something Amaya like, hell she knows she hates them. But for him, she is here, always been. She is nervous and he left her alone here, as always.

Roaming around the hall a tall lean figure walks up to her. Clad in her red gown she looks nothing like nineteen. Her hands are shaking, the confidant Amaya is lost somewhere. Only thing keeping her sane is the silver chain bracelet, a particular charm giving her hope, that yes she can do it.

"Hey! I'm Fahad. What a beauty like you doing here alone?."

"I am here with someone he must be near by."

"Okay. But until that person comes up, mind to have a talk with me lady"

"It's Amaya"

"Amaya, I must say you look beautiful tonight."

By the time certain someone came back, Amaya and Fahad clicked off great together. Seems like long lost friends.

"Fahad?" A certain voice calls him.

"Hello Sir, this is.."

"..My date"

"Oh.. Well I must say Sir, You got a gem."

" Nothing like that. I got a worthless girl who never belongs here, never belongs to stand here. But you see a little grooming from me, and here she is now. Perfect."

A lone tears finds it's way out of those brown orbs, she surely doesn't belong here, but he can't just insult her. But now she can't say that aloud. And that's the mistake she did.

Yet another sign she missed, they missed.

●●●

"Well what can I say, I am glad I got Amaya. She is my best friend and a true gem I never want to lose."

His words are calm, brings her back to present, yet spoke loud enough to let her know, Zain Amir knows his limits, he respects their relationship, their friendship.

Amaya after years today feels blessed to have him in her life. Not for once Zain left her alone in the party, he always remains next to her. Telling her lame jokes every now and then, calming her and making her enjoy the party, sharing few office gossips and what not.

He knows she may anytime wants to go back and he wants to be there for her. She had suffered alone enough, not like she can't handle it herself, of course she can.

But he wants to be there for her, every time. He wants her to have her share of happiness in life perhaps he promised himself to give her that.

Nearly the end of the party and few couples are dancing on the centre.

"Dance?"

Zain whispers near her ears.

"I'm wearing heels Zain."

"So what? Come let's go."

Without waiting for her answer, he dragged her to the centre.

The music changes and they started losing themselves in each others eyes.

//I found a love for me

Darling, just dive right in

And follow my lead

Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet

I never knew you were the someone waiting for me

'Cause we were just kids when we fell in love

Not knowing what it was

I will not give you up this time

Darling, just kiss me slow, your heart is all I own

And in your eyes, you're holding mine //

Looking in Zain's eyes, Amaya knows she's gonna lose her heart again but this time, she also knows not to loose herself along with it.

Zain's affection towards her is something she always wants, a person who will make her fall for herself too. And that's what she has always asked for.

"You and me are a perfect match, never believed anything else"

Zain spoke in between the dance.

"Isn't this the dialogue from Dark?"

"Oh shit Sherlock! you get it right. Never mind, dialogues are meant to be used practically."

"So you are showing practical use of famous dialogues now, Zain?"

"Yeah, maybe"

// Baby, I'm dancing in the dark, with you between my arms

Barefoot on the grass, we're listenin' to our favorite song

I have faith in what I see

Now I know I have met an angel in person

And she looks perfect

No, I don't deserve this

You look perfect tonight//

As the song came to the end Zain thanks his stars again, she is perfect in everyway.

Coming near her he gives his charming smile,

"That's a Perfect Dance Amu."

"A perfect us Zain"

"Indeed. Thanks for coming with me."

"Thanks for bringing me along."

"I will be there for you,"

"Always?"

"Always forever, Baby."

They smiled again perhaps they are a perfect match, maybe always been one.