Resuming What We Left Behind - By Nawal Foum

Written By: Nawal Foum

Category: Short story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Nawal Foum presents "Resuming What We Left Behind" in the esteemed Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This short story, rich in romance and drama, delves into the complexities of love, longing, and the universal quest for belonging. As part of the competition's showcase, Nawal's narrative captures the heart's struggle against societal expectations, exploring the theme of rediscovering lost connections amidst the challenges of a changing world.

About the Work

"Resuming What We Left Behind" is a poignant exploration of love and loss, weaving a tapestry of emotion that resonates with the reader. Nawal Foum's narrative is rich with vivid imagery and heartfelt dialogue, capturing the tension between duty and desire. The story unfolds with a compelling balance of melancholy and hope, painting a vivid picture of a reunion that tests the boundaries of past and future, all while maintaining an undercurrent of longing and redemption.

Resuming What We Left Behind

Original Submission by Nawal Foum

RESUMING WHAT WE LEFT BEHIND

Romance & Drama

By Nawal Foum Kallisto

Chapter One - Hope

“Dhow’s town! Dhow’s town, anyone! Coconut road! Coral town!” The conductor announced the bus stops, hanging by the open door of the fully-filled and groaning bus. The black smoke it produced danced inside through the open windows, making Imani’s nose scrunch.

“Dhow’s town, Kondakta!” She shouted at the top of her lungs right from the back of the long bus where she was holed up along with other passengers, barely sitting on the edge of the seat where she’d miraculously squeezed in before the bus left the station.

“How much you got on you, beauty?” The conductor shouted back. She could barely see him across the sea of people flocking the aisle.

Loud music blared from the speakers. The driver refused to lower the volume no matter how many times some of the passengers had asked him to. Perfumes mixed with sweats stuffed the air, making her wish she could just reach her station and get off the bus already. “Complete fare,” Imani shouted back, turning her head toward the open window side and blowing out air.

The conductors usually loved it when the passengers had the complete bus fare, because that would eradicate their hustle of finding change to return to the passengers.

She barely managed to get a seat in a heated elbow fight with other passengers earlier. Said people were standing by the aisle at the moment, supporting their weight by gripping onto the tops of the seats like their lives depended on it. One in particular was a woman whom she’d snatched the seat from as Imani barrelled her way to the empty one in the back. The woman glared at her as if she owned the bus, and that her not being fast enough earlier to get the seat first was Imani’s fault.

It was public transport. And getting a seat was a fight everybody was used to since there was only one bus that passed by her hometown.

Stay mad. Imani thought with an eye roll, clutching her tote bag closely as she prepared to get off the bus at the very next stop. Her gaze drifted to the passing tall buildings, the luxury cars that were stuck in traffic, the same as the normal ones. Imani thought such was life in the city. It can humble anyone, regardless of who the hell they were. Or how many zeros they had in their bank accounts.

Unlike in her hometown.

Back there, the households that were well off were treated like Kings and Queens. The townsfolk would kiss their feet if asked. After all, what could they possibly do when they were stuck in a small town where everybody was struggling to merely put bread on the table? She understood and sympathized with them, although she hated people-pleasing the most.

Her mood soured, and her heart squeezed tight inside her chest whenever she thought of home. Not only did she miss her family, her friends, and her homeland, but also because of the deep pain she’d left with on that unfortunate, horrible night.

She had to weep so hard for the one person she had to leave behind in search of a better future. Her only wish was that the person hadn’t entirely forgotten about her. Which was extremely stupid of her because years had passed since then. The person might as well have a family of their own by now.

A sickening pain sliced through her already broken heart. She didn’t know how she was going to live with that.

The conductor announced Imani’s stop to the driver. The man in his fifties, dark shades on and a cigarette held in place by the corner of his lips, slammed the brakes hard, causing all the standing passengers to jerk forward, cursing him for being so inconsiderate. The woman who had glared at Imani earlier was the loudest.

Imani slapped a hand over her mouth to hide the grin curling her lips. She wasn’t cruel to find humor in what just happened. It’s just that she was once in that situation too. And even worse, because she had fallen flat on her ass when the driver had pulled the brake on her that day too.

Iman rose to her feet, squeezing through the bodies by the aisle to get to the exit. “Excuse me. Coming through. Excuse me, sir, can you—thank you.”

By the time she got to the door, her head was spinning. A fresh blow of wind cast on her face, making her sigh in relief. Not only was she soaked in sweat from being crammed up in the bus for hours, but her stomach had also been growling too.

She handed the conductor her bus fare after he unloaded her suitcase and helped her by putting it to the side of the dusty road. She’d only managed to touch the ground when the conductor jumped inside, and the drive sped off, leaving her a wake of dust.

“Shit!” She threw a hand over her face to shield her eyes. “Crazy ass driver.” She muttered as she moved to the side of the road, dusting herself, spitting specks, and only God knew what else.

Imani blinked hard until her vision finally settled on her surroundings. She blinked once more just to be sure she was back here again. It’s been three years, but oddly, the metal bench at the station where a single man sat listening to his antenna radio, the vast forest on the other side of the road, the sound of waves hitting the shore, the fisherman’s shouting, and the salty smell in the air were all too familiar.

Nothing has changed. She thought, astonished.

But somehow, the fact that everything stayed the same despite the many seasons she was gone for made her feel glad that they hadn’t. Because a change was scarier to her.

Grabbing her rolling suitcase, she started her journey back home. Her face hurt from smiling at every corner she passed as she was greeted by her neighbours, townspeople, and schoolmates as though she came from the stars. Until she passed by the marketplace and heard one voice in particular that had her stop in her tracks.

A loud laugh. A very familiar loud laugh.

Her heart pounded in her chest. Her hands shook as if unsure if she still wanted to hold the suitcase or just let it go.

No, no, no. Imani screamed in her mind.

She wasn’t ready to meet this person just yet. Not yet. Although she was dying to see him, dreaming about him every night, and hallucinating him for years now.

The laugh came again, but this time around with a string of words she couldn’t hear clearly. Her feet felt like they were rooted to the ground, her body was slowly paralyzing, and her mind was a loud chaos. He was here. Right behind her. All she had to do was turn around, and she would see him again after all that longing she was suffering from.

She took a deep breath, her fingers gripping her suitcase handle hard as she willed her racing heart to calm down. Then, ever so slowly, Imani mastered the courage to turn around. Her breath was stolen as her blurry eyes landed on him.

Amiri Njoroge.

The man of her life. The main character in her endless dreams. Also the cause of the tight pain shattering her heart.

A bile rose in her throat, blinking several times to get a clear look at him. Standing by the butcher shop, talking to a woman she couldn’t see, tall with broad shoulders, dark skin, and short hair. He looked the same way in her memories. Save for the beard and a more mature body. She bit down the whimper threatening to escape her trembling lips. She couldn’t believe that she was finally seeing him again.

He laughed even harder and handed a bag to the woman.

He looked happy. But happy without me? She swallowed hard, pushing those thoughts from her mind.

But as if she had called him, her breath stalled when Amiri finally lifted his head and glanced in her direction. Their gazes locked, and his smile was wiped from his face instantly.

She saw his lips move, and although she couldn’t hear him from their distance, she was sure he’d said her name. His eyes widened as he kept staring at her, while Imani’s heart folded just from the intensity of breathing the same air as him again.

She watched him say something to the woman, yank off his apron, and start to walk.

Wait, why is he walking toward me? Imani swallowed.

Her heart picked up speed again, her eyes blinking faster. She wasn’t ready to speak to him despite the number of speeches she’d prepared over the years in case they ever met again. She quickly looked away and wiped her face discreetly before turning back.

He was standing before her. Yet she didn’t know what to do, what to say, or how to even look at him after the saddest and heart-wrenching way they parted that night.

“Imani.” He breathed out, his chest expanding as he stared down at her, wiping his hands on his jeans. He had an unreadable expression on his face as he scanned her from head to toe. Imani gripped the straps of her bag, conscious of herself, darting her gaze from him to collect herself.

“Long time no see.” She managed a smile. Although she regretted what she had said the next second. Of course, it had been a long time since she had been gone. And she definitely didn’t have to mention it to him the first thing they met because he already knew.

“Long time indeed.” Amiri looked down at her suitcase. “Are you—I mean—Are you finally back?”

Imani nodded like a rattle. “Yeah.”

He studied her face for a while before nodding as well. “And…did you get what you went seeking for?”

Pain shot through her chest. “Actually, yes. I graduated with my degree in education just two weeks ago.”

Something she couldn’t comprehend passed through Amiri’s face. Something close to… being relieved? Proud?

“Congratulations. I’m happy for you. I knew you would make it.” He rubbed the back of his head, smiling at her as they just stared at each other and time went by.

He looked rather proud of her, and that made Imani feel even worse than she already was. That smile in particular. She was dreaming of it even in the daytime when she was just taking a nap. Those lips and charming eyes. Those veiny, long, and ripped arms, the ones that held every part of her before. That deep voice that made her skin come alive with shivers and goosebumps.

“Amiri, baby, who is this?” A female voice sliced through the air.

Imani was the first one to break the heat oozing off both of them and took a step back. Not even realizing when they had gotten that close. Her eyes flew straight past his shoulder. A few steps away where the woman he was talking to earlier by the butcher was standing with narrowed eyes as she stared back at Imani.

Imani’s heart shattered into pieces as her eyes drifted back to the man standing before her. Indignant thoughts swirled in her mind.

Of course he moved on. What were you thinking, Imani? You have been gone for years. Why would he wait for you? Imani scolded herself inwardly.

Amiri, as though he could read her mind, shook his head and took a careful step forward, outstretching his hand to reach for her. “Imani—”

“I—I should get going.” She cut him off and turned to leave before he could speak another word, wiping tears streaming furiously from her cheeks as she dragged her suitcase away from the marketplace. Away from him.

________________

Chapter Two - Ruin

Amiri turned to the woman who’d just ruined any chances that he had with Imani. All the hopes too. Because for once, he’d seen the woman he loved in her as they were lost looking at each other. He could almost touch her and feel her warm skin again. Until this woman ruined it.

“Why did you do that, Asha?” He folded his hands over his chest, his eyebrows drawing together as he waited for her response. The fire burning inside him threatened to burn her and reduce her to ashes. In his eyes, she’d just committed a grave sin. He couldn’t forgive her and demanded an explanation.

Asha looked everywhere but at Amiri, her face going red. She let out a brisk chuckle as she waved her hand. “It’s not much of a big deal. Why are you so worked up?”

Amiri narrowed his eyes, feeling like wiping that stupid smile off her face. “Not a big deal? Do you realize what you have just done?”

“What exactly? I just called you baby. It’s not a big deal back in the city. You can call anyone baby. Even a friend.” She shrugged, her eyes darting to Imani’s retreating figure. Hatred smeared across her heart. “Who is she anyway?” She glanced back at the fuming man she had pined for years, to no avail.

“Well, it’s a big deal here in this small town. You do not just go around calling anyone such intimate words. As for who she is, it is none of your business, Asha. Go home.” He sneered and walked past her without even sparing her another glance.

Asha tugged at his arm. “Wait. Why are you so mad at me? I thought we were friends.”

Amiri’s eyes went straight to the place she was holding him. He’d worn a short-sleeved shirt, and her fingers rubbed his arm gently while she batted her eyelashes at him. His anger only intensified. Without a word, he pushed her hand off him.

“We were, until what you did today.” He replied, resuming his walk back to the butcher. Wondering what Imani must be thinking after what happened.

He grabbed the remaining fish he’d cut for Asha earlier and shoved them into the freezer, shutting its poor door with so much force it rattled. He didn’t even want to stay here anymore. All he wanted was to close his butcher shop and run after Imani.

Desperate footsteps paused by his shop, but he didn’t bother to turn around and look at her.

“Look, I’m sorry. But please don’t stay mad at me. I can’t handle it. I love you, Amiri.” Asha’s pleading voice did nothing to douse the heat he was emanating.

He whirled around at her confession. Her eyes widened at whatever she saw on his face.

“Well, I don’t. And I’m not sorry, Asha. I need you to leave this place right now and stay away from me. Please don’t let my respect for you get tainted any further.” He muttered before turning his back on her again. Not letting himself feel sorry for the tears that exploded from her hurt eyes. He could hear her sniffling too.

“If you think I’ll stop here, then you are so wrong, Amiri. Our parents are good friends. Just one word from my father to yours, and you will be mine, one way or another.” Asha muttered and stomped away.

Amiri finally turned around, looking at Asha’s form walking away in sultry moves. Not stopping, even when the other men at the market were catcalling her. She was the daughter of a well-off man in the town. Every man was after her.

Every man, except him.

When he remembered Imani’s face from earlier, his bad mood worsened, and his shoulders dropped as he punched the table. “Damn it!”

He’d waited years for her. Prayed to every God he knew for her not to forget about him. For her not to move on with some other guy and to return to him. And he made sure he was going to be worthy of her if ever she did. He’d even practiced what he was going to say to her when they first met again. Only for someone insignificant to snatch the moment from him.

A customer approached his shop, and Amiri quickly sprang into his charming self, pushing his worries to the back of his mind. A wide smile split across his face as he reached for his apron and put it on again, ready to serve. “Mrs. Hasani, what will you be having today?”

The woman in her fifties smiled back warmly at him. “The usual. God, if I had a daughter, then best believe I would have married her off to you. You are such a good young man.”

“You flatter me, woman,” Amiri replied with a chuckle as he opened the freezer, filling sardines into a small metal basin and then placing it on the butcher weighing scale atop the table. He told the woman the price and couldn’t wait to shut the shop, as his entire day was already ruined.

Later that evening, Amiri found himself walking by the seashore and stopping exactly at some space that he liked to. He leaned against an old and unused dhow. A lot was running through his mind. He leaned down, grabbed a sea stone, and threw it into the water. The waves swallowed it away.

He sighed, shutting his eyes. The image of Imani flashed in his mind again. She was all he could think about the entire day.

He’d almost fallen to his knees when he first saw her again. She looked even more breathtaking, matured, and carried that air of smartness like she always used to. He was mesmerized.

That knee-length skirt hugged her hips, and the long-sleeved top showcased a bit of her cleavage, leaving little to the imagination. Her hair was plaited into neat braids. He groaned and sank on the white sand, tipping his head back to the dhow. He missed her so much he found it hard to breathe.

Amiri thought of a lot of things. Like how he was going to get another chance to explain what happened today to Imani, the love of his life. Or how much he loved her and was rejecting the advances of every woman in the town because he was waiting for her. Because she was the only one he needed. The only one he wanted a future with.

Something dropped, followed by a low curse. His eyes flew open. A figure of a woman bent down to grab whatever she dropped and began to run away.

Amiri’s eyes widened. His heart skipped a beat. He sprang to his feet the very next second and shouted. “Wait!”

She paused, but didn’t turn as he expected her to.

“Imani, don’t go. Please.” He called out, his legs screaming for him to go to where she was standing, but his mind forced him to stay put just in case he chased her away again when this could be his only chance left.

________________

Chapter Three - Shattered

Imani had escaped from her home the second the guests left and rushed to the beach to catch some fresh air. If she’d stayed a second more, then she was going to lose her mind with everything that was going on.

Her family was happy to see her, of course, but what she didn’t expect was the “pleasant surprise,” as her grandmother called it, that they had prepared for her.

As if finding out that her ex had moved on from her and had another woman wasn’t enough pain for her. Her lovely grandmother went ahead and fixed her marriage without her knowledge or consulting her first. They even invited the suitor’s family over for dinner tonight. Her grandmother reasoned that the man came from a well-off family and she was going to have a good life with him.

Who asked her to decide what is good and not for me? Imani thought, kicking the sand with a flaring nose.

She walked further along the seashore, picking up shells and kicking stones with her sandals, holding a small bottle of water she’d bought on her way here on the other hand.

It was less dark than it should be thanks to the fishers who had installed light poles across the shoreline. Several other people were by the beach as well. Some were sitting by a bonfire, drinking and dancing away as they got wasted with the night. Some were just couples, speaking in hushed tones and giggling. Something that reminded her of her memories. This place was their place too when they used to date.

What happened today at her home, it had happened before as well. The second she finished high school, her parents made up the decision for her future. They made her go to the city and study education in the name of coming to help the fairness of the town in the future by working for the local town school. As much as she loved the idea, she had to choose between their decision and her lover back then. And she gave up on him.

She had no lover now, but still, the circle was repeating itself, and she loathed it. They can’t keep making decisions for her because she is now old and smart enough to do that by herself.

And when she voiced her concerns after the guests left, her grandmother and parents threatened to disown her. Making her dramatically storm outside in tears and find herself coming here. Time might have passed, but she still remembered the feeling the beach gave her. It was her haven. Especially back then when he was here with her.

Imani’s feet took her straight to that particular wrecked dhow that she used to sit on with Amiri when they were seeing each other. What she didn’t expect was to find him sitting right there, with his back leaning against it, eyes shut, and head tilted back. Like he was lost in his own world.

She forgot to breathe again. That familiar flutter exploded in her stomach, tingles rushing all over her skin.

If he has moved on, why the hell was he here at this place? Imani blinked hard to make sure her eyes weren’t deceiving her.

He truly was here. At their place. Same time they used to.

Her heart squeezed when she remembered that he wasn’t hers anymore. Not hers to hold, to dream about, or even to stare at. He belonged to another woman now. And as much as that hurt, it was the truth that she had to live with. She told herself it was the price of breaking up with him back then.

Imani turned to leave quietly when her bottle of water dropped to the sand, making a sound. “Shit! Stupid bottle!” She made out a low curse and started to scurry away before he could catch her there. She didn’t even have an explanation for what she was doing here if he ever asked her.

“Wait!” Amiri’s voice made her freeze.

No, no, no! Imani squeezed her eyes shut, willing her heart to stop racing.

“Imani, don’t go. Please.” He called out again. This time, she couldn’t ignore the plea and desperation in his voice.

She took deep breaths before turning around to face him, plastering a smile on her face.

“Hey.” She waved as Amiri slowly walked up to her. He bent down, grabbed her bottle of water, before outstretching his hand toward her.

“Hey.” He muttered.

He almost looked like he was being cautious with her. Which only further proved to Imani that he was in a relationship with that woman from the marketplace this afternoon.

“Thanks.” Imani took her bottle back and cleared her throat, glancing at the wrecked dhow behind them. “I didn’t know you still came here.”

Amiri turned as well, his eyes watching the place with so much fondness shining in them. “I come here every night, actually. I have to see this place before going to sleep.”

Imani’s heart skipped a beat.

Why? Why would you do that when you are seeing another woman? She badly wanted to ask him but chose against it. Afraid of adding more pain to the pile of it inside her poor heart.

She swallowed the bile in her throat and smiled faintly instead. “This place looks the same as when I left it. It’s like time hadn’t passed at all.” Imani took slow steps to where the lazy waves were washing in and out. Pulling her skirt up so it wouldn’t get drenched, she let her feet get soaked in the cold salt water. Her smile grew even wider. It was like coming home.

“A lot has changed. Have you run into Beka? The old man doesn’t get drunk and piss and shit on himself by the marketplace and turn himself into a laughing stock anymore. No random shit painted pants anymore by the roads. The man became a pastor.” Amiri came to stand a good meter away from her.

“No way!” Imani blurted.

“Trust me, I’d visited the Church to specifically see for myself. Beka, the shit-painted pants king, was standing by the altar, preaching.” Amiri added in a gleeful tone.

She could hear the laugh in his voice, which in turn made her not able to hold her own. She threw her head back and laughed hard. All the while, she could feel his heating gaze on her as he too joined in the laugh. She too wished she could throw herself in his arms and get lost in his warm embrace even for a second.

“Imani, about the marketplace today—”

“I’m getting married.” She announced. Not turning to face him because she had no heart to. The two of them were not made to be. And she wasn’t going to stand here and listen to him spell to her that he has another woman now. Never. Her heart wouldn’t survive it.

“What?” Amiri asked in a low voice, almost sounding as though he was finding it hard to breathe. “When?” Another question came after a beat of painful silence.

“One month from now on. It’s fixed.” She replied, gripping the sides of her skirt to keep herself from sinking to her knees. The words that she was spewing were also an announcement to herself. An agreement that she had no choice but to accept now that the man she loved was with another woman.

“To who?” His voice now sounded close. Too close that she could smell him.

“James.” She managed to let out, dragging in his scent every time she breathed. Making her mind even more foggy and numb.

“James Bakari? The son of Mr. Bakari, who owns the biggest rice farm in the town and the small flour mill factory?”

“Yes, that James. Looks like I don’t need to explain myself much. My future husband is famous around here.” She stepped away from the water, put on her slippers, and spared him a glance. “Good night, Amiri.” The smile that she gave him didn’t reach her eyes at all.

“I’m afraid nothing is ever going to be good after this.” She heard him whisper as she trudged away, hot tears burning in her eyes.

She didn’t want to stay a second longer and ask him what he meant by what he just said. Or to go back on her own words. To break down in front of him and beg him to be with her again. To tell him how much she didn’t want this marriage and it was only her family who did. That she didn’t care about this rich suitor and all she wanted was him, the fisherman and now a butcher. Only him.

________________

Chapter Four - The fight

“I’m ready to get married. Send the news.”

Two sentences. Just two sentences that she muttered the second she returned home after running into Amiri at the seashore were the reason she now found herself at the Tailor’s shop. Escorted by her mother and grandmother so as to get her wedding dress done.

Her wedding.

The one she wasn’t even interested in and was only doing it because she had no choice. If she can’t have Amiri, then at least she could settle for another “best option,” as her grandmother called her suitor. Even though there could be no other man who could top her ex-sweetheart. No one. Despite their financial status.

“Please stand straight, young lady. You don’t want your dress to have any flaws, do you?” The tailor told her sternly.

“Of course, Miss Prisca.” Imani straightened up, offering her a sorry smile. She had been so lost inside her mind that she forgot where she was and what was happening around her.

“Where has your mind wandered off to, child? Are you daydreaming about your soon-to-be husband?” Imani’s grandmother teased. The old woman in her seventies had sat on a bench along with Imani’s mother, who chuckled at her mother-in-law’s words.

“Grandma!” Imani gasped, her face heating as she lowered her eyes to her tote bag settled down on the table the tailor lady used for her work. The tailor lady joined her grandma and mother in laughing at her response as she scribbled her measurements on her big, worn-out book.

“Oh, to be married.” The tailor lady uttered dreamily. “You are such a lucky girl, Imani. You had just returned from the city and already got yourself a suitor. Some of us are going to die without having such an opportunity. Marriage doesn’t come as easily for the rest of us.”

No, I’m not! I’m not lucky. I’m just a girl getting myself trapped in a union that I have no desire for, only because I do not want to shame my family. And because my ex-lover has another woman. So, no. It’s not luck. It’s a curse. And it hurts so much I could die.

Imani offered the tailor a kind smile, despite the marathon of thoughts running in her mind. Painful words on the tip of her lips. But she could only swallow them down.

“My daughter is a beautiful and educated woman. Mr Bakari saw her worth and couldn’t think of a better match for his son.” Imani’s mother muttered, looking at her daughter proudly and with a smile full of fondness.

“That she is.” The tailor lady agreed with a genuine smile.

Once she was done at the tailor’s shop, she grabbed her bag and parted ways with her family. Imani made her way to the local school down the town. The one she too went to in the past. Inside her bag were her documents because she was having an interview today for a science teacher’s spot. Not that she hadn’t already passed already since she studied in the city. But the interview was just for formality.

These schools needed as many teachers as they could get, after all. And the fact that Imani returned to teach in her hometown instead of finding a job and remaining in the big city everyone talked about bought her a bonus point and a good salary. She was seen as a gem.

Imani’s interview went rather smoothly, as she expected. And she was told to report on Monday. She was going to teach at the primary level. And she couldn’t be much happier.

Every road that she passed on her way back home, she was stopped and congratulated on her upcoming wedding, or her return from the city. Some went as far as offering her things by the market just to be in her good graces now that she was going to be married into a well-off family in the town. Something that she truly hated down to her core. She didn’t want this life, but looks like she had no choice now.

As she cut to a corner that led to her home, a hand wrapped around her mouth and her waist, and she was yanked behind before she could fight back. Her scream got muffled against the warm skin. Her eyes widened as fear coiled her drumming chest.

She thrashed hard against the powerful muscles dragging her to a corner of a house where there were fewer people.

“What are you—Let me go! Let—”

Warm lips pressed to her ear, followed by a voice she would remember even in a deep slumber. Her heaving back pressed to the hard surface of his chest. “It’s me, Imani, it’s just me. Relax.”

His voice sent her tingles. Goosebumps awakened on her skin as her body was familiarizing itself with the source again after years of going without it. This voice, this touch, this warmth. They all almost made her whimper, turn around, and throw her hands around him.

Instead, Imani stomped on his feet, causing him to release her and curse under his breath with a deep groan expanding his chest. “Fuck!”

“Are you out of your mind?” She glared at him.

“Oh, that look could kill me,” Amiri mumbled after hissing.

“What the hell do you think you are doing?” She demanded, folding her hands over her chest, tapping her leg on the floor impatiently.

“What I should have done the second I saw you again,” Amiri muttered, his attention divided between her and his feet. Making Imani feel bad for stomping on it earlier.

“What are you talking about?” She huffed.

“You know what I’m talking about. This…was not supposed to be the end for us. It just isn’t.” He finally stood straight and gave her his undivided attention. Which made her want to squirm under his intense gaze. She channeled anger just so she didn’t end up melting into his arms.

“No, I actually don’t. What I do know instead is the fact that I’m taken and soon to be married, and this here is highly inappropriate and disrespectful—”

“Shh…” A hand covered her mouth, stopping her. Imani’s eyes widened as her heart pounded in her chest, her throat working to swallow hard. She glanced at either side just to make sure people weren’t seeing them, and when her eyes finally returned to him, they demanded answers as to why this was happening. He moved too fast, so he caught her off guard.

“What is truly inappropriate and disrespectful here, my love, is you getting married to that man when your heart belongs to another.” He said.

She muttered something, but it was muffled by his solid palm. Her eyes were fuming with anger.

“How do I know that?” Amiri asked with a chuckle, as though he could read her mind right from her glare. “Because you haven’t moved on from me.” He said so assuredly.

Imani bit his palm, causing him to release her with a hiss. “Damn, girl, you have become nefarious. I love it.”

Imani took a deep breath. “You are delusional.” She spat, turned, and started to walk away but was again pulled back by her waist. She yelped. Her back slammed against the ridges of his chest, making her lips part into a small gasp.

“Delusional?” Amiri asked.

She felt his light feather kiss on her earlobe, making her bite down on her moan and shut her eyes. She hated her body and heart for reacting to him as if they were made for him.

Why can’t my body and heart be in line with my damn mind? She thought.

“Let me go, Amiri. Someone might see us like this, and I would hear no end of it with the amount of shame I am going to be sullied with. You know how this town works.” She said through her gritted teeth.

“I can’t. I have once, but now I can’t. Never again.” The man tightened his arm around her waist while she struggled to pull it off.

“You are seeing another woman for God’s sake!” She shouted, digging her nails into his arm in agitation and frustration.

“What woman?” Amiri asked, sounding shocked, making her even angrier for acting ignorant.

“I don’t know. The one who called you, baby, the other day? Do you take me for a fool?” She seethed, clawing at his arm. It now has lines, but he didn’t even flinch a muscle. Frustrating her even more.

“No. I take you for the smart woman that you are. Though you are a fool to think that I could have anything to do with that woman or any other.” Amiri pressed his mouth along the shell of his ear, making her drop her head back in a silent gasp, fighting her fast-rising temptation.

“You are lying.” She said breathlessly.

“And you are also stupid to think I could ever move on from someone like you, Imani. You have no idea what you do to me, do you? You were my world then, you still are, and you will always be.”

Her heart skipped a beat at his confession. Her eyes blurred with hot tears as her mind replayed his words over and over again.

You were my world, you still are, and you will always be.

“Let go of me, Amiri. Please.” She pleaded.

“Never,” Amiri said.

“What do you want from me?” She stopped fighting and just let him hold her to himself like he was afraid that she might perish if he did. This was all she wanted all those years. To be in his arms again. Yet guilt seeped into her chest, reminding her that she was betrothed.

“Your time. There is something I want to show you.” Amiri announced.

________________

Chapter Five - The truth

“Where are you taking me?” She asked impatiently, trudging along the sand barefoot.

Amiri, who was holding onto both his shoes and hers, turned back to her with a wide, easy smile that took her breath away. “Just a little bit more, sweetheart. We’ll get there soon.”

“Well, I’m tired of walking.” She grumbled, her skirt blowing with the wind.

“I could carry you. Just say the word.” Amiri offered.

She glared at him. “Don’t you dare.”

He chuckled and turned to their front with a shake of his head. “Then just a little bit more, my love.”

Imani smiled at his broad back, her eyes stinging. She’d missed the endearing words that he used to call her before they broke up.

Somehow, they managed to reach the place without running into anyone. Which was like a blessing Imani couldn’t stop thanking God for. She was a woman whose dowry was going to be paid for tomorrow. She will also meet her supposed husband-to-be and his family tomorrow. Being seen with a man this evening would ruin her life, her family’s reputation, and everything that she worked hard for. After all, her hometown always favored the men.

The sun had already set. Orange clouds beautifully painted the sky. Birds chirped and flew around. The ocean waves made their usual dance of back and forth. She breathed in the salty air, and her heart calmed for a second before her mind pulled her back into the impending whatever this man was going to show her.

She had a million questions but asked none, just so she didn’t let herself get comfortable with this. She still couldn’t believe that, just like her, he as well didn’t move on. Although Imani wouldn’t lie that the fact that the woman from the market wasn’t anything to him didn’t soothe her broken heart. She loved that bit of information far too much.

“We’re here,” Amiri said, turning to her with that big smile on. Making her almost miss her step.

“This place?” Her lips parted into the question.

In the past, an old cottage used to stand here by the shore. The owner had rented it to tourists whenever they visited their town. On one unfortunate night, it caught on fire and became a place where lovers ran to do their secret activities. The owner didn’t repair it and just let it be. People believed it was haunted.

One day, while on their sexual escapades, Imani and Amiri found themselves inside this burnt cottage. They shared a beautiful night here, under a thousand stars, where a thousand promises were made.

He was going to make a lot of money, buy this wrecked cottage someday, and build it for them. And then he would make more money and send his parents to pay for her bride price. They would get married and live in this place. Making babies and beautiful memories. He would teach their babies how to fish after they came back from school. She would grill the fish for them afterwards, and they would eat while watching the open sky and listening to the sea waves. They would live happily ever after.`

Imani didn’t even realize that she was crying until something brushed softly along her cheeks. Amiri was standing before her with a deep frown. But that didn’t stop her tears from falling even more. Her gaze went back to the cottage.

He made it. She screamed inside her mind. Watching the rebuilt cottage, painted in warm green and white colors. It stood taller now, with one storey and a porch that contained two wooden chairs and flower pots hanging.

She returned her gaze to him, blinking back more tears. “You made it. You kept your promise. You did it, Amiri.” She whimpered, her knees losing their balance, and fell right into his arms. She buried her face in his chest and sobbed silently. Amiri patted her back gently, pressing kisses on top of her head as he pleaded for her to stop crying.

She cried until her tears dried up and she felt like her airways had closed. She cried because she knew she wouldn’t be able to keep her promise as he did. That she had already given up her promise when she accepted to be married, when she was taken to the tailor for her wedding dress, and when her parents had grabbed every cent they saved to start the wedding preparations. She couldn’t just pull back now and bring shame to her household. Because the townspeople could be just as cruel as they congratulated you.

Pulling back from his arms, she took a deep breath before raising her face to look at him. Amiri’s face was etched with concern. She smiled and asked, “Can I see inside?”

A wide smile broke Amiri’s face, making him appear even more irresistible to her than before. Last time she was with him, they were just teenagers blinded by love. He was just a boy. Right now, the person standing before her was a full-grown man. The man that she would never stop loving, regardless of their circumstances.

“Come on.” He stretched out his hand to her, waiting.

Imani glanced at it for a moment before placing hers on his. Amiri laced their fingers together in satisfaction before leading her to the entrance. With a loud single turn of the key, the door clicked open. She was welcomed with a small living room and an open kitchenette. All furnished. Making her wonder how much he had to work to make this happen.

Her feet explored the house, each step twisting her chest in pain. “It’s so beautiful.” She whispered when they were inside a room upstairs.

“There is something I want to tell you,” Amiri said, looking down at his feet before facing her again.

Imani frowned. “What is it?”

“That night—”

Imani shook her head defensively. “No. No, I don’t want to speak of that night, please.”

“Just hear me out, please.” He pleaded. His eyes were coated with an emotion she couldn’t ignore. So she nodded once for him to keep going.

“That night we broke up, it wasn’t by choice.” He started.

She chuckled bitterly. “Really? ‘I do not wish to be with you anymore. You can go your way, and I’ll go mine.’ If my memory serves me right, I believe those are the exact words you said to me.”

Amiri looked pained. “Yes, but I didn’t mean any of it.”

Imani folded her hands over her chest. “Explain.”

“I know what I’m about to say might not change anything, but I have to tell you. You have the right to know.” She watched him work to swallow as if he was about to unfold a world secret that would bring havoc to the whole human race.

“After you received the scholarship letter from school and after we parted ways that day after school, your grandmother came to our place. She made me sit along with my family and told me about how I didn’t deserve you and that I should let go of you if I truly loved you.” He explained, carefully studying her face.

“No. No, she didn’t.” Imani gasped. She felt like her heart was getting crushed inside her chest. Fresh tears threatened to fall.

“Unfortunately, yes, my love. She degraded my family and me, telling us how unworthy I was of you. Even called me selfish when I refused to give up on you. On us. She told me I was greedy and wanted to ruin your life. And that I should prove that I truly love you by letting you go work on your future. That’s why I had to break up with you that night. I didn’t want to hold you back from your bright future, Imani. I saw how hard you studied and how much you worked for that scholarship. I believed her because I already knew that you were always too good for me. I still don’t feel worthy of you as we speak, Imani. I was selfish when it came to you, but not enough to snatch that opportunity from you. I just—I just wanted to see you win and be happy. Even at the cost of my own. ”

Imani’s tears fell in sync with the ones that left the man standing before her. He was tearing up too. And that crushed her down even further.

“I need you to know that I didn’t mean any of the words I’d told you that night. And if I hurt you with it, give me any punishment right now. I’m willing to take it. I’m willing to do anything just to have you back.” Amiri muttered, balling his fists at his sides.

Imani’s knees buckled, and she fell straight to the floor. Her knees thudded and stung with pain, but nothing was compared to the pain of betrayal her own family member had inflicted on her. Her own grandmother was the cause of her heartbreak.

A first sob tore from her lips when the man rushed toward her and held her. Then another one followed, and another, and another. Until they echoed throughout the cottage.

She gripped his shirt, feeling her soul tearing into pieces, her gaze locking with his. “I’m sorry. I’m so—so sorry. God, I’m sorry.” She repeated the words like a broken tape.

“Please don’t cry, baby.” Amiri pulled her into his arms, and she curled into him like that was the only place she would rather be.

“I—I didn’t know. I swear to God I didn’t. I’m so sorry you had to do that.” She kept sobbing. Wondering how Amiri must have felt when her grandmother said those cruel words to him. She tried to picture herself in his shoes, and the pain almost exploded her throat into several bits. It was too much. And he had to go through it for three years. And somehow he still managed to keep loving her and waiting for her.

“It wasn’t your fault. The only regret I have is saying those painful words to you. I’m deeply sorry, but it was the only way to make you believe me and be brave enough to leave me, Imani.” Amiri placed kisses atop her head, trying to soothe her as much as he could.

________________

Chapter Six - In his arms again

An hour passed, and they remained in that position. Only when the darkness started surrounding them did she finally have the courage to face him again. She was so embarrassed, and her heart ached for him. It bled for him. For what he had to go through. And despite all those things that he went through, he kept his promise. He built their dream house, and he waited for her. Even when she could have moved on with another man in the city and never returned. He still did all those things. Hopelessly.

“I’ll go get the light.” Amiri detangled himself from her. His body was stiff, and his hand trembled as he switched on the light. He didn’t turn immediately, no. He remained like that. As though what he was about to say next took everything in him.

“Amiri,” Imani called out from the floor she was still sitting on. He still didn’t turn. Making her grow even more restless.

“I know I’m just a fisherman. And now I own a butcher. I probably don’t deserve you, as your grandmother said. An educated woman with a bright future ahead of you. You should probably marry a man like James, because he can guarantee your future with the fortune that he has. And that he is probably going to inherit more from his father someday. But,” He trailed off and finally turned toward her.

Their gazes locked. His eyes were shining with unshed tears, while Imani swallowed her whimper after seeing him in that state. He looked devastated. Defeated.

“I’ll be damned if I don’t spend every second of my life showing you just how special a woman you are. I may not be able to offer as much as him, but I’ll be damned if I don’t work harder each day and use everything I have to make sure you have the life that you deserve. I cannot guarantee you a bright future as he can, but baby, I’m ready to dim every light in my life just to ensure yours shines brighter than any sky you have ever set your eyes on. I just—” He looked away, wiping roughly on his face before facing her again, shattering her heart further. “I just need you to give me a chance, Imani. Just—one chance.”

Imani didn’t know when she had gotten to her feet or how she crossed the distance between them. Standing on her tiptoes, she cupped his face and brought it down to hers, pressing their foreheads together as she sniffled. His hands circled her waist. He inhaled her scent as if it were the only thing keeping him standing.

“I never, not even once, forgot about you. No matter how brutal we left things in the past, I didn’t have the heart to move on and forget about you, Amiri. You were always the one for me. Even if I had ended up marrying James, best believe you would have always remained in my heart. Always.” She muttered, nuzzling her nose with his, tears streaming down her cheeks endlessly.

She then moved and captured his lips in a short kiss. They both shuddered. Heat awakened every one of her nerves the second their lips touched. She pulled back, blinking rapidly to clear her vision. Willing her roaring heart to calm down after what she had just done.

Amiri held the back of her neck with one hand and pressed her against himself with the other and slanted their lips in a deep, hot, and mind-numbing kiss. Teeth clanked, hands roamed, and noses nudged in pure desperation. Their chests heaved in sync. She couldn’t tell whose heart was galloping against their pressed chests.

She groaned deeply when he parted her lips and dived deeper into her mouth, the same way he used to in the past. The only difference was now he was way more experienced with it. But like in the past, it only made her lose her senses all the same. They kissed until they were suffering from a shortage of air. They pressed their foreheads together as they tasted fresh air again.

“Make love to me, Amiri.” She whispered the one thing she was dying to the second she’d seen him again.

The man looked taken aback. He capped her cheek, rubbing at her swollen lip gently, and shook his head. “Are you sure? We don’t have to.”

“I want you to. I want this, Amiri.” She said almost desperately. She might have sounded shameless to be this straightforward. But it was the result of the man standing before him. Even in the past, Amiri had made her feel so safe and comfortable around her that she could say whatever she wanted to him without him judging her.

“As much as I am dying to do it, I don’t want to do anything under pressure only for you to regret later,” Amiri explained, holding onto her elbows to keep her close when she almost slipped from his arms. As if he couldn’t stand the thought of her staying away from her.

Imani took a step back from him, eyes locked with him. She slowly slid the strap of her top off her shoulder, and then the other. A wind howled through the open window, the curtains dancing into the air, covering her form. And when they fell back in place by the window, she was naked. Her chest moved rapidly as she watched the man before him stare at her in awe. Pure adoration and admiration, despite the many times he’d seen her like that in the past.

She hugged herself, squirming under his heating gaze. The cold wind slapped her bare skin, making her shiver. “Please.” She parted her lips in a plea.

A deep groan tore from Amiri’s lips as he closed the distance between them and carried her bridal style to the bed. He placed her down ever so gently as though she was porcelain and going to break otherwise.

He peppered kisses all over her face and then stared down at her beautiful form. Scanning every inch of her, making her chest swell with emotions.

“You are even more beautiful now. I love you even more. I just can’t stop myself.” He leaned down to peck her lips.

“Don’t you dare stop then.” She muttered, wrapping her arm around his nape, playing with the roots of his hair.

Amiri chuckled, pecking her again.

“I love you too. Always.” She whispered.

“I know, baby. Trust me, I know.” He placed himself between her legs and captured her lips in another sweet kiss.

________________

Chapter Seven - Tough decision

The sounds of waves hitting the shore reached her ears. The birds chirped, and the sounds of fishermen arguing with the people who came to buy fish soared in the air.

Imani groaned, stirring in bed, her hands searching for that familiar warmth with no avail. She battled her eyes to open, only to find the other side where Amiri was supposed to be was empty. The only thing remaining was their mixed scents.

She pushed herself into a sitting position. Her vision went beyond the window, where the endless blue of the sea welcomed her groggy eyes. It wasn’t night anymore. And by the look of the bright sun, it probably was closer to afternoon.

If it were Imani from before last night, then she would have jumped from the bed and run her way back home to explain herself for not sleeping at home and only returning at this hour. But then things changed after last night. A lot of things. And a lot of them made her bold enough to make choices for herself for the first time in her life.

Imani yawned loudly as she stood on her feet, her body screaming with sweet soreness between her legs. She smiled sheepishly as she was reminded of what had happened last night. The number of times Amiri had made love to her. Sometimes slowly and sensually. And sometimes as roughly as she demanded him to go. It was perfect. Every second of it. And all she ever wanted was to keep waking up to such wonderful memories every single day for the remainder of her time on earth. With him and him only.

She stretched her body like a cat when her eyes landed on a piece of paper on his pillow that she hadn’t seen earlier. Rubbing her eyes, she flipped it around to read. She let out a chuckle upon seeing his handwriting again after years. Amiri had rough handwriting like that of a doctor, and not so many people understood what he wrote at all. Except she wasn’t among “many people”. She was his lover.

“Good morning, my love. An emergency fishing round came, and I had to leave with the other fishermen in the middle of the night. I didn’t want to leave you at all, not after I finally held you in my arms again after years. But I have to work hard for our future. Last night was magical. I’ll see you when I get back. I actually can’t wait. And…please fix yourself something to eat in our kitchen before you leave. I love you.”

Our.

A wave of emotion hit her. The man had already begun to include her in his life, and she couldn’t explain how it made her feel. Imani dubbed at the corners of her eyes. Something was settling deep into her chest. Amiri was the only man she ever wished to spend the rest of her life with. And in order to make that happen, she was going to have to solve the mess that she had created at home first. She quickly went to freshen up in the shower and searched for her clothes.

She made her way to the kitchen and maneuvered herself something to eat. She didn’t have to do much because there was fresh bread already. All she had to do was scramble eggs, make some chai, and her stomach was happy to get served.

Her eyes wandered around every corner she took around the cottage. This place—it didn’t look anything expensive, but it was theirs. And that was all that mattered. She smiled as she daydreamed of how many memories she was going to make with Amiri at this place.

She left the cottage way later with a new and sparkling determination, preparing herself to fight with her family and the entire town if she had to. As long as she gets Amiri.

By the time Imani got home, it was evening. The sun had already set, and their living room was filled with heated air. Her parents, along with her suitor, James, his parents, and the woman who called Amiri baby the other day, all glanced at her the second she walked in.

“You finally remembered you have a home to return to and that you were not born in the market?” Her father said sternly, a deep frown settling on his face.

She flinched, looking down at her feet.

“You shameless girl. Where on earth did you sleep off last night to return now? Do you not know that you are betrothed now and soon to be married?” Her grandmother was next, pointing at her with her wrinkled finger. Looking like she was a second away from launching at her and beating her to pulp.

She took a step back. Her eyes flew straight to the man she was supposed to marry. Light skin, short hair, dark eyes that were weirdly calm as they looked at her. The only calm ones, since everybody else looked at her as though she was tied to a stake for them to judge.

“Imani, honey, did you sleep at that childhood friend of yours place that you told me about yesterday?” Her mother blurted, causing her to tear her gaze from the man and stare at her in disbelief.

She had no childhood friend left in the town. All of her friends had left and never looked back. Imani knew her mother was trying to cover for her. On any other normal day, she would have appreciated her and played along with her mother’s lies. But not today. Just not when her future depends on whether she lets the cycle take turns and dance to their tunes, or she breaks it for good.

“No, mama.” Imani shook her head firmly and added, “I was with a man.”

Everybody gasped in the living room.

Her mother glared at her in return for not playing along. For not wanting to be guilt-ridden into fighting for the whole family’s dignity. For not wanting to sacrifice herself for the betterment of her family anymore. She instead wanted the absolute opposite.

“How dare you disrespect us like this, Mr. Joffrey? You called us here so we could witness your daughter’s affair before you marry her off to my son? Do you have any idea how many people would kill to have an opportunity to be in my family?” Her suitor’s father barked. His look of disgust passed over Imani’s form before he got on his feet.

“Such a shameless family.” Followed by her suitor’s mother and a woman almost the same age as her, her suitor’s younger sister, and also the same woman who called Amiri baby the other day. She was looking her up and down in cajole.

“No. No, please, Mr. and Mrs. Bakari. Please have a seat and let us talk about this. I’m sure there is a misunderstanding here.” Imani’s father stood up to pacify the angry old man who looked like he couldn’t wait to spit acid on his face.

“Misunderstanding?” James at last spoke, catching her attention. “I’m afraid everything is clear as water. Your daughter does not wish to marry me. And I do not wish to marry by force. So, I respect her decision to be honest with all of us instead of lying to me and marrying me after what she has done. You all should too.” And with that, James left the room. His family rushed after him. Leaving Imani to deal with the wrath of her own.

A tight slap connected with her cheek, sending her face to the side.

“You insolent fool!” Her grandmother seethed, ready to slap her once more when Imani held her frail arm midair in a tight grip, causing her parents to gasp in pure disbelief.

“You are one to talk, grandma,” Imani muttered, a hot tear burning her stinging cheek. “I know exactly what you did three years ago.”

“What are you talking about?” Her grandmother fumed and pulled away from Imani’s hold, her tired body staggering. Despite her anger, Imani helped her grandmother stand steady before stepping away from her.

“I know why Amiri broke up with me. Everything that you told him.” Imani muttered. She felt so enraged she wished she could unleash her anger with the exact intensity it was burning her insides with. Specifically on her grandmother, but out of respect, she decided against it. Because no matter what they did, they were still the people who raised her.

“I did it for your own good, you idiotic child. Do you think you would have had that degree now had you stayed here because you were in love with that nuisance?” Her grandmother said, her words a sharp stab to her already torn heart.

“You were so harsh to him!” Imani shouted, throwing her hands up. “You could have explained things to him like a normal human being. Instead, you went ahead and treated him like he was beneath us. You were wrong, Grandma.” Tears exploded from her eyes.

“We did it for you. Open your eyes, my child. You just lost a grand chance that every young woman in this town is dying to have. You have no future with that fisherman!” Her mother gripped her by her shoulders and shook her. As if that would make her change her mind. Or make her see things in their light. She simply didn’t.

“Well, that specific fisherman is the only man I want to have my future with. He may not be the man of your standard or your choice, but I love him. And I will only marry him.” She announced, pushing off her mother’s grip.

“Marry that filth, and you will be dead to me!” Her father announced, making her entire body go still.

Her mother gasped. “Joffrey!”

Imani stared at her father until his face was blurred by her waves and waves of painfully hot tears. Her throat was closing in as she worked through the disbelief that hit her at her own father’s words. A dooming silence passed over, with nobody moving or speaking. The tension of what had just happened was thick in the air.

Would he honestly disown me? Imani blinked, and more tears streamed.

The door to their entrance burst open, and a young girl whom Imani remembered as one of Amiri’s younger twin sisters stormed inside, tears painting her cheeks. Her eyes were red. Imani’s heart sank.

“What happened? Why are you crying?” She gently grabbed the girl, willing her own heart to calm down.

“It’s Amiri. Their Dhow went missing in a thunderstorm. People are at the shore. Nobody has returned yet. Come with me!” The poor teenage girl could hardly put out the words past her sobs, tugging at her arm desperately.

Imani let out a shocked breath, her eyes widening as the image of the man she loved flashed on her mind. She had just taken the girl’s hand and a step forward when her father’s voice pierced through again, and the chaos in her mind.

“If you dare take another step and leave, Imani, you are no longer welcome here. You are dead to all of us!” Imani’s father deadpanned. Looking exactly like what he just spouted. Seething with anger.

“She is our only child. Please don’t do this to me.” Imani’s mother held her husband’s arm, sobbing. But the man didn't react at all to her crying wife’s pleas.

An insurmountable amount of pain struck Imani’s heart as a decision was forming in her mind. She glanced at every one of them. Her family. Her very own people who were the source of her pain. She loved them with all her heart. And in the past, she had chosen them over what her heart desired. But now, despite her boundless affection and sense of responsibility toward them, she couldn’t. She just could not choose them again. She had made up her mind, and nothing could change it.

Imani knew that to get what she wanted, she had to break the cycle. Yes, she was the only and eldest child, and her family depended on her now that she had completed her education. It was her responsibility. But then she also wanted a life of her own. A family of her own. And she was going to make it happen no matter the cost this time around. For the first time, she was brave enough to break free from the shackles of a family responsibility guilt trip.

As if knowing what was going on in her mind, her mother shook her head in tears, urging her not to go without saying a word.

Imani wiped her cheeks and turned to the girl holding her arm. “Let’s go.”

She walked out of the only place she used to call home with nothing but the aching in her ears from her mother’s wails, and a grave heart for what she was about to face.

________________

Chapter Eight - A forever together

Imani, along with countless other families and townspeople, gathered along the shore. They had been sitting there for eight hours. A team had been deployed to go and rescue the lost fishermen, but then it was morning now with no sign of them returning. The sobbing of the families was quite devastating.

Imani has been pacing around as she cried and waited for the love of his life to return alive. She refused to acknowledge that he might be dead. Her heart was so heavy it could measure a boulder. But she could only imagine what it was like for the woman who was crying in her husband’s arms as they waited for their son to return in peace. Imani has been there with Amiri’s parents and twin sisters since last night. They were all wrecked as they prayed for the best.

Loud shouts and wails broke out as the rescue team boat arrived and started to bring down the dead bodies of the fishermen who couldn’t survive the storm and drowned. The whole situation made Imani’s stomach churn and her ears ring.

The dead were all lined up in one place with their pale bodies and some red, open, terrified eyes. And those who did actually survive were rushed to the town’s infirmary. Half-conscious and not even knowing their own names.

Imani and Amiri’s parents rushed over to confirm the dead bodies like every other family. But there was no sign of Amiri. Not from the survivors nor from the dead.

“My son is not here. Why is he not here? Where is he? I want my son!” Amiri’s mother gripped her husband’s collar and lashed at him past her heart-wrenching wails.

“I know. Pull yourself together, honey, please. We will find him. Even if I have to go out there myself.” Amiri’s father muttered, hugging her wife to hide the grief painting his poor face.

“Mama, is big brother dead?” “Is big brother not coming back anymore?” Both of Amiri’s sobbing twin sisters asked.

Imani doubled over, the ringing in her ears reaching a high pitch. The world around her was spinning with so much speed, and she found it hard to suck air into her burning lungs. She couldn’t see anything past her blurred vision. The images of the night he had with Amiri were displayed in her mind. All the dreams. All the promises.

“No. God, please no.” She curled up on the sand, screaming. Her body trembled as she endlessly teared up. The voice came from deep within her. She could feel her heart breaking up into a million pieces, and each one of them had his essence, his memories. She didn’t know how she was going to live without him.

“Why? Why did you have to leave me?” Imani whispered. She felt a hand on her back, but she didn’t move. She didn’t even have the energy to move and just succumbed to the grief and sorrow that had engulfed her.

“Baby, I’m right here.” The voice came again, making her freeze.

Imani peeked up from her hands and gasped loudly when that familiar, beautiful face smiled at her. Strong hands wrapped around her and gathered her up gently in a warm embrace. Her hands were shaking when she reached up and cupped his face just to be sure she wasn’t hallucinating.

“You—you’re here? You are not dead?” A deep breath left her mouth. He was soaked, eyes red, but he was there, standing right before her as the sun glowed on his dark skin. She whimpered.

He nodded, striking her with a beautiful smile. “Yes, baby. I’m here with you. And I’m not so dead as you can see.”

“It’s not funny.” She slapped at his shoulder with a pout, fresh tears clinging to the rim of her burning eyes.

“Oh, baby, I’m so sorry.” Amiri wiped them before they could roll down.

Imani threw her arms around him and buried her face in his neck as she cried even louder than before. Amiri’s big arms held her tighter to himself, not caring that she was practically on his lap and everybody and their mother in town were watching.

“I was so scared. I thought—I thought I lost you.” Imani’s muffled voice made Amiri hug her even tighter, as though she would vanish if he hadn’t.

“I know. I’m so sorry for worrying you this much, baby.”

“I love you, Amiri. I thought I couldn’t love this much, but with you I do. I don’t think I can keep breathing knowing you are not there to share the same air as me.” Imani confessed without waiting a beat. She realized that life has not promised tomorrow to anyone and that they could die anytime. She would rather die in his arms and make sure he knows just how much he meant to her.

“I love you so much, words fail me. You’d find that I also don’t want to do this life or any other without you being with me. Anywhere you are is where I want to be. Always.” Amiri pressed his lips to her hair, and they remained like that for what felt like forever. To them, nobody was there with them. It was just them. And that’s all that mattered to them.

“Amiri,” Imani called after a while.

“Hm?” Amiri patted her back fondly, holding her as though she was rare, delicate, and made of glass.

“Take me home.” She whispered in his ear, not lifting her head from his now-wet neck from her tears.

“Home it is then, my love.”

Imani braced herself as Amiri carried her in his strong arms and walked to the opposite side of where her worst nightmare was about to happen had he not returned to her.

All those dead bodies, all those grieving families. She didn’t have the heart to turn and watch again. Her heart ached for the families that lost their loved ones. But at the same time, she was grateful that hers was returned to her in one piece. She couldn’t fathom otherwise.

Amiri led her down the porch upon reaching their dream house. He then, without a word, kissed her forehead. Watching her as though he couldn’t get enough of her.

“My father disowned me after saying that I didn’t want to get married to that man. I’m with no family now.” Imani announced, not seeing the need to keep it to herself.

Amiri held both of her hands in his, rubbing her knuckles with the pads of his thumbs. “I mean, it isn’t a good thing that your family disowned you, but if you are willing… we can start our own family.”

Imani’s face broke into a big smile. “So, a wife of a fisherman, huh?”

Amiri clicked his tongue and pulled her nose. “You forgot to add ‘an educated and beautiful wife of a loving fisherman who is ready to do anything for her,’ but I’ll let it slide this once since you cried enough for the day, and I can’t tolerate another round if I punish you.”

Imani chuckled and swatted his hand from her nose and was about to run inside the house when an arm snaked around her waist. She was then swiftly turned over.

“What are you—” Imani’s words died in her mouth when Amiri captured her lips in a short, deep kiss. Numbing her brain. It was so sensational that her eyes closed of their own accord.

Amiri pressed their heads together once he pulled back from the kiss. “I’m grateful that you picked me and believe in me. I promise to never let you down, baby. Anything you want in this life, and I mean anything, just say the word, and I’ll find a way to make it yours. Even if it kills me in the process.”

Imani’s heart fluttered. Deep down, she knew he would keep each and every promise that he made to her. He knew it was safe for an educated woman like her to be around a man like him without the fear of being limited in life because of her gender. If anything, she knew Amiri would proudly give her wings to soar into the sky before he limited her to anything. She knew she picked right, and that’s why she was blindly and utterly in love with him.

Instead of replying, Imani rose on her tiptoes, circled her arms around his neck, and craned her neck to kiss him.

“I know you will.” She muttered, smiling in between their kisses.

She could feel his hands slowly taking refuge around her waist, their hearts beating in sync, and he deepened their kiss as the sunlight cast down on their lovely porch. As if to bear witness to their promises and unity. It was magical and everything they ever wished for.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar invites writers from around the world to share their unique voices and stories. This prestigious event celebrates the art of storytelling and poetry, offering a platform for emerging and established writers to express their creativity and engage with a global audience. Participants explore diverse themes, showcasing the richness and diversity of literary talent across the globe.

Thank you, Nawal Foum, for sharing "Resuming What We Left Behind" in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your narrative invites readers into a world where love's enduring power is tested by time and circumstance. We appreciate your contribution to this literary event and look forward to seeing how your storytelling continues to inspire and resonate with audiences.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.