88. Early Morning Proposal

My eyes flutter opened. I turn on my side. Zoya's sleeping figure brings back the memories of last night and takes my sleep away. I caress her cheek and smile to myself, recalling that she's now healthy and with me.

I rise to sitting position, cast a glance at the wall-clock. It's seven in the morning. Recalling the argument I had with Ashar last night, I wonder where he could be right now. I have a faint memory that he carried me to my room, but I was feeling too knackered and weak to react.

The realization trickles through me that I acted selfish throughout the situation and didn't pay attention to Ashar's pain. Zoya is his daughter too. He loves her too. He also would have been frightened and felt helpless like me, but I was so lost in my own pain that I forgot about his fears.

It's all my fault that made all of us suffered and still Ashar didn't complain, didn't allege me for anything instead tried to soothe away my affliction.

From now I'll put aside