Desert Commander

5

She woke up with a jolt. So restless. It was a regular thing for her to awaken from terrifying nightmares. She wiped sweat off her forehead.

After taking deep breaths, she inspected her surroundings. Not finding Oman's presence in the tent, she came out looking for him. She noticed a blazing fire and scattered sand where he had been sitting.

A crazy feeling bubbled inside her.  She tightly gripped her dress with her hands.

Not thinking straight, she called out for him with her shaky voice. When he didn't appear, she again cried out his name at the top of her lungs. It was the very first time she had ever uttered his name, and it felt so foreign on her lips.

When he didn't come, she rushed toward the lake, hoping he would be there.

She again called his name, but there was no sign of him. She only perceived a hollow pang inside her heart.

She could only hear cold breeze sounds and the noises of birds on top of trees who were disturbed by a frightened spirit looking for her mate.

He left me.

The tears streamed down her face. Sobs raking her body. Suddenly from behind she heard a soft whisper of her name. "Tara"

The name gave her a new identity.

She turned around facing him.

She could clearly recognise his body shape in the utter darkness. Without sparing a second, she ran to him and embraced him. Her height was nothing in comparison to his beastly physique. They just stood there. Her face pressed against the white cotton of his shirt.

All he did was just stand there like a statue. Whereas, her arms snaked around his back holding on to him.

The hole that she had in her heart was now filled by this huge man, whom she was hugging tightly. She wanted to be close to him, to feel his warmth and his steady heartbeat against her cheek. In that moment, all the fear and uncertainty melted away, replaced by a sense of security and belonging.

"What happened? Why are you outside?" His chest vibrated when he asked her.

He pushed her away and the tone sounded harsh. Eventually, their eyes meeting in the dim moonlight, Tara could see the worry etched on Oman's face with the lines of exhaustion.

She was embarrassed to explain to him that she had a nightmare and ran like a maniac to find him.

"Let's go." He took her wrist and pulled her behind him.

Taking her inside the tent, he ran his eyes on her from head to toe, looking for any injuries.

He cursed under his breath and ran a hand in his dark hairs.

"Don't you dare go anywhere without my permission. You don't have any idea what could happen to you. Stupid girl" he pointed a finger at her.

He was about to go outside, but she grabbed his hand.

"Don't go," she pleaded.

He peered into her light hazel eyes, which were begging him to stay.

He turned his head away and looked back at her.

He pushed her on the carpet and made her lay down, pushing her shoulders down with both hands, and tugged her into the comforter.

"Sleep," he said. Looking up at him with a frown. Her cheeks flushed pink.

She pulled herself up and wrapped her arms around his bicep, looking at him with her puppy eyes. His heart swelled looking at her eyes and pouted lips. A sudden gush feeling overwhelmed him.