Love through time

The Emerald

Zarah and Jamil grew close during the time of his recovery. If she was not accompanying him to exercise with the physiotherapist, they were talking or chatting on the phone. She met his mom a couple of times at his house. Jamil lived in a Penthouse Apartment located in a high-end neighbourhood. Zarah did not expect less, he did sell his app for a substantial amount. His place was on the topmost floor of the city tower. It had an open balcony with a breathtaking view. It had a doorman with a private elevator.
Jamil must have noticed her observing the place or maybe he did not want to look extravagant to her.
'I got this penthouse as an investment property, but because they have all the animates I'll need with my physiotherapist and I have a well-equipped gym, I decided to open it, hence the sparse furnishings'

Zarah smiled, he wanted to look and act normal but he had to come to terms that his the CEO of a multimillion tech company.

'You don't have to explain to me why you own a penthouse Jamil' Zarah wanted him to understand that. Although Jamil was very rich in every sense of the word, she was not here for that.
She was there for him because she had fallen deeply in love with him. She had not altered those words, but she was there with him. She was glad for who Jamil was, he respected boundaries and their values aligned.

'I have to go meet with Nadia for dress fitting and all.'  She told Jamil 'and I'm glad the ankle brace is off, but remember to rest and take it easy as the doctor said'

'Yes, Miss. Zarah' Jamil said jokingly, he missed her every second she was not there, but he understood she had to be with her best friend in preparation for the walimah. He felt bad not being there for Ahmed, but Ahmed assured him there was nothing to do. They just needed to show up
****

Zarah and Nadia's cousins all sat and waited for Nadia to come out of the dressing room. The lady helping her peeped and asked them
'Are you all ready'
'Come out' they all shouted
Nadia came out in a cream pearl beaded sequence dress. She looked beautiful. They all said 'Awww' in chorus. She had tears in her eyes.
'I've dreamt of this' Nadia said
'I'm so happy for you' Zarah said.
One of the cousins handed Nadia a tissue, and they all came to circle her. Zarah could see the joy in Nadia's eyes. She yearned for the joy of marrying a person she loved. She has refused to think about what could be or what would become of the love she has for Jamil. By the end of Nadia's dress fitting, they all were emotional.

'Okay, it's time for the bride's maid fittings' the attendant said.
The bride's maid dresses were made of green silk and gold trim laces. Zarah felt beautiful in the dress. The A-line fitted her slender body. She doesn't know if should would ever experience a dress fitting as a happy bride-to-be, so this was surreal. Then the attendant came in with a wrapped box of red case, a single red rose with a note and handed it to Zarah

'No that's not mine, that should be for the Bride' Zarah said pointing at Nadia.

'No that is for you' Nadia said with a grin
Zarah was a bit confused, then it registered to her it might be from Jamil. She opened the note which read-

'More than a gem
and deeper than the depths of the
emerald green sea.
Enjoy your fitting.'

She can't take this from him. When she opened it, there was an audible gasp from everyone. They all were amazed at how beautiful it was. It was an emerald jewellery set, the stones were placed on platinum gold and there were tiny diamonds placed around the large emerald stones.
Zarah looked at Nadia and murmured 'I can't take it' shaking her head. It was bad enough that she had fallen in love with Jamil, but knowing how uncertain she was about their relationship's future, she could not take an expensive gift from him. The attendant said with a smile and excitement

'the consultant from Bvlgari had asked us to email the picture of your dress before delivering this.'
Zarah closed her eyes with her palms. While the rest of the girls exclaimed 'Aww' with excitement and giggles. She felt guilt for leading Jamil without caution and now he's sending her an expensive gift. She has to stop this or they'll be heading for a catastrophe heartbreak.

When Jamil called her at night, she contemplated whether to pick up his call or not. After several rings, she picked
'Salaam' she said in a flat voice
'How was your fitting?' He asked
She was quiet for a while
'You there, is something wrong ?' He asked from the other end sounding worried
'I can't accept the gift you sent' her voice almost trembling, she continued
'You have to take it back please'
Now it was he who was quiet. When he finally spoke, she could hear the hurt in his voice.

'Just when I thought I was over the barriers you've built around you, you show me not quite'

'I'm not been difficult Jamil, I just can't take it' she said softly.
' see it as my way of saying thanks for being there for me' he said. 'And if you don't like it, I'll call them to send you what they have, so you choose what you like.' He added

'No please,' Zarah said almost screaming into the phone.

'Zarah, is there anything you want to talk about, I'll come over to your place now'

She was glad he was not there physically, because she was a mess. She had tears running down her face and she couldn't stop them. On the other end of the phone line was a person she truly cared and loved, she wished she could tell him. She cleared her voice and said
'I'm fine, I'm going to bed now, I have a class tomorrow morning' and she ended the call.

She lay on her bed and cried. She has fallen so deeply in love, that she can't stop without getting hurt, but she has to.
***