CHAPTER 19 AMI HEARTBROKEN

After 4 days in the hospital and a week after the shooting incident, Ali brought Ami and Mabel home to his parents’ villa in Al Reef. As soon as they arrived though, Ami asked Ali if they could talk. Ali informed her that he would be happy as he has things to say as well but not wanting to tire Ami after her ordeal, he promised he’ll meet with her in his mom’s home office the day after. Ami was baffled with his behavior, gone was the solicitous and caring man who came to her rescue. In his place was a cold person. Has something changed? At the moment, she did not contradict because whether she likes it or not, being shot at is not a pleasant experience she never wishes to repeat. Grabbing the opportunity to just rest and gain her strength, she accepted Mabel’s arm as she was guided to her room. As Mabel was also fatigued after being with Ami in the hospital for four straight days, her cousin left Ami and went straight to bed. The whole household was sympathetic with the cousins so everyone left them to their rest. Ami was so thankful to everyone for not badgering her with questions, she vowed to make it up to them in time. After saying her prayer, she got under her bed covers, hugged her favorite stuffed car and slept.
That morning she awoke feeling rested and almost like her old self except a little twinge on her thigh which made her limp. She couldn’t complain, at least she is alive, thank God is what she uttered upon waking up. The first thing she did though was check her work emails and was horrified to see pile ups including some important business meetings. She was busily typing away when the Sheikha checked on her. She left the door to her room ajar just in case someone comes to talk. The Sheikha shook her head when she saw what Ami was doing.
“No, no, no habibti, you're not supposed to be working. As I have said, Ali is my PA at the moment.”
“Yes, Madam, but these are important meetings.”
“La, Habibti. All taken care of. My partners were informed of the events and so we rescheduled it for next week before the party. Now, you go sit on your bed and await your breakfast. “
“Ohh Madam, this is all too much,” uttered Ami in embarrassment. She can feel her blush from the tips of her ears to her face.
“Nonsense, child. This is nothing compared to what you did for Farinah so hush and wait for your food, okay?” So saying, the Sheikha gave her a hug and sashayed out of Ami’s room. Sashay is what Ami calls her employer’s way of walking because her hips seem to sway all the time. She turned to look at her virginal hips and groaned, virginal indeed! She wanted to video chat with her uncle but she thought she'd eat first. After about 5 minutes of waiting, Fidelo came bearing her food tray, he looked weary, Ami thought. After seeing her though, Fidelo’s face lit up. “Senorita, there you are! How are you? Oh, my bad, we’ll talk while you eat, is that okay? I will sit by the door for propriety.”
Ami smiled at him and upon uncovering her tray, she practically glowed. “These are all my favorite! Egg quiche with mushroom, sausage and ham. Ohh Fidelo, I could kiss you, right now. Thank you.”
Fidelo blushed as he replied, “You’re welcome Ami. I would take your thanks any day but not your kiss else, master Ali will kill me.
“Aww shucks, Fidelo, it is just an expression. I will only give my kisses to my future husband, should I get one. You know, being too boyish and all that. Besides, why would Ali kill you? Speaking of whom, have you seen him?”
“Yes, he’s having breakfast with his family downstairs. I finished mine so I volunteered to bring you yours so I can check on you. Seeing you well and good. I think I should be on my way as I need to prepare dishes for the Al Fahezi’s guests later today.” He left without looking back and Ami was left puzzled about who might be the visitors. They only prepare something if the guests are important. Ahh, not to worry. Testing her left thigh, she stood up from her seat on her bed and tried to stand up and walk. She winced and stumbled back. Just then Mabel poked her head in and offered her a wheelchair and a cane. Ami went for the cane but Mabel shook her head.
“Ali specifically commanded me to bring you the wheelchair.”
“Since when did Ali issue you commands?”
“Since this morning but I couldn’t agree more so here it is. He said, he’ll come around at the appointed time of your meeting with him. Although for the life of me, I couldn’t think of a reason why you and he will have a meeting. An assignation perhaps but he said, meeting so who am I to contradict the boss’ edict? Before that happens though, I need to bring you to Farinah’s room as she has been asking about you. Like you, her family thought she is still an invalid. Poor girl, having to endure their overprotectiveness, but I do not blame them. They nearly lost their only daughter if not for you finding her. Did you know that she was meant to disappear forever? A payment for some dastardly made up crime is all I can say. Though I dislike that Devlin guy, I can’t help but respect him now after all the steps he took to banish that awful American and his unsavory friends. He vowed that those people will never step foot on UAE soil again. But here I am boring you with these sordid details, let us go to Farinah, shall we, your majesty on wheels?” Mabel laughed at her own joke. Ami was not amused though. She recalled how it felt when the American shot her. First she was explaining to Ali and then the next thing she knew, she was engulfed in a tight hug before blacking out.
When they reached Farinah’s room, they were only given a few minutes to chat by the ever vigilant new addition to the staff, a comely matron from Ethiopia. She was very empathetic and kind but she also takes her duty seriously. She too believed that Farinah, a healthy 16 year old girl needs to recover from her traumatic experience. Farinah, ever the dutiful, adorable and serene girl that she is, did not want to cause more trouble to her family so she just tolerates the treatment given to her but Ami and Mabel knew, it will be some time before this girl explodes and when she does, even the boys can’t do anything. They silently champion her but they too are guilty of babying her as she is, the baby of the family. Not a spoiled one though, she always finds ways of helping out in the household even if everyone dissuades her. As she is also quite defiant, she ignores everyone who says no and just does what she wants to do explaining why she got kidnapped. Once Mabel wheeled Ami back to her room, she was left to ponder some more. Not wanting to waste time dithering, she called her uncle via video chat. They were not able to talk for long as Ronnie had to attend to some patients. Ami did not tell him of her disappearance so she hung up and went back to bed. Might as well prepare for the meeting with Ali, she thought. As soon as her head touched her pillow though, she dozed off missing lunch altogether. At 4 o’clock, she was pulled off her nap by a loud knocking on her door. She scrubbed her eyes and with a sleepy, “Come in,” stretched her arms up. The door opened to Ali’s frown upon seeing her on her bed.
“Have I disturbed your sleep, Ami? We can talk some other time.”
“Now’s as good as any,” Ami replied. “Can you just give me a few minutes and wait outside? I will call you once I am ready.”
Ali was already pulling the door closed as Ami spoke which puzzled her some more. Normally, Ali was reluctant to leave, but now? Something is definitely up, Ami thought. She slowly limped towards her bathroom and refreshed herself. After washing her face and brushing her teeth, she changed into her favorite shirt and not so favorite skirt. She can’t wear her jeans because of her bandaged thigh so feeling helpless, she wore a denim skirt instead. At least it is still denim. Her outfit flattered her shape though so when she called Ali in, she did not miss his appreciative look which he quickly masked. He gently assisted her into the wheelchair though and Ami swore, there was a zing of electricity between them, maybe wishful thinking she chided herself silently. Ali was very considerate of her while wheeling her towards his mother’s office. When they reached the office, Ali blurted out nervously, “I hope you don’t mind but I wish to talk with you alone and I already had someone bring in something for you to eat as you missed your lunch.
“Please stop procrastinating, Ali, tell me already. You had been avoiding me of late, you did not even stay long the last time you visited me at the hospital with your family. Have I done something wrong? Have I displeased you somehow? Please tell me because the suspense is killing me and I do not like this tension between us. Where there was complete trust and camaraderie between us before my misadventure, now, everything changed. You have turned cold towards me and I feel miserable. After your heroic rescue of Farinah and me, I thought...ohh blast it, nevermind!” Ami couldn’t believe she was about to tell him how she felt.
“What is it, Ami? Nevermind, I guess, and you did nothing wrong. It is just that my eyes were opened after your misadventure as you said. You see, it has been ages since I wanted to court you. You must have felt the attraction we have for each other, right? I would be a hypocrite if I tell you that I do not have any strong feelings for you. No, Ami please do not look away. It is important for you to hear me out because staying away from you has been killing me. Might as well get honest with you. We are mature adults, aren’t we?” To Ami’s nod, he continued, “Unlike Mabel, who I feel is a sister, since the day I saw you at the airport, I told myself, you are worth unwrapping like a gift because you were covered so well and still is like now. Do you remember that twilight I kissed you? I will not apologize for it because that might only be the time I will have the taste of you. You taste of vanilla and strawberry that I wanted to drag you off to my bed and have my way with you. Am I embarrassing you? You really are so beautiful, especially when you are blushing like, right now. I love you Ami and I thought I would go crazy when you got shot. I also have a strong sense of tradition and because I love you so much, I do not want you to be my second wife. I may be the biggest fool ever to let you go, but you have to understand, my country is still young compared to yours. I work for the UAE government and as part of it, we encourage Emiratis to marry fellow Emiratis.”
Ami was so shocked with what Ali is confessing and hurt too because just when she thought she found her soulmate, he won’t take the chance with her. She slowly turned her head and tried to hide her teary eyes but Ali gripped her chin gently and when he tipped her face to his gaze, there was anguish in his eyes. An errant tear trickled down Ami’s cheek and Ali wiped it with his thumb. Not able to control himself, he gathered Ami to him and nuzzled her hair.
“Ohh Ami, my precious Ami, why didn’t Allah make you into an Emirati so I could have married you so easily.”
Despite Ami’s heartache and tears, she teased him by saying, “Well, if I were born an Emirati, then we might not have met because I won’t be working for your family. Maybe in another lifetime, we’ll find each other again as I believe in resurrection. As we are being honest with each other though, I might as well confess that I fell for you especially after the rescue. Do not say it is me being grateful. It is more than that. When you look at me, you make me aware that I am a woman despite my boyishness. I feel safe with you and though awkward, that kiss has awoken something in me. Thank you too for not apologizing, I will treasure that kiss forever. I admire you so much for being so true to your nation. Whoever will be your bride is very lucky indeed although I really wished you could have chosen me, but I guess I will not always be a choice.” She ended bitterly before wheeling herself away from Ali, her heart felt so painful it is a miracle she is still standing or seated as the case maybe.
Ali upon hearing her last statement followed her and stopped her from going away. He felt bad because he knew how Ami felt rejected by her best friend when he chose another woman over her.
“Ami, please listen to me. I vow, you are always the first choice but circumstances won’t allow it. You are a very exceptional young woman and very beautiful too. Please do not doubt me.”
“If what you say is true, then why is it so hard for you to choose me and love me and take a risk with me!” Ami whirled around bitterly before wheeling herself out of the office, Ali hot on her heels or wheels. Ami turned the wheels of the chair as fast as she could until not able to bear it any longer, she got out of the wheelchair and limped towards her room, opened her door and slammed it shut. Feeling the pain on her thigh she gave way to gravity and slumped on her carpeted floor uncaring of the tears running in torrents down her cheeks. She was sobbing so hard that she was hyperventilating until she passed out from lack of oxygen. She has also gone stiff.
When Ali opened her door, he rushed to her side and cradled her head taking note of her stiffness and wet cheeks.
“Oh my dear Ami, why is this such a difficult thing to do? I love you so much that it is killing me to see you so miserable but I am not worth your tears and anxiety.” After wiping her face with his kandura, he shook her gently until she opened her eyes and might have gotten off his lap were he not holding her tightly. “You scared me again Habibti, please don’t do that again. I would rather you cut my heart out than seeing you so miserable. I am not worth your tears and anxiety Ami.”
“How can you say that Ali?” Wanting to have something more of him to remember by, Ami got impulsive again and grabbed his kandura and fitted her lips to his. Ali groaned before taking over and kissed Ami so deeply that he did not want it to end. She tasted of vanilla and strawberries, so sweet. Remembering what he said earlier though and Ami’s misery, he reluctantly tore his lips away opting instead for a nuzzle on her neck, a mistake as he inhaled her sweet scent and made him want to claim her against all odds.
Ami was torn between giving in to her impulsiveness and offering herself to Ali so he has no choice but to marry her and pushing him away for good. Ali has too much honor and Ami realized she would rather have his true affections rather than his hatred. Being raised a proper Catholic, she was horrified by her thoughts. No matter what women are doing these days, she promised herself, she will remain chaste until her wedding day should it ever come as both men she hoped would take her for a wife chose differently.
“I am so sorry Ali, I was just so embittered that I didn’t consider your feelings. How selfish of me. Though it hurts, I will not stand in your way. I wish you all the happiness and I will pray for you and your country. As I have said, should the Lord will it, we might have a second chance at love but maybe in another lifetime.”
“Thank you so much Ami for being so understanding, is there something I can do to make it up to you?” Seeing the twinkle in Ami’s eyes, he said, “Oh no, what are you thinking?” Although I will have those twinkles any time.”
“Now that you mentioned it, you do indeed can do something for me. You see, all these crying and heartbreak made me so hungry that if you do not go and buy me my favorite steak, I might just have you instead.”
“Always the hungry Ami, I see.” I will gladly buy you anything your heart desires Ami even when I am married.”
“Oh no, Ali, while you are not yet married I will allow you to spoil me for this heartache you caused but once you are married, that is where I draw the line. You should stay devoted to your wife and try to love her the way you love me. So yallah, Habibi, go buy me my steak!” She shooed him out of her room and once he was gone, she slumped on her bed reaching for a stuffed koala he gifted her on her birthday. So much for happy ever afters.

Longing Hearts (Book 1 of Precious Series)
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