A Night to Remember

Fahmeen's POV:

I wasn't sure if I should take the mask off at least for a little while, just so people can know who I was. But soon enough, I realised it was unnecessary as everyone was wearing them and mingling just fine. A few people said hi and it was nice watching Georgia enjoy herself with my brother. He was currently grabbing her a drink as I stood by the canapé table. I wasn't too hungry but gulped my drink quick. Suddenly, I smell Sauvage. That perfume Jasper was wearing. It's intoxicating and directly appeals to my secret weakness of male perfume.

"Where is he?" Jasper says from beside me, and he offers me another glass. I think he's referring to Rolf.
"I don't know. He said he'd be here." I look around but then remember his note.

Though I can't touch you, but I can watch

Is here but out of sight? Watching me from the shadows as he can't touch me like he wants to? I feel a tingle on the back of my neck but then realise it's Jasper's hands there. He's toying with the strings of my mask and watching me.
"I never liked a masquerade. They hide too much, don't you think?" He leans in close. He smells very good. Jasper's wearing a black suit jacket and pants, with a white dress shirt. He's left the top few buttons undone and I feel as though that intensifies his scent. The way he's watching me tonight is devilish. And the black mask he wears, adds to his dominance.

"I don't mind it. It's kind of sexy."
I wish I could take back the last few words because he groans and stares at my lips. I watch him then chuckle and pull back. He shakes his head and looks away from me.

"Here you are."

I feel like I'm seeing double. Rolf is wearing the very same suit as Jasper, the only difference being the blonde hair.
"It's good to finally see you!" I can't hide the sarcasm but I sweeten it with a smile as I was relieved to see him. He engulfs me in a hug and I smell the exact same perfume as Jasper on Rolf. His hand possessively lowers close to my behind.
"Meet me in the cloakroom later." He whispers and pulls away. I'm stumped and wanting to talk more with him but he only glares at Jasper behind me, before rushing off. I guess he was busy tonight.

"Well, that's a shame." Jasper clears his throat and I turn to face him, looking falsely annoyed. His grin is cheeky and his eyes light up.
"We can have our own fun." He offers me his hand and I'm wandering,
should I take it?

...

Fahmeen's POV:

I'm walking with Jasper; and we're starry eyed enjoying the effort of the prom committee this year. There were photographs of students scattered across the walls and as the dainty fairy lights lit up their faces, I felt a sudden sense of nostalgia. I grip tighter onto Jasper's arm and he looks at me, concerned.
"Everything okay?"

He stops us walking and I'm trying to fight this sadness I didn't expect to feel, not tonight. Tears line my eyes and I suddenly worry about my eyeliner.
"This is the last time I'll probably see any of these people. The very same people I've been seeing practically everyday for the last 6 years." I shrug as I didn't expect to be this emotional and Jasper wipes off a couple of tears that escape.
"Maybe this is all my little tree." I sigh. Pregnancy can be really unexplainable, sometimes.

"Okay, now I'm seriously confused."
I giggle at his face and gesture towards my belly.
"Oh!"
We both laugh and I start to notice the way some people are staring at us.

"Evening, Principal. Fahmeen."
Shania cuts the light atmosphere short and stands between us. We both knew how much Jasper disliked being called something other than his name and so he playfully rolls his eyes at her.

"I'll leave you two to catch up. Have a good evening."
I leave them two together and he gives me a pleading look before returning to Shania.

...

I don't think people know it's me.
Seriously. They're giving me strange looks and I think it's something to do with my belly. I mean, Emilio recognised me and didn't even react to my current state? Either he was being extremely polite or he already knew?

"Is she his wife?" Someone mumbles from behind me, but I'm trying not to let them stop me from finally being with... him. I'm heading in the direction of the only closet I can see. The door has been left slightly open. Just as I'm about to walk in, Willow violently moves inside of me. I have to stop and recollect myself. It wasn't painful, just unsteadying.
"Woah there. What's going on, baby girl?" I ask. A wave of familiar discomfort washes over me from somewhere I can't quite put my finger on yet.

I lean against the wall, breathing steady and slow, calming myself. Okay, so I'm six months pregnant which means it's still a way to go till labour day.
"Ooh, okay!" I stand up straight as she does it again. This doesn't feel normal but it doesn't feel painful either. Maybe I'm overthinking and she's just being super active tonight?

Suddenly I hear a person coming from my right.
"You coming in?" Rolf appears, apparently having waited for me all this time.
He smiles warmly at first, ready to embrace me but I see his face turn.
"What's wrong, baby?" He steps closer and presses his hand to my belly. His face in concern is like a sad painting. Beautiful to look at but there's a painful story behind it. I hold his face, ready to reassure him but she kicks me hard, and I feel like she's turned herself upside down.
"She's scaring me."
Our eyes meet in understanding. Pure fear on our faces mirroring the other. Now I recognise that familiar discomfort.

It was from my dreams and now I remember it being more like dread.

...

"No no no this isn't right. Something's not right!"
I'm hysterical and thank God he is there to be calm for the both of us. Rolf calmly but swiftly walked us out of there and we're currently driving to the hospital. It was easier to avoid the weird stares this time as we were both preoccupied with our daughter.

"I don't know what this could mean, baby. I really don't." He says. I can see the sweat accumulating on his forehead as he loosens his shirt buttons. I tear off my mask after having helped him out of his before he began driving. I swear our hearts are racing in synchronisation. I'm so scared, my teeth are chattering.
"Out of all the things I've researched, I can't come up with something." He has to calm himself down from shouting, I sense his growing fear and frustration.
"Just get us to someone who can, baby."

...

"She feels really still, Rolf."
He switches off the engine and just looks at me. I couldn't tell you his expression as I'm trying to work it out myself. His skin looks pale, damp. His jacket tossed to the back of the car.
Rolf jumps out of the car and once he makes it to my side, he almost pulls off the door. My hand is smothered in his and we rush into the hospital.

"My wife. She needs attention." We've caught the attention of the young receptionist as she quits chewing her gum and sits up, in worry. She scans me from head to toe and briefly pauses on my belly.
"Did you not hear me, damn it!" He slams his fist on the desk and I put my hand on his arm. His tense body ever so slightly reacts to my touch and settles. The now anxious receptionist starts to speak us.
"Of course, is it to do with the baby?"
As they exchange questions and answers, I wait patiently as I am forced to. My hand holds my baby, horrified at the idea it may be one of the last times I could. Perhaps I wake up tomorrow morning and she's gone?

...

They're checking me over. Test after test as I keep my eyes on Rolf and he keeps his eyes on me. He's frowning, body rigid and posture forward. Hawkeyes towards anyone that comes near me. I, on the other hand, am in a constant state of visual despair. I hold off the tears because I know he'll start to believe what I already know.

That she's dead.

I can feel it. The emptiness of her even though her body still lays inside of me. I'm just waiting for everyone to separate us for the last time. I don't want to be the one to break it to him so I wait, needing the explanation as to why our daughter was taken away from us.

...

"I'm sorry to say your baby has died from asphyxiation from the umbilical chord."

That's what the doctor tells us, empathy all over his professional face. My gown is still bloody from the emergency c section.
My tongue tastes the salt of my tears and my face feels swollen. Rolf moves from the corner of the room after having witnessed the violent birth, towards me, neither of us having said a word after hearing of our daughter's death. He wordlessly places a hard kiss on my forehead, and I feel his silent tears drop onto my face.
"I'm so sorry." He whispers and with heavy footsteps, he leaves the room.

I lay my head back and look to the right of me. The pain is unexplainable right now. I think they call this shock?
There she lies, wrapped in white cloth. Her premature body is still. Her skin looks pale, just as her fathers' was not too long ago. I couldn't tell you the colour of her hair as it was covered but I'll always imagine it to be as light as my dreams.

I'll only ever see her in my dreams.