The sweet smell of cinnamon drifted in the air as she walked across the mall. The smell that would haunt her forever. She tried to close her eyes in an effort to force away the thoughts that were haunting her. But instead of it all going away, she saw his face. It felt like she could reach out her hand and draw her fingers through the smooth line on his forehead and caress his cheek. She opened her eyes as soon as she could and felt small drops of perspiration on her forehead. Her brown almond shaped eyes had no emotions in them though. "Are you alright honey? You seem to be perspiring!" Damn that freaking man. Why did he have to be so observant and notice every small detail? She looked at him with a bright smile on her face and tried her best not to show her displeasure at the sight of him. "Oh nothing to worry about sweetie. These people turn on the heat too high, and you know how I can’t stand high temperatures." Her husband seemed to be satisfied at her explanation. He smiled and brushed his knuckle on her cheek affectionately and then diverted his attention to the shops that were brightly decorated. Everyone was festive and cheery. People were greeting each other with warmth in their voice. She was disgusted at the glitter in their eyes at the thought of giving gifts to their dear ones. 'The Christmas spirit' they called it. The worst time of the year for her. The time that would remind her that again and again that dreams were only created to be shattered. It was ten years ago that she had landed in the land of dreams. She had been away from him for two years and there had not been a day that she had not thought of him. She had wept herself to sleep for the first couple of weeks but the hope of meeting him again kept her going through the tiring days. She had come to the United States with a F-1 visa and a $10,000.00 scholarship at the Whitworth College. It was a private college in a small city that deprived her of any chances of working under the table. The only reason for her abruptly aroused interest in getting her higher education completed in the USA was the hope of seeing him again. She had been 18 years old when his mesmerizing eyes and easy sense of humor had swept her off her feet. He was 23 at that time and she had understood that he was completely out of her league. The closest that she could ever get to him was in her thoughts where he was her savior who would take her away from the black and white world she lived in. When he showed interest in her, she had been pleasantly surprised and more than willing to give every bit of herself into the relationship. He had always told her how attracted he was to her simplicity and innocence. She was his "innocent baby" and he would do anything to maker her happy. Well that's what he had always claimed. The first few months consisted of stolen kisses and shy, abrupt hugs. She would blush at the thoughts of what they had done together and think of him till the dark blanket of sleep would take her in its arms. When he had announced one day that he was leaving for the United States with no plans of returning to Nepal, she was shattered. He had won the DV lottery and his aunt had agreed to sponsor him. He had only two months left to stay in Nepal. She had wept herself to sleep that night feeling helpless and frail thinking about losing him. Her eyes were red the next day when they met. What he said next had changed her life...