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Chapter [X]: Slipping Away
I was adjudting my neckline again, for the second time. It wasn't sitting right, or maybe my thoughts weren't. Amma was calling me from the hallway, thanking Ahad's mother for the lovely dinner and insisting we leave soon. They had invited us to stay the night—it was sweet, and tempting—but Amma had already made up her mind.
"My bhai and his wife must be reaching any moment. They've come to stay for a few days, you know, since imans papa is away for work," she'd said just an hour ago to uncke Sultan but indirectly was directed to me as well. I had nodded, not arguing, but my heart had turned a bit too silent.
"Iman, beta," Ahad's mother called softly from behind me. "It was such a pleasure having you. Come soon again."
"Ji, aunty. Thank you so much," I smiled, stepping out into the living room where shoes had been scattered in the same messy manner we'd come in.
Ahad stood quietly by the shoe rack, one hand in his pocket, the other fiddling with the edge of a keychain. Something about him looked unreadable, like a cloud that didn't know whether to rain or disappear.
We said our thank-yous, our salaams, our promises to meet again. But just as I bent to put on my flats, his shadow fell near mine.
"Iman," he murmured.
I looked up, blinking. He wasn't smiling.
"Stay."
I paused. I didn't want to hear that word. Not from him. Not when everything felt too fragile. Too forbidden.
"I can't," I replied, my voice gentler than I expected. "We really have to go. My uncle—"
"I heard," he said, cutting me off. "Still...stay."
I shook my head, offering him the softest smile I could muster. "You know I can't."
He exhaled through his nose, and the tension in his shoulders showed as he rubbed his hand down his face, almost as if wiping something off it—regret, frustration, maybe even guilt.
"I was thinking," he said slowly, "about that moment earlier…"
I straightened immediately. My heart felt like it took three rapid steps ahead of me.
"Let's pretend it never happened," I said, sharper than I meant, my words escaping like steam from a kettle before it boils over.
His expression didn't crack, but his eyes darkened a little.
"I was just about to say the same," he replied, but his voice was laced with something too calm, too lazy—like a lie dressed in sleep.
My brows furrowed before I could hide it. I didn't believe him, and he knew I didn't. But before either of us could say another word, ammi walked back into the hallway "Ahad beta, do visit us soon. Ali might be reaching by evening today, staying with us for a few days, too. He'd love to see you."
Ahad gave her a quick nod, eyes still on me. "I'll think about it."
She turned to Ahad's mother. "And you must all come for dinner tomorrow, please"
But Ahad's parents were already apologizing with warm voices.
"We have told you,so much work, Naziya.So much . We've been buried in files lately. You all enjoy tomorrow. We'll send Ahad if he's free."
Ammi smiled politely, insisting a little more, but the date had shifted, the plans slightly blurred.
And yet, as I stepped outside, clutching the handle of the car door, I could feel his stare on my back.
We had both walked too close to a line earlier today.
And now we were both walking away from it.
But the question lingered—who would cross it next?