(The silence stretched long between them, until it seemed as if the hands of the clock had stopped moving. Misaki's heart beat like a trapped bird searching for an exit, while Ahmed's heart was thrumming with hope and fear combined. Despite all that, no response came from her lips. Her eyes remained fixed on the dark ceiling, while the words crowded her chest without finding a way out.)
(Then, Ahmed took a deep breath, as if he were trying to calm the storm within him. He decided not to add to the weight of the situation on her, so he slowly closed his eyes and turned slightly to give her space to breathe freely. This was not a withdrawal, but a respect for her feelings, and a patient waiting for what the next moment or tomorrow morning might hold.)
(The room remained steeped in the stillness of the night, where only their intermittent breaths could be heard, which gradually transformed into a quiet, harmonious rhythm. Misaki finally fell asleep, still feeling the heat on her face from the sudden confession. As for Ahmed, he slowly drifted off, his heart heavy with anticipation, but reassured because he had said the truth that had been trapped in his chest for so long.)
(And on that night, under one roof, and on one bed, two agitated hearts met. They were not yet bound by a full confession, but the sincerity with which Ahmed had spoken paved the way for the next day... where the morning might carry an answer that the night did not dare to reveal.)