Searching

Chapter 12

Searching
Katibah Elle
Chapter 12

Tahseen felt herself getting lost in Zuhair’s soulful eyes, his words humming across the veins of her crazy, beating heart.
She saw the truth in what he said, watching it light up the irises of his eyes.

Zuhair had finally chipped away the last bit of the concrete that once secured the fence around her heart.
Now, he held her heart between his hands, asking her permission to take it.

Perhaps it was time for her to allow herself to experience something on an intimate, emotional level.
She knew that her parents would support any decision she were to make, but she needed to take the step towards what she wanted on her own, and knowing that she wanted more with Zuhair, was all the nudge she needed.

She always dreamt of a perfectly charmed life. Living her life, by painting to her hearts content, being married and in love with a remarkable man of her dreams and having the picturesque little family with children of her own.

With Zuhair, this could be the pathway to such a life. A life full of pure love and contentment.

That was all she craved, contentment.

Tahseen lowered her gaze as tiny tears pooled at the corners of her eyes. With a small nod, her hand over her heart, and a soft laugh of joy she whispered, “Okay okay. Oh, how I’d like that.”

Zuhair’s wide smile mirrored her own. Both of them giddy on the fact that, here they were, making their first decision together, ready to see where this would lead.
Oh she knew that it was too soon! That they literally just met, but there was no denying that she felt a connection with him, the sparks that flew with just one glance.

Zuhair leaned so close towards her, that their noses were almost touching. Tahseen felt the flicker of heated chemistry; thick and potent, clouding her senses.
In a voice deep and husky, he declared, “We can take this at any pace you want, but I need you to know that this is it for me. It’s in you that I see everything I have ever wanted, and I want to make the effort to find out every possible thing about you, make the effort to make a relationship work. With you, Tahseen Hassim, I can see a forever.” 

Tahseen hands trembled as she felt the blood rushing to her ears, blocking out everything else, except for the man in front of her.

That word of forever, uttered with such conviction from Zuhair’s lips gave it a new meaning.
It created a new colour in the horizon and Tahseen could only fall in love with the shade.
It tumbled and twirled around in her mind, until it found a place to call home.

Forever.
A forever with Zuhair Adam.

Tahseen felt so choked up on emotion, that it was impossible for her to respond to Zuhair.
Yet, he seemed to understand, and there was nothing more she needed to do nor say, except stare back, with her heart in her eyes, at the man that she wanted to share her everything with.

Zuhair and Tahseen were so absorbed in each other, eyes soaking in the newfound ground of their blooming relationship, that it took them a few minutes to realize that Dr Miller had stopped by and greeted them.
After he cleared his throat a few times, they blinked away and looked at him with dazed expressions.

Zuhair was the first to react to Dr Miller and jumped up, passing a hand through his hair in embarrassment, his jaw set firm in annoyance at the interruption.

Tahseen turned away from the men, her cheeks so red and hot she was sure she could easily fry an egg on it. She forces herself to steady her heartbeat while trying to quietly move away, before either men looked at her again, she fumbled with her pens, hastily throwing them in her knapsack.
With a twinge of guilt she looked at the rose gold watch on her wrist, and realized she was thirty minutes late, she was supposed to collect her files from Dr. Miller’s office.

How long had she and Zuhair been so engrossed in each other, that the concept of time seemed to have vanished? Tahseen wondered mildly.

She peeked up and saw that Dr Miller was talking to Zuhair, and while he nodded along to whatever Dr Miller said to him, he was looking right at her.
Tahseen felt herself heating up again with delighted shyness, and she slipped out a small smile.

“Dr Hassim ? Did you hear what I said?” Dr Miller turned to look at her, raising his eyebrow at her, waiting for her answer.

Tahseen broke away from Zuhair’s stare, with wide eyes as she floundered, “Mm? What? Sorry. Oh I’m.. umm excuse me, can you please repeat that, again, please?”

Dr Miller smirked at her, folding his arms, he repeated, “I asked if this gracious gentleman has offered a donation towards the children’s ward? I assume that’s what you two have been chatting about?”

Tahseen stumbled forward, her bag nearly falling out of her hand, “... uhh I don’t….”

Zuhair stepped forward and giving Dr Miller what looked like an icy smile, he replied, “Yes, as a matter of fact I am. I will email the details to you, Dr Miller, shortly. Now if you will excuse me.” With a curt nod at Dr Miller, Zuhair walked off.

From the corner of her eyes she saw him wink at her, and it took every ounce of her willpower not to blush and oh gosh, even giggle in the presence of Dr Miller.

Dr Miller held up his phone, waving it like a trophy as he remarked, “Well, well, well, Dr Hassim. I don’t know what you said to the man, but judging from the email I have just received from Mr Adam, you’ve impressed him so much, he had given such a magnanimous contribution. I can only thank YOU for that.”

Tahseen felt completely mortified by Dr. Miller’s comment but chose not to dwell on it. She guessed that to cover up their real conversation, Zuhair would be generous enough to do this.

Grateful for the man’s good sense, she nodded and after clearing her throat she replied, “ Well, I can’t take all the credit. I’m glad he has made a difference. It was truly kind of him to do so.”

Dr Miller scrutinized her for a second and Tahseen could feel herself holding her breath.
With a sigh, he agreed, “Yes, I suppose it was. Well, your files are waiting for you on my desk. I’m afraid you will be busy with patients for the rest of the day. Perhaps tomorrow you could start a little earlier with your mural, which by the way, is coming out really beautifully.”

“Thank you Dr Miller, I appreciate it.”
With that, she took off, ready to seize the rest of the day.

Tahseen reached home, completely exhausted. Her body ached in places she didn’t know was possible, like her fingernails, her finger nails actually ached!

Dropping her bag on the side marble table, she tiptoed upstairs, not wanting to disturb the rest of the family.
Once she got to her room, Tahseen made a beeline for a honey and apple scented bubble bath.
After drawing the water, she lay deep under the surface , closing her eyes and enjoying the quiet and the soothing sensation of water therapy.

Today turned out much better than she expected, the only slightly unnerving part now, was to talk to her parent’s.
She wasn’t sure what she wanted, but neither did she want to hide from her parents, of Zuhair and her were going to work on a relationship, she needed to confide in them.
Tomorrow morning was the perfect time to speak to them.

Feeling sated and drowsy by the magic of bubbles and the thrill of opening her heart, Tahseen dried off and jumped into bed.

The notification of a new email had her diving for her phone.

From:zuadam@gmail.com
To:hassimt@gmail.com
Subject : Forever

I just wanted to let you know, I’m thinking about you.
Sleep tight.
Until tomorrow, until our forever.

Zuhair

Tahseen pressed the phone to her lips, and in no minute, she fell into a happy dreamless sleep.