CONNECTED HEARTS

19: Kaltoom's Blushing heart

"Wake up, lazy ass, get up and pray."

"Haba, Adyyy... I'm not going to pray, why are you disturbing me? It's so cold and I'm on..." Kaltoom froze, realizing her slip. The words tumbled out too quickly, and regret instantly washed over her face.

Adyan couldn't help the low chuckle that escaped him, which only made her panic more. "That's not what I meant. I was going to pray!" she snapped, frustration bubbling. Then, in a burst of embarrassment, she hissed, "You know what, hell with you. Don't ever call me again," and cut the call.

Adyan sighed, rubbing his temples before tossing his phone aside. The weight of her words sat heavy, her effect on him undeniable.

"Ouchh, dude, watch where you throw things," Afdal groaned, catching the phone before it hit him. "And bro, that's no way to talk to a lady."

"You're such an idiot," Adyan muttered, hurling a pillow at him. "I'm in deep shit here and all you can do is taunt me."

Afdal dodged, grinning smugly, which only fueled Adyan's irritation.

"What do you know about relationships anyway?" Adyan muttered under his breath as he stormed upstairs. Afdal heard him but stayed quiet, knowing better than to prod a wounded ego.

⸻

Meanwhile, Kaltoom was pacing the sitting room for the hundredth time. "Maimoona, I've messed up. I've totally messed up!"

"Wallahi, Khal, move. I'm watching something," Maimoona said, swatting her out of the way.

"You're supposed to advise me, not mock me!" Kaltoom groaned.

Rolling her eyes, Maimoona finally sat up. "Fine. It's not that deep. Forget it ever happened. It's normal, you're a girl. Not a crime. Honestly, how will you even survive your first kiss?" she teased, smirking.

Kaltoom gasped, face heating. "No way. I'm never kissing that egocentric dummy." She crossed her arms like a sulking child.

"Sure, keep telling yourself that," Maimoona replied knowingly. "Anyway, just erase this from your head. Nothing happened. Done."

Before Kaltoom could reply, the doorbell rang.

"Good, I'll get it." Maimoona returned with a stunning sky-blue gift box. "It's from... Muhammad Adyan."

Kaltoom's eyes went wide as she tore the ribbon. Inside: a deluxe DIY bath bomb kit with essential oils. Her breath hitched.

"Khal, this guy is something else," Maimoona said, eyes twinkling.

Kaltoom flushed, both touched and embarrassed.

They pulled out the next gift: a blush-pink heated blanket. Kaltoom squealed, hugging it like treasure. The final gift: chocolate cupcakes. They didn't last ten minutes.

Just as Kaltoom licked the last bit of chocolate off her finger, her phone buzzed.

"It's Adyan!" she yelped. "He wants to video call!"

"Relax," Maimoona grinned. "Pick up. I'm here."

Kaltoom quickly wrapped her veil and answered with a soft, "Hey..."

Adyan's dimples flashed. "I see my gift reached you." His eyes glimmered, making her blush harder. Then he smirked. "Chocolate looks good on you."

Her heart dropped her lips were smeared. She darted a glance at Maimoona for rescue, but the girl had disappeared.

"I just wanted to make up for this morning," Adyan continued, voice gentler. "That blanket should keep you warm next time I wake you."

Kaltoom nodded, wishing she could disappear.

Then he leaned closer to the camera, teasing, "Want me to wipe the chocolate for you?"

Her whole face went crimson. "No thanks, I got this! Thanks for the gifts, bye!" She hung up in panic.

"Maimooonaaa!" she screamed, storming into her cousin's room.

"I only stepped out for a second," Maimoona laughed, already bracing for her wrath.

"You knew he'd call! And you left me hanging!" Kaltoom accused.

"I couldn't resist,you looked so cute," Maimoona teased, clutching her stomach with laughter.

Kaltoom groaned but couldn't help smiling too. "You're dead to me."

Moments later, her phone buzzed again. A text. "Hey, I forgot to ask... do you like the gifts?"

Kaltoom's chest tightened. She turned to Maimoona in panic. "What do I say?"

"Tell him the truth," Maimoona said with a sly smile. "That you loved them. And that you can't wait to see him again."

Kaltoom buried her face in her pillow, red from head to toe.

⸻

Elsewhere, Laila was buzzing with excitement. Adyan's graduation was around the corner, and for once she'd have him all to herself. But reality stung: once he returned, wedding plans would consume him. Kaltoom was already stealing his attention, and she knew their bond was growing.

Still, Laila wasn't backing down. She'd help organize their wedding, choose Kaltoom's dresses, and maybe rope Amani into the chaos too. If it meant keeping her brother close, she'd do it.

She smiled to herself, already plotting a quick trip to China. It hadn't been her dream destination, but now she was eager. She wanted to surprise Adyan, to make this moment unforgettable.

Because soon, everything was going to change.

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