CONNECTED HEARTS

25:Lost In His Gaze

Kaltoom's POV

We were cutting it close for our flight, the airport scene nothing short of chaotic everyone darting around like Sonic the Hedgehog. It was almost comical if I wasn't so overwhelmed. Last night still replayed in my head like a dream on loop, the kind you never want to wake up from. I was still wearing the stunning diamond ring Adyan had slid onto my finger. To answer the question already circling in your mind: yes, I said yes.

I had accepted Adyan's proposal.

And when he hugged me afterward, it was unlike anything I'd ever experienced. I've been hugged thousands of times by Abbi, Farouk, Khalid, Ami, and my friends. But this? This was different. His arms around me felt like home, like a promise, like something I couldn't quite name but never wanted to let go of.

I wished I could freeze that moment, bottle up the intoxicating scent of his cologne that clung to me long after he let go. But reality doesn't wait. He released me quickly, almost too quickly, as if suddenly aware of his actions. And there I was blushing, trembling, caught between disbelief and joy. I hadn't even stopped to think about what saying "yes" truly meant, what consequences lay ahead, or what our future might look like.

It was Laila's shrill voice that snapped me out of my daze. I had already shown her the ring, and she had been squealing, dancing, and radiating enough excitement for the both of us. "Do you want to spend the rest of your life daydreaming in China? We're moving, remember!" she teased, shaking me out of my haze.

I rolled my eyes, but her words stung with truth. Adyan stood nearby, and saying he looked handsome would be an understatement. Ya Rabb, it should be a crime to look that good.

And then it happened I caught him watching me. Or maybe I had been watching him first. Either way, his smirk told me he knew exactly what he was doing to me. My cheeks flushed, and I looked away quickly, but the damage was already done.

When we reached the cars, Laila and I slipped into the backseat together. She was busy chatting with her friend Jalal on the phone. I shot her a mischievous grin, and she instantly caught on, scowling at me before cutting the call.

"Talking to your Mr. Right, huh?" I teased.

"Eww. You're smitten with my brother, so now you think everyone else is in love too," she muttered, unwrapping a chocolate bar.

"Yeah, whatever," I said, sinking into my seat, still trying to piece together my own tangled emotions. "I just... can't believe myself."

We fell into a comfortable silence as the driver sped us to the airport.

Before long, we were buckled up on the plane, soaring toward Niger Republic.

Onboard, we FaceTimed Khalid and Maimoona, and of course, Amani joined in too bouncing with energy as usual. "Tell meee the story!" she demanded, her little face filling the screen. I shot Laila a look, and her wicked grin told me she has exposed me.

"Snitch," I hissed under my breath, trying not to laugh.

Mom and Dad were seated right behind us, so we put on our best behavior, but my chest was bubbling with butterflies.

⸻

Maradi welcomed us like a second home. Adyan's maternal family was warm, lively, and... overwhelming in the best way. Their massive house swarmed with over twenty-five relatives, mostly young men, their Arabic tumbling out faster than I could follow. Laila and I exchanged helpless glances, but Adyan's mom blended right in, like she was born for this.

We were ushered in with caramel milk and snacks, and soon Laila dragged me off to explore. That's when I met Yasmeen a little ball of joy who stole my heart instantly. I carried her around like my personal doll, snapping photos of us, of Laila, of her tiny dimpled smile. She felt like a glimpse of the future I dared not put into words.

But even as we wandered through gardens and hallways, my mind was elsewhere. Searching. Waiting. For him.

And then I smelled him before I saw him, his cologne cutting through the air, pulling me like a magnet. There he was. My knight in shining kaftan.

I nearly tripped over my feet when his eyes locked onto me. Yasmeen was perched on my hip, but I was the one unsteady.

"Dudeee!" I squealed awkwardly, trying to mask my nerves.

His lips curved, his voice dropping into something dangerous. "What that voice do to me..." he murmured before quickly changing the subject.

"Where did you get that baby from?" he teased, reaching for Yasmeen.

I handed her over, and watching him scoop her into his arms was too much for my heart. He bounced her gently until she was giggling uncontrollably, and I swear I melted on the spot. I snapped a photo without thinking,it was too precious to waste. Too real. And for one insane moment, I imagined Yasmeen with his features and mine... our child.

Ya Rabb. What was happening to me?

A middle-aged woman,his aunt Huda came over, smiling warmly. Yasmeen ran straight into her arms. Adyan introduced me in Arabic that rolled effortlessly off his tongue, making me feel both foreign and enchanted.

I was smitten. No point denying it anymore.

⸻

Later, after Magrib prayers, I returned to the room I shared with Laila, only to find her gossiping with Amani about me, obviously. The teasing was merciless until Adyan's mom peeked in, making sure we weren't causing too much chaos. I threatened Amani (empty, of course) while my cheeks burned.

By the time I rejoined the family downstairs, I felt more at ease. The laughter, the warmth, the Arabic chatter, it was becoming familiar. Adyan sat beside me quietly, asking if I was okay, if I needed anything. That simple attention left me giddy.

Eventually, he stood, addressing his family in Arabic. They nodded, smiling at me, and I leaned toward Laila. "What did he say?"

She smirked. "He just said goodnight."

I excused myself soon after, exhaustion pulling me under. But as I headed toward the hallway, there he was waiting. Hands in his pocket, eyes fixed on me with a look I couldn't describe.

"Going to bed?" His voice was soft, almost teasing.

I nodded, suddenly speechless.

"Let me walk you to your room," he said, offering his arm.

I slipped my hand into his, and the spark that shot through me was undeniable.

And in that moment, I knew I was in trouble.

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