Hidden bonds of love

18.

Ahmad and Mrs. Fatima hurried to Maryam's room, where they discovered her seated on the bed, trembling as if she had encountered a specter. Mrs. Fatima rushed to Maryam, enfolding her in a tender embrace, her concern evident as she asked what had transpired.

"Mommy, I swear I saw Khalid. He entered this room, and I'm so frightened. Please don't leave me," Maryam's voice quivered as she sought refuge, burying her face in her mother's chest. The embrace tightened, a stronghold of comfort exchanged between them. Tears welled in Mrs. Fatima's eyes, an unfamiliar depth of emotion swelling within her as she held Maryam close.

Amidst this poignant scene, Ahmad observed with a serene countenance, his heart wishing that Mrs. Fatima could truly be Maryam's biological mother. In his eyes, this would shield Maryam from the pain of a truth yet uncovered, unaware that Maryam had already unearthed the reality.

Mrs. Fatima continued to soothe Maryam, her touch a gentle balm, her words an assurance that no intruder lingered. In this moment, she embodied the epitome of a mother's calming presence, a role she embraced with newfound tenderness. Unbeknownst to her, tears cascaded down her cheeks, her silent weeping bearing testament to the depths of her feelings. This shift was unanticipated, as Mrs. Fatima, who often regarded tearful displays as weakness, now found solace in her own tears.

Ahmad, attuned to their emotions, extended a tissue to Mrs. Fatima, a small gesture of support. He meticulously scoured the room, ensuring its emptiness, before meticulously inspecting the rest of the house to guarantee its security.

And so, as the night unfolded, Maryam drifted into slumber within her mother's embrace. Mrs. Fatima held her with a newfound reverence, the sensation of cradling Maryam stirring emotions that eclipsed all else. In that tender moment, she felt an unbreakable bond, knowing that henceforth, nothing would hold greater significance than her connection with Maryam. As Maryam peacefully slept, Mrs. Fatima's fingers grazed the length of her daughter's hair, a soft smile gracing her lips.

❀

Two days had elapsed, and Maryam's physical recovery was underway, yet the weight of the revealed secret remained an open wound in her heart. She spoke sparingly, grappling with the pain. Despite Mrs. Fatima's newfound tenderness, Maryam felt a barrier had been erected, rendering acceptance difficult. The realization that Mrs. Fatima wasn't her biological mother, and worse yet, was involved in her mother's demise, had driven an unbridgeable wedge between them. A hunger for truth consumed her—Maryam yearned to uncover the intricacies of her past, the family to which she truly belonged, and the full extent of her mother's story.

A resolve took root within her: she needed to meet Khalid. His elusive knowledge about Mrs. Fatima's secrets beckoned her. The path to such a meeting, however, remained shrouded in uncertainty.

Ahmad, tormented by Maryam's newfound coldness, struggled to grapple with her emotional withdrawal. His attempts to reach out were met with stilted replies, one-word retorts that gnawed at him. The intentional avoidance was palpable, a painful reminder of the distance between them. If only Maryam would confide in him, share the weight that burdened her soul.

The desire for answers propelled Maryam to seize her mother's phone, her curiosity overcoming any hesitation. With a request for the phone's passcode, she cleverly concealed her intentions from Mrs. Fatima, who complied without suspicion. Navigating through the contacts, looking for Khalid's number which she couldn't find. Maryam's eyes alighted upon the puzzling entry labeled "SON" accompanied by a heart emoji. Intrigue surged within her, compelling her to covertly copy the number before returning the phone.

Mrs. Fatima, unaware of Maryam's clandestine exploration, questioned her actions. Maryam responded with a veneer of nonchalance, masking her true purpose. "I needed to connect to your wifi since my phone's data was depleted," she explained, her gaze steady yet guarded.

"Why isn't the house wifi working?" Mrs. Fatima probed further, her eyes fixed on Maryam.

"The house wifi isn't connecting properly to my phone. There's something urgent I need to attend to," Maryam responded, feigning concentration on her device while her thoughts churned with anticipation.

Ahmad's keen observation skills were on high alert, recognizing Maryam's unease and subtle giveaways. Her eyes, as he had noted in the past, held a certain transparency that betrayed her emotions. When her gaze flicked up from her phone to meet his, a momentary connection ignited, but she swiftly averted her eyes. A sense of nervous anxiety radiated from her, amplified by the knowledge that Ahmad saw through her falsehood. Time seemed to stretch as five minutes elapsed, marked by Maryam's acute awareness of Ahmad's unwavering scrutiny.

Maryam, feeling increasingly uncomfortable, rose from her seat and excused herself, retreating to her room. Mrs. Fatima's timely departure for work created the opportunity Ahmad sought – a chance to address Maryam's lie. He knocked on her door, and when it swung open, Maryam's demeanor remained unsurprised. He joined her by the edge of the bed, their proximity bringing her wide-eyed gaze into focus.

"Your eyelashes have grown even longer," Ahmad commented, his voice holding a touch of nostalgia as he gazed at her eyes.

"Yet to me, they appear the same," Maryam responded, her words curt, her focus still evading his direct gaze.

Her six-word response marked a departure from her usual brevity since her return from the hospital. It was a small victory, a flicker of connection that gave Ahmad a glimmer of hope. Despite the absence of a smile or a jest, her increased word count provided a semblance of relief.

The silence enveloped them, lingering as Ahmad continued his attentive stare. The discomfort began to seep into Maryam's consciousness, prompting her to request an end to his unyielding gaze. He pressed on, questioning her motives behind the phone lie and the noticeable changes in her demeanor. She brushed off his inquiries, retorting that it was none of his concern. When he probed further, questioning her transformation, she countered with a declaration of her maturation as she stepped into adulthood.

"Ahmad, unlike the past, I'm now on the cusp of adulthood and about to embark on university life. Naturally, change is inevitable," Maryam explained, her gaze locked onto her phone screen.

Ahmad's laughter echoed, a warm sound tinged with amusement. He shook his head in disbelief, voicing his skepticism that there was more to her transformation. A moment of stillness hung in the air, Maryam raising her head to meet his gaze fully for the first time. The intensity of her eyes revealed her own turmoil, and in that instant, Ahmad's heart skipped a beat.

"Perhaps, if you looked deep into my eyes, you'd glimpse the reasons for my change," Maryam uttered, her eyes locked onto his with unwavering intensity.

Two minutes of unbroken eye contact ensued, a silent conversation that transcended words. In Maryam's eyes, Ahmad glimpsed a profound pain, an aching vulnerability. Conversely, Maryam saw his own deep affection and care reflected in his gaze – a brother's love laced with something more profound. The realization hit her like a wave. and for a fleeting moment, Ahmad considered pressing his lips against hers.

Abruptly, he broke the gaze, his desire to kiss her at war with the understanding that such feelings couldn't be entertained. As his eyes darted away, Maryam's voice pierced the silence.

"Ahmad, do you love me – not just as your sister, but with deeper feelings?" Maryam's question hung in the air, the weight of its implication palpable.

Ahmad's heart raced, and a whirlwind of emotions churned within him. The truth remained elusive even to himself. Maryam's repetition of his name startled him, a stark reminder of the gravity of her inquiry.

😦?
I think love is in the air.

Is this the beginning of a beautiful romance between these two?