RIGHTFULLY YOUR'S

Part 13

Author's pov:

Yusuf and Layla were seated at a beautiful restaurant located by the seaside, enjoying their lunch. As they sat there, Layla couldn't shake off the unholy thought that had been sparked by the conversation in the car—Yusuf's playful comment about his fingers and her reaction to it. It was a daring and unexpected statement, and Layla found herself replaying it in her mind, her cheeks still tinged with embarrassment.

Layla couldn't believe that Yusuf had openly brought up such an intimate topic in the car. The image of his fingers and the implication of his words had ignited a fire of thoughts in her mind. She struggled to reconcile the composed and respectable image of Yusuf with the unexpected playfulness he had shown.

As they continued their lunch, Yusuf turned to Layla and playfully remarked, "Are you still preoccupied with that thought?" Layla, caught off guard, tilted her head and replied with a light shake of her head, a coy smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

Yusuf chuckled at her response, his laughter laced with affection. "Well, your cheeks are still quite red," he teased, his tone gentle and warm.

Layla's smile grew wider, and she playfully retorted, "No, they're not," as she lightly touched her cheeks to gauge their warmth.

Yusuf's laughter bubbled up again, his amusement evident in his eyes and his voice. "You know, you look absolutely adorable when you blush," he admitted with a soft grin.

Layla's laughter joined his, and she playfully nudged him, a newfound comfort and playfulness evident in their interaction. The genuine exchange of banter felt refreshing, and Layla found herself opening up to this side of Yusuf, one where his laughter and light-heartedness were directed solely at her.

For the first time, Layla saw Yusuf in such an unguarded, carefree light, and she couldn't help but revel in the moment. His laughter was infectious, and their playful exchange created a bond that was based on more than just their shared history and experiences—it was a testament to the growing intimacy between them.

However, this happiness of Yusuf and Layla did not go unnoticed by someone harboring feelings of resentment. For this person, witnessing Yusuf and Layla's joy was nothing short of a bitter pill to swallow. Observing their happiness seemed to be a reminder of their own unfulfilled desires.

This individual rose from their chair, their eyes fixed on Yusuf and Layla as they made their way closer to the couple. As they reached Layla's side, they greeted her with a familiar yet icy tone, "Layla, you're here." Layla turned around at the sound of the voice, recognizing it immediately. It was Elaf's voice—familiar, but tinged with a certain coldness.

Layla's smile was a mix of politeness and genuine warmth as she acknowledged Elaf's presence. Standing up from her seat, she extended a friendly greeting, "Hi Elaf, how have you been?"

Elaf's expression softened slightly upon seeing Layla's smile, but a trace of frustration still lingered in her eyes. She addressed Layla with a mix of curiosity and mild reproach, "Where were you? I waited so long for your call."

Layla explained apologetically, "Actually, my phone broke down, and I had to get a new one. Unfortunately, I lost all my contacts in the process. I'm sorry."

Elaf, then turned her attention towards Yusuf and greeted him, "Long time no see, Yusuf." Her words hung in the air for a moment, suspended in an unspoken history between them. Before Yusuf could respond, Elaf closed the gap between them and embraced him, her gesture filled with familiarity and nostalgia. But her attempt to bridge the past was met with an unexpected chill, as Yusuf's arms remained at his sides, leaving the hug one-sided.