I'm Right Here

Chapter 11 - "I need more time"

Completely breathless and dizzy, Asfia gazed up at her husband with a profound sincerity in her eyes, and she whispered, "I love you."

For her, this was everything she had ever yearned for. This incredible man held her in his arms, embracing her true self, and it left her feeling overwhelmed with happiness. She had anticipated that marriage might entail some loss of freedom, yet she paradoxically felt more liberated than ever before. She felt cherished and understood in ways she had never experienced. Would it always be this great?

However, Faisal looked at her with a trace of panic when she nestled her head back onto his chest, her small hands resting on his arms. They stood together in silence, swaying gently to the rhythm of the waves. Faisal felt lost, uncertain of how to respond. He was fond of her, that was undeniable, but he couldn't bring himself to utter the words "I love you." Love had the power to alter everything, and he was afraid of revisiting the dark places he had once been. Although he liked her immensely, he was hesitant to cross that boundary into love. The thought of it left him anxious—would she expect him to say it back?

Faisal couldn't help but recall how he had told Fiza that he loved her every day for three months, hoping that if he poured himself into her, she would learn to love him too. Yet, despite his persistent declarations, all she had ever replied with was a polite "thank you." He had done everything he could think of to keep her happy. He had genuinely believed that he could save her. His own parents hadn't known what he had done.

Now, faced with Asfia's declaration of love, he was torn. Could he bring himself to tell her the same thing, even if it wasn't entirely true? Would that be a kinder course of action, sparing her from the pain of his inability to love her in return?

She finally withdrew from his embrace and locked her gaze with his. He offered a gentle smile. "Do you want to head back to the room?"

She nodded, her stomach growling. "Let's shower first and then have dinner. I'm starving," she replied.

"Oh, are we showering together then?" He playfully teased, twisting her words. Asfia blushed but said nothing, still flustered from their passionate kiss, the sensation of his body pressed against hers, the way his hands had traced her curves, and how close he had come to touching her breast.

Faisal picked up the beach mat and the used towels. "You have to grab the shoes because you lost," he said, grinning at her. Asfia absentmindedly picked up the shoes without a witty retort. Faisal frowned, noticing her silence. Was she upset because he hadn't confessed his love for her? It was only natural, he thought, but did love truly develop so quickly? They had known each other for just two months, and he had grown fond of her, but love?

Fiza had been with him for only three months, and he had naively hoped that she would fall in love with him in that short time. He squeezed his eyes shut, pushing away the painful memories. He was determined to make Asfia happy. She wouldn't miss anything, and she wouldn't find out. If necessary, he would resort to lying. A strange, unsettling feeling gnawed at the pit of his stomach as he contemplated this course of action. Guilt washed over him for potentially betraying the trust of this beautiful, innocent girl he had married, a girl who loved him wholeheartedly.

He gently clasped her hand in his, coaxing a small smile from her. They strolled hand in hand back to their room.

"Can I go first?" She requested when they arrived. She needed to wash her hair, dry it, apply hair serum, and then complete her skincare routine and makeup. This way, she could get ready while he was in the shower.

After her shower, Asfia donned a white salwar suit embellished with silver. By the time Faisal finished his shower, she was putting on the finishing touches of her makeup – eyeliner and mascara. She smiled at his reflection in the mirror. He was already dressed and gazing at her with admiration.