36: Beyond Appearance

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Kaltoom sighed inwardly, her mind racing with thoughts of Adyan and the kiss they shared. She had been dodging him for hours, but it seemed impossible to avoid him entirely, given their shared surroundings.

As she busied herself with mundane tasks, she caught glimpses of Adyan out of the corner of her eye. She made a conscious effort to avoid eye contact, fearing what might happen if their gazes met.

But Adyan seemed determined to catch her attention. Kaltoom could sense his eyes on her, searching for an opportunity to talk. She steeled herself, knowing she wasn't ready to face him - not after the unexpected kiss that had left her feelings in turmoil.

The peaceful atmosphere after Isha prayer was palpable, and Kaltoom couldn't help but notice Laila's radiant glow. The call from Jalal had clearly sent her friend soaring, and Kaltoom smiled to herself as Laila floated out of the room, her happiness infectious.

Left alone with her thoughts, Kaltoom's mind began to wander. But her introspection was short-lived, as a familiar voice greeted her with a gentle "As-salamu alaykum." Kaltoom's heart skipped a beat as she recognized the deep, velvety tone that seemed to stir something within her.

She kept her head low, trying to compose herself, but her senses betrayed her. The scent of Adyan's perfume wafted through the air, teasing her nostrils and transporting her to the moment they shared earlier. Kaltoom felt her pulse quicken, her mind racing with thoughts of Adyan and the unspoken emotions between them.

The silence between them was palpable, with only the sound of their breathing breaking the stillness. Kaltoom counted the seconds in her head, feeling like an eternity had passed.

Finally, Adyan spoke, his calm voice piercing the silence. "Are you sure you won't go home? I mean, you and Laila, Khairiyya and I can stay the night here," he suggested, his words laced with a gentle tone.

Kaltoom's fingers fidgeted with the ring he had given her in China, her mind racing with thoughts of why he wanted her to leave. She could feel his gaze on her, but she refused to meet his eyes.

The thought of leaving him behind with Afeeyah, the girl he used to admire, made her instincts scream "No way!" Kaltoom wasn't about to make that mistake, not now, not when she felt so vulnerable and unsure about their relationship. "Laah Habibi," she thought to herself, "I'm not going anywhere."

Kaltoom's heart skipped a beat as Adyan's words spilled out in a rush of apology. She hadn't expected him to bring it up, especially not in that moment.

As she found her voice, her response came out more out of habit than genuine feeling. "I'm not upset, it's okay," she said, trying to downplay the situation.

Adyan's response was immediate, his voice laced with amusement. "Really?" he asked, his tone dripping with skepticism.

Kaltoom nodded, feeling like a schoolgirl caught off guard. She couldn't meet his gaze, her face burning with embarrassment.

And then, Adyan's face was inches from hers, his voice low and husky. "Does that mean I can do it again?" he asked, the smirk evident in his tone.

Kaltoom's mind went blank, her face aflame. She felt like a ripe tomato, her emotions in turmoil. What was Adyan playing at?

Kaltoom's heart was racing like a jackrabbit, her chest heaving with each rapid beat. She felt like Adyan could literally hear it, the pounding in her ears was that loud. His piercing gaze held hers captive, and she couldn't look away, no matter how hard she tried.

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