Tale Teller (West Hampton U Series #1)

Chapter 18 ● Magic

Sorry for the delay folks, I just wanted to take Ramadan for myself this year and focus on prayers. Hope you all had a wonderful Ramadan and Eid! 💜

-- Sameer--

Kento listened intently from his spot on the bench as Muskaan explained the technicalities of a school dance. I stood beside her, like an assistant coach as she called it, engrossed in how she spoke. She was patient, confident, and explained everything to Kento with care and ease. Kento on the other hand looked like we were explaining nuclear physics to him. I had to fight through the amusement to be able to let Muskaan talk. Ruhaan was already zoned out on his phone.

Muskaan turns to face me, explaining to Kento where to respectfully hold a girl and where not to but guiding my hands in front of her. My fingers never made contact with her, but it was enough to make me feel like I was being punished for my past sins. Suhana joined us at that point, and volunteered to partner with Kento, so I had Muskaan to completely steal all my thoughts and attention.

Even in her causal gym clothes, her hair up in her usual ponytail, she took my breath away. I could watch her do the most mundane of things and it would still be the most engaging, mesmerizing thing to me because it was her doing it. She was poetry in motion, she was paint on a canvas, she was magic. 

"Press play please," Muskaan tells Ruhaan. We watch for a moment as Kento stumbles and steps on Suhana's toes.

"Why don't you show him once how it's done?" Suhana suggests, hopping over to the bench to rub her sore foot.

I face Muskaan again with an outstretched hand. She gently places her soft hand in mine and steps closer, all the while telling Kento the step-by-step instructions. Suhana bravely offers to try again, pulling Kento up with her. They follow our lead, doing what Muskaan just explained. Kento seems more comfortable this time, and I smile encouragingly as he places his hand in Suhana's and gives her a twirl.

A deep based sounded through the room as the song picks up. I can't help it when my hands hands trail lower to the top of Muskaan's waist, pulling her closer ever so subtly. Her attention jerks back to me.

"That's a little lower than friendly territory," she accuses teasingly.

"Sorry," I smile sheepishly but my words hold not an ounce of guilt. She and I both know that neither of us have a problem with this. I go to move my hands, but I can't help how they slowly caress up, over her dainty waist and soft hands until I tuck them back into my pockets.

She gives me an admonishing, but tortuously sweet smile before turning back to others.

I'm stuck in spot, watching her laugh as she tells Kento something. Her eyes are sparkling, full of a joy that warms my heart and makes it stop all at once.

"Friends," I remind myself under my breath with dejectedness. How much longer will it be just friends?

Ruhaan catches my eye, giving me a knowing smirk. "Get it together man," he snickers.

"So will you be at the dance?" Kento asks Muskaan as we all exit the gym.

"I don't think so," she pulls her gym bag higher on her shoulder. I want to go and take it from her but I remind myself that I can't just do that. "I have so much work to catch up on," she says.

"Oh come on Muskaan," he whines. "What if I need your help there?"

"You're going to do great," she tells him confidently, really meaning it. "And you'll have your friends there," she gestures Ruhaan and I.