Meeting You Again

Chapter 38

Ayla's POV

When did we even reach home? I didn't realize...I was too lost in thought.

"What's got you thinking so much? I thought dinner went well?"

"Honey, does this feel weird to you?"

"What feels weird?"

"I don't know. Just...us?"

He grabbed my hand, his large palm completely covering mine, giving me a feeling of safety and assurance.

"Explain what you mean, Ayla. I'm listening."

"It's supposed to feel fast. It's supposed to feel like we're going too fast, no? But why does this feel so...right? It feels like I knew you before, like I knew everything there was about you. But we've only started to get to know each other for barely half a year!" I placed my other hand on top of the one he had put on mine and lifted them upward, resting my cheek on them. "I'm a little scared, to say the least."

The car was dead silent, and I felt maybe I overdid it. What do I even mean I felt like I knew everything about him before? What nonsense was I on about? Signing, I lifted my face off our combined hands and was about to open the car door to leave.

Click.

He locked all the doors. What, what is the meaning of this?

I look at him, confusion lacing my gaze.

He started moving his seat backwards, and before I could realize what was happening, I was straddling Tariq on the driver's seat!

What's happening? Who am I? Where am I?

"Tariq I-"

"Shhh. Just wait."

He moved the seat even more back, and now I was practically lying on top of him, completely flush against him. He moved his arms and wrapped them around my waist, pulling me even closer to him.

You know what, I'm not gonna refuse. This feels nice. And warm. And...cuddly.

I put my questions away and just focused on his actions right now. With one hand around my waist, he ran his other hand down my hair, an action similar to soothing a crying child.

Putting aside how all I felt, heard, and smelled was Tariq, all around me...I felt comforted. I closed my eyes and let him pat my back.

How does he always know exactly what I need?

Eventually, I don't know how, but my eyes wouldn't lift open, and my body wouldn't cooperate to lift myself up and back into the passenger seat. I felt like I was home, in his arms. Home would be wherever this man is, I felt my heart pulse. Feeling that I was on the verge of sleeping, but not able to pull myself awake, I felt my brain and body in conflict. Just when I decided to give in to the temptation and fall asleep, I felt Tariq peck me on the top of my hand, and hug me even closer to him than earlier.

"You have no idea, Ayla. No idea, how long we've known each other." He murmured into my hair, holding on to me.

What does he mean by that?

I wanted to think more, but soon I drifted off into sleep.

***

When I woke up, I felt the sun filtering through the curtains, making the room seem hazy yet bright. It felt lovely with the sun warming my body, and I snuggled into the bed some more. I decided to finally get up and rubbed my eyes, then jolted up upon realizing that I didn't wash up before falling asleep! Omg, how gross!