shattered souls By Afsheen k.

HER

Zayyan

  It's been a month since I first saw her, and I can't stop thinking about her. No matter how much I try to focus on something else, she’s always there, lingering in the back of my mind. I even tried avoiding her, but that didn’t work. It’s like I can’t start my day without seeing her, without that quick moment when our eyes meet. She makes me feel things I shouldn’t be feeling—not this quickly, not this intensely. But I can’t help it.

When she told me she’d be working for me for three months, I almost thanked the god that I don't believe in, but she was gone before I could even open my mouth. It's been like that ever since—she comes, spends time with Jeremy, and then sometimes we end up by the pool, just talking. Every day, no matter what, I drop her off at the end of her shift. It’s become this constant that I look forward to, something that makes me feel more alive than I’ve felt in a long time.

There was this one time, though, when I nearly lost it. That teacher, the one who kept flirting with her—I swear I saw red. If she hadn’t been there, I don’t know what I would’ve done. I was so close to doing something I’d regret.

But today, today was different. I’ve been holding back for a week now, trying to be patient, trying to make sure she’s comfortable. But I can’t keep it in anymore. I’m going to ask her out tonight, for a casual dinner, nothing too serious. Just something to get to know her better, outside of these fleeting moments we share.

When I got home—or at least, the place I call home, though it never really felt like it until she started being part of my day—I saw her by the pool.
She was there, serene, like a dream waiting to be whispered into reality.
Her head was resting against the wall, her eyes closed. I wondered if she was asleep. I couldn’t help but take in the sight of her, the way her long eyelashes rested on her olive skin, her lips painted a soft color that reminded me of tulip petals. There’s a tiny mole on her lip, barely visible, but I see it every time. I see it because I’m always looking at her with these feelings I can’t shake.

I walked over to her. "Hey, wake up, it's late," I said softly.

She mumbled something, half asleep. "Hmph."

"Come on, or I won’t drop you off. You’ll have to spend the night here," I teased.

"Shut up, and you’re late," she replied, still half-asleep but managing to get those words out.

"Yeah, something came up," I said. She tried to get up but lost her balance. Instinctively, I reached out and grabbed her by the sleeves, pulling her towards me. We kept enough distance between us because I know my limits, but damn, her fragrance—it’s this mix of orchid, tulips, and vanilla. It’s addictive.

She looked up at me, her eyes wide with surprise. I dropped her sleeves as fast as I could, trying to play it cool.

"You’re so clumsy," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "You could’ve fallen if I wasn’t there to hold you."

"But you didn’t let me fall, did you?" she replied, her eyes locking onto mine like she was trying to memorize something about me.

"Let’s go then, I’m so tired," she said, breaking the moment.

We drove in silence for a while. I couldn’t stop thinking about what I was about to do, how I was finally going to ask her. When we pulled up to her place, and she was about to get out, I interrupted her.

"Wait, I want to ask you something," I said, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Yeah?" she turned to look at me, curiosity in her eyes.

"I know you don’t do dates," I began, trying to keep my voice steady, "but I have to ask. Will you come to a casual dinner night with me? Just casual. I promise—to get to know each other better."

She paused, and for a second, I thought I might’ve screwed it all up. But then she smiled, and I felt like I could finally breathe again.

"My, my, Zayyan Muniz asking me for dinner. Isn’t it surprising?" she teased, that smile making me forget every single doubt I had.

"Is that a yes?" I asked, holding onto that last thread of hope.

"Count yourself lucky,  Mr Muniz," she said, still smiling.

I couldn’t help but grin. "Thanks. I’ll be there at 8 to pick you up."

"Sure. Goodnight, Zayyan."

"Goodnight," I replied, watching as she walked away, disappearing into the night.

I sat there for a minute, letting it sink in. I was finally going to get to know her, really know her. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like something good was finally happening.