Beyond "I Do"

3- Unspoken Desires

I woke up the next morning to an empty bed. The sunlight streamed in through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. Muhammad was nowhere to be found. I stretched, yawned, and decided to start my day.

After a long, relaxing shower, I wrapped myself in a towel and stepped out of the bathroom. Just as I was about to grab my clothes, the door opened, and Muhammad walked in, slightly sweaty from the gym. He froze for a moment, his eyes taking me in before he looked away.

I felt my face heat up. "Uh, morning," I mumbled, clutching the towel tighter around me.

"Morning," he replied, grabbing a towel from his bag without taking his eyes off me. He nodded and headed past me into the bathroom. As soon as the door closed, I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. He had left me feeling flustered and awkward. I hated that I felt this way. Normal couples would have been comfortable by now, but I felt naked and bare, like it was wrong even though it was perfectly halal.

I slipped into a blue and white floral-patterned maxi dress, tying a white scarf over my head. The dress flowed gracefully around me, perfect for the boat ride we had planned according to the trip itinerary Muhammad's assistant had prepared. Keeping my makeup minimal, I applied a tinted moisturizer and a touch of mascara. I wanted to keep things simple and fresh. I selected a pair of delicate gold hoops and a simple bracelet. I felt a flutter of excitement in my stomach as I thought about the day ahead. The idea of a boat ride in St. Tropez sounded like a dream.

Less than 30 minutes later I heard the door to the living room open, and Muhammad stepped out in all his glory. He was dressed in white linen pants and a brown shirt that hugged his muscles lightly. I imagined what it would feel like to be wrapped in his arms, probably safe. He looked effortlessly hot and chill like a model who's used to this. "Hey, do you want to grab some breakfast before we head out? There's a buffet downstairs."

"Sure, that sounds great," I agreed.

Once Muhammad was ready, we made our way downstairs. We called for a cart, and the hotel driver came to pick us up. As we rode through the lush, sunlit grounds of the hotel, I couldn't resist taking out my phone to capture some content for my reels and Snapchat stories. The scenery was too beautiful to pass up.

We arrived at the restaurant and headed straight for the buffet. The spread was impressive, with a variety of fresh fruits, pastries, and hot dishes. We filled our plates and found a table by the window, which offered a stunning view of the gardens.

Despite the awkwardness that lingered in our relationship, we managed to talk a bit about the boat ride and the other plans we had for the week. The conversation was light but it did little to dispel the tension.

After breakfast, we made our way to the dock where the boat was waiting. The day was bright and clear, with a gentle breeze blowing off the water. I took a deep breath, feeling the salty sea air fill my lungs.

As we boarded the boat, I glanced at Muhammad and forced a smile. The boat glided over the sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean, I tried to let the beauty of the surroundings distract me from the awkwardness that seemed to follow us everywhere. The sun was high in the sky, casting a golden glow on everything it touched, and the gentle breeze was a refreshing contrast to the heat of the day.

We sat on the deck, Muhammad occasionally glancing at his phone while I tried to capture as much of the scenery as possible. The coastline of St. Tropez was a mix of rugged cliffs and pristine beaches, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the natural beauty around us.

"This place is incredible," I said, breaking the silence. "It's like something out of a movie."

Muhammad looked up from his phone and nodded. "Yeah, it is. I've always wanted to come here."