Mafia Captured

6. Blessing or curse

When she turned around, she felt as if she'd forgotten how to breathe. She couldn't believe her eyes.

Was it really him standing before her, the one she'd longed to see for so long? Was he really here in front of her today? Or was she dreaming? If this were a dream, she prayed to Allah that it would never end.

"Sahira..." Arsalan's voice brought her back to reality. She snapped out of her daze.

The room was dimly lit by candles, and in that faint light, they could see each other. Their gazes were locked on one another. Sahira felt like she'd never seen a man so handsome before.

Arsalan was standing very close to her. He hadn't yet moved his hand, perhaps fearing that she might scream in terror. But Sahira, standing so close to Arsalan, felt her heart race wildly. Her heart was beating so loudly she feared Arsalan might hear it.

"Sahira, I'm Arsalan. Please, don't scream," Arsalan pleaded. Sahira nodded, and Arsalan removed his hand from her mouth.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. You must have been very frightened by my  unexpected arriaval."

As he spoke, Arsalan suddenly grabbed her wrist, and Sahira's heart skipped a beat. Checking her pulse, he said, "You seem very scared. Your heartbeat is racing. I can hear it from here."

Hearing this, Sahira lowered her gaze in embarrassment. What could she say? The reason for her racing heart wasn't fear, but his proximity.

Arsalan gently led her to the sofa, and Sahira sat quietly, a blush creeping up her cheeks as she felt intimidated by his presence. The enchanting atmosphere and solitude seemed to amplify Sahira's nervousness. She felt hesitant around Arsalan, her voice catching in her throat when he spoke.

Arsalan poured water from a jug into a glass and handed it to her, "Drink this. It will help you relax. And take deep breaths; it will calm your nerves."

With a charming smile, Arsalan added, "Sorry." Sahira looked up at him and was mesmerized. Could a man's smile be this beautiful?

"I should have told you I was coming. But I didn't know you'd be home. Why didn't you go to the wedding?" Arsalan asked, making Sahira even more nervous.

"Well, I have exams," Sahira mumbled, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She could barely meet his gaze. This quiet solitude, the first since their wedding, sent a jolt of nerves through her. Boys were a complete mystery to Sahira. In fact, she rarely even spoke to them. Now, with this sudden new relationship, her mind raced. How was she supposed to act? What did he expect from her?"

"Yes, exams are important, but don't let them stress you out," Arsalan said with a light smile, his gaze lingering on her. Sahira stole a glance at him, then quickly looked away. Feeling his playful eyes on her, she bit her lower lip nervously. "Maybe you don't enjoy my company," Arsalan teased gently.

"No!" Sahira blurted out, her cheeks flushing a light pink. The last thing she wanted was for him to misunderstand. "Of course not," she stammered.

"Then why are you so quiet?" Arsalan asked, his voice soft. "Is there something on your mind?"

Sahira hesitated. His touch sent a spark through her. It was a new sensation, both exciting and unfamiliar. "I... I'm not sure what to talk about," she admitted shyly.

Arsalan's smile softened. He reached out and gently squeezed her hand, his touch lingering. "Tell me anything you feel like," he said lovingly. "Your dreams, your worries, even what you had for breakfast. I just want to get to know you better."

When Sahira didn't respond, Arsalan continued, his voice softer now. "Maybe I do understand your shyness a little. South Africa... because of my medical campaign, I was stuck there for six months. The network connection was terrible. That's why I couldn't contact you. Believe me, Sahira, ever since I found out you were here, I've been longing to meet you." With those words, he impulsively leaned down and kissed the back of her hand.