Felt and Fell

Forty-One

Aditya

I woke up to the soft weight of Zoya clinging to me, her arm draped across my chest, her face nestled against my shoulder.

For a moment, I just lay there, not wanting to disturb the peace of this perfect moment.

Her steady breathing was a soothing rhythm.

I carefully slid my arm out from under her, moving slowly to avoid waking her. She stirred slightly, her grip tightening for a second as if she didn’t want to let me go.

I paused, holding my breath, but then she relaxed again, her head sinking deeper into the pillow.

I caressed hair out of her face. "Wake up, shortcake."

I quietly got out of bed and made my way to the bathroom.

After a quick shower, I wrapped a towel around my waist and headed back into the bedroom. The room was filled with the soft scent of her perfume, lingering here...always.

When I stepped closer to the bed, I couldn’t help but smile at the sight before me.

Zoya was still fast asleep, curled up under the blanket, looking so peaceful.

Her dark hair spilled across the pillow, framing her face, and her lips were slightly parted as she breathed softly, a sudden thought struck me—something Maa always used to say about nazar.

How people’s admiration, even with the best intentions, could bring bad luck if one wasn’t careful.

I chuckled to myself, realizing that I was utterly incapable of not admiring Zoya.

She had me captivated at all times, with no escape in sight.

I stood in front of the cupboard, rifling through my T-shirts.

Just as I was lost in these thoughts, I felt a familiar warmth press against my back. Zoya’s arms slipped around my waist, and she pulled me into a tight hug. Her touch was soft, comforting, and still laced with sleep.

Her sleepy lips brushed a kiss against my shoulder before she rested her cheek on my cool skin, sighing contentedly.

"Good morning…” she murmured, her voice husky and drowsy, still clinging to me as if she were trying to merge with my body.

“Morning, shortcake. Still very sleepy?” I asked, trying to turn around to face her, but she held me tighter, not ready to let go just yet.

“Very…” she mumbled, her breath warm against my skin. “You’ve already showered?”

“Yeah, I did.”

"Uhhn..." She let out a soft whine, one that made me grin. “Why…? I wanted us to shower together…”

Her lazy palms began to caress my abs, her fingers tracing slowly, teasing patterns that sent shivers through me.

They inched lower with a deliberate, painful slowness that made it hard to think straight.

I cleared my throat, trying to regain control of my senses.

“Maa must be up by now…” I reminded her, more to break the spell...than anything else.

“Shit… You’re right,” she muttered, suddenly realizing the implications of us getting carried away.

I turned in her arms to face her, cupping her face gently. “Don’t you have work, baby?"

"What’s the time?”

Her eyes shot open wide as she glanced at the clock on the wall. “Gosh! I’ll be late!”