Hers to Love

Chapter 9

Maria stood at the entrance of the party, her emotions swirling like a storm. It had been a week since she'd last seen Amir, and the silence between them had only amplified her doubts. The memories of their shared moments, especially the warmth she felt when meeting his family, lingered painfully in her mind. She couldn't shake the thought that Amir had ghosted her, that all those moments might have meant nothing to him.

As she walked into the celebration, the familiar faces of Amir's family greeted her with open arms. Their embrace was comforting, a stark contrast to the turmoil she felt inside. But when Amir approached her, asking for a hug, the comfort turned into confusion. His smile was as warm as ever, but something was different—her eyes couldn't help but drift to the two girls seated at his table. They were laughing, their energy light and carefree, and they were his age.

Maria felt a knot tighten in her stomach. She didn't ask who they were. She didn't want to know. Instead, she forced a smile, trying to mask the unease growing within her. The party continued around her, filled with laughter and joy, but Maria couldn't shake the feeling that she was standing on the edge of something fragile, something that could shatter with just one wrong move.

Despite the noise and the people, she felt distant, her thoughts consumed by the unspoken questions and the fear of what those answers might reveal. As much as she missed Amir, the doubt now hanging between them was hard to ignore.

As the party began to wind down, the atmosphere grew even more lively, with music filling the air and laughter echoing through the room. Maria found herself caught up in the joy of the moment, her worries temporarily fading as she took out her phone to capture the lively scene. She recorded Amir's family members dancing, their smiles wide and their energy infectious. For the first time that evening, she felt a sense of belonging, like she was part of something special.

Amir's family was a beautiful sight—his mother swaying to the rhythm, his sisters giggling as they tried to outdo each other with playful moves, and his aunt showing off some surprisingly slick dance steps. Maria's heart felt lighter as she documented these moments, focusing on the happiness around her rather than the questions in her mind.

Then, as if drawn by her joy, Amir stepped into the frame, his presence undeniable. He joined in the dancing, his movements easy and confident, and for a moment, Maria saw only him, the way he laughed, the way he effortlessly became the center of the room's energy. She couldn't help but smile, the camera in her hand steady as she captured his playful moves.

After a while, Amir noticed her watching him through the lens. He approached her with that familiar spark in his eyes, the one that had always made her heart skip a beat. "Do you want to dance too?" he asked, his voice soft but inviting.

Maria hesitated, her smile faltering for just a second. The memories of the past week—the silence, the doubts, the unanswered questions—came rushing back. But as she looked at Amir, standing there with a hand outstretched and a hopeful expression, something inside her shifted. Maybe, just for tonight, she could let go of her fears.

She lowered her phone, taking his hand. "Why not?" she replied, her voice almost a whisper.

As they moved together to the music, the world around them seemed to fade. The laughter, the lights, the other guests all blurred into the background, leaving only the two of them in focus. It was as if, in that moment, they were the only ones that mattered. Maria couldn't help but feel a spark of hope, a small flame amidst the uncertainty.

For now, she decided, she would let the music guide her, letting go of everything else, if only for a little while.

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