Fate of deception

Chapter 15 - Amir's POV

I found myself wrestling with a whirlwind of emotions stirring within as I watched Umaizah's growing closeness to Layna throughout the day. Exhausted from the day's events, I seemed solace in the living room, resting my eyes as I dreaded the uncertainty of what the night held in store with Umaizah. Though the evening was only the beginning at around 7pm, the lack of an extra bedroom posed a significant dilemma - Where would Umaizah sleep for the night? This question consumed my thoughts.

The idea of Umaizah sharing a room with Layna was out of the question, the risk of noise and potential exposure was far too great. If not Layna's room, then where could Umaizah possibly rest for the night? Once more, Umaizah hasn't mentioned returning to the palace any time soon. My mind wandered, trying to recall the initial reason for Umaizah's presence in the village, but the memory eluded me. The pieces of the puzzle seemed scattered, leaving me grasping for answers in the shadow of uncertainty.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of plates clinking together. I opened my eyes to see Umaizah putting her dishes away from earlier. She wasn't in the matching daytime clothes from Layna. She was in a pink, silky night dress that I haven't seen before. Umaizah didn't bring anything with her, besides the shards that she paid with, her tiara and her slippers. Therefore, Layna presumably offered her share of clothes.

"Leave the dishes there, I'll wash them." I stood up, moving to the kitchen counter. Umaizah obeyed without retaliation, standing back as she let me through the gap.

"Any plans for tonight?" Umaizah placed her elbow on the counter, resting her chin in her right hand as she stayed. We didn't speak to each other which felt a bit weird. At least, we didn't force ourselves to speak to one another when we didn't want to.

"Not really. We'll stay in, watch a movie and make popcorn or you can rest in early."

"The first option sounds fine." She spoke with a soft tone, her words carrying a gentle melody that quite soothed the tense of the atmosphere. I glanced at her. Her eyes held a glimmer of mystery, reflecting the flickering candlelight up front.

I finished up with washing the remaining dishes, I dried my hands on the towel hanging from the oven's handle. The clinking of the plates and the rush of the water in the sink faded into the background, leaving a sense of accomplishment in completing the task.

"So, this has to be talked about or else I won't know where you're going." I needed to break down what would happen tonight in order to master avoiding my parents for some time. "I'm guessing you're still staying here - which is perfectly fine - but I don't know where you're going to be sleeping still."

Umaizah stood in her place at the end of the kitchen counter. She listened respectfully, not interrupting. There was no change of mood in her. "I'm fine anywhere. Regardless of the room or what I'm sleeping on." She held a neutral expression, her voice still soft.

"Layna's room is spacious, although her bed is too small for the both of you to sleep on." I saw something change in her eyes.

I continued, "My room is small but I've got a bigger bed." Umaizah had seen my room when we first hid her from my mother. The news wasn't so new to her but it made her realise what was coming.

"We're going to be sharing a bed?" She attentively said. I heard the judgement in her voice, I didn't take offence to it.

"To clarify, there's no other option. You can see the size of the bed again if you'd like." She nodded in agreement, and together we made our way to my room.

I unlocked my door, opening it for Umaizah as she scanned my room. She stood in front of my bed as she analysed it. I waited patiently, it was a new thing for Umaizah so I knew not to force anything onto her.

"Do you not have a sleeping bag or something along those lines?" I noticed the hesitation for her to decide on an option. I didn't want Umaizah to be sleeping on the floor, whether it was on a sleeping bag or not. It didn't feel right.

"Nope, we don't have those." I hated lying to people. Essentially because it hurt the other persons feelings, but in this case it felt half fine.

Umaizah sighed as she turned to face me. "I'll sleep with you then. Under one condition though." I knitted my brows. "Your bed may be big, nevertheless I still feel a bit uncomfortable with sleeping together. I saw that you had a long pillow, so if it would be fine with you it can be a segregated line for the both us not to pass."

"Perfectly fine with me." I liked how Umaizah knew her boundaries.  She set them well in any situation. I took the pillow from the end of my bed and placed it in the middle. It was long enough to go halfway my body size.

Considering the option Umaizah picked previously, we agreed to watch a movie  that Umaizah hadn't seen. We made popcorn halfway through since we both felt like munching on a snack.

The movie came to an end, the credits slowly sneaking up as the outro music sleeked in. I placed the popcorn bowl to my nightstand on the left. I peered at Umaizah, her head was on the headboard with her eyes closed. I checked the time, 8:32pm. Early for me, but even I was tired. Gently, I repositioned Umaizah to be in a (typically) more comfortable position. She laid on her left side, one hand under the pillow, the other on top.

I gazed at Umaizah as she peacefully slept, her serene expression captivating me. In the quiet of the night, I marvelled at her graceful features, her gentle breaths like whispers in the darkness. The soft moonlight from the open window illuminated her face, highlighting the delicate curve of her cheek and the flutter of her eyelashes. In that moment, surrounded by stillness, I felt a profound sense of admiration for her tranquil beauty and the peaceful aura she brought to the room.

My gaze lingered on Umaizah for another moment, my admiration deepening as I watched her in peaceful slumber. The tranquility of the scene enveloped me, and I couldn't help but appreciate the serenity she exuded even in the quiet of the night.

I turned the tv off, calling it a day. I cleaned the remaining crumbs from the popcorn, quietly unfolding a new blanket fit for the both of us. I laid it on Umaizah, attentively I covered myself with the it, trying not to awake her.

A gentle symphony of soft snores escaped her lips, harmonizing with the peaceful rhythm of slumber that enveloped the room. The delicate cadence of her breathing, like a lullaby, filled the air, weaving a tranquil melody that danced amidst the stillness of the sleeping world around her.

Eyelids heavy with the weight of the day's toil, fluttered closed, surrendering to the sweet oblivion of dreams. The mind, once abuzz with the day's chatter, now drifted into the realm of slumber, guided by the gentle hand of the night. And in that moment, amidst the symphony of silence, the restless spirit found solace in the cradle of sleep, carried away on the wings of peaceful repose.