Hers to Love

Chapter 16

Maria gathered her belongings, her heart a mix of emotions as she prepared to leave Amir's parents' home. The sleepover had been more comfortable than she had expected. His family had welcomed her warmly, treating her as if she belonged there, but the entire time she couldn't shake the feeling of being out of place—like she was stepping into a world that wasn't truly hers.

Amir's mother hugged her tightly at the door, her voice filled with warmth. "You must come over again soon, Maria. We've loved having you here."

Maria smiled, nodding. "Thank you for having me. It was a lovely night."

As she turned to leave, Amir appeared beside her, offering to walk her to her car. "Thank you for giving in to the request of my parents, Maria," he said, his tone sincere but carrying an undercurrent of something she couldn't quite place.

Maria met his eyes, searching for any hint of what he was feeling, but Amir's expression remained as unreadable as ever. "I'm glad I did," she replied, her voice soft. "Your family is wonderful."

They walked out into the quiet morning air, the sun just beginning to peek over the horizon. The world around them was still and peaceful, but Maria's thoughts were anything but. She replayed the events of the night in her mind, trying to piece together where she stood with Amir. He had been kind, always respectful, but there was a distance that she couldn't bridge, no matter how much she wanted to.

As they approached her car, Amir walked slightly ahead, opening the door for her with a gentle gesture. For a moment, they stood there, side by side, the unspoken tension between them more palpable than ever.

"Drive safely, Maria," Amir said, his voice quiet, almost as if he were lost in his thoughts. He hesitated, looking like he wanted to say more but was holding back.

Maria wished he would say more, wished he would break through the wall that seemed to stand between them. "Thank you, Amir. For everything," she replied, her voice tinged with a sadness she couldn't hide.

Amir's eyes met hers, and for a brief moment, she saw a flicker of something in his gaze—was it hesitation? Regret? She couldn't be sure, and before she could ask, he looked away, the moment slipping through her fingers like sand.

As she slid into the driver's seat, Maria felt a weight in her chest, the uncertainty of their relationship pressing down on her. She wanted to ask him how he truly felt, to lay everything out in the open, but the fear of his answer held her back. What if he didn't feel the same? What if she was just another person in his life, someone he cared for but wasn't truly invested in?

Amir closed the car door gently, stepping back with his hands in his pockets, a small, almost wistful smile on his face. "I'll see you soon," he said, his voice softer than before, as if he was trying to convince himself as much as he was her.

Maria nodded, offering a smile of her own, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Yeah... see you soon."

She started the engine, and as she began to pull away, she caught a glimpse of Amir in her rearview mirror, standing there, watching her go. For a moment, she considered stopping, getting out of the car, and asking him the questions that burned in her mind. But instead, she kept driving, the moment slipping away.

The road ahead seemed both familiar and unfamiliar, much like her relationship with Amir. She had hoped that spending the night at his parents' house would bring them closer, but instead, it had only heightened her awareness of the distance between them. She cared for him deeply, but now she wasn't sure where she stood—or if Amir even knew where he stood with her.

As she drove home, Maria couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing, something that neither of them had been brave enough to address. The warmth of his family's acceptance had been a comfort, but it also served as a reminder of how far she and Amir still had to go if they were to truly understand each other.

When she finally reached her home, Maria sat in the car for a moment, staring at the steering wheel, trying to make sense of her feelings. She knew she couldn't keep hiding from the truth, couldn't keep pretending that everything was fine when so much was left unsaid.

But as she stepped out of the car and headed inside, she also knew that she wasn't ready to let go—not yet. Not until she knew for sure what Amir truly felt, and whether their connection was strong enough to bridge the distance between them.