Hers to Love

Chapter 20

Amir watched from a distance as Maria laughed heartily with the handsome man beside her. The sight of them together stung more than he anticipated. He tried to shift his focus back to Elodia, his current fling, but the image of Maria's joy with someone else lingered in his mind. It was a sharp reminder of how deeply he still cared for her. As he observed their interaction, a pang of jealousy tightened in his chest, making him question his own feelings. The ease with which Maria seemed to connect with the man only amplified his discomfort, leaving him unsettled and uncertain about his own emotions.

Maria stood up and made her way to the washroom, hoping to clear her head. The encounter with Amir earlier had unsettled her; his intense gaze had left her questioning his feelings and her own. As she splashed cold water on her face, she grappled with confusion. Amir had never sent any messages or texts, which had made his disinterest clear in the past. Yet now, his gaze had seemed unusually intense, and it left her feeling unsure and vulnerable.

When Maria finally left the washroom, she was startled to find Amir standing near the exit, seemingly waiting for her. His presence was unexpected and his posture tense. The air between them crackled with unspoken words and unresolved tension. Maria took a deep breath, preparing herself for whatever might come next. She wasn't sure what to say or how to react, but the sight of Amir so close, his eyes searching hers, made it clear that something was about to be addressed.

"Who's the lucky guy, Maria?" Amir asked, his voice carrying a mixture of curiosity and something else she couldn't quite place.

Maria met his gaze briefly before replying, "He's a new friend."

Amir nodded, but his eyes remained fixed on her, as if trying to read her innermost thoughts. "He seemed nice," he said, his tone almost wistful.

"He's more than nice," Maria replied, a hint of defensiveness in her voice. She could sense the depth of Amir's interest and tried to guard her emotions.

Amir looked down, fidgeting with his hands. The silence that followed was heavy, filled with unspoken feelings. After a moment, he glanced up and asked tentatively, "Can we hang out sometime?"

Maria hesitated, her mind racing. She felt a complex mix of emotions—curiosity, confusion, and a lingering trace of old feelings. "We'll see," she answered softly, the uncertainty in her voice mirroring the confusion in her heart.

As she walked past him and back into the room, she couldn't help but feel the weight of his words and the intensity of his gaze. The encounter left her with more questions than answers, and she knew she would need time to sort through her feelings and decide what to do next.