UNENDING

32- Umbria

-ASIYA-

The streets of Umbria were quiet at night, the kind of quiet that makes you feel like the world is all yours. I was running through those empty streets, laughing so hard I could barely breathe, clutching an open takeaway pack of gnocchi with lamb ragu. The food sloshed around in the container as I darted around corners, trying to escape the footsteps rapidly closing in behind me.

Al-Qasim was chasing me, and I knew exactly why. "Come on, Asiya! Just one more bite!" he called out, his voice playful but determined.

"Your 'one bite' is never just one!" I yelled back, giggling as I dodged a stray cat that scampered across my path. I could hear the smile in his voice, that deep, rich laugh that always made my heart skip a beat. It was moments like these that made me feel like the world was perfect, like nothing could ever go wrong as long as I had him by my side.

I turned to look back, just a quick glance over my shoulder, and that was my mistake. He was closer than I thought, his long strides eating up the distance between us in no time. Before I knew it, his strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me to a stop.

"Got you," he murmured in my ear, his breath warm against my neck. I tried to stifle my laughter, but it was impossible. The sheer joy of the moment bubbled up and out of me, filling the quiet street with the sound of our happiness.

I nearly dropped the food in my fit of laughter, but Al-Qasim's quick reflexes saved the day. He steadied the container, his hands now cradling both me and my dinner. "Okay, okay," I gasped, trying to catch my breath. "Just one more bite, but then you have to stop chasing me."

He grinned down at me, his dark eyes sparkling in the dim light from a nearby streetlamp. "Deal," he said, but I could tell from his tone that he wasn't quite ready to stop the game. I scooped up a forkful of gnocchi and held it out to him, and he leaned in, his lips brushing against my fingers as he took the bite.

"Happy now?" I asked, smiling up at him, my heart fluttering in a way that had nothing to do with the run we'd just had.

He swallowed and gave me that look—the one that always made me feel like I was the only person in the world. "Why would I want to stop chasing you?" he asked softly, before lowering his head to capture my lips in his.

The kiss was soft at first, gentle, but it quickly deepened, sending a shiver down my spine. I leaned into him, my legs suddenly feeling weak. If it weren't for his arms wrapped securely around me, I wasn't sure I'd be able to stand.

When we finally pulled away, I was breathless, my lips tingling and my heart racing. I looked up at him, feeling both shy and bold all at once. I don't know what came over me, but before I could stop myself, I rose up on my tiptoes and whispered in his ear, "We should get home soon."

I felt him tense slightly, his body responding to my words before his mind could catch up. He didn't need to say anything—his reaction was enough. In one swift motion, he scooped me up into his arms, causing me to shriek with laughter as he spun us around.

"Asiya, you know exactly what you do to me," he said, his voice low and full of promise.

I giggled, feeling the last of my worries from the past few weeks melt away. In that moment, there was no anxiety, no doubt—just the two of us, wrapped up in the warmth of each other. "Then let's not waste any more time," I whispered, leaning my head against his chest as he started walking, his strides long and purposeful.

We made our way through the empty streets, our laughter echoing off the stone walls of the ancient buildings around us. I held onto him tightly, feeling the steady beat of his heart against my cheek, letting it calm the last of my nerves. This was what happiness felt like—being in his arms, in this beautiful city, with nothing but love between us.