Hers to Love

Chapter 24

As Maria walked toward Amir's family, she felt the weight of Amir's gaze on her. His sisters greeted her with enthusiasm, their smiles as wide as ever. "Maria! It's so good to see you!" one of them exclaimed, pulling her into a quick embrace. The warmth of their welcome eased some of her tension, but she couldn't shake the awareness of Amir standing just a few steps away.When she finally reached him, Amir extended his hand, offering her a polite but distant shake. "Hi," was all he managed to say, his voice almost a whisper. His eyes avoided hers, and the silence between them was palpable, thick with unspoken words.

Before the awkwardness could settle in, Amir's mother stepped forward with open arms. "Maria, darling! We've missed you!" she said, wrapping Maria in a warm, genuine hug. "It feels like ages since we last saw you."Maria returned the hug, grateful for the older woman's kindness. "I've missed you too," she replied, her voice soft but sincere.

Amir's father and siblings continued to greet Maria with friendly smiles and small talk, but the tension between her and Amir lingered in the air. She could feel it in the way Amir kept his distance, in the way his sisters exchanged glances that seemed to say they knew something was off.

As they all prepared to leave for the wedding, Maria couldn't help but wonder what Amir was thinking, what emotions he was struggling to contain. The brief touch of his hand had sent a jolt through her, reminding her of the connection they once shared—and the growing distance that now separated them.

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The drive to the hotel was filled with the lively sound of Afghan music playing softly through the car's stereo. Amir's sisters, seated in the back, sang along to the familiar tunes, their voices light and joyful. Maria sat in the passenger seat, her gaze occasionally shifting toward Amir, who was focused on the road, his expression still clouded by a frown.Maria tried to join in the light-hearted atmosphere, smiling at the sisters' infectious energy. "You all have such lovely voices," she remarked, turning slightly to engage with them.One of the sisters laughed. "Thanks, Maria! Do you know this song?"Maria shook her head, her smile widening. "No, but it's beautiful. You'll have to teach me sometime."

The sisters beamed at her, and for a moment, the car was filled with a mix of laughter and music. But despite the cheerful exchange, the tension between Maria and Amir lingered like a shadow. He hadn't said a word since they left his house, and the silence from his side of the car was as heavy as the frown that hadn't left his face.Maria, feeling the weight of his silence, attempted to bridge the gap by commenting on the scenery or the music, but Amir responded with only the briefest of nods. His sisters noticed the tension too, exchanging glances but continuing to sing, perhaps hoping that their joy would lift the mood.

As the hotel drew nearer, Maria couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions—confusion, worry, and a lingering sadness. She wanted to ask Amir what was on his mind, to break through the wall that had suddenly appeared between them, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, she focused on his sisters, trying to maintain the light conversation, all the while acutely aware of the silent distance growing between her and Amir.

After checking in at the hotel, Maria felt a mix of relief and unease. The drive had been emotionally draining, and she was grateful for a moment alone in her room to gather her thoughts. She took her time freshening up, hoping that dinner would bring some clarity or at least a chance to relax.

When she made her way down to the dining area, she scanned the room for Amir but didn't see him. The table was lively with conversation and laughter, mostly from his siblings and relatives. Maria joined in where she could, but her thoughts were elsewhere, wondering where Amir was and why he had been so distant. Still, she kept her questions to herself, not wanting to draw attention to her concerns.

After dinner, just as she was about to retreat back to her room, Amir's mother approached her. Her kind eyes were tinged with concern as she gently took Maria's hand."Maria, my dear," she began softly, "I'm so sorry about Amir's behavior. I don't know what's gotten into him. He's not usually like this."Maria smiled, trying to ease the older woman's worries. "It's okay, really. I'm sure he's just tired or has a lot on his mind."

Amir's mother squeezed her hand, her face etched with worry. "I wish I knew what was bothering him. He cares about you, Maria. I can see that. Maybe he just needs time."Maria nodded, though her heart felt heavy. "I understand," she just said quietly.

The older woman smiled, her expression softening with gratitude. "You're such a kind soul, Maria. I'm glad you're here with us.""Thank you," Maria replied, her voice warm but tinged with a sadness she couldn't quite hide.As they parted, Maria couldn't help but wonder what was really going on with Amir. She had hoped the trip would bring them closer, but now, it felt like a growing distance was separating them.