Hers to Love

Chapter 27

Maria stood among the crowd, gracefully navigating through introductions to Amir's relatives. She had met most of them by now, each encounter filled with warm smiles and polite conversation. The wedding was a grand affair, with the richness of Afghan culture evident in every detail, from the vibrant colors to the traditional music playing softly in the background.

But then she felt it—a prickling sensation at the back of her neck, as if someone were watching her. Slowly, she turned around, her breath catching when her eyes locked onto Amir's.

He stood at the edge of the gathering, dressed in traditional Afghan clothes that made him look every bit the handsome and dignified man she knew him to be. The sight of him took her breath away, his presence commanding the space around him. But it wasn't just his appearance that stunned her; it was the way he was looking at her, as if seeing her for the first time. His expression was one of awe, his eyes wide and filled with something she couldn't quite place—admiration? Surprise? Something more?

For a brief, fleeting moment, it felt like it was just the two of them in the room, their connection palpable even across the distance. Maria's heart fluttered, hope and longing stirring within her.But then she noticed the woman standing beside him. The young woman was stunning, with long, flowing hair and delicate features that seemed almost ethereal. She was the picture of youth and elegance, exuding a grace that made Maria feel painfully aware of her own age. It was like a kick to the gut, the pain sharp and immediate. Maria had to look away, her throat tightening as she swallowed hard, trying to keep her composure.

Amir's family noticed him too, and the murmur of recognition spread quickly through the group. "Elodia," one of his aunts whispered, her tone neutral, but Maria caught the hint of unease in her voice.

"She's beautiful," another aunt commented, though her expression was more thoughtful than admiring.

Amir's sisters exchanged glances, their lips pressed into thin lines. One of them, Leyla, who had been so welcoming to Maria, leaned in closer to her and whispered, "Don't mind her. She's not... well, she's not family."

Maria forced a small smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I see," she replied softly, though the insecurity gnawed at her. She knew she was older than both of them, and despite Leyla's reassurance, the comparison was inevitable. Elodia was everything she wasn't—young, radiant, effortlessly fitting into Amir's world.

Amir's mother, who had been standing nearby, gave Maria's hand a gentle squeeze. "You look stunning, Maria," she said with a reassuring smile, as if sensing her discomfort. "There's no need to feel insecure."

"Thank you," Maria replied, her voice barely above a whisper. She appreciated the gesture, but it did little to ease the ache in her chest.

Meanwhile, Amir couldn't take his eyes off Maria. He was stunned by her beauty, the way her dress hugged her figure, the way her makeup accentuated her features. She looked so different from the Maria he was used to seeing, and yet, there was something undeniably captivating about her.

Elodia noticed his distraction and touched his arm lightly. "Amir?" she asked, her voice sweet but laced with curiosity.

He blinked, tearing his gaze away from Maria to look at Elodia. "Yes, sorry," he muttered, his voice distracted, as if he were still processing what he had just seen.Elodia followed his line of sight and her eyes landed on Maria. She raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a polite, but distant, smile. "Is she a friend of yours?"

Amir hesitated, glancing back at Maria, who had turned her attention to something else, avoiding his gaze. "Yes," he finally replied, though the word felt inadequate, insufficient to describe what Maria was to him.

Elodia nodded, but there was a glint in her eyes that Amir didn't like. "She's beautiful," she commented, her tone neutral, but the implication was clear.

"Yes, she is," Amir said, his voice firm. He didn't know why he felt the need to defend Maria, but the words came out before he could stop them.

Elodia's smile didn't reach her eyes. "I see."

As they stood there, the tension between them thickened, and Amir felt a pang of guilt. He knew Maria had seen them together, and he couldn't shake the image of her face when their eyes had met. She had looked so vulnerable, so hurt, and it tore at him in a way he hadn't expected.He glanced at his sisters, who were watching him with expressions that ranged from disapproval to concern. Leyla's gaze flicked to Maria, then back to Amir, her eyes narrowing slightly as if to say, *You better fix this.*

Amir sighed, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him. He had no idea how to make things right, but he knew he couldn't leave it like this. Not with Maria. Not after what happened to them.