Hers to Love

Chapter 32

Maria sat at their usual table, her fingers lightly tapping the rim of her coffee cup. She had faced grueling court cases, outsmarted the most cunning of opponents, but this—waiting for Amir—felt like torture. The minutes stretched into what felt like hours. She scolded herself silently, "You're too old for this, Maria. This isn't the giddy anticipation of a teenager waiting for her first love."

She sighed, glancing at the door every few seconds, her heart sinking with each passing moment. *Where is he?* Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. She considered calling him, but her pride intervened. She couldn't bring herself to reach out, not after the way he had been acting lately.

The coffee in her cup had long since cooled, and her resolve was crumbling. Just as she decided she had waited long enough, Maria began to gather her things, her hand shaking slightly as she reached for her bag.

As she stood up to leave, the door swung open. There he was—Amir, breathless, as if he had run all the way here. His eyes scanned the room until they locked onto hers. Relief washed over his face, but Maria didn't move.

"Maria, wait!" Amir called out as he hurried over to her.

She paused, her eyes narrowing as she looked at him. "You're late, Amir," she said, her voice cool and controlled, but the hurt was evident underneath.

"I know, I'm sorry," Amir apologized, running a hand through his hair. "Something came up, and I couldn't get here sooner."

Maria studied his face, searching for something—anything—that would make this easier to bear. "I almost left," she admitted, her voice softer now, betraying a hint of vulnerability.

"I'm really sorry, Maria," Amir repeated, his voice earnest. "I didn't mean to keep you waiting."

She sighed, finally setting her bag down. "I don't like feeling like this, Amir. I'm not a teenager anymore, waiting around, hoping for someone to show up. I've been through too much to be sitting here, doubting myself."

Amir's expression grew more serious. "I know, Maria. I don't want to make you feel that way. I'm here now, and I want to talk."

Maria hesitated before sitting back down. She looked at him, the frustration and sadness still evident in her eyes. "Talk, then."

He sat across from her, leaning in closer, his voice soft. "Maria, I don't want to hurt you. I know I've been distant, and I've messed up, but I need you to understand... I'm trying to figure things out."

She met his gaze, her eyes searching his. "And where does that leave us, Amir? I can't keep doing this—waiting, wondering. It's exhausting."

Amir sighed, reaching across the table to take her hand. "I don't want to lose you, Maria. I just... I need time."

Maria looked at their hands, her heart aching with the uncertainty of it all. "Time for what, Amir? To figure out if I'm worth it?"

"No, it's not like that," Amir said quickly, his grip tightening on her hand. "You are worth it, Maria. It's just... complicated."

Maria nodded slowly, pulling her hand back. "I'm not sure how much more of this I can take, Amir. I've been patient, but I need more than this uncertainty."

Amir's eyes softened, and he leaned back in his chair, exhaling deeply. "I understand, and I'm asking you to bear with me a little longer. Please."

Maria looked at him, her heart torn between what she wanted and what she knew she deserved. After a long pause, she nodded. "Alright, Amir. But I can't wait forever."

Amir gave her a small, grateful smile. "I promise, you won't have to."

But as they sat there, the unspoken tension lingered, a silent reminder that promises, once broken, are hard to mend.

-----

Maria smiled as she read Amir's message: "I'm so proud of you!" His words brought warmth to her already elated mood. Winning the case had been the culmination of months of hard work, and now, everything was falling into place. Since they had that heart-to-heart conversation at the coffee shop, Amir had been attentive—more than ever. He replied to her messages quickly, and if he couldn't, he would always explain why.

They had been going out more frequently, and tonight was no exception. Amir was on his way to pick her up, and she had chosen a cozy, not-too-expensive restaurant this time. The last thing she wanted was another round of arguments over who would pay the bill. Amir was always insistent, and despite her independent streak, she had started rolling her eyes and letting him win.

She was just finishing putting on her earrings when her phone buzzed. It was Amir."I'm outside."

Maria grabbed her bag, checked her reflection one last time, and headed out. As she stepped outside, she saw Amir leaning against his car, smiling at her.

"You look great," he said, his eyes lighting up as he opened the car door for her.

"Thanks," Maria replied, slipping into the passenger seat. "So do you."

Amir laughed, starting the engine. "Well, I have to keep up with you, don't I?"

Maria chuckled, feeling lighter than she had in weeks. As they drove to the restaurant, she glanced at him. "By the way, thanks for being so supportive lately. I've noticed."Amir gave her a quick sideways glance, a smile tugging at his lips. "Of course. I'm always here for you, Maria. And you've been working so hard—you deserve to be celebrated."

She felt a wave of affection wash over her. "Well, tonight, I'm choosing the restaurant, and don't even think about arguing with me."

"Is that so?" Amir raised an eyebrow, playfully.

"Yes," Maria said firmly, crossing her arms. "You're always trying to pay for everything. Tonight, we're going somewhere reasonable."

Amir laughed. "Reasonable, huh? We'll see about that."

When they arrived at the restaurant, a quaint little spot with soft lighting and a cozy atmosphere, Amir parked the car and they walked inside. As they looked at the menu, Maria couldn't help but glance at the prices, feeling relieved that it wasn't too expensive.

"So, what are you getting?" Amir asked, scanning the options.

"I'm thinking of the grilled salmon," Maria said, smiling. "What about you?"

"I'll get the steak," Amir replied, closing his menu. "And, just so you know, I'm paying."

Maria rolled her eyes dramatically. "Amir, we've been over this. You don't have to pay every time."

He grinned, shaking his head. "You know I'm not going to let you pay, right? I enjoy treating you."

"You're impossible," Maria muttered, smiling despite herself.Amir chuckled, leaning in closer. "Come on, let me do this. You just won a huge case—you deserve to be spoiled a little."

Maria sighed, giving in. "Fine. But next time, I'm paying, and you can't stop me."

"We'll see about that," Amir teased, as the waiter approached to take their order.Later that night, as they sat in her living room after dinner, sipping tea, Maria looked over at Amir and smiled. He had a way of making her feel cared for, even when they were doing something as simple as eating dinner or hanging out at her place.

"I had a good time tonight," she said softly.

"Me too," Amir replied, his voice equally soft. "I always do when I'm with you."

Maria felt her heart swell, and for the first time in a while, she allowed herself to relax into the feeling. Everything felt right.