When Dreams meet Destiny

Chapter 17 : A Lingering Touch

The morning had turned into something far more than either of them had anticipated. What had started as a nerve-wracking silence between them slowly shifted into something light-hearted and full of warmth. They were on their way to the visa office, just five minutes away, when Yahya's phone rang, pulling them both from their thoughts.

It was a FaceTime call from his sister, Sara. Yahya and Sara shared a bond that went beyond just sibling love; they were more like best friends, always teasing and supporting each other. As soon as he saw the caller ID, Yahya's expression softened with affection.

"Maryam, could you get that for me?" he asked, his eyes still on the road but his voice warm and familiar.

Maryam picked up the phone and answered the call with a happy, "Salam, Sara!"

On the screen, Sara's face lit up with excitement. "Oh my gosh, look who's on a date!" she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she spotted the two of them in the car.

Maryam couldn't help but smile at her sister-in-law's playful tone. "I know, right? I'm so blessed to have your brother, Sara. I think I might keep him," she replied with a wink, making both Sara and Yahya chuckle.

Yahya glanced over at her with a look of pride and affection. Hearing Maryam speak so fondly of him, especially in front of his sister, filled his heart with joy. It was in moments like these that he was reminded of just how much he loved her—how much she had become a part of his life, of his very soul.

The three of them chatted for a few more minutes, exchanging jokes and light banter. Sara kept the mood light, teasing Yahya about his outfit and asking Maryam about their plans for the day. When the call finally ended, it left behind a bubble of warmth that enveloped both Yahya and Maryam.

As Maryam lowered the phone, she glanced down at the screen and noticed something that made her heart skip a beat. There, on Yahya's home screen, was a picture of her—a candid shot he had taken on one of their outings, where she was laughing at something he'd said. The sight of it made her smile, her heart swelling with a deep, genuine happiness.

Yahya, ever observant, caught her reaction from the corner of his eye. He could see the way her lips curved into a soft smile, how her eyes seemed to brighten at the sight of her own image on his phone. He knew what she was thinking, and it made him feel even more proud of the small gesture.

Maryam, always quick to pick up on his playful side, decided to turn the moment into a tease. "Who's this beautiful woman on your phone?" she asked, her tone light and teasing as she looked over at him.

Yahya's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Oh, her?" he replied, pretending to think. "She's my wife—my beautiful wife," he added, his voice softening with the last two words as he turned to meet her gaze.

Maryam chuckled, her heart fluttering at the way he said it. There was something about the way Yahya spoke—so full of affection and pride—that made her feel cherished, as if she was the center of his world.

They pulled into the parking lot of the visa office, the moment lingering between them like a secret shared. The playful exchange, the warmth of their banter, and the simple act of seeing her face on his phone—all of it combined to make Maryam feel truly seen and loved.

As Yahya parked the car and turned off the engine, he looked over at her, his eyes still sparkling with the remnants of their conversation. "Ready?" he asked, his tone light but with an undercurrent of something deeper, something that spoke of the journey they were on together.

Maryam nodded, her smile soft and genuine. "Ready," she replied, feeling a sense of contentment settle over her. They were stepping into yet another part of their journey as a married couple, and she knew, without a doubt, that they were doing it together.

With that, they both got out of the car and walked into the visa office, side by side, their hearts full of the quiet, unspoken love that had grown between them—a love that made even the simplest moments feel special.

The visa office buzzed with the low hum of murmured conversations, shuffling papers, and the occasional call of a name over the intercom. Yahya and Maryam had completed most of the necessary procedures, now standing in separate lines for the final step: fingerprinting and photographs. The day had been long, filled with anticipation and small moments of intimacy that were new to them both. Now, as they neared the end of this bureaucratic ordeal, Maryam found herself lost in thought.

She couldn't shake the feeling of Yahya's presence, even when they were in different lines. The memory of his playful teasing during the car ride, the warmth of his voice as he called her "my beautiful wife," still lingered in her mind, bringing a faint smile to her lips.

Her turn came for the fingerprinting, and she approached the counter, placing her hand on the scanner. But her fingers trembled slightly—whether from nervousness or something else, she wasn't sure. The officer behind the desk noticed her unsteady hand and reached forward, intending to steady it himself. Before he could, Yahya, who had been standing just behind her, moved forward in a swift, protective gesture.

Without a word, Yahya placed his hand over hers, gently but firmly pressing it down on the scanner. The warmth of his body radiated through her, and for a brief, heart-stopping moment, it felt like he was embracing her, his arms around her in a comforting hold. Her breath caught in her throat, and a flutter of butterflies erupted in her stomach. It was a simple, almost innocent touch, but it carried with it an intimacy that left Maryam breathless.

The scanner beeped, the procedure complete, and Yahya stepped back, his hand sliding away from hers as if the moment had never happened. But the lingering warmth of his touch remained, leaving Maryam with a soft, secret smile on her lips.

Yahya returned to his own line, unaware of the turmoil he had just caused in Maryam's chest. He glanced over at her, and their eyes met across the room. She was still smiling, lost in her thoughts, and he raised an eyebrow in question, silently asking what had her so amused. Caught off guard, Maryam blushed slightly, embarrassed at how obvious her thoughts must have been.

When their procedures were finally complete, and they were back in the car, Yahya couldn't resist teasing her. As he started the engine, he glanced over at her, his tone light. "I saw you smiling earlier," he said, a playful lilt in his voice. "Can I know the reason behind that smile?"

Maryam, still a little flustered from the earlier encounter, tried to brush off the question. "Stop noticing me all the time," she replied, attempting to sound annoyed, but her tone betrayed her, the corners of her mouth still tugging upward in a grin.

Yahya chuckled softly, clearly enjoying her reaction. "I can't help it," he said, his voice dropping to a warm, affectionate murmur. "You're kind of hard to ignore, you know."

Maryam turned to look at him, her heart swelling with a mix of emotions she was still learning to navigate. There was something about Yahya's quiet, unwavering attention—how he noticed the little things, like her smile or the way her hands trembled—that made her feel truly seen, truly cherished.

As they drove away from the visa office, the rain still lightly pattering against the sunroof, Maryam rested her head against the window, her thoughts filled with the small moments that had passed between them today. The playful teasing, the lingering touch, the way he seemed to always be there when she needed him—all of it was slowly weaving a tapestry of love and trust that was as comforting as it was exciting.

And as for Yahya, he couldn't help but steal glances at her, wondering what it was that had made her smile so softly, and hoping, with all his heart, that he was the reason behind it.

*****************************************
                          Please Vote!!!!!