I've Got My Eyes On You

Second Last - Face Off

This is perhaps the longest chapter I've written after angsty chapters. See y'all on the other side. Don't forget to check the header for the second last time my lovelies. Excited to see your comments on this one!

Happy reading! 🖤
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But suddenly, the air seemed to freeze, their laughter fading into a tense silence. The sound of the door handle turning was almost deafening.

Meerab's eyes widened in alarm as she stood up quickly, Murtasim moving just as fast, still holding onto her dress's strap. They both straightened, hearts racing in unison. Murtasim stood pressed against her back, holding her dupatta over her strap. The door creaked open, and in walked Phupho, her eyes immediately narrowing at the sight before her. Her eyes scanned them head to toe.

"Meerab? Murtasim?" She muttered

"What are you both doing here?" she asked, her voice filled with suspicion. "People are asking about you outside."

Murtasim, always quick on his feet, cleared his throat, but his face flushed slightly. "Phupho... uh... Meerab wasn't feeling well, she-" he began, awkwardly, his hand still holding the strap of her dress behind her back so it didn't fall off, "She had neck pain"

Phupho's gaze shifted between the two of them, her eyes narrowing even further. "Murtasim, what are you doing here? You know it's a girls' event."

He shifted his stance, his face reddening in embarrassment as he realized he was still holding Meerab's strap but he couldn't leave it. He quickly but subtly adjusted it into place, his hand lingering a moment longer than necessary. "I was just... uh... helping her," he muttered, trying to sound as casual as possible.

Meerab, on the other hand, was dying of embarrassment. Her heart pounded as she felt her face grow warm. She didn't dare look at Phupho, who was now giving both of them the most disapproving look.

Phupho crossed her arms, unimpressed. "I didn't know you were a doctor too, Murtasim."

Meerab nearly choked on her breaths but held it in. She could feel Murtasim tense behind her, clearly flustered. He cleared his throat again, trying to regain his composure. "I... I'm not, but-"

"But you thought you'd practice physiotherapy here?" Phupho finished for him, her tone sharp with sarcasm.

Meerab couldn't hold it in any longer. The entire situation, from Murtasim's awkward explanations to Phupho's sharp sarcasm, was too much for her. A burst of laughter erupted from her before she could stop herself, and she quickly covered her mouth with both hands, trying to muffle the sound. But it was too late. Her shoulders shook with the effort to keep the laughter in, and her eyes sparkled with amusement.

Murtasim, standing pressed up behind her, felt the ripple of her laughter and shot her a side glance - a mix of annoyance and amusement flickering across his face. He raised an eyebrow, trying to maintain a serious expression in front of Phupho, but Meerab's contagious laughter was testing his patience. His lips twitched in response, though he tried hard not to smile. But something playful and mischievous flashed in his eyes as he decided to get his sweet revenge. Without warning, he loosened his grip on the strap of her dress just enough to let it slip forward, a fraction of an inch, exposing a little more of her shoulder.

Meerab's eyes widened in shock, and she gasped audibly, her laughter catching in her throat. She reached for the strap instinctively, but before she could adjust it, Murtasim's hand was already back in place, firmly holding it again as if nothing had happened. His face was the picture of innocence, though his lips were pressed together in a tight, sheepish smirk, the glint of mischief evident in his eyes.