In the Heart of Darkness

Chapter 13: Unspoken Realizations

Zara stirred slowly, her mind still hazy from sleep. The softness of the bed beneath her was unfamiliar, and as she blinked her eyes open, confusion crept in. This wasn't her room. The heavy curtains, the polished wooden furniture, and the faint scent of leather—it was Ibrahim's room.

Her heart skipped a beat as she sat up abruptly, her mind racing. How did she end up here? And then it hit her—last night. The assignment. She'd come to him for help and... she'd fallen asleep.

Zara groaned, burying her face in her hands. She had fallen asleep in the middle of him explaining the work. Embarrassment flushed her cheeks as she recalled the moment she had drifted off. How could she be so careless?

Her eyes darted around the room, hoping Ibrahim wasn't nearby. She didn't want to face him right now, not after this. But then another realization dawned on her, and her stomach twisted in panic. The assignment! She hadn't finished it. What if it wasn't done? What if she failed?

She threw off the blanket, ready to rush back to her room when the door creaked open. Nancy walked in, her face glowing with a bright smile.

"Assalam o Alikum, Good morning, Zara!" she chimed, holding a neatly stacked set of papers in her hand.

Zara froze. "Walikum Assalam, Morning," she muttered, trying to compose herself. "What's that?"Nancy beamed, holding out the papers. "Your assignment. Sir finished it for you last night after you fell asleep. He told me to give it to you."

Zara blinked in disbelief, her hand slowly reaching out to take the assignment. It was done. Ibrahim had stayed up and finished it for her. A wave of relief washed over her, but with it came a heavy dose of embarrassment. How was she going to face him now?

Nancy, oblivious to Zara's inner turmoil, continued to chat as she helped Zara get ready for the day. "Sir also told me to wake you up in time for breakfast. He's already downstairs, so you should hurry."

Zara nodded absentmindedly, her mind still processing everything. She thanked Nancy, went to her room, and quickly dressed, clutching the assignment tightly.

As she made her way downstairs, her heart pounded in her chest. How was she going to look Ibrahim in the eyes after this? He had gone out of his way to help her, and she had fallen asleep without even a proper thank you.

When she entered the dining room, Ibrahim was already seated, reading the morning paper. He glanced up as she walked in, his expression unreadable, though his eyes held a trace of something she couldn't quite place.

"Assalam O Alikum, Good morning," he greeted her simply, folding the paper and setting it aside.Zara swallowed hard and sat down across from him. "Walikum Assalam, Good morning," she murmured, her voice softer than usual.

The breakfast spread was lavish as always, but Zara couldn't focus on the food. She kept sneaking glances at Ibrahim, wondering if he was going to bring up last night. The silence between them felt heavier than usual, and she couldn't help but feel awkward.

Clearing her throat, she finally spoke up. "Thank you... for finishing the assignment," she said quietly, her fingers fidgeting with her napkin.

Ibrahim glanced at her, his expression calm but distant. "It was no trouble," he said, his tone neutral. "You were tired."

Zara nodded, but the conversation died just as quickly as it had started. The rest of breakfast passed in awkward silence, each of them lost in their own thoughts. Zara felt a mixture of gratitude and embarrassment swirling inside her, but she didn't know how to express it.

After breakfast, she excused herself quickly and hurried to university, grateful to be out of the house. The air outside was cool and refreshing, but her mind was still spinning with thoughts of Ibrahim.