Love's Gentle Embrace

Blooming of Love

The night was thick with the promise of rain, the sky covered in a velvety darkness, illuminated only by distant flashes of lightning. The cool air slipped through the slightly cracked window, carrying the smell of damp earth as if the rain had already touched the ground. Noor had just finished dinner and made her way upstairs, the quiet hum of the house lulling her into peace. She walked gracefully in her soft, peach-pink nightwear, her long hair tumbling down her back like waves. As she entered the room, she paused, seeing Ruhaan engrossed in his work at the study desk.

He glanced up for a moment, catching her eyes, his lips curling into a gentle smile. The way his smile reached his eyes now sent a warmth through her, a quiet intimacy shared between them in that single look. Noor's heart softened, and she returned the smile, feeling comforted by his presence. She wandered towards the bookshelf, her fingers brushing against the spines of the Urdu novels lined neatly, a collection that had grown over time.

Settling into her cozy nook—one Ruhaan had lovingly arranged with pillows and soft throws—Noor placed her glasses on and opened a book, though her thoughts often drifted to Ruhaan, stealing glances at him every now and then. His face, illuminated by the soft glow of the lamp, looked calm and focused. She loved these small moments, the quiet togetherness they shared even in their silence.

When Ruhaan finally stretched, leaning back and rubbing his neck, Noor seized the moment to break the stillness. "When did you start reading these Urdu novels?" she asked softly, her voice carrying a light curiosity.

Ruhaan smirked playfully, leaning back in his chair. "I never did," he replied with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Noor's eyebrows rose in surprise. "What? Half the library is filled with them. Are you saying you've never read any? Or are you just always too busy?" she teased.

Chuckling, Ruhaan removed his glasses and stood up, walking over to her with slow, deliberate steps. He knelt in front of her, his hand gently reaching up to pinch the tip of her nose, making her gasp in playful protest. "Ouch!" she exclaimed, swatting his hand, but her heart fluttered at the tender gesture. 

He gazed at her, his eyes soft, and said, "No, Noor, these books are not for me. They're for you. I collected them because I know they're your escape, your comfort. My Qalbi—my heart, I always knew what you loved, even when we are not met"

Noor's breath caught in her throat, her heart swelling at his words. The way he looked at her, the sincerity in his voice, made her eyes glisten. "For me?" she whispered, feeling the weight of his affection in those two simple words.

Ruhaan smiled, his eyes never leaving hers. "Yes, for you. I've always searched for you, Noor. Even when you weren't with me, you were always a part of me. Your name alone brings me peace, a kind of peace I've never been able to explain. Since we were young, you've had a piece of my heart, and there's more I need to tell you, but... not yet," he added with a soft laugh, sitting beside her, the air between them filled with an unspoken promise.

Noor could feel her heart beating faster. She knew there was so much she wanted to ask him, so many mysteries about Ruhaan she longed to uncover. But she also understood he needed time, and she was willing to wait. "Hmm..." she responded gently, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him, knowing in that moment that little by little, she was falling for him.