[New] Our Forever After

Chapter 5: Unwanted Visitor

As the evening wound down, Malik drove Djena back to her apartment, the warmth of their evening with his family still lingering in the air. The rain had started to fall softly, tapping against the windows of the car as they talked quietly. Djena's heart was light, despite the storm outside. Being with Malik's family had felt like being embraced by something real, something she could see growing into a future.

As Malik pulled up in front of her apartment, he hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Djena," he began, his voice softer than usual. "Before you go inside, I have something for you."

Djena raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A surprise?"

Malik smiled, reaching into his jacket pocket. "I picked this up the last time I was in Saudi Arabia. I've been waiting for the right time to give it to you."

Djena's breath caught as Malik pulled out a small, velvet box. She could already feel her heart racing as he handed it to her.

"Open it," he said, his eyes warm.

With careful fingers, Djena opened the box to reveal a delicate gold necklace. It shimmered faintly in the dim light of the car, its intricate design reminiscent of something ancient yet timeless. Djena stared at it for a moment, speechless.

"Malik, this is beautiful," she whispered, running her fingers over the smooth gold. "You didn't have to—"

"I wanted to," Malik interrupted gently. "It reminded me of you. Strong, beautiful, and timeless."

Djena felt a swell of emotion rise in her chest. Without thinking, she leaned over and kissed him softly, her lips brushing his in a tender, heartfelt moment. Malik kissed her back, his touch gentle, respectful, but full of warmth.

As they pulled away, Djena smiled, feeling the weight of the necklace in her hand. "Do you want to come inside for a bit?" she asked, her voice soft but inviting. "It's raining pretty hard."

Malik glanced at the pouring rain, nodding. "Yeah, I think I'd better wait it out. I don't want to get soaked."

Once inside her apartment, the warmth was a welcome contrast to the cold rain outside. Djena set her things down and turned to Malik, who was shaking off droplets from his jacket. The atmosphere between them was charged with the intimacy of the kiss they'd just shared, but it was also grounded in something deeper—respect, understanding, and love.

"Here," Djena said, holding up the necklace. "Will you help me put it on?"

Malik nodded, taking the necklace from her hands. She turned her back to him, lifting her hair as he carefully fastened the clasp. His fingers brushed against her neck, sending a shiver down her spine. Once the necklace was secure, Djena turned around, her smile radiant.

"How does it look?" she asked, looking up at him.

"Perfect," Malik replied, his voice low and filled with admiration.

They stood there for a moment, the silence between them comfortable and full. Then, without saying anything, Malik reached out, gently pulling Djena toward him. Their lips met again, this time a little longer, a little more tender. The world outside seemed to disappear, the sound of the rain fading as they lost themselves in the quiet connection they shared.

But even as the kiss deepened, there was an unspoken understanding between them. This was enough—more than enough. Malik, ever respectful, pulled away after a moment, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"The weather's really bad," Djena said softly, glancing out the window at the heavy rain pouring down. "You should stay here tonight."

Malik hesitated, but only for a second. He knew there was no pressure, no expectations. He smiled, nodding. "I'll stay, but only if you let me sleep on the couch."