ENTANGLED AND HEARTS (Her Price For Dreams)

Chapter 32 : Bleeding Heart❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

Samar's POV

The sun hides behind a veil of grey clouds as we arrive at the garden. The wind whispers through the trees, rustling leaves and carrying the sweet scent of blooming flowers.

Children's laughter echoes through the air, mingling with the chirping of birds and the creaking of branches. Couples stroll hand-in-hand along the winding paths, while groups of friends playing badminton on the lush grass, their hair and clothes fluttering in the wind.

Maryam's eyes sparkle with excitement as she leads the way to a picturesque spot under a  tree, its branches swaying gently in the breeze. Anaya and her husband Faris are already there, spreading out a colorful blanket and unpacking a basket of goodies.

I trail behind, feeling a familiar sense of awkwardness wash over me. Social gatherings always make me nervous, and this is no exception. I put down the picnic basket, unsure of what to do.Maryam and Anaya are busy in their conversation.

Faris tries to draw me into the conversation, asking me about my interests. "So, Samar, what do you like to do in your free time?"

I hesitate, then say, "I actually like working out. It helps me clear my head."

Faris nods enthusiastically. "No way! I'm a fitness enthusiast too. What's your favorite exercise?"

I relax a little, grateful for the easy topic. "I'm really into weightlifting right now. There's something about pushing myself to new limits that really appeals to me."

As we chat, I notice the wind picking up, causing the trees to sway and the blanket to flutter. The cloudy sky seems to match my mood(sad), but the company and conversation are helping to lift my spirits.

As I look around, memories flood my mind. I remember the last picnic I went on, with my parents. We'd gone to a secluded park, a hidden gem surrounded by woods and a serene lake. There were no other people, just us, alone in nature. My mother had packed a similar basket, with sandwiches and fruit and cookies. I'd run around, playing and laughing, while my parents sat on a blanket, watching me with forced smiles.

They didn't talk to each other, not really. They just sat together, trying to convince me that everything was good between them. But I knew the truth. I'd heard them fighting every night, their hushed voices and slamming doors a constant reminder of the tension between them.

Even then, I'd sensed the unease, the pretending. But I'd tried to ignore it, to just enjoy the picnic and the time with my parents. Now, as I sit here with Maryam and her family, I realize how much I'd been trying to escape, how much I'd been trying to hold on to a happiness that wasn't really there.

The memory stings, and I feel a pang of sadness. I miss my mother, I miss the idea of a happy family. But I know I can't dwell on it, not now. I take a deep breath and try to focus on the present, on Maryam.

As the memories flood my mind, I start to feel a familiar tightness in my chest. My heart begins to race, and my breath catches in my throat. I try to shake off the feeling, but it's too late. The anxiety attack is creeping up on me, threatening to overwhelm me.

I glance around, hoping no one has noticed my distress. Maryam is chatting with Anaya and Faris, laughing and smiling.  I try to take slow, deep breaths, hoping to calm myself down.

But my mind is racing. I feel like I'm trapped, like I'm drowning in my own thoughts. I try to focus on the present, on the people around me, but it's no use. The anxiety is suffocating me.

I try to hide it, to pretend like everything is fine. I force a smile onto my face, hoping no one will notice the panic in my eyes. I nod along with the conversation, trying to appear interested, but my mind is a million miles away.