Love on Trial

Chapter 26: Volleyball

Maxine POV

I woke up to the soft sound of breathing next to me, and for a moment, I thought I was dreaming. But as I blinked my eyes open, there she was—A'ishah, peacefully asleep, her face so close that I could feel her warmth. My heart swelled, a mix of disbelief and pure joy rushing through me.

She was here, really here, and after all this time, after everything, I had finally heard the words I'd longed to hear from her lips: I love you.

For months, I had craved those words. Wondering if she would ever say them, and fearing she never would.

I had told myself that maybe she wasn’t ready, that maybe her feelings were complicated, and I didn’t want to push her. But when she finally said it last night, when those three words fell from her lips so naturally, I felt like I could fly.

It was the one thing I had been waiting for, the reassurance I had needed, and now that it was real, I felt a weight lift off my chest.

I shifted carefully, not wanting to wake her, and just stared at her sleeping form. The peaceful rise and fall of her chest, the soft, messy strands of her hair framing her face—she looked so serene.

It was hard to believe that only a day ago, I had been carrying so much doubt, wondering if we could ever get back to this.

But we did. And now she was here, right beside me, her love finally spoken aloud.

"Good morning." I whispered, my voice soft but filled with more emotion than I could contain.

Her eyes fluttered open slowly, and when she smiled at me—a sleepy, tender smile that made my heart race, I knew I was the luckiest person in the world.

"Good morning, babi.” She murmured, her voice husky with sleep.

The endearment made my chest tighten, and I couldn’t help but lean in to kiss her forehead, letting my lips linger against her warm skin. I wanted to savor every second of this, every small touch, every breath we shared in this quiet morning.

"You slept well?" I asked, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face.

A'ishah smiled again, her eyes still half-closed. "Best sleep I’ve had in a long time.” She replied, her voice soft but content.

I let out a small laugh, my heart feeling so much lighter. "That’s because you were finally with me.” I teased, though the truth behind my words made my pulse quicken.

She chuckled, it was a sound like music to my ears. "Maybe." She whispered, her lips curling into a playful smile.

Gosh! I had missed this. Her laugh, her touch, the way she made me feel alive in a way no one else ever could.

But more than anything… is hearing those words. I love you.

It was the one thing I had been waiting for, the one thing that made me feel alive again.

“I’m so happy you’re here.” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper as I ran my fingers through her hair. “I don’t ever want to lose you again.”

Her eyes softened, and she reached for my hand, intertwining our fingers as she gave me a reassuring squeeze.

“You won’t.” She promised, her voice filled with certainty. "I’m not going anywhere, babi. We’re in this together now.”

We lay there for a while longer, wrapped in each other, the silence between us comfortable. The sunlight started to filter through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room, and I felt a sense of peace wash over me.