My dark soul✨

Chapter 19

SAUD's (pov)
Saud sat on the edge of his bed, staring out the window. The light outside was soft, muted, and the usual noise of the world felt distant today. It was supposed to be a relaxing day, a day off he had been looking forward to. But peace was the last thing he felt.

His thoughts kept circling back to her—Amirah.

He ran a hand through his messy hair, leaning back against the wall. No matter how hard he tried, her face refused to leave his mind. The way her eyes seemed to hold a storm inside them, the way her presence felt both heavy and fragile at the same time. He couldn't understand it, couldn't make sense of her—or the way she had made him feel.

It wasn't just curiosity. No, it was something more, something deeper that tugged at him like a weight on his chest.

He shook his head and stood up, trying to shake the thoughts away. Walking into the kitchen, he poured himself a glass of water, but even as he sipped it, the memories of their encounter flooded back. Her voice, low and hesitant, yet carrying something he couldn't name—something that haunted him.

"Why her?" he muttered under his breath, placing the glass on the counter.

No matter how much he tried to move on, she stayed with him, like a shadow he couldn't escape. She was a puzzle, one he wasn't sure he could solve. But the bigger question was—did he even want to?

Saud couldn't stop thinking about Amirah. Her voice, her eyes, the way she seemed to carry so much inside her—it all stayed with him. But as he thought about her, Ahad's face came to mind.

He remembered how Ahad had looked at her, how close she was to him. The way they laughed together, like they had known each other forever. Saud had seen it in Ahad's eyes—that anger, that jealousy. It was hard to miss.

Saud ran a hand through his hair, feeling restless. He started pacing the room, trying to clear his head.

"What's wrong with me?" he mumbled to himself.

It wasn't like he had any right to feel this way. Amirah wasn't his, and they didn't even know each other that well. But still, the thought of her being so close to Ahad—it bothered him. It shouldn't, but it did.

He stopped, gripping the back of a chair. "Why do I care so much? She's just... she's just Amirah." But even saying it didn't make it feel any less real.

Saud heard voices coming from downstairs, breaking the silence of his thoughts. Laughter and chatter echoed through the house. His cousins, he realized. They must have dropped by unexpectedly again.

With a tired sigh, he made his way down the stairs. But as he stepped into the living room, his feet stopped.

There she was.

Amirah.

She stood with his cousins, her smile soft yet warm as she listened to their jokes. She was wearing a beautiful floral dress paired with a matching hijab that framed her face perfectly. The simplicity of her look made her even more striking, and Saud couldn't take his eyes off her.

Her presence felt different today—lighter, almost peaceful. It was a side of her he hadn't seen before, and it left him staring longer than he should have.

"Saud! About time you showed up," uzair called out, snapping him out of his daze.

Amirah turned at the sound of his name, her eyes meeting his. For a moment, everything else disappeared. She smiled softly, a small, hesitant smile that made his heart race.

Saud swallowed hard, trying to keep his composure. He didn't know why, but seeing her like this—comfortable and smiling—stirred something inside him. Something he couldn't put into words.

The living room was filled with noise. Huzaifa and Uzair were setting up the music, arguing over which playlist to play. Ali was helping Safura with the snacks, while the twins, Anaya and Shanaya, were running around, giggling and teasing everyone. It was chaos—chaos Saud wasn't used to.

He stood near the corner of the room, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. He didn't like these gatherings much, but his cousins were family. It was hard to say no to them.

Amirah was sitting on the sofa, quietly sipping a glass of juice, her floral dress and hijab giving her a simple yet graceful look. She seemed a bit overwhelmed by the loudness of it all, glancing around every now and then as if she was trying to adjust.

"Saud, bhai, don't just stand there! Help us set the table!" Safura called out.

"Main theek hoon yahan," Saud replied, trying to stay in his spot.

But Huzaifa wasn't having it. "Bhai, you're always the quiet one! At least pretend to enjoy yourself." He laughed and pulled Saud toward the table.

Saud sighed, his shoulders stiff as he helped place plates on the table. His eyes kept drifting toward Amirah, who was now talking softly with Anaya and Shanaya. She seemed to be getting along with them, smiling a little more than before.

Ali noticed Saud looking and leaned in, smirking. "Kya scene hai, bhai? Nazar hatt nahi rahi."

"Kuch nahi," Saud mumbled, looking away quickly. His ears felt hot, and he busied himself with the plates, trying to avoid Ali's teasing grin.

The twins suddenly shouted, "Game time!" They had brought out a deck of cards and insisted everyone sit in a circle.

"Saud bhai, aap bhi khelo!" Shanaya said, pulling his arm.

"Main nahi—" Saud started, but Safura cut him off. "No excuses, Saud! Aaj tumhe enjoy karna hi padega."

He sighed again, reluctantly sitting down in the circle. Amirah was right across from him, her calm presence somehow making him feel both nervous and at ease.

As the game began, the room filled with laughter and playful arguments. Saud stayed quiet, only speaking when he had to, but every now and then, his eyes would meet Amirah's. She didn't say much either, but her small smiles in his direction didn't go unnoticed.

By the end of the night, Saud found himself feeling something he hadn't in a long time—like he belonged. Even if he didn't say much, even if he stayed in his corner, this chaos had a warmth to it. And maybe, just maybe, Amirah had something to do with that.