Forever His

Chapter 54: Stargazing

Mahnoor's POV:

I walk into the secluded space and I'm taken aback by what's laid infront of me.

The villa's private garden looks like something out of a fairytale. Dim string lights are draped along the bushes, their warm glow casting a soft golden hue over everything. The air smells sweet, perfumed with the scent of jasmine from the surrounding blooms. In the center of the garden is a setup so inviting it takes my breath away—a large, cushioned blanket spread out on the grass with plush pillows and a firepit. The stars above us twinkle in the clear night sky, and for a moment, I forget who I'm with and what circumstances brought me here. All I can think is wow.

"How did you...?" I turn to Shahmeer, but he's already walking ahead of me, his hands in his pockets, like this whole setup is no big deal.

"I have my ways," he says casually, glancing over his shoulder. There's a smirk playing on his lips, but his voice is softer than usual, almost tender.

I roll my eyes, but a small smile tugs at my lips despite myself. "Of course, you have your ways."

He doesn't respond, just motions for me to follow him toward the setup. As I step closer, the twinkling lights, the scent of jasmine, and the soft rustle of the evening breeze make the world feel strangely peaceful. It's not often that I feel this way—like the chaos of life has paused for just a moment to let me breathe.

I lay down on the blanket, letting my fingers trail over the soft fabric. Shahmeer lies down beside me, close enough that his presence feels warm but not overbearing.

For a while, we just lay there in silence, gazing at the stars. "It's beautiful," I murmur, my voice almost a whisper.

He doesn't reply immediately, and when I glance at him, I catch him looking at me instead of the stars.

"What?" I ask, my brows knitting together.

"Your eyes," he says simply, his tone so calm and genuine that it throws me off completely.

I blink, not sure I heard him right. "My eyes?"

"They look like stars," he says, his gaze unwavering. "Bright. Twinkling."

My heart skips a beat, and I hate myself for the way my cheeks flush. Did Shahmeer Jafri just compliment me? He doesn't say things like this. Ever.

"You noticed?" I ask, my voice quieter now, tinged with surprise.

He leans back on his elbows, his smirk returning, but it's softer this time. "They're hard to miss."

For a moment, I don't know what to say. I feel like I should say something sarcastic, deflecting the strange warmth blooming in my chest. But I don't. Instead, I just smile—small and hesitant, but real.

The soft sound of the breeze rustling through the garden fills the air, and I find myself scooting just a little closer to him. I rest my head against his shoulder, testing the waters, expecting him to pull away or say something infuriating. But he doesn't. He stays still, his body warm and solid beside mine.

The stars seem brighter tonight, and I'm suddenly reminded of the times my mother and I used to sit outside on clear nights like this, looking up at the sky. It's a distant, hazy memory, but it makes my chest ache all the same.

"I used to watch the stars with my mom sometimes," I say softly, more to myself than to him. "When I was little."

Shahmeer shifts slightly, his voice low when he asks, "Do you know where she is now?"

I hesitate, swallowing hard. "No. I was seven when she left. She didn't bother coming back, so...probably doesn't care."

My words hang in the air, heavy and raw. I expect him to make some offhand comment or change the subject, but he doesn't. Instead, he stays quiet, his presence steady and grounding. It's strange, but for once, his silence feels like...understanding.