When Dreams meet Destiny

Chapter 33 : Homecoming

The three days away from Yahya had flown by faster than Maryam could have imagined. The brief escape from her daily routine was refreshing, but as the third day approached, a longing stirred in her heart. She was packed and ready to go, and Yahya was already waiting for her in the car, his presence a comforting constant.

As they drove back to Bombay, the familiar cityscape welcomed them home. The journey was quiet, filled with a comfortable silence that spoke of love unspoken yet deeply felt. When they finally arrived home, Maryam turned to Yahya, her voice soft and filled with warmth.

"Yahya, give me 10 minutes. I'll take a shower and be right back."

Yahya nodded, watching as she disappeared into their bedroom. He kicked off his shoes and lay down on the bed, a mischievous grin creeping across his face. He had missed her more than words could express, and now that she was back, he couldn't resist the urge to tease her. Closing his eyes, he pretended to sleep, his breathing steady and slow.

A few moments later, Maryam emerged from the bathroom, her hair still damp and her skin glowing. She smiled at the sight of Yahya lying peacefully on the bed, his eyes closed, his chest rising and falling in the rhythm of sleep. She called his name softly.

"Yahya?"

There was no response. She called again, a bit louder this time, but he remained still. Sighing with affection, she knelt beside him, her fingers brushing a strand of hair away from his forehead. Leaning in, she pressed a tender kiss on his cheek and whispered, "You don't know how much I love you."

Yahya's heart skipped a beat, but he kept his eyes shut, pretending to sleep, trying to suppress the smile threatening to give him away. Maryam, believing him to be truly asleep, sighed again and started to rise. But before she could move away, Yahya's hand shot out, catching her wrist in one swift motion.

She let out a small gasp of surprise as he pulled her down onto the bed, flipping her onto her back with ease. Yahya hovered above her, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. Maryam's laughter echoed through the room, the sound light and carefree, filling their home with a warmth that only they could create.

"Do you know," Yahya murmured, his eyes locked on hers, "that you're my home? My happy place?"

Maryam, still catching her breath from the sudden turn of events, gazed up at him with a teasing glint in her eyes. "Really, Yahya? And?"

"And you light up my world," he whispered, his voice husky with emotion.

She raised an eyebrow, her smile widening. "And?"

He leaned closer, his lips brushing against her ear as he spoke. "And I can't imagine my life without you."

Maryam's playful expression softened, her heart swelling with love. But she wasn't ready to let him off the hook just yet. "And?"

Yahya chuckled, the sound vibrating through his chest. He leaned back just enough to meet her gaze, his eyes shining with sincerity. "Andddddd... I love you."

Maryam's heart melted at his words, the playfulness in her eyes giving way to a deep, overwhelming affection. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer as she whispered, "And I love you more."

With that, she closed the distance between them, pressing her lips to his in a kiss that spoke of all the things they didn't need to say out loud. As they lay there, tangled in each other's arms, the world outside ceased to exist. There was only them—two souls, deeply in love, finding their home in each other once again.

The night was theirs, filled with whispered words of love and laughter, the kind of happiness that comes from knowing you are right where you belong.
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The morning passed like any other routine day, with Yahya leaving early for the office and Maryam tending to her usual tasks at home. By 2:30 p.m., the house was silent until the doorbell rang. Maryam opened the door to find her family returning from the wedding trip.