Whispers Of The Shadows-The UNKNOWN

The confession

The atmosphere in the house was different. Zahra couldn't pinpoint it, but it felt... lighter. She found herself lingering in the living room after dinner instead of retreating to her room, a book resting on her lap.

Gabriel was sitting across from her, reading through some documents. The silence between them wasn't heavy like it used to be-it was almost comfortable.

"Are you planning anything for my birthday?" Zahra asked suddenly, breaking the quiet.

Gabriel didn't look up from his papers, but there was a slight pause before he replied. "Would you want me to?"

The question caught her off guard. She expected him to dismiss the idea entirely, not ask for her opinion.

"I don't know," she said honestly. "It's not like it matters anymore."

Gabriel set his papers aside and leaned back in his chair, his gaze settling on her. "It matters," he said firmly.

Zahra looked at him, surprised by the conviction in his voice. "Why do you care?" she asked, her tone cautious.

For a moment, Gabriel didn't answer. He seemed to be weighing his words carefully. "Because it's your day. And whether you believe it or not, you deserve to feel celebrated."

Zahra's heart twisted at his words, and she hated the way they affected her. She turned back to her book, hiding the faint blush that crept up her cheeks.

"Let's see if you mean it," she muttered under her breath, but Gabriel heard her.

"I guess you'll have to wait and see," he said, his voice carrying a rare note of warmth.

As the night deepened, Zahra couldn't help but wonder if this birthday might actually be different-if Gabriel might finally be showing her the man he could be.

The Day Before Zahra's Birthday

Zahra sat by the garden window, sipping her tea, trying to keep her thoughts occupied with anything but the weight of the upcoming day. Birthdays had always been a time of excitement for her-a day of love, surprises, and connection. But this year felt different, and not in a good way.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Gabriel entering the room. He carried a small box in his hand, the packaging simple but elegant. He set it on the coffee table without a word.

"What's that?" Zahra asked, her brows furrowing in suspicion.

Gabriel glanced at the box and then at her. "Something for tomorrow. Open it then," he said, his tone casual but his expression unreadable.

"Why are you even bothering?" she muttered, not intending for him to hear.

But he did. He stopped mid-step and turned to face her fully. "Because I want to," he said, his voice steady. "And whether you believe it or not, I'm trying."

Zahra blinked, startled by his honesty. She didn't reply, but her grip on her teacup tightened. Gabriel gave her one last look before leaving the room.

---

Later That Night
Gabriel stood in his study, staring at the plans he'd meticulously crafted for Zahra's birthday. He had never done anything like this before. It was foreign territory, and the vulnerability of it all made him uneasy.

A knock on the door broke his thoughts. He looked up to see one of his staff entering.

"Everything is set, sir. The arrangements have been double-checked," the staff member said.

"Good," Gabriel replied, dismissing him with a nod. He ran a hand through his hair and exhaled deeply.

"Why does this matter so much?" he muttered to himself, leaning back in his chair. He wasn't sure if he was doing this for her or for his own conscience. Maybe it was both.