When Dreams meet Destiny

Chapter 36 : Silent Battles

The day passed in a blur after they all reached the beach house. The serene waves provided a perfect backdrop as Nafisa officially slipped the engagement ring onto Sara's finger. The celebration was simple yet beautiful, filled with warmth and smiles.

Zahran, however, was nowhere to be seen — locked away with the boys as per the elders' decree: No meetings before Nikah.

But Maryam had other ideas. Standing on the terrace with Sara and the other girls, she whispered mischievous plans to arrange a secret meetup between the bride-to-be and Zahran. The evening breeze carried laughter until a familiar presence broke the carefree moment.

Yahya.

He stood at the top of the stairs, tall and imposing, arms crossed, a single brow raised in suspicion. Silence fell over the terrace as the girls exchanged nervous glances.

"What's cooking?" he asked, his tone both amused and interrogative.

Maryam gave a sheepish smile, knowing full well he had cracked her plan. "It's important for them to see each other once before the marriage, right?"

Yahya narrowed his eyes, feigning disapproval. "Toba toba, Maryam. You're actually planning all this?"

Sara crossed her arms. "Oh, come on, it's not like you never did anything before your marriage."

Yahya smirked. "I did everything after our Nikah."

Maryam's curiosity piqued. "Oh really?" she challenged, eyes narrowing.

Yahya controlled his smile, just as Zahran arrived on the terrace. Yahya's sharp gaze locked onto him like a hawk.

Maryam quickly stepped in, placing a hand on Yahya's arm. "Stop looking at him like that! It was me who called him."

"That just proves he's a coward," Yahya muttered with a smirk.

Maryam laughed. "Yahya, stop behaving like an old uncle." Grabbing his hand, she tugged him toward the stairs. "Come on, let's go downstairs. They'll come later."

Reluctantly, Yahya followed, though not without throwing one last glance over his shoulder at Zahran.

About half an hour later, Maryam and Yahya sat together in the garden with his cousins. Irha arrived with a tray filled with cups of tea, and everyone settled onto the grass, chatting despite the humid weather.

In the middle of their laughter, Irha playfully slapped Yahya's shoulder. "They were actually planning our wedding, you know," she teased.

Yahya chuckled openly, much to Maryam's surprise. Her heart skipped a beat. He didn't mind that?

She blinked, stunned. He let her touch him?

Without a word, Maryam stood up, her mood shifting. Yahya, engrossed in the conversation, didn't even notice her leave. She walked back inside, her thoughts boiling like the tea still steaming on the tray outside.

Later that night, the sleeping arrangements were finalized. The beach house had only five rooms, so the men and women were divided. Yahya was with the boys, and Maryam shared a room with the girls.

As the others lingered in the lawn, Maryam sat alone in the room, scrolling through her phone. The door creaked open, and Yahya stepped in, towel slung over his shoulder. His bag was still in her room.

"Where's my bag?" he asked.

"Under the dressing table," she replied without looking up.

After a quick shower, Yahya returned, his damp hair tousled. He sat beside her on the bed, his proximity stirring something within her. "One whole week without sleeping next to you," he murmured teasingly.