Forever His

Chapter 88: This Love

Shahmeer's POV:

I walk into the kitchen and freeze the second I see her.

She's standing by the counter, back to me, wearing one of those oversized sweaters that swallow her whole. Her hair's tied up messily, and there's this calm in the way she's stirring her coffee that makes my chest feel like it's caving in. She doesn't notice me at first, and I take a step back instinctively — guilt hits hard and fast. I'm not ready. Not to face her. Not to see those eyes and wonder what they saw that night. What they felt.

"Shahmeer?"

Her voice stops me mid-step.

I turn around slowly. "Yeah?"

"Where are you going?"

"Work," I mutter, not meeting her eyes.

She furrows her brows. "It's Sunday."

I swallow hard. I didn't even know what day it was.

There's a silence between us, heavy, but not suffocating. Not like before.

Then she says it.

"Nothing happened that night."
She looks at me. "That's because you showed up. Like always."

My breath catches. My hands curl into fists at my sides, and I finally meet her gaze. Her eyes aren't afraid. They're soft. Steady. I didn't care about if anything happened. I cared that I put her in that situation.

"I shouldn't have fought with you," I say quietly. "None of it would've happened if I didn't argue with you."

She shakes her head gently. "You had every right to. I didn't tell you. You weren't aware. Suspicion was bound to come up eventually."

"I'm sorry for doubting you. For getting mad."

"I don't mind it anymore," she says, smiling faintly.

I blink. "What?"

She sips her coffee, not looking at me. "I don't mind it. Not when I know it comes from how deeply you feel things."

"No," I say firmly, walking closer. "Any time I've raised my voice at you... actually, that won't ever happen again. Ever."

She looks up at me now, a bit surprised. Then her lips curl into that soft, teasing smile I haven't seen in days.

"At least I found out someone has feelings for me."

My heart does this ridiculous flip. I look at her — really look — and she's blushing. Her cheeks warm, her eyes glowing like she's standing in sunlight instead of this dim kitchen.

"I meant every word in my confession," I say, voice low. "And I always will."

She doesn't say anything.

"If I'm ever reborn in another life, I'll look for you in every crowd — and I'll love you before I even know your name."

Her eyes glisten, and for a second, we just stare at each other. Like the world isn't spinning. Like time has finally done something right.

"I love you," I whisper.

She breathes, "I love you too."

I smile — I can't help it. And like always, the damn dimple gives me away.

She giggles softly, pointing. "That dimple is so adorable."

I raise an eyebrow. "Adorable, huh?"

She nods, cheeks flushed as she intently admires my dimple.

"Fuck it." I smash my lips against hers and it feels like everything's complete. Everything fits. She's the only one that matters. My tongue enters her mouth and it intertwines with hers as I pick her up and place her on the counter. She breaks the kiss.