MARRIED 'SINGLES'

STEALING GLANCES

Happy reading.....

Mahir dried off quickly and dressed in comfortable clothes, his mind still swirling with thoughts of how to approach Bela. He knew he needed to be sincere and clear, but he was nervous about her reaction. Taking a deep breath, he made his way back to the kitchen where Bela was putting the finishing touches on dinner.

Bela, meanwhile, had composed herself and was setting the table, trying to shake off the unfamiliar fluttering in her chest. When she saw Mahir enter the kitchen, she gave him a warm smile, though her cheeks still held a faint blush.

"Dinner's ready," she announced, trying to keep her voice steady.

Mahir returned her smile, though his eyes betrayed his worry. "It smells incredible, Bela. Thank you."

As they sat down to eat, an awkward silence hung in the air. Mahir couldn't take it any longer. He put down his fork and took a deep breath.

"Bela, about earlier..." he began, searching for the right words. "I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable. I didn't mean to overstep any boundaries."

Bela looked up, her eyes wide with surprise. "Mahir, it's okay. You didn't make me uncomfortable. It was just... unexpected."

He sighed in relief but still felt the need to explain further. "I just want you to know that I respect you a lot, and the last thing I want is for you to feel uneasy around me. You're important to me, Bela."

Her heart skipped a beat at his words. She could see the genuine concern in his eyes, and it made her feel even more at ease. "Mahir, I appreciate that. Really, I do. I wasn't uneasy, just a little taken aback. But it was a nice gesture."

A small, relieved smile played on Mahir's lips. "I'm glad to hear that. I just didn't want to mess things up between us."

"You haven't," she assured him, reaching out to give his hand a reassuring squeeze. "Let's just enjoy our dinner."

As they settled back into the rhythm of their dinner, Bela decided to lighten the mood by sharing a story.

"Have you ever watched a Korean drama, Mahir?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Mahir shook his head, intrigued. "No, I haven't. Why do you ask?"

"I watched this hilarious one last month called 'Welcome to Waikiki.' It's about three guys running a guesthouse, and everything that can go wrong does go wrong. There's this one scene where they're trying to take care of a baby and..." Bela launched into a lively retelling of her favorite scenes, complete with exaggerated expressions and gestures.

Mahir found himself laughing heartily at her animated narration. She had a talent for storytelling, making him feel as if he was right there with the characters. "You should have seen them trying to change the diaper; it was a complete disaster!" she said, chuckling.

"I don't usually watch movies or dramas," Mahir admitted, still grinning. "But seeing you so excited makes me want to watch it with you. Your expressions and reactions are worth it."

Bela blushed slightly, pleased that he enjoyed her storytelling. "Maybe we can watch it together sometime," she suggested, her voice hopeful.

"I'd like that," Mahir replied sincerely, feeling a warm glow at the thought.

The conversation continued to flow easily as they shared more stories and laughed over shared memories.

Bela found herself glancing at Mahir more often, her feelings for him growing stronger with each passing moment.

His laughter and the way he seemed genuinely interested in her stories made her heart swell.

After dinner, they cleaned up together, the earlier tension completely dissolved. As they washed the dishes, Mahir couldn't help but steal glances at Bela, admiring her determination and spirit.

He realized how much he cherished her presence in his life.

Later, as they sat on the couch with cups of tea, Mahir felt a renewed sense of connection with Bela. She began to tell him about the ideas she had proposed for an upcoming event at her new job, her eyes lighting up as she shared her excitement.

"You should hear the ideas I came up with, Mahir," Bela said, her excitement palpable. "I suggested interactive booths where people can engage with the brand in fun ways, and we're planning a live performance to keep everyone entertained."

Mahir listened intently, a proud smile on his face. "That sounds incredible, Bela. You really have a talent for this. I'm sure your team appreciates your creativity and hard work."

Bela's cheeks flushed with pleasure at his praise. "Thank you, Mahir. It means a lot coming from you."

She paused for a moment, a wistful look in her eyes. "It would have been wonderful if you weren't at another branch. We could have worked together, and I could have learned so much from you."

Mahir felt a pang of regret but also a sense of warmth at her words. "I would have loved that too, Bela. But you're doing amazing on your own. Your team is lucky to have you. And we can always share ideas and experiences, even if we're not at the same branch."

Bela nodded, a soft smile playing on her lips. "You're right. And thank you for always being so supportive. It means a lot."

They continued to talk about their plans for the week, shared dreams, and even some personal fears. The openness and honesty between them deepened their bond, making them both feel more secure in their friendship.

By the time they were ready to call it a night, Mahir felt a profound sense of gratitude. He walked Bela to her room, lingering at the door for a moment.

"Goodnight, Bela," he said softly, his eyes reflecting his sincerity.

"Goodnight, Mahir," she replied, giving him a warm smile before closing the door.

As Mahir headed to his room, he couldn't help but feel hopeful about the future. Whatever lay ahead, he knew that having Bela by his side made everything seem brighter and more meaningful. With a contented sigh, he settled into bed, thoughts of Bela's laughter and warmth accompanying him into a peaceful sleep.

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Allah Hafiz ✨