STAR CROSSED

34.

'Amma can you turn up the volume' I yelled from the kitchen as I heard my favorite song playing on the radio from her room next door. After a few seconds, the volume went up, and I started swaying as I continued cooking while also enjoying the music.

'Maaz' I squealed as I felt his arms around me, lifting me up.

'I didn't know you could dance like that' He laughed freely, and my heart felt warm by his cheerful voice.

'Please put me down, the food will burn' I told him, and he finally set me free. I turned the stove off and turned around to face him.

'You shouldn't lift me up like that, your stitches have come off, but you still need to be careful' I reminded him. His stitches came off two days ago after waiting for three entire weeks.

'I am fine' He came forward and caressed the side of my face.

'What?' I eased into his touch.

'You took such good care of me' He said to me.

'Stop saying that, anyway, lunch is ready' I announced and turned around to plat the food. He stayed by my side and helped me to set the table.

'Do you want to say something?' I asked him before he could go outside to call Amma for lunch. She wasn't feeling well during the last few days as her arthritis was getting worse, but the medications and daily exercises were slowly starting to help.

'You know me better than I know myself' That's all he said and went to call Amma. When they both returned to the table, I waited for him to say whatever he wanted to say, but he continued to talk about other things.

'I wanted to say something...' He finally stopped midway through a conversation with Amma and glanced at me when he noticed me looking at him.

'I have been thinking about something... should we move to Muzaffarabad?' He asked me.

'You mean...move...like forever?' I asked back unexpectedly.

'Like forever' He directed a grin in my direction, and I flashed a look at Amma who seemed like she was in favour of his decision.

'I am not used to you asking me for something' I continued.

'I am sorry...if you prefer to live here then we can...I just think...' He started.

'It'll be a fresh start for us' I said, and the corner of his mouth lifted.

'So yes?' He asked.

I nodded with a gigantic smile, knowing in my heart that somehow, he sensed it too. Understood that I missed our house there and most importantly the moments we shared there.

'Is that okay with you, Amma? To move with us. Believe me...it's very nice there...there are mountains and beautiful markets...good people' I said to her, asking for her input.

'It's sounds wonderful, as long as I am not a burden to you' She agreed.

'Please don't ever say that, you're a mother to me' I got up from my chair and hugged her.

'You are nothing but a blessing and no one has ever showed me such kindness as you did' I felt emotional after hearing that she thought of herself as a burden on us. I peeked at Maaz who did not know what to say under such situation, I eyed him to say something.

'Amma...you are our family' He awkwardly said but was genuine. She covered my hand over hers and held them lovingly.

'When are we going to leave?' I kissed Amma's forehead before settling down on my seat again.