Blossom

17

Z A R A H P O V The dawn sun peeked through a hazy screen of clouds, painting the sky an elaborate mix of bloodied reds and vibrant oranges, intertwined with the smoky grays that permeated this skyward canvas.

I woke to the gentle patter of rain on my roof and thunder rumbling from far away. I pushed the blankets off, immediately feeling the warmth of sleep begin to slip away. I tried to get up from the bed but I couldn't. Turning to my left, I came face to face with a chest. Looking up, I saw Ahmed. When did he get in here?

Lifting my hand, I lightly ran my index finger on the side of his cheek, feeling the softness of his skin. I smiled lightly. Out of nowhere, my finger lightly and slowly reached his lips, making me pull away immediately, scared that he might wake up and catch me checking him out.

I swung my feet over the side of the bed and sat up, rubbing the crust from my eyes. I stood up, my bare feet pressing softly against the soft carpet, and walked towards the window. The glass was splattered with raindrops as even more came down. The clouds swirled lightly above my house, their pale grey color suggesting a long, mild storm. 

I infiltrated to my bathroom and took a warm shower to relax my muscles. Opening the bathroom door, I looked around to see if Ahmed was there. Seeing that he wasn't there, I ran to my closet and put on my clothes. I quickly dried my hair before putting it into a braid.

I stroll through the kitchen to find anything to make. The house was quiet. Nobody was home. I wonder why? Taking out some eggs from the fridge, I started to cook them. I hummed as I cooked. Suddenly a strong arm wrapped around my waist. I was quite familiar with this feeling.

"Good morning," he mumbled in my neck.

"Good morning. I thought you went to work," I stated.

"I'm off today. Where is everyone?" Ahmed replied, pressing his lips at the crock of my neck.

"Don't know," I squealed out my answer, feeling a few tickles. I spun around to grab two plates.

"Looks like we have the house all by to yourself," he wiggled his eyebrow.

"So?"

"So, I get to have you all myself. We can spend some time together now," he smiled.

"Sorry to ruin your plan, but I have house cleaning to do," I put the egg on the plates.

"But I thought-"

"Sorry. And you are going to help me with cleaning the house," I ordered with a smile. 

"Then can we spend some time after?" he looked at me hopefully.

"Yes, then we can," I giggled at how cute he looked. 

"I will do the dishes," He offered, getting to work right away.

I nodded my head. I started to eat my breakfast, but I can feel him look at me as I ate. It made me uncomfortable. I looked up to see him staring at me.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" I questioned, standing up to put the dish in the sink.

"Because I can't seem to keep my eyes off of you," he answered with a wink.

I blushed hearing him say that: he and his cheesy remarks. As I turned around, I bumped into him. I looked up, and our face was a few meters away. I thought that we are just friends. Am I doing the right thing?

I can not even move a muscle. Ahmed looked down at my lips before looking right back into my eyes once again. He didn't even blink once. My breathing rapid and shallow. I can feel my pulse pounding in my temples. Me being a dummy, I bite my lips. His eyes darkened as he notices me doing that.

"Oh, f**k it," he cursed.

He pulled my neck and brushed his lips against mine. He slammed his lips against mine-his hand, going to either side of my waist, drawing circles. He tilted his head to the side, deepening the kiss. I pressed myself harder onto him, and in an instant, he pushes his seat to the back before pulling me against his chest. I gasped in surprise, but he invades my lips once more as my hands wrapped around his neck.

What the hell am I doing? We shouldn't be doing this. We were meant to take things slow, right?

"Stop," I breathed out against his lips.

"Sorry. I just-just couldn't help myself. I can't take this anymore. I want us to be more than just a friend. I know you want to take things slowly, but the minute my eyes landed on you, I fall in love with you. I know you might not love me, but I love you. I am willing to do anything," he breathed out.

"I-I like you too. I just think we should take things slow," I stated.

"Yeah, but I can not promise you that I am going to keep my hands to myself," he warned.

"Okay,"

"One more time," he kissed my lips.

That sneaky little bastard. He lightly bites my lower lip, causing me to let him in. I find him pulling me closer to him. His lip trails a kiss down my jawline, leaving me wanting. Just as he moved deeper into the back of my neck, his phone started to ring. I was breathing, profoundly, as he keeps on kissing me. His hands keep on traveling all over my body and up till the nape of my neck.

"Phone," I mumbled against his lips.

"Ignore it," he muttered, grabbing my jaw in his man hand.

"You have to answer the phone. It might be important," I reminded, pushing Ahmed away lightly. 

"Fine," he peaked my lip one more time. 

I watch him walked out of the kitchen. I tried to catch my breath, but I just wouldn't. This man is going to be the death of me. I started to clean the kitchen. As I began to clean the living room, he walked in. 

"I have to go back to work. A new case came," Ahmed informed with a long sigh.

"I understand, " I stated, knowing that marrying an FBI agent was not going to be an easy marriage life. 

"I will try to come home as soon as I can," he promised.

"Okay," I smiled

"One more time," he begged.

"No, you mister, are going to go to work while I finish cleaning the house," I brushed the sofa pillows.

He complained about not getting to kiss me again and walked away. I laughed at his behavior. He can act like a child sometimes; the doorbell started to ring. I ran to the door and opened it. To my surprise, it was Wahid bhai.

"Asalam-o-Alaikum Wahid bhai. How are you? How did you find where I leave?" I questioned him, happy to see him. It has been a while since I last saw him. 

"Walaikum salam. I am doing very fine. You? I asked Mariam where you live, and she told me," he answered. I opened the door wider for him to enter as we walked together into the living room; Wahib bhai gasp. I guess he was shocked to see such a big house. 

"I am about to leave, so ca-who is that?" Ahmed walked in wearing his suit.

"Wahid bhai, this is my husband. And this is my cousin Wahid," I introduced them. 

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Ahead shook his hand.

"The please is all mine," Bhai smiled.

"Sorry I can't stay. I have to get to work," Ahmed apologized.

"Oh, it's fine. I understand," Bhai said.

"I will call to check on you. Call me if you need anything," he kissed my cheeks before heading out the door.

"Tea? Coffee?"

"No, I am good."

"So what brings you here?" I questioned.

"What, I can't come to see my sister?" he eyed me.

"I didn't mean that. I just-"

"I am only just teasing you. I can here to tell you that grandma wanted to see you," he informed, gazing at me carefully, waiting to see my reaction. I was surprised to hear this news from him. I have seen my grandma since the day we got kicked out of the house. It has been more than many years. I wonder what she wants from me. 

"Me? I thought she hated me because of my father's death," I gulped down, remembering the old memories.   

"She was faking it. She didn't want to put you in danger," Wahid bhai explained.

"What are you talking about? I don't understand!" I said, baffled. How can someone just fake hate another person? Is that even possible? 

"You will understand everything once you go and see her.”

"Are you sure that she wants to see me?" I questioned him again, pacing around the living room. 

"I am 100% sure. Don't worry; she won't bite you," Wahid bhai chuckled.

"This is serious, bhai," I groaned, slumping down on the sofa. 

"I am serious," he stated. I nodded my head understanding his answer, then I went to my room and got ready. I wonder why did she want to see me? Well, I won't find anything out until I go and see her.