Her lips were parted, considering the absolute confusion whirling inside her. He came closer, their lips mere breaths apart.
He didn't move, just stayed there and hadn't tried to land his lips on hers.
She could feel the sensation of his hot breath softly grazing over her nose and lips. He still hadn't caught his breath clearly.
It was impossible to understand what he was leaning towards. His mind was hazy and his thoughts were distant.
It was clear that he wasn't in his right mind.
However, she was standing still, unwavering from her position as if expecting something more.
Her heart raced.
She froze, her breath catching in her throat as the sudden proximity wiped every coherent thought from her mind.
Her heart hammered against her ribs enough that she was convinced that he could hear it.
A wave of heat rushed up her neck, painting her cheeks in a deep flush that made her skin feel instantly prickled and warm. She didn't dare blink, her eyes wide and fixed on his.
She gulped as she knew that she must enquire of him. He was remaining on his feet like an undisturbed silver statue carved only to be appreciated with the eyes and forbidden to be touched.
"H-Haider?" she stuttered.
Her low voice made him flinch, and he jerked back from his spot. Instantly- the atmosphere grew awkward, and he turned back to walk away. His pace became quicker, and he feared to look behind.
Instinctively, Ariya followed him, the utter confusion and shock still lingering within her.
They walked side by side, but neither muttered a single word. His movements were uncoordinated, he didn't bat an eye towards her, and that only made things worse.
Haider couldn't look back.
What have I done!?
His mind tormented him, burning him alive from within.
Ariya stole a cautious glance at him.
His ears were red.
That alone made her heart skip.
The man who had always appeared so composed and solemn was now walking beside her like he had forgotten how to move naturally.
A chill ran down her spine. She wanted to ask him what had happened. She wanted to know what had been going through his mind when he came so close.
But her mouth rejected to open.
...
DING DING
The door to the apartment opened, and each returned to their rooms. Ariya's eyes wandered through her room, and it was a complete mess.
Much so like her thoughts.
She thought of the man she had grown to love and care for, and how he had come so near that the slightest distance between them had seemed so vast.
Perhaps it was an illusion of the mind, but she tried to reason with his actions. Maybe he felt tired and simply lost his balance, or maybe...he wanted something more.
The nape of her neck was still warm from the encounter, and her heartbeat refused to settle.
In the other room, Haider's fingers crawled to his face as he gripped it.
He clutched his face with both hands, his fingers splayed across his cheeks and forehead as if attempting to hide. His eyes were shut tight, and his mouth was set in a taut, strained line.
It was bewildering, much like the sensation he had felt when he held her hand, and now he had attempted something far more intimate.
It wasn't intentional. Before he even realised it, his face had drawn dangerously near to hers.
Possibly, it was the heat of the moment. Throughout the day, he had been thinking about her, replaying her image over and over again.
He had unveiled a shameful side of himself.
Unlike his original intentions of maintaining his perfect demeanour, he had already faltered so many times.
That only happened in front of her. The giant guards he had built around himself begged to be broken down- a marvelous sorcery only she could commence.
A hopeless man when it comes to love, a big fool and a loser.
Haider came out of his room with fresh clothes over his body. A dark-coloured turtleneck sweater and blue pants.
His gaze fell onto her. She had just finished setting up the table.
Each of them wordlessly took their seat, both having felt a cold sweat drip down their backs.
The silence was unbearable.
Haider picked up his spoon.
Ariya did the same.
Neither ate.
They simply sat there, staring at their plates as though the food had suddenly become the most fascinating thing in the world.
He could feel her presence directly across from him, and every passing second made him more conscious of his own existence.
DING DING
Suddenly-
The doorbell rang and their eyes immediately met. Both of them got alerted and got up cautiously from their seats.
Who would come at this hour, they weren't expecting any guests.