SARAYA’S POV.
Saraya shut the door to her room and leaned against it, her heart thudding in her chest. The scene played over and over in her mind. Mary’s face, that quick flash of anger when she hugged Evan it couldn’t have been her imagination. And Evan…
She sat on her bed, rubbing her temples. “What was that about?” she muttered under her breath.
Grabbing her phone, she hesitated before texting Evan. Hey, are you okay?
A minute passed, then two, but no reply. Saraya dropped her phone on the bed with a frustrated sigh.
“Why would Mary look at me like that? And Evan… holding my hand like he didn’t want me to leave?” she whispered to herself, trying to piece it together.
Her mind raced with questions, but one thing was certain-something was off.
The buzz from her phone interrupted her thoughts. She glanced at the screen-Arlan.
Saraya frowned. “What does he want now?” she muttered, letting the call ring out. She wasn’t in the mood to deal with him.
The phone buzzed again, and Saraya groaned before picking it up. “What, Arlan?”
“Finally,” his voice was rough, almost shaky.
“Are you drunk?” she asked, standing up.
“Maybe. No. I don’t know,” he muttered. “I just… I need to ask you something.”
She pinched the bridge of her nose. “What is it, Arlan? It’s late.”
“Do you like Dominic?”
Her head snapped up. “What?”
“You heard me.” His voice wavered. “Do you like him?”
“That’s none of your business!” she snapped. “Why are you even asking me this?”
“Because I need to know,” he said, louder this time.
“You don’t need to know anything,” she shot back, pacing. “I don’t owe you an answer!”
“I know!” His voice cracked, startling her. “I know you don’t. I just… I can’t help it, Saraya.”
She stopped in her tracks. “Can’t help what?”
“This.” His voice was softer now, almost breaking. “Feeling this way. About you.”
“Arlan…” She didn’t know what to say.
“I know I have no right to ask you anything,” he continued, his words spilling out quickly. “I know. But it’s driving me crazy. Just tell me if you like him or not. Please.”
Her grip on the phone tightened. “Arlan, you need to stop this. Right now.”
“Do you?” he asked again, his voice desperate.
“Why does it matter?” she shot back. “What difference does it make?”
“Because I’m in love with you!” The words came out in a rush, and then there was silence.
Saraya froze, her heart pounding. “Arlan…”
“I don’t expect you to say anything,” he said quietly. “I just… I needed you to know.”
She opened her mouth, but no words came out.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, then hung up.
Saraya stared at the phone, her hand trembling. His words echoed in my head, over and over.
“I’m in love with you.”
I sank into my bed, still gripping the phone like it might offer some kind of answer.
My phone buzzed again. A text this time. From Arlan.
“I’m sorry for putting that on you. I shouldn’t have called. Forget I said anything.”
I exhaled sharply, my chest tightening. I didn’t know what to say, didn’t even know how to feel. But leaving things like this wasn’t an option.
I called him back.
“Hello?” His voice was hesitant, almost scared.
“Arlan, what do you want from me?” I asked, my tone firm.
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I just… I want to hear your, see you, hug you and talk.”
“Arlan, go to bed,” I said, standing up from the bed and walking toward the window, still holding the phone to my ear.
“I can’t,” his voice was quiet, but there was something almost desperate in it. “Not when even your shadow looks beautiful to me.”
I froze, my heart skipping a beat.
“What?” I breathed out.
“I can see it through the window,” he said softly. “The way your shadow moves. It’s perfect.”
My pulse quickened. I quickly glanced out of the window, expecting nothing, but there he was, standing below. My stomach dropped.
I quickly turned my back to the window, trying to shake off the feeling. “Arlan, what the hell are you doing down there?”
“Watching my butterfly,” he said simply.
I bit my lip, trying to keep my voice steady. “You need to go home. Now.”
“Now that I’ve seen your face, I don’t want to leave.”
I exhaled, closing my eyes. “Arlan, this is crazy. It’s late. You’re not thinking straight.”
“Maybe,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “But I can’t stop thinking about you.”
I rubbed my temples, frustration building. “I told you to sleep. This is too much right now.”
“I can’t sleep, Saraya,” he whispered, his words almost like a confession. “Not when you’re out there… and I’m here, alone.”
I glanced down again, my heart pounding. “I’m coming downstairs. Wait right there.”
Without waiting for his response, I ended the call and rushed to the door.
I opened the door, and there he was, standing where I had seen from the window looking up at me.
Before I could say a word, Arlan bridged the gap between us and pulled me into a tight hug.
“Arlan!” I gasped, pushing against his chest. “Someone might see us!”
He held me tighter, his voice muffled in my hair. “I don’t care anymore, Saraya.”
“What do you mean you don’t care?” I tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t let go.
I took a shaky breath, feeling his warmth against me. “But you can’t just come here like this.”
“I know,” he said softly, his hand brushing my hair back. “But I needed to see you. Needed to hold you.”
I swallowed, feeling something stir inside me. “You should go now.” I said in fear if pulling him close to me and kissing him.
“Just five minutes, my butterfly.” Arlan said, just tone pleading. “In five minutes, I will be gone.”
I closed my eyes, torn between pushing him away and giving in. “Arlan…”
He claimed my lips and I lost it at that moment, we ravished each other lips hungrily.
The kiss was sudden, but it felt like a fire igniting something deep inside me. I didn’t have time to think, didn’t have time to question it. His lips were warm and tasted like wine and for a moment, I wanted nothing but to savour it.
I tried to pull away, but Arlan’s hands were on my back, pulling me closer, deepening the kiss. I could feel the heat between us, the raw emotion in his touch. My breath caught in my throat, my heart racing.
“Arlan… we shouldn’t…” I whispered against his lips, but he silenced me with another kiss with my face in his hands.
His lips trailed down my neck, and I closed my eyes, fighting the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm me.
“Please…” he whispered, his voice shaky. “I can’t stop thinking about you.”
I couldn’t speak. I just stood there, trapped in the feeling of his arms around me, torn between the overwhelming desire to pull away and the magnetic pull that kept me there. I couldn’t speak and my tears were threatening to fall.
I thought I was doing a good job putting myself in check until a tear dropped and smeared his face.
Arlan pulled back, his forehead resting against mine, both of us breathless. “I’m sorry,” he said softly.
I stepped back, trying to steady myself. “You need to go home, Arlan.”
He didn’t argue, just nodded, his face filled with regret and longing.
He turned to leave, but before he stepped away, he paused. “I love you,” he whispered.
I froze, my breath catching in my chest. I wanted to say something but found myself tongue tied.
Once he was out of sight, I found my way in and closed the door behind me, leaning my back against it, and sank down to the floor. “What are you doing, Saraya?” I asked, my heart racing.