The next day Rayan woke up in Isra's arms, his heart was about to leap out from his chest by uncontrollably elation of finding the one he loves near his heart, close enough to feel her heartbeats tangling with his in a beautiful rhythm.
I cannot believe the dream I lost is before me. Will it be another trial of my feelings or my final destination?
An instant smile came to his lips, staring at Isra sleeping beside me and for the first time, he touched the side of her face as her eyes fluttered open by the foreign sensation. Rayan's smile faded as he was about to pull his hand away but Isra smiled a little and whispered, "It's okay." His hand stopped in the middle, staring at his face in nervousness.
"It must have hurt you to see me so far, isn't it? Too far where you can't find me, let alone to see, isn't it?" She asked, taking his hand in the air and putting it on her cheeks. Stealing a glance, he replied, "I can't force you to look back, can I?" He uttered.
"Then why are you looking away when I am not?" She asked back softly. "I am afraid... very." He whispered, taking her cheek in his hand voluntarily, rubbing circles but pulled away gradually, still not used to touching her freely.
"Of what?" She asked softly. "Nightmare of losing you. Realizing this dream is non-existent, to think you won't be here anymore. The thought of losing you terrifies me." He replied innocently, putting both his hands under his cheek. "It's okay... I won't leave you. I am here." She whispered tenderly, putting her hand on his cheek.
"Thank you Isra... for giving me a chance." He whispered, passing her a wide smile. "I promise I will do whatever you say. If you tell me not to shout- I won't. If you tell me to no get angry- I won't. To not smoke- I won't. If you tell me not to eat hurriedly- I won't. If you tell me to have breakfast everyday- I will. If you tell me to look at you only- Well, I have been doing it for a very long time." He smiled sheepishly, looking away. "No one could intoxicate my heart like you. You dwell in the center of my mind. I can't think of anyone else, no one but you." He confessed and amid this, a question arose.
"Uh.. even when I was engaged to Emraz.. you felt the same?" She asked hesitantly. He smiled emptily, staring at the ceiling, "I never stopped loving you, even if it pains me, broke me. But back then, Of course, I had to accept my defeat." He chuckled nervously, trying to avoid talking about it.
"But.. Now I am here and I won't leave, this is a sign from destiny that we are meant to be together." She said, taking his hand. "Isra..."
"Hmm?"
"If you ever think you can't do this... that you can't love me back then let me know, I won't force you into this marriage, okay? I have been living without you before, I can do it now but I don't think I could steal your happiness. If it's not with me, I will accept it and leave you forever." He told her softly, controlling the lump of anguish of his throat, even if it hurts him to say this. "Why not leave it to that time? Because right now I want to give us a start. I want to give you a chance." She smiled, sitting up.
"I am sorry." He said, sitting up as well, staring back at his hands, "Huh?"
"I just couldn't control myself when I see tears in your eyes. I swear, I didn't have any bad intentions, it's just I can't see you cry. Believe me, It hurts more than receiving an actual physical wound. This stupid feeling made me do things like this but you will guide me now, won't you?" His despondency vanished, looking at Isra expectantly who didn't know how to react, he was confessing his emotions and she was staggered at herself of disregarding them. "Will you help me, Isra?" He asked in a whisper.
She thought about it and returned him a smile, nodding. "Of course, I am your life partner, I have to put you on the right track." She smirked, giggling. His face lit up in glee, grinning childishly. "I also promise, I will try everything I could to make you love me back."
"I can even apologize to Farhan." He said in a cheerful tone. "Leave it. You don't have to try to hard, Rayan. It's okay. He kinda deserves it too." She sighed, giving him a radiant smile. "If you say so."
"I can even make breakfast. Pancakes? Your favorites." His tone made Isra chuckle. She stopped and smirked, "Hmm. Sure. I can't refuse this generous offer." She laughed a little and left after pinching his cheeks.
After she left, Rayan gasped, putting his hand on the cheek she touched so beautifully that the sensation became the most gratifying emotion he has ever received. With a bright grin he began to squeak like a fangirl, clenching his hands in a fist, "Yes!!" He beamed but another sound of laughter came in the room.
He looked up and saw Isra laughing at his action, "Ah, my, Are you fangirling?" She teased as a blush of embarrassment came to his cheeks, blinking to comprehend what stunt he pulled but he couldn't help but to show his overflowing elation. "Couldn't help it?" She snickered.
Biting his bottom lips, he put his hand behind his head, laughing nervously. "I... just got too excited." She shook her head and left with the sound of her melodious laugh echoing in the room.
He freshened up and cooked breakfast for both of them.
"You cook immaculate pancakes, Rayan, seriously." She praised him, doing an Italian's chef kiss, "Really?" He asked in disbelief. "Of course." She grinned.
"By the way, I am sorry." She said sadly, looking down, "For what?" He asked, tilting his head in confusion, "I ruined the big day we were waiting for, everything shattered." She said, biting her cheeks in tension but he smiled. Apart from the incomplete confession, I don't care about anything. He thought.
"It's okay, don't worry about it. I will cover it up." He smiled, reassuring her. "Are you sure?" She asked innocently and he nodded. "Also, Mama called in the morning, something weird happened at the party." Isra began to tell him about the Hoorain and Zain's incident at the party which left him perplexed.
"Hoorain told everyone it's not what they saw but still a scene has been created." Isra sighed in disappointment. "I know Zain more than anyone, he can't do this nor Hoorain. But what happened? There must be something." Rayan mumbled to himself, holding his chin trying to ponder about it and abruptly remembered about Zain’s warning Rayan constantly about Hoorain's behavior and he ignored it.
"Argh..." Rayan cursed under his breath, pulling his hair. "What happened, Rayan? Do you know something?" Isra asked but he breathed out, "Let's hope it's not what I think." You cannot fall low, Hoorain. He thought fearfully, scared Hoorain didn't do it deliberately.
"But, what are you thinking?" She asked. "I am pretty sure Zain has done nothing." He said, "Of course, I know my Brother, he can't do this. Also," She paused, remembering, "I also remember, Hoorain was asking if Zain told us something or not. I don't know but I think there's something going on between them, Rayan." Isra said, distressed to think about it or the troubles it could bring knowing Zain has married his career.
"Do you know something?" She asked again and he replied, "I don't. Let's see what it is." He said, "Let's hope it's not bad." She mumbled as he agreed and they got ready and left for work.
And amid all tribulations, His day couldn't get any better, his life couldn't take another turn more absolute and heartwarming than this.