[Chapter 4]

Lumira

A week has passed since our first kiss. I mean not proper kiss, but yeah.

We have been meeting regularly since then, sharing more time and bonding. We haven't done anything except a few kisses on cheeks here and there.

Nothing too intimate.

I wonder how his lips would taste-

I'm glad though, I like the slow pace we are going with now. It's giving us chance to explore and deepen our relationship.

But with time, I can feel the tension growing. Our gaze lingering, hands finding their way to touch more so often, our bodies are like magnets, attracting each other to be closer.

Ayan's resisting, I can see it.

I don't know why he's so shy or maybe he's afraid of something?

I respect his space but to be honest, I'm getting a bit frustrated now.

Our engagement date's been fixed. Next week on thursday.

We're gonna be officially fiancés!

We shouldn't be so distant, right? Or maybe I'm the one being too eager.

"Do you think this looks good?" Samantha, Ayan's mother, asks, showing me a beautiful saree.

She's really into traditional clothes and keeps saying how pretty her foreign daughter-in-law would look in them.

"It's really pretty." I say.

She grins, "Perfect. It'll even go with the engagement rings you two picked. I'm selecting this for your engagement."

I nod in agreement.

"Ayan doesn't know you'll be wearing our traditional clothe, let it be a surprise for him." Samantha says with a wink, and I blush. "He's gonna be awestruck."

I could only smile shyly, already imagining Ayan's expression. He has already expressed a lot of times how he likes me in these types of dresses.

"Select a few more for after the wedding." Samantha instructs, pointing to a few less heavy sarees.

I select three, one yellow, one green and one grey. I insist on paying but Samantha dismisses my hands away saying this is her right to buy all these for her son's bride.

She's actually sweet and keeps asking me to call her mom. I'm a bit hesitant but I guess I can do that.

"Lumira, come on! Let's buy some make up products!" Amaya, Ayan's second younger sister, calls.

Ayan has two sisters. Both younger than him. Amaya and Amara. Both are also really sweet, their faces are almost the same as Ayan's. His female versions.

"Coming!" I nod at Samantha then get up to go with Amaya.

Today I have come to shopping for our engagement with the females of Quill household. They all are really chatty and not a single second can be passed in boredom in their presence.

"I think this shade will look pretty on you." Amara passes me a matte lipstick.

"Let me try it on." I take the pencil and apply it over my lips, showing it to them. They give me thumbs up in approval.

We were busy looking over more shades when my phone pings. I fish it out of my pocket and slide open the screen to see Ayan has texted.

My lips curve up on auto as I read his text.

Ayan💜 : How's girls' day going?

Me : We're having a lot of fun!

Ayan💜 : Aww, I wanna be there too🥺

Me : Too bad. It's only girls day out. No boys allowed😝

Ayan💜 : Tease😏

I giggle a little, quickly shutting up to not draw the attention of the girls.

Me : But I do miss you.

Ayan💜 : Me too😭 Let's meet for dinner? At your place?

Me : Perfect. Bye.

Ayan💜 : Bye😗

My heart stutters at the kissing emoji. I long for the feel of it, an actual kiss. I wouldn't deny it, I have been day dreaming about our first kiss for quite some time now.

Maybe when he comes over for dinner, something will happen.

Only a wishful thinking though.

"I think we're done for today." Samantha huffs, we all head to the car and the helpers put our stuff in the deck.

"Thanks a lot, mom. I enjoyed spending time with you all." I say genuinely.

"We did too, my love. I can't wait to welcome you in our home." She fondly pats my cheek.

"We'll schedule girls day again, just the three of us." Amaya chirps.

"Done." I smile.

"Bye, take care." I wave at them as they get in the car.

Amara waves at me through the rolled down window, I wave back. When they're out of sight, I get in my own car and drive home.

The three Quill siblings have the exact same eyes. The same dark brown with warm orange tint around the edges, really gorgeous.

Which immediately reminds me of my lover. Well, for now lover is the better term to use. Though we haven't uttered the magic words yet.

I'm not sure if I can confidently say I love him yet. Sure I feel really strongly for him, every touch, every eye contact, every single shared moment feels precious with him.

Even hearing his name makes my stomach fill with flapping butterflies, and thinking about a future with him envelopes me with a luscious warmth.

Is it love though?

I had a day off so reaching home, I begin working on dinner since Ayan would be coming.

He really likes simple homemade food. So I opt for white sauce pasta and salad. It's already 6 by the time I'm done.

I take a shower and put on black a crop top and sweatpants, putting my hair up in a pony tail.

A slight knock at the door startles me and I re-check myself in the mirror then scurry to open the door with a small smile on my face.

"Hi."

"Hey." He returns the smile.

Ayan looks as beautiful as ever, he has a comfy hoodie on and trousers. And when he makes himself comfortable on the couch, he looks like home. My stomach flutters.

"Tea? Coffee?" I offer.

"Coffee's fine."

"Be right back." I prepare two mugs of coffee and head back to him, sitting down with my legs crossed on the couch.

"What did you get?" He asks and sips from the mug, putting one of his legs up to face me properly.

"Clothes, jewellery, make up." I sip from the coffee, inhaling the aroma of fresh beans from the mug.

"Can I see?" He asks innocently.

I bite my lip, I really want to show him and get his approval but Samantha wants it to be a surprise.

"You can see the jewelleries and make up." I compromise.

He frowns, putting down his now empty mug and leaning his elbow on the back of the couch.

"Why? I wanna see what you're gonna wear for our engagement."

"Sorry. Mom wants to surprise you, and I agree." I grin.

"Agh, fine." He groans, flopping his head back and I laugh softly.

"I'll heat up dinner." I state and attempt to stand up but he grabs my hand.

I still, my skin tingling from his touch and heart thumping loudly. He runs his thumb over my knuckles and presses a light kiss on them making me shiver.

I was hoping for more but he lets go of my hand and I smile before going to serve dinner.

I can see it in his eyes, the want, the desire, they way they linger on me, on my lips. But he's resisting hard.

Maybe I should be straightforward and just ask him if he has any problem with me at all.

We're gonna be partners for life, it's okay to be close.

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