They had watched the countdown on TV with Farrah snuggled up in her blanket on the couch and Richard sat next to her with his legs stretched out resting on the coffee table. Since Farrah had slept so much during the day, she went through the channels and settled on watching 'The Holiday' on TV. It was one of her favourites to watch during the festive season.
'You can't fit a square peg in a round hole', God so true, Farrah heaved a sigh. That was basically Richard and her, they'd never fit together, she frowned. Not hearing a peep from Richard in awhile, she turned around to look at him and found him asleep on the couch. And what a picture did that make. Farrah's breath caught once again as her heart picked up its pace. She looked away, but her eyes found themselves stuck on Richard's socked feet and as her gaze trailed up his legs, Farrah swallowed. His legs, looked powerful encased in the darkest of blue wash jeans as it clung to the curves of his muscles.
Slowly, her eyes travelled from the length of his legs to the narrow-ish waist and up the expanse of his chest, all covered in another one of his flannel button-ups. She couldn't help but wonder what was hidden under his shirt and if she'd ever get a glimpse of it.
Astaghfirullah, Farrah thought quickly as she scrunched her eyes shut. Breathing deeply, she continued looking at Richard freely. They've been friends for a few weeks, but this was the first time that Farrah felt that she was truly free to take in as much of him as she wanted to. No knowing looks from Richard, no cheeky smiles, no flirty comments. Just her simply appreciating male beauty without anyone reading anything into it. And, Masyaallah, is he beautiful, she thought.
Tucking her hair behind her ears, Farrah leaned over Richard to take in his sleeping face. She was so much more comfortable looking at him with his eyes closed. When he looked at her with those dazzling blue eyes of his, she always feels like she is about to lose herself. The intensity in his eyes belies the constant smile on his face. And the fact that she knew he allowed her to be close enough to pinpoint that intensity both scared and thrilled her.
As she gazed on, Farrah could see remnants of last summer dotted on the bridge of his nose. As she moved closer to inspect it, Richard's eyelids fluttered open. Farrah froze inches away from his face.
Still half asleep, Richard mumbled, "Hi, my love."
"Hi," Farrah rasped out.
"This is a lovely dream," he mumbled, as he reached up and untucked Farrah's hair from her ear and twirled it around his finger slowly, moving sluggishly.
After a pause, Farrah whispered again, "Why is this a dream?"
"You never come this close to me on your own," he mumbled sadly eyes half closed.
Farrah swallowed thickly, not really knowing what to do.
"Farrah, do you feel this?" he mumbled as he lazily motioned between them as he pulled her closer by the lock of her hair still twined around his finger.
"What?" she whispered, her heart racing.
"This. This is me falling irrevocably in love with you," Richard trailed off as his eyes fluttered shut and his hand fell back on the couch.
Frozen in place, Farrah closed her eyes as she took in Richards sleepy confession. He's falling in love with me, Farrah thought. Slowly she opened her eyes as she felt the forceful exhalation of a sigh from Richard's nose on her lips. She realised that she could easily close the gap and steal a kiss. Since the night of Richard's Christmas party, Farrah couldn't stop thinking about how it would feel to press her lips against his. He had full pouty lips, with a prominent cupid's bow. She dared say that his lips were more attractive than her own lips, which she had always found to be thin and dry.
Astaghfirullah, Astaghfirullah, Astaghfirullah, Farrah chanted in her head as she pressed her lips in a thin line and moved away from Richard. She laced her finger behind her neck and pressed her elbows together, allowing her head to hang between her knees as she doubled over her spot. Swallowing thickly, she tried to clear her throat. What is wrong with me?, Farrah thought as the implications of what her almost kiss would mean; she would have submitted to temptation. She would be allowing herself to open her heart up to a world of hurt because she knew that the both of them together would not make any sense.
Sadness took root in her heart at that thought. She looked over her shoulders to find him still in the same position. Farrah stood up and started silently clearing up the living area. She put away all the glasses and mugs away, and picked up all the tissues. Switching off the TV, she went to her room to take extra pillows and a clean duvet for Richard. Stacking everything nicely, she then stood in front of Richard, shaking his leg gently.
"Hey," she said softly. "Richard wake up."
"...Hmmm...What is it?" Richard asked as he rubbed at the sleep in his eyes.
"It's almost 2," Farrah said softly as she tucked her hands into the pockets of her pyjama pants.
"What?" Richard exclaimed, looking around for his phone. When he found it, he groaned loudly.
"What's wrong?" Farrah asked, watching him.
"I sent my driver home much earlier and told him I'd call him when I'm ready to leave. It's almost cruel to call him right now. He's probably in deep sleep! I know I'll call Ben â"
"Sleep here," Farrah said cutting his rant.
Richard fell quiet blinking up at her. "You want me to stay the night here?"
"Yeah," Farrah shrugged. "You can have the couch, or if you need the room you can take Charlie's room."
After a pause, he asked, "You're not worried that I'll take advantage of you or something like that?"
Farrah chuckled.
"Okay, you're laughing," Richard said incredulously. "Do you not think I could take advantage of you?"
Shaking her head Farrah cleared her throat, "Richard, I was in a much worse state this morning. Dozing of and on, right here on this couch. Almost dead to the world. Did you take advantage of me then?" she asked raising her eyebrow.
"What? No, of course not," Richard frowned.
"Exactly, you're not going to do anything against my wishes because you have some measure of respect for me," Farrah said. Shame started clawing at her cheeks as she thought back to how she almost kissed him as he slept, disrespecting him and his person. Clearing her throat again, she continued "Besides, we're friends, aren't we? You're more than welcome to stay."
"...Thank you," Richard said as he studied her.
"So," Farrah said with a clap of her hand, "Couch or Charlie's room?"
"Couch, I'm too comfortable to move," Richard said as he stretched his legs on the couch. He laid his head down on the pillows that Farrah brought out.
"Sorry, I don't have any spare clothes for you," Farrah said as she went to adjust the heat. "I've set it a bit low, feel free to turn up the heating if you feel cold yeah." She turned around to find him snuggled up with the pillows and the duvet. She smiled at him and shook her head.
"Good night Rich," Farrah said as she walked to her room, phone in hand.
"Sweet dreams Farrah," Richard mumbled as he fought a yawn.
Taking one last look at Richard on her couch, Farrah went into her room. Closing her door, she leaned her forehead against it. She didn't even realise what she did to land in this complicated as fuck situation.
I mean it should be simple right? He likes me. I like him. Why is everything so complicated? Fuck, Farrah's hand jerked as she brushed her hair before going to bed. Tossing her hair brush aside, she picked up her phone and tapped on her WhatsApp app. Chotti Khala had been on her case again; trying to match her up with some of the 'eligible' Pakistani boys in London. Rich wasn't completely wrong that day at his office, she grimaced at the thought. Farrah scrolled through the messages and photos, reading through some of the 'resumes' that Chotti Khala included.
Making up her mind, Farrah sent her a text: Salam Khala, yes you can set up a meeting with that Syafiq person at Mahira's mehendi. Just don't get too excited okay? Love you.
***
Guys, how are we feeling so far? About the story? About life? About the world? Do tell, especially if it's about the story. ;)
Life has been tiring, I picked up a new freelancing job and it has my mind spinning like a top trying to juggle everything.
Anyways, I know updates are usually scheduled fo rFridays, but here's one a day early, just because I love all you wonderful readers. I love youuuu.
So, I need to sleep (like 30 mins ago), and you lot need to show me some love! Share, comment and vote!
Thanks!! xoxo