©️2017.

Imagine being in a type of house where you're banned from dating, having two choices:

1. To get married immediately after secondary school.
2. To get married after graduating college.

Being a teenager has its up and downs, and Khadijah's might be a little bit of sneaking around and defying orders. Her father disapproved of the term, and the whole concept of dating. He believed that when you're a student, your thoughts should be solely focused on your education, and when you get married, you concentrate on managing your household.

Yet, Khadijah found a way to create her own choice and well, she had to face the consequences of her actions.

...

He reached the room just before she could lock it, casually turning the key and shoving it into his pocket.

Their eyes locked, engaging in a heated stare-off, tension palpable in the room. With a defiant glare, she sprang into action, throwing anything she could reach at him; pillows, phone cases, veils—a shoe he deftly caught with a bemused expression on his face.

Her face portrayed her feelings as he advanced towards her with predatory steps, she was enraged. Upon reaching her rigid form, he wrapped his arms around her and leaned in close, ignoring her protests. He whispered into her ear, "Tell me, Khadijah, were you jealous that another girl was spending quality time with your husband? Were you worried that another girl made your husband forget about you? Were you—"

Without letting him finish, she interrupted him, her anger boiling over at his words. "So what if I was, huh? So what if I was jealous? I have no right, yeah? Tell me, tell me!"

He scoffed.

The room fell silent as he lowered his lips to hers, caressing softly. Khadijah froze, unable to move a limb as the anger between them ignited and kindled the flames of their passion. He slowly backed her into a wall, rendering her speechless and motionless. A hand gently ran through the back of her neck, positioning her head as he deepened the kiss. It transformed from slow and steady to possessive and demanding until they both grew breathless. His body pressed against hers, as close as it was possible for him to be.

He hugged her tightly, pressing gentle kisses to the top of her head. A minute passed with them in that intimate position before he began to speak again.

"My heart beats for you, Khadijah. Feel it," he urged, guiding her left hand to rest on his chest, where she could feel the rhythm of his heartbeat.

He swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing twice as he held her gaze. "I feel like choking each and every boy, guy or man that stares at you with a lingering gaze, Khadijah, be it my friend or not. You have every right to be jealous. Unless you don't feel the same way I feel about you."

Bringing her face to eye level, he searched for her gaze, but she clenched her eyes tightly, unable to meet the intensity of the deep onyx orbs that never failed to pierce through her heart.

"Khadijah, answer me please," he practically begged. "Why do you feel jealous?"

When silence followed after his words, he resumed speaking. "Are you by chance in love with me? Because this man standing before you is totally and irrevocably in love with you." He confessed, his tone hushed.

Her senses were clouded with his heady scent and she managed to crack her eyes open briefly, only to shut them again, frightened by the intensity of his gaze.

"Open up for me. At least let me see your eyes if you're not speaking." He implored, pressing an open mouthed kiss on her neck.

One eye opened slowly, then the other, and they locked onto each other, their expressions mirrored. In that moment, he knew his love was reciprocated, no words needed; but still, he craved to hear them to feel completely assured. He knew that pushing her for a confession wouldn't help, he was willing to take baby steps until she was ready to fully open up.

Taking the back of her head in his palm, he drew her to his chest, enveloping her once again in his embrace. They stood together, serenity washing through them in waves as he allowed his confession to settle in her heart.

He left, several minutes later. As soon as the door shut behind her, Khadijah brought a hand to her mouth, stifling a squeal of delight while a thousand questions took refuge in her mind.

...