PERFECT IMAGE, BROKEN LIFE

First Kiss

The following weeks were a whirlwind of tentative dates, picnics in the park (where they strategically avoided the badminton court for a while), movie nights at home, long walks along the beach. They learned more about each other, beyond their shared love of badminton.

Asha discovered Musa's passion for photography and his surprisingly goofy sense of humour and how open minded he was.

Musa learned Asha's quiet strength, her loving and caring personality plus her weekly schedule, During working days she usually worked at her Bakery.

One Afternoon, Asha sitting on her couch, a book open on her lap, but her mind was far from the words on the page.

Her phone buzzed, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was Musa. Her heart did a little flip as she answered.

"Hey," She said, a smile creeping into her face.

"Hey, Asha," Musa replied. "What are you up to?"

"Just reading, trying to relax a bit," She answered honestly. "What about you?"

"Same here," he said. "I was wondering if you'd like to grab dinner sometime tonight?"

Asha's eyes widened in surprise. A dinner date? This was a big step.

"I'd like that," she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Great," Musa said, his tone filled with a quiet excitement. "I will pick you up around Seven?"

"Sounds perfect," Asha replied. Her face looked delighted.

She couldn't wait to see him again, to feel that spark between them once more.

A little after 7:00, Asha heard a knock at the door. Her heart skipped a bit, She smoothed down her dress and took a deep breath.

She opened the door to find Musa standing there, looking even more handsome and smart than usual.

"You look amazing, "he said, his eyes taking in her outfit."

Asha blushed. "Thanks, you don't look too bad yourself."

They shared a quick laugh, the tension from earlier melting away.

Musa offered her his arm, and they stepped out into the warm evening air.

Later that night, after a wonderful dinner filled with great taste of new meals, laughter and shared stories, the night air was cool and the city lights twinkled in the distance. He drove back home to Asha's apartment building.

They reached Asha's doorstep, "I had a really great time tonight." Musa said, his soft voice.

Asha smiled. "me too" her voice barely above the whisper. She fumbled with her keys, her fingers suddenly clumsy.

There was a lingering silence, charged with unspoken possibilities.

Musa seemed to be searching for something, a sign, a signal.

Asha wanted to say something, to break the tension, but the words caught in her throat.

She looked up at Musa, her eyes meeting him. The world seemed to shrink, the sound of the city fading away, leaving only the two of them in a bubble of anticipation.

Musa took a step closer, his hand reaching out to gently cup her cheek. His touch sent shivers down her spine.

"Asha," he whispered, his voice husky with Emotion, "I…"

He didn't need to finish the sentence.

Asha knew what he wanted to say.

She'd been waiting for this moment, dreaming of it, fearing it, wishing one day it would happen. And now that it was here, all her anxieties melted away, replaced by a longing she couldn't deny.

She closed the distance between them, her lips meeting his in a soft, tentative kiss.

It was a kiss that spoke of hesitant beginning, of unspoken feelings finally finding their voice.

Musa's arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss.

Asha's hands found their way to his hair, her fingers tangling in the soft strands.

The world dissolved around them, leaving only the sensation of his lips on hers, the warmth of his embrace, the rapid beating of their heart unison, they stayed there for a little long silent moment staring at each other's eyes.

It was a kiss that promised more, a kiss that whispered of a future filled with love and laughter, a future they would build together, one step at a time.

When they finally broke apart, breathless and flushed, the world slowly seeped back in. The sound of the city, the chirping of the crickets, the distant rumble of traffic-all returned to fill the silence. But nothing could diminish the magic of that moment, the moment into something more.

"Wow," Asha breathed, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears.

Musa smiled, a soft genuine smile that lit up his face. "Yeah," he agreed, his voice thick with emotion and happiness. "Wow"

They stayed there for a moment longer, lost in the afterglow of their first kiss.

Then, with a lingering touch they promised to see each other soon, their hearts filled with a newfound hope.

"Goodnight, Asha, he whispered"

She watched him walking away, a warm glow spreading through her. Tonight was just the beginning.

As Asha entered the house, Maya was hanging out in her room.

"Knock knock" Asha said.

Who's there? Maya answered.

"It's mee…" Asha said.

"Guess What", Maya! Asha burst the door, "Musa and I finally kissed!"

"No way!" Maya squeals, jumping up to hug her. " I knew it! I could feel the chemistry from a mile away."

"I can't believe it either," Asha gushes."

Dinner was amazing, and the ...well, you know." She blushes a little.

"Girl… spill the deets!" Maya demands, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

"Okay, okay," Asha laughs.

"So, We're at the dinner, right and everything's going great,"

"he gave me all the princess treatments…"

"Then, when he walks me home, he leans in for this supper sweet kiss. Girl….I almost melted"

"Ugh, I'm so jealous!" Maya pouts playfully. "But I'm really happy for you. You two are perfect together."

Ooh really! "Asha said," A blush creeping her cheeks, "But I can't wait for him to finally"…..she added, In a kidding way then hesitated.

Maya replied, "to finally what? Come on girl…. "he started tickling Asha," Pleading for the juicy details.