Safiya gasped, her eyes widening as she caught sight of him. She had heard a faint sound behind her, but she never expected it to be Malik.
The person she had been thinking about just moments ago, the person that... She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.
No, she thought, shaking her head. Ahmed. Ahmed was wrong. There was no way... So why? Why was she feeling like this? Her heart racing, her breath catching in her throat every time she tried to speak.
She didn't need this, she couldn't handle it. No distractions. Every time she allowed herself to feel like this, it only ended in pain. And she wasn't ready for that.
Safiya took a deep breath, gathering her courage as she lifted her legs out of the water and made her way towards him.
She noticed the intensity in his gaze, his eyes locked onto hers, and it made her step cautiously, aware of the impact each step had on her racing heart.
Finally, Safiya stood before him, her voice surprisingly calm despite the turmoil inside her. "Malik," she greeted, a touch of surprise lacing her words.
"It's quite a surprise to see you here." She watched as he nodded, his hand finding its way to rest at his back.
"It's a surprise to see you too, Safiya," he replied, his voice laced with a mix of curiosity and something she couldn't quite decipher.
With a lingering emphasis on her name, he spoke like a thread unraveled at the end. Safiya took a deep breath, determined not to let him get to her.
"I came here seeking solace," she said, offering a smile. "Now, mind telling me why you're here?" His approach made Safiya gulp, but he stopped before reaching her.
"Dakar is surrounded by so many wonders," he began, gesturing towards the stream. "I wanted to see for myself, and indeed, there are so many beautiful things to behold here." His intense gaze shifted from the stream to her. "Beautiful things that won't keep me away," he whispered.
Safiya nodded, attempting to discern whether his interest lay in the stream or something deeper, but she resisted the urge to ask.
"Alright then, since you're here now, I'll just give you your space," she said, though she made no move to leave her spot.
Malik shook his head and reassured her, "You don't have to go." Despite her earlier words, Safiya found herself eager to stay. She felt an unexpected sense of freedom in his presence, and the idea of being friends with him crossed her mind, but she quickly admonished herself—no, not a good idea, Safiya.
He walked up to her, coming closer until she could catch a whiff of his refreshing male scent, a trace of sweat from his hard work, perhaps. Safiya couldn't help but notice how well-built he was, his skin radiating with youthful vigor and his toned chest the envy of men.
"Safiya," he spoke, his voice causing a shiver to run down her spine. It was then that Safiya realized just how close he was to her now.
He was just too close, their chests almost touching. His eyes locked onto hers, his gaze filled with a profound and fleeting emotion.
"Malik, I really should go. It's getting late," Safiya frowned, her frustration growing as she struggled against the pull she felt towards him. She knew she needed to leave.
"You don't have to leave," he insisted, his voice filled with a mix of uncertainty. But then, his gaze faltered, no longer meeting hers. It was as if he was wrestling with something she couldn't quite understand.
He looked back at her, his expression suddenly serious, devoid of any smile. His eyes seemed to study her, carefully observing every detail, before he blinked and spoke again. "It's not safe for you to be out here. You shouldn't be here." He took a deep breath.
"I can protect myself," Safiya stated calmly, her voice bold and confident.
"I know you can," Malik replied, his tone serious. "But that's not the point. You need to leave."
Safiya's frown deepened as she pressed for answers. "Is something wrong?"
Malik shook his head, knowing he couldn't reveal the truth to her, no matter how much he wanted to. He understood her bravery, but he also feared she would recklessly put herself in danger. "You don't need to know," he replied firmly.
With a laugh, Safiya leaned in closer, studying him intently. "You're not making any sense. I've been here several times without any issues. Why should I leave now?"
Malik's smile flashed, his dimple revealing itself as a smirk formed on his lips. Safiya, inadvertently drawn to him, had moved even closer.
Their chests were now touching, sending a jolt through Safiya's body. She could feel his warmth, his presence enveloping her, causing her breath to hitch. His masculine scent mixed with the tension in the air, leaving Safiya momentarily breathless.
This closeness was new to Safiya, and it both intrigued and unsettled her. Malik's tall, well-built frame, his smooth brown skin, and his captivating chest made it hard for her to focus.
She realized she was subconsciously holding her breath, her parted lips betraying her attraction. She tried to resist the effect he had on her, clenching her teeth, but her efforts were in vain. Her legs grew weak under the spell he seemed to cast over her.
"Safiya," he whispered, the sound barely registering in her mind as her attention remained fixated on the sight before her.
Malik delicately lifted his hands to her face, his fingers gently tracing her cheeks. The sensation of his touch sent shivers down her spine, her skin tingling under his gentle caress.
He tried to fight it, control it, but being in such close proximity to her seemed to unravel him. When Safiya wasn't near him, he found himself at a loss, uncertain of how to act or what to do.
"Safiya," he called her name softly, his hand still tenderly exploring the corners of her face. A wave of anticipation surged through her, yet she remained silent, her eyes closed.
Perhaps the butterflies in her stomach were fluttering with joy, but Safiya couldn't understand why she was allowing him to touch her.
The sensation of his warm hand against her skin felt warm, exhilarating, and undeniably new.
Slowly, she opened her eyes and beheld his face mere inches from her own. It was as if time had ceased to exist, engulfing them in their own private world.
And in that fragile moment, she heard him whisper, "What are you doing to me?"