Kareem's POV...
After I was done applying ointment to her bruises, she got up from the couch and made her way to the library. I thought of following her but thought it best to leave her alone for awhile.
She still didn't tell me what happened last night. I guess she has her reasons but I couldn't help being curious. What could've happened to her that'll cause so much bruising and silence her to this extent? Or what if she just chooses not to tell me because she doesn't trust me? Or am I just misunderstanding things?
I thought of going to the library again. My phone and file is there and most importantly, Laila was there. Maybe that was the only reason I wanted to go there, but she still needs me. I can't leave her to ponder on the thoughts of whatever had happened last night.
I got up from the couch and began making my way to the kitchen. I slowly pushed open the door leading to the library and walked in. She didn't react to my presence and just continued reading the book in her hand. I started there staring at her, her legs were crossed on the armchair and her head resting on her free hand. She seemed almost oblivious of everything around her.
I approached the vacant armchair opposite her and sat down. She glanced at me for a brief second before diverting her attention back to her book. I leaned in on the chair and and pulled out a random book from the shelf.
"Are you okay?" The words slipped out of my mouth before I was able to stop them. I glanced in her direction and saw as she slowly closed the book she was holding, and without looking at me, replied with...
"I'm fine". She looked at me for a second before looking back down at the book. I knew she had more to say. There was so much more she wanted to tell me, but she just... couldn't.
"I know you don't want to tell me what happened to you, and I'm okay with that, I just don't want you to bottle up your feelings". I said while watching her. I saw her lips lift up into a small smile before falling back again.
"Thank you". She said softly as she looked up to meet my gaze. I glanced around the room, a small smile forming on my lips.
A couple minutes of silence had passed and Laila continued reading her book. I thought of anything we could do together to end the silence and said the first thing that popped in my head. "Do you want to watch a movie?"
She looked up at me with a confused expression before nodding. I smiled at my little achievement. She seemed less upset now, maybe if I keep distracting her this way, she'd get over whatever happened soon.
"Okay", I said as I got up from the armchair. "I'd set everything up in the living room". I began making my way towards the door when I heard the sound of something hitting the ground. I stopped in my tracks and looked behind me, almost immediately, to see Laila standing up and the book she was holding on the floor.
I watched as she approached me, not breaking eye contact.
"I was planning on making something for lunch. What would you like?" She asked. There was a different kind of spark in her eyes. Something I've never seen or probably never had the moment to notice.
"You can make whatever you want". I said finally before breaking eye contact with her . I made my way to the living room and got settled on the couch. I turned on the TV and began looking for movies to watch. I didn't know what type of movie's she liked and I don't remember ever asking her.
I heard the sound of water running from the tap. I kept the remote on the table before getting up from the couch and making my way towards the kitchen. I stood by the counter behind her and watched her while she cooked.
"Do you need anything?" I heard her say , not bothering to look back at me.
I walked slowly towards her and rested on the counter. "No. I just wanted to see if you needed any help". I said as I watched as she peeled the remaining potatoes
" Really?"
"Yes, just, tell me what I need to do". I said as I watched her cut the potatoes into small rectangles.
"Okay then, why don't you make yourself useful by frying these potatoes that I've nicely peeled and cut. And don't forget to serve them with the milkshakes in the fridge. While I make myself useful by choosing a movie for us to watch". She said as she smiled at me before walking away to the living room.
I turned on the stove and dumped the potatoes into the pan when the oil was hot. It seemed to me like as though things would go back to the way they were in no time.
I glanced in Laila's direction as I turned off the stove and removed the fries from the pan. She was seated on the couch, switching through movies to watch. I don't know what it was but something about this whole setting, about us watching a movie together, seemed to brighten my mood.
I served the fries and brought out the milkshakes from the fridge before making my way towards the living room. I placed the dishes on the table and sat down next to her.
"Any luck?" I said as I glanced in her direction. She responded by shaking her head.
"Give me the remote", I said and she gave it to me. "I know the perfect movie for us to watch". I said as I typed in the title of the movie and searched for it and the movie popped up on the screen.
"Once Upon A Time? Is it like a romance or tragic movie?" She asked, her voice making it evident that she was quite surprised.
"Yeah, it's kind of like a tragic romance movie. But trust me it's really good. At least that's what I've heard". I said . She thought for a while before agreeing.
...
I felt Laila's hand softly holding on to mine , her eyes still glued to the screen. My mind had long been erased off any thoughts of the movie as I watched her expressions change throughout the course of the movie.
I froze as she slowly placed her head on my shoulder, a tear drop making it's way down her cheek. I wondered why she was crying and shifted my focus to the TV.
One of the characters broke down in tears screaming for another character to not do something, but instead that character shot a bullet through their own skull, causing them to fall down the end of a cliff. I returned my attention back to Laila. Her face was buried in my shirt as she sniffled.
I didn't know what happened throughout the course of the movie so it didn't look that sad to me. I paused the movie and straightened her head. Her eyes were closed and it almost seemed like she was asleep. I waited for some time and when she didn't open her eyes, I decided to take her to her room.
I got up from the couch and carried her, before I made my way up the stairs and all the way to her room. I opened the door and walked into the room before laying her carefully on the bed.
I watched as she rolled over on the bed. Why did something feel so off? Why did this short movie seem so long while I was watching her? Has everything really changed?