Chapter 5 Dinner at Salman's 2

For a moment, I found myself captivated, each small detail taking root in my mind-the way his lips curved up, the warmth of his gaze, the calm yet magnetic way he carried himself. I swallowed, feeling a quiet thrill ripple through me as I tried to ground myself, but his presence seemed to fill the air around us, making it nearly impossible to focus on anything else.

"Oh, it's okay," I answered, trying to keep my voice steady, hiding the slight panic that seemed to bloom in my chest the moment he sat down. No tension, I reminded myself, even as my pulse quickened. I forced a casual smile, hoping it was convincing. "No tension," I lied smoothly, willing myself to stay calm. "Salman's been keeping me company."

Kashifa's gaze lingered on me, his smile unwavering, and I felt my face warm under his attention. I tried to focus on my breathing, on the sounds of laughter and chatter around us, but every time I looked at him, that practiced calm seemed to slip just a little. I wished I could ignore the way he made me feel, this strange mix of comfort and nervous energy, but it was impossible to deny.

Hold tight. Don't fall deeper yet, I reminded myself, trying to summon a sense of distance, a buffer against the feelings creeping up on me. Just be casual, I thought, forcing myself to relax, to play it cool. But despite my best efforts, there was a pull I couldn't deny, one that seemed to grow each time Kashifa looked at me that way, his expression soft, his words gentle.

I didn't want to start reading into his actions, to justify the way he treated me as something more than simple kindness. But if he kept being so likeable, so effortlessly attentive, I wasn't sure I could hold my ground. No, I warned myself. Don't go there. He's just a good host, that's all. He's being considerate, like Salman and everyone else here.

I tried to remind myself of all the logical reasons: Kashifa was simply fulfilling a promise. He was the one who'd invited me, the one who had reassured Kristoff he'd look after me while I was here. Nothing more. That's all this was. Nothing beyond the bonds of friendship and hospitality.

But deep down, a small part of me, a part I was trying so hard to ignore, couldn't help but feel something else. Something unspoken in the way his gaze lingered, or the way he seemed to notice me, to care. I took a deep breath, determined to push those thoughts away.

"Hey, August!" Naveed's voice cut through my thoughts, snapping me back to the present. He was grinning, his eyes lit up with curiosity. "What's your TikTok?"

"Huh?" I answered, still half-distracted. "Oh... my TikTok?" I fumbled, reaching for my phone out of habit, my fingers scrolling through the apps. But just as I found the icon, I remembered with a jolt-no SIM card. I hadn't been able to buy one since I'd arrived, and without a signal, the app wouldn't load.

"Oh," I muttered, feeling a little silly as I looked up, "I, uh... actually don't have reception right now. Didn't get around to buying a SIM card, so... no TikTok."

Naveed chuckled, clearly amused. "Ah, you're missing out! We could've gone viral together, you know?" He nudged me with a playful grin, and the others laughed, joining in on the lighthearted teasing.

I forced a laugh, slipping my phone back into my pocket. The idea of showing them a glimpse of my life back home felt strange, almost surreal. But the moment passed quickly, and soon enough, I was pulled back into their easy banter, feeling oddly at ease despite the small disconnect.

I only have a few videos posted," I admitted, feeling a little self-conscious. "Give me your phone; I'll just type in my account." As Naveed handed it over, I tried not to think too much about my meager TikTok presence-less than ten videos, if I remembered right, and none of them exactly masterpieces.

I tapped my account name into his search bar and handed it back, shrugging with a half-smile. "I'll follow you back when we get home." I added, trying to lighten the moment. "Kashifa's Wi-Fi is the best."

Everyone burst into laughter, and I felt myself relax, the awkwardness fading as I joined in with them. It was strange, how easily I could feel at home in their laughter, as if I'd known them far longer than just a few days. And as I glanced at Kashifa, sharing the joke along with the others, I couldn't help but feel a little more at ease, surrounded by his friends, as if maybe-just maybe-I belonged here.