Chapter 50 #4
He matched the first movement, and the ones that follows.
Then came the part where his hands had to slide higher.
His confidence disappeared. His hands hesitated midair as though unsure whether they were even allowed to move.
Safiya lost her balance. With a startled gasp, she stumbled backwards. Before she could fall, his hands immediately tightened around her waist, pulling her securely against him. She let out a small laugh and rested the back of her head against his shoulder.
"It's okay," she said softly, glancing up at him. "You don't have to."
For a moment, he simply looked at her through the mirror.
"Again.", Safiya stared at him. There was absolutely no changing his mind. She sighed dramatically before nodding.
"Fine."
The third attempt somehow went even worse.Or better. Depending on who was judging. Safiya barely reached the middle of the routine before she suddenly found herself sitting sideways on his lap. She frowned.
"I didn't fall this time.", she was skeptical.
"No.", he asked with confusion, "You pulled me.", his eyes widened at her accusation.
"I did.", he said grinning. She twisted around to look at him, "You are enjoying this."
There was no answer. Instead, Zaviyar quietly buried his face into the crook of her neck, hiding the unmistakable smile tugging at his lips. Safiya rolled her eyes despite the warmth spreading across her cheeks.
"I knew it.", His shoulders shook with a silent laugh.
"So much for wanting to learn the dance.", He finally lifted his head just enough for her to see the amused glint in his eyes.
"I am learning.", he said firmly.
"What exactly have you learned?", His arms tightened ever so slightly around her waist.
"That I don't mind repeating this as many times as necessary.", Safiya groaned dramatically.
"You're hopeless."
"In your love? Yes... Yes I am." he corrected with a smile that reached his eyes,
" gosh you are cheesy. " Zaviyar frowned, unconvinced. His gaze lingered on her face for another second before he folded his arms across his chest. "Your face is saying something completely different."
Safiya refused to look at him. Instead, she busied herself adjusting the phone against the stack of books they had balanced it on.
"You're imagining things," she muttered, pretending to be entirely focused on the camera angle. He gave a quiet scoff.
"No, I'm not." His lips curved ever so slightly.
"Your face becomes very expressive whenever your ego takes a hit.", Safiya slowly turned to glare at him. He had the audacity to look pleased with himself.
Without another word, she faced the camera again.
"Again," he said. She closed her eyes.
"No."
"Again."
This time his voice came out softer, accompanied by the feather-light brush of his lips against the side of her neck. A shiver ran through her despite herself. Safiya sighed dramatically.
"You're impossible."
"And yet," he murmured, smiling against her skin, "you love me.", She elbowed him lightly.
"You're obsessed."
"I just want to get it right."
The corners of her lips betrayed her before she could stop them, curling into a reluctant smile. She knew exactly why he kept hesitating. He wasn't struggling with the trend. He was worried about her. Turning slightly, she looked at him over her shoulder.
"You don't have to overthink it," she said gently. "You can put your hand here..." She rested her own palm against his chest before guiding it away. "Or around me. Whatever feels natural.", Zaviyar looked at her for a long moment.
"It's not that I don't know how," he replied quietly. "I just don't want you to feel uncomfortable."
There wasn't an ounce of hesitation in his voice. Only sincerity. Safiya's expression softened. She reached up and cupped his face between both hands, her thumbs brushing against his jaw. Then she leaned forward and pressed a slow kiss to his lips. When she pulled back, she smiled.
"I'm not uncomfortable.", He searched her face as though making sure she truly meant it.
"And besides..." Her smile turned teasing. "By now you should know I like my man to be a little assertive.", His eyebrows shot upward.
For perhaps the first time in days, she had genuinely managed to leave him speechless. A laugh escaped her.
"There," she whispered. "Now stop thinking." She reached over and tapped the record button again. This time they moved together.
Everything happened exactly the way they had planned. For one perfect second. Safiya shifted closer, settling comfortably against him as he instinctively wrapped an arm around her waist. His other hand lifted, hesitating only briefly before resting lightly near the side of her neck.
She let out a tiny laugh. The next moment-
Without warning, Zaviyar pulled her straight into his chest.
"Zaviyar!", Her surprised yelp echoed through the room as she lost her balance completely, landing against him. His composure shattered. A genuine laugh escaped him. Not the quiet chuckles he occasionally allowed himself. Not the amused huffs he tried so hard to suppress.
A rich laugh, so hearty and infectious.
For a moment, she forgot everything else. She simply stared. He looked...happy. The sound suited him far more than she ever imagined. As though sensing her gaze, his laughter slowly faded into a softer smile.
Only then did he seem to remember the phone still recording them. His hand remained securely around her waist. Safiya narrowed her eyes.
"What exactly are you-", Her sentence never reached the end. He leaned down and kissed her. It was completely unplanned and unexpected. Right in front of the camera. Her thoughts scattered instantly.
For several long heartbeats, there was nothing except the warmth of his lips and the comforting embrace around her waist. Her eyes widened and she immediately paused the camera, reaching out. He pulled her hand back.
When he finally pulled away, she simply stared at him.
"You ruined it," she whispered. Zaviyar looked entirely unbothered.
"I made it better.", His smug grin carried that familiar confidence she had grown to both adore and complain about.
"That wasn't even part of the trend.", she huffed.
"It is now.", She tried very hard to remain annoyed.
She lasted all of three seconds before another smile escaped.
He sounded unbearably pleased with himself.
Shaking her head, Safiya walked over to retrieve her phone.
The recording had already stopped. The final frame on the screen showed the exact moment he had kissed her. Her cheeks immediately warmed.
"Oh no...", Without another thought, her thumb moved toward the delete button.
"Wait.", Zaviyar's voice came sharply from behind her"What are you doing?"
Before she could answer, he caught sight of the screen. His eyes widened.
"Safiya!", He reached for the phone. She immediately pulled it away.
"I'm deleting it."
"You're not."
"Yes, I am."
"No, you're absolutely not."
He was taller. Reaching over her with embarrassing ease, he lifted the phone far above her head. Safiya stretched onto her toes. Still nowhere close.
"Give it back!"
"No."
"Zaviyar!"
"It's embarrassing, delete it!", she said in between jumps to get the phone. "I think it's perfect.", She folded her arms.
Realising he wasn't going to surrender, Safiya let out an exaggerated sigh.
"Fine," she muttered. "I won't delete it.", He raised an eyebrow., "Promise?", She looked away.
"...Maybe."
"I knew it."
Before she could protest again, he slipped her phone into his pocket. Her mouth fell open.
"You did not just do that.", she looked at him baffled.
"I did.", he grinned, with a shrug. He walked towards the bed, sitting at the edge.
"When are you giving it back?", she asked, standing between his legs, with her hands on her hips.
"Tomorrow.", his tone only made her more curious.
"Tomorrow?", she raised her brow.
"After I've transferred this masterpiece to my phone.", Her eyes widened, "You can't do that!" She groaned in frustration, "I'll be bored without my phone."
A mischievous smile slowly appeared on his face, "Don't worry, love.", He stepped closer until barely any space remained between them.
"I'll make sure you don't get bored.", He gently brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear before pulling her into another embrace.
Despite all her complaints, Safiya couldn't stop herself from melting against him. She buried her face against his shoulder, pretending she was still upset. He knew better.
One hand rested comfortably around her waist while the other absent-mindedly stroked her hair. The room fell quiet.
Outside, the evening breeze stirred the curtains. Inside, laughter still lingered between them. Neither of them noticed the forgotten phone resting inside Zaviyar's pocket.
Neither of them realised that while they had been busy arguing over the recording, his thumb had accidentally brushed the screen.
A single tap. One careless mistake. The upload completed silently. Somewhere out in the world... Their video had just been uploaded. Neither of them had the slightest idea.
And by the time they did. It would already be far too late.
( Anyone willing to see the video go check out my instgram @arnoirverse and check out the highlight named - #Zafiya moments )
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Author's P.O.V
" It was all because of you. ", Safiya scolded Zaviyar who was trying to pacify her. Adira had woken up Safiya at 6 am and screamed at her on the phone, " your video went viral. "
And just like that she had woken up, and pulled Zaviyar out of his deep sleep. Turns out, the accidentally posted video had gained some fame over night. She wanted to delete it but what's the point.
It was too good to be deleted. The embarrassing thing is only the kiss, before she cut the video.
" I don't think it's a problem. ", Zaviyar shrugged.