25. SHARED GLANCES

Taliya huffed out, stretching out her sore muscles and walking into the hotel she was staying in and her steps fell hard on the shiny marble as she covered the distance with her large steps and entered the elevator in trance.

Taliya stepped into the elevator, her muscles aching from a long day at the cabin, coordinating with her staff and overseeing the final fittings. She pressed the button for her floor, relieved to be heading back to her room at last. As the doors began to close, a hand slipped in, halting their movement. Murad and Fahad stepped inside, deep in conversation.

She could feel her heartbeat quicken as Murad stood beside her, his presence commanding and intense even in the confined space of the elevator. He looked straight ahead, seemingly unaware of her, yet Taliya's eyes couldn't resist drifting toward him. The lines of his face, the way his suit fit perfectly, the way he carried himself with an air of authority—all of it drew her in.

Her admiration was cautious, secretive. She had learned to keep her emotions in check, especially around Murad. But in the solitude of the elevator, she allowed herself a brief moment of weakness, her eyes tracing the contours of his profile.

Murad, engrossed in a hushed discussion with Fahad, suddenly paused. He turned slightly, his gaze meeting hers. Taliya quickly averted her eyes, her heart pounding in her chest. She felt a rush of heat creep up her neck, embarrassed to have been caught staring.

The elevator ride felt interminable, the silence thick with unspoken words and concealed feelings. As the doors opened on her floor, Taliya stepped out, stealing one last glance at Murad before the doors closed behind her. His eyes lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary, a flicker of curiosity passing through them.

She walked down the hallway to her room, her mind replaying the brief encounter. Despite her exhaustion, the memory of Murad's gaze stayed with her, a reminder of the complicated web of emotions and history that tied them together. She pushed open the door to her room, determined to focus on the tasks ahead, yet unable to completely shake off the secret admiration she harbored for him.

Stripping of her jacket, she cracked her neck and slipped into bathroom. Her mind slipping to Murad every now and then making her heave a breath. After a long shower, she did her regular routine she always does before going to bed. Her hands busied themselves in the beauty products she used for her body and face. But her mind seemed to be wandering in someone else's thoughts.

Taliya, dressed casually in a soft blue sweater and jeans, descended to the dining room of the hotel. After the long and grueling day, she craved a quiet dinner to unwind. The room was bustling with guests, every table occupied. She sighed, realizing finding a seat might be more challenging than anticipated.

A waitress approached her with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but all the tables are taken. Would you mind sharing a table?"

Taliya hesitated but nodded. "That's fine."

The waitress led her to a corner table where Murad sat alone, his eyes scanning a menu. Taliya's heart skipped a beat. She had hoped for some solitude, but fate had other plans.

"Mr. Murad," the waitress said politely, "would you mind if this lady joins you? All our tables are full."

Murad looked up, his eyes meeting Taliya's. For a moment, surprise flickered in his gaze, then he nodded curtly showing a thumbs up.

Taliya sat down, trying to maintain a composed demeanor. The waitress handed them menus, then waited for their orders. Taliya glanced at Murad, noticing the slight furrow in his brow as he pondered his choice. She knew that look. Without thinking, she blurted out, "He'll have the lamb biryani and a side of garlic naan."

Murad's eyes snapped to hers, suspicion and curiosity mingling in his expression. "How do you know that?" He signed with his stiff hands.

Taliya's cheeks reddened. "I... I just guessed. It seemed like something you'd enjoy."

Murad leaned back in his chair, studying her. "It's not a common guess. Most people wouldn't know my favorite dish, especially when I'm away from home."

Taliya avoided his gaze, focusing on the menu in her hands. "Maybe I got lucky."

The waitress, sensing the tension, took their orders and left. Silence settled between them, heavy with unspoken questions. Murad couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Taliya than she let on. Her familiarity with his preferences, her guarded demeanor—it all pointed to a shared past he couldn't recall.

"So," Murad began, breaking the silence, "how long are you planning to stay here?" His long fingers working miraculously dragging her attention to him.

Taliya looked up, her eyes meeting his. "Just a few days. I have some work to wrap up."

Murad nodded slowly. "Interesting."

Their food arrived, and they ate in a strained silence. Taliya could feel Murad's eyes on her occasionally, as if trying to peel back the layers of her guarded exterior. Her hands clenching tightly into a fist. She concentrated on her meal, refusing to let her own curiosity show.

As they finished their dinner, Murad finally signed again. "Thank you for the recommendation. The biryani was perfect."

Taliya managed a small smile. "I'm glad you liked it."

Murad leaned forward slightly, his eyes casted low. "You know, Taliya, the more I try to remember, the more elusive my memories become. But something tells me you hold the key to many of them."

Taliya's heart raced, but she kept her expression neutral. Her knuckles whitened as she fisted her fingers. "Maybe some things are better left forgotten."

Murad watched her for a moment longer before nodding. "Perhaps."

They parted ways after dinner, each lost in their own thoughts. For Murad, the encounter only deepened the mystery surrounding his past with Taliya. For Taliya, it was a reminder of the complicated history they shared and the secrets she had vowed to keep. Her throat went dry as she remembered the past and slowly walked behind Murad but the sudden appearance of Haroon infront of her eyes startled her. Her eyes widened as Haroon glared at her and held her shoulders in his tight grip making her wince in pain.