037 Sitting Side by Side, Pricked by Stubble

While others played at speed and adrenaline, we played at a turtle’s pace, though it was no less intense.

After a few laps, drenched in sweat beneath my uniform, I reached the rest area and removed my helmet. My face was flushed; I let my long hair, previously tied up, fall back over my shoulders and combed through it with my fingers.

Suddenly, I felt Musa’s gaze fixed upon me. I turned to look at him.

"What is it?"

"Nothing." He seemed lost in reverie. "It just reminded me of the first time I saw you at the office building. You looked exactly like this."

He shouldn't have said that. At his words, I was immediately reminded of how hideous my bangs had looked that day, matted together with sweat—I had been a total mess.

My face burning, I hurriedly changed the subject. With my head bowed, I said softly, "Actually, you can take off your helmet now. You’ve been sweating; it must be stifling..."

I licked my lips, mindful of the strict boundaries he maintained between men and women, and stammered, "Don't worry, I... I will keep my distance."

Musa had kept his helmet on the entire time, looking quite out of place in the rest area; he must have been incredibly uncomfortable. Yet, he seemed distracted and did not respond.

"Hey." This time, I waved my hand gently in front of his helmet. "My time is almost up, and Bill and Lian Pian should be finishing soon too. I need to go change."

Only then did he snap out of it. Wearing that heavy helmet, he gave a stiff nod and said just one word: "Fine."

I felt a bit dejected. Just as I was about to stand up, I heard him make a husky sound, as if there were words left unsaid.

I paused, waiting in silence for a long moment, until finally, he asked, his words clear and deliberate: "May I... take you home?"

I froze, my eyes dropping slightly, before I finally nodded.

Back home, it would be perfectly normal for a man to drive a woman home, but with Musa, it was a rare occurrence, which made me nervous as well.

After coming out of the locker room, I called Lian Pian. Thinking I had left alone because I was angry, she apologized profusely.

"I’m not angry," I said, feeling slightly awkward. "I'm leaving with someone else."

"Oh?" She drew out the syllable, her gossiping instincts immediately kicking in. "Who? A man or a woman?"

I curled my lip. "I'll tell you when I get back."

I found Musa’s car. He was in the driver’s seat, having already changed back into his white robes. Just as I hesitated over whether to sit in the passenger seat or the back, I noticed he had already opened the passenger door for me.

He was always so considerate, anticipating my needs before I even realized them myself.

We sat side by side in silence. Musa remained quiet beside me, tall and handsome.

"Thank you," I said softly, looking ahead. Thank you for your perfectly timed care, thank you for driving me home today, and thank you for sitting here with me in the peaceful, gentle space of the car.

I was already content.

However, he replied, "It is I who should thank you."

I was puzzled. "Hmm?"

He smiled but said nothing.

"Buzz, buzz, buzz..." Just as the car was navigating a sharp turn in heavy traffic, Musa’s phone began to ring. His eyes remained fixed on the complex flow of traffic ahead as his hand reached out, fumbling for the phone without finding it immediately.

I had seen my parents do the same while driving, so without overthinking it, I habitually picked up the phone, swiped to answer, and held it to his ear.

My fingertips inadvertently brushed against his cheek. The fine stubble felt prickly and ticklish, and my heart gave a soft flutter.

Musa was slightly startled, and a voice came through from the other end. He replied in Arabic, his tone questioning. The person on the other end began to clamor, and Musa repeated his words firmly, only to be met with even more incredulous anger.

This was clearly not a pleasant conversation. During the exchange, Musa glanced at me a few times, intentionally or otherwise. It made my heart tighten, though I had no idea what he was saying.