I held her, picking up the remote beside me, I pressed the button with a single click, letting the “Potter Waltz” symphony burst through the speakers, grand and full, filling the entire room.
Sophie let out a startled laugh.
Then we danced.
We went round and round the room, filling it not just with music but also with our laughter. I twirled, held, and lifted her into the air.
“You’re so beautiful,” I said as I twirled her, her gown billowing.
“And you’re so beautiful too,” Sophie shot back between giggles.
I laughed with her. “Don’t steal my line, baby—” My words were cut short when she stepped on her dress, nearly toppling over. I caught her by the waist just in time.
For a moment, stillness wrapped around us as our eyes locked, breathless with surprise, before we both burst into laughter again. We were terrible at this. It seemed we had to do this often to do better in the future.
Still, we danced and danced until nearly an hour had flown by. When we were finally breathless and giddy, Sophie switched out the orchestra CD and slipped in a One Direction one. The moment “Magic” came on, she kicked off her heels and began jumping wildly, dragging me along into her happiness.
We sang, we laughed, we moved without care. And for a few blissful hours, her sickness, her sadness, all of it vanished.
And then we sat on her carpet while eating the food and drinks I had bought earlier. I made sure she took her medicine, too.
She sipped the hot chocolate Mum had given her, saying her throat still hurt too much for Coke. Then we leaned against each other, pizza in hand, while watching Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Okay, this was the 217th time.
“Thank you, Zi…” she murmured, her voice soft, muffled as she burrowed closer against me.
I looked at her side. She was so focused on the movie that her mouth moved, repeating the lines along with it.
Warmth spread through my heart.
I should be the one saying thank you, Sophie. Your presence always made me feel grateful.
I pressed a kiss to the crown of her hair. “Thank you, baby. And get well soon… so we can make more happy memories together.”
Don't be sick.Let me be the one.
31
Tshabina
I slowly closed my eyes.
I allowed my body to surrender to the longing within me.
For a while, there was nothing but silence, the pounding of my heart, and the steady rhythm of water falling around us. Every touch felt like a spark, every sound magnified. His faint groans lingered in my ears. His scent enveloped me, sending warmth from the tips of my toes all the way through my body.
When I opened my eyes again, I found his gaze on me. It had shifted, glowing with heat and trembling, making it hard for me to breathe. His hand brushed my face, sweeping stray strands of hair away. With such a simple touch, it drew a shiver through me.
He smiled. The slight curve of his lips slowed my heart down. That smile anchored me and called me back to everything I had once felt safe in.
I couldn’t help but return it.
He leaned closer, his forehead resting gently against mine, closing the space between us. I trembled at its warmth, closing my eyes to hold the moment longer.
His lips brushed my forehead, and the tears I’d been holding back spilled over. I blew out a long breath, keeping my eyes shut to focus on sensing him. Because the way I felt withZioheased something inside me.
“I miss you…” His voice cracked, hoarse and raw.
