Chapter 113: Bridges of Trust
Mira and Zamian sat silently in the car. The atmosphere wasn’t awkward; instead, it was warm and peaceful, with a shared understanding lingering between them. Mira glanced out the window, watching the scenery pass by, her thoughts calm yet curious. It wasn’t often she found herself alone with Zamian, and in a strange way, the quiet between them felt reassuring.
"Where are we going now?" she finally asked, noticing that this wasn’t the usual route home. There was a hint of curiosity in her voice, but also an underlying note of hesitation. Zamian glanced over at her, his expression steady as he replied.
"To Zami’s school. They informed me that they’ll be closing early today."
Mira blinked, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. The news caught her off guard, and she felt a subtle pang of guilt. Had she overlooked something this important? Her mind quickly wandered over the recent days—she’d been so absorbed in her responsibilities and in the complex feelings surrounding Zamian’s presence that maybe she had let this slip.
Or was it simply that, deep down, she had been depending on Zamian a little too much lately? The idea made her uncomfortable. She needed to stay focused, to be the mother she had always been for Zami, regardless of Zamian’s support.
"I had no idea," she murmured, her voice soft, tinged with a trace of self-disappointment.
Zamian glanced at her, his gaze gentle yet watchful. "I was informed," he replied simply. He paused, and Mira sensed that he had more to say. Turning to face him fully, she waited, curiosity written in her expression.
"I told them I was a close friend of yours. I wanted us to discuss that first," he continued, his tone measured.
Mira felt a wave of relief wash over her, releasing a breath she didn’t know she was holding. She was glad. The last thing she wanted was for Zami to hear about their family situation from anyone else—especially not from someone outside their circle. It was something she wanted Zami to learn from herself, or maybe from Grandpa, or even, one day, from Zamian if the time felt right.