birthday party

Then, without warning, Karim spun me around, making me laugh as he pulled me back into his arms. 

As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange, we finally stopped. I felt breathless, but in the best possible way. Karim held me close, his eyes dark and intense as they met mine.

"We should head back," he said softly, though there was a reluctance in his voice.

I nodded, feeling the same reluctance. This moment, this perfect bubble of time, was something I didn't want to let go of. But I knew we couldn't stay here forever. Reality would intrude eventually, as it always did.

We made our way back to the car, hand in hand. The drive back was quiet, but it was a comfortable silence.