Bookworms | ✔

sixty-three

Dina stirred in her sleep, snuggling closer to Nicholas as her arm fell across his torso, head resting on his chest, legs intertwined. Her husband could not have been happier than he was at that moment, staring at his wife's sleeping form as if she was an angel sent from the heavens.

After ghusl (full body purification), they prayed Fajr (dawn prayer) together before enveloping themselves under the silk sheets once more, eyes drugged with love-induced sleep, voices soft and gentle. Drained and exhausted, Dina quickly fell into a deep slumber as Nicholas mumbled sweet nothings to her. 

But he couldn't fall back asleep. 

His eyes raked over her parted lips, the curve of her cupid's bow, the subtle temptation of her bottom lip taunting him. Her hair fell across the sheets, inky strands curving with the crinkles of silk. Thick, black lashes hid her pretty browns from him, bronze complexion void of any product or makeup. She was bare of anything but herself. 

And my class shirt from high school, but who cares about minor details?

He spent the entire morning observing her small sleeping quirks, yet it didn't seem enough. Nicholas continued to divulge in her beauty, thinking that he was the luckiest man on Earth to be sleeping next to her as her husband, her number one. 

Still shirtless, Nicholas nudged his sleeping beauty with the tip of his nose brushing against hers. "Dina," he whispered lowly. "It's time to wake up."

She didn't move.

"We can't spend all day in bed," he sighed, gently shaking her. "Get up."

Surprisingly, Dina opened her eyes, glaring at him immediately. "Who told you to be my alarm clock?" 

He chuckled. "Did I disturb her royal highness?" joked Nicholas, stroking the stray strands away from her beautiful face.

She scoffed, turning her back to him. "Yes, you did," she mumbled. "And I am extremely offended by your lack of courtesy, young sir."

Nicholas rolled his eyes, even though she couldn't see him. "I think we've been far too intimate for formalities to start now."

"Did I ask for your opinion?"

He frowned. "You're awfully grumpy in the morning."

She turned, grinning at him widely, familiar jest lingering her brown eyes. "Oh, Nemo. Don't be such a hurt little fish," she laughed. 

That one sound erased all other thoughts in his mind, erased all the negativity from his life, erased all his doubts about their unknown future. Her melodic laughter brought a stumbling ease to his heart, an effect that wasn't possible till he met her. As they they sprawled across their bed, he couldn't help but fall in love with her all over again. 

Slowly, his lips curved upwards. "You're lucky I love you too much to care about your crazy nicknames," he said slyly, knowing he'd get under her skin. 

"Crazy?" she exclaimed, sitting up and narrowing her eyes at him. Her nose did a cute little scrunch. "How dare you insult my bestselling nicknames? Do you know how cool it is to have your wife call you 'Nemo' instead of something generic like 'babe' or 'baby'?" she continued to fire, leaning against the headboard with her arms crossed and pouting like a child. "I swear, no respect for creativity."

Nicholas chuckled deeply, reaching towards her. "Now, Dina-"

"Don't touch me, you jerk."

"That's not a nice why to treat your husband," he playfully scolded. 

She threw a pillow at him. "Who cares?"

"Me."

Dina stayed silent, staring at him with an almost shocked expression from the softness and affection that radiated from his deep, husky voice, the sheer honesty that laced around that one word. She cocked her head to the side, brows furrowing as she tried to understand the sudden mood shift. 

Nicholas took advantage of the situation and gathered her in his arms. "I got you," he laughed. 

"No fair!" she yelled, struggling against him. "You're being mean. Apologize." 

His lips hurt from all his smiling, chest bubbling with more elation than he ever thought to be possible. "Okay, calm down," he whispered into her ear, nuzzling the smooth curve of her neck. "I'm sorry, sweetheart."

She stilled in his arms. 

Nicholas pulled back to glance at her expression. "What?" he asked, worried. 

"I've never seen you be this... affectionate before," said Dina, staring up at him. "I feel like you've been holding out on me, Nick."

His cheeks reddened into a bright crimson, the color sinking into his skin in waves of heat flushing against his paleness. "S-Shut up," he stuttered, averting his gaze.

Dina bursted into a series of giggles, burying her face in his chest, arms wrapping around him. Her laughter vibrated through his skin, igniting every nerve with a startling flash of electricity, familiar butterflies in his stomach and the rapid thump of his heart drumming to her joy. Only Dina had the power to make or break his heart. Only Dina had the power to revive the parts of him that he forgot after that accident in high school. 

She brought him happiness. 

He rested his hands on her waist, kissing the top of her forehead. "You always make me flustered," he chuckled. "I guess that's your special ability."

Instantly, Dina perked up, eyes sparkling. "Oh! You mean like in Yugioh when someone activates a trap card and completely turns the game over," she rambled, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "So, when you think about it, I'm actually your trap card."

He shook his head, a coy smile playing at his lips. "Nerd," he said under his breath. 

She slapped his chest. "Don't be rude to your wife."

"Who thinks about a card game like Yugioh right after their wedding night?"

"Obviously, me."

"Weirdo," he muttered, playfully pushing her away. 

"But you love this weirdo."

"Unfortunately," he remarked dryly.

The two could not stop the laughter from escaping their lips in puffs of euphoria, crazy, unfettered, raw fits of amusement just from their small moments on the bed, their small banters, their time together. Nicholas had no idea why they were laughing until tears escaped their eyes, but he didn't care.

With Dina, he was used to these slivers of insanity. 

In the midst of their time together, Nicholas almost missed the irritating ring of his phone. 

----

Guess who's finally about to be an adult according to federal law? MEEEE! I also graduated, but like whatever XD

So, I was thinking about putting this book in the Watty's because why the hell not, but I don't know what category to put it in though. 

Who do you think ruined their moment with the call?

Don't forget to vote, comment, and follow!