Fic: A Newly Discovered Country, (Amina/Miriam, The World Unseen)

[fembuck]

Title: A Newly Discovered Country
Author: Janine
Fandom: The World Unseen
Pairing: Amina/Miriam
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don’t own them. I’m just borrowing them for a while ;)
Summary: A morning with Miriam and Amina at the café.
 

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Amina walked towards the kitchen slowly, her eyes casting side to side as she moved, seeming to take in the café around her, while really she was taking stock of where her staff was.

The kitchen was warm, and Amina closed her eyes as she crossed the threshold from the café proper into the domestic space, which still mystified her, though no longer as much as it once had. Without really trying to, Miriam had begun to domesticate her, and Amina found that it was a comforting thing rather than the terrifying prospect she had suspected it would be.

When Amina’s eyes opened again they fell on Miriam who was hunched over a long counter, kneading dough, and Amina’s step quickened as she approached the older woman.

“Are you okay?” Amina asked gently, coming to a stop beside Miriam. Her hand lifted and she hesitated for only a second, her eyes scanning the area around them again before she placed her hand tenderly on the small of Miriam’s back.

Miriam’s breathed in deeply at the soft pressure of Amina’s hand, but fought to keep her eyes from closing as she luxuriated in the comforting warmth of Amina’s hand. It was still strange for her, to be touched for seemingly no reason. Casual physical contact had been something she had been without for most of her adult life, and if she were honest her childhood too. Her mother did not cuddle her, and kiss her forehead, and hold her hand like she did with her own children. Amina was the first to cherish her this way, and Miriam was forced to blink rapidly for a few seconds to stop the tears that suddenly began to well in her eyes at the thought.

“Of course,” Miriam responded when she felt that she was in control of her feelings again. “Being in the kitchen is the one part of this experience that’s not alien to me,” she continued, her hands pausing in their work as she lifted her head and angled her body to the side slightly so that she was looking up into Amina’s shining brown eyes.

Miriam gasped, her hand automatically reaching towards Amina to touch her cheek lightly. She drew her hand back a second later as a smudge of white appeared on Amina’s cheek and she remembered that her hands were covered in dough.

“You’re a mess,” Miriam whispered, taking in Amina’s curly, and at the moment, impossibly wild curls of hair. At the moment, Amina’s hair was like her daughter Alisha’s, after Alisha had been running around outside for hours fighting with her brother and rolling around in the dirt even though Miriam told her not to.

Miriam smiled. Amina had probably been doing something similar.

“What?” Amina asked, smiling herself as she saw Miriam’s lips curve up fondly.

“Nothing,” Miriam said, a blush spreading across her cheeks as Amina looked at her curiously, her gaze open and interested.

She still wasn’t used to how Amina seemed genuinely interested in the things she had to say. Despite having spent hours around the girl every week now for months, and having technically known her for years, she was still stunned by Amina’s interest in her thoughts, and feelings, and continued to be awed by how gently Amina coaxed these once fiercely guarded secrets from her. It still amazed her how tenderly Amina treated her words once they had been freed from Miriam’s throat, and how she always seemed to want more, as if Miriam was the most fascinating person she had ever talked to – which Miriam knew couldn’t be true, though she was flattered nonetheless.

Amina kept looking at her, and Miriam smiled and flushed again before she dipped her head down and turned back to her dough.

“You just reminded me of Alisha for a moment … looking all wild and unkempt after playing with Sam out back all afternoon,” Miriam murmured, delighted to her Amina’s soft laughter fill the space around them a few moments later. She felt Amina’s hand move against her back in a gentle up and down motion, and she realized that she had tensed up under the girl’s hand.

Living with Omar had made her fear speaking honestly, and even though she knew she was safe in Amina’s presence, she sometimes reacted as her married life had trained her to.

“I was working on the roof. It’s windy this morning,” Amina said softly, her hand moving lower on Miriam’s back until the edge of her hand brushed against the tantalizing slope of the older woman’s bottom.

Miriam sucked in a deep breath, but didn’t move or otherwise indicate that she knew where Amina’s hand was headed. She simply began to knead the dough again, though if Amina had been playing attention to her hands, she would have seen that Miriam was working the dough much more vigorously than she had been before.

“My hat kept blowing off, so finally I gave up. It’s useless to fight nature,” Amina continued, lowering her hand until her slim, sun-browned fingers were lightly cupping the curve of Miriam’s behind. “Do I look terrible?” Amina asked leaning close to Miriam, enjoying the way the older woman trembled slightly at the feel of her warm breath.

“No,” Miriam breathed out, lifting her head to look at Amina. “That’s impossible.”

With Amina having moved closer a few seconds before, their faces were brought very close together when Miriam looked up, and she found herself caught in Amina’s gaze, paralyzed by the look of desire and love that so clearly shone through the girl’s eyes.

Her gaze dropped down to Amina’s lips, and unconsciously Miriam licked her own. That tight feeling was back in her belly again, and she was aware of a dull throbbing starting between her legs as her body made her hyperaware of the feel of Amina’s hand on her, and of the sweet smell surrounding her that she knew to be uniquely Amina.

Miriam shifted, and her eyes flickered from Amina’s eyes to her lips once more.

These feelings the girl called up in her still startled her sometimes. The longing and desire Amina could inspire in her constantly took her by surprise. She hadn’t even known that it was possible for her to react so strongly, so viscerally to another human being. She had read about such strong passions, about need, but she had never experienced anything close to it before.

Sex was a duty, a chore, with Omar. It was something that she had to do, along with scrubbing the floor, and minding the shop, and washing the dishes. It was a nuisance, an irritant, and she had thought many times that she could do without it. It had been just one more thing to worry about.

But with Amina it was different, as so many things with Amina were. Amina made her tingle, and tremble all over, and gasp, and strain. She desired Amina’s closeness, her touch, the taste of her skin and the brush of her fingers. She thought about Amina’s body when the girl wasn’t around, she longed for her. And, sometimes, when she was alone and her thoughts went on for too long she would escape to her bedroom and slip her hand between her legs, imagining that it was Amina’s hand touching her until she collapsed in a sated heap against the mattress. She liked the taste of Amina’s sweat, and the way Amina smelled after working in sun. A look from Amina brought her more pleasure and satisfaction than any amount of time in bed with Omar ever had, or ever could.

Amina cast her eyes around them again, but they were still alone. It was too early for people to be milling around the café, and her usual kitchen staff was more than happy to give up their work area to Miriam for the morning.

“You’re making it very hard for me not to kiss you,” Amina whispered, watching Miriam as Miriam stared longingly at her lips.

Miriam smirked, and then shocked Amina by closing the distance between them and pressing her lips against the girl’s. She had seen Amina look around and she knew that they were alone.

As usual, at the first taste of Amina’s lips she wanted nothing more than to continue kissing them until she couldn’t breathe, until she was light-headed and happy and she collapsed into Amina’s arms. But she knew that she couldn’t linger at Amina’s lips. They were alone for the moment, but at any second that could change. She really shouldn’t have kissed her at all, but Miriam was doing a lot of things that she knew she shouldn’t, and she saw no reason to stop when the reward for her disobedience was Amina’s sweet lips.

Amina smiled, her eyes still closed when Miriam pulled back from her. The woman had surprised her, as she had begun to do more and more as she finally emerged from the shell that tradition, and expectation, and marriage had trapped her in. It pleased Amina so much to see Miriam becoming her own woman and she couldn’t stop herself from gently touching Miriam’s cheek.

“You look tired,” Amina said, making a conscious decision to take a step back from Miriam until there was an almost respectable distance between them. They had been lucky so far, but she knew for a fact that luck ran out. “You should go lie down for a bit. The rotlis can wait.”

Miriam smiled but shook her head. “If I go back there, I may lie down, but I will not rest,” she said in a distinctly saucy tone as she glanced over at Amina, who met her eyes for a second before guiltily looking away, though a sheepish smile played at the corner of her lips. “There’ll be time later,” Miriam murmured a few seconds after, her voice dropping in a way that made Amina feel like she was coming undone.

Amina nodded, knowing that they would have time together in the afternoon when she drove Miriam back to Delhof. They usually had a few hours free to spend in the guest bedroom – Amina didn’t like to be with Miriam in the master bedroom even though the bed was bigger – before the children arrived home. And, if Amina helped Miriam out with the chores once they emerged from the bedroom, tired but happy, they could usually grab a little more time together to talk and walk through the garden.

“I know,” Amina sighed, reluctantly pulling away from Miriam when she heard the door to the café open. “If you need anything, just …” Amina began, pausing in the doorway of the kitchen to look at Miriam again.

“I know, I’ll call you,” Miriam said smiling before she waved her hand at Amina, gently encouraging the girl to continue her journey into the dining room so that she could greet her customer.

Amina nodded but lingered in the doorway for a second longer. She dipped her head shyly, and then murmured, “I love you,” before looking up and over at Miriam again.

“I love you, too,” Miriam whispered smiling, mouthing the words back more than anything. She could see someone approaching the counter and knew that if she spoke out loud her words would carry over to them.

Amina smiled at her brightly, and then pushed her way through the door and out into the main part of the café, her voice rising to greet the old man who had just walked and direct him towards a comfortable booth.

Miriam lifted her hands from the dough in front of her, satisfied that it was ready to go in the oven. Reaching down she began to wipe her floury hands on her apron, and directed her gaze out of the kitchen into the café where she could see Amina holding out a menu and smiling as she pointed towards something on it, probably the day’s specials.

Miriam allowed herself a few seconds to take in the length of Amina, admiring the girl’s quiet, effortless beauty and grace. Her mind began to drift, remembering the feel of Amina’s delicate fingers brushing over her bare skin as Amina’s lips kissed soft trails over her shoulders and neck before reaching her lips. She thought of the way her own paler hands looked as she drew them over Amina’s hips and up towards her breasts, and thought of the warmth and weight of them and how perfect Amina felt in her hands.

Miriam released a shuddering little breath, and turned back towards her work. She grasped the edge of the oven plate in her hand and stepped with it to the side so that she could place it in the oven. She had accomplished quite a bit that morning, but there was always more to do. It would be busy that day. It always was on the days she was in, she thought, smiling with a sense of accomplishment.

She didn’t have time to daydream. Besides, it was silly to get lost in thoughts of Amina’s skin when she knew that she would be able to feel Amina beneath her finger tips again in a few hours, and, she hoped, for the rest of her life.

The End.

 

Comments

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

I love you. You write the most obscure pairings on the planet, Servilia/Octavia

lol, it's by gift and my curse. I loved Octavia/Servilia so much, but they got no love fandom wise. I'm glad that I can help meet your obscure pairing needs though :D

Thanks so much for commenting, I'm really glad that you enjoyed the story. I'm totally obsessed with this book/movie at the moment.

[ralst.livejournal.com]

A perfect post-script to the film. I loved the way you managed to capture Miriam's gentleness and quiet pleasure, and mix it with Amina's wildness. Lovely.

It kind of reminded me of the relationship between Idgie and Ruth.

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I'm really glad you liked it. I just devoured the book last night, and fell even more in love with these two characters - especially Miriam.

It kind of reminded me of the relationship between Idgie and Ruth.

Oooh! This. I hadn't thought of that before, but that's a great comparison. No wonder I find them so dreamy, I love Idgie/Ruth! In my head, Amina and Miriam find a way to eventually live together as well (I'm thinking running away to Europe when the children are grown. Rehmat could probably help them set something up).

[alexriley.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, I loved this. Something that can be beautifully incorporated with the film and its novel. I feel the need to make icons now. Ah, I think I'm rejoicing way too loud inside haha.

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! Have you read the novel? I just devoured it in one setting yesterday (it's a really quick, but completely absorbing read. Shamim Sarif has a very nice, very accessible but beautiful writing style), and I feel even more in love with these two. It was nice reading about the moments we saw in the film, and also seeing other moments between the two of them.

I feel the need to make icons now.

This! Do it! Do it! So I can snag them!!!! :D

[alexriley.livejournal.com]

I read the novel just yesterday as well. I agree that it's a quick absorbing read. So many perspectives to look from, it was intriguing to see what each person saw through their lives.

Did you notice the line in The World Unseen (book) that was read aloud in I Can't Think Straight (film)?

I think I'll post the TWU icons first. ICTS will take another day haha.

[alexriley.livejournal.com]

I forgot to say. The ending is quite ambiguous, isn't it? Does Omar actually leave Miriam or does he stay? Hmm...

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

The ending is quite ambiguous, isn't it? Does Omar actually leave Miriam or does he stay?

I think he must stay, it's just a matter of him no longer having the same degree of control over her as he had before. If he divorced her, she likely would have been shipped off to India, instead of writing a letter to Amina about accepting the job. I figure the way their relationship will go, is that Amina and Miriam will have a relationship on the side, while Miriam remains with Omar for the children's sake (and their sake too, since a divorce would get her shipped back home), and eventually when the children are older, I could totally see Amina and Miriam moving away together to Europe or something (maybe with Rehmat's help getting a place) and finally being able to live their lives together where nobody gives a crap about who they are. Miriam's children love Amina, so Sam probably won't give a crap, and Alish's a baby Amina anyway, so she might even decide to go with them and totally wouldn't care. And Omar will just have to learn to cook his own meals.

[alexriley.livejournal.com]

Ah, makes sense. The children were so fond of Amina, asking their mother if she could stay with them... forever.

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

So many perspectives to look from, it was intriguing to see what each person saw through their lives.

Yeah, I loved getting more background on the characters, and having things brought up in the film fleshed out more. In the movie i just straight up hated Omar, but I found him to be really tragic in the book. His inability to connect with Miriam despite his desire to be closer to her gave me some sympathy for him. I also really liked seeing more of Rehmat. I thought she was interesting in the film, so it was nice to see her and Amina interacting. And it made me absolutely LOATH Farah.

Did you notice the line in The World Unseen (book) that was read aloud in I Can't Think Straight (film)?

Totes. "On the contrary, you made me think. That's a good thing, isn't it?" I totally squeed when I was rewatching ICTS today and noticed Leyla say that line. *possible chagrin* That is the line, right?

I think I'll post the TWU icons first. ICTS will take another day haha.

That order works perfectly for me. ICTS was awesome, but TWU was more better imho.

Also, "YES!" *fist pump*

[alexriley.livejournal.com]

I also really liked seeing more of Rehmat. I thought she was interesting in the film, so it was nice to see her and Amina interacting.

I would somehow see pitch the idea of something going on between those two if Rehmat wasn't married. There were subtleties in their interactions that made you wonder what Amina was wondering.

And it made me absolutely LOATH Farah.

Farah, her character - you question what happened to her in her life that made her become so... bitter.

Totes. "On the contrary, you made me think. That's a good thing, isn't it?" I totally squeed when I was rewatching ICTS today and noticed Leyla say that line. *possible chagrin* That is the line, right?

Erm... not that line. It's on... page eight in the novel and during Leyla's reading of her book. "The sun hit her hand with a..." That line.

TWU was more better imho

Yeah, TWU had more substance in it, there was an actual plot that has not been overly used and it doesn't hit you straight in the face. ICTS is more like a typical movie: intro of characters, meet of characters, rising action, conflict, climax, falling action... something usual. I want to read the novel for ICTS, but I can't find it. I read the first few pages and it's pretty decent.

[jeepy91.livejournal.com]

There's something about this that just makes me ache reading it. But in a good way. Amina and Miriam are almost star crossed in a way, but not depressingly so. And I'm making absolutely no sense at all, am I? lol

I love the comparisons Miriam makes to the chore that sex with the man she has children with, to the aching need she feels for Amina. It comes across so well in the entire layout of the story, and I think you picked up on a really interesting thread of the movie itself. As always, I supremely enjoy reading any of your work, it's exquisite.

Now, any chance we can sucker a Tala/Leyla story out of you too? :P

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

There's something about this that just makes me ache reading it. But in a good way.

Thank you! I'm so glad that you enjoyed the story. I love that aching for each other that came across so clearly in the movie and the book. It was so delicious and dreamy, so I'm glad I was able to capture some of that.

And I'm making absolutely no sense at all, am I? lol

You're totally making sense. I love that about them. That the odds against them are so great, but their love for each other is stronger than it all. That fight for each other is beautiful, and the fact that it didn't end in tragedy just makes it that much more dreamy. I don't mind some angst, but I love me a happy/hopeful ending.

Now, any chance we can sucker a Tala/Leyla story out of you too?

I hope to write one, but strangely enough I find Tala and Leyla a little harder to get a hold on than Miriam and Amina, Tala especially is a bit of a mystery to me (a very sexy mystery). I'm hoping to be able to get my hands on a copy of the book (ahhh, I'm going to have to order it, it cannot be found at any Chapters/Indigo's in Toronto!) after I get back from vacation, so maybe after reading that I'll have a better grip on them. The novel certainly increased my understanding and appreciation of Amina and Miriam.

[na-smith.livejournal.com]

Guh, that was... Yeah. Sweet, but there's so much tension floating between them; it's like the first time Miriam sees Amina in the cafe and can't stop staring at her, except we know they're going to end up in bed together later. Hotness!

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

Sweet, but there's so much tension floating between them

This. The tension between them was so completely and utterly delicious. The way they looked at each other was just ... unf!

it's like the first time Miriam sees Amina in the cafe and can't stop staring at her, except we know they're going to end up in bed together later.

Yeah. The forbidden nature of the relationship allows for that tension to still be there, but there's a satisfying element to it, because you know that they will get to, uh relieve that tension together ... before it starts building up again of course ;)

Thanks so much for commenting! I'm really glad that you enjoyed it :D

[zivaontour.livejournal.com]

Thank you!! This was fantastic. I squeed and did a little dance when I saw this was posted. I have yet to see the film version of either TWU or ICTS - soon I hope! - but I've read both novels (ICTS is only available on Amazon).

Anyway, thank you again for the gorgeous story. I hope to see more TWU fic, and I'm crossing my fingers for some Tala/Leyla too....

Tala... *swoon*

Even better, Lisa Ray.... don't even get me started....

[pictureplaces.livejournal.com]

This was so sweet. You write them so well. I may have to change my comment on The World Unseen and watch it again. It may have been the fact that i watched it whilst completely exhausted *shrugs* though that doesnt make this any less brilliant :)

[madndizzee.livejournal.com]

ahhh, this is just beautiful. i wasn't quite satisfied with the film's ending 'cause it was a bit of a loose end but this ties it up nicely. i think i liked ICTS better 'cause there were more interaction between the two lead characters, but plotwise and angstwise, TWU wins. you've made me want to read the novels now too lol.

[trancer21.livejournal.com]

I *really* liked this. I loved the romanticism between Amina and Miriam, and yet you didn't gloss over the realism of their situation. They're still 'trapped' but somehow it's all okay because they have each other.

[malexfaith.livejournal.com]

Damn... Im glad you decided t pimp yourself out... cause this is wicked excellent stuff. You are very talented, and I knew I would become addicted to your writings. I will be waiting for the next time you decide to pimp yourself, thanks heaps for sharing