"Do you mind having a late-night talk" he began. For some unknown reason, Zara finds herself smiling.
"Okay lead the way" she ushered. Leaving the kitchen, they made their way towards the balcony. Her mind wandered to his conversation with Minal she wonders what they talked about.
"So..." she started as they sat beside each other leaving enough space between them. "What do you want us to talk about?" she added. Fawwaz stared in thinking.
"We can talk about anything as far as it'll get my mind off things" he stated. Zara brows knitted in question.
"Things like what?"
"You know I left office without completing my work, so I was kind of feeling restless" he answered slowly. She likes how calm and serious Fawwaz is with things. All this while he's thinking about the office. What a serious man.
"Ma has already informed uncle Khalid, I know he'll take care of it so don't worry," Zara said in an assuring tone.
"By the way, I must say you enjoyed the stay here. I saw you talking with Minal earlier" Zara mentally scold herself for bringing it up. Curiosity is killing her. Fawwaz glanced at her through his shoulder.
"You think so?" he inquired.
"Of course the way you and Minal get along tells me you enjoyed the stay" Great Zara. Just great.
"Oh Minal, she's a nice girl" Zara resist the urge to roll her eyes. She has a bad feeling about the girl.
"I see. Now tell me a funny story" she said trying to change Minal's topic.
"What type of funny story?" Fawwaz asked.
"Anyone that will make me laugh" the corner of his lips twitches up.
"Are you ready?" he questioned getting a nod from her in return.
"Once upon a time, there lived a beautiful girl, the precious daughter to her parents. She has two cousins who are also her best friends. One is the troublemaker and the other is the quiet one. One day, the three cousins are watching a scary movie when-"
"Wait" Zara cut him off recognizing the story he's telling her. "If I'm not mistaken is this story about me?" she asked brows knitting.
"Why? you said it yourself that you want a funny story that will make you laugh and this is the only funny one I can think of right now. Just let me finish" Fawwaz folded his lips trying to compose himself not to burst out laughing.
"I knew it"
"The movie was so scary that-"
"Fawwaz don't you dare" she warned throwing a glare to his direction. Fawwaz broke into a fit of laughter. A serious one.
"Seriously Zara, I can't believe you peed your pant and it rolled down to Amir's body. I think I'll remind him tomorrow" his laughs didn't die down as he said it.
"Don't you dare and who caused it. You're the one who suggested we watch the movie. Just wait and see I'll get my revenge. Laugh as much as you want to" It seems like Zara added more fuel to his laugh as the laugh increases to the extent of Fawwaz clutching his stomach.
"Okay then keep laughing goodnight and don't talk to me tomorrow" she uttered rising up.
"Okay, I'm sorry I'll stop laughing, just stay for a while. I won't be able to sleep even if I went back inside," he stated in a serious tone.
"Why do I have a feeling there's something else bothering you," she said sitting back. Fawwaz turned his face to the other side.
"No nothing"
"Fawwaz"
"Serious it's nothing I'm just concerned about work" he declared.
"You know you can tell, I'm your friend right?" Zara's heart clench a bit, she knew there's something else, and that kind of bothers her. She wants him to open up and tell her, after all, they're family.
"Hmm?" she ushered. Fawwaz turned his face at the same time Zara raised hers, and their eyes met. They stared at each other's eyes, Zara felt her heartbeat increases something she doesn't normally feel. Every time she looked at Fawwaz, her mind will be completely off its zone not to talk of how her hearts escalate. She feels like she's growing closer to Fawwaz day by day. She's the first to tear her gaze because if they continue like this, her heart will explode from its drum.
"I'm sleepy Good night" not waiting for his response she sprinted to the room. Fawwaz watched as she disappears.
"Silly girl" he muttered letting out a smile.
Closing the door behind her quietly, she was met with Minal typing away on her phone. "Still up?" Minal asked. Zara inhales a sharp breath as she made her way towards the bed slouching on it.
"Yeah I was about to goodnight," she said pulling the duvet to her body. She's not ready to listen to any more of her talks, she can stay up if she likes. Zara closed her eyes ready to sleep but sleep refused to come. Her mind kept going to a certain person. What is wrong with her? why is she thinking about him? Could it be..... No, she shakes the silly thought out of her head. Saying her Sleeping Dua, she closed her eyes.
**
Around 5:35 am, Zara, woke up and strolled to the bathroom, perform her Wudhu, and spread the praying mat, she was about to start when she heard Ma's voice.
"Let's pray together," the old woman said. A smile made it way out of Zara's lips.
"Alright"
They completed the two raka'at now seated making Dua.
"Masha Allah May Allah continue to protect us and our family," Ma said.
"Ameen"
**
"Thank you so much for the visit, how I wish you stay a bit longer," Ma said with a worried look.
"It's okay Ma, the next time we visit we're going to stay for a week" Zara declared hugging the woman.
"Insha Allah I hope so my regards to your parents"
"Sure Ma" Amir replied with a smile as always.
"Bye Fawwaz tell Aunt Myrah I'll visit her soon" Zara watched as Minal wink at Fawwaz and he isn't bothered a bit. As they hop in the car and drove off. Fawwaz was the one driving, Amir beside him, and Zara at the backseat.
"By the way man, do you like that girl? I can see how she winked at you earlier flirtatious" Amir asked.
"What do you mean? Minal is a nice girl"
"You might not know maybe she did like you and you-" Amir started getting interrupted by Zara
"She might like him but I know she isn't his type right Fawwaz?" She asked. Fawwaz watched her through the rear mirror.
"Exactly she isn't my type. I like a calm and intelligent woman" her head snapped towards him. So he did have the type of woman he wants.
"Maybe she'll be the perfect match for Amir" he added.
"What? I told you already I have my own woman engraved in my heart" he muttered with a grin.
"Really?" Fawwaz asked.
The corner of Zara's lips twitches up. "I think I know who the girl is," she said. Amir immediately turned to her bug-eyed
"You knew?" He asked. Zara nodded in return.
"Who?"
"That will be a secret till you decided to tell us yourself right Fawwaz" she turns to him.
"Yeah, I agree with my dear cousin. We'll wait till you decided to inform us yourself" Amir's demeanor changed. He bites his lips nervously. He hopes Zara and Fawwaz didn't find out about his little secret.