"I like you, Zara"
Suddenly everywhere felt quite. Zara stared at Amir for a good five minutes. To say she was surprised will be an understatement. She opened her mouth to talk but it feels like something is pulling her. Did she just hear him utter the word 'Like' to her, or is it her ears that are deceiving her.
"Zara" Amir uttered breaking her out of her thoughts. Zara inhales a sharp breath, trying to compose herself.
"Are you practicing how to confess to the girl is your heart" she started, her lips curving up. Amir lunges his hands towards her but stop remembering it's inappropriate.
"I'm not practicing anything Zara, I like you"
"What?" She said mouth agape.
"Yes, I like you more than you could imagine" Amir muttered running his hands on his head. Amir is her best friend and also a brother to her, she didn't expect what she just heard.
"When did you start liking me?" She finds herself asking, taking a seat beside Sumayya.
"For as long as I could remember" he stated.
"Wow Amir, I didn't know all this while Zara is the girl you love so much" Sumayya interjected. Zara's eyes dart to Fawwaz who was standing on one position ever since typing away on his way. She wish he could raise his face so that she can see his expression but he stood on one ground without moving. She doesn't know what to say to Amir. She likes him but as a brother.
"Zara, I know you're surprised but we know everything about each other there's nothing to be afraid of" her head snapped towards him seeing the happiness on his face. Why didn't she notice this all this while?
"Can you give me some time to think about it?" She asked. Amir nodded his head with a slight smile.
"You don't have to give your answer right now. Take your time" he ushered. Zara rises from her seating position, slipping on her bag.
"Sumayya can you lock the bakery, I'll retire for the night," she said gliding to the door.
"Sure goodnight" Sumayya responded back while Amir let out a smile. Zara managed to nod before getting out with Fawwaz tailing behind her
The drive back home was quiet, no words were exchanged between her and Fawwaz. Each with his own thought. After parking the car in its respective place, Zara got down walking quietly towards the entrance. Her mind was completely clouded by Amir's words earlier not knowing when the door was being unlocked.
"You guys made me worried. You shouldn't stay late next time got it" she heard the faint voice of Aunt Myrah saying. She nodded her head in return as they entered closing the door behind her. Fawwaz is no more in sight maybe he went upstairs already.
"I've kept the leftover food in the fridge, if you're hungry you can warm it up" A yawn escape Myrah's lips. "I'll retire for the night make sure you switch off all the light" she uttered while making her way upstairs. Zara decided to rest for a bit before she also retires for the night. All the events that happened flashed in her mind from the moment they left Ma's house up to Amir's confession. So all this while he liked her. When did he start liking her? since childhood? or when. All this question only he knows the answers to them. Amir is someone close to her and also important to her but she thinks of him only as a brother. She doesn't have feelings for him. Just think about it don't take a decision. Her inner mind tells her. Snapping her eyes shot, she laid her back on the couch.
"Still thinking?" she heard his voice which startled her. Fawwaz stood with two plates of pasta. He places one in front of her and the other in front of him. Zara finds herself staring at Fawwaz as he took a bite of the pasta completely unaware of her stares. She doesn't know why every time she's with Fawwaz, she felt peaceful and comfort. It's not like she's not with Amir but there's something strong she feels when she's together with Fawwaz. Yes, his personality is the opposite of hers but he doesn't stop in making her drawn to him. She wants them to be closer, more than they are back in their childhood days.
"If you want to think, at least eat first," he said locking his eyes with hers. Zara immediately tore her eyes away, feeling her hearts escalate a bit.
"I'm not hungry" she muttered.
"Don't lie to me, I can hear your stomach making some unusual sound" the left of his lips curved up as he said it. Zara placed her hands on her tummy throwing him a glare.
"My stomach is not making any sound" she retorted back.
"Oh I see, but still eat then think about whatever you want to think about" he uttered in a serious tone. Zara's lips form a thin line. Reaching for the plate, she took a bite. Five minutes later, the plate was cleared without a tiny bit of pasta on it. Fawwaz folded his arms across his chest with an amused smile. Zara stared in thinking, isn't he bothered by Amir confession, she couldn't read any expression on his face.
"Um...Fawwaz can I ask you something?" she started biting on her lips nervously.
"Sure go on" he ushered with a slight nod.
"What do you think about earlier, I mean you know...." she trailed off, fidgeting with her fingers as usual whenever she's nervous. Fawwaz inhales a sharps breathe.
"I don't see fault in his confession because he told you what he feels about you. Both of you are very close to each other, something like that can happen" he stood up and was about to leave when she started again.
"What if I don't feel the same way?" she finds herself saying. She wants to hear his opinion but Fawwaz really knows how to hide his emotions so well that she couldn't figure out his expression. He turned around and both stared into each other's eyes.
"What if there's someone who my heart wants?" she whispered. A moment of silence fell on them as they stare at each other.
**
Next morning
"So you mean Amir confessed his feelings? I knew it" Manal cheered from the phone. What does she mean she knew it?
"You knew about it Manal?" Zara asked.
"Of course Zara you don't seem to notice how he stared at you back in school. He always has his eyes on you. I'm there so I know everything. So, he decided to muster up the courage to confess. Finally, you guys will be together" Manal knew too, which means she was kept in the dark. Zara slammed her eyes shut in annoyance. Why didn't she notice before?
"Now tell me how do you feel?" Manal uttered again.
"Manal I don't know how to say it but Amir is like a brother to me. I don't blame him for having feelings for me because you don't choose who to fall in love for, your heart chooses" Zara explained.
"Do you mean you don't like him?" she inquired.
"I like him but as a brother. But-" she was about to say something then stop not sure if she'll be comfortable talking to Manal about it.
"But what Zara? tell me, I'm your friend you can't hide anything from me. I know when something is bothering you." Manal ushered from the other end. She knew when something is on Zara's mind.
"You know Manal, I've never felt this before but whenever we're together, I feel relaxed and happy. Even though were not close like me and Amir but there's this strong connection coming between us. My beating heart always increases whenever he's close to me and when he's not I feel restless. I don't understand all this feeling Manal" the lent went quiet for a while until Manal spoke up.
"Do you mean you like that person?" she asked. Zara's mind went to all the moments they spent together with Fawwaz, their fight, the midnight talk at Ma's house, and yesterday's visit to the sea. Now she's sure what she feels about him.
"I think so" she answered.
"Listen to me Zara, if that's what you really feel then I'll support you but if you don't really like him don't hurt Amir"
"What should I do now, I don't want to hurt him and our bonding together and on the other end Fawwaz" she uttered.
"Wait did I just hear you say Fawwaz?" Manal remarked from the other end. Zara mentally scolds herself for blurting it out.
"Which means you have feeling for Fawwaz. Ya Allah Zara what trouble are you trying to get yourself into" Indeed, she's about to get herself in a trouble. One fell for her and she fell for another.