They reached his place and went inside, he threw the keys away.
“Make yourself at home, we have the whole place to ourselves.” He chuckled, washing his hands and face before wearing his apron.
She leaned on the counter, watching him cook, cutting the vegetables in a second professionally.
“Gosh, if you will be a professional then how will I cook for you?” Hoorain asked, unable to remove her eyes from his talented fingers.
“Don’t worry, I will eat anything you will make for me happily.” He returned a cheeky smile, bringing a crimson shade on her cheeks.
“It would be my privilege that the Queen of her home will cook for me.” He chuckled while cooking.
“But, to be honest, I know I cannot provide you with the life you are living right now but if possible, I want to hire a personal maid for you so you don’t have to cook.” He shrugged his shoulders.
“I also offered Mama but she said she doesn’t want to but I will try my best to at least provide it for you.”
She didn’t expect him to be so talkative, he continued to speak with a smile on his lips while cooking.
“For now, I could help you with things.” He paused, looking up at her with a confused expression.
“Say something, Hoorain. Why are you so silent? We are alone, you can talk to me.” He whispered, poking her cheek.
He was lost in the reprieve of this exquisite moment, sharing an actual sweet moment with his partner.
"Zain…" She breathed out after recollecting her thoughts.
"Hmm?" He hummed, cooking her favorite dish.
He knows it because he made it for her birthday as well.
"What do you think about me?" She asked, uncertainty lingering on her words, fiddling with her dress.
"What?" He stopped, turning to her.
"What do you think of me now and then?" She asked because this question was left hanging back then well, to be cleared with satisfactory replies.
"Hmm…" He paused, putting the spoon down, holding his chin in pondering.
So handsome. She thought, blush deepened after seeing the strong muscles of his arms and visible veins.
After giving it a thought, he turned to her, "Before confession, it was a feeling, a sting one might call it that no harm should be given to you."
He collected his thoughts again and replied, using his words cautiously.
"That you are so pure to be hurt… that's why I did all this." She parted her eyes shyly in disbelief, swallowing hard.
"But, it was only care. I swear." He said instantly, nervously, putting his hand in the air.
"Then…?" She asked, blinking in bafflement by his reactions.
"Then after your confession, I thought you and I were not a match. We are so different, how can I be with you?" He breathed out, repeating what he said again but this time, he was nonchalant.
"Basically inferiority complex." She frowned, putting her hand on her waist.
He opened his mouth to argue but couldn’t and ended up in a nod of acceptance.
"Yes."
"I don't understand why. You, Zain. The star, the perfectionist, how can any woman reject you? I was the one with the complex." She argued, her other hand on her chest.
She resents the idea he felt inferior after being the most desirable man after Emraz among everyone she has literally known.
People were dying to make him their son-in-law and she knows but he doesn't.
"Your fault." He giggled, taking the spoon again to check the food, continuing his change of thoughts over time.
"Moving on, I lied at our engagement." He said casually. To him, they put it behind so what’s the point of attaching unwanted feelings to it.
"What lie?" Sheasked, she was deeply grieved because Rayan and Isra fought because of her and couldn’t focus on anything back then.
"I wanted to say if I ever fall in love then I want it to be you." He hummed, smiling beautifully at her.
But to say she would be surprised would be an understatement.
"What?!" She gasped, taking a step back.
If he had said it back then, she would have died to immense happiness.
"Yeah. It was an utterly new experience for me. I mean, yeah, I have been on dates but nothing in-depth."
Oh, Lord. He had been stacking this inside since then? She thought, not removing her staggered gaze from his calm ones.
"But, Gosh, things are so different for you. I want to give them a meaning, make things memorable, make you smile.". He laughed to himself, leaving the food to be cooked and turning his full attention to her.
"I don't know if it is love or not, is it care, affection or duty as some might call it. But whatever it is, it's beautiful." He whispered sincerely, not caring whatever it is but a treasure.
Glistening with felicity and equanimity, she gave a thought about his emotions and breathed out.
"Unspoken Attractions."
"What?" He blinked.
"You said it before dropping me. I guess your case is the same, Unspokenly… attracted." She trailed off nervously, giving a name to his feelings.
If he was not feeling okay to all his love it’s okay, they could give it another label, a name to remember perennially.
"I said it?" He asked in confusion, tilting his head but she nodded.
"I guess… you can say it. I have held impulses for you ever since our engagement." Her breath hitch but he said it monotonously.
“I-Impulses..?” Her mind felt intoxicated but he continued.
“Yeah of course, you are pretty, very desirable, sensible, how do you expect me to resist?” He said temptingly, licking his lips but his voice was normal.
Eye observing her timorous body and locking back to her eyes, aware of the spellbind it will leave on her and she could feel her soul leaving her body, shivering only by his one look.
“Only if it wasn’t for your Mother that day, I might have kissed you as well.” He said, hands resting on his waist but a playful smirk adorning his features.
“But, ah well, No worries. I have a comprehensive idea about your response so I expect you to be prepared.” He mumbled.
Removing the lid as the scent of the mouth-watering food he made dispersed in the air.
"Please, don't say this so nonchalantly." She said, putting her hand in between.
Her hands were shaking, feet frozen by the growing longings making her breaths heavy by the sown caprice from both of their sides.
"Why? We are a couple, we can talk about being intima-" He was perplexed, they were engaged for months, what was so unimaginable about it.
"Just don't." She said instantly, shaking her head.
He noticed her red face and bashful features before setting the plates for them, shrugging his shoulders.
"Okay, I guess. Whatever you say." He mumbled and they had dinner.
Zain spoke most of the time, telling her about his college times, sharing feelings and all.
She couldn’t believe it was Zain, praying for the time to stop and feel his words, never leaving the domain of it.
But, unwillingly their day together came to an end but it was surely dazzling for them.
Zain dropped her at her home. "Thanks for the wonderful day." She grinned, holding the box spaghetti he made for her.
"I am glad you enjoyed it. Now, go and prepare for exams." He grinned back.
She saluted childishly, "Yes, Sir."
Giggling at her action, he turned his head away. "Bye." He uttered but she came closer and kissed his cheek.
His breath stopped for a moment to feel her in his proximity, augmenting his beats along with sensations, bringing a faint blush on his cheek.
"Thank you." She whispered, moving back and going back to her home After sharing an unforgettable date.