Chapter Sixteen

"Excuse me, where are we going?" Fawwaz asked when they're out of the building. Zara turned around with a glint of a smile on her face. "To cheer you up" she stated. Fawwaz took a step then stopped.
"Zara you know I have to go back to the office, I don't-" he couldn't complete his statement when Zara show a puppy face.
"Please I just want us to spend time together" she muttered.
"What did you say?" He asked when he couldn't comprehend what she said. Zara mentally scolds herself realizing what she just blurted out.
"No I was just saying we should get going," she said nonchalantly.
"Zara you-"
"Please" she pleaded. She doesn't know why she's pleading but she has this urge to cheer him up. He shouldn't be thinking about work every time, he should at least enjoy himself.
Fawwaz let out a sigh. "Now tell me where are you taking me?" He asked. Zara folded her arms across her chest as they made their way towards her car. "That's for me to know and for you to find out my dear cousin" she wink.
"Really?"
"Yeah just trust me"
As they drove off, someone from afar was watching them, hands fisted together. "I have to take action soon before it's too late" the person seethe through gritted teeth.
**
"You want to cheer me up here?" Fawwaz said sarcastically pointing to the vast sea in front of them.
"Yeah, a perfect place to chill out your mind. Whenever I needed to cool off my mind, this is the place I land. Sometimes, Amir accompanies me. So this place is like our safe zone" Zara walked to the shore remembering the days she and Amir will play around with the sand.
"I see. So you and Amir caused a lot of troubles" Fawwaz remark standing beside her.
"Yes, but you're the matured one among us. Now-" suddenly her phone rang, it was Manal.
"Is something wrong?" Fawwaz asked seeing her rolling her eyes.
Zara passes him a little smile. "It's Manal. Excuse me let me give her a piece of my mind. Enjoy the cool air of the sea" A chuckle escapes Fawwaz lips as Zara goes on. She really can't stop Amazing him with her funny personality. Slouching down on the cold sand. A moment of silence fell on him as he stared at the surging wave for some reason he felt relaxed. Indeed Zara has her way of bringing smiles to people's faces. He glanced at her, as she's busy talking to her friend maybe having friends fight. He quickly averts his eyes seeing her walking towards him.
"Through with your friends fight?" He inquired trying to start a conversation.
"Yeah, I gave her a piece of my mind for not calling me for days" A smile made it way out of his lips as he watch her forming her hands into a fist.
"I can see but be careful don't blow on my face Manal is not here" he uttered.
"Oh really should I?" She held her fisted hands up and Fawwaz raised his in surrender.
"Now tell me how do you feel now gazing at the cool and nice view of the sea," she asked. Adjusting her hijab that was almost out of place.
"To be honest, I enjoyed and also felt relaxed. Thank you for bringing me here" he said truthfully.
Zara heaved out a sigh "I'm glad you enjoyed it. So anytime you feel like clearing your head, you can just venture here" she offered.
"Will you accompany me too like Amir?" Zara was a bit surprised by his statement.
"Sure that would not be a problem" she ushered feeling excited inside.
"Thank you, I like the new Zara you're becoming. I'm proud of you" he ushered and that added fuel to her beating heart. Now she's certain about what she feels towards him. But does he also feels the same way or he's just being nice for the sake of their friendship.
"How about this?" Fawwaz pulled out a handmade bracelet.
"What's that?" She inquired taking it from his outstretched hands.
"On my way back from the office some guy was selling it and I immediately thought of you. It's a gift for offering me a ride that night" Zara stared at the bracelet. The ceramic beads are black in color, with a touch of white dot and a small chain attached to it.
"It's so beautiful thank you for the gift. But we've already talked about it no need to thank me" she ushered passing him one of her beautiful smile. Fawwaz finds himself smiling too. Finally, he gave her the gift.
"We should go back now it's getting late" he stated glancing at his watch.
"Yes we should" she grinned. Fawwaz halt in his step and turned to her.
"Are you that happy?" He asked.
"Of course I am. Amir's bracelet is on the left while yours is on the right" she muttered which didn't get unnoticed by Fawwaz.
"Then who do you like most Me or Amir?" Zara stop at her actions.
"Why are you asking?"
Stuffing his hands in his pocket he continues walking "Nothing I just want to know" Zara's lips form a thin line. A smirk appears at the corner of her lips. Time to tease him a bit.
"Of course it's Amir, he knows me better than anyone else whereas you -"
"Forget it" he cut her off opening the car door.
"Are you jealous of your dear cousin" she uttered hopping in. Fawwaz grumpily glanced at her then avert his eyes back to the road. She doesn't know anything, it's better if he just ignores her.
"No I'm not you can think whatever you want to" he throws aggressively.
**
"Sumayya is everything set?" Amir asked her who was tying a thread at the door. Amir decided to take a step today, and he's confident about his decision. He and Sumayya are decorating the place. The lights were all off. He texted Zara and Amir that they should come too though he didn't tell them the details.
"Yes, I'm glad you decided to take the step. I hope she feels the same way too"
"I hope so too" he nervously said.
Fawwaz and Zara made their way towards the entrance, they glanced at each other seeing the place all dark.
"Have they closed already?" Fawwaz asked.
"I don't know but Amir texted that we should meet here, I hope all is well"
Zara pushed the door open, the cool breeze coming in contact with her body.
"Sumayya, Amir?" She called
"Where are you guys? I hope you're not pulling a prank on us" the silence she got as a reply told her they're definitely planning something. All of a sudden, something fell on her continuously. And the whole place lights up, flower petals are everywhere. Both Zara and Fawwaz stared at the well-adorned place in surprise. Zara's eyes went to the flowers positioned on the table with a medium-size cake.
"Zara" she heard her name being called and the voice belongs to none other than Amir.
"What's all this? Is someone celebrating a birthday here or is it for Sumayya. Ya Allah, she should've informed me" Zara bombard touching the few rose flower decorated at the table beside her.
"Where is she?" She inquired. Taking a step, she was halted by Amir's words.
"It's not for Sumayya but for you" he stated. Zara turned around bogeyed. "What do you mean? It's not my birthday" she uttered. Fawwaz who stood on one position was also confused by Amir's words. It's not been long since they celebrated their birthday.
"Zara I want you to listen attentively to what I'm about to tell you now. I know it'll come as a surprise to you but I had to let it out before it's too late" Zara was confused with his statement. She has never seen Amir acting like this. Nervous and calm.
"Tell me already I'm getting impatient" she spoke up.
"I like you, Zara"