Chapter Twenty Seven

On their way back home, no words were spoken between them even though Fawwaz tried so many times to get a word from her mouth but she refused. Only heaving out a sigh every now and then. The car halted in front of Zara's house. He switched off the engine turning to her not liking the quietness from her.
"Talk to me Zara what is bothering you?" he questioned with concern evident on his face.
"Nothing I'm just tired" Fawwaz rakes his hands through his hair. He seriously doesn't understand her changed mood. He said he would talk to Amir, she said no and now she's giving him a cold treatment. He wants her to share her fears and problems with him but she isn't letting him in.
"Seriously Zara, can you stop bottling it up alone and tell me. I'm here for you. You will become my responsibility soon and I want us to be comfortable with each other. I love you and I can do whatever to fight for that love" he muttered the last part slowly. Only Allah knows what he's feeling inside. Zara has become an important aspect of his life. He's willing to do anything to claim his lover. To make her his.
"Zara talk to me please" he pleaded staring at her while her face was turned to the window.
"Please" he whispered again. Zara was holding herself not to cry but Fawwaz is talking in such a way that she has no choice than to listen to her heart. She turned over and their eyes meet. A moment of silence prevailed as they stared into each other's eyes. The tears Zara tried hard to maintain escape its way out of her eyes.
"I'm sorry for giving you a cold shoulder. I have so much in my mind. Why must things turn to this? Why is Amir behaving indifferently? I want us to stay as close as we are. The best of friends but he's not ready to understand. Why can't he understand that I love you Fawwaz? Why can't he understand my feelings? that my heart escalates only with you. I'm getting scared Fawwaz what if -" Zara choked at her own words. Fawwaz felt weak by her words. Indeed, her love is genuine. He sometimes has insecurities on what if Zara's feelings for him will change someday but now he knows. And he would make sure their love stays strong. The urge to hold her increase but he hold himself back. He's a practicing Muslim, he always tries to stay away from anything that is not permitted by Islam
"Listen to me, Zara. I know I've said it and I will still say it. I love you and day by day, my love increase more. I don't want you to have any negative thoughts about our relationship. Our love might not be strong now but I assure you we will make it strong. You're the woman I love and also want to spend the rest of my life with. Stop thinking about Amir's actions and words, I know everything will be normal again Insha Allah. Promise me you won't hide anything from me again. Your pain, your problem even a strand of your hair is important to me" A chuckle escapes Zara by his last statement and he finds himself smiling too. The thing he has been trying to get out of her since. Now he feels at ease seeing the carefree Zara is back. His Zara and soon to be wife Insha Allah.
"Promise me too that you also won't hide anything from me. even if it's a problem pertaining the office" Laugh erupt from Fawwaz lips.
"That will not be an issue as long as you'll solve the problem for me"
"Sure. You know I don't joke around when it comes to the people I love." she ushered unlocking the car door.
"Where are you going?" He inquired. Zara's brows knit in confusion.
"What do you mean, of course, I'm going inside" she stated. She noticed his changed expression.
"What? do you want us to chat a bit longer?" he nodded sheepishly. Zara couldn't help the laughter out of her lips.
"Okay if I'm to stay what do you want us to talk about?" she asked folding her hands across the chest with an amused smile.
"Anything as far as I will get to stare at your face and your beautiful smile"
"Fawwaz you're making me shy" she retort hiding her face with her palms.
"I'm serious. You have a beautiful smile. Believe me, when I say, your smile is one of the things that made me fall for you" he said truthfully.
"What are the rest then?"
"That's a secret engraved in my heart which is meant to stay deep down inside."
"But we promise not to hide anything from one another" she clarified remembering his words earlier. Fawwaz stared in thinking before speaking again.
"I will tell you only if you agree to spend another 10mins before going inside"
"That will not be a problem" she ushered hopping in.
"Now tell me" she cheerfully said.
"Well I forgot"
"Fawwaz!" she exclaimed throwing daggers in his direction. She was about to get out of the car when she finds it locked.
"Can you kindly unlocked the door as you can see I have so many things to do" she sarcastically said but it was as if she was talking to herself. Fawwaz folded his arms together watching the woman he loves.
"You won't open the door, right? Then let's stay inside till tomorrow" she uttered resting her head back as she closed her eyes. Fawwaz smile finding her actions interesting. He didn't plan on keeping her for so long but since she said it herself, then he has no choice. He would get to stare at her face longer.
**
Everywhere was scattered with papers and books together with broken glass. On the table seated Amir, hand wrapped around with a bandage, and by his side is his secretary her face held in a frown.
"Sir, you need to get back to work. I can't keep lying to your father. He will-"
"Shut it there, I'm the boss here. Do as I say or you lose your job. I don't need anyone's help." he roared glaring his reddish eyes into hers. Cassandra was taken aback by his tone. For the past days, her boss has changed. He's no more the playful boss she knew him as. He's now cold and snaps at little things.
"You're dismissed" he stated waving his hand indicating her to leave. Cassandra was about to speak but decided against it. Bowing her head, she left the office closing the door quietly. What will she do now? She's tired of lying to his father about being serious at the office when he's nothing like serious. Most of the things were taken care of by her when its not even her job. She wonders what is wrong with her boss. Pushing her body from the door, she made her way towards her desk with the motive of informing Mr. Marwan everything. Back in Amir's office, he clenched his fist with fury in his eyes. Earlier event flashed in his head. When he followed Zara to apologize for his actions but saw her with Fawwaz which angers him more. He also doesn't know why his anger always take over him. He hated the fact that Zara only has her eyes for Fawwaz when he's here suffering from her love digging more hole in his heart. He cannot understand why life is cruel to him at the moment when he decided to get something for himself. His phone vibrates from the desk showing his Father's name on the screen. He snapped his eyes shut and opened them again. He knew Cassandra will eventually tell his father not to talk of the way he shouted at her few minutes ago.
"Assalamu Alai-"
"I'm giving you a last warning Amir, if I receive anymore complaint from Cassandra, the worst will happen" before he could answer, the call was being disconnected. To say he's angry and helpless will be an understatement. Why are things turning against him? What is going on in his life? He promises himself that he won't give up on Zara and he'd make sure of that. A plan forms in his head, he knows exactly the person fit for the job. Taking the phone once again, he scrolls down to his contact list, stopping at the number. The left of his lips twitches up as he waited for the person to pick up the call.
"Assalamu Alaikum long time" was the first word he uttered after the call was being answered.
"Indeed it's a long time. What pleasure do I owe you this afternoon" the voice said from the other end.
"Don't be faster than your shadow. I have a good proposal which I know will be of benefit to you" he declared plopping his leg on the other.
"I will send you the address and you meet me there" he ended the call without waiting for the other person's response. Since no one will take his side and help him, then he has no choice than to do things his way.