Chapter Thirty

Minal opened her mouth to answer her but it was as if her lip has been sealed together. Zara's question caught her off guard. She felt anger rise inside her by how Zara stood on her ground waiting for her to speak.
'Your silence means you do have a problem with our relationship. I knew you coming here is fishy" Zara leaps forward as she stood in front of a quivering Minal. Giving her one look, you will know she's hiding something and Zara is ready to uncover her truth.
'What do you mean I have something to do with your relationship?, I don't have anything against it. If you are even suspecting me then rest assured because I'm not that of kind person" Minal muster the courage to say hoping Zara would buy her lie. She cannot afford to get suspected when she has not even started executing her job. A smile made its way to the corner of her lips as she places her palms on Zara's shoulder with a weak look on her face.
'Believe me, Zara, I'm rooting for you two. Besides, we are friends right?" Zara's eyes didn't waver as she throws her one kind of look. She thinks she can deceive her with her fake act? Then two can play it. She will see how far she can go on with it. Her lips broke into a smile as she removes Minal's hands from her shoulder.
'You know, I've not thought of being friends but come to think of it now, it'll be fun being friends with you. You can help me with the wedding preparation, the shopping, and all. And I will be delighted if you will be my bridesmaid. You understand what I mean right?" the last word came out sarcastically. She could notice how her eyes widened slightly as she utters the words out which gives her cue to continue.
'I will leave my full trust in you. Pray for us that nothing will come between me and Fawwaz and that our love grows stronger. Hmm?" A staring contest of some seconds occurred between them before Zara's mom decided to interrupt them by her yelling.
'Excuse me," she said walking past her leaving Minal in a dumbstruck trance. What just happened she muttered out loud. Is her face that visible? Before Zara finds out about her plan, she has to start working on them. The corner of her lips twitches up. She won't give up easily. Not only Amir will benefit from it, she will also get what she wants. Going back inside, she was met with Zara talking to her mother.
'Mom don't worry I will handle it. Minal will help me; she has a good taste in fashion. Right, Minal?" Minal who was standing a few miles away, all eyes turned to her. Zara flashes her a wink indicating her to speak up
'Um...Yes, Aunt, I will help her" Minal said forcing out a smile.
'See I told you she has a good taste and this will be the only thing I will take care of myself. You can do the rest." She confided slowly. Farah let out a short sigh.
'Why are you so stubborn Zara?"
'Well, who did she take after?" Myrah chirped in.
'I hope you're not referring to me?" She questioned getting a shrug from her in return. Farah throws her a glare knowing who exactly Myrah means. Rising up from her sitting position, she carried her bag with a few other bags which Myrah packed the cookies and brownies for her.
'We will take our leave now. I will call you later after I've finalized everything with the lady. Insha Allah"
'Sure" They bade farewell. Minal offered to help Farah with her bag and stuff.
'Thank you dear" she ushered. Her eyes meet with Zara getting a smile in return. A smile that tells her otherwise.
The stuff was kept inside the boot in which Minal sat at the back while Zara sat at the front and Farah being the one driving.
'So Minal how is your cousin feeling now?" Farah started.
'Alhamdulillah she's getting better"
'May Allah grant her Shifa. Hope you will stay for the wedding?" Her lips form a thin line as she answers. 'Insha Allah. After the wedding, I will leave with Ma"
Her eyes snapped towards Zara whose attention was on her phone. They should wait and see, the wedding will not take place. Very soon, Fawwaz will be hers.
**
The moment Fawwaz reached the office, he directly went to his father's office. He exhales a sharp breath as he stood in front of the door, hoping all is well. Because his heart is telling him otherwise. Pushing the door open, he was met with his father pacing around the office.
'Assalamu Alaikum" was the first word he uttered. Khalid turned around, gracing his worried face onto his son.
'Wa Alaikum Salam Fawwaz, I'm glad you're here on time. Have a look at this" he ushered walking towards his desk, turning the computer screen. Fawwaz took a seat facing the computer as he accesses the information written on it.
'What is this suppose to mean?" he questions his brows slightly knitted. Khalid rakes his hands into his hair.
'That is what I want to know too. I thought we have finalized everything, ready to ship them. But I don't know why they decided not to work with us again. I've been trying to call Mr.Samson but I'm not getting through him. I called his secretary, still the same thing. You know losing this client will be a great loss to us. We have been working with them for a long time." Not only Khalid was shocked by the news, but Fawwaz was also taken aback. How can they back out after all the process?
'I will try and call Mr.Samson to get some explanations from him. There has to be a reason why they decided to back out. Insha Allah everything will be good. Let me get to my office" Fawwaz wasn't sure his words convinced his father. He could see the sadness and distress on his face. He has to because he worked so hard on the project and now things are getting tough. Upon entering his office, he dialed Mr.Samson's number from the telephone set on the desk. A hiss resonates out of his lips hearing the phone switched off. He tried out his secretary's number, heaving out a sigh hearing it ringing.
'Can I speak with Mr.Samson?" he said immediately the phone was being answered.
'I'm sorry sir but my boss is currently not available" the lady ushered in a polite tone.
'By currently what does that imply?"
'He's out of the country and he might stay for a few days" Fawwaz was left in a puzzle as he takes in the information. What does Mr. Samson mean? How can he back out just like that? He knew they are the best when it comes to shipping then what could possibly go wrong?
'Sir" the lady's voice revamped through his ear snapping him out of the thought.
'Thank you. I will try calling him again later" without waiting for her answer, he ended the call. He rubbed his fingers on his forehead trying to think of how to get in touch with Mr.Samson. Fishing his phone out of the pocket, he typed away a message and sends it to him, hoping the man will receive it and get back to him. Before he plopped the phone back to his pocket, a message came in. A message from Zara
*Hey Mr. workaholic, still at the office?*
Fawwaz finds himself smiling. Instead of him to reply back, he decided to call her. Maybe hearing her voice will lessen his worry a bit.
'Missing this poor young man already?" he said after she picked up the call. Her chuckle filled the background.
'Should I be honest?" he hummed in return.
'I won't lie, I do miss you and you left so suddenly earlier when we didn't get to spend some time. I hope everything is okay at the office?" Her voice came out weary at the end. Fawwaz let out a sharp breath.
'Just a little problem but it will be solved soon, Insha Allah. Now tell me, what have you been up to?" Her sign resonates to his ear.
'Nothing interesting, just working on a few things and I stopped by the bakery. I can't leave all the work to Sumayya; she has been taking care of it."
'She's a nice girl"
'Oho, praising another woman in front of your wife to be right?" she ushered. Another fit of smile broke into his lips once again. Zara can be unpredictable sometimes. His troublesome wife to be.
'Worry not princess. You know I only have my eyes on you" His voice came out husky.
'Say that again"
'Say what?" he inquired arching his brow.
'The name you just uttered"
'Princess"
'Yes, I love it most especially because it's coming from your mouth." Fawwaz snapped his eyes shut as he felt calm and peaceful. He could feel his heart growing more in love with Zara. He doesn't think he will be able to stay one day without seeing her or hearing her voice. She has become an important aspect of his life.
'You there Fawwaz?" Her petite voice broke him out of his reverie.
'I love you Zara" He uttered straight from his heart. A moment of silence fell on the room. Only the sound of the clock tickly on the wall could be heard. Fawwaz waited to hear her response but found none.
'Can you answer me Zara" Silence.
'Zara?" Silence
'Zara?" Checking the phone, he finds it disconnected. A chuckle escapes him as he utters the words out. 'My silly princess"
**
Yasmin was restless the whole day about the events that occurred for the past days. Up till now, Marwan is acting cold towards her even though she has apologized to Farah about her actions. She cannot seem to understand why he doesn't want to take his son's side. She will try her best to support Amir. She ambled to his room with the motive of confronting him maybe he will heed to her words. Putting her hand into a fist, she knocked on the door.
'Amir you there?" She waited to hear his voice but hears silence. Pushing the door open, she was met with an empty room.
'I'm in the bathroom" came his voice.
'Okay, when you're done come meet me. I want to talk to you" She turned and was about to leave when she heard a vibration. At first, she ignored it but when another vibration came in, the curiosity got her. Leaping forward, she carried the phone from the nightstand. Her eyes widened as she read out the content.
The job has been done as per your order. I made sure he won't be able to work with them again
Should I send in my account details or till we meet?
Yasmin reread the words over and over not believing her eyes. What is Amir up to? Just then the door to the bathroom was pulled open.
'Mom"