Chapter Thirty Two

It took Sumayya some second to process what Amir just uttered. To say she was caught off guard by his unexpected confession will be an understatement. She opened her mouth to speak when he started again.
'I know I'm not supposed to ask you that, after all that occurred. I don't want to be like I'm using you to forget Zara. No. I discover that you're a nice and intelligent lady. I understand if you don't want to accept me, heck you have a reason to. After all, I have been mean to your friend. I want to get my mind off things."
'It's okay. That's how life is. Sometimes you find yourself in a situation but I'm glad you're going to settle things with Zara. And for your offer, I will think about. You know, I have my pride too, I can't just say yes immediately, even if I feel something for you. So give me sometime" Amir Stares at her as she went on and on. A particular word she utters circulates in his head. Did he just…
'Sumayya, did I just hear you said, even if you feel something for me?" Her eyes almost popped out of its socket and she covers her mouth with her palms. Did she just confess her feelings to Amir? Why is it that the mouth blurts out something you try hard not to say and that to someone whom you don't want them to know. She mentally scolds herself. Amir's lips broke into a smile as he watches her head casted down. What will it be like if Sumayya was the one he fell for instead of Zara? Nothing like conflicts would have happened.
'Um.. Even if that's what you feel, you shouldn't be embarrassed. Loving someone doesn't happen because we tell them to, rather our hearts. So, don't be shy to confess your feelings before it becomes too late" Sumayya slowly raised her head. She could sense the hurt from his voice as he said it.
'Yes Sumayya, I realized that not everything goes as you wanted it to be but you will find someone who will love you regardless of who you are or your flaws. So I would like to thank you for liking this naughty guy" A chuckle escape both of them.
'When did I confessed that I like you?" she said trying to act pretentious when deep down, she was delighted. Her wish is getting fulfilled. No matter how she tried, she can't get him out of her thinking. She fell for him the first time she set her eyes on him. It was love at first sight. There is nothing she would say than ‘Alhamdulillah' His eyes widened slightly before masking it up with a smirk.
'I know it so don't try to act it. Honestly, I'm honored that someone likes me"
'Whatever. But-" Her voice turns low as she fiddles with the table cloth.
'Go on" He ushered.
'Do-" The words didn't complete itself out of her lips when the door was being pulled open followed by the presence of Zara together with Fawwaz. Her smiling self turns to frown as her eyes sight Amir.
'Sumayya I thought you said emergency then why am I seeing nothing?" she started
'Amir is here to talk to both of you and I know if I tell you the truth, you won't come so I had to lie. Sorry" Pushing the seatback, she stood up meeting her eyes with Amir, she curtly nod her head and muttered ‘You can do it' before sprinting away to the kitchen to give them privacy. After all, she has nothing against Amir.
A pile of silence fell on them as both await one of them to start a conversation.
'Um.. Zara, Fawwaz" Amir called in a calm voice, blowing out a short breathe. ' I know you are surprised for seeing me here. I don't know from where I will start apologizing to you. Zara, I hurt you a lot with my rude trying to force you to love me back. I'm sorry from the bottom of my heart. I will understand if you decided not to forgive you but at least, it will be off my head. And Fawwaz, I know I was being rude to you and jealous of you especially during the meeting. There are some things that I won't be able to tell you two but I hope everything will go back to normal again. I want to see the once troublesome cousins back. One more thing, I wish you a happy married life in advance" He let out a small smile. 'I feel like a load has been lifted off my head" Both Fawwaz and Zara couldn't say anything. His apology comes as a surprise to them especially Zara, who was hurt by his action. She knows forgetting the incident won't be easy but seeing the hopefulness in his eyes shows he's genuine about what he said. She might hate his changed behavior but she's not someone who hold grudge, so she will let bygone be bygone as far as he won't do anything again. After all, there are families. And she will hold on to the saying 'Forgive and Forget"
'Amir there's nothing I will say than Alhamdulillah. I'm glad the old Amir is coming back to life because the past Amir isn't really you. Everything comes for a reason so I have forgiven you Amir and I pray you will get someone who will love you. Someone better than me. Insha Allah"
'Yes Man, we missed the old Amir and I'm glad he's back so.." Fawwaz trailed off with a smile.
'Let's call for a celebration" Sumayya's voice interjected as she walks towards them with a plate of cookies. All of their faces broke into a smile. Amir glanced at them one by one seeing the smile on their faces. A smile that wasn't there before all because of him. Now all he would think about is bringing more smiles to their faces.
'Wait since everything has been settled now, I'm thinking of something" Zara said her lips curving up.
'And what's that?" Fawwaz asked adjusting his seating position, taking the cookies to his mouth.
'Why don't we make Sumayya and Amir a couple too?" Sumayya eyes widened immediately as she finds herself pulling on Zara's dress a bit.
'What? You do like Amir right?" she uttered
'Me? Says who?"
'Says me" she retorted proudly.
'So… it's true you have feelings for me" Amir chirped in as he also plop a cookie to his mouth. Zara watches him quizzically.
'So it means you also knew about it right? That's good. Indeed Allah is the planner. I remember when I wanted to match make you with her and now see. It has happened. Now I have a very perfect plan on this whole thing" Zara said with a grin ushering them to move closer. Sumayya felt her heart rises as she sat on the chair beside Amir. She tried her best to stay calm as they lean in to hear what Zara has in mind.
'You know our wedding is in one week time, so I was thinking why not we make it the same day with you two"
'What! You can't be serious?" Amir and Sumayya both said at the same
'Ofcourse I am"
'You know marriage is a lifetime commitment, you can't joke around with it" Amir exclaimed.
'I'm saying that because I know what marriage is. And I have my full trust in you. I know you will take care of Sumayya and learn to love her. Who knows, maybe she's the one you really love not me" she added with a wink.
'Are you taking my love for granted?" he said with a slight frown. A chuckle escape Zara seeing the frown on his face. A fake frown. She's now convinced the old Amir is back. Her best friend is back
'Uhuh, don't murder her with your frown" Fawwaz throws
'Well I'm just messing with him. Want to be sure the old Amir is really back but I'm serious Amir. You two should think about it. Um… We will be on our way now. Fawwaz will drop at Mom's boutique. Call me when you finalized everything. Bye" On her way past Sumayya, she whispered ‘Good Luck' while Fawwaz squeezed Amir's shoulder. As they left, Amir and Sumayya couldn't look at each other or utter a word out. Each with their own thought.
On their way back to Zara's Mom boutique, Zara kept smiling to continuously. When the car came to a halt at the traffic light, Fawwaz turned to her.
'Why are you all smiling to yourself?" he asked.
'I'm happy things are normal again"
'Then we should say Alhamdulillah"
'Alhamdulillah" she let out another smile. The light turns green and he drove off.
'You know, your smile is contagious right? My heart always escalate whenever you smile like this. Who know maybe, it was your smile that made Amir fall for you" His face was focused on the road so she couldn't make out his expression but there is one thing she's sure of.
'Are you jealous Mr. Fawwaz?"
'Jea- yes I'm jealous. I want your smile only for myself" A fit of laughter broke out of her lips liking the possessive side of him.
'How many times do I have to tell you that you have nothing to worry about. You're mine and I'm yours. And in the next seven days, I will be your wife. Insha Allah"
'I love you Zara. More than you can imagine" he said the moment the car stopped at their destination. She was left speechless. Whenever he utters the word, she felt shy and her heart rate increase and overall, it shows how much his love is affecting her deep down.
'Why is it that whenever I proclaim my love, you went on silent. Last time you disconnect the call and now you're silent. Don't I deserve to hear it from you? I'm always the one who show my love. Can't you at least say it for once? That why I will be able to sleep soundly thinking about you." He stared at her lovingly waiting for her to speak up or at least get a reaction out of her.
'Bye. See you tomorrow and don't miss me too much" Was the word she said getting off the car. Fawwaz stared at her disappearing figure with a lighthearted smile on his face. One week. In one week time, Zara will be his forever.