Chapter Nine

Everyone's face turned to the source of the voice and it was none other than Amir's father.
"Since they both have a thing for making trouble. Getting them married will be easier and they know each other so well" Zara felt her heart beat inside hearing the word marriage. it's not that she doesn't want to get married but not so early when she just started her career. And that to Amir? she glanced at him through her side-eye. She never once thought of getting married to Amir, I mean they're childhood best friend but it just doesn't fit in.
"That's a good idea Marwan, I'll take that into consideration," Jawad said. Zara's mouth opened to say something but closed it again, it feels like her mouth had been tied down.
"I'll be happy to get a troublemaker daughter in law like my son" Yasmin beckoned.
As the conversation was going on, meanwhile three hearts were in thinking each with their own situation
**
It was past eight when Zara decided to call it day. After discussing with Sumayya about going shopping together the next day. They got few customers today but Zara took that as the reason because the bakery just got inaugurated today. Getting weak isn't one of her things, she always has faith in whatever she's set to achieve.
"Please call me when you arrived safely at home" Zara ushered, she wanted to drop her at home but Sumayya insisted saying her house is not far from the bakery.
"Insha Allah. My regards to your....you know" she winked. Zara passes her a dirty look realizing what she meant.
"My what?" she asked even though she knew exactly who she's speaking about.
"No I didn't say anything bye" before Zara could utter any more word, she sprinted away disappearing through a corner. She chuckles at the girl's words. Sumayya can be her own troublemaker too. Getting inside the car, she ignites the engine to life as she drove home. She drove quietly and slowly when she suddenly saw someone like Fawwaz. as she drove closer, her instinct was true. It was him, his car bonnet opened. Not getting out of the car, she blew a horn at him. Fawwaz's head snapped to the sound coming a few miles away from him, he recognizes the car at one glance.
"Alhamdulillah," he muttered. Closing the bonnet, he took his necessary things from the car as he made his way toward her car. Upon reaching, he placed his hands on the door handle but it didn't bulge. He knocked on the window. Zara clearly heard him but wanted to tease him a bit.
"Zara open the door," he said indicating to the door handle with his hands. A smile made its way to her lips while unlocking the door.
"What took you so long to unlock the door" he started hoping in.
"You should thank me, have I not passed here, you would've stayed the night all alone" Fawwaz didn't say anything only slip on his seat belt.
"Okay now you're quiet because you know I'm telling the truth" she let out with a proudness in her voice. Fawwaz closed his eyes and opened them again.
"Ya Allah Zara can't you drive quietly. And for your information my car got spoilt, I was about to call when I saw your car. Since we're both going to the same house what's the use of beating around the bush. And put on your seat belt" he ushered turning his face straight to the road.
"Whatever, you should thank me for that and I'm not putting on the seat belt"
"Suit you then. Wake me up when we arrive" he laid his head back on the headrest closing his eyes. Zara glanced at him through her shoulder his eyes now closed. She took a close look at him. She started from his eyebrows, he has thick black brows which are knitted slightly, and his nose which is not pointed rather a normal then his lips, his lower lips are pinkish with few stubbles laid underneath his jaw. Fawwaz is indeed handsome.
"Masha Allah" she finds herself muttering. Her eyes widened realizing what she's doing. Checking him out.
Ya Allah forgive me. she silently prayed roaring the engine to life and drove away.
Within ten minutes, they've arrived, parking the car in its rightful place, she turned to Fawwaz who was sleeping soundly, she noticed how he snores every now and then. He must be exhausted from the office work. Now how will she wake him up, and it's not appropriate to touch him since he's not her Muharrem. Fishing out her phone from the bag, she dialed his number and waited as the phone started ringing. Fawwaz slowly peeped his eyes open hearing the sound blaring through his eardrums. He rubs his temples with his fingers as he felt some pain shot to his head.
"We've arrived" she wanted to ask him if he was okay hearing a hiss from him but decided against it.
"Okay thank you for the ride," he said getting out of the car and glided towards the entrance, Zara watched him as he pressed the doorbell, a smile appearing on her lips. She carried her bag, lock the car door, and followed behind him. The door was being opened by Myrah with a surprised look on her face.
"You came back together?" she asked her eyes darting to the two of them.
"My car got spoilt and we happen to clash while she was coming back from the shop" he explained in a weak voice, directing himself to the couch and rested his back while closing his eyes. But he was fine before. Zara muttered.
"Are you okay Fawwaz?" his mom placed her palms on his forehead, withdrawing her hands immediately.
"You're burning up son" the woman panicked.
"It's okay Mom, it's because of the office stress but I'll get used to it soon" he can barely even speak and he's here saying he'll be fine.
"I'll prepare a hot herbal tea for you, and you're going to drink it and also take your medicine"
"But-"
She cut him off by raising her hands "No but, I know you hate medicine but you have to take it. It's for your own good. Zara keep an eye on him don't let him run away, I know he'd try because he doesn't want to take the medicine" With that being said, she turned around towards the kitchen.
A moment of silence fell on them. Zara didn't know what to say. She then recalled how he saved her from Amir back at the bakery and decided to use this chance to thank him.
"Thank you" she spoke up. Fawwaz, whose eyes were closed now peeled them open setting them on her. Zara's heart escalates a bit catching sight of the look he's giving her. She immediately tore her eyes away.
"For earlier, back at the bakery", she confided while her face was cascaded down.
"It's Okay. I did it for Allah's sake but you should try to reduce your stubbornness. Don't get yourself in trouble in the future" Zara's head snapped to him. This is the first time Fawwaz spoke up about her troubles and for some unknown reason, she finds herself agreeing to his words. Just then Myrah came back with a cup of hot tea placing it on the table in front of Fawwaz.
"Now drink it and also here is a pain reliever. You're taking them in front of me" Fawwaz's face changes watching the cup of tea.
"Now" She ordered. His eyes looked like someone who is about to cry as he placed the cup to his lips, gulping it down slowly.
"Now take the tablet" he did as he was told all the while Zara stared at the two. Aunt Myrah really loved her son so much and she looked up to how Fawwaz respects his Mother so much. He didn't defy her words when she forbade him from leaving while she went away to make the tea for him and also now he took the medicine even though he didn't like it. That shows how much he loved and respect his parent. His words few minutes ago skim in her head. He's right she needs to reduce her stubbornness and her father too, she'd settle down and focus on her career. and also try her best and heed to their words.