Chapter Three

it's been five days since the party. Everyone has been busy with their lives. Zara is readying to open up her bakery. Her parents supported her in every possible way they could. Zara folded the praying mat, keeping it inside her closet as usual. The past two days had been hectic to her, as she moves around finding the right location for her bakery. Grabbing her phone from the nightstand, she dialed her friend's number "Hello Manal, are you coming or should I come over?" she said in a quiet tone. There was a moment of silence from the background before she heard her friend's voice. "You can come over but right now I'm not at home, my mom sent me on an errand so before you arrive I'll be back" Manal explained followed by a sound of a horn, the next thing Zara heard is her cussing. "What is it? why are you cussing?" Zara asked "There was some man trying to turn my ear deaf with his horns. Bye for now" "Okay," she muttered hanging up. making her way downstairs she meet her mom who was busy talking on the phone maybe with her clients. "Alright, I will call my sister in charge of the design and get back to you" plopping herself beside her mom, she rests her head on her shoulder. "Mom" she started. Farah glanced at her daughter through the side. She knows when Zara has something to say. "I'm going to Manal's house we're going out to check on the location," she said quietly. "But you know that your dad doesn't like it when you go out alone, take the driver with you" "No need because we're going together with Amir" fishing out her phone she texted him. "Be careful and make sure you come back early" "Insha Allah mom" hugging her mom, she rose up from her sitting position and was about to make her way upstairs, when her Mom called again. "By the way, Fawwaz is back" Zara's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?" "Yeah, I just spoke to Myrah and she told me he came back yesterday" a smile made it way out of her lips. So he came back. "Alright, maybe I'll stop by Aunt Myrah's house," she said. "But don't cause trouble, you know Fawwaz is not like you guys, an intelligent and quite Guy" Zara resist the urge to roll her eyes. He might be intelligent and quite as her mom said but he can't be quiet around her. ** "Ya Allah Manal, can you be quick. We have to be fast before someone purchases the building before us" a hiss made it way out of her lips while glaring at Amir who has been horning continuously. "Easy dear don't strangle me. Let's go" her friend said slipping on her bag. As they made their way towards the car, Manal sat at the back while Zara sat at the front. peeping at Amir she gave him a dirty look. "What?" "Why must you horn loudly, do you want to turn our ears deaf?" putting on her seat belt, she wined down the car window. "Why can't I horn when you've kept me waiting for the past ten minutes. I don't understand why girls take so much time dressing up" Amir muttered roaring the engine to life. "I heard you and that's because we're different from you guys" he was about to answer her when Manal interjected. "Why can't you guys talk normally for a minute without fighting. At this stage, we might not reach our destination" "Whatever" Zara mumbled rolling her eyes. The drive to the location was not a pleasant one as Amir and Zara kept arguing on the way. Manal plugged in her earpiece knowing how they can be, their arguments can give her headache. The car halted in front of a formal building, getting off the car, Zara trekked to the man standing in front of the building. "Hello, please I'm looking for the owner of this building" she started pointing at it. "Are you Zara Abdallah?" the man inquired raising one of his brows. "Yes" "It was a pleasure to meet you. I'm the owner, we talked on the phone yesterday" Zara was surprised because the man doesn't look like someone who owns a shop talk less of a big one a few miles away from her. But, just because someone doesn't wear good clothes doesn't mean he's poor. "Mr. Alee right?" the man nodded in answer. "Let me show you around" he added gesturing to the door. As said, he shows them around the building, The kitchen part was big just as Zara wanted and the Main area was also okay. "How is it?" Zara whispered to Amir. He raised one of his brows in thinking while glancing around. Um... it's okay, the main area is big enough for the customers to fit in, and also the private area is good, as people who are not comfortable to sit around the main part can just use there" Zara nodded her head feeling satisfied with the building. "I'll go for it then right Manal?" She asked manal who was standing behind them. "Yes it's okay" Zara's eyes scanned the place once again. Within a few weeks, this place will be her bakery. She's even thinking about adding more designs to it. "Thank you Mr. Alee, I'll transfer the money to you right now is it okay with you" "Yes, I'm glad you liked it thank you for buying my building" "It's my pleasure" Suddenly the door bursts open. "Father-" the girl trailed off seeing some unknown faces. "Sumayya you're back already?" The man said, the smile not leaving his face. "Yes, father" she watched Them with a curious look, walking towards them. "This is Sumayya my daughter," the man said proudly. "Assalamu Alaikum" the girl greeted "Wa Alaikum salam, I'm Zara nice to meet you" Zara offered her hands, which the girl shake instantly "You're beautiful" A smile made it way out of her lips, She just met the girl a few second ago but she likes her. "Thank you and you're beautiful too" After all the greeting and the agreement. they're now on their way back home after dropping Manal at her house. "Amir can we stop by Aunt Myrah's house. Mom told me Fawwaz is back. I want to see him and give him an earful for not calling me" All Amir does was nod as she goes on and on. Myrah was about to descend up, holding the clothes she just finished folding which belong to her husband when a knock emerged from the door. "Who could it be?" she muttered, placing the neat ironed clothes on the couch. "Coming" she exclaimed hearing the doorbell again. Opening the door, she was graced with the presence of Amir and Zara. "Amir, Zara what a pleasant surprise" Zara embraced her in a hug. "I found out this earlier that Fawwaz is back," She said pulling apart. "Yes, I wanted to call you but it kind of slipped off my mind" "Where is he? I need to give him an earful" Zara declared while she made her way inside. As if he heard them, a tall figure emerged from the stairs. "And why are you looking for me?" his hands were stuffed inside his jeans pocket with a slight smile on his face. "Is that what you're going to say after 12 months of not seeing" she glared at him. "Okay I'm sorry sister, it won't happen again" he held his ears with both his two hands apologetically. "Is that so?" she asked with a smile. Fawwaz nodded his head. Zara heaved out a sigh "Okay then Since you apologize I'll forgive you. I have so much to tell you, but first I have an important gossip" she whispered. Fawwaz shakes his head, sitting more comfortably. "Shoot" "I found a good match for Amir" she whispered. "What?when is that?" Amir bombarded raising one of his brows. Zara ignored him turning back to Fawwaz who was listening to her, hands folded together. "Her name is Sumayya, she's beautiful and perfect match for him" "You must be joking right?" he said again, a smirk dangled at the corner of her lips. "I'm not. I've given her your number and also collected hers" Amir's eyes widen hearing her words. "And who told you I need a girlfriend?" his hands were now folded across his chest while he watched her. "Do you want to be single your whole life?" she copied his actions. "I didn't say that, besides I have someone already" Zara stared at him bug-eyed "When did that happen? Who's she?" she questioned "I won't tell you it's a secret, so better stop your matchmaking. The person who needs it is sitting right behind you" Zara turned towards Fawwaz with a curious look. Fawwaz raised his hands up in surrender. "Don't even think about it because I'm not interested" He stated, his face now in a serious expression. He's not ready to get himself into time-wasting relationships, he has more important things in front of him. "You guys are boring, let me go to Aunt" standing up she started walking upstairs then stop. "And you Amir, If you like don't tell me I'll find out about her myself"