The Arranged Marriage

Chapter 3 again

Farouq sat across from me at the table he had ordered food for us already and we were waiting to be served, he smiled at me and ladies and gentlemen I blushed not in a cute way, of course, I lowered my head and covered the smile that was threatening to come forward. "Zarah" Farouq whispered while lifting my chin up a bit his hands were soft, reminds me of my favourite pillow back home, I was lost in those swelling orbs of brown depths that threatened to intoxicate me, he leaned in for a kiss and I awaited it eagerly with close eyes, someone was making terrible noises, I wished in my heart for them to vanish if wishes were horses yeah he leaned in a bit further, just a little bit more and his lips would graze mine. I woke with a start, someone was banging my door|" urghhh" I groaned stirring I knew it was too good to be true. It was a dream.

Dragging my feet to unlock the door, " what:" I asked whoever was there rudely," oh I'm sorry small madam, Uncle Farouq's driver has been waiting on you" Hassanah our housemaid said emphasizing the waiting part, she looked at me with some sort of disgust as though I had told her I would be seeing Farouq in my pyjamas, yeah right, ' well tell the driver to not bother and to tell his boss if he wants to see me that bad he knows were to find me ... and Hassanah please do not bang on this door again for your own sake" I add and her eyes widen a bit obviously not expecting that response from" yes of course ma! sorry" she said closing the door.

Stretching my body felt great after sleeping like a babe well if you scrap out the whole banging on the door part. I checked the time 8 pm, well done Zara second tick off the bucket list, I slept all through last night and the whole day well technically I slept off at 1 am, Farouq's call was at 9 am, took my pills and the rest is history, why I am overthinking this right now I do not know fam.

Padding down the staircase carefully I am too sure mama won't be happy with me cause if there's one thing I can trust Hassanah with is gossip. Till I heard a voice directly from behind me "you have kept that young man waiting for about 30 minutes now what's your problem?!" Mama asks more like yelled, I groan and mutter under my breath, " what was that ?" she asked " nothing" I said with a sigh heading towards the door that led to the Garden. " won't you change first?" mama asks and I smile" no time mama, remember he has been waiting since" I shout back happily and she mutters something incorrigible as I walk outside the door.I walked down to our car park carefree greeting the gardener and maids who all greeted me with cautious looks the last time I looked this carefree my brother Sadiq had the worst day of his life. I smiled at the thought and rubbed my knuckles. From afar I could see Farouq's silhouette he was backing me, phone to his ear he appeared to be alone the thought surprised me I had assumed he would have come along with one of his bodyguards since he is high profile obviously. Anyways he must have heard me approaching him cause he turns around phone still pressed to his ear he has a frown on his face whatever it was didn't seem like it was good and we may not be having that dinner, after all, well lucky me.

With one last sigh he cuts the phone call and acknowledges me " what the heck are you even wearing...you know what don't bother something came up that I have to attend to" he says with a sigh and a hint of annoyance. I shuffle on my feet staring at the buttons on his suit" I apologize for taking a rain check on our first date, call me some other time when you are free" he stops to look at my appearance head to toe people the nerves in me are wracking" and make sure to dress appealing as well" with that he enters his car in one swift move I had not even noticed his car or chauffeur before, the nerve of him talking to me like that, sighing I realize he had not given me a chance to accept his apology but then thinking again that wasn't really an apology that was pure sarcasm this time I stomp my feet on the way up to my room.

..................................................................

"Wait ..he, he said", " he said you.." Khadijah says for the umpteenth time in a laughing fit, what was more humiliating was my long time friend Gimbiya who I dragged along in what I thought would be a peaceful lunch date was also in a laughing fit with Khadijah, " oh you guys stop it already it's not funny," I say with a huffy taking a sip of my coffee. " oh yeah, sorry" Khadijah starts to say but bursts into laughter again, I turn to look at Gimbiya and see she's trying to hold in her laugh " alright" Gimbiya starts to say clearing her throat," sorry about that Zara but it's just so..." Gimbiya says and of course Khadija finishes the statement "funny," she says and starts to laugh again urgggghh bye to my peaceful lunch date.

A few moments later and we had all calmed down although Khadija won't let it rest now I'm wishing I hadn't told them about my encounters with Farouq.

" so enough about me, let's hear about you guys " I start to say and Gimbiyas expression changes. I knew her right from little and she has always wanted to fit in you know being a Christian from the north she was always intrigued by our henna drawings and hijab when we were little. In fact, a certain time I gave her one of mine she was so happy that day the memory almost brings a smile to my face I had gotten it from my Gwaggo( Grandmother) she knew how much I loved them. she's successful runs a chain of businesses and chairs a few International meetings. She had always been worried her success would intimidate men from approaching her I on the other hand taught it was utter rubbish what's so hard about loving a successful woman for heaven sake?!

" Gimbiya so gist us any hot stuff going on? " I ask wiggling my brows in a suggestive manner. " well..." she starts to say when something from outside the glass doors grabs her attention I turn to look Khadija as well, an eye-candy was what we saw. Oh my Gimbiya what story lurks behind those beautiful eyes of your eyes I must learn of them.