After 3 weeks
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One thing I've realized over the past few weeks is that Zayan is an equally tough client like Amer. He is extremely smart, so it takes a lot of effort to convince him too. For example, he kept rejecting the influencer marketing idea right from the beginning and agreed to it just last week.

At first, I used to take things personally and got mad at him for being defensive about my suggestions, but then soon I realized that he had valid reasons almost all the time he did that. So, I started looking at his points of view as a learning opportunity for me, and ever since then, I think I'm handling things better.

And you know with Zayan, no matter how mad I get, the anger never lasts long, because of a number of reasons. One main reason being his perfect jawline, which always melts my heart whenever I see it. And the other reason might be the way he expresses his opinions. I mean, his words are as smooth as the frosting on his cafe's cakes that it's hard to disagree with what he says. Anyway, I'm glad that we both finally agreed on the influencer thing.

So yeah, today will be our first encounter with an IG influencer at the cafe. After days of contacting a few popular bloggers in Colombo, we finally decided to invite 'dignifiedblogger' to do a review on Second Chance. The profile is run by a Muslim girl named Mirza who posts reviews on a variety of topics but mostly sticks to food.

The 'dignifiedblogger' has a large follower base and people adore her, so I suggested that we start with her. What's funny though is that, I used to get so upset looking at Mirza's perfect life and wanted to become like her at one point, but right now, I'm offering her a business opportunity and it feels so cool to be on this side. I used to feel jealous about all the free food that she receives and today I'm one of those people who arranged it for her.

So beautiful right — how things changed for me over a few months! Every time I think of these wonderful changes, I can't thank God enough for removing Sameer out of my life and putting my fate on a whole new direction. Oh, by the way, talking of Sameer, he is disappointing as ever! He just keeps viewing my IG stories and never came back. Wonder whether he will ever do it and give me the satisfaction of rejecting him. It's always been one of my dreams to turn down a dude. It would be so cool to be in control of the situation for once, right? I mean, cooler when it's done to your ex, isn't it?

Anyway, I should stop thinking of stupid things and focus on the moment now. I got dressed in my best abaya for the meeting today because Mirza always dresses up well and I didn't want to be anything lesser than her. But sadly, I got a little late to leave home and now I'm still in the bus.

She messaged a while ago saying that she will be arriving in 5 minutes. At the speed this bus is moving, I think I will reach the cafe later than that. She must have arrived by now. This is bad. What will Mirza think of my punctuality? What will Zayan think of me?

Perhaps I should call him up and keep him informed. I mean, more than telling him I'm going to be late, it's important to remind him of what should be served for her. The deal is to serve three slices of the signature cakes, one milkshake, a piece of brownie and two chocolate chip cookies. Zayan knows this already but still it's good to give a last moment reminder.

I don't want the cafe to offer 'dignifiedblogger' more than what's required. It's not like Zayan is dumb to do it. But you know, how men act with pretty girls sometimes — they can become absolutely silly. So, it's better to clarify before he overdoes anything.

I pull out my phone and start dialing Zayan's number but he doesn't answer. I try calling him thrice and still no answer. Generally he is the kind of person who answers in one ring. Wonder what happened today.

Maybe I should drop him a text or maybe not. This is the first time he is avoiding my calls like this. Perhaps he is flirting with Mirza and has no time to answer my call. Never mind! Why do I have to care about his cafe's well-being anyway? Let him do things the way he wants!

I put my phone in my bag and stand up as my destination gets closer. I walk upto the door. The bus stops and people start getting off. Just when I step out, the driver suddenly accelerates and uh-oh! I don't know what's happening but I can feel things getting blurry...

I open my eyes to see Zayan's perfect jawline. He is staring at my face with a smile. Wait, what? I'm confused. Have I started dreaming of this guy now? But this feels so real. Perhaps my dreams come supported with Virtual Reality now.

By the way, what's this place? This is neither my home nor his cafe. Maybe I have completely lost it. I think I have started going for dream sequence at varied locations, like they show in movies. Very soon I might also start dancing with Zayan in my dream. Disgusting behavior, Ilhaam!

"Hey! How are you feeling now?" asks Zayan in a dreamy voice. Okay, now I'm hearing him speak too. Can this dream get weirder than this?

I rub my eyes, expecting mom to shake my shoulder in an attempt to wake me up, and give me my tea. But there is no mom. It's just Zayan with his lovely smile. Wait, is this happening for real? The only way to find out is to speak a few words. If mom slaps me, then I know it's a dream.

"Where am I? And what are you doing here?" I ask. "Nothing to worry. Just a check up" says Zayan with a smile. Well, this is real. Not a dream. But why a checkup? Did I act like a psycho in front of him? And is he now taking a medical screening to decide whether we could continue to work together? Oh God!

"Wait, am I in a hospital? What happened to me?" I ask. Zayan laughs and says, "No, no. Just a medical center. You had a fall off the bus and some kind soul brought you here." Okay, now I remember. The damn bus. The sudden acceleration. Idiot driver! Of course I had a fall.

But still, this story doesn't add up in a way. Why is Zayan here and not that 'kind soul' who saved me? Wait, is he referring to himself as that? But he could've never been on the same bus as I am. Am I having a full-on conversation in my dream?

I get up and sit. I notice a few bruises on my left elbow. And it hurts a little. "Oh crap!" I say looking at it when Zayan hands over a box to me saying, "Doctor said it's nothing. You will be alright. Have this." Seriously? Did he just bring a slice of cake for me? That's what it looks like. Am I dying? Is he trying to be nice to me on my deathbed?

"Umm... what is this?" I ask. "Chocolate cake. I was worried about you, so I brought it to cheer you up" says Zayan with a chuckle. He is making fun of me, isn't he? What am I? A child? For him to cheer me up with goodies? But I guess, I am a little excited looking at that box. I love that chocolate cake!

"Thanks but—" I start and he stops me with, "No buts. Just have it. And don't overreact now. I promise I don't think of you as a beggar. It's very normal for people in our country to bring some food when visiting someone." What the hell? I didn't even say anything, although my thoughts were very much like what he said. Did he just read my mind?

"Okay. Thanks. But how did you even come here?" I ask. "I was just returning your call and then somebody answered and told me that you fainted. And they gave me this place's details. So I came" says Zayan with a smile. Ugh! This is so embarrassing!

I have a fall. Random person saves me. Hero comes for rescue...Okay, not hero, client. But still...this is like a dramatic movie. What more to come in my life?

I quickly take my phone and open the front camera to look at my face. Ewww! Did Zayan just see me in this horrible state? My hijab is messy and some hair is sticking out. I look like an absolute dork. All these days, I tried to look as presentable as I can in front of him and now that image is ruined too — thanks to the idiot driver and my fainting!

Oh by the way, the influencer and the cafe! I should be there now! He should be there now too! "Did 'dignifiedblogger' come?" I ask while adjusting my hijab. Zayan smiles in a weird way and says, "Oh yeah, she did. Before I left, I paid her and asked the staff to take care of her."

"But they won't know what exactly to serve her, would they? Did you tell them at least?" I ask. This is all my fault. If I had left home on time, I could've avoided the fall and handled things with Mirza on my own. "I didn't. Even I forgot the things you mentioned. They would've sorted it out. Don't worry" says Zayan.

"This is why I rang you up to give a reminder. But you never answered" I say. Zayan smiles awkwardly and says, "I'm sorry. My phone wasn't with me when you called. It was on charge at the counter. I was on the other side reading and that's when she came." There you go! Of course he got mesmerized with her looks and forgot to check his phone. This is the thing with men. They are all the same with pretty women! Annoying!

But at least he came to check on me. Probably out of pity, but still must be appreciated. "Oh okay then. I'm really sorry for the trouble. You need not have come at all" I say. Zayan smiles and says, "That's alright. I'm glad that I came." Awww, such a gentleman! Even though he is annoyed that I disturbed his meeting with beautiful Mirza, he is still pretending to be cool with it.

"No, I mean, you could be seated with her now and discussing stuff, and not wasting your time at a stupid medical center if not for me" I say with an awkward smile. "Haha what could I possibly discuss with a girl like that? I paid her. She will now write the review. That's all, right?" asks Zayan.

Typical man. Acting as if he doesn't care about a girl that drew all his attention a while ago. I'm sure they exchanged numbers and must be even chatting now. Because as far as I know, Mirza doesn't have a boyfriend like the other influencers. So, obviously she would've shown an interest on Zayan too.

"Well, you could've talked about a lot of things. She looks like a nice girl and seems to be single too. Who knows, maybe that's your second chance!" I say with a chuckle. Zayan shakes his head and says, "Hell no! Not with a girl like that. The whole time I was there, she kept boasting about herself. Annoying!"

"Haha okay, I believed" I say with a wink. I mean, who considers girls like Mirza annoying, right? This dude is just acting and I don't know for what reason even! "I know you don't believe me but it's the truth. And I'm sorry to say this, but in a way it's good that you had a fall. Otherwise, I would be still stuck there, talking to 'dignifiedblogger' who barely had any dignity" says Zayan with a chuckle.

"Oh come on man! You are just overreacting now. Seriously a medical center is better for you than that gorgeous girl?" I ask. Zayan smiles and says, "Maybe I like it in here." Oh more lies!

"Fine! Forget about your second chance. How about me? Who saved this damsel in distress? Was it a guy?" I ask. Truly, I'm curious to know. What if it was the love of my life, right? It's good to stay informed.

Zayan starts laughing and says with a wink, "Oh don't even think about it. It was an old uncle...unless your type is that."

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On a scale of 1-10, how dramatic is Ilhaam's life? 😫😂

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