"Are you sure you have to go today, Ilhaam?" asks mom as I sip my tea. Poor mom. She is really worried after getting to know about my fall off the bus yesterday. I didn't even want to tell her at the beginning but then she saw my bruises and started questioning me. So, I had to confess and now she doesn't want me to go to Colombo today because she feels I need to rest.

"Mom, chill. I'm okay. I can't cancel the meeting for such minor injuries" I say with a smile. Yes, it's a regular meeting with one of those clients introduced by the boomers. I can reschedule it for a later date, but I don't want to postpone it as I am excited to pitch a few new ideas to them. Besides, there's hardly any pain to complain about. I don't know what worked — whether it's the doctor's medicine or Mr. Perfect Jawline's care and concern, but honestly I feel super good!

"If it's so important, then pray to God and go. I'm worried about the way you work. You are up all night. You need some rest" says mom sounding concerned. Well, mom is right. I am usually up at nights working because there's a lot to deliver. Handling the work of five clients all by myself can be a little overwhelming, and I do feel like I'm getting burned out at times. But, at least staying up for work pays off, unlike doing it for a stupid boy like Sameer!

I smile and say, "Haha let's try to go on a trip soon." Honestly, telling her 'I love you' would have been a more apt response but then you know, it's so hard to say those words to mom or dad, even though they deserve it more than anyone else in this world. Is it just me or is it a weird brown family habit? I mean, my niblings say it all the time. But it's a difficult task for me and Salima. Perhaps it's the generation that we were born into.

Mom smiles and leaves the room when my phone vibrates. I unlock it to find a message from Zayan, "Feeling better now? 😊" Woah! So the sympathy waves continue today as well? I thought he would've forgotten it by now.

My heart starts beating faster and I continue to smile like a fool. Ugh the butterflies! I hate it when this happens. He sounds so caring as if he is more than a client to me. But on second thought, I should not get overjoyed for no reason at all. It's just a normal text and nothing else. He is just being nice to me out of pity. That's all!

"Much better 😇 Thanks btw 💛" I send. Okay, why did I have to add that heart emoji? What if he doesn't know that yellow heart is used for happiness or friendship and not for love? What if he assumes that I have a crush on him? Oh God! This was such a bad idea. I should've never done it. Embarrassing! Cringe! I hate myself!

I keep staring at the screen feeling absolutely disgusted about myself, when he replies back, "what for? 🤔" Oh crap! He definitely doesn't know the meaning of a yellow heart. What do I tell him now? Should I give him a long-ass lecture on heart emojis or just avoid the whole thing? It's all my fault. I should've seen this coming. I mean, he is too old to know these details about emojis, right?

After thinking for sometime, I reply, expecting him to not text back but then this happens.
Me: because u helped me yesterday 😊🙌🏾
Zayan: lol
Zayan: it was nothing 😁
Me: it was everything 🤗💫
Zayan: was it? 😉

What the hell? Did Zayan-freaking-jawline just use the wink emoji on me? Isn't this something to celebrate? I know that boys use it all the time but then those are stupid boys like Sameer. Not the mature intelligent ones who read philosophy books for a pastime!

I smile at my phone not knowing what to reply, when another text follows,
"hey btw I need to pay u for this month. Bank transfer or will u be coming this way? 😊"

Ugh! Now he just killed the moment and turned it into an official conversation. Of course I'm happy about the payment part, but still a little upset over the fact that there's not going to be any fun texts after this. Anyway, it's fine. I'm a professional woman and this is what professional women's lives are like. Money over wink emoji anytime!

It's time for me to text back like a marketer and not like a silly-girl-smitten-with-a-damn-jawline!
Me: either way is fine 😊 I will email you the invoice 👍🏾
Me: I have to come to Colombo for a meeting today. If the payment is ready by noon, I can collect it myself 👍🏾
Zayan: great
Zayan: see u in a while then 😀👍🏼

Well, well, it looks like I have to leave home earlier than planned, which I absolutely hate. But it's alright. At least I can click a few pictures for the page after collecting the payment. Proud of myself for trying to work even in the smallest time gap that I get. I mean, I'm going there solely for professional reasons and not for the jawline or anything, okay?

I walk into Second Chance and scan the place looking for that one perfect jawline but it is not to be seen! Wait, did I come in too early? No, it's 12:04 pm. It's still very much the noon I was talking about, which he agreed to. Where the hell is he then?

"I'm here. Can't find you 👀" I text Zayan and he replies back, "See a door behind the counter? Come inside 😀" Wait, what? Why can't I sit at the usual spot to collect my payment? Why should I walk through some door?

Is the serial killer in Zayan finally going to kill me? Oh God! I'm scared now. Always knew there was something strange about him. Normal people don't have such sharp jawlines. It's always the serial killers! Maybe I should just tell him that I have some work, leave and never come back here. Forget about a month's hardwork. My life is more important!

However, while part of my brain is asking me to run away, the other part is just being annoyingly inquisitive. You know what? Maybe I should just go inside and find out. If he points a gun at me or brings a knife anywhere close to my body, I will have to attack him in self-defense. It's after all accepted by the law, right?

But the bigger question is — what weapon am I going to use? All I have are a few dot pins on my hijab. Would that be enough to take down a serial killer who has a perfect jawline? I don't know. Time to try my luck.

Also, there are some staff walking in and out of that door. So, either it's a very normal spot or Zayan and his staff are planning to sacrifice me for something. Perhaps they are all part of a cult? Could be! No wonder he reads all those weird books!

Knowing very well this could be dangerous and possibly the last day of my life too, I continue to walk towards the door. Pretty sure someone like me inspired the proverb "curiosity killed the cat". Because right now that's what's going to happen to me.

I open the door and enter a room, that's so unlike a serial killer's spot because well, it's full of people who look like chefs or bakers — I don't know what to call them, but somehow they are all busy in here baking, icing and making goodies. Oh wow! So this is the place where all those beautiful cakes are made — not murders. Wait, am I feeling a little disappointed that it's not what I thought it was? I am weird! Maybe I am the serial killer!

Also, how come I've never known this place even exists? I've been running marketing campaigns for a cafe without knowing the whereabouts of it's kitchen. I feel so stupid now. Anyway, why would Zayan ask me to come in here? Probably to remind me that I'm not doing my job right because I never asked about this place before.

"Hey Ilhaam! How are you?" asks Zayan with his usual smile as soon as he sees me. Man, that jawline though! Can't take my eyes off it. I smile and say, "Umm..all good. How are you? And why did you ask me to come here?" He smiles and says, "Sorry, I could've come there but I was just watching these guys work and thought you might like to see it too."

Well, yes, this looks very exciting but he could've told me this reason and not given me a mini heart attack, right? "Yeah sure" I say with a smile. "Here you go. Your payment" says Zayan and hands over an envelope to me, which looks very thin. Must be a cheque. "Thanks" I say as I open it to check the amount. He may look like a gentleman and I may have a crush on him but when it comes to business, it's important to look through all details to make sure everything is fine, right?

"So do you bake too?" I ask with a wink, not really expecting an answer but just to break the awkward silence while I put the envelope into my bag. Zayan smiles and says, "Not for the cafe but yes, I can bake." Wow! Now that's unexpected.

Sharp jawline. Infectious smile. Understands colorism. Nice to kids. Great texting skills. Respects women. Pays on time. And now knows baking too. What more to come? Is he the perfect man that books and movies talk about?

"Are you serious? I was just kidding when I asked that" I say with a chuckle. "Of course yes. I mean, who cannot bake these days, right?" asks Zayan with a smile. "Me! I cannot bake. I burn more than I bake and my mom has restricted me from walking into the kitchen because of that" I say with an awkward smile.

Zayan laughs and says, "Don't lie. You look like you know it though." Well, that's just over-expectation, my dude! I suck at baking. The last time I baked, I cried for hours because it was such a flop. "For real. I'm a zero in the kitchen. I don't even know to make a cup of tea" I say with a chuckle.

"Wow! I can teach you a lot of things then" says Zayan with a wink. Wait, is he flirting with me now? Or is it just a normal conversation? Ugh! I've always had this problem. I can never differentiate between these things. Nah nah! He is just being nice to me. Nothing else.

"Oh yes you can" I say with a smile. "Why don't we try one right now? I mean, only if you have time" says Zayan. "Try what?" I ask. "Bake a cake. I will guide you. Let's see how it comes out" says Zayan with his typical sweet smile.

Damn! Did Zayan-the-cake-boy just ask me to bake with him? Am I dreaming or what? These are things that happen in romantic comedies. Not in the boring life of a girl like me. Of course I have time. And I would love to do it. But maybe I shouldn't say 'yes' right away. Then I would just look too needy. Also, I don't want to do anything clumsy in front of this guy. That would haunt me for life!

"Umm...well...that sounds lovely and my meeting starts only at 2 pm...but—" I say when he stops me with, "Then come on. Let's just do it." And that's it. Like a charm. Like I'm under hypnosis. I agree.

He places all the ingredients on the table like it's a professional shoot and starts instructing me. As I follow each step, I can't help but notice how messy I am and how organized he is. I guess I'm smiling endlessly. It's embarrassing. But I can't stop it. Ewww Ilhaam!

"Hey, can you capture a photo of me doing this?" I ask, giving my phone to Zayan. "Sure" he says with a smile and takes my phone. "For Instagram so that your ex could see it, huh?" he asks with a chuckle as he clicks. "Smart!" I say with a wink.

Do I even want to share it on IG? I don't know. I just agreed to what he said. I guess, I mainly want the picture so that I could treasure this moment as a sweet memory. I'm sure this will draw a smile on my face on any day that I see it.

"So any news from this ex of yours?" asks Zayan as he passes the phone to me. How I wish I could say 'yes'. Unfortunately, it's just a 'no'. Because stupid Sameer wouldn't make a move!

"Nah! The idiot just snoops on my stories. Never texted me or anything" I say with a sigh. "You are really waiting for that text, aren't you?" asks Zayan with a smile. "I don't know. Maybe. But you know what I'd really like? For him to see me happily making this cake with you now. I know it's nothing but you see, he could assume a few things, and that'd be so cool" I say, not realizing the seriousness of my words. Did I just tell him that I want Sameer to think of us as a couple? Ewww! I hope he doesn't get the reference.

Zayan laughs and says with a wink, "If you want, let's do an act when he's around." I smile and shake my head. This one is truly crazy!

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So was that flirting or normal behavior? 🤔😐 Please enlighten Ilhaam 🤭

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