Samar's POV

As we reached at the table Maryam recognizes Saira.She is suprised "Hii Saira .How are you" I pull out a chair for Maryam.She looks at me and says"Do you know She use to volunteer with me at KINDNESS.Saira why did you left the NGO."

Amir and Waleed exchange knowing glances,they smile and Maryam notices it.saira's face lit up with a warm smile" I am good.How are you baby." She hugs Maryam tightly." Oh I missed you."Saira mutters.

Maryam starts to arrange this puzzle when Amir says." She stopped going to NGO because you got married to Samar and our aim was accomplished."

Maryam looks up at my face and I ignore her eyes.Her eyes filled with hurt.Thats why I didnt want her to meet my friends.It was Amir's plan to send his girlfriend to meet Maryam and know about her.

Saira eventually started liking Maryam and was asking to meet her since our wedding." Sit Maryam we have to catch up on  lot of things." She holds her hand and make her sit beside her.

" I dont wanna talk to you.You betrayed me.I am really hurt.I really thought we were good friends." Maryam replies her tone sad.
" Oh dont say that.I had to help the boys.They were requesting really hard.I was impressed by the dedication."Saira replies.
"Obviously we were dedicated our friend liked a girl for the first time."Amir says while shaking hands with me.

I see Maryam glaring at him.Amir notices it ,He leans back into his chair,a mischievious glint in his eyes"Come on Maryam,Dont be mad.We just wanted to know more about you."
"By sending a spy.Really."Her tone rude.

"My girlfriend is not a spy." Amir jokes.

Cyra chuckles"Yes. I am not a spy!"

"Yes You are.You were sent to gather intel for your boyfriends friend."Maryam says and rolls her eyes.

"We just wanted to know about the girl who stole the heart of the heartless Samar.And besides, it worked.You are an amazing person.Maryam"
"There are other ways to know a person.You guys should have talked to me directly."Maryam looks at me our eyes lock for some seconds.

"Where is the fun in that?"waleed says.

"When Saira was  a perfect undercover agent."Amir smiles at his girlfriend.She laughs and says" Hey ! I resent that.I am a terrible liar."
"No you are not.I am impressed by your acting skills."Maryam tells her.

"Do you think that."She asks

"Yes.I never doubted you.I thought you were just another normal volunteer.The only thing I noticed was that you were extra interested in me.You use to ask me lot of questions and I thought I found a friend but"Maryam stops,Saira looks at her with sad expressions and I hate myself Why I did that.I could have done things like a normal person.I am worst I hurt her a lot by stalking her,spying her and now yelling at her.
"I am sorry."Saira hugs Maryam over her shoulders.
"We still can be friends if you forgive me."She continues
"I will not."Maryam says still hugging her.
"You are not a person like that.You will forgive me.And we should make our bond stronger cuz our partners are friends."Saira smiles at her.
"Well thats a good point."waleed says and asks waiter for menu.

Maryam leans in close to my face and whispers"I dont know how to use chopsticks."She is really close I can feel her breathe.

"Dont worry.I will help you." She was about to say something and I shoved sushi into her mouth.She is frozen into ice.
Waleed whitles and people at the restraunt starts to look at our table.

"Amir,Look at the love birds.They are so cute.Its sickening."Saira exclaims.
" You should learn from Samar how to be romantic.I am jealous Maryam."Saira rolls her eyes.
"Samar brother pls dont do it.It doesnt suits you.Wasnt study and sports enough for you, You are outshining me in Love aswell."Amir sighs.
Maryam's face turns pink.Is she blushing or embarrased I can not make a difference.
"Dont mind them,Love ."I whisper to her.I pick another piece and try to feed her but she gently pushes my hand away." Samar ,stop it.I can learn using chosticks."She stares at me.I smile and hands her a pair of chopsticks ,thinking to myself if she struggles, I will feed her no matter what she says.

Maryam tries to pick a sushi but it keeps slipping out of her gasp.I am watching her peacefully admiring her efforts.She looks at me and says"I am trying.I will learn this." I nod " Yes.Love." My voice barely enough to be heared by her.

"Let me teach you.I am a chopstick Master."Amir finally says ,he has been watching Maryam struggling for minutes.He is sitting across her.
"No thanks ."Maryam replies.But after few more failed attempts,she finally ask for his help in frustration. "Okay ,fine .Teach me."
Amir grins

" First of all,You have to hold them correctly.Like this"
Maryam does the same." Now try to moving the top one."Maryam follows his instructions." You have to move the top one while keeping the bottom one still."

Maryams movement awkward at first but gradually becomes smoother.
"Great job"Amir screams in happiness as she successfully picks up her first sushi." You are a natural." He continues.
"Now there I see a potential friendship."Waleed exclaims smiling at Saira.
"Dont expect.I will thank you for this."
"You will remember this face  whenever you will use chopsticks,Thats enough for me."He smiles.
" I will not remember you.I forget bad things easily."
I love the way she connects with people.She is amazing at it.She communates really efforlessly.She is the same person inside out.She doesnt hide her realself from people.

As I drive, Maryam sits beside me, her eyes fixed on the notes in her lap. I can sense her focus, her determination. I break the silence.

"Love, can I talk to you for a minute?" I ask, my voice soft.

She looks up, slightly startled, but nods.

I take a deep breath. "I'm so sorry for what I did. For stalking you, for spying on you. I was wrong, and I know it."

Maryam's expression softens, but she says nothing.

"Say something"I am desparate for her answer.
I gaze at Maryam, desperate for her response. She finally speaks, her voice laced with a mix of hurt and resignation.
"It's okay. I'm used to it. I'm getting betrayed again and again. And now it doesn't hurt that much."
Her focus shifts back to her notes, a clear dismissal. I feel a pang of regret and frustration.
As I speak my voice barely above a whisper. "I know I hurt you, and I don't expect forgiveness overnight."

Maryam's eyes search mine, as if seeking sincerity. I hold her gaze , pouring all my regret into it.
" why did you do that?" she asks, her voice cracking. "You could have asked me directly. I don't know why you and your siblings are so twisted. Rayan also betrayed me. He talked to me pretending to be Alia. He broke my trust. And then you... you stalked me, spied on me with the help of your friends."

I nod, acknowledging my mistakes. "You're right. We don't know how to confess love. We both did crazy things."

Maryam's expression turns doubtful. "You could have used an easy way, but you were being creepy."

I take a deep breath, hoping to redeem myself. "If I asked you to marry me directly, what would your answer have been?"

Maryam's hesitation is palpable. She looks away, her voice barely audible. "I don't know... Marriage was never in my plan. I was focusing on this exam... but when Rayan came into my life..."

She stops, her eyes drifting back to her notes. I sense what she left unsaid – she had feelings for Rayan, and maybe still does have feelings for him.

It's understandable, they liked each other before I interfered. My father was right; anyone would choose Rayan over me. They're perfect for each other, meant to be together if I hadn't gotten in the way.I tried to forget Maryam, to admire her from a distance. I knew I was dreaming of something beyond my reach. She was more than I deserved, but I couldn't control my feelings. I was drawn to her without my will, helpless against the tide of my emotions.

The car falls silent, except for the hum of the engine. The awkwardness is oppressive, heavy with unspoken emotions and unresolved truths. I glance at Maryam, wondering what to say next, as the tension between us continues to build.

I break the awkward silence,trying to shift the mood "So, when will I get my prize?"
"What prize?" she asks, feigning innocence.
"How could you forget it so soon? Remember your promise - going on a date with me. It's only been 4 hours since then."
Maryam's expression changes, a sly smile spreading across her face. "Oh, that... date."
"Yes, when and where?" I press, expecting a romantic setup.
She thinks for a moment before responding, "Sunday. Double date to a picnic. Faris and Anaya are free on Sunday."

My tone rises in disbelief. "Double date? What's that? Who goes on a double date.Thats total bullshit?"I was a fool thinking We would go on a romantic dinner date.

Maryam is holding her notes close to her face, reciting something under her breath.She didnt even listened what I said. I reach out, gently taking the notes from her hands. "Samar," she protests, resisting for a moment.

I toss the notes onto the back seat, forcing her to look at me. "Focus, love," I say, trying to calm my voice. "You tricked me into believing we'd go on a dinner date."

Maryam shrugs. "I just said we'd go on a date. I didn't specify which type of date."

I feel frustrated."I only know one type of date and that is a romantic date ,alone." I highlight the word alone."You're just saying no without saying it."My grip tightens on the steering wheel.
Maryam's expression turns cold. "I'm not forcing you to go."

she has no idea what her dry behavior does to me - it drives me crazy. I'm desperate for her attention and she knows it and still she is purposefully doing this.I think she wants me to cancle it but I will not give her that satisfaction.
"Don't be happy, I'll go," I reply, looking straight at the road, trying to hide my disappointment.

After our last challenge, Dad didn't discuss our next move. Instead, he treated us like regular employees, assigning us tasks in his office. I'm eager to finish this game and win, so I can live a peaceful life with Maryam. I can't keep living with the constant fear of losing her, CAPITAL Techs, and my life.

As I exit the shower, I notice Maryam isn't in bed. I head to the living area and find her baking in the kitchen, flour covering her face and surrounding area. She's a mess, but I find it endearing. "What are you doing? Isn't it late for baking?" I ask, approaching the counter.

Maryam's focused on her work. "You're right, it is late, and I'm tired. I want to sleep, but I forgot to bake these in the evening. I'm making them for our picnic." She's removed the "date" label, now its just a picnic for her.Amazing.

I gently brush flour off her cheek.My touch making her uncomfortable. She tries to lean away, but I dont stop,I wipe it away with my thumb.

"You need help," I ask.
" I genuenly need help.Can you add cocao powder to this." She hands me a bowl.

"What are you baking.Love"I ask.

"I am baking marble cookies from your mothers cookbook." She shows me the recipe.Her eyes sparkling in excitement.Suddenly,memories of baking with my mother flashes in front of my eyes.

"Anaya loves cookies"For Anaya. Obviously she is going on a date with Anaya.
"You seems really excited about our date."I tease.
"Yes.Its exciting.Anaya and I planned to have lot of fun." Again its all about Anaya .
"I am sure I will be bored."
"Samar.you are bored all the time."She brings me choco chips to add in the dough.
" Why is the kitchen a mess.How are you finding stuff in this mess." I start to clean the counter.
"Sorry but I cant be so organize and perfect like Mr Ibrahim."She remarks and I love it when she called me Mr Ibrahim.