There, seated on a plush couch, was a handsome man with a glint in his eyes– Muhammad.

"Wa'alaikumus Salam" two familiar voices answered, Recognition flickered across her face, her gaze immediately dropped to the man seated comfortably across the room. It was Muhammad Imran.

Jadwa set the tray down with practiced ease, her heart doing a little skip-a-beat. Years of attending family gatherings had drilled social graces into her. A polite smile graced her lips as she greeted Ameerah's brother, "Ina Yini Baban Afrah (good evening, Afrah's dad)."

"Lafiya, Jadwa, how are you? (I am good jadwa) " He asked warmly, gesturing to the seat opposite him.
"Come, come, sit with us."

Jadwa returned the smile, "I've been well, Baban Afrah. How is your wife and the kids?"

He listened to their conversation, but his attention was undeniably drawn to Jadwa. He wished she wasn't so quick to look away, he wanted to fully take in her beauty. He'd seen her laughing earlier outside, but now, under his gaze, she seemed nervous.

The deep blue dress accentuated her curves, and the beautiful Vanilla scent mixed with bakhoor captivated him. He quickly looked away, a touch of self consciousness creeping in. It wasn't his right to stare
"yet" he thought and his gaze dropped to her deep maroon stained hands.

Henna had never held much interest for him, but today, it seemed strangely interesting. His eyes couldn't resist landing on her long, braided hair that cascaded down her back .
Was it just him, or did it seem longer? Perhaps extensions, he mused, though a part of him knew it was all her natural beauty.

Jadwa, noticing his scrutiny, shifted in her seat. She cleared her throat, "Ina yini?" (Good evening)

The way he held his gaze sent a warmth tingling through her, but a flicker of shyness made her look away each time their eyes met.

He blinked, startled out of his reverie. "Lafiya, Jadwa, how are you?" he answered her name rolling of his tongue but his voice a touch too formal.

He cursed himself internally, hoping he hadn't made her uncomfortable he'd seen her laughing freely outside moments ago, but now in his presence, she seemed withdrawn.

"Alhamdulillah, I'm fine" she responded politely.

A small smile played on his lips as he said, "Anyi Sallah Lafiya? (Hope you enjoyed your Eid)

"Alhamdulillah, Barka da Sallah (Happy Eid) " she smiled but before he could respond, his phone chimed. Relief washed over her as he excused himself and stepped outside to answer the call.

Stealing a glance, she noticed him leaning against the doorway, While he answered calls from his remaining relatives wishing him a happy Eid which he responded politely to each of them.

After some minutes he watched her from a small distance, as she looked for the other pair of her heels. She had inexplicably piqued his interest. Her unexpected beauty, her gentle demeanor, and the captivating air around her were a stark contrast to the playful, boisterous girl he remembered from his teenage years.

His phone call ended just as Jadwa bent down to put on her shoes. He couldn't help but notice the intricate anklet adorning her ankle. As if sensing his gaze, she met his eyes, her brows arched in a silent question smelling a blend of the finest cologne and oud emanate from him.

"Are you Anaya's brother?" she blurted just to wave off the awkwardness, surprising him.

"Yes, I am" he confirmed, his voice gruff.

Memories flooded back to Jadwa, childhood visits filled with laughter and games. But something had changed. His curt response and the intensity of his gaze set her on edge. The familiar feeling of being overshadowed by his imposing presence resurfaced. She decided to cut her losses.

"Oh" she said simply, the connection fading as quickly as it had appeared. He seemed distant to her, almost indifferent, His curt answer, combined with the intensity of his gaze, left her feeling diminished. Memories of his quiet yet playful nature surfaced, and she remembered feeling like a little girl around him back then. Without another word, she excused herself, deciding it was best to avoid whatever strange energy was radiating between them.

Muhammad watched her walk away, a sense of frustration battling with the growing intrigue within him. What was it about her that had grabbed his attention so unexpectedly? He couldn't explain the pull he felt towards her, a strange mix of curiosity and a protectiveness that surprised him.

His phone beeped again, dragging him back to reality. A group of friends were gathering for Maghrib prayer, and he couldn't be late.

As the evening progressed, and Isha prayer approached, the other girls left, leaving Jadwa, Zara, and Anaya alone. The conversation flowed easily, filled with laughter and chatter about fashion.

"I haven't seen you in a long time, Anaya. Where did you disappear to?" Jadwa asked, genuinely curious.

"We moved to Abu Dhabi," Anaya explained, "but we just got back, and we're permanently moving back to Abuja in a few months."

"That explains a lot," Jadwa smiled, "I'm so happy you're back. Let's hang out soon!"

"Do you think we should go get ice cream?" Zara chimed in, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Jadwa readily agreed, but Anaya's face fell. "Is there somewhere close by?" she asked.

"Yeah, it's not far" Zara confirmed, pulling out her phone to check the time. "Oh no, it's past eight already."

"Let me see if the driver is around," she mumbled, disappearing towards the kitchen with Anaya.

Jadwa noticed Zara's disappointment and offered, "There's no driver? I can take us, if you want."

"Really?" Anaya's face lit up.

"Sure, let's get the keys and go" Zara chirped, her mood instantly lifted. Jadwa, however, noticed a flicker of hesitation on Anaya's face.

"Uhmm, Zara, can I tell my brothers first? I don't want them to start looking for me" Anaya explained apologetically.

Jadwa nodded in understanding. "Of course, that makes sense. Same here, let's go tell them before we head out."

They all stood up and started towards the living room. Reaching the entrance, Jadwa excused herself to grab the keys while the girls chatted.

Inside, Muhammad was engrossed in a business discussion with Ahmad when Anaya and Zara walked in. "Ya Imran," Anaya began, her voice laced with hopeful pleading, "we want to go get ice cream."

He sent her a skeptical look, one that spoke volumes about his protective nature. "Not tonight, Anaya. It's getting late."

Anaya frowned, her disappointment evident. Jadwa watched the exchange from the doorway after she got back from getting the keys.

"But I'm with friends" Anaya insisted, gesturing towards the doorway. Muhammad finally followed her gaze, his eyes landing on Zara and Jadwa.

He looked away quickly, a flicker of something crossing his face before he checked his watch. "It's so  late Anaya and I am discussing something very important with Ahmad. Can we do this tomorrow?"

Jadwa scoffed silently. Was he serious?

"He's still like this, huh?" Ahmad quipped with a knowing chuckle, nudging Muhammad Imran playfully.

Anaya nodded hope filling her eyes. "Talk to him, Jadwa is driving us."

"Come on loosen up a bit, it's Eid let the girls have some fun" Ahmad said.

Muhammad remained silent, his gaze fixed on some papers on the table while Anaya sighed, almost giving up.
He reached for his phone, seemingly about to make a call. Just then, a young man with similar features and complexion to Anaya walked in.

"Sadiq, take Anaya and her friends out" Muhammad instructed, handing his brother a card and a car key
surprising Anaya. Never in a million years would he have allowed her to go somewhere this late.

"Thank you, Ya Moh!" Anaya exclaimed, throwing her arms around him in a quick side hug.

"Anything for you, honey. Just be back early, okay?" He caressed her head affectionately. The care and love in his voice were unmistakable.

Jadwa stood there, a strange mix of emotions swirling within her. Relief that they were finally going for ice cream, but also a pang of something else. She didn't know if what she just witnessed annoyed her as she utterly hated control or warmed her heart with the display of affection between the siblings.

Anaya joined them, a wide smile plastered on her face as they walked to the car, Zara immediately gushing over the car and Sadiq readily engaged her in conversation about cars, his enthusiasm infectious.

The ride to the ice cream parlor was filled with laughter and lighthearted chatter.
They indulged in their ice cream, Sadiq proving to be a funny and engaging companion. By the time they got back, it was well past ten.

As they said their goodbyes the girls thanked Sadiq for the ice cream he insisted and paid for  while Anaya hugged Zara and Jadwa.

"Don't ghost us Anaya, make sure you keep in contact and let's meet soon okay?" Zara said.

"What makes you think I can do that? I finally made friends here" Anaya smiled warmly promising to be back.

"We can't wait then" Jadwa added as Anaya said her goodbye to Ahmad.

The moment was heartwarming sight for Imran. He watched them interact, a silent struggle playing out within him. There was a part of him that wanted to loosen up, to talk to Jadwa, maybe even ask her for her number or to ask her out for dinner but his default setting remained stubbornly the same yet determined to do that soon, the right way.

Jadwa couldn't help but steal another glance at Muhammad. This time, their eyes met. He held her gaze for a fleeting moment, a hint of something like he wanted to say something maybe?  But he looked away and Shook his friends hands before taking over and driving off.

Back inside, the call from Abdul finally came in. Jadwa answered, her mind buzzing with the events of the evening. The encounter with Muhammad left her feeling slightly unsettled. He was a mystery, a puzzle she couldn't quite grasp. She didn't like him, how he kept staring at her like that and didn't say much. She despised his personality and there was just something about him that irked her, that lingered in her thoughts even as she chatted with Abdul. But not much after, she lost herself in Abdul's loving words and promises.

Your support means the world to me. During this Ramadan, the only book worth reading is the Quran. Updates will resume after Eid, May Allah grant us all our heart desires and may all your dua be answered . Amin❤️