JAWAHIR

Bliss.

A feeling or state of wellbeing and contentment. Synonymous to exhilaration, exultation, euphoria, beatitude, exuberance, ecstasy......................you name it.

Those are the only words that come close to how feel. I haven't been this happy in a long, long time. I haven't smiled brightly and widely in a long time either, I've almost forgotten what it's like to be genuinely happy.

Aayan Abbas Abdullah is imperfectly flawless. I finally understood what getting your breath stolen away means, from all those romance novels I read. Or how your heart pounds as if it's about to rip your chest into two or escape your bosom. A single smile of his is enough to send my heart racing in overdrive.

When he said he was willing to find out, he did mean willing to find out. We went on a few dates. The first one happened the day after.

^^^^^

I was sitting cross-legged in the middle of the living room, on the floor. I kept reminiscing about what happened at the pool yesterday, smiling and blushing to myself.

"I hope I'm the one that's making smile you smile and blush." A voice whispered softly in my air.

I jumped, startled. I then smiled sheepishly when I saw him.

"So Tesoro? Who's making you blush beetroot?" Aayan teased and I flushed deeper.

"Have I mentioned how cute you look when you blush!"

I closed my face with my palms. "Stop it," I mumbled.

"Aww she's shy," he cooed. "Why shall you shy for me?"

I laughed uproariously. "Where did you hear that?"

Aayan grinned boyishly and shrugged. "I think I saw it on Instagram." He shifted closer to me, our thighs brushing. Goosebumps erupted there.

"What are you doing tonight?" He asked after a while.

I glanced at him sideways, noticing how smooth and flattened his sideburns were and his beard was perfectly trimmed. "Nothing," I shrugged. "Why?"

"I want to take you out." He said, smiling adorably.

"A date?"

"Mhm." He nodded eagerly.

"I'll love it too." I beamed excitedly.

"Great," he swooped down and placed a light kiss on my lips. "I'll pick you up by eight." And he was out of the room before I could say anything further.

Oh, Allah!

I have two hours to get ready. Okay, Jawahir calm down and don't freak out. But the inner me is squealing like a little girl on sugar high.

I walked into the closet, what should I wear? Now that's the hardest part. I flipped and flipped for almost thirty minutes with no hope. I huffed, standing akimbo as I eyed the racks.

I could have easily gone for an abaya, but Nah. I want to look good, for Aayan. With that thought in mind, I ambulated to where some of my gowns and caftans were. That too I flipped and flipped but couldn't find anything that satisfies me.

I bit back a frustrated groan. I decided to just start with my makeup, I'm off salah right now so I don't have to worry about performing ablution later.

Tons of poking and groaning later, and I'm done...

For someone with little knowledge of makeup, I'd say I did a great job. The makeup is not heavy and caked, I kept it light and simple, it looks flawless. For my brows, I did a soft arch which was a challenge for someone with bushy eyebrows. I left my eyelids blank, for the eyeliner, it was a classic winged line. I couldn't put the lashes on, Jahara would be disappointed, so I just coated my lashes with lots of mascara. And finally the lipstick, I settled with nude.

Now that that's done, I need to pick an outfit. After minutes of indecisiveness, I finally chose. I settled for an orange peplum dress, with a halter neckline and long sleeves. The right side of the chest is embroidered with flower petals, the thin strap black belt around the waist also, and the cuffs.

I got a matching veil and tied it into a turban. I look good if do say so myself.

Eight on the dot, there was a knock on my door. Okay, let's do this. I patted my dress to free the nonexistent wrinkles and adjusted my turban.

I placed my hand on the doorknob but didn't turn it. Wallah, I'm so nervous, sucking in a deep breath, I pulled the door open.

Aayan stood there, all high and mighty. I couldn't bring myself to look up so I focused my gaze on his feet.

"Wow," I heard him breathe out. "Wow, you look.......Tabarakallah Masha Allah, Tesoro anti jamila; you look beautiful."

"Shukran," I murmured shyly.

"Here." He thrust his hand toward me.

I finally lifted my eyes, I came face to face with a bouquet.

"A chocolate bouquet?" I echoed in astonishment.

"Yeah," he replied. "I didn't want to be cliche and get you roses. I wanted to be unique."

"Well, it is very unique." I mused.

"Oh maybe it was because I didn't know what type of flower you prefer," he admitted sheepishly. "But what I do know is that you absolutely love chocolate."

I giggled, collecting the Cadbury chocolate bouquet.

"But judging from your expression, it's safe to say I made the right choice."

"You did," I nodded. "I don't have a favorite flower and I'll choose chocolate over roses every day."

"I'll keep that in mind." Aayan nodded. "Shall we?" He presented his elbow to me.

Sliding my hand into his, we walked down the stairs.

"You really look beautiful Tesoro."

I looked up at him and grinned. "You don't look bad yourself."

And boy was it true, clad casually in a linen shirt paired with suit pants and his messy, now that's the perfect blend between classy and casual.

We had a peaceful drive to tulip bistro with small talks here and there. Aayan alighted the car, pulling my door open he offered me his hand.

I gladly slipped my hands into his, he intertwined our fingers.

"Why is the place empty?" I asked when we entered the building and it was completely vacated.

"I rented the whole place," Aayan informed.

I hummed as I looked at the setting. The lighting is very dim and soft classical music was playing in the background, giving the place a romantic vibe. A table of two was set in the middle of the room.

Aayan led us to the table, he then pulled a chair for me. Taking a seat, I thank him.

He smiled before taking his seat. A young waiter walked up to us.

"Hi my name is Kevin and I'll ne your server for the day." He handed out the menus to us

I nodded as my eyes flickered through the menu. "I'll have the chicken Alfredo with mashed potato."

"And I'll have chicken kebab with oriental rice," Aayan ordered, handing the menu back to Kevin.

A few minutes later, our food arrived and Aayan ordered a grape non-alcoholic wine.

"The food tastes delicious," I exclaimed.

Aayan huffed. "Not as good as yours though."

Awnwwwwnnnnnnnn. I smiled softly while blushing brightly.

We had an amazing time, we got to know and understand each other more.

The day ended with a long searing kiss.

^^^^^

That's basically how the whole week went by. We didn't go out again though, we spent it indoors. Making use of the large humongous house, we watched a movie almost every night. We curled up together and watch sometimes romantic comedy, sometimes action. When I'm not interested in the movie, Aayan lets me play with his hair. Oh, em gee! He has the softest hair, I tried braiding it once but it always loses because of how silky it is. The movie mostly ends with me falling asleep and Aayan taking me to my room.

We haven't talked about sleeping arrangements yet, Aayan didn't bring it up and I didn't either. I think it's kind of too early for that, to be honest. I want to take this nice and slow, to savor every single moment.

Or maybe you're prolonging it because of your nightmares!

And that too.

*****

"Yasmeen calm down and talk to me please," I said frantically. The little girl called me on her mother's phone and has been crying for the last two minutes. She's scaring me, she isn't saying anything, she's just sobbing hard.

I heard Kulthum's voice in the background. "Yasmeen, what are you doing with my phone?" I heard shuffling before Kulthum's voice said "Hello?"

"Hey Umm Humaid, it's Jawahir. Is everything okay? Yasmeen called me and has been crying ever since." I inquired in concern.

She consoled Yasmeen and the girl finally stopped crying. Kulthum released a breath before replying. "It's her birthday tomorrow."

"Aww, on the 31st of December. But why is she crying?"

"You see, the place I booked for the cake just rang me up that the baker has left the country. I booked a MONTH ago." She's annoyed. Who wouldn't be?

"The call was on handsfree and Yas heard the conversation. I don't know what to do right now and she's throwing a tantrum and driving me crazy." She groaned. "Jaw do you know anyone that can make the cakes ASAP?"

"By tomorrow?"

"No actually, on the 1st, during the new year. Which reminds me, Baba has organized some sort of family get together on the 1st. So we decided to have everything on the same day to make it easier. It's by 4 pm but the birthday party starts at 2." She ranted off.

"Ok, Allah kai mu."

"Ameen. Jaw about the cakes?"

"I think I know the perfect person."

'Alhamdulillah!" She sighed in relief. "Who? And I can pay him double just to have it on time."

"No, you don't have to pay."

"But why?" Came her confused voice.

"Because I'll be making them!" I announced.

"What? La Jawahir! I cannot let you do that, it's too much. The cake, cupcakes, and other pastries, hadha kathyr; it's too much."

"Umm Humaid, it isn't. And I'm quite sure you wouldn't be able to find anyone, it's the holidays after all. I'm kind of the only option. And it'll be my gift to her."

She sighed deeply. "Oh my gosh. This... Okay, Jawjaw." She agreed defeatedly.

"Goo—"

"But only the cake." She interrupted.

"But—"

"No Jawahir." She said sternly. "I don't want you to tire yourself out, it'll be too much work for you to handle. Oh Allah I'm already regretting this." She groaned out the last sentence.

"Okay Fine. The cake only." I quickly agreed before she could change her mind. Even if she did I'll still bake the cake, and I'll be making the pastries too but she doesn't have to know that.

"I should send someone to help you out."

"No!" I almost shouted. I'm kind of bossy in the kitchen, I like things to go my way. I don't like to get help honestly, that's why I still have troubles working with Hasina. "I mean it wouldn't be necessary," I said in a calmer tone.

"Are you sure?" She questioned skeptically.

"100 percent. Now can you give Yasmeen the phone, I wanna know what kind of cake she wants?"

"Anything you bake is okay Jawahir."

"No Umm Humaid, remember it's my gift, lemme know what she likes." She grumbled about how we are spoiling her before giving Yas the phone.

"Hey, baby." I cooed.

"Aunty Jawjaw." She sniffed.

"Yes, it's me. What kind of cake do you want for your birthday?"

"Princwess Yasmine." She squealed. Princess Yas.....oh Jasmine from Aladdin.

"Princess Jasmine?"

"Yes. She's my favorite Disney princwess and our names are almost the shame."

"The same Yasmeen." Her mother corrected.

"Yes. Will you make it for me Aunty?"

"Yes, Habibty. I'll In sha Allah."

"Yay!!" She squealed happily. "I lwuv you Aunty Jawjaw. Muah."

"I lwuv you too. Ok bye."

"Bye!" Came her excited reply and the line went dead.

Looks like I have some baking to do. Yay!! I cannot wait. I should get the ingredients today, bake the cakes tomorrow and decorate them on the 1st.

I waltzed to Aayan's office and met him receiving a call. He smiled at me and motioned me to sit down. I took a seat and filled through a magazine on his desk.

"Hey, sorry about that." He said once he ended the call.

"It's okay." I brushed it off. "So... it's Yasmeen's birthday tomorrow and I'm gonna bake the cakes."

"Oh yes. I haven't gotten her a gift yet. And why will you be baking the cake?"

"First of all, it's cakes. And......." I explained the situation to him.

"Are you sure you don't need help?" Aayan asked with concern.

"Affirmative."

"Okay."

"Uhm I wanna go get the ingredients I'll be needing right now if it's okay with you."

"Yeah, let's go." He said standing up.

"Where are you going?"

"To get the ingredients and I'll get her a gift too." He offered me his hand and I took it, rising from my seat also.

I went to my room and changed into a red-colored boubou, wrapped my veil, and snatched my purse from the drawer. I didn't bother applying anything on my face just a lip balm.

I met him downstairs clad in blue jeans and a shirt. "Ready?"

"Yes," I answered. The kids have gone to a friend's birthday party. They'll be going back home in a few days sadly.

We drove to Jabi lake mall in his Mercedes Benz. We went straight to ShopRite, where I got all my ingredients. I accompanied him to Games and he got Yasmeen a dollhouse, kitchen set and so much more.

"Why don't we have lunch," Aayan suggested.

I looked at him skeptically. "Are you sure you want to eat outside?" I noticed how he doesn't like eating outside, not one bit. He admitted to me that had it not been he was trying to impress me when we out for the first time, he would have made me cook dinner. I had a good laugh at that one.

He sighed and held the door open for me, I slide in and he went to his side and did the same. "You'll have to cook a feast for dinner though." He replied as he started the ignition.

I chuckled."La tujadu mushkilatan; no problem."

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

We had lunch at DUO restaurant, the food was amazing but I didn't like our waitress one bit. By the end, I felt like clawing her eyes out with my cutleries.

Aayan set the bags on the counter, he didn't let me take a single one. I unwrapped my veil from my head and kept it on a barstool, I retightened my ponytail since it's a bit lost. Deciding to make dinner first, since what I'll be making will take some time. I brought out the ingredients I'll need, I set aside the grocery bags.

I started chopping the vegetables, I was chopping an onion when my hair fell out of its pony obstructing my view and disturbing me. Not wanting to touch my head with my hands, I kept using my shoulder to brush away the strands.

"Let me." I felt his hot breath on my neck making the hair there to raise. He slowly gathered my hair in a fist and tied a messy bun on top of my head.

"Thank you," I whispered turning around to face him. He moved back a bit and nodded. "You're welcome."

"What are you making?" He asked, standing beside me.

"Lasagna," I answered and went back to chopping the vegetables. I placed it in the oven after mixing the ingredients. Aayan left to go finish up some work. I've never met a workaholic like him ever, even Abu and that's saying something.

I grabbed a jar of Nutella and a spoon before propping myself down on the counter. I mentally went through some ideas on how the cake should look like. I came up with a few but I have to sketch it out first, to see how it'll be and if I'll be able to make it. All the ones I have in mind are two-tiered. And let's not forget the cupcakes and other pastries that will be served later during the get-together Baba organized.

Wow! Seems like there is a lot to do, but I know it's nothing I can't handle. This will be the first time I'll make something and people outside my family and friends will taste it. Ya Rahman! Everything needs to be perfect.

1 hour 15 minutes later and my lasagna is ready.

I called Aayan and the kids, they came back a few minutes ago. We had a quiet and peaceful dinner.

"No dessert Ya Jawjaw?" Amal asked after we were through.

"Sorry Amal, I didn't have the time to make one and I don't have time now either." I smiled apologetically and walked to the kitchen. Amal, Nai'a, and Affan followed me with the rest of the plates, I placed them in the dishwasher.

"Uhm, there's a jar of Nutella on the counter, you can have it," I told them before walking out of the kitchen and to my room. I immediately got a sketchpad and a pencil, aside from baking and of course reading novels I enjoy sketching too. I'm no artist but I'm not bad at it either.

I sighed as I looked at the sketches I made, I was able to bring out two. They are all nice that I don't even know which one to pick. I kept the, aside and got ready for bed.

I have a busy day ahead!!!

Marhaba my darlings❤️❤️

How was the chapter? Do tell me please.

Do you ever get so many ideas and inspirations that you don't even know which to choose and which to ignore? And then when you actually NEED it or decide to write something down your head goes completely blank, just like that? It goes all poof! And there's nothing in your head anymore. That's MOOD rn😫 MY HEAD IS ABOUT TO BURST!!!!

Don't forget to tap that little cute star 🌟 at the bottom😊☺️ while you're at it drop a comment too😘🙏🏼🙏🏼

Lots and lots of love❤️❤️❤️❤️

Yours truly,
Memzyb✨🌹