Dressed in white and black printed shirt and black trousers, Fawaz hurried towards Café coffee day next to the bank. He glanced at his watch stopping in front of the door. 4, he is half an hour early for his meeting with Maha. He quickly fixed his hair and properly tugged his shirt into his trousers. He held bouquet of fresh lilies in one hand and with the other he checked his trouser pocket and smiled on feeling a small box.

He took his seat in the corner of the Café and near the window. He looked around waiting for Maha. He placed the bouquet on the table, just then a waiter came.

He folded his hands and smiled politely at Fawaz asking him his order.

'I am waiting for someone' he said with a polite smile, 'but wait, get a black forest pastry and a candle' He said happily.

The waiter smiled and gave a small nod then turned around and left.

15minutes later, he saw the café door open, a young girl enters. She is dressed in V-neck lavender frock reaching till her mid-thigh. She has her hair open a small purse in her arm. She removed her sunglasses placing it on top of her head. She looked around.

Fawaz smiled waving at her. Maha looked at him and a broad smile appeared on her lips instantly.

Fawaz stood up as Maha approached him.

She hugged him

'See I am before time' he smiled, she broke the hug and looked at him. She seemed impressed.

Fawaz pulled a chair for her and she took her seat, all the while looking at him.

'Why have you called me here?' she asked placing her elbows on the table overlapping her palms together, she placed her chin on the back of her palms and looked at him expectantly

Fawaz smiled 'I was missing my friend, also its friend birthday' he said and Maha's smile faded. She sat up straight.

Fawaz forwarded the bouquet of lilies to her, she stared at it. Fawaz noticed her eyes getting moist. She then looked away and pushed her chair back standing up. Fawaz is stunned

'I am sorry' she said holding back her tears

Fawaz stood up 'Maha, please don't get me wrong' he said softly.

Maha turned around and hurried out, Fawaz without thinking rushed behind her. Finally, he got hold of her near an alley and took her in

'Maha' he said holding her shoulder, she tried wriggling out of his hold but his grip is tight, he pinned her to the wall

'Maha, listen to me. I didn't mean to offend you but I am serious...' he said trying to make eye contact with her but she kept moving her head, her gaze lowered. Fawaz hooked his fingers under her chin and made her look up at him.

Their gaze met, Fawaz gently wiped her tears, 'Maha, please trust me. I am your genuine friend' he says gazed into her eyes hoping she could see truth in his eyes. She stopped struggling and stared into his eyes

'I...don't...trust...you' she said her expressions soft. Fawaz cupped her face in his palms

'Okay...you don't want to trust then don't but at least give me chance to prove myself' he asked, she kept looking at him with a thoughtful expression on her face, her breathing uneven. She then gave a small hesitant nod.

Fawaz smiled kissing her forehead, she closed her eyes inhaling in sharply. Fawaz then took her hand in his leading her to the café again.

The waiters got them the cake. Maha smiled sadly as she looked at her cake. Fawaz placed the candle on top and lit it. He then handed her the knife.

'Maha' he said. She looked at him and then at the cake. She bends down little and blew the candle. Fawaz clapped his hand singing the birthday song, she cuts the cake and fed him a morsel and he does the same.

Fawaz dug his hands into his pocket and fished out a small box. He handed it to her, Maha looked at it surprised. She slowly opened it. It is a thin golden Anklet, it had one tiny bow knot with a white pearl; it's simple yet elegant. Fawaz thought it is something different and unique gift.

She took it in her hand admiring it lovingly.

Fawaz forwarded his hand gesturing her to hand him the anklet. Maha gave him the anklet. Fawaz stood up, she seemed to be holding her breath as she looked at him. Fawaz doesn't break the eye contact as he kneeled in front of her. Her eyes widened but Fawaz simply smiled at her.

'May I?' he asked gesturing towards her feet. Maha blinked at him. Fawaz looked at her patiently, she then slowly nodded her head and with a dreamy smile, she forwarded her right leg. She is wearing flat shoe her ankle exposed.

Fawaz moved his hand and gently made her wear the anklet. Maha kept admiring him. As soon Fawaz is done he looked up at her. Their gaze getting locked, Maha's eyes moist. Fawaz smiled and kissed her forehead

'Happy birthday' he whispered his hot breath fanning her forehead. She blushed, her eyes closed. Fawaz straightened up and the entire café bursts with claps and cheerful echoes. Fawaz and Maha looked around. They were so lost in each other that they didn't notice the entire café were looking at them. Fawaz simply smiled at everyone while Maha was flushed.

After their time at the café, both went to a nearby park and watched the sunset together. Maha had her head resting on his shoulder and her arms wrapped around his, Fawaz's head is also resting over hers as they sat together.

'Fawaz, can I ask you something?' she asked him softly

'Hmm...' Fawaz said still staring front

'When did you realize, that we are friends?' she asked. Fawaz's smile faded. Guilt surfacing again. He felt uneasy again, but once again he reminded himself about his goal. His mind reminded him of his promotion, but his heart, it knew it is a genuine friendship.

'Honestly, I was attracted to since I saw you for the first time but then it was only yesterday I realized that we share something more than just attraction.' He said honestly.

Maha moved her head and looked hopefully at him 'What something more?' she whispered feeling breathlessly

'Friendship' he said.

'Oh!' Maha looked away feeling disappointed. Fawaz didn't like that look.

He pushed back the awkward and guilty feeling and wrapped his arms around her shoulder. Maha lets her head fall on his shoulder.