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"Get ready, my family's about to arrive." Ammar sprawled unto the couch adjacent Janan, his demeanor nonchalant.

Janan, who was done taking off her pinned-up hijab, lifted her head to deliver Ammar a pleading look. "But I just got back from school!" She whined, throwing her hands in the air, feeling exasperated.

Ammar gave her a look saying she obviously couldn't talk her way out of this. After a lot of back-and-forth arguments thrown between the two, they reached an agreement where Janan would behave throughout the day, should Ammar buy her favorite pack of chocolates later on.

"Fine, it's a deal. I'll go get ready. Pardon me," Her words came out sarcastically as she grabbed her discarded things and ascended the stairs.

After Janan was done with her make-up, she adorned a simple white T-shirt, beige high-waisted pants that matched the floral kimono she draped over her shoulders, her matching veil, and her jewelry. Pleased with the way the mirror winked back at her fashion sense, she descended the stairs. Her Just Oud boulevard edition left a lingering pleasant smell behind her as a trail.

The hallway was empty and so was the living room. She was a bit confused about it but decided to leave it and head to the kitchen. She took notice that Ammar was late. She smirked,

'Who knew Ammar is such a lady when it came to dressing late?' Janan pressed her fingers on her matte lips to suppress her giggles. Reaching for an apple from the fruit basket, she didn't miss the red hue of Ammar's phone case.

'Oh, my Allah.' The apple was quickly forgotten as she stretched her hand and grabbed his phone instead.

'Oh Ammar, how stupid are you to leave your phone out in the wild...?' Her eyes darted out in search for Ammar's presence. When she couldn't sense his proximity, she silently prayed it was unlocked and so, her wish was granted.

'Okay, very stupid I see.'

She immediately when to Snapchat and picked a filter to snap multiple selfies. She even had the audacity to send his streaks in his stead. She proceeded to check his Instagram and Twitter accounts, slyly entering his direct messages then going out quickly. Oh, she's a bad girl, Jana thought as she cackled quietly.

She was about to keep the phone back on top of the counter when she saw a particular notification caught her eye. Curiosity was eating her inside and even though she kept saying 'It killed the cat', it seemed like her hands had a mind of their own. Daringly, she opened his chats.

'Farida. Layla. Na'eema. Luftiya. Hala. Noor... Hya!' Janan couldn't believe just how many women he interacted with. She glared down at his phone and decided it was too much of a job to count them all. So, she tapped the 'new chat' icon.

467 contacts. Janan started fanning herself with her free left hand. Going back to his recent chats, a particular message sent by this Yusrah girl, caught her twitching eye.

I'm coming to your house.
Sent 2:02 pm.

'Who's this bitch that's about to come to who's house!?'

Janan was about to investigate more when she was rather rudely interrupted.

"What are you doing?"

Janan yelped pathetically, almost tossing the phone into the air. Composing herself, she coughed and turned around to face Ammar.

"I was just taking some selfies. I mean, I can't let this transformation go to waste, you know." Janan lied as smoothly as she could. She inhaled deeply when she saw his choice of attire; the kaftan he wore made Janan tighten her hand around his phone. It was fitted, showing those wonderful broad shoulders and well-built body. His biceps strained against the material when he folded his arms. Janan averted her eyes to look behind him instead. From where Janan was standing, she could pick up his intoxicating scent that had a little bit of spice added to it, resulting in Janan's mouth to water significantly.

"If you're done undressing me with your eyes, I'd like my phone back."

She snapped back to reality, staring at his outstretched hand. Ammar was pissed. He wanted his phone back. She looked down to stare at her fluffy home slippers, bracing herself for the question she's about to ask.

"Sure, sure, but first," Holding her hips akimbo, she looked back at Ammar. "Who's Yusrah?"

Ammar wanted to have a little fun teasing Janan.

"I dunno what you're talking about." Tears pricked at the corner of Ammar's eyes from holding back his laughter when he saw how Janan's face contorted with vexation. This was really amusing for him.

"Oh!? Don't play dumb. This," Janan shoved the phone at Ammar's face, pointing at his chats. "This girl named Yusrah, who's she?!"

Ammar, already in a fit of chuckles, pushed her hand away. "Oh yeah, her." He bit his lips to contain his bubbling laughter.

"Yeah, her, let's talk about her. Who's her!?" Janan sarcastically dragged the word 'her' each time she said it. She was impatient, unknowingly showing her jealousy.

Ammar couldn't take it anymore. He roared with laughter, leaving Janan embarrassed and confused all over.

"She's my cousin. My family's coming with her too." He kept wiping his tears of joy. Although Janan was dark-skinned, her oval-shaped face turned into a lovely shade of a red hue.

When Ammar saw her expression, he suddenly stopped and stared at her. A wolfish smirk danced onto his lips when he decided to tease her more. He approached her, whereas she stepped back, forgetting the counter was behind her. He skillfully snatches his phone away from her and slid it towards the edge of the counter.

"W-w-what do you think —!? U-uh —" Janan became a stuttering mess, using her palms to push at his chest to give her some space.

Tactical as he always was, Ammar grabbed her wrist and pushed the other one away. He touched her cheek, pinching it lightly. "I never knew dark people could ever blush, heating up nicely like you just did."

Janan yelled at him to back off. She knitted her eyebrows, then yelped when he suddenly lifted her and placed her down on the kitchen island. Now, she was eye-level with Ammar.

"W-What are you doing? Put me down this instant!" Janan tried to wiggle her way out of this mess.

Ammar smirked at her, going in between her legs. He watched as she started struggling more but he grounded his hips against the counter, preventing her escape.

"Subhanallah, wayyo Ammar, danallah ka dena (Oh my god, Ammar, please stop)!" Janan started shaking. The fear (and excitement) was getting to her.

"Y'know... For a dark girl, you're awfully cute when pinned down and teased." He placed his hands on the counter, entrapping her. Both of them were too preoccupied to notice someone standing.

"Yanzu ince ma zan zo shi ne (Now, I told you I was coming and —) I'm greeted with this!? You do know what 'get a room' is right? I'm never eating food on that kitchen island." A playful voice alerted the couple, Ammar scrambling away from Janan and faced the person. Janan jumped down, obviously embarrassed as she tried to adjust her kimono.

Unable to explain herself, Janan could only stare at the beautiful lady in front of her. She was fair, shorter that Janan, and had a curvy body. The expensive blue lace she wore clung to her figure. The lady seemed to be older than Ammar, Janan assessed, eyeing the playful smile lighting up her made-up face.

"Y-Ya Yusrah!? When did you guys enter the house? Wait, how did you people enter?" Janan turned to face the mighty Ammar, who had a mighty blush painting his cheeks.

"Y-You're yusr - I mean, ya Yusrah? I-ina wuni (Good evening)!" Janan shuffled away from Ammar, going to the cabinets to search for a serving tray.

Anything to keep her mind from recalling what had just happened.

"Haha, no need, Janan. I know, from what I've interrupted, must be embarrassing caught doing something...like that." Her sweet giggles filled the kitchen, but it did nothing to clear the awkward atmosphere.

"Don't worry, I won't tell the parents." She stuck out her tongue at them.

They both heaved a sigh but oh no, Yusrah wasn't finished, "But, thank god I recorded that. Now, I have an interesting blackmail to add to my collections."

Janan looked at Ammar, pleading him with her eyes that he should, whatever means necessary, delete that video.

Scratching his head, Ammar sighed and nodded silently.

"Now, stop your flirting, and let's go to the living room. Uncle and aunty wanna discuss something with y'all," She giggled and disappeared out of the room, stuffing her phone into her purse.  

"Are you sure you guys are related?" Janan walked ahead, trying to control her jittering fingers.

"I probably need to check again..." Ammar replied, exasperated. So much for teasing.  

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