Maha

Surprisingly, I hadn't died of shock or embarrassment yet.

Reasons why I should probably not pack my bags and move to another country right away -

1- It was just a few seconds. Isahaq had immediately averted his gaze so thankfully he most probably didn't see much.

2- I didn't have enough money or means to stay alone.

3- Plus did I mention I sucked at cooking? Yeah, I'm not ready for starving yet.

The incident kept playing on repeat in my mind like a broken record.

I shook my head and took a deep breath. Whatever happened can't be changed. Now I have to make sure I don't make any more blunders in front of Isahaq.

Quickly changing into my Eid outfit, which was a branded grey-blue  Anarkali dress with silver embroidery, I styled a matching hijab around my head and plopped down on the bed. I wasn't ready to go outside and face him yet.

I leaned against the headboard and started scrolling through social media to kill time. Anything to prolong facing him. It was definitely going to be awkward between us from now on.

Zamar had posted a picture of himself from today's morning with the captain , "The only GOAT to survive Eid. Limited Eid-ition."

Naturally, I laughed at his humor and clicked a like.

The door to my room swung open without warning and ammu walked in, "Always on that damned phone! Don't complain that you have a headache later!"

Her words riled me and I stood up feeling annoyed, " I literally touched my phone right now. You always see me whenever I have just opened it."

"Yeah, yeah stop with the excuses and come outside of your room. We have guests over." Ammu drawled, turning off the fan and starting to walk away.

"Who?" I asked even though I knew the answer.

"Isahaq. And your khala's family too! She's been looking for you."

I reluctantly left the safe sanctuary of my room and entered the living room.

My khala and her husband were sitting on the dining table and having lunch.

"Maha, call Isahaq too." Ammu ordered as she placed a plate of steaming parathas in front of my aunt, "Remember my school friend Maria? This is her son. He came to deliver the food sent by his mom."

Recognition dawned on Khala's face as she nodded along to her sister's words, "Oh yes, I remember Maria Apu."

Samir's shriek pierced through the air and we all turned to look towards the living room.

"This child doesn't even let me eat in peace." khala sighed, as she started to get up.

"Areh you stay seated ! Maha, go and check on Samir." Ammu glared at me, urging me to hurry up.

When I entered the next room I saw Samir's little body hanging down from Isahaq's shoulders.

Samir had his arms clasped around Isahaq's neck and was laughing as if he was having the time of his life.

With a sudden move, the kid turned upside down like a superhero while the older guy rushed to hold the tiny legs, preventing any unfortunate accident. I watched as Isahaq struggled to turn the toddler upright but the misfit kept squirming around, making it impossible to do anything.

Suddenly, Samir nearly fell off and Isahaq moved with a lightning fast reflex to catch him in time, "Shoot!"

Samir shrieked with happiness and once again latched onto Isahaq's leg like a monkey.

"Maha, a little help here please-" Isahaq groaned out and looked towards me standing by the entrance.

I moved forward wordlessly and detangled Samir's little arms from around Isahaq who heaved a sigh of relief.

"Na na na poo poo!" Samir sang, looking at Isahaq with his trademark grin etched on his face.

Isahaq's eyes widened and a chuckle bubbled out of his throat, "That's a very interesting choice of words."

"Please don't mind him, it's his favorite sentence. He says it to literally everyone." I explained, tackling Samir into my arms ready to discard him to his parents.

"Oh I see, your cousin is very cute.
He knocked me off my feet a while ago. A very strong child." Isahaq playfully shook his head and pinched Samir's cheek.

"I'm so sorry for that! He can be a handful at times." I imagined how much of a disaster Samir had caused to him and immediately felt embarrassed.

"No worries, he gets a free pass for being so adorable." Isahaq's eyes turned towards mine, "Also I didn't get to wish you yet, Eid Mubarak."

A light blush spread over my cheeks as I replied, "Eid Mubarak to you too. Oh- ammu was calling you to have lunch." I motioned towards the dining room and he nodded, following my directions.

That's when I realized, maybe things were not that awkward between us after all.

✨

"Areh baba, aro khawa nao to Isahaq, tumi kichui nao nai ! Pura khali plate. Beef curry ta toh try e Koro nai onek Moja hoise. Kebab arek piece di ? Acha arekta paratha nao."
("Areh Isahaq, you didn't take anything dear! Your plate is completely empty. You didn't even try the beef curry. It's very tasty. Should I give you another piece of kebab? Okay take one more paratha at least.")

Nanu dropped a third piece of steaming paratha on Isahaq's plate who was trying his best to finish the food being forced onto him.

"Everything's absolutely delicious! But I don't think I'll survive if I eat anymore. I'm completely full." He said in between bites, gulping down a few sips of lemon juice.

"Nanu, let him eat at his pace, otherwise we have to take him to the hospital." I tried to defend him , knowing very well how it felt when people tried to force you to eat more and more.

I understood the love and care hidden behind these actions. But it was also exasperating when they hovered around you and kept filling up your plate with multiple helpings.

"She's right Amma, let the poor boy eat in peace." Khala added , rocking a sleepy Samir on her lap.

"Oh, sorry beta. I didn't know I was forcing you." Nanu's voice was filled with regret, as she kept back the spoon she had picked up.

"Not at all Nanu! I love your cooking so much. I'll come back to eat more. You have magic in your hands. In fact I'm thinking of asking you for a few recipes." Isahaq smoothly managed the situation and won over Nanu's heart again.

"Really?! That's amazing. I'll definitely teach you. Maha here doesn't want to step foot into the kitchen, I'm glad someone is interested in learning my recipes." Nanu grinned, patting Isahaq's head.

My mood immediately soured and I lowered my head with a slumped posture.

"You know, it'll be difficult to hear complaints from her in-laws if she doesn't know basic cooking, right? I'm so worried." Ammu added her concerns as she arranged the desserts on the table.

"I made that shahi tukra though." I mutter from the side, looking at the toasted bread soaked in milk which ammu just placed at the center of the table.

"Yes, you know how to make desserts but I'm talking about proper cooking."

"Pfft, it doesn't matter. I'll make sure we don't marry her off in some typical family who expects their daughter in laws to do all the cooking and chores. Emon bashay biyei dibona!"
( Won't get her married in such a house." )

My khala came to my defense and sent me a reassuring smile.

Oh how much I miss having her around all the time!

"Hmm, my Maha is a very well mannered child. She always prays 5 waqt namaz properly and has observed the hijab from her teenage years by her own wish! I rarely see such girls nowadays. My precious child is a gem. Even amidst such family circumstances she's always excelled in her studies too!" Nanu hugged me and planted a kiss on my cheek.

My face reddened hearing her praise me so much. What she said was true but I wasn't that perfect. Everyone had hidden secrets and for some reason I always felt guilty listening to someone praise me even though I hadn't done any major sin. I tried my best but occasionally missed some prayers. Everyone made mistakes and I wasn't any exception. I had my fair share of deeds which I wasn't proud of.

I could feel someone staring at me and I looked up to see Isahaq gazing at me from the corner of his eyes as he took a bite of the desert I had made.

"Hmm, this is delicious. Can I have one more?"

✨

After lunch, I got ready to go to Tahira's house. She had invited me for dinner and I was going earlier to spend some time with her.

"Has the driver come back? I need to leave for Tahira's house."

I walked into Nanu's room to see her and my khala chatting with Isahaq.

" Yes, you see that girl forcefully broke her sister's marriage. So shameless." Nanu pointed at the serial going on in the TV and Isahaq nodded at her words, watching the screen with concentration.

What the- were they watching serials?

"Sorry, your Khalu took the driver to his friend's house and he just called to say it'll be a few hours before he comes back." My khala answered with remorse, sitting on the rocking chair at the corner of the room.

"Oh- that's okay. Maybe I'll take an Uber." Anxiety filled my mind as I thought about how to manage everything alone.

"I'm leaving now, I can drop you off if you want." Isahaq's voice is like music to my ears as he offers his assistance.

"Yes, go with him Maha. No need to go all alone with some unknown driver. And thank you for the biscuits dear, you remembered which ones I liked! May Allah bless you. " Nanu patted Isahaq's head and muttered prayers for him.

✨

I sat in the passenger seat of a navy Mercedes, a strong woody scent which I had come to associate with Isahaq's presence wafted around the car.

Where could I get this perfume? It's so addicting. As I inhaled the air, a burst of dopamine shot through my mind at the addicting smell. This was definitely my new favorite scent.

The sleeves of Isahaq's Punjabi were rolled up and he gripped the steering wheel tightly, igniting the engine with his other hand and slowly rolling the wheel to get the car moving forward.

I had just realized that this was the same Punjabi I had helped him choose in that mall 2 months ago.

As we hit the road, I nervously fidgeted with my fingers, not knowing how to act in such an unexpected situation. The cool, velvety seat pushed against my body while the bustling sound of people milling about mixed in with cars honking filled the air.

When had I ever thought he would be dropping me off at my friend's house all alone?

Usually I hate Dhaka traffic, but today I wished time would move as slowly as possible. My body and mind were hyper aware of the striking presence beside me. I discreetly looked around outside, occasionally sneaking glances at him.

We both seemed to have decided to opt for a comfortable silence, brushing aside all the awkward and unexplainable incidents that had occurred between us.

As much as I tried to ignore my thoughts, Isahaq's text from that night kept flashing through my mind.

That blue saree looked gorgeous on you.

I could feel my cheeks heating up just by replaying the moment inside my head.

Isahaq's calm and nonchalant behavior was making me second guess whether the text was just something out of my dream. But I had opened the chat and reread those words so many times, it was practically etched into my brain, impossible to forget. Since he hadn't brought up anything related to that topic, neither had I.

The car came to a rest at the traffic signal and Isahaq pulled the handbrake, letting his arm lazily rest over the steering wheel before letting go.

"This traffic isn't going anywhere anytime soon." He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face and then running it through his hair, messing up the luscious dark locks.

"Should I put on some music?" He glanced at me sideways.

I nodded, my lips turning up in what I hoped was a shy smile but turned out to be more like a grimace. Why can't I even smile properly? I bet my face looked as if I'm suffering from a stomach ache!

He turned on the radio and the song "Iraaday" started playing.

" Oh- I love this one!" I couldn't help gushing out, hearing the familiar melody.

"Me too. Have you heard naadaniyan?" he asked back and we continued discussing our favorite songs, playing one after the other for the rest of the ride.

"I'm sorry but I just remembered I need to get some donuts for Tahira. Can't go empty handed after all." I spoke up hesitantly wondering if he would get annoyed at the sudden request.

"Oh, sure. There's a bakery close by. We can stop there." Isahaq changed the course of the car and slowed to a stop in front of the said shop.

We got down and entered the quaint little bakery which had a variety of donuts displayed in the see-through glass counter.

I ordered a box of mixed variety donuts for my friend.

"How much?" Isahaq asked the shopkeeper, already pulling out his wallet to pay.

"No, I've already bothered you enough. It's for my friend, I should pay." I pushed the money on the counter before he could.

"Oh come on, let me do it." He insisted, staring at me with a deep intensity.

"Are we going to fight like Desi aunties now?"

He burst out in chuckles at my words and shook his head. "Okay you pay. But at least let me get a few donuts for us to eat right now?"

I nod my head in approval and he motions for me to choose the flavors I want.

We sat at a table with the goods placed in front of us.

Isahaq pulled out his phone and took a picture, his hands flying over the keyboards as he smirked at something.

When he looked up, I raised an inquisitive eyebrow and he smiled as if he knew a secret I didn't.

"Just sending it to Zamar. He's gonna be so annoyed I'm having donuts without him."

Their bond was so hilarious yet heartwarming. It kind of reminds me of Raiyyan and my dynamic.

We sat in a comfortable silence, eating delicious donuts inside the air conditioned room while a soft melody played in the background.

"Maha, can I ask you something?" Isahaq wiped his hand on a tissue paper and extended a fresh one towards me, noticing that the melted cream from my donut was spilling towards the side.

I appreciated his gesture and nodded for him to continue.

"That day at the supermarket, were you angry at me? Like were you avoiding me initially?"

My eyes widened at his words, and I blinked slowly , "I was avoiding you?" I laughed, bewildered, as I recalled how he was the one who barely spoke to me at that party.

"I mean, I think you were annoyed at me as I didn't really speak to you properly at the party before that." He sat still, looking at me with hesitation, waiting for my reaction.

Oh- so he did realize his mistake.

" I wasn't exactly angry at you. Just a little hurt you didn't even greet me that day you know? I tried waving at you but you looked away." The words that had been haunting me for so long finally spilled out.

A regretful expression passed through Isahaq's face and he leaned back on his seat, " I didn't ignore you deliberately. I wanted to talk to you but I was suffering from a disorder at that moment."

A burst of concern grips my body and I sit up straight, "What ? Were you hurt ? Are you okay now?"

"Relax! I didn't mean actual sickness or something. How do I say this ? Ahhh, I wasn't in the right state of mind. Felt really weird and confused due to some strange stuff. But yeah I'm fine now." He rants, picking up the water bottle and avoiding eye contact.

"Oh, I'm kind of glad you cleared it up. I was worried I had done something wrong."

"What ? No! You didn't do anything Maha. I was just out of my mind that day. It won't happen again." He leans forward and observes my expression.

The sound of a notification cuts through the air and both of our eyes are drawn towards my phone resting on the table.

The screen lights up with some text notification and my wallpaper depicting one of my favorite anime characters flashes on the surface.

"Is your wallpaper Kuro?" Isahaq bends his neck, squinting his eyes to see the picture properly.

I pick up my phone and start talking excitedly, "Duh! He's the best. His personality, skills, character design and oh my - that voice. How can he not be my favorite? You know I even took up chemistry in A levels because I read somewhere that Kuro liked that subject!"

I had a habit of becoming a talkative extrovert whenever something I liked was the topic of discussion.

I knew Isahaq liked this anime too so I was surprised to see that instead of looking happy, he was sporting a weird expression as if he was...annoyed ?

" Is everything okay?" I ask, unsure about what prompted him to suddenly look at me with that expression.

He forced a smile and shook his head, "Yeah everything's absolutely perfect! You know I used to like kuro a lot too."

"Used to ? What happened now?" I titled my head in confusion and he turned his head sideways, avoiding meeting my eyes.

"Don't know, I suddenly feel negative emotions towards him. Never thought I would feel jealous of a freaking anime character." He murmurs the last part so softly I would have completely missed it if I wasn't listening closely.

Author's Note

They're finally talking somewhat properly- tiny steps ✨

Next chapter we'll see-

A mini trip at a resort where a blast from the past in the form of an old  acquaintance will make their appearance, leaving someone super jealous 🫣

It's cute as well as deep

From now on things are only going to get dramatic XD

Question: Do you guys think I did the right thing by showing Isahaq's pov in chapter 11 and revealing the fact that he also started to fall for her ?
Or should I keep that a secret and show his thoughts a bit later onwards to make it more mysterious?

Oh and silent readers, please press that star. Voting takes a second of your time, doesn't cost you anything and makes me motivated to write more (: