"Seriously Aydah, that would be amazing if you actually open a restaurant. I mean you've been to different catering school and you are amazing when is comes to cooking, baking and roasting. I know you'd love to work in a nice company but that should wait. I want you to be your own boss."

Aydah sipped her pineapple juice and shrugged. "I'll think about it maybe," she replied. Maryam rolled her eyes and got off the bed. She had her shower and got ready for the day. She was going out for shopping and dinner with Mahmud. "You sure you don't want to join us?" Maryam pouted. Aydah shook her head. "Going to FaceTime Babe all day," she chirped in and beamed. Maryam rolled her eyes and grabbed her handbag.

She went to his room and gently knocked on the door. He was just wearing his shoes when he heard the knock. He opened the door for her, "good afternoon." She gave him a soft smile. "You look lovely," he admitted. She smiled again, sheepishly.

"Hope you're ready for today's adventure?" he asked, closing the door behind him. "Yes but are you sure you'll be okay with your arm?" She asked worriedly. "I'm not a girl, Manha. I can handle it and besides I don't feel any pain now. But you insist on leaving the cast on."

They decided to take a walk to the near by restaurant in the hotel to have their lunch before going on tour. He ordered their lunch himself. She was astonished by the way he knew what she wanted. "Stop being surprised please. I've been with you my whole life so it will be shameful if I don't know what you like to eat the most in the afternoon."

She laughed a bit and shook her head. "You never seize to make me happy," she spoke. "And you never seize to look beautiful everyday," he admitted sincerely. "Captain Mahmud are you flirting with me?" She raised a brow, beaming. "Doctor Mahdi do you like it when I flirt with you?" He also raised a brow. She laughed again and shook her head.

"Listen Manha. I know I say this almost everyday but thank you for being my best friend. A good friend is really hard to get and I am glad that I have found mine. What you did for me is not something I expected. But, you went out of your zone to make me feel comfortable, and that truly says a lot in life. Thank you so much for everything! You deserve so much more than this trip."

She blushed softly at his cheesy words. He always knows how to make her smile and make her forget about her worries. It's been just seven days but he has made her forget about her worries. "Believe me Capt, this trip is bigger than what I deserve. Which guy would waste this much time and money to make a girl happy? Yeah well some married couple would do that but ours is a different story. Urgh! You understand what I mean right?"

He chuckled softly, "so crazy. I understand you. And I hope you're doing great now."

"Hey so I forgot to.... Uhmm tell you..." she looked at him and looked down. "So I don't even know how to say it but he came back that he.... wants me back," she spoke slowly. Mahmud furrowed his brows but hide it before she could see it. The nerves his brother has after what he did! He knew what he was upto.

"And you told him what?" He asked sternly. "I... I told him I couldn't continue with the relationship.... well now I'm even confused because his words sounds so so true." She whispered the last words. "So you are thinking of going back? After what he did?" Mahmud laughed painfully.

"Mahmud, this isn't funny please and I did not tell you that I'm going back. You know what? I don't need him. I have my parents, you and aydah to make me happy. You guys are the best." He smiled and his heart slowly warming up to her words. "That's better."

After having their lunch, they headed out and hailed a cab to take them shopping. It was the biggest shopping mall in the island. A moving platform ran along all the walkways in both directions just like in the airports. There was a shuttle service from the far ends of the car parks to the entrance and food outlets were scattered throughout instead of being on one courtyard. There were professional shopping guides smiling at every entrance, always ready for more business. They stepped inside, and looked around. "Take anything you want, it's all on me," he whispered. She squealed not caring there were other people there and walked fast to the Sneakers aisle.

He was walking around the mall when his eyes landed on a beautiful diamond ring. He carefully looked at it smiling. 'She will definitely like this.' He mused to himself. He checked her ring size and bought it. The ring was pretty expensive but he didn't care, as long as it was His Manha he wouldn't mind spending his last kobo to see her smile.

She was still checking out some shoes when he saw her. He sat down beside her. She raised both her feet, "what do you think about this boots?" She asked happily. "They look beautiful. You should take more of them and some sneakers too."

After they were done with shopping, he took her to spa. He left her there to get her skin pampered while he went to make arrangements for their dinner. Their shopping bags were delivered to their hotel room. She sat uncomfortably in her robe, carefully looking around the sauna. She looked disturbed like a ten year old girl who couldn't find her mother. She was obviously attached to him which makes her to melancholic when he's not. She heaved a sigh and waited.

Soon a fair middle aged lady came in, welcoming her with her a smile. Maryam smiled back. "Hello, good evening. My name is Clara and welcome to our spa. Your husband strictly asked us to give you the best skincare we have. And also massages. So feel free, I'd be right back with some snacks and refreshments." She quietly walked out after explaining. Husband? Maryam blushed at the thought of Mahmud being her husband. "My husband," she whispered and smiled nonchalantly. It sounded so perfect but impossible.

After the lady came back with snacks, Maryam ate her snacks while watching the lady arrange everything for her massage. It was a peaceful and relaxing place. She got all the care they could offer. It was a bit past 8 when he came back to pick her up.

She came out of the spa place, beaming and glowing. Beauty is something that few understand and fewer possess. You can do more than see it, it is felt within you. It is the expression of your soul in the light. When you see something you find truly beautiful it is like the feeling of being in love; inexplicable, strong, and pure. That was how Mahmud felt whenever he sees her, but tonight, it was different. She was glowing like the full moon. He didn't notice he was holding his breath till she spoke to him and he let out a sigh.

"Uhh- I... we should go and pray right?" He spoke goofily. He was somehow nervous. She smiled and nodded. After they went back to the hotel, they prayed and got ready for their dinner. "Aydah you've been literally laying around all day, aren't you bored?" Maryam complained. "Just go and have fun with your boyfriend. I'm going out too, to the beach to watch some hot guys," she replied, wiggling her brows.

"I'm telling your brother," Maryam concluded before briskly walking out.

He was already about to knock when she opened the door. They exchanged smiles. "Lovely, as always."

"Quit flirting with me now.... let's go," she said as she closed the door behind her. They walked side by side out of the the hotel to Pension Les Trois Cascades; a beautiful hotel that has a beautiful garden restaurant. Mahmud was lucky to get the VIP room, just the two of them. Peaceful and quiet.

They settled down in the soft chairs and browse through the menu while the waiter patiently waited for them. "Hmm!" Maryam hummed, raising a brow while her eyes were still fixed on the menu. "We would like Boeuf bourguignon, Confit de canard and for dessert we would like uhh.... frozen yogurt and Strawberry Nutella French Toast Roll Ups." She looked at him, smiling softly. Her heart beating slowly with his love that she never knew it was growing. She heaved a sigh while looking at him. He glanced at her and smiled back. "I don't think we can finish all that.... names you just finish calling," she spoke, replaying how he talked with his most amazing French accent.

Mahmud laughs, his deep chuckle lifting the spirit of the room. His face has a softness even when it comes to rest, as if he lacks the inner bitterness of the others gathered here tonight. "How are you doing now?" He asked, staring at her face. He would do that day and night without getting tired. "I'm doing absolutely great all thanks to you. I can't stop thanking you for this wonderful trip." He listened as if her words are golden, perhaps some elixir he's been waiting all his days to hear. From what he says next, she could tell he was thinking so deeply, already with a strategy that's several moves ahead of what she was capable of. And in his words are a kindness, a concern that is so quick that, for him, it is natural. This attentiveness is apart of who he is and that is, if she's honest, the most attractive feature she's seen in a man for quite some time. And as the minutes go by it became the best conversation she's ever had too in a while, it flows, with listening and intelligent responses. That's what happens when two loving people meet and connect.

Their order came in and they munched on their meal in peace, stealing glances once after every seconds. He wiped his mouth carefully and looked at her. "I have a surprise for you," he announced while looked up and gazed at him. She squealed excitedly. "What is it?" She asked eagerly to know what he has for her. "Wait, mademoiselle. Let's finish eating first." She nodded like a small kid and munched on her French toast.

"I hope you're not afraid of heights," he said, getting up from his chair and adjusting his blazer. She dropped her toast and rose up. "Where are we going please?" She queried again. "Manha, sit down and finish your dessert please." He laughed a little at her childish behavior. She pouted and shook her head. "I'm full. Let's go." He nodded and they started walking out of the VIP room to the back into the restaurant. They entered the elevator to the rooftop.

"A helicopter?" She gasped lively. "Come, let's go." He ushered. "But how are you going to fly it with your arm?" She asked. "Don't worry." He opened the helicopter for her and she cheerfully entered. "I want you to see the whole island since we don't have much time to go everywhere." She bit her lower lip, her heart warming up with love and affection. Her eyes sparkled as she stared at him while he helped her with her seatbelt. He entered and turned on the helicopter.

The helicopter's subdued green paint was enveloped in a cloud of sandy dust. The blades that beat the air had much the same effect as a small tornado on the loose ground cover. As it came lower Maryam covered her ears, held her breath and closed her eyes until she heard the slowing of the blades. "Wear this," he instructed. She took it and covered her ears. She looked through the window down at the island. Though it was during the night time but she could still see almost everything. It was a beautiful island filled with fascinating trees and oceans.

He looked at her and smiled softly. Just what he wanted, to make her happy. "This place is so coool, Capt. Look! Look at that beach, it's so beautiful! They also have a rooftop pool what?!!" She exclaimed feeling excited about what she's seeing. "Aydah is totally going to flip when she sees all of this," she said, bringing out her phone to take videos.

After a night of beautiful unforgettable, memories, they finally went back to the hotel. She talked nonstop on their way to their rooms. He noticed she was finally forgetting about what his brother did to her. He smiled softly, having a thought about confessing. He concluded that he was going to confess after they've gone back home and everything was settled.

And that same night Maryam has thought about who she wants to be with. Who she wants to spend the rest of her days with as his wife. She slept happily that night after bugging aydah with her videos. All she wanted was to go back home and start a new, fresh life with her lover.