IN TWENTY ONE DAYS

51; ABNEGATED.

ABUJA, NIGERIA.

"Even if I tell you I want you for myself?" The question hang in the air rendering Kauthar speechless for a minute there. She didn't know whether her head is moving around or she was too tired after so many meetings in the office and started hearing things. Yes, that should definitely be the thing that is messing with her brain big time.

Mujaheed on the other hand only stared at her, his face not displaying any emotion watching as she crease her brows and release them after thinking she's thought about the solution to all her problems. He almost laughed when she looked relieve as if what he said is only her imagination. He won't back out though, not when the words were already out of his lips and she has reacted to it too. This is his chance to ask for her hand in marriage and if she doesn't agree, he shall go to her father and ask for it.

"What did you say? I think I misheard you earlier, sorry." She gave a sheepish smile and gulp the remains of her champagne, had it been the champagne was alcoholic, she definitely would've been drunk by now.

This is so unlike her behaviour, no man has ever made her nervous.

"You heard everything right, Kauthar. I ask whether your door will be open if I want you for myself? I want to marry you, not Khalidah." He explained, his eyes taking in each emotion that is circling across her face and eyes. There is doubt, disbelieve and lots of questions marring her eyes too. He is willing to give her time to digest though, he is in no hurry.

"Uh- what are you saying, Mujaheed? You are my brother in-law and I've never seen you in the light of someone I want to marry. Th-this should be closed please and if you are kidding, hahaha, it is so funny." She grinned at the last part but seeing his serious soldier face, she scrunched her brows again. She bit her lower lip, badly wanting to keep quite to not let the case deteriorate. Maybe if she keeps quite, she will be able to lighten up the mood.

"I was your brother in-law. I'm not saying I'm deeply in love with you, Kauthar. I am just telling you that I want to marry you because I feel like you are the one for me. Khalidah will really understand this since she never contacted me, she might never liked the idea. And you, your fiancée is late so I thought we could be together." This is one of the times where he wish he has sat down with his friends that are not in the military to tell him how it is to talk to a woman. His words sound plain, like he is making plans for a war.

Kauthar feels like all the burden of the earth is suddenly on her shoulders as she stared at her ex brother in-law who is hellbent on wanting to marry her though not in love with her. She understands his point since she was willing to get married to Fahad without love but why does she feel this tinge of annoyance when he said he isn't in love with her? The way he talked moved something inside her but when his eyes are displaying nothing but lack of emotions, it makes everything trickier. Her fingers wring as she nervously pinch the tinge of her fingers between one another.

This is not how she wants another man to ask for her hand in marriage. And does she even want to move on with this heartless soldier in front of her? The man she once consider nothing but a brother in-law?

Not getting her wrong, she likes everyone in his family and any woman would love to get married to a family like Bushra's. The thing is, she is not willing to let her guards down for this man in front of her for their relationship might not work out and it shall ruin other beautiful relations. Marrying him won't be a problem, but he is downright unromantic about how he isn't in love with her. Can't he say he is attracted or likes something about her? She really needs a change from her past relationship with her ex fiancée.

Maybe Allah took Fahad away because he wants her to experience love and not just friendship. Maybe He is telling her that there is more out there for her than just hanging onto marrying a friend and they were just not meant to be all along.