Mannat

6 | Dinner Date

Third person

"You have a what?" Qulsum squealed sitting up straight on bed and staring at Shiza with her eyes wide as saucers and mouth gaped open.

"A dinner date..." Shiza's face flushed as she strolled towards her closet.

"Who is he? How does he look? When did it all start?" Qulsum bombarded Shiza with questions.

"Breathe Qulsum breathe. He is a guest lecturer at my university... He is actually CEO of a company. Well about looks -" Shiza trailed off looking at some distant. Images of Zayaan in tuxedo replaying in her mind.

"You are whipped my dear sister. You're day dreaming about him. Whoever this guy is I want to meet him and after I give my permission then only you can go ahead with this relationship. I can't believe mom and dad are okay with this, I think they already like him..." Qulsum stood next to Shiza running her fingers through clothes. She selected a bottle green long dress for her. "Change first. I will help you with your head scarf."

"By the way Qulsum. I kind of overheard yours and Aqsa conversation today in kitchen. You were gushing about some very caring guy whom you met today so when are you planning to tell me about him?" Shiza asked looking at Qulsum who was now selecting shoes and head scarf for her.

"Well it's a big story... To tell you in simple words he helped me out. Nothing more, we didn't even speak a word. He handled the situation very maturely. He was very gentle towards me..." Qulsum answered with her lips curled upwards. "Now go and get ready Shiza. It's already 7."

❖❖

Just when Zayaan was about to knock the door it thursted open revealing dolled up Shiza. She was looking beautiful in bottle green dress.

"Asalamuwalaikum," Shiza greeted with a light smile on her face. "Come inside. I will get my phone." She opened the door wide waiting for Zayaan to walk inside.

"Walaikumsalam," Zayaan stepped inside the white polished hallway leading to well furnished and cosy Hall. He took seat on the couch while Shiza sprinted towards the stairs.

"I finally get to meet THE ZAYAAN ZAIDI." Came an male voice making Zayaan snap his head in the direction of the voice. There stood Mr.Irani with a warm smile on his face. Zayaan stood up clearing his throat. He wasn't expecting to meet Mr.Irani so soon but he was somewhere expecting to cross his path when Shiza said that he will have to pick her up from her home which also meant take her parents permission.

"Pleasure is all mine Sir." Zayaan gave a curt nod while extending his hand.

"No need to be so formal Zayaan. Please take your seat." Mr.Irani stated shaking Zayaan's hand and taking his seat on the opposite couch.

Zayaan was about to start conversation when all of a sudden his attention was captured by a euphonic, comforting and sweet voice. His heart beat accelerated when the feathery voice pierced his ears.

"Ammiiii (Mom)..." the voice called from upstairs.

It took every ounce of Zayaan's control not to look up and see who the owner of the voice was cause he was sure that it wasn't Shiza.

Just when Zayaan had placated his erratic heartbeat. There was sound of anklet making a shiver coursed down his spine. He inhaled deeply as the tinkling of anklet encircled the silent Hall. Zayaan turned his head and averted his gaze only to look at a feminine figure running behind a net curtains. He couldn't actually see her through the curtains. She was wearing a light pink dress and head scarf.

Zayaan felt breathless, there was an invisible pull, a strange attraction making him restless. He wanted to look at her. Zayaan gulped closing his eyes. He seemed to have these unusual feelings a lot lately. First the girl from company and now this girl.

"I am ready." Shiza voice snapped him out of his trance. Raking finger through his hair he stood up, his eyes moved back to Mr.Irani who was looking at Zayaan acutely. He had observed Zayaan's behaviour.

Entire ride Zayaan tried hard to dismiss all the thought about the girl at Shiza's place. He wanted to give all his attention only to Shiza. He was again and again reminding himself that he had Shiza in his life now.

❖❖

Zayaan took Shiza to a fancy restaurant for dinner. They were having light conversation while waiting for food.

"So you said you know me for quite some time... I don't remember meeting you anywhere." Shiza asked plopping her elbows on table and palming her face.

Zayaan scratched his neck and smiled, "I saw you at the rally. You were looking so beautiful that day." He confessed making her blush.

"So you came to university -" she trailed off biting her lips.

Zayaan peered at her with adoration. "I came to University just for you." He whispered making her heart skip a beat.

Shiza ducked her head down trying to cover her now flushed cheek.

"Do you always do this?" Shiza asked hoisting her head and looking at him. Shiza didn't want to hurt herself by liking someone as handsome and successful as Zayaan. Sure her heart fluttered hearing that he did join the University as guest lecturer only for her but she wanted to be sure if he does or has done anything like this for any other girl.

"What do you think?" Zayaan questioned reclining back in his chair.

"I don't know...I didn't see any news about your love life on internet." She blurted before she could control her tongue. Closing her eyes she cursed under her breath. She was not supposed to let him know that she had stalked him on internet for two straight hours.

Zayaan smirked letting out a laugh, "So you searched about me? Anyways let me clear something..." Zayaan cleared his throat and leaned forward staring directly into her eyes. His face devoid of any trace of humour "You are the first girl who captured my attention to this extent. I really want to know you more. I like you."

Shiza's eyes went wide, her palms started sweating profusely. She was so shocked that she couldn't utter a word. Butterflies did summersault in her stomach while her heart thumped against her ribcage.

Zayaan Zaidi liked her!

❤...