In Love with Neighbour

Chapter 22

Others were smiling at this exchange, unknown to a pair of legs standing frozen. Which didn't stay for long.

Samaira tried to walk back, but she stumbled with the vase kept beside the door and it made a sound. Resulting the 5 pairs of eyes shot towards her.

Samaira felt like a deer caught in front of headlights. Even though she didn't hear their whole conversation, she could easily guess what they were talking about.

How am I supposed to react to this?
She asked her mind but didn't get any answer.

"I-um...," she really didn't know what to say.

She was looking everywhere, not knowing what to do, when their eyes met. His eyes held emotions which she couldn't decipher.
Their gaze broke due to Hafiza's voice,

"Oh, Samaira beta, come here," Hafiza held her hand and made her sit on a couch, while others were standing.

"Did you hear what we were talking about?", Hafiza asked her softly.

"I-," she still didn't know what to say,

"A bit?", she looked down in embarrassment.

Well, she was hypothetically talking to her potential mother-in-law about her own marriage.

"Well then, let me tell you. We're here to ask for your hand in marriage for this stupid son of mine," Hafiza laughed, trying to ease Samaira.

Everyone was sitting now. Farida on another side of Samaira and Zain sat opposite of her.

"Your dadaji approved. What do you say?", Farida asked her softly.

Samaira was confused. She knew she had feelings for Zain. But she didn't think he would come with a proposal, this soon. They were just 23 and 22. She had just finished her studies. Zain had also just started his company.

But you both are now working. Zain is even more successful than you.
Her mind reminded her.

She looked up at Zain to see him already staring back at her, with a soft look in his eyes. She bit her lips and looked away,

"Umm...I need some...time?", she said quietly.

Zain sighed inaudibly. He didn't know how to feel. Glad that she didn't deny? Or sad that she didn't say yes?

Be grateful that she'll be thinking about you.
His mind said and he decided to listen to his mind for now.

Hafiza hugged Samaira,

"Of course dear. Take your time. There's no pressure, hmm?", she said with a smile to which Samaira nodded with another.

"Well then, let's go and have lunch. The kids will get suspicious," Hannan laughed and all got out.

Hannan patted Samaira's head and Farida gave her a kiss on her forhead.

She excused herself saying that she'll join them in a while after getting her phone from her room and Zain sighed seeing her retreating back. He's been doing that a lot now.

Samaira went in her room and slumped on her bed. There were so many emotions running through her head. She didn't have any idea what to do. On top of that, she had to go through this lunch without being awkward. She exhaled a big breath and prepared herself, took her phone on the way. She got downstairs and joined everyone in the dining table.

The lunch went awkward for Samaira. She was quiet the while time just nodding and smiling here and there. Zain was glancing at her every now and then in between talking with others. The parents were also casual, which didn't make Zaif, Sahil and Sara suspicious. But Sahil knew there was something wrong with Samaira, though he didn't say anything right then.