Always In Your Heart

Chapter 30

Maria came to the dinning room where everyone was seated for breakfast. She greeted them, occupying a vacant seat. Filling a glass of fresh orange juice, she was taking in small sips.

In a while Shazil came and pull the chair to sit, but was stopped by the words of his grandma.

"Shazil, Why don't you go out with Maria, stroll around and have breakfast outside? You guys are newlyweds and need to spend lots of time together." Shazil stood rooted on the spot, he spared a glance at her who was sitting there nervously, tracing her thumb on the side of the glass.

Shazil's mom instructed as, she served breakfast to the family.
"Maria, Go wear your abaya and enjoy your day with Shazil." Timidly Maria nodded at her, leaving the half glass of juice on the table, she got up from the chair.

"Maria?" Shazil called out to her, on her back. She turned back at his voice with questioning eyes. He took some steps closer to her and muttered, "Bring my bike's key also, its in the first drawer on the showcase."

Maria hummed and ran to her room. Meanwhile Faiz, who was just playing with his food, burned with jealousy seeing his brother closer to Maria, Now his ex-fiancee. He angrily threw the sppon on the delicate dish of glass and walked out from there. His mother got tensed at his behavior and went after him.

Shazil was feeling guilty for the thing which he has done unintentionally. A dull expression taking over his face, as his mind was speeding up towards the negative thoughts.

"Shazil, till the time Maria is coming, come and have some fresh orange juice with us." Voice of Maria's mother pulled him out of the reverie of his thoughts.

"Sure Khala!" He sat, taking a seat on the chair were his wife, Maria was seated before.
(Sure Aunt)

Maria came wearing matching hijab and Abaya with niqab, her enchanting black eyes peeking out of her veil and Shazil found his heart getting pulled towards it, as he kept looking at her without blinking his eyes.

"Shazil beta, juice." He got back to his senses, hearing his aunt's voice and hurriedly grabbed the glass kept in front of him. Making everyone laugh, whereas Maria blush, seeing him drink her leftover juice.

Maria's mother shook her head at his action and forwarded the glass she was holding to Maria.

"No ammi, I don't wanna have it. " She refused, playing with his bike's keys.

Wiping his face with tissue, he forwarded his hand towards her. Not understanding his gesture she kept her hand on his palm.

"I was asking for the keys!" He said trying to be serious, hiding his smile.

"So, Did I committed a sin by putting my palm in your hands?" Maria whispered, squinting her eyes.

"No, My Queen, but you are like a present from the Almighty, to the sinner like me." He said, putting a helmet over her head.

"Kya ham car me nahi ja skte?" Asked Maria.
(Can't we go in car?)

"Ham bike pr kyu nahi ja skte?" Questioned Shazil, roaring his bike to life. (Why can't we go on a bike?)

"I feel frightened sitting on the bike."

"Hold me tightly and enjoy the ride. I am good at bikeriding." Saying this he put on his helmet, and she slowly snaked her arms around his torso. The proximity they were sharing for the first time, were making them feel unexplainable things.

As they rode through the bustling streets, Maria's initial fear gradually melted away, replaced by a sense of exhilaration. She tightened her grip around Shazil's waist, feeling the rumble of the engine beneath her. The wind tousled their clothes and played with her hijab, adding to the thrill of the ride.