Eyes Don't Lie

chapter 19

Wafiyah was sitting alone in office cafeteria,there was still an hour for the lunch break to commence so she sat there in peace with her laptop and notepad on the table. She was working on her report that their econometrics professor Patrik Lee had assigned them, he was that teacher who never really taught the students instead shared the slides and asked them to learn on their own. It was one of her least favorites, the subject as well as professor. She was buried in her work when out of sudden she felt a strange feeling in her chest making her yelp in pain Her heartbeat increased and she felt dizzy "Ya Allah " she held her head in both hands pressing it gently to get rid of the dizziness. She looked around and the blurriness gradually went away then she remembered that when someone heartbeat increases abruptly it means Allah is talking about them with his angels making her smile "Allah was that you?" She says happily "what are you saying to angels about me please share" she looks at the sky through the glass wall smiling like a fool and then got back to work. Soon the employees started piling up and the silence replaced with chatters and clattering of plates and spoons. Yuna also joined her holding her plate filled with different side dishes and bibimbap japchae "what were you doing pumpkin " she inquires taking a bite "Mr Lee's assignment" Yuna choked on her food so she offered her water "careful there" wafiyah says worriedly "who is Mr Lee and what assignment?" She chuckles at Yuna oblivion "our Econometrics professor " making her scowl "That man, I hate him so much he always have problem with me and never does he utters a word which I ever understood " wafiyah nods in approval. She was glad that mingyu didn't show up they both conversated over their food talking about anything. Yuna also told her that her boyfriend proposed her and now they were engage but they haven't made the news official yet. They were interrupted when mingyu pulled the chair making a shrill screeching sound causing the both girls to cover their ears. He looked angry so wafiyah didn't comment and also because she had determined that she would keep their unnecessary exchange of words as low as possible and continued to eat in silence without sparing him any glance. She was well aware that his eyes were on her but didn't acknowledge him and kept her conversation with Yuna normal "Gyu why are you sulking?" Yuna asks him because he haven't said a word since he came but he doesn't reply waiting for Wafiyah to ask the same. Wafiyah stayed adamant and resolute on her plan and didn't ask him "I'm asking you something what's wrong?" Poor girl inquired again but he simply raised his eyebrow leaning back in his chair as he man-spreads. He got the idea but he was stubborn and persistent, he won't let her that easily "what did you bring today Wafiyah " he asks who pushed her plate toward him making him smile. He took her plate and started eating waiting for her to ask him to leave some portion for her. She checked the time and there were ten minutes left so she excused herself saying that she has to get her work done and got up to leave. Mingyu was left staring at her empty spot gritting his teeth in annoyance "mingyu you okay?" Yuna asks carefully but he finishes the food on her plate and leave from there, If wafiyah didn't ask then no one needs to know and went to his cabin to work.
Wafiyah was done with her prayer and wiped her hands over her face, she was folding ther prayer mat when someone covered her eyes. The mat dropped from her hands and she immediately held the person hands to see who it was but thankfully they were quite thin and Danity fingers meaning it was a girl otherwise she almost got a heart attack "who is it?" She asked but got a giggle in return. Wafiyah patted over the pair of hands until she felt a ring "Jia eonni?" "Yes it's me" Jia turned her around and both hug eachother "how are you" she asks "I'm good dear how have you been" "Alhamdulliah, all well" wafiyah made her sit on chair in front of her "when did you get back and how was the experience?" She inquires "we came back last night, I didn't get to explore Tokyo much but it was so fun I enjoyed alot" wafiyah furrowed her eyebrows "then you should've taken the day off aren't you tired?" She asks but Jia smiles softly at her "I rested well and came late today" she nods "tell me more then" both chuckles and Jia shared her adventures. She listened to her attentively, her eyes would widened animatedly when she told her about the teamlab planets visit, shining with excitement and thrill. Jia also told her about the owl cafe akiba and tokyo dome city making her jump on her seat like a kid with feverishness as if watching it with her own eyes "I'm so happy that you got to see and live such incredible memories of your favorite city" wafiyah utters "I wish you were there too it would've been even more fun " wafiyah smiles as she nod her head but it faded away as she saw Jia staring at her "w-what happened?" She asks nervously "nothing bear I'm just looking at you, you deserve so much love and respect wafiyah. You are happy just because I got to visit my dream city. I wish and pray that you get everything you've ever dreamed of" Jia says catching her off guard at sudden revelation "Eonni I'm not a strong warrior I can start crying any time I'm telling you" wafiyah laughs as she felt herself getting emotional "Aigoo you're such a baby" wafiyah sniffs but laugh nonetheless "oh I forgot" Jia says "Mr jeon asked for coffee" wafiyah utters an 'oh' then went back to where her laptop was to immerse in her report writing. "Wafiyah bear" her heart beat accelerated 'please don't say it please don't say it' she kept chanting in her mind "could you do me a favor and make him a cup of coffee I don't have the energy today" she closed her eyes but complied because She was bad at turning down others requests. Wafiyah went to the kitchen and made a nice coffee then brought it to Jia "here take this to him now I've so much work piled up, I can hardly get time to breathe " she prayed her excuse would work "but waf-" "please please I know he'll start asking about the reports and files which will waste my time" Jia sighs dejectedly and took the mug from her "thank you so much I love you for that eonni" she smiles and went back to her seat. Jia knocked at his door and upon permission she went in "Sir I asked wafiyah but she excused herself saying she has alot on her plate" she puts the cup in front of him "but she made it, so enjoy" Jia says and leave his room. He takes a sip sighing in content but her ignorance breaks his heart hurt so much. He doesn't know for how long will it keep going like that when will he be able to love her without any restrictions and vacillation. When will she stop rejecting and turning down his feelings toward her. He held the cup with both of his hand tenderly to feel her touch indirectly, but soon shaked off the thought thinking it might be disrespectful for a pious woman like her. He doesn't want her to think he's perverted imbecile or his intentions aren't pure shaking his head to get rid of any bad thought. He was done with his coffee when jihun barged into the office "What a good day, welcome back jungkookie" he stood up to greet her but jihyun engulfed him in his arms so he hugged back "why didn't you inform me ?" She inquires as they parted "it's not important that's why" she tuts "don't be silly you're very significant to us" he just forced a smile and turned his laptop on "congratulations on success kook, you finally solved the matter" he typed the password "you know who did it" he says not sparing her any glance "you all did it wafiyah, mingyu an you" he nodded his head and started checking his emails "jihyun give them a treat on my behalf it was part of deal and make sure mingyu is fed well" she got excited after hearing the news "I have a better idea how about we all go and eat a nice dinner " he halts thinking about what she said "we will have good chat and fun other than work don't you think" he breathes in through his nose "Let me know what you all plan I'll decide accordingly " jihyun claps her hand and got up to inform others. Jungkook prayed that wafiyah would also come and won't disagree to the dinner. On the other hand jihyun summoned all internees, Mr park and Jia in her office to ask their opinions, they all agreed without a doubt but wafiyah was a bit hesitant "Eonni I can't eat in regular restaurants how about you all go and enjoy" she tries her luck maybe an excuse would work "there are hundreds of halal restaurants wafiyah come up with better pretext" mingyu says as a matter of fact "so problem solved wafiyah?" Jia asks. She bites her lip thinking of something else but heard a scoff from mingyu who was shaking his head at her lame excuses "I-i need to tell my brother and Selena before confirming anything" they frown at her thinking why would a grown up feel the need to tell before doing something as trivial as going for a dinner with colleagues but doesn't voice their thoughts in order not to offend her in any way. They looked at mingyu who was on phone calling someone, wafiyah eyes widened knowing very well who the other person on call was, they waited until he bid goodbyes thanking them and then hung up "your brother said you don't need to ask for such minor things" she kept glaring at him and wanted to do nothing more than slap him so his smirk will fade away. She could feel everyone's questioning eyes on her waiting for her response and she felt suffocation due to the pressure of their gaze, at last giving up on her luck she nods her head uttering a "I'll join inshaAllah " making them all erupt in cheers. They also decided the place and after researching on internet they found some good Muslim friendly restaurants near them and booked reservations for the next day. Jihyun informed jungkook who asked about the people joining, she told him everyone's name but when he heard wafiyah was also coming he hung up on jihyun without further inquiring. When they all went back to their respective spots wafiyah asked mingyu if they could talk somewhere private and he readily obliged. They went back to cafeteria which was almost vacant only the waiters and kitchen staff were there busy in cleaning it up "Mingyu please tell me what are you up to?" He furrowed his eyebrow "what do you mean?" He counters back "Okay be honest with me and answer the question " mingyu nods leaning forward as he crossed his arms over his chest "have I ever went out of my way while interacting with you?" The question bewildered him but he shakes his head No then she asked another question "have you ever seen me crossing my limits when talking to you or making any advancements?" He got the idea where this was going and it aggravates him that why can't she just let him into her life, always making sure there's nothing from her side. He bites on his cheeks but shakes his head as no again " have I ever given you any hopes, confidence or sign of affection and feelings?" It was a harsh one out of all questions she knew that too but she can't lead a person directionless and mingyu has been always there for her through thick and thin hurting him isn't an option, she won't be able to live with the guilt and regret. So she has to ask hard questions, she has to make difficult choices. He doesn't respond and kept staring at her reminiscing the first time he saw her, she wore a simple black Abaya then holding her backpack tightly, eyes looking around in fear rushing toward the class while trying to avoid bumping into other students. He still remembered how she cornered herself whenever a group of boys passed by her, he was there watching everything in awe. Wafiyah tapped on the table to bring him back to earth "hmm?" He asked after coming out of daze. She tuts and repeated her question again "why are you asking me this?" He straightened his posture and continued "have I done anything to make you think that way?" She sighs at the change of strategy, he likes and know how to tackle people and avoid the topic he doesn't want to talk about "mingyu you know very well changing your tactics won't work on me now" he scratched his neck smiling wide "you caught me, see these things make me coo at you. You look so adorable when angry" wafiyah galre at him "I'm serious" she warns "Hi serious, I'm mingyu nice to meet you" he extend his hand for handshake but she took a chopstick and hit his palm with it making him wince "you're getting violent nowadays " he says rubbing his palm to soothe the pain "that's because of you" wafiyah spits but he smirks "so you're saying I have some affects on you?" She rolls her eyes "only negative yeah" he laughs throwing his head back "stop being cute all the time I can't take it anymore " "Astagfirullah mingyu for heaven sake stop it" she cover her eyes with both hands pressing it gently because he was giving her headache "Mingyu I've immense amount of respect for you, you've been always there for me protecting and supporting me. I see you as a brother nothing more nothing less than that and I don't want you to ruin it please" she practically begged "I wish to keep it like that, we can never be anything else you know that too" he listened to her patiently hearing her perspective "please listen to me, find a nice girl and go on a path where there's a destination not somewhere you'll always be lost" he inhales heavily "I'll listen to anything but don't ask me to find someone else" he says in a low voice "why not" she urged "if it's not you then there won't be anyone else" mingyu says with finality and got up to leave "Mingyu please " he stopped in his track turning toward her "I am listening to you now aren't I?" Her eyes started to sting she blinked them to get rid of it, her throat clogged she couldn't form a word. He sighs and went near her "I hate tears in your eyes wafiyah, I won't allow anyone to be the cause of them not even myself" she wipes her eyes with her fists making him smile at her fondly, she doesn't even try but still manage to make his heart burst with love and affection. "Then don't be the reason, stay happy I want to see you shine, you don't deserve to be stuck on someone who isn't worthy of your love. I wish to see you live a long healthy and beautiful life" he nods "your wish is my command " he says and bows like a prince "promise?" Wafiyah still wanted to confirm he will stay true to his words "promise " he repeats but she shakes her head "say wallahi " he breathes sharply "Wallahi " making her smile wide "Let's get back to work" they bid goodbyes and went to their departments. Later that night mingyu called Jennie who was his childhood friend and knew him more than his parents. He told her about his feelings and how it all started, she laughed at him first and then agreed to help in this heart-rending situation. He asked her to pretend to be his girlfriend for time being, making it seem like he has moved on from her. He wished that this will make her feel at peace and she won't be worried about his broken state. As usual he slept by putting his phone over his heart with her picture on display.