𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐌𝐀𝐃𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍 | A Halal Love Story

Chapter 07

"The Calm before the storm"

Zaina stretched as sunlight streamed through the cruise cabin window, bathing the room in a warm, golden glow. It was day two of the cruise, and excitement buzzed in the air like the sound of a distant party. She rolled out of bed, her heart racing with anticipation for the day ahead. After a quick shower, she slipped into her favourite yellow long-sleeved linen top and wide-leg trousers paired with a white chiffon hijab comfortable and ready for the day.

With her stomach growling, Zaina made her way to the buffet. The aroma of fresh parfaits and chai filled the air, wrapping around her like a comforting embrace. As she approached the breakfast spread, her mouth watered at the sight of golden waffles piled high next to a vibrant, colourful fruit salad. She piled her plate generously.

As she settled down at a table with her family, the lively banter enveloped her. Everyone was ecstatic after yesterday's treasure hunt, and curiosity hung in the air about what crazy escapade Aliza had planned next. Known for her spontaneous spirit, Aliza was the family's unofficial adventure planner.

"Zaina!" called Aliza, her voice rising above the chatter. "Are you ready for parasailing later? It's going to be epic!"

Zaina nodded enthusiastically, though a flutter of nerves danced in her stomach. The thought of soaring above the waves thrilled her, but the height? That was another story entirely.

After breakfast, everyone had gathered on the deck, sun-kissed and buzzing with energy. As they approached the parasailing station, Zaina's eyes widened at the sight of colourful parachutes drifting gracefully against the brilliant azure sky. It felt like a scene out of a dream. Among the crowd, she caught a glimpse of her nani, her grandmother, eyeing the setup with an adventurous glint in her eye.

"Zaina, I think I'm going to give this a try!" her nani announced with a grin, her silver hair glinting in the sun.

Zaina laughed in disbelief. "Nani, are you sure? You've never done something like this before!"

"Why not?" her nani replied, placing her hands on her hips with determination. "Age is just a number!"

Moments later, Zaina found herself strapped into a harness beside Aliza, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and fear. As the boat sped off, they were lifted into the air, and the world below shrank. The ocean stretched endlessly beneath them, shimmering like a sea of jewels. The thrill of the wind flowing through her hair and the breathtaking view took her breath away.

"Look at us, Zaina!" Aliza shouted over the rush of the wind, her eyes sparkling with exhilaration. "We're flying!"

When they finally landed back on the boat, Zaina was grinning from ear to ear, adrenaline coursing through her veins. Her nani followed closely behind them, equally thrilled. "That was amazing!" her nani exclaimed, her voice filled with joy. "I haven't felt this alive in years!"

Later that evening, they gathered in one of the lounges for a movie night. The cruise had set up a giant screen, and everyone settled in with blankets and snacks, ready to relax and Zaina had taken on the responsibility of baking brownies for the occasion, a task she approached with a sense of pride. Baking was one of her passions, and the rich chocolate scent wafting through the cabin made her feel accomplished.

Just as she was about to pop the brownies into the oven, Armaan sauntered in, leaning casually against the doorframe with a playful smirk.

"Baking?" he said, his teasing grin evident. "I hope you don't burn them"

Zaina rolled her eyes, crossing her arms defiantly. "I won't. Just don't expect any if you keep making snide comments."

Armaan chuckled, clearly enjoying their banter. "You know everyone loves my cooking; I could whip up something that would put those brownies to shame."

Zaina smirked, a mix of irritation and amusement bubbling up inside her. "Alright, Mr. Master Chef, let's make this interesting. A cooking contest. You versus me. The winner gets bragging rights for the rest of the cruise."

"Challenge accepted!" Armaan grinned, the spark of competition lighting up his eyes.

The kitchen transformed into a chaotic yet joyous scene. Laughter filled the air as Zaina expertly mixed her ingredients while Armaan fumbled with his. "Are you trying to create a snowstorm in here?" Zaina teased, watching flour cloud around him like a mini blizzard.

"Hey, I'm just adding a little flair," Armaan replied mock-seriously, shaking a spoon at her. "You're just jealous of my creativity."

Their playful banter continued, the aroma of brownies mingling with Armaan's questionable concoction, making Zaina both curious and sceptical. She couldn't help but steal glances at his hazardous mixing, wondering what he was creating.

When the timer finally rang, they pulled their creations from the oven, and the whole family, having heard of the bet in the kitchen, gathered for the taste test. Zaina's brownies were rich and fudgy, a vast improvement over her previous burnt batch. She served them, her heart pounding with anticipation.

However, when they sampled Armaan's dish, the room fell silent.

"Wow, Armaan!" Aunty Minna, Aliza's mother exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise. "This is... amazing!"

Zaina's eyebrows shot up in disbelief as everyone nodded in agreement, savouring the unique flavours of Armaan's creation. Laughter erupted, but this time it was filled with admiration.

" I think we have a new chef in the family!" Zaina's dad praised, his voice full of surprise. Armaan beamed, clearly revelling in the praise.

"I guess I've outdone myself!" he said, basking in the moment. "Looks like I'm officially the Master Chef!"

"You were just lucky, but these are not bad," Zaina said, a mix of irritation and admiration in her voice as she took a bite of the brownie he had baked.

"You better find yourself a husband who can cook as good as Armaan," Aliza joked, winking at Zaina. "Or you'll be spending a fortune on extra ingredients to bake a second batch because you burnt the first!"

Laughter erupted around the table, and Zaina felt a warm flush rise to her cheeks. She shot a glare at Armaan, who was grinning from ear to ear, clearly enjoying the attention.

"Oh please, Aliza," Zaina retorted with a laugh. "I can cook just fine—most of the time!"

Armaan leaned in closer, a playful glint in his eyes. "You know, if you want some tips, I'm happy to share. Maybe we can do some more cooking together."

Zaina felt her heart race at the suggestion, the idea of spending more time with him suddenly feeling thrilling rather than intimidating. "Sure, but only if you promise not to make a mess next time!"

"Deal!" Armaan replied with a smirk

As the evening wore on, they continued to play games, share stories, and enjoy each other's company. The vibrant atmosphere was infectious, and Zaina couldn't help but feel a growing connection with Armaan amidst the laughter and friendly competition. Every moment spent together felt eccentric as if they were slowly unravelling the potential for something more.

The night ended with everyone cosying up for the movie, but Zaina's thoughts kept drifting back to Armaan and the unexpected spark between them. As the credits rolled, she realized that this cruise was already turning out to be unforgettable. With a heart full of anticipation, she leaned back, surrounded by family and laughter, ready to embrace whatever the next day would bring.

A/N

I hope this chapter was enjoyable, I am trying to give faster and more regular updates and thank you all for the support, especially my readers who vote but don't comment I hope at least for this chapter you send a hi cause I would love to get to know you all.

Your new favourite lazy author, Iraa 🌷✨