The Bet & The Heart.

CHAPTER V

The next morning, the sun peeked through the curtains, casting warm light across Sofia's room. She awoke with a smile, the events of the previous day swirling in her mind. As she stretched and got out of bed, a light breeze rustled through the window, reminding her of the exhilarating rush she had felt on the motorcycle with Syafiq.

Just as she was getting ready, she heard a soft knock at her door. Before she could respond, Syafiq stepped in, looking casual in a simple T-shirt and shorts, his hair tousled from sleep.

"Hey," he said, his voice a mix of nonchalance and something softer that made Sofia's heart flutter. "Want to go fishing today?"

Sofia's brow furrowed in surprise. "Fishing? You mean, like, actual fishing?"

"Yeah," Syafiq replied, his tone slightly teasing. "You know, casting lines, waiting for fish to bite. It's not that hard," 

Sofia hesitated, glancing at the mess of her hair in the mirror. "But... what if I don't know how?" 

Syafiq shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips. "I'll teach you. Plus, it's a good way to pass the time. Trust me, it'll be fun."

She bit her lip, considering his invitation. The idea of spending more time with him excited her, but a small voice in her head reminded her of Nadhir. Still, the prospect of a new adventure with Syafiq was hard to resist.

"Okay, I'm in," Sofia finally said, a grin breaking through her hesitation.

Syafiq's eyes lit up. "Great! Meet me downstairs in an hour. We'll take my motorcycle," he added with a wink before turning and leaving, leaving Sofia with a flutter of anticipation in her stomach.

After getting ready, she took a moment to calm her nerves. She still felt a hint of guilt about her growing connection with Syafiq, especially given her secret engagement to Nadhir. But today was about enjoying the moment, and she pushed those thoughts aside.

Arriving downstairs, Sofia spotted Syafiq waiting by his motorcycle, the sun glinting off the sleek machine. He looked effortlessly cool, and her heart raced at the sight of him.

"Hey, you're finally done!" Syafiq called out, his voice bright and welcoming. "Ready to catch some fish?"

"Let's hope so!" Sofia replied, her excitement bubbling over. She approached him, feeling the tension from the night before dissipate in the fresh morning air.

Syafiq handed her a spare motorcycle helmet. "First things first, let's ride down to the river. You're going to love it."

With a mix of excitement and nervousness, Sofia climbed onto the motorcycle behind Syafiq. She wrapped her arms around his waist, the familiar thrill of the ride igniting her anticipation. The engine roared to life, and they sped off, wind whipping past them as they navigated the village roads.

When they arrived at the river, Syafiq parked the motorcycle near the water's edge, and they dismounted. The sun sparkled on the surface of the water, and the sounds of nature surrounded them.

"Alright, let's get fishing!" Syafiq said, grinning as he set up the cooler and his fishing gear.

Sofia watched him, captivated not just by his skills but by the way his face lit up when he talked about something he loved. The warm sun bathed them in light, and for a moment, all her worries seemed to fade away. 

Syafiq set up the fishing gear and handed her a rod. "Here, just follow my instructions."Sofia nodded, trying to hide her nervousness. "Okay! What do I do first?"

"Cast it out like this." He demonstrated, flicking his wrist expertly. "Just don't get it tangled. You'll scare the fish away."

Sofia tried to mimic his movements, but her cast landed awkwardly, splashing water everywhere.