FOREVER WITH YOU

Chapter 33: Why Was He Looking At Her Like That?

Sunday morning stretched out lazily, its emptiness palpable. Tasleem slumped deeper into the plush, velvet sofa, the flickering light of the massive flat-screen TV dancing across her listless face. The curtains were drawn and the air was filled with the sweet scent of bakhoor. She wasn't a fan of movies, but what else was there to do on a day like today? The silence of the grand, high-ceilinged pressed in on her, punctuated only by the muffled sounds of Rayyan in his room.

As she watched, the familiar ache of loneliness settled in her chest. With a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of the whole dreary morning, she grabbed the remote and switched off the television. The sudden darkness amplified the quiet, making her feel like she was drowning in it.

Tasleem's gaze drifted toward the floor-to-ceiling windows, where the soft, golden light of the sun cast a serene glow over the opulent room through the curtains. Her phone buzzed, shattering the silence. A message notification popped up from an unknown number: "My friends are coming over today. Cook for them."

Tasleem's jaws clenched as she recognized the sender - Rayyan. Only he could manage to convey such disdain in a few brief words. She felt a spark of resentment ignite within her, and her eyes narrowed in annoyance. Would it kill him to ask nicely, just once? She sat there, her eyes drifting towards the staircase.

****

Having sent the message, Rayyan's fingers effortlessly deleted Tasleem's number, his irritation growing. If not for his friends coming over later, he wouldn't have asked Amira for Tasleem's number. He felt no need to keep it. This is the last time I'll ever message her, he thought.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Tasleem stood up, her feet carrying her to the kitchen. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, and the soft hum of the refrigerator provided a soothing background noise. She stood there, lazily, her eyes scanning the sleek, modern space.

What to cook for them? The question swirled in her head like a vortex, sucking her in with its complexity. She thought of Chinese fried rice, a dish she had made countless times before, but her mind recoiled at the idea. Rayyan would likely disapprove.

Tasleem's eyes dropped, her gaze falling on the countertop as she sought answers. She shook her head, the movement almost imperceptible. No, she couldn't risk making rice. But what then? The options swirled in her head, each one rejected as quickly as it was considered.

He had rejected her smoothie the other day, and now she was afraid to cook for his friends, not wanting to provoke his anger.

Tasleem knew she had to ask for his opinion, to seek his input, no matter how much it galled her. It was the only way to avoid his wrath, to ensure that she didn't inadvertently spark his anger. With a sense of resignation, she turned to leave the kitchen and headed upstairs.

****

"I was very angry for the past few days and I'm in a bad mood right now. Stop beating around the bush and get straight to the point."

From inside the room, Rayyan's voice could be heard talking to someone, most likely on the phone.

Tasleem's extended hand stopped abruptly, her fingers curling tightly as she hesitated outside the door.

She took a deep breath and pushed the door open, peering inside first. Rayyan sat on his posh chair, his elbow propped on the armrest, his forehead pressed against the back of his hand. He looked exhausted and angry, the three buttons on the collar of his black shirt were unbuttoned.

"Ya Rayyan," Tasleem said softly, walking quietly across the room. She took away Rayyan's cup.

The cup which contained black coffee from this morning was still unwashed.

She held the cup and gazed intensely at Rayyan. However, she remained silent.

Rayyan pretended to be busy by perusing random documents on his desk.

"Ya Rayyan, what would you like me to cook?" Tasleem asked, her instincts telling her that Rayyan was on edge, that something had provoked him. Rayyan's expression darkened, his eyes flashing with annoyance.

"You can't knock before coming in? You must have felt like you own the house. Get out." he growled, his voice low and menacing. He finished the sentence and lay back on the couch, his gaze cold and unyielding.

What's wrong with this guy? Why is he always so angry? It's like he's constantly looking for a reason to be upset. At this point it's getting under her skin. If not because of Abba and Mamie, who would marry him?

She was lost in her thoughts when suddenly Rayyan stood up. Rayyan's tall and seemingly aloof figure loomed over her, casting a long shadow across the center table.

Her gaze darted nervously towards him before she hurriedly retracted and pretended to stare at some documents.

Rayyan's voice was like a crack through the air. "Are you deaf? I said leave. Don't make me repeat myself."

Tasleem's fear was palpable as she turned to flee, her body trembling slightly with each step. Her footsteps echoed softly through the room, and the door closed softly behind her, a gentle whisper that seemed to sigh in relief as she escaped.

At that point, Tasleem was at a loss for what to do. Rayyan had asked her to cook, but hadn't specified what to make. When she wanted to ask him for clarification, he became angry. Feeling uncertain, Tasleem decided to call Amira and seek her opinion. She picked up her phone and dialed Amira's number.

***

The morning passed peacefully, and Rayyan's friends hadn't arrived yet.

Tasleem had started cooking by 8:30 a.m. She glanced at the time; it was 11:40 a.m. She stepped out of the kitchen and headed to the living room.

She turned her head around to glance at Rayyan in the dining room, with her eyebrows knitted.

Initially, she wanted to enter the dining room but the big boss was clearly in a bad mood. She dismissed the idea since she might end up blasted into ashes the moment she walked in. She wasn't foolish enough to enter.

"Um, Ya Rayyan." He heard Tasleem's voice. Rayyan was holding his phone and he paused for a second. He raised his head to look at her. Both his eyes and his expression didn't show a trace of warmth.

Tasleem's voice stammered as she said, "Ya Rayyan, I wanted... to make salad, but there's... no mayonnaise."

She was consumed by a paralyzing fear, her body trembling uncontrollably as she struggled to hold back her emotions. She had no idea how to placate Rayyan, or how to speak to him without provoking his anger.

Despite her fear, Tasleem's beauty shone brighter, making her irresistibly captivating, yet Rayyan didn't notice.

Was it that he truly didn't notice, or was he simply unwilling to acknowledge it?

Why was he looking at her like that?

Rayyan stared at Tasleem for a long time in silence. Suddenly he said, "do I look like a grocery store to you? Or do I look like your errands boy? Must you make salad?"

-This is all he can say after staring at her for some time. And he even had such a look in his eyes, he's insane! -

Tasleem was expecting a more helpful response from Rayyan, but instead, he chose to be rude and uncooperative.

Tasleem cursed Rayyan in her heart and walked away.

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