LOVE WITHOUT DESTINY

part 25

Zain casually placed the bill inside the menu before getting up from the table. The three of them stepped out of the restaurant, the evening air carrying a slight chill. The streetlights had flickered on, casting a dim glow over the surroundings. The sky had darkened, and a quiet stillness had settled over the city.

Amal walked beside them, finishing the last bite of her ice cream as they approached the car. She slipped into her seat without a word, her mind still occupied with the college assignments waiting for her at home.

As soon as Zain started the engine, he asked, "So, what now?"

Noah didn't take a second to respond. "Now, we go shopping," she said excitedly. "I need to buy some nice clothes for myself-of your choice." Her tone carried a light teasing, as if expecting Zain to be equally engaged.

Zain, however, turned his gaze towards Amal. He knew she had college work to do. She wasn't someone who spent unnecessary time outside unless needed. He expected her to refuse. But when she didn't say anything, he asked, "Amal, shall we go?"

For a moment, Amal hesitated. Then, deciding not to make an issue out of it, she simply nodded. "Yes."

Noah's expression shifted almost imperceptibly. The enthusiasm in her eyes dulled for a fraction of a second before she quickly masked it. She hadn't expected Zain to ask Amal first. Why did her opinion matter?

Zain, unaware of the silent tension, shifted the car into gear and pulled onto the road. The night stretched ahead of them, filled with city lights, unspoken words, and a quiet undercurrent of emotions none of them chose to address.

The trio arrived at the mall, which was known to be the most expensive in the city. They had been here before-Zain and Amal had visited this place once, though under very different circumstances. The polished marble floors reflected the bright lights overhead, casting a sleek, modern glow.

As they entered, Zain gently took Amal's hand, his fingers wrapping softly around hers, almost possessively. Amal felt the warmth of his touch as his fingers slid between hers, and before she could fully comprehend what was happening, Zain tucked her hand into his pocket. Amal's gaze shifted to him, her thoughts racing, unsure of how to feel. There was something intimate in his action, something that confused her. She couldn't help but wonder why he did it, especially when there was so much distance between them.

They walked towards the elevator, and as the doors opened, Zain didn't release her hand. They stepped inside together, the silence between them growing thicker with every passing second.

When they arrived at the section with expensive, elegant clothes, a woman working at the store immediately recognized Zain. Her face lit up with a warm smile, and she quickly approached them.

"Sir, Mam, you're here again! We are so pleased to see you," she said, her voice filled with genuine happiness.

Noah, who had been listening quietly, realized with a subtle pang that Zain and Amal had been here before, together. A flicker of annoyance passed over her face, but she quickly masked it, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. She shot Amal a sharp glance, her frustration unspoken yet palpable.

The woman, not noticing the tension, led them further into the store, still holding on to Amal and Zain's attention. Zain, still holding Amal's hand, didn't let go as they walked through the racks of clothes. Noah, unable to contain her impatience any longer, grabbed Zain's arm and said, "Zain, help me, will you? What should I choose?"

Zain, looking down at her for a moment, responded casually, "Mam, she will help you," referring to the woman, who was still guiding them through the store.