Make the Most of It

29. Nighttime Talks

My heart beat faster and faster in my chest. I didn't realize how much he truly loved me.  How do I even respond to that? My voice got caught in my throat and I just stood there, unable to comprehend what he had said.

So, I didn't say anything. I just turned on my heel and raced back to Waliyha's room, locking the door behind me. Why had I ever decided to come here? What had I gotten myself into?

I loved him so much. More than I could explain, but where did that leave us? Would he come back to LA?

All these questions raced through my head, but there was nothing I could do to answer, except talk to him, of course. But, that didn't seem like a good idea right now considering the fact that I had just left him sitting alone without saying anything.

I stayed holed up in my room, on my laptop and texting my friends back home, until around six when someone knocked on my door. It was Safaa.

"Nikki? Are you coming down for dinner?" She called to me.

"No thank you Safaa."

"Are you sure? Mom made her special dish just for you." I felt bad saying no to them when Trisha had gone to such extent to welcome me, so I accepted.

"Alright. I'll be down in a minute," I said back to her. I heard her run off so I put my laptop away and changed out of my sweatpants to look more presentable. Then, I slowly opened my door and walked downstairs, dreading the fact that I would have to see Zayn.

When I got down to the dining room, everyone was already seated at the table except Doniya, who lived in her own apartment and Waliyha, who obviously had better places to be. There was even an extra seat taken by Zayn's dad.

Zayn had definetly gotten his looks from his dad. The same hair color, same eyes, same face shape. All of it. But, there seemed to be sort of a bad air around Zayn's dad, but that could've just been my imagination.

I uncomfortably sat down in the only empty seat. Next to Safaa. And next to Zayn. Trisha put plates out for all of us and allowed us all to take however much we wanted. I put only a little on my plate, having lost my appetite ages ago. I then proceeded to introduce myself.

"Mr. Malik, I'm Nikki. It's nice to meet you." I offered my hand to him and he politely shook it, but didn't smile.

"Yaser."

Zayn's family prayed and I listened to them, not understanding their Arabic language.  Then, we all dug in to our food. Well, most of us. I barely touched it, which Trisha noticed.

"Do you not like it?" She asked me.

"Huh? No, it's delicious, really! I think I've lost my appetite though."

"Oh well I can make you something else if you'd like."

"No don't bother. I'm fine with this. Thank you though."

"No problem, dear." I reached for the bowl of rice at the same time that Zayn outstretched his arm. Our hands touched the bowl at the same time and I felt the electricity spark betweem our touch, as usual. Zayn immediately pulled his hand back.

"Sorry," he muttered.

"What is it with you two? You haven't talked once since I've gotten home. I though Nikki was your guest, Zayn," he said. I couldn't tell exactly, but it seemed as if he was scolding Zayn, in some way.