Her Encounter | Islamic Story

Chapter 18 ✓

I was still rooted to my spot thinking over what Char had told me. It wasn't something I was ready to hear nor something that I had been expecting, but here I was wondering about life and how complicated things were getting.

Char loved me! He had seemed so sincere about it but I just couldn't be with him, he deserved someone better. His mobile number sat on the table in front of me and I kept looking at it with an aching heart.

I had almost forgotten why I was there to begin with until someone came and sat in front of me. No one but Ms Aiza.

I looked up at her, surprised. She was wearing the exact same dress as me! But of course with the exception of a floral headscarf, a veil and those beautiful eyes with long eyelashes.

"Hey," she chimed happily.

"Hi Ms Aiza," I tried to smile but couldn't. Her sight still gave me chills but I tried to act casual.

"Oh please don't call me miss," she said.

"Okay." I looked at my watch and was surprised to find that it was already way past six.

"I've been here since five but since you had company so I decided to wait." She placed her black handbag on the table and then looked at me. I couldn't tell which expression her face held but her eyes said that she wasn't angry.

"I...I... it's just that I met him..."

"Oh no, you don't have to explain anything. By the way do you want to eat something? I'm starving!" She widened her eyes as though that was worst thing life had thrown at her. I laughed a bit at her exaggerated expression. It was very funny.

"Yes." I didn't want to eat anything but my stomach was rumbling and I had to satisfy its needs.

She called the waiter over. I only ordered French fries, not wanting to each much.

"So?"

"So... I don't know," I said looking around the café.

"Listen, I know there was some tension between that guy and you. I too can clearly see that you are upset. I hate bringing up business at this time but we have no choice. One of us has to give the report on Monday. We hardly have one day to finalize the matter."

I didn't reply.

"Let's discuss things quickly and then you can run to your home. Yes?" She said. Her concern wasn't annoying maybe because unlike other people who go all sad to help you out, she was talking in such a cheery fashion while leaving hints of worry too.

"Yeah. Let's do that." I looked up to meet her expectant eyes.

In the meantime, our order arrived and she took down her veil to eat after the waiter left.

"Oh my goodness! You're so pretty. Oh wait, that's just makeup." I clasped my hands on my face as soon as the words came out.

She laughed in reply and said, "Yes."

"Why the makeup? I mean you cover up anyways," I again clasped my hand on my mouth as soon as the words left my mouth. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean that."

"It's okay." She kept on laughing. "You're funny, Denae."

She had put up foundation and had highlighted her cheekbones. Her eyes were kept simple that was why I never thought she could be wearing any makeup. Her lips were rosy, I wondered if they were natural or not. She must be pretty in real life too or maybe not. Makeup really changed your entire face if you did it properly and she had done it properly.

"Let's get down to business. Shall we?" she asked and I nodded.

She fumbled in her bag and recovered a small file and handed it over to me, "These are our proposals for the offer, you can go over them and then tell me about yours."