Love Means Sacrifice

Ch. 22: Wasabi Stings

Javed's P.O.V.

Resting my cheek on my knuckle, I watched her take a sip of her soda.

She raised an eyebrow in question.

I shook my head. She was so beautiful.

We were having halal Korean BBQ and only had a few pieces of meat left when I suggested, "Let's play a game. Bulgogi roulette with wasabi."

Her eyes grew big, "Not again."

"What do you mean?" I asked with a confused smile.

"Don't you remember what you did to poor Zahid?"

My smile grew even larger at her improving memory, "You remember! What else do you remember from that day?"

Her grin faltered, "I... That's it. We were at some restaurant and he had some spicy sauce? I don't remember beyond that or before it."

"We were at a ramen restaurant. I had dared you to drink it for not answering a question, but Bhai drank it for you instead."

"Well, that just shows how nice your brother is and how mean you are!" She laughed.

"Oh yeah? So, would rather be with him right now?" I asked jokingly.

Mehwish's P.O.V.

"I mean..." I trailed off playfully while leaning back in the chair.

I could see his smile beginning to fade from the corner of my eyes, so I placed my hand on his, "Javed, I was just joking. I'm having fun."

"You mean that?" He intertwined our fingers.

"Yes." I truly was having a good time.

I decided to lighten things up again so I removed my hand and fed him the piece of meat under which he put wasabi.

He looked at me adoringly and chewed until the heat kicked in.

I started to laugh before I popped a piece in my mouth, "Zahid can thank me later."

My face shriveled up when I realized there was wasabi under my piece too. We both burst into laughter.

"Mehwish, karma's a real b-"

I took his cup and stuffed the straw into his mouth quickly.

Javed's P.O.V.

After I made her drink her soda as well, I pulled her left hand over the table, placing it on my heart, "Uff, such care and concern! It would make any man be willing to eat any amount of wasabi."

She took her hand back and nodded sarcastically, "Oh really?"

"Yes really."

She squealed after I ate a glob of just wasabi.

Once we reached her house, I walked her to the front door.

"Thank you for tonight." She fiddled with her hands.

"No, thank you for coming with me. I-I hope you enjoyed."

She met eyes with me and gave me a small smile, "I did."

After a few seconds of silence, I asked, "Some of Zia Bhai's relatives are in town, so Alif Mama and Sarooha Mami are arranging a picnic this weekend. Would you like to come?"

"I would love to, but it seems like it will only be family. Won't they mind?"

"You're no less than family. They'll be more than happy to see you there. It'll make me happy," I brushed a few strands of her hair behind her ear, "I'll see you then."