Chapter 13

After doing the house chores, Ahmad insisted they cook dinner despite the fact that they were tired and it was past lunch time. Hidayah didn't argue, instead she was delighted he asked her to cook dinner with him. At least he wouldn't get the chance to go meet that so called girl he made plans with the previous day. Else, why on earth would she suddenly start being nice to the person that has been tormenting her life for so long? If he was going to separate her from her beau, then he has no chance in being together with his own lover. 'We should cook your favorite, pasta." He scratched the back of his head as if he wasn't sure of what he said. Hidayah peered at him, trying to make sure she heard him right. It seemed like he always put her first before him. She smiled with her mouth closed. If hidayah could remember, pasta wasn't his favorite. There was a time he kept throwing tantrums to ummah about the house chef cooling pasta for three straight days whereas it was hidayah's doings. 'Or you want something different? Why do you have so.... So much, what do you call them? Spices?" Ahmad turned his head away from the pantry and looked at her. 'Do you even use them?" He asked, giving her a perplexed look. Her smile widened suddenly and nodded. 'Only when you're not around and I get to cook for myself." She smirked and sauntered into the store. He breathed out, smiling. The audacity hidayah has to say that to him. So she doesn't cook for him deliberately and she's mentioning it, proudly. 'I hope you like shrimps. Because shrimps has to be included, I love shrimps." She dropped the pasta on the kitchen island and opened the freezer, bringing out the shrimps she mentioned few seconds earlier. Ahmad raised his shoulders. 'Anything you want." She dropped the frozen shrimps in the sink, turning the tap on before she faced him, then she smiled... a little. Hidayah took a deep breath and turned away. She didn't know exactly how she was feeling but it was something she couldn't ignore. She cursed in her mind, thinking how could she allow herself get attracted to him. Of all men... Capt Ahmad? That was devastating. With contradictory feelings, she handed him the pot she brought out. 'You should boil the pasta in this." She handed him the pot and moved away from the sink. She prepared the rest of the dish while he did what she asked him to do. She placed the shrimp in a colander and ran cool water over to thaw. After few minutes, she peeled the shrimp and removed the tails. She felt his hands on her hips, moving closer to her. She felt her face flush and her tummy whirled when he placed his chin on her shoulder and whispered. 'Do you have to be so close before you tell me the pasta is done?" She asked, shoving his hands away from her hips. Ahmad smirked and shrugged his shoulders. She scoffed and rolled her eyes. 'Keep your hands to yourself," she stated, walking pass him to the pot. His eyes followed her every move, refusal of acceptance in his eyes. After an hour, they were done cooking and already in the dining room ready to eat. Hidayah served them in different plates as he watched her every move. 'What?" She asked, settling down on the chair beside him. 'We should take pictures before eating." He declared, fetching out his phone from his pocket. 'Urgh... no! I am not going to do anything now but eat. Can't you see that I'm tired? We cleaned the house and cooked and you did nothing but looked for my trouble the whole time." Irritation surged up inside her as he let out a soft chuckle. 'You look so cute when you yell." He turned the phone to show her the video he took of her blabbering. 'You see what I was talking about? You are always looking for my trouble." Hidayah tilted her head as she pouted. He let out a short random laugh. 'What? I... I just couldn't help it you're just so adorable but fierce." He wiggled his brows at her and she gave him a goofy smile. The room fell into an awkward yell comfortable silence when they started eating. Both engrossed in their thoughts. From time to time, he looked up and gazed at her. She was just sitting there, all smiles and admiration. He had known her his whole life and what was between them since they had known each other till date can't be called love or even like. In his heart, he knew exactly what he feels for her, and no doubt he likes her. Not only because she was beautiful or attractive, or her hot and appealing figure, but because there was something about her... it felts right to be around her all the time. He likes who he is when he's with her. Even when things get really tough, he's a better version of himself. He took a moment, staring at her till she noticed. 'What?" She mouthed, looking dazed. 'Why are you staring at me? Or do I look like your skinny girlfriend?" She raised a brow as she smirked at him. He let out a soft chuckle as he drops his fork carefully on the plate. 'And who told you she's skinny?" He asked, resting his gaze on her. 'It's obvious from her wacky voice she's skinny. And I bet she can barely breathe due to how skinny she is. Her voice is so wacky and annoying... gosh, my ears were bleeding just listening to her blabber nonstop..." He allowed her to go on because he observed that it gave her joy to say mean things about any female that was around him. Ahmad chuckled by the way she was mimicking Layla's voice. His chuckle was infectious and she couldn't help but giggle too. ** Few hours later, the night was tucked under a wooden dove-grey sky. Ahmad just came back home from the mosque after praying Isha. She still had her eyes on him, though she was astonished that it was getting late and she didn't see him getting ready to go meet his so called skinny girlfriend, Layla. What hidayah didn't know what their meeting has been cancelled. Layla had something to take care of and they had planned to meet the next day. An hour later, Ahmad urged her to join him in the living room to watch a movie which he ended up allowing her to choose the movie while he made popcorn for them. They settled down as the movie began. 'You chose horror movie? Seriously? Since when did you start watching horror movies?" She looked at him in awe. 'Since when did you know I don't watch horror movies?" She stared at him, waiting for an answer. 'Nafisa talks a lot." That was the only thing he mentioned and turned his head to the movie. An hour into the movie. They sat, engrossed, while hidayah squeezed herself so close to him, barely noticing the popcorn that failed to make it to her slack mouth. When she screen fell to black hidayah's body would become rigid and her hand flailed for Ahmad. Silence never lasted long at the movie, merely tools to heighten the drama, ploy of stylistic affect- depriving the senses of light and sound for just long enough to peak her fear. The next moment was maximum intensity: loud bright, fast, shocking. Hidayah yet again jumped on Ahmad's body in terror. Ahmad's arms looping around her, protecting her while she buried her head in his chest. He grinned. This wasn't one of those artsy, enigmatic movies his girl dragged him into watching. This was action, thriller, horror and he couldn't be happier. After the movie ended, Ahmad turned off the tv. 'I'm going to bed now." He could barely hear her by the way her voice was low. It was obvious she was still frightened by the movie they watched. 'After watching this horror film, you want to sleep alone? Common you're sleeping in my room tonight." He offered her his hand but she swatted it away and stood up. 'Why? You have your girlfriend already to keep you company." 'Oh is that so? Then I can call her and come to your room so we could have a conference call together." Hidayah glared at him and hissed before walking away. He stared at her retreating back, smiling till she disappeared to her room. He chuckled, shaking his head before turning off the lights and heading to his room. It was barely ten minutes since he came into his room when hidayah followed him. He smiled, opening the door. He knew she would definitely come to his room but he didn't know she would come that quick. He took in her nightie and observed how it hugged her body, revealing her nice shape. She hugged her pillow, staring up at him. 'Mhm? What's up?" He asked, raising a brow at her. She shoved him aside and entered the room. She hopped onto the bed and laid her head on her pillow. 'Why did you have to bring your own pillow when I already have tons you could use?" Hidayah furrowed her brows and pouted. 'Because I don't trust you and I don't want to smell your cologne on my pillow while I fall asleep." She briskly closed her eyes tightly, not wanting to meet his gaze. He smiled mischievously and joined her in the bed.