Chapter Ten

Mawra was surprised to see Ibrahim in the canteen. Wasn't he in the conference call? She wondered with a worried look on her face, was he going to scold her now that the call was over? Another thought crossed her mind. 

It's nearly a week since that unexpected proposal and she was yet to give her answer. The initial awkwardness she had around him after that noon was replaced with her confident self, she'd at least pretend to be cool. But Mawra knew everyone were waiting for her response, including him. 

"Can you come to my office, Ms. Hussain?" passing Adnan a blank look, Mawra got up from her chair and followed her boss from behind, worrying about his cold voice. He sounded really mad back there. 

"You can come in this elevator." Ibrahim pointed to his special one with his eyes. She nodded her head reluctantly and walked in, along with him. 

The receptionist who came to have her lunch in the canteen, observed all of this with a look on her face. That type of look which screamed judging. She was observing the awkwardness between her boss and his assistant for a week now and a wicked smile formed on her lips as she found another hot topic to gossip. 

***

"I'm so sorry, sir. I was so busy with my other tasks that I've forgotten about this file." Mawra muttered as soon as they stepped into his office whilst eying the file on his table, Ibrahim was confused for a second there. But understood what she was talking about, "its alright. Even I've forgotten about that. My mind was somewhere else." He had no choice but to attend the conference call. 

As soon as the words left his mouth, Mawra gaped in surprise. That was another first. Ibrahim was never the one to be distracted. And hearing him admit that his mind was somewhere else has surprised her to say the least. 

"Then why did you call me here, sir?" 

Oh, shoot! What do I tell her? 

"I-" before he could come up with a good lie, a call interrupted them. Ibrahim silently thanked them, whoever they are, "excuse me." she nodded her head while he lifted the call. 

"Mom? Why are you crying? Is everything okay?" Ibrahim's cold voice was suddenly so soft and vulnerable as he spoke with his mother. It was like he's a whole new person now. Mawra was stunned. 

"I-I'll be there." he hung up with a worried look on his face, which also worried her. She has never seen him like this. 

"Is everything okay?" Mawra asked, to which he passed her a blank look. 

"My b-brother got into a bike accident and..." his voice was so low and weak as he uttered those words and just by that sight, one could say how important is his brother to him. 

"I need to go." he rushed out of his office, whilst praying for his little brother. Mawra followed him behind in a hurry, "can I join you too?" Ibrahim looked taken aback at her interest, but nodded his head anyway. He was touched with the concern she was showing, even if nothing about the marriage was confirmed yet . 

The car ride was filled with complete silence, neither of them spoke. But Ibrahim was somehow glad to have her company. It gave him some kind of moral support unknowingly. Mawra insisted that she'd drive as his driver was on a leave. And the other drivers went to have their lunch. He was not exactly in a state to drive as well. So, he lets her to drive. 

"He'll be alright. Don't worry." Mawra whispered softly as they parked near the hospital. He nodded his head with the same hope. As soon as the car was parked, they rushed towards the reception and enquired about his brother, who guided them to the ward. 

"Mom." 

"Thank god, you came. Oh my, you're here too." Salika sighed in relief to see her son, and a small smile etched on her lips as she saw Mawra along with him, she returned her smile, with a concerned look on her eyes.

"How's that idiot, mom?" Ibrahim asked about Ameen.  His mother shook her head, "I told you not to gift him that bike, do you ever listen?" Salika began to comaplaint, throwing the blame on him now. 

"But how is he?" he had no time to listen to her scolding for all he cared was Ameen's well being. 

"He's sleeping. A few scratches on his legs and hands. The doctor said he'll be fine and not to disturb him for now." Salika mumbled with a frown. 

"That's all? I've been worried for nothing?" Ibrahim sounded relieved to know that his brother was fine. Trust his mother to be over dramatic for everything. With the way she sounded, he was worried sick and she didn't even tell him anything completely. Just mentioned about the hospital and the accident and hung up on him. 

"You got me so scared, mom." he was mad at his mother for making him go trough hell in the past half an hour, she didn't even lift the call on his way. 

"Your father is out of station, and I needed you here okay. I was scared too." Salika mumbled with teary eyes. He didn't reply her but hugged her instead as his mother cried in his arms, he rubbed her back affectionately trying to calm her down. 

Mawra's heart warmed at that sight in front of her. They were so cute that it was making her feel emotional. 

This was an entirely new side of Ibrahim that she has witnessed in the last half an hour, the way he cared for his family. How scared and worried he was for his brother has melted her cold heart, like Ahil called it. 

She didn't even realize but was smiling at the mother and son duo, who were still hugging each other. Honestly, what stopped her all these days from saying yes to this marriage was a worry. And that worry vanished in the blink of her eyes as she saw how soft and protective he is towards his family. 

Mawra could only hope that he'd show at least one by fourth of that care, affection and concern towards her if she said yes to the marriage. All these years she has only pictured him to be the cold and arrogant boss, and that scared her from saying yes to the marriage but seeing him in a new light was giving her a completely different feeling, which she couldn't describe it herself. 

At that moment, she knew what will be her answer. Another small smile played on her lips at that thought.