Chapter Twelve

The whole night she couldn't get herself to sleep, with tossing and turning from left to right, Mawra was a mess. The question of how she is going to face Ibrahim and what else would change has kept her awake the whole night and now, she had dark circles under her eyes.  Overthinking has always been a bad habit of hers. 

She took a final look at herself after applying the concealer and did extra efforts with eyeliner and mascara. After all, today is going to be extra special, for she is going to meet not just her boss but her fiance, with whom her marriage was fixed. 

Just the thought itself brings a shy smile on her face, with a sigh she walked down stairs and transferred her breakfast in a lunch box, "I'll eat in the car, ammi." Mawra's weird obsession with reaching the destination on time gets on everyone's nerves, but they couldn't help it. That's just the way she is. 

"Allah Hafiz." Rashidha waved at her, who hurriedly got into the car and waved back through the window. Taking a sigh of relief, she opened her box and began to eat her breakfast, forgetting about everything else for a while. 

Food is always first. The rest is secondary. 

"We are here, ma'am." the drivers voice stopped her from being busy with writing the upcoming events of the day. Quickly after getting down, she looked at her wrist watch and sighed inwardly. Coming early gives her a different level of satisfaction. 

"Yes, I've noticed too. They're behaving very different for the past week." one of her colleague was chatting with the receptionist lady as she passed by them but stopped on her tracks when her name was brought in, "I swear.He didn't even fire her when they bumped that day, it was so unusual for him." 

"They even used same elevator yesterday, the special one. She must have done something, our boss is not the one who encourages such acts." the receptionist continued, Mawra's blood boiled with rage as she fisted her hands, trying to control herself. 

Their face changed colors when they realized Mawra was listening to their conversation, the other lady made a lame excuse and ran away from there leaving them alone. The receptionist gulped nervously as she glared at her dirtily. 

"Mind your own business, will you?" Mawra muttered in a warning tone and walked away from there, angrily. Her cheerful mood was now ruined, thanks to this vile woman. The receptionist can get nasty with her gossiping and she didn't like her, not even one bit. 

First things first, she prepared his usual coffee and a small smile played on her lips as she waited for him to come. She was eager to see his face and see if he was this nervous, or was it just her. 

Even if her mood was spoiled, Mawra was still nervous and excited to see Ibrahim and... that's all. she don't know what happens next. 

"Good morning, sir." her colleagues began to greet him one by one, and her stomach did a somersault at the thought of going into his office, alone. 

It has never been a problem before. But of course, things are different now. 

You've got this. Mumbling that to herself, Mawra walked towards his office. Her did a flip when she held his door knob and asked for permission. Her hands were literally a shaking mess. But she tried her best to compose herself. 

"Good morning, sir." greeting him meekly, she placed the mug on his table and looked upto him. 

"Good morning." came his reply, as he switched his laptop on. Her breath hitched for a second there. 

Sitting in front of her was her future husband, with his hair all gelled up looking as dashing as ever. Black was his color and he looked extra good in the suit he was wearing today. Maybe, he did extra efforts to dress up or was it just her? Mawra wondered to herself. 

"Cancel my plans after eleven a.m. today. And you'll have to accompany me to somewhere after that, so be prepared. " he ordered her while typing away something. Of everything he could say, Mawra didn't think expect him to say these words. Not after she yes to the marriage though. She was highly disappointed now.

"You can go and do your allotted tasks." he still didn't look at her.

That's it? Nothing else? Ugh, what an idiot. I didn't sleep the whole night for this reaction? Mawra wondered with a scowl.

"Fine, sir." with a huff, she left his office and Ibrahim finally smiled as he watched her disappearing figure. It was hard for him to keep a straight face, especially when she checked him out so openly and he also knew that she wanted some kind of reaction from him; after her yes. 

Ibrahim being the man he was, decided to annoy her by being nonchalant and unfazed. He wanted to continue it for the rest of the day. It should be the perfect lesson for her, as she took equally more days to say this small answer. 

The rest of the morning passed in a blur, as he watched Mawra sulking in her cabin, disappointed with his lack of reaction. He kind of felt bad, but thought to make it up-to her by the end of the day. It was fun nevertheless, he hoped that she'd know what a torture it is to wait for something and get it soon.

"Sir, it's eleven." she came into his office with a frown on her face. God, she was so cute. 

"Pack your stuffs, you can leave after the work is done." Ibrahim shut his laptop down, as he took his phone and keys. Mawra nodded her head reluctantly. Small whispers followed them as they walked towards the elevator. By now, the receptionist's gossip must have spread like wild fire. 

Mawra clenched her fist as she controlled herself, "you can come in this one." he offered her once again. 

"No, I'm fine here." she mumbled with a smile and saw him frown. But she couldn't help it. There were gossips going on about them already, she couldn't give more reasons for them to talk. But staffs observed even this tiniest details of their interaction and few were already passing knowing looks. 

Ibrahim didn't say anything else as they walked into separate elevators and he patiently waited for the ground floor to come. 

***

The car ride was awkward to say the least. Mawra fidgeted with her fingers nervously. She had no idea what to expect anymore. After saying yes to the marriage and getting no sane response kind of broke her heart. And now, having to sit beside him for god knows how long is another annoying feeling. 

"We are here." Mawra kind of expected a five star hotel or a huge building but what she saw was a jewelry shop. Her eyes widened in surprise. 

"Why are we here?" she questioned him and then bit her lips, he gave her an amused grin, "why are you so nervous? Chill." 

She had no reply to that, while Ibrahim got down with a shake of his head and held the door open for her. Mawra raised her brows at him, as he gave her his hands, "I can get down on my own." she mumbled while ignoring his hands and got down from her side of the door. 

Ibrahim grinned at that. He knew that she was beyond angry and now is the time he reacts, 

"we are here to select our engagement rings." as expected her mouth opened in surprise and she was speechless for a moment. 

"We are what?" 

"Going to select rings." he smiled at her, and damn. He looked so good while smiling. 

Shut up, Mawra.

"What for?" she questioned with a small frown. Realizing how impatient she has been the whole day, just to see his reaction and he took this long to even acknowledge their new relationship. It bothered a lot than she has imagined. 

"I think you didn't hear me properly Or you forgot that you've said yes for this marriage." a mischievous smile formed on his lips. 

"So you remember, huh?" crossing her arms across her chest, she questioned him cutely. It was supposed to be intimidating, but unfortunately for her, he found it very cute.

Another wide smile formed on his lips, as he said "never forgot to begin with." Heat raised on her cheeks once again. But she controlled herself. 

You're supposed to be angry, not blush. 

"You pretended to be unfazed then?" she questioned again, and he found it hard not to laugh. 

"Don't answer that, I'm so mad at you." throwing her hands up in the air, dramatically she walked towards the shop but got slipped on her heels and was about to fall down and humiliate herself in front of all these people. 

Like every other cliche movies and books, came her savior, who held her hands and saved her from the public embarrassment. 

"I've got you..." 

"...forever now." he added with a smile as she stood straight. This time it wasn't in her hands to not blush. Ibrahim already has this crazy effect on her. 

"And also..."

"Huh?"

"Thank you so much for agreeing to spend the rest of your life with me, Mawra. I am really happy that you said yes." Ibrahim confessed in front of the jewelry shop whilst holding her hands. She looked at him wide eyed, speechless and shocked. 

Mawra pulled back her hands from his grip and smiled at him shyly, "thanks for catching me." 

"I'll always be there to catch you, Mawra... for the rest of your life." Ibrahim added cheekily making her cheeks to go on fire. That was such an over used pickup line yet so powerful when he used it with his husky voice. It sounded more romantic than it should have.

When did her ever so arrogant and angry boss turn so cheesy? She had no idea, but damn... this new side of him was so nice. She could get used to this. 

"Insha Allah." she mumbled to herself softly. 

"Insha Allah." he grinned at her while gesturing towards the shop, tucking her lose hair behind her ears, she walked ahead of him with a shy smile on her lips and Ibrahim followed her from behind with a content smile.