How Love Happens - Chapter 33

 

Haifa was over the moon as the family left the wedding celebration later that night. She couldn't stop smiling, and she had no idea what they were talking about. Thankfully, she and Saira were walking a little behind as the rest walked ahead.

"What are you smiling about?" Saira suddenly asked.

Haifa jolted from her happy bubble, sending a quick glance to check if anyone else had heard. "When we get home," she whispered.

As soon as they stepped inside the house, Saira immediately faked a yawn and bid good night to everyone, dragging Haifa upstairs as fast as she could.

"Tell me!" Saira demanded at her door.

"Well, I haven't told you yet, but I broke up with my boyfriend, Aseel, a week ago," Haifa began hesitantly.

"Okay," Saira said slowly.

"And I met Zishan tonight, and we... um... we decided to... get together," Haifa tried to explain helplessly. She winced as she said the words. She had no idea she had transitioned from one relationship to another in just one week. What must Saira think of her?

"You got together tonight? Just now?" Saira asked, her eyes wide.

"Um, yes..." Haifa felt uneasy; she really didn't want anyone to judge her, and she felt like she was being judged. She was judging herself.

"Stop, don't tell me yet," Saira pulled a confused Haifa into her room quickly and flipped on the lights. "Come, sit,” she instructed.

Still dumbfounded, Haifa obeyed. It was not really how she had imagined anyone would react to her news, not that she was ready to tell anyone yet. Saira pulled out her phone, dialed a number, and set it neatly on her table, much like Haifa did whenever she Facetimed Aseel. "Who are you..." She trailed off midsentence to see the familiar number of Aish. "When do you have the number for Aish?" she asked as Saira got comfortable, pulling a chair next to hers.

"Hey girl, what's up?" Aish answered, looking like she was ready for bed with a messy bun and an oversized T-shirt. "Hey Ifa."

"It happened!" Saira cried out excitedly. Haifa looked at her and then back at her friend.

"NO! really? Oh my God! Tell me everything," Aish said, sitting with her legs crossed. "Start from the beginning."

Haifa looked at both of them suspiciously. "Have you two been talking about me?" she asked.

"Of course, now, spill," Aish waved her off.

"I met Zishan tonight at a neighbor's wedding, and we decided to start a relationship," she said slowly.

"Oh, not like that, from the start," Aish said. "Is he in love with you? Did he say that? Are you? When did you know?" she bombarded her with questions.

"Okay, fine. Maybe I was attracted to him before," Haifa said as a blush heated her cheeks, "he said he was in love with me just about the time you left," she told Aish.

"Oh no, and I missed it?" Aish asked, devastated. "And you? Do you love him?" she turned to Haifa.

"I think I liked him a lot before and I guess I had been in love for some time now," she confessed.

"Ohh, so cute," Aish said.

"I told you, there was something going on. Every time they were together, it was like they were alone, and we all just disappeared," Saira added.

"I know, right? She seemed like a different person. I knew it was just a matter of time," Aish said.

The way they were talking, Haifa felt like she wasn't in the room. They excitedly chatted away, and when she interrupted, "You guys, don't think I'm moving too fast?" she asked.

Aish looked at her oddly, "Too fast? Why would we think that?"

"I just ended a relationship," she tried to explain.

"Look, that relationship was doomed from the start. He was not good to you. You knew it was not going to work out. You just hung on so desperately you did not want to see how bad it was," Aish pointed out.

Saira turned to her, "When a relationship ends, it doesn't end in the exact moment; it starts from a long time back. Sometimes, we are so invested we just believe things would get better even though things keep going bad," she said softly. "The relationship dies, but the end comes much later."

"So, me falling in love again so fast is not alarming?" Haifa asked.

It was Aish who answered, “Sometimes we fall in love in moments, and sometimes we spend a lifetime together before falling in love. There is no specific span of time for it,” she reassured. “How long has it been since you've been attracted to Zishan?”

"Um, maybe from the time we met," Haifa thought back to the day she had tripped at the welcome party on the very first day in Vavathi. "The day I came here, I guess."

"So that's like almost four months?" Aish asked. "That's not a small amount of time."

Haifa thought about what Aish just said. It had been almost four months. She hadn't even realized it had been that long.

"Look, all that matters is what you want. If it feels right for you, everything else is not important. Do you feel like you are ready for another relationship? Do you want Zishan?" Aish asked seriously.

Haifa knew Aish had a point, and she was asking exactly what she had thought herself. "I really want to. He is such a good man, so sweet and kind," she replied.

"Then it's final. Do not overthink. Just see how it goes."

Haifa slept like a baby that night. After her small rendezvous with the girls, she came to her room to find that Zishan had texted her a goodnight message with "Love you." All her doubts melted away. She had never felt so happy in her life. He seemed more and more like the best thing that ever happened to her.

***

The whole next day, she was both happy and nervous. Doubts crept in again; was she with Zishan just to fill the emptiness she felt after Aseel had gone? Though she had never even thought about him for a second after the breakup. Maybe Aish was right about her relationship dying before she had officially ended it. But self-doubt remained her old friend.

Her thoughts constantly drifted back to Zishan, the moment they had shared the previous night. Haifa felt warm and wonderful whenever the scene replayed in her mind. He was so handsome and sweet; she couldn't believe he was hers now. She felt excited for their date, daydreaming about him made her feel alive. They had texted to each other throughout the day. He too seemed anxious to see her.

That night, she decided to wear the clothes she loved the most. Nothing spectacular, but nice. She even opted not to wear hours of makeup and chose simple accessories. Haifa was determined to approach the relationship this time without any pretense—no enhancing herself in appearance or character to please. Besides, Zishan had already seen her in almost no makeup and wearing the most casual clothes.

She checked the time just when she heard a knock. "Yeah," she called out, slipping her phone into her bag.

"Ooh, you look dressy for dinner tonight," Saira remarked as she poked her head into her room.

Haifa laughed, "I am going out for dinner."

Saira immediately came in, "Is it with Zishan?" she asked, wiggling her brows.

"Yes, it's our official first date," she said while putting on her perfume.

Saira clapped, "I'm so happy for you,” she said happily, “I miss that part most, the start of a relationship. The dates and sweet romance,” she sighed.

“You will find someone like that soon,” Haifa encouraged.

Saira shook her head, “I don’t think so.”

Haifa thought for a moment, “Maybe you have found him but not realized it yet. Everything has a time, you know,” she said

“Let's see,” she replied gloomily.

When Haifa came out of the house, with Saira eagerly trailing behind, Zishan was already waiting for her. He smiled widely at her and said hello to Saira, pulling out a red rose from behind him.

"A rose for my rose," he said.

A very loud "awww" came from Saira as Haifa beamed, taking the rose. "Thank you, it's beautiful."

"You are most welcome, ready to go?" he asked, offering his hand.

"Yes," she replied, taking his hand. "Sai, can you put this in water for me, please?" she asked.

"Yep," Saira took the rose like it was her precious.

Laughing, they walked out together. "You look wonderful tonight," Zishan said once they were out of earshot.

Haifa blushed deeply as her gaze lowered. "Thank you, you look handsome too."

He did look very handsome in a white crisp shirt and blue jeans. His hair looked fresh like he had just taken a shower, and he smelled incredible. She couldn't help herself from leaning a little closer to inhale the spicy, intoxicating fragrance he wore. His hand felt soft and warm as it laced with hers, his thumb making lazy circular motions, sending tingling sensations through her body.

"I wanted to thank you for everything you've done for me," she said. "The flamingo surprise was the best surprise I've ever had. I don't know how to thank you."

"Did you like it? I was so excited to show you that," he replied.

"Basith told me,” She replied. "How is your project going?" she asked.

"It's great. There were some complications at the beginning. The Male' office called my boss and was not at all happy about going on the news without informing them. But the matter had reached the required people already, so they cannot do much to stop it," he said happily. "My boss took the blame, even when I offered to talk to them. He said he allowed me to do it, and he said even if they were not happy about our methods, the budget was being approved.”

"That's great."

"Yep, they have already asked us to post a notice in the news to find applicants for the course. It's due to go out tomorrow," he said. "After the two weeks when the deadline closes, we have one week for selection, and then we begin."

"You've been busy."

"Yeah."

Zishan took her to a small restaurant in the center of the island, where soft music played in the background. He asked about her work, and she talked about how she had changed the video after the last shoot. He talked about his work, and as their dinner progressed, so did their conversation. It felt natural to talk to him about her family and childhood. She felt closer to him as he described his own experiences, making her laugh at the mischief he and his brothers were up to.

Hours passed without them missing a beat; not a single lull came. Her nervousness disappeared, and they talked and laughed like old friends.

"I had a lovely time," he said as he brought her back to her home.

"I had a wonderful time too," she said, suddenly shy being alone with him in the darkened spot next to her front door. He was so close; she felt his breath on her face. His eyes caressed her face, drifting lower. She hesitantly touched his face, letting herself feel his skin. Her fingertips grazed his cheekbones, and she felt him take a sharp breath.

Haifa's gaze moved over his face to his luscious hair; she had always wondered how it felt to let her fingers through it. Her fingers moved on their own accord, sinking into the deep, soft, wonderful strands. His hands tightened around her, drawing her close. She let herself immerse in his warmth, his scent filling her lungs. She felt his heart speed up against hers.

"Good night," he said softly, giving her a toe curling sweet kiss, “I love you.”

"I love you too," she whispered back.

He stepped back, still holding her hand. They stood looking at each other, holding hands, finding it hard to let go. "I will see you tomorrow," he said, finally letting go. She smiled at him before going inside, giving him another wave before she closed the door. God, that man would make her fall in love with him every day.

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Have a wonderful day!