"I just think they're unrealistic."
"How so?"
"The way most of them make it seem like everything works out in the end, that everything has a happy ending—it's farfetched."
We reached a red light. I lowered my arms and looked out the window, pushing a small smile to my lips. "But I think everything does work out in the end. Whether the ending is happy, that's subjective, but I do think that everyone's matters get settled in a way that's best for us, whether or not we realize it. It all works out in our favor. It may not seem like it, but the fact is, as humans, we don't truly know what's good for us, only Allah SWT knows."
Fawad looked at me intently.
"I always like to believe that when something doesn't go our way, we were saved from something bigger that we don't even know of. When we're going through the difficult situation, it's hard to be cognizant of these things or to even see the light at the end of the tunnel. As humans, that's how we are. Forgetful and impatient. We forget the things we've overcome and feel like there's no solution to our current circumstances. But it's important to step back and reflect on the times we've felt like that and we're able to come out of it."
I looked at Fawad, searching his eyes. His stare reflected his somber deepness of thought filled with conflict and contemplation.
The light turned green, and he turned his head and continued driving. The silence continued as the sun slowly began its descent into the horizon. I wanted him to say something, but he didn't.
We pulled into the parking lot of the movie theaters. He got out of the car and opened the door for me.
"Thank you," I gave him a soft smile.
He responded with a polite nod.
"What are we watching then?" I asked as we walked to the box office. "There's also a horror comedy mov-"
"Your Bollywood movie."
I lifted an eyebrow, "Really?"
"Really."
"You won't be bored?"
"We'll see about that," he shrugged lightheartedly.
We had arrived just in time. The next screening was in 30 minutes. Fawad paid for two tickets, and we went inside. I pleaded him to allow me to pay for the popcorn and slushies, but as usual, he didn't hear a word. "Haan haan. Ab millionaire jo tehre," I teased him, earning an eyeroll and an amused smirk.
(Yes yes. Now you are a millionaire)The trailers were already playing in the dim theater when we entered. The red reclining seats were filled sparsely. The movie had already been in theaters for a few weeks, so I didn't expect there to be more than a couple of us watching.
I followed Fawad to the center of the empty row in the middle of the house. We settled into our seats and placed our slushies in the holders. I held onto the large tub of popcorn and scanned the room before I observed him with soft eyes.
This felt like a date, that he was my boyfriend, and like other romantic couples, we were out for a movie and dinner. He paid for everything like a gentleman and selected the movie of my choice. How could I not find it difficult to keep my feelings from growing?
"F*ck, I can't remember the last time I came to the theaters to watch a movie," Fawad looked around.
"That too on a workday, huh?" I joked.
A smile tugged on his lips when, suddenly, we both turned around. A couple on the row above us bumped into the back of our seats while trying to get to theirs.
They looked at us, apologizing, "Sorry."
I gave them a closed-mouth smile while Fawad nodded. And when they walked past, the view cleared to reveal a familiar face seated right behind us.
"Alizey Ahmed!"
My expression fell at the coincidence.
Sigh. Date nahin tha fate.
(The date was not in my fate)"Harris."
"So, this is where you we're going with Fawad Bhai." The men greeted each other a curt nod. "But it seems it was destined for us to hang out today, Zey," my cousin chuckled. He then looked at the seats around us, "I'mma come sit with you guys. The whole row is empty." With that, he left his red recliner and found his way to the one next to me, placing me in between him and Fawad.
I searched Fawad's stoic face for a reaction, but I couldn't read his thoughts.
"The three of us watching a movie together was the last thing I could've expected tonight," my cousin laughed.
"Same," I shook my head with an amused smile.
Fawad leaned closer and murmured, "Does he want some of the popcorn?"
I smiled at him and his thoughtfulness. I then offered the bucket to Harris, who threw a few of the popped kernels into his mouth.
"You can give him my slushie. I'll go get another one," Fawad told me quietly before he began getting out of his chair.
I grabbed onto his arm, "No. I'll give him mine. Can we share yours? I don't want that much, otherwise I'll be full before we get to the restaurant."
"Are you sure?" he studied my eyes. "I can get you another one."
"I'm sure," I smiled. "It's fine."
He nodded and sat back down. Harris refused politely when I gave him my slushie, but I put it in his cupholder nevertheless.
The movie then began. Harris and I giggled to each other and made quiet commentary, while Fawad watched uninterestedly, resting his cheek against his fist, his elbow on the armrest.
"Cover your eyes," Harris jokingly placed his hand over my eyes when the onscreen couple began kissing.
I lowered his hand with a chuckle. I glanced at Fawad, who was smirking amusedly at my cousin's antics. I then lifted a handful of popcorn to my mouth while my husband took a sip of his berry blue slushie. I was reaching for some more popcorn when he extended his drink to me. I looked at the straw.
Drinking from the same straw. Welp, at least it's dark so he can't see your cheeks flushing, Alizey.
But he's so cute! Why does the littlest things about him make me swoon?
I took it from him and had a short sip then handed it back to him. He set it into the cupholder. It was nothing, but I couldn't help but smile when he took a small swig a few minutes later.
Fawad's P.O.V.
My eyes softened as I watched Alizey's orbs light up when another music sequence began. She evidently knew the song given how she was mouthing the words. There was a hopeful look in her eyes as she watched the couple embrace each other in the snowy mountains of Kashmir.
Suddenly, her words from the car echoed in my ears. I disagreed with them. I couldn't reconcile how separation from those who mean more to you than yourself, how soul-crushing pain, was for one's own good.
But the fact that life hadn't crushed her spirit despite all she's faced depicted her strong faith. I commend her for it and hope her optimism and beliefs remain intact. She deserved it. She deserved for her faithfulness and patience to be rewarded.