ZARA
It's been a few days since Zain's family had come over to my house and they had already called my parents about their decision. It's a yes from them.
I was so surprised when I found out that I questioned if Zain was being forced into this marriage. He seemed so brooding and uninterested in the meeting that I thought he had no plans of getting married.
Alex, with his insider intel from Zain's cousin, assured me the decision came from Zain himself. Alex and Zain's cousin, Rehan, had been close friends since university and had stayed in touch over the years.
I shouldn't have been surprised—Alex was a social butterfly, the kind of guy who seemed to know everyone in every room he walked into. But even then, hearing that Zain had made the decision himself left me reeling.
Not that it really changed anything for me.
Truth be told, I'd made up my mind almost immediately after meeting his family. Despite being a hopeless romantic who devoured sappy love stories like candy, I wasn't delusional. I knew better than to base my future on dreams of fairy-tale romances and love-at-first-sight scenarios.
No, my criteria for a marriage weren't based on finding my one true love or someone who made my heart flutter like in those novels. I wasn't that naive. True love was a privilege—not everyone got to have that in real life, especially in desi communities. The real-world standards were different.
You married a decent man, someone who wouldn't mistreat you, someone who could offer you stability, and then you spent the rest of your life making it work. Compromise. Adjust. And if you're lucky, maybe—just maybe—you'd find contentment in the familiarity and routine.
But there was one thing that mattered to me just as much as love—a strong, supportive family. It wasn't that I lacked one; my parents were wonderful, loving, and had always made me feel cherished, despite the occasional disagreements with Mama. They'd fought to adopt me, and I knew how lucky I was to be chosen by them.
But having been in a family that valued bonds and genuine care above all else, I knew the importance of marrying into a family that shared those values. Because it wasn't just about finding a good husband—it was about finding a good family to join as well. And when Zain's family came over, I couldn't help but notice how effortlessly they seemed to embody that ideal.
Maybe it wasn't the grand love story I'd secretly dreamed of, but it was enough. They were good people, and that mattered more to me than Zain's apparent indifference. After all, good families were rare. This was a solid opportunity—one I might never get again. What if the next proposal was from someone with a tyrant for a mother-in-law who didn't even want me to work?
No, this was enough. This would have to do.
But deep down, a small voice whispered that I wanted more. That I should want more. Was it wrong to want a relationship that went beyond a mutual agreement to coexist? To wish for a bond where my partner and I actually liked each other, respected each other, and—if the stars aligned—maybe even grew to love each other?
But in a world where love was a luxury few could afford, maybe it was foolish to hope for anything beyond a kind family and a decent husband.
And so, despite the nagging feeling in my chest, I'd already made my decision.
I was going to say yes.
***
My parents called Zain's family shortly after I gave them my decision. To celebrate the occasion, we were hosting a small get-together at home, just with Chacha's family and Uncle Christian's. Alex, despite flying in at 2 a.m. last night, managed to drag himself over too. He stumbled into our living room with a dramatic yawn, earning a playful swat on the back of his head from Mama.
"Nice to see you too, Auntie!" he laughed, rubbing the spot where Mama had hit him. He turned to me, his eyes gleaming with mischief as he dropped onto the couch beside me. "So, is it true?" he asked, raising his eyebrows in mock disbelief. "Our little Zara has agreed to get married?"
"It is," I replied, giving him a tired smile. "I'm officially being taken off the market."
"Finally," Kabir, my cousin, chimed in, shaking his head in mock exasperation. "We were starting to think you'd stay single forever."
"Oh, please," I shot back, rolling my eyes. "If anyone's going to stay single forever, it's you."
He pressed a hand to his chest, feigning hurt. "Ouch, straight to the heart, Zee."
I shrugged, pretending not to notice the exaggerated look of betrayal on his face. "Hey, I'm just saying it like it is."
"Okay, okay, enough," Alex interrupted, raising his hands in mock surrender. "But seriously, what made you change your mind? Last time I checked, you were totally against this."
All three boys leaned forward, eyes wide with interest as they waited for my response. I shifted uncomfortably under their collective gaze, wishing for once they'd stop treating my life like a reality TV show.
"Nothing really changed," I admitted quietly, sinking deeper into the couch cushions. "His family is nice. They're good people. There weren't really any reasons to say no."
There was a beat of silence before they burst into loud, exaggerated hollers, their voices blending into a chorus of immature "Oohs" and "Awws."
"No reasons to say no, huh?" Kabir teased, grinning from ear to ear.
"Damn, Zara, Zain must've really impressed you if you're already making excuses like that," Arav, his twin brother, added with a cheeky grin.
I roll my eyes at their immaturity but don't bother to correct their misunderstanding. It was less about Zain and everything to do with his family actually but admitting that seemed so embarrassing. I still felt like the 6 year old who's desperate for a family.
"You guys are reading too much into things." I say simply instead.
"We're just looking out for you," Kabir said with mock seriousness, throwing an arm around my shoulders. "Making sure this isn't some Stockholm Syndrome situation."
"Yeah, blink twice if they threatened you," Arav added, his expression so deadpan that I couldn't help but laugh.
"Seriously, guys, stop it!" I groaned, batting Kabir's arm away and scooting back to put some space between us. "You're all acting like I've agreed to some death sentence."
"Well, haven't you?" Alex said dramatically, clutching his chest like he was the one being forced into marriage. "Marriage is basically the end of all joy and freedom, right?"
"Wow, way to sound like an old, bitter man," I retorted, crossing my arms. "Maybe that's why you are going to stay single forever."
"Me? Bitter? Never." Alex leaned back, smirking. "I'm just... cautious."
"Sure, 'cautious' is one way to put it," Kabir agreed, exchanging a knowing look with Arav. "But let's not make this about Alex's sad love life. Alex, why don't you arrange a lunch meeting with Zain's cousins so Zara can meet them all before the wedding."
Alex nodded as well. "Yeah, might do you good to meet the family beforehand." He pulled out his phone, shooting a text to someone quickly. I presume it's Rehan.
"Wait, wait—so no one's going to ask me if I'm okay with meeting them?" I asked, raising my eyebrows at the trio.
The boys exchanged amused glances, clearly unbothered by my protests.
"What do you think about meeting them, Zara?" Kabir asked in an exaggerated tone, deepening his voice as if mimicking an interviewer.
I folded my arms, mirroring his dramatic expression. "Hmm... I'm not sure I'm ready yet."
"Aww so sad. You're going whether you like it or not."
I rolled my eyes. "Great, so my opinion doesn't matter at all?"
"Not when it comes to meeting your new family," Arav teased, winking. "This is non-negotiable."
"Besides," Alex cut in with a grin, "I'm sure you'll like them. Rehan's a good guy. And I heard Rayan's a bit of a nerd like you."
I narrowed my eyes at him suspiciously. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Alex shrugged, feigning innocence. "Nothing. Just that you might finally have someone to geek out over code with."
"You know what?" I deadpanned, glaring at him. "I take it back. Maybe I won't meet them. Ever."
"Too late," Alex sing-songed, holding up his phone. "Rehan just replied. They're all in."
I groaned, burying my face in my hands. "This is going to be a disaster, isn't it?"
"Only if you make it one," Kabir said, ruffling my hair affectionately. "Just be yourself. They'll love you."
"Yeah, or they'll run screaming in the opposite direction," I muttered, swatting his hand away.
"We'll be there to protect you," Alex promised with a wink. "Think of us as your personal bodyguards."
I roll my eyes but before I could reply back, Mama calls us all for dinner. The boys all run to the dining room like the hungry pigs they are and I take my time walking there.
Truth to be told, all my earlier determination of staying up to catch up with everyone had faded away and my social battery was completely drained out. I didn't want to talk to anyone anymore, especially when the topic of the conversation seemed to be about my upcoming marriage, which just made me stress out more.
So, not to ruin anyone else's mood at my sudden moodiness, I take a seat at the dinner table quietly. I take a small amount of food like always, so I can eat quickly and leave. This was a habit I started when I started getting into frequent fights with Mama.
Eating at the same table as her felt suffocating, especially when we were eating the food she made. It felt like any minute she'd say something about how I didn't cook the food. As our arguments decreased and she started accepting that I'll never be able to cook, my habits stayed the same.
I eat quickly and am about to stand up when uncle Christian addresses me. "Why don't you get some rest Zara? You look tired."
I nod my head once, clear my plate and excuse myself, feeling a surge of relief. Uncle Christian must have noticed my exhaustion and stepped in to give me a way out. He was my favourite uncle for a reason. I shot him a grateful smile and slipped away to my room, hoping to end the night in peace.
The second I stepped into my room, I sighed deeply, allowing the quiet to settle around me. I just needed a few moments to unwind before I could deal with anything—or anyone—else.
But as soon as I sank onto my bed, my phone buzzed in my hand. Startled, I glanced down at the screen. It wasn't one of my usual contacts. Instead, an unknown number stared back at me.
Unknown Number: This is Zain. Save my number.
I blinked at the text, completely caught off guard. This was how he decided to introduce himself? I stared at the message for a long moment, torn between disbelief and amusement. Of course, he'd be this stiff and formal, even over text. Why was I expecting anything different?
With an annoyed sigh, I saved his number under Mr. Grumpy. It suits him perfectly. I quickly shook off the thought and typed out a reply.
Me: Okay.
I even added a period at the end, just to show him that two could play the game of formalities. If he had the social awareness to pick up on my pettiness, that is. I was about to put my phone away when a thought struck me. My fingers moved almost automatically as I typed out another message.
Me: How'd you get my number?
His reply came almost immediately.
Mr. Grumpy: Alex.
That was it. One word. My mood soured instantly. The rational part of my brain reminded me that tone doesn't always translate over text, but I couldn't help the frustration building inside me. He didn't even bother adding anything more—no explanation, no small talk, just a flat, one-word answer.
I tossed my phone onto the bed, exhaling sharply. Maybe I was being overly sensitive, but after being teased about him all day, his curt messages felt like a slap to the face. If he clearly wasn't interested in talking, then why bother starting a conversation at all? I wasn't going to waste my time texting someone who didn't want to text back.
"Whatever," I muttered under my breath. With a stubborn huff, I pushed myself off the bed and headed to the bathroom to do my nightly skincare routine. No matter how drained I felt, I always made time for this little ritual. I'd thank myself tomorrow for it.
By the time I was done, I felt calmer, though the irritation still simmered beneath the surface. With a sigh, I climbed into bed and stared at my phone one last time, half-expecting another short, unfeeling message from Zain. But there was nothing.
Maybe it's better this way, I thought, pulling the covers over myself. At least now I wouldn't have to figure out how to respond to him. I closed my eyes, determined not to let it bother me anymore.
Tomorrow will be a new day. One where I wouldn't let myself be fazed by a certain grumpy, emotionally stunted fiancé.
Or at least, I'd try.
***
The next morning, I was up bright and early for work. It felt like all the stress and irritation from the day before had melted away, leaving me feeling refreshed and back to my usual upbeat self. After a quick shower, I did my skincare routine, applied a bit of blush and concealer—nothing too fancy, just enough to look put together since I was meeting Zain's brothers for lunch later.
Glancing at the time, I hurried downstairs. Mama was already in the living room, laying out breakfast on the table. But I was running late, so I quickly kissed her cheek and turned to rush out the door—only to be yanked back by the collar of my turtleneck.
"Ahh, Mama!" I yelped, nearly choking as she finally let go.
"Where do you think you're going without breakfast?" she asked sternly, hands on her hips.
"I'm running late! There's no time. I'll have a big lunch instead, okay? I'm going out with the boys for lunch anyway," I explained hastily, glancing at my watch. If I didn't leave in the next two minutes, I'd miss the bus. No one would say anything if I was late, but the perfectionist in me just wouldn't allow it.
Mama's expression softened slightly, though she tried to hide it. "I knew you'd start this nonsense again, which is why I made French toast. Take this and eat on your way."
I couldn't help but smile at her thoughtfulness. She liked to pretend she was strict, but I knew better. "Thank you, Mama."
"Why don't you sit and finish your breakfast properly?" Papa suggested, stepping out of the kitchen. "I can drop you off at work today."
I shook my head quickly. "No, it's okay, Papa. With the morning rush, it'll take longer. I'll take the bus and train. Don't worry." Grabbing a piece of French toast, I kissed both their cheeks and dashed out.
By the time I arrived at work, my interns, Zen and Jason, were waiting nervously at the entrance of the elevator. They rushed forward, both looking guilty and flustered.
"Zara, we're so sorry about yesterday!" Jason started.
"We didn't mean to mess things up like that," Zen added.
I waved them off with a smile. "It's fine. Mistakes happen. Just remember to always have your pushes reviewed by a supervisor before deploying."
"That's too mild!" A voice interjected. We turned to see Liam, a colleague, leaning against my office door. His lips twitched up in a teasing smile. "She's letting you two off easy. You nearly crashed the entire site yesterday. The stand up today is going to be real awkward isn't it?"
Zen and Jason paled. They didn't seem to catch the humour in Liam's voice.
"He's joking, boys. Relax," I assured them, shaking my head at Liam as I walked towards him. The interns followed behind me meekly.
"Not about the stand-up in ten minutes, though. You'll both be grilled about what happened. Better get prepared." Liam's teasing smile shifted to a more serious expression.
They nodded frantically and hurried off to get ready for the meeting. I sighed, watching them scurry away, before turning back to Liam.
"Do you really have to terrify them like that?" I asked, pushing past him to enter my office.
"Just keeping them on their toes," he said with a shrug, still lingering by the door. Then, unexpectedly, he asked, "Are you dating someone, Zara?"
I turned, caught off guard. "Why would you ask that?" I frowned, my mind racing. Did someone leak the news about Zain already?
He pointed to my desk. "There's a bouquet of flowers for you."
My gaze followed his finger, landing on a beautiful bouquet of red roses sitting right in the middle of my desk. I blinked in confusion and quickly walked over, searching for a card or a note—anything to indicate who they were from.
Nothing.
"When did this get here?" I asked, more to myself than to Liam.
He shrugged. "No idea. It was there when I came in this morning. If there's no name card maybe it's a mistake?" He gives me a wave as his phone rings. "I'll see you at the stand up later, bye."
I nod in assurance and wave goodbye to him before focusing back on the flowers in front of me.
A frown creased my forehead. Whoever left this must have been someone who knew me well enough to access my office. And who would send me flowers without signing their name? My thoughts drifted to Zain. Could it be him? But that seemed... unlikely, given his behaviour so far.
I took out my phone, hesitating for a moment before sending him a quick text.
Me: Hey! I just received some roses at work with no name card.
Me: Were they from you?
Placing the roses by the windowsill, I tried to shake off my confusion and focus on starting my day. Just as I powered up my laptop, a notification popped up on my phone.
Mr. Grumpy: No. They're not.
I stared at his reply, feeling a pang of disappointment. Right, of course, they weren't from him. What was I expecting? A grand romantic gesture from a guy who could barely manage small talk?
Shaking my head, I typed out a quick response before putting my phone on silent.
Me: Sorry about that then. Have a good day!
Stuffing my phone back into my bag, I took a deep breath and straightened my shoulders. There was no use dwelling on this. I had work to do, and more importantly, I had lunch with Zain's brothers today. I needed to be in a good mood for that.
The morning flew by, a blur of meetings and coding sessions. Before I knew it, lunchtime had arrived. I locked up my office, slinging my bag over my shoulder, and headed out.
This lunch meeting wasn't just a casual outing. It was my first real introduction to the family I was soon going to be a part of. And despite my earlier bravado, a tiny knot of nerves twisted in my stomach as I made my way to the restaurant.
As I approached the restaurant I spotted my Alex and the twins waiting outside. I had mentioned in passing this morning how I was so nervous to be going to the restaurant alone and they decided to wait for me outside so that I didn't have to go in by myself either.
"Don't worry, Zara. You'll be fine and we'll all behave. Right boys?" Arav assured me.
Kabir and Alex exchanged mischievous looks but nodded solemnly. "Scout's honour."
I narrowed my eyes. "You were never Scouts."
"Details, details," Kabir waved dismissively. "Come on. Let's get this show on the road."
With a deep breath, I let them lead me inside. The restaurant was nice - not too formal, not too casual. It had a cosy, welcoming vibe, with soft lighting and plus seating. We were escorted to a round table in the back and I noticed two unfamiliar young men seated with Ayaan.
Ayaan looked up first, his smile wide and warm. "Bhabhi! Over here!"
I ducked my head in embarrassment with a blush coating my cheeks at both his loud shout and him calling me 'Bhabhi'. This was actually starting to feel real now. I was going to get married and these were my in laws.
"Hi!" I said softly, internally cringing at how quiet I sounded. "Good to see you guys."
"This is Rehan," Alex pointed at the slightly taller of the two unfamiliar young men. "And that's Rayan"
"Nice to meet you all." I greet softly and take a seat opposite Rayan. Arav sits next to me opposite Rehan, Alex sits next to Rehan and Kabir sits opposite him.
"It's so nice to finally meet you bhabhi. Everyone has been talking about you non-stop since they came back from your house." Rehan exclaims. I could definitely see how Alex and Rehan are best friends, they have a similar vibe to them.
I blush harder at what he says. Everyone? Does that perhaps also include... Zain? Stop it Zara, there you go ahead of yourself again.
"Thank you," I mumbled automatically, then cringed. What exactly was I thanking them for? My cousins snickered beside me, and I glanced at them in desperation. I was mortified—this was not the impression I wanted to make on my future in-laws.
Thankfully, the waiter arrived right on time, taking our orders and redirecting the conversation. Alex launched into small talk, easing everyone into a lively discussion. I stayed quiet, too nervous to jump in, but that didn't last long.
"So, what do you do for work, Bhabhi?" Rehan asked, turning to me.
I blinked, caught off guard. "Um... I'm a Senior Software Developer at Skyntel."
"Skyntel? That up-and-coming tech company?" Rayan's eyes widened with genuine interest.
I remembered what Alex had mentioned about Rayan being a tech enthusiast like me, which made sense given his excitement. Skyntel was a small company, but it had gained recognition in recent years. I nodded. "Yeah. I heard you're studying Computer Science?"
"Uh, yeah," Rayan replied, his excitement evident. "I'm currently in university. I've dabbled in some projects here and there, but nothing major."
I could tell there was more he wanted to say but was too shy to continue. I smiled, remembering how it felt to be in his position. "If you ever need help with any projects or code, let me know."
"Really? You wouldn't mind?" he asked, his eyes lighting up.
"Of course not."
Alex chimed in with a grin. "Looks like Zara found someone to geek out about tech with. At least now I don't have to pretend to be interested when she starts ranting."
Everyone laughed, and I shot Alex a mock glare, though I was grateful for his effort to make Rayan feel comfortable around me.
Turning to Rehan, I asked, "So, what about you? What do you do?"
"I'm the COO of Regalia, our family company," he explained. "Zain bhai has been training me to take over as CEO when he steps down to focus more on cooking."
I struggled to hide my surprise. I didn't know Zain was planning to step down to pursue his passion for cooking. It was admirable; it took courage to give up such a prestigious position to follow a dream. "That sounds like a big responsibility. Do you enjoy it?"
"It can be challenging, but I like it. Bhai's a good mentor... even if he can be a bit intense," Rehan joked.
The group burst into laughter, and Ayaan started telling a story about how Zain once caught him pranking his teacher and grounded him for a month.
The rest of lunch flew by as we joked and got to know each other better. I couldn't even remember why I'd been so nervous. They were all so down-to-earth and goofy, making me feel at ease.
As we finished, I noticed someone near the back of the restaurant talking to the manager. My eyes widened in shock. Arav must have noticed too, because he spoke up.
"Hey, isn't that Zain?"
The others turned to look, and there he was, deep in conversation with the manager. Without hesitation, Kabir raised his hand and shouted, "Hey Zain! Over here, man!"
I buried my face in my hands, embarrassed at the attention we were drawing. Zain looked equally surprised but walked over to our table with his usual guarded expression.
"Bhai, what are you doing here?" Ayaan asked.
"Did you forget this is my restaurant?" he replied flatly. More information about Zain was coming at me today than I could keep up with.
Zain glanced at his watch. "I need to get back to the office," he said, excusing himself. He nodded to everyone before turning to leave.
Ayaan, noticing my deflated mood, leaned over. "Bhabhi, he must be really busy. He's not usually this distant, I promise."
I forced a smile and kept quiet. It wasn't like me to feel down, but Zain had a way of dampening my spirits without even trying.
After lunch, we all stepped outside, saying our goodbyes. As we stood there, Rayan approached me shyly.
"If you don't mind, can I have your number?" he asked, looking down.
My heart melted at his sweet request. Growing up, I was always the youngest one being babied. But with Rayan, I felt an instinct to protect him, like he was already my little brother.
"Of course," I said warmly. I took out my phone, and we exchanged numbers. "Now you can reach out anytime—whether it's about code or just life stuff."
"Thanks, Bhabhi," he said, his smile bright. Hearing him call me that again filled me with a quiet joy.
Just then, Kabir turned to me with a frown. "How are you getting back to the office, Zara?"
"I was just going to take the bus," I replied, slipping my phone into my bag.
"Absolutely not," Kabir said firmly. "There's no way we're letting you take the bus."
"He's right," Arav added. "We'll drop you off."
I shook my head, touched by their protectiveness but not wanting to be a burden. "It's fine, really. You're all heading in different directions. It wouldn't make sense for you to go out of your way."
Before the argument could go any further, I noticed a sleek black car parked nearby. Zain stepped out, ending a call as he walked toward us.
"What are you doing here?" Kabir asked, his curiosity evident. "Weren't you heading back to the office?"
Zain's gaze swept over the group, lingering briefly on me. "I had a call to make, so I stayed longer."
Rehan quickly seized the moment. "Zain, Bhabhi doesn't have a ride to the office. She was going to take the bus, but we can't convince her to let us drop her off."
Zain's expression shifted slightly as he turned to me. "Your office is on my way. I can give you a ride."
I hesitated, glancing at the boys who were clearly not taking no for an answer. "Are you sure?" I asked cautiously.
"It's no inconvenience," Zain replied, his tone calm. "It's on my way."
Alex shot him a sceptical look. "Since when is her office on your way?"
Zain didn't miss a beat. "I'm heading to one of my restaurants, not the office."
The boys exchanged surprised glances but didn't question him further.
"See?" Rehan grinned. "It's settled then."
I sighed, realising I wasn't going to win this argument. "Fine," I relented. "Thank you, Zain."
He simply nodded and turned, leading the way to his car. I followed, a bit hesitant, but grateful for the ride. As we approached the car, Zain reached out to open the passenger door, but I'd already grabbed the handle myself without noticing him reaching for it. I opened the door and slid in quickly.
Zain paused for a moment, his expression unreadable, before he walked back to his side of the car. I caught a glimpse of what looked like disappointment flash across his features, but it was gone before I could be sure.
"Where do you work?" he asks once we both got settled in. I turned to look at him in surprise. If he didn't even know where I worked, why would he say that it's on his way?
"Skyntel." I respond simply. Whatever his intentions were, I didn't want to pry. Starting from now on, I won't get my hopes up with anything he does.
The car ride started in silence. I stared out the window, not sure what to say or if I should say anything at all. There was something about Zain's presence that always made me feel oddly self-conscious. I didn't want to be the one to break the quiet, so I kept my mouth shut.
Well that was the plan before I noticed how fidgety he seemed. His fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel and he shifted in his seat uncomfortably every few minutes. He looked... nervous almost.
I glanced at him, frowning slightly. "Is everything okay?"
He didn't answer immediately. We stopped at a red light, and to my surprise, he reached into the back seat. A moment later, he pulled out a bouquet of lilies—my favourite flowers.
"They're for you," he said quietly, his expression serious but with a hint of uncertainty in his eyes. "From me, this time."
My heart skipped a beat, warmth flooding my cheeks as I took the bouquet. The delicate petals brushed against my fingers, and I couldn't help but smile, feeling the weight of the gesture. "Thank you," I whispered softly, a small smile playing on my lips.
Zain glanced at me for a brief moment, then focused back on the road as the light turned green. The tension that had lingered between us seemed to ease, though my heart still raced from the unexpected kindness.
As I gently twirled one of the lilies between my fingers, I glanced over at him, curiosity getting the best of me. "How did you know these were my favourite?" I asked, still in awe.
He raised an eyebrow, briefly glancing at me again before returning his attention to the road. "I didn't," he admitted, his tone casual but laced with amusement. "Lucky guess."
I grinned. "Well, it was a good guess."
Zain's lips curved slightly. "Better than roses, right?"
"Definitely," I blushed, still playing with the lilies.
"Did you find out who sent you the roses yesterday?"
"No, there was no name or card with it which is why I actually thought they were from you." I sighed.
"Roses?" He raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I wouldn't give you roses. They're too predictable."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his response. "Instead you would woo women with lilies?"
A smirk tugged at his lips as he shot me another brief look. "Well, lilies make great bait, don't you think? They're more personal, more special."
I couldn't help but grin. "Yeah, you've got a point. Roses are a little too... classic."
Zain nodded, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. "Exactly."
I decided to push a little further, curious to see how far he'd play along. "So, what's the next step of wooing a woman?"
He glanced at me, his eyes twinkling with a rare spark of amusement. "You think I have a strategy?"
"Oh, definitely," I teased, leaning back in my seat. "You probably have a whole playbook for this kind of thing, don't you? Start with lilies, and then... what? Chocolates next? A romantic dinner at one of your fancy restaurants?"
Zain chuckled, the sound low and warm. "Is that what you'd prefer?"
"With a handsome chef along with the romantic dinner?" I grinned, throwing him a playful look. "Consider me wooed."
"That can be arranged," he said smoothly, his voice dipping a little lower.
I raised an eyebrow, slightly taken aback by how easily he played along. But two could play this game. "Well, the food also has to be good," I quipped, my tone light but teasing.
Zain glanced at me again, his eyes locking with mine for a moment longer than necessary. "I'll make sure it's perfect," he said, his voice steady, but there was a softness behind it that caught me off guard.
I bit my lip, trying to suppress a smile as I turned my gaze back to the flowers. The banter, the easy flow of conversation—it was unexpected, and a part of me was surprised by how natural it felt. Maybe Zain wasn't as distant as I'd first thought.
The butterflies in my stomach had multiplied, and I found myself feeling something I hadn't expected—a flicker of excitement.
******
A long chapter for you guys!!
To be honest, I'm not really a big fan of this chapter but hopefully writing would get easier.
This chapter is dedicated to all the strong independent girls out there who doesn't need anyone but secretly craves to be loved genuinely.
With love, Kiara 🫶