1 AZLAN.

"She'll be here any minute" I muttered nervously just as my phone beeped slightly indicating her presence nearby.

I heard Eric chuckle as he nudged me playfully.

"She hasn't yet arrived and you're all jittery .You will probably throw up the shawarma from last night all over her out of shyness" he mocked . I kicked him hard on the shin. " it's already hard and YOU are not helping" I whisper-yelled.

"No offence but you look like you'll be seeing a girl for the first time. That too your girlfriend" he seemed impressed at his own remark ,ignoring my previous statement. This time he received a harder kick.

"Ouchhhh! That's it young man . Eric Eaton doesn't stay where he's not respected !"he presented his decision

" then I'm amazed that ur still on earth" I chucked this time.

"Not funny Az" he rolled his eyes, roasted . Turning to leave. He's wasn't sensitive but he had an ego the size of Jupiter

" 1 or 2?"he asked

" 4 with extra mustard-

"And jalapeños" he finished and headed towards the contracting neon sign of "Charlie's hotdogs"

I heard the sound of thunder rumbling somewhere nearby followed by the smell of damp earth. It was so quiet I could hear my heartbeat accelerating to a million times per second as I spotted her. Without waiting for Eric, or the thought of taking her by surprise I moved from the mechanics workshop where we had been waiting for the past hour. Clutching to her purple suitcase, she looked desperate. On a verge of breakdown.

3HOURS AGO

It had been a hectic day working at the workshop . Two cars had to be cleaned. 1 mini van had to be serviced. A bike was to be painted and a couple of windscreens topped with engine fluid. Like every Saturday he was doing his part time job but this time , he was doing Eric's chores as Eric had to attend a funeral.

After consecutive 2 hr work he finally had the chance to doze off but that too was ruined by Eric's thunderous knocks.

"WHAAAT THE HELL ERIC" he shouted

"emergency 911" Eric shouted in the same tone.

Azlan opened the door rather annoyed by this sudden outburst. And raised his eyebrows "what's with the 911?"

"I saw her dude ! She was a complete mess" he began .

"Savanah??" Where? When did u see her?"He had questioned anxiously

"She was kicked out of her apartment prolly finance prob but bro they wouldn't let her in ,even to fetch her things She also lost her job I'd been spying on her big-time since morning" he informed him in a single breath.

"The time ..has come Eric" azlan said after a pause " get ready we'll leave in 20 minutes"

Eric had stared at his best friend. A look of disbelief evident on his face.

PRESENT

The moment I approached her, I instantly regretted. Now what? How would I explain to her that I know her well? How was I supposed to start? talk about awkward.

" ummm...hi?"was the first thing that came out of my mouth. Maaan did I sound too nervous? I guess I did .

I couldn't see her expression thanks to my downcast eyes. But I could tell she was surprised.

"Do I know you?" She questioned , he voice trembled a little. It was cold and she had no socks on. I wanted to cut short the conversation and just get to the point but sometimes it's the introductions that take the longest and this conversation would've been one had I not gotten to the point.

"You don't" I started. "Look.. I know you were kicked out of your apartment and you have no where to go-"

She took a step back probably in fright. "No need to freak out , I'm no stalker.I'm Azlan and I just wanna help."Without waiting for a reply I began.

"You..can stay in my house until you find a suitable place and I assure you once again that I have no wrong intentions I just want to help you"

"how can I stay with someone I don't even know.."she spoke nervously.

"I won't force you or anything ,the decision is totally yours to make ,but you can trust me " I told her not finding words to convey what my mind had already pictured so vividly for almost two years. I was a nervous wreck and the possible span of this conversation was no help whatsoever. This silence was filled with a strange kind of dread. Her refusal might burst my ego but it was something else that bothered me.

"My friend Eric will be here with food ..." I broke this seemingly neverending silence. she moved her head slightly ;I took it as a nod. after a lot of thought I took the risk of taking Eric's help in persuading her.

I wonder what was taking Eric so long.I was starving like anything. Maybe it was work or maybe it was ..her.

"Heyy" Eric's jovial voice sprang from behind. That's when I realized I had been holding my breath for the past few minutes." So... Mind if I join the conversation? Wait.. there isn't any " I could catch a hint of mock in his voice as he looked at me amused. He was about to begin his nonsense," Eric" I shot him a glare. The deadliest I could manage.

" Why do you look like you just swallowed puke?" He made yet another fruitful effort to piss me off.

Finally he turned to Savannah who had been listening to us silently.

" I bought these" he said handing her one of my hotdog.

" I can't take it" she replied instantly.

" Look, Azlan didn't make them so no need to worry about food poisoning and stuff . They're fresh from Charlie's " Eric said like that was her greatest problem.She hesitated.

"We have a lot of explaining to do , I know. But first let's eat something" I said, trying to sound as polite as I could manage.

"Ah..thanks" she mumbled, reluctantly taking the paper bag from Eric. A chilled breeze blew making my eyes drift yet again towards her bare feet.

" Let's eat in the car . Its pretty cold here".

Explain things to her bro

I texted Eric as soon as we finished eating. He was beside me on the drivers seat making subtle attempts to keep her engaged .

"So.. what have you decided?" Eric questioned

I gave him a death stare which he carelessly ignored. I asked him to explain , not jump directly to this question.

I could see her impotent expression from the rear view mirror. She looked vulnerable.

" I'm sure you guys have no wrong intentions and at this point I could really do with a little help. I've lost every bit of the fortune I possessed and I have no proper qualification that might land me a decent job" she explained what I already knew.

" So it's a yes!?" Eric exclaimed a bit too contended."it's just that I -we really love helping people " he corrected . Right . Of course. Eric helping people, god bless those poor souls.

"We'll brief you about everything-"I began

"Thanks a lot but I want to do something to contribute ; some chores maybe?.. please tell me what I can do?"she cut me off

I needed to be straight forward .Eric didn't let explain anyways,so I finally said it.

"Marry me"