Chapter 17: At the Restaurant

Aysha and Khaleed left, driving around the street in Khaleed's car.

Khaleed was silent all along the ride, as he seems upset from what he witnessed between Aysha and Ahmad. To break the silence, Aysha said,

"So, this restaurant..."

"Why are you with him?" Khaleed interrupted,

Aysha felt a pang of apprehension at Khaleed's sudden question, his tone cutting through the silence like a knife. She glanced sideways at him, noting the tension etched into his features.

"What do you mean, Khaleed?" she asked cautiously, her voice tinged with concern.

Khaleed's grip on the steering wheel tightened, his knuckles turning white with the intensity of his emotions. "I mean Ahmad. Why are you spending so much time with him?" he clarified, his tone strained.

Aysha's mind raced as she searched for the right words to appease Khaleed's growing unease. "Ahmad is just a friend, Khaleed. You know that," she replied, her voice gentle yet firm.

Khaleed remained silent for a moment, his jaw clenched in frustration. "I know he's just a friend, but...," he trailed off, unable to articulate the source of his discomfort.

Aysha reached out, her hand coming to rest on Khaleed's arm in a gesture of reassurance. "There's nothing between Ahmad and me, Khaleed. You're the one I care about," she said earnestly, her eyes pleading for him to understand.

Khaleed's expression softened slightly at Aysha's words, but the tension still lingered between them like an invisible barrier. "I just don't like the way he looks at you," he admitted quietly, his voice laced with insecurity.

Aysha's heart ached at the vulnerability in Khaleed's voice. She knew his jealousy stemmed from a place of love and protectiveness, but it was still difficult to bear. "Khaleed, you have nothing to worry about. Ahmad is just a friend," she reassured him, her voice soft but resolute.

Khaleed nodded, his features relaxing marginally at Aysha's words. "I trust you, Aysha. I just...," he trailed off, unable to find the right words to express his inner turmoil.

As they continued their journey through the dimly lit streets, Aysha couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at her insides. Despite her reassurances to Khaleed, she couldn't shake the sense that their relationship was teetering on the edge of uncertainty.

Aysha couldn't help but notice Khaleed's lingering tension as they approached the restaurant. Despite his attempts to mask his emotions, the strain was palpable in his demeanor.

With a gentle smile, Aysha attempted to lighten the mood. "Oh come on, Khaleed, are you still upset?" she teased, her voice laced with playful affection.

"I'm not," he replied curtly, his gaze fixed ahead as he led the way towards the entrance of the restaurant.

Aysha sighed inwardly, sensing Khaleed's reluctance to discuss his feelings further. She fell into step beside him, matching his pace as they walked side by side towards the inviting glow of the restaurant's entrance.

As they crossed the threshold into the warm ambiance of the restaurant, Aysha hoped that the pleasant atmosphere would help ease the lingering tension between them. She cast a sideways glance at Khaleed, silently willing him to let go of his worries and enjoy their evening together.

As they waited for the waiter to return, Aysha attempted to initiate a conversation to alleviate the lingering tension between them.

"So, how's work?" she inquired, her voice gentle, yet filled with genuine interest.

"It's fine," Khaleed responded, his attention momentarily diverted as he rearranged the utensils on the table, a subtle attempt to mask his unease.

Suddenly, his phone vibrated, breaking the fragile tranquility of their moment together. Aysha couldn't help but notice the subtle shift in Khaleed's demeanor as he reached for his phone.

"A message?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued by the unexpected interruption.

Khaleed picked up his phone, his expression guarded as he quickly glanced at the screen. "Yes," he replied tersely, his tone betraying a hint of apprehension.

"From work?" Aysha inquired, attempting to maintain the conversation despite Khaleed's subdued responses.

Khaleed let out a weary sigh, his focus still tethered to the device in his hand. "Yes," he replied curtly, his tone devoid of its usual warmth.

Aysha couldn't help but feel a pang of hurt at Khaleed's dismissive demeanor. Leaning back in her chair, she fell into a silence, her thoughts swirling with a mixture of frustration and disappointment.

Meanwhile, Khaleed remained engrossed in his phone, seemingly oblivious to Aysha's withdrawal. His attention was consumed by the digital world unfolding before him, his fingers dancing across the screen with a newfound intensity.

Observing Khaleed's sudden immersion in his phone, Aysha's frustration intensified. She couldn't shake the feeling of being sidelined, her attempts at conversation brushed aside in favor of virtual interactions. As the silence between them grew heavier, Aysha grappled with a surge of resentment, unsure of how to bridge the growing divide.

She then got up and decided to move, "Where are you going?" He asked, "To the bathroom," she said, and then walked away.

After excusing herself from the table, Aysha made her way to the bathroom, her footsteps echoing in the corridor. As she entered the restroom, she approached the sink, the cool water offering a brief respite from the turmoil brewing within her.

Splashing water on her face, Aysha gazed into the mirror, her reflection a canvas of conflicting emotions. She sighed, feeling the weight of uncertainty pressing down on her shoulders. Something felt amiss in her relationship with Khaleed, but she couldn't quite pinpoint what it was.

Lost in thought, Aysha's musings were interrupted by the chirping of her phone, signaling a new message. With a curious glance, she checked the screen, finding a message from Lucy.

"Hey girl, where are you?" the message read.

Aysha swiftly replied, "I went out to that restaurant."

"Alone?" Lucy's response came almost instantly.

Before Aysha could reply, another message from Lucy popped up. "Don't tell me you're on a date with Ahmad," it read.

Aysha couldn't help but chuckle at Lucy's assumption. She quickly typed out her response, "No, I'm with Khaleed."

Lucy's subsequent message was a simple "Oh," indicating her understanding of the situation. Aysha couldn't help but feel a sense of relief knowing that Lucy was there, even if just through text messages, to share in her experiences and offer a listening ear.

As Aysha returned to the table, her heart sank at the sight of the empty chairs. Khaleed had left, leaving behind the untouched food and a lingering sense of disappointment. The waiter stood nearby, a puzzled expression on his face as he glanced between Aysha and the abandoned table.

Aysha sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and resignation wash over her. She glanced around the restaurant, searching for any sign of Khaleed, but he was nowhere to be found. With a heavy heart, she realized that he had chosen to leave without a word, leaving her to face the awkward situation alone.

Taking a deep breath, Aysha decided to salvage what remained of the evening. She signaled to the waiter, her voice steady despite the turmoil raging inside her. "I'll take the food to go, please," she requested, mustering a faint smile.

The waiter nodded, understanding her predicament, and swiftly packed up the meal. As Aysha gathered her belongings, she couldn't shake the feeling of disappointment that lingered in the air. Khaleed's sudden departure had left her feeling unsettled, questioning the state of their relationship and the future ahead.

With a heavy heart and a sense of determination, Aysha left the restaurant, her mind racing with unanswered questions and unresolved emotions. As she stepped out into the cool evening air, she couldn't help but wonder what the future held for her and Khaleed, and whether they would be able to overcome the obstacles that lay ahead.