Chapter 22

Kareem's POV...

'.....she shut the door behind her and knelt down on the carpet floor, tears streaming down her face as she did so. Who knew it would hurt this bad to loose someone you once pushed away?

Maybe it wouldn't have hurt so bad if she just accepted the truth. The painful truth that she had indeed fallen for him....' I read the last paragraph before finally closing the book. I looked up at Laila who was seated on the armchair in front of me.

Her legs were crossed on the armchair with a book placed on her lap and another in her hands.

It's been two weeks since Laila's birthday party and a lot has changed since then. Like the necklace I bought for her which she hasn't taken off since that day. Our relationship has also drastically improved considering the fact that we now have a lot of meaningful conversations and then there are those times when I take a moment to observe her, like now.

Since that night on her birthday, things just seem to be a bit different. The air around her seemed to have changed, like her whole personality changed.

I watched as she took little notes on the book in her hand. Her attention was too fixed on the book to notice me staring. The warm air from the fireplace reduced the once cold interior of the library. A small smile spread across my face when an image of me and Laila seated at the 'Feast & Flourish ' restaurant moments before I showed her the surprise I'd planned for her.

'...she had fallen for him...you like her or at least are catching some feelings for her...my best advice is to make the most of what you have now, all I want is tje best for you son...' a series of thoughts ran through my head but the one that stood out the most was...

'am I really falling?'

I shook the thought away and shifted my gaze. No, it just isn't possible. I don't like her...or at least not yet.

"Laila". I said, my voice breaking the silence between us.

"Yes?". She replied softly, still not looking up to meet my eye. I stared back at her, wanting her to look up, wanting to see her chocolate brown orbs once more.

"What is love?" I asked. That caught her attention and she finally looked up. And that's when our eyes met. My heart felt different and the atmosphere seemed to grow warmer. This usually happens anytime we make eye contact, but why?

"What?" She said softly, her attention fully on me now.

"I want you to define the term love". I looked at her intensely now. Maybe she'd be the one to finally feed my curiosity and answer a question I've been unconsciously asking myself. Do I have feelings for her?

Her expression changed and for a split second she looked confused, but then it slowly changed again, like as though she was lost in thought. "Well, love can simply be defined as the strong affection or admiration someone has for someone or something that makes us feel valued, cared for and happy ". I observed her as she spoke. ' valued, cared for and happy...'

"So love is basically a feeling of affection towards someone or something that makes us happy?" I asked her but it sounded more like I was talking to myself.

"Yes, but why do you ask?" She said as she placed both books on the table and got up from her seat.

"Seems I learnt something new today. You're a really good teacher Laila". I said as I also stood up. I watched as she chuckled a bit before finally regaining her composure . I noticed how her eyes closed for a while before opening again. Everything she did just seemed so amusing and for a second I was lost again in those chocolate brown orbs.

I watched as she picked up her books and began making her way out of the room before stopping and turning around to look at me. "I'm making spaghetti, do you want some?" She asked.

"Yes, I'd be there soon". I said as she turned around and began making her way out of the library. I looked down at the book I just finished reading, 'Found body, Lost soul' I picked it up and began making my way towards the kitchen. I soon as I walked through the doors of the library, the delicious aroma surrounding the kitchen filled my nostrils.

I walked closer to her, now standing next to her. "So," I said as I placed my book on the kitchen counter. "How can I help?"

"You? Want to help me in the kitchen? That's... weird but since you insisted", she said as she opened the over-head cabinet and reached out for a few plates. "You can help me set the table". She said as she handed me the plates with a cheeky smile and I knew something was up.

"You're plotting something aren't you?" I asked as I came back to get the cups. I opened the over-head cabinet and pulled out the cups.

"No, why would you think that ? Can you pass me the salt please?" She said as a smirk played on her lips.

"Oh I see what's going on here", I said as I picked up the salt jar." You're enjoying bossing me around in my own kitchen". I said as a small smile played on my lips. This would be fun.

"You asked for it". She said as she giggled .

"Oh really?" I said as I put the salt jar back were I picked it from.

"Yes. The salt?" She said as she turned to face me.

I smirked. "Okay then. Since it's my kitchen, then I should be the one cooking the spaghetti instead of you". I said as I pushed her to one side.

"Hey!"

"And since your cooking isn't so great, wouldn't it be better if I just made my own spaghetti ",I said as I reached out for the salt jar and sprinkled it on the spaghetti just as Laila tried to push me away. "Want some". I said as I finally turned to look at her and she looked mad. Her arms were folded as she stared me down with a death glare.

"Don't bother". She said as she nudged my shoulder while storming off before grabbing the book I was done reading and pushing the door to the library.

I stood there frozen as my mind went way past the spaghetti and landed on only one thing.

'was she angry at me?'