Chapter 51 : Thinking about him.

Ava came to the roof of the Rahman Mansion. The noon rain drizzled slightly, casting a gentle mist across the surroundings. As she approached the edge, the cool raindrops gently kissed her face. The scent of wet earth, the petrichor, mingled with her thoughts.

Leaning against the railing, she gazed at the rain-kissed trees, their leaves shimmering with droplets. Ava questioned the authenticity of Ibrahim's feelings. Did his actions convey genuine love, or were they merely a facade? She often dismissed his professions of love as possessiveness. What was that underlying emotion? The relentless desire to have her near, or was there something more profound?

Why did she feel a tinge of sympathy for Ibrahim? Was there a part of her that wished for the normal life he spoke of? The questions swirled in her heart as she walked along the roof. The echoes of her footsteps merged with the soothing pitter-patter of the rain. The gentle tap-tap created a symphony.

The gray clouds above seemed to mirror her uncertainty. The raindrops, each a miniature prism, sparkled as they descended from the heavens. Why was she thinking so much about him? Should she confront Ibrahim, or should she continue distancing herself?

Her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts. A part of her wanted to push him away, to distance herself from his world, yet another part felt a strange connection with him. What was happening with her? Ava got lost in thought.

The kiss replayed in her mind. She subconsciously touched her lips, as if the sensation still lingered. For a fleeting moment, she admitted to herself that she had liked it. A tinge of guilt crept in, quickly dismissed by a vigorous shake of her head.

The sound of approaching footsteps caught her attention, and she turned to see Samir entering the rooftop, dressed in a black suit. 

"Hi, sister-in-law," Samir greeted with a polite smile, handing Ava's phone. "Ibrahim said it was buzzing continuously, so he told me to give it to you."

Ava took her phone and promptly remarked, "Don't call me sister-in-law; it's so awkward."

Samir chuckled and inquired, "Then what should I call you?"

"Anything but not sister-in-law. Just call me by my name," Ava replied, diving into her phone to check. She received many messages from her study group chats. 

"Okay," Samir agreed. He leaned on the railing. Then his eyes moved towards the driveway. After a brief pause, he asked, "Did something happen between Ibrahim and you?"

Ava moved her gaze from her phone and looked at Samir, "Why are you asking?" 

Samir then pointed towards the driveway. Ava glanced toward the driveway where Ibrahim, in a suit, stood near the car. He was engrossed in a phone call, he occasionally took drags from a cigarette, the smoke swirling around him.

Samir explained, "Ibrahim smokes when he feels disturbed. And you were standing here for a moment that why I asked." 

Ava muttered, "If he smokes when disturbed, then I should be smoking all the time, because my mind gets really disturbed for him nowadays."

Samir turned to Ava, "What did you just say? I didn't hear properly."

Ava smiled and mockingly said, "Nothing, I just said I gave him a headache. It seems I really gave him a big headache, and he's smoking to lessen it."

Samir nodded, though he remained unclear about what Ava was talking about. "How did you give him a headache?"

"By talking," she replied.

"Hmm, maybe. Okay, bye now. We have to go to the office," Samir said, signaling his departure.

"Yeah, sure," Ava responded as Samir left.

Ava once again shifted her gaze to Ibrahim, who was still engrossed in smoking and conversation while staring at the trees. Was he genuinely disturbed? But he was looking tough as ever with his calm face. 

Meantime Ibrahim looked up at Ava after cutting his call. In an attempt to divert his gaze, Ava looked away from him. She was looking anywhere but Ibrahim. 

"Oh no, it was embarrassing. What will he think now that she's watching him secretly? Shit." she thought.

Ava glanced back at him again. She noticed he was now typing something on his phone. Simultaneously, her phone buzzed. She checked her phone. It was a message from Ibrahim - 

"Don't catch a cold. It's raining. Go inside. I won't return until midnight. The room is yours till then. Feel Free."

She looked at him once more, this time locking eyes with him. Though there a big distance between them, Ava could see his eyes. Those brown eyes. And he looked handsome today too in black suit. 

Ava continued to watch, Samir approached Ibrahim, and both men got into the car, departing from the mansion.

....

Elara was engrossed in watching a football match between Malaysia and Thailand, munching on a bowl of mixed dry fruits. The cheers from the passionate fans echoed through the apartment as Malaysia made a remarkable goal. 

Football was immensely popular in Malaysia, with fans fervently supporting their national team in various tournaments. The sport served as a unifying factor, bringing people from different walks of life together.

The doorbell interrupted the match. It was his day off so Farah and he decided for a date. 

Elara hurried to open it, revealing Farah standing outside. He welcomed her, "Welcome! I was waiting for you. Why are you so late?"

Farah entered, " "It's raining, and I couldn't find a cab. I took the bus."

"You could have just called me." Elara said while closing the door. 

Farah casually lounged on the sofa, tossing her purse aside,"I just didn't want my dating partner to suffer."

Handing her a water bottle, Elara teased, "People usually go out for dates. You come to my house."

Farah took the water bottle and retorted, "I feel safe here. Plus, it's raining today. Better to stay inside." She looked at the screen, "Whose match is today?"

 "It's Malaysia against Thailand. Do you follow football?" Elara sat beside her. 

Farah shrugged, "Not really."

Elara explained some finer points of the game to Farah, making it an impromptu football tutorial but Farah hardly could understand anything. The cheers and roars from the crowd in the stadium filled the room as Malaysia scored another goal. Farah looked at the screen and then Elara, he was enjoying the match. She was really felling boring.

She groaned, "I'm so hungry, Elara."

Elara replied, "I'm ordering takeout. What do you feel like having?"

But Farah insisted, "No, I want something you make. Your cooking is amazing."

Elara sighed, "It's an important match. I can't miss it. Can't we order something today?"

She crossed her arms, determined, "No, I want something you make. I miss your cooking."

Elara argued, "But this match..."

Farah interrupted, "Elara, can't you make an exception? It's your day off. Can't you just make me happy?"

Elara surrendered, "Fine. Fine. Play the match on my phone. Let's go to the kitchen."

Elara stood up and went to kitchen and Farah was following him while setting Elara's phone to stream the match.

In the kitchen, Elara asked, "So, what do you want to eat?"

Farah thought for a moment and said, "Roti canai."

"let's start then." Elara started preparing roti canai, gathering the ingredients and mixing the dough. And Farah sat on a stool, watching him attentively. 

Elara glanced at Farah and said, "You know, you could help instead of just staring at me."

Farah smirked, "But watching you work is so entertaining." 

Elara chuckled, "Alright then, be my official taste-tester."

Farah eagerly responded, "That's a role I can handle."

"Well, if you help me, I'll let you use my card for shopping tomorrow." Elara tried a another method. 

Farah's eyes lit up, "Are you telling I can shop with your money?" 

Elara nodded, "Of course. But in return, you have to make the chicken curry."

Farah quickly stood up from the stool, "Deal. Where's the chicken?"

While kneading the dough he answered, "In the fridge."

They work side by side. The new chapters of their relationship were opening. Their laughter filled the kitchen, blending with the excitement from the football match playing in the background. Elara's phone continued streaming the football match. He occasionally glanced at the screen while flipping the dough. Unfortunately, by the end of the match, Malaysia lost, and Elara looked genuinely disappointed.

Farah teased, "Looks like someone's not in a good mood." 

Elara disappointly told, "Yes, I hoped Malaysia would win." 

Farah tried to make his mood a little happier, " Hope for the best time." She smelt the chicken. It was really looking good and tasty. 

Elara couldn't help but be impressed by Farah, "You should participate in MasterChef. You really cook good." 

Farah looked at him, "Not me, but you definitely should. Imagine winning and opening your restaurant."

Elara raised an eyebrow, "Leave the police station?"

Farah shrugged, "Why not? You love cooking, and you're amazing at it. Plus, I'd be your first customer every day."

Elara smirked, "And what about my duties at the police station? Who will catch the bad guys?"

Farah leaned in playfully, "Let them run for a while. They should feel free too." 

Elara chuckled, "I like my job. What if, while I'm busy cooking, someone runs away with my girlfriend?"

Farah smiled, "Aw, worried about losing me already?"

Elara nodded, "You were precious to me before, you are precious to me now and you will be precious to me forever. I don't want to lose you."

Farah approached him, placing her hand on his arm, "I love you Elara. And thanks for looking at with a new way. I got tired of your sister theory. I want to love you more." 

Elara pinched her cheek, "Hope we will be happy like this. Sorry for my earlier behaviour. I'm trying to change and I'll."