𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟐𝟔

ARZO

Faizan is taking me somewhere today.

Since he didn’t want me to be uncomfortable about this surprise, he told abbu the actual location. I tried asking abbu where he was taking me but abbu only smiled and said, “patience, beta.”

He hasn’t even told ammi or else she would’ve told me by now.

No one else knows where he’s taking me. I called api and asked her and Zahid bhai and they didn’t know either.

I have a love-hate relationship for surprises. I love them but also the curiosity keeps eating me and my stomach does weird flips. And time seems to pass by slower.

I keep getting distracted at work by looking at the time and praying that it passes by quickly. Thankfully, no one notices me stealing glances at my watch.

However, since the news of my nikkah broke out in the office, I have been getting a lot of attention.

And not the good kind.

It’s only been two days since I told those girls about my nikkah- without thinking straight- and the news traveled quickly through the whole building.

And F&F Innovation is a huge building.

Though I haven’t paid much attention to it and I’ll wait for it to die down.

After a lot of slow hours, we are free to go. I send Faizan a text telling him I’m done with work and his reply is instant telling me that he will be waiting downstairs.

A smile takes over my lips as I quickly pack my bag and rush to the elevator, ignoring the side looks some girls give me.

My curiosity is the only reason I’m rushing, okay?

As I step out of the elevator, I find Faizan standing by the reception scrolling on his phone.

He looks up and tucks his phone in his pocket when I reach him, “Assalamu Alaikum,”

“Wale Kum Assalam,” I sign, “where are we going?”

“Somewhere.”

“I know that but where?”

“That’s a mystery.”

I scrunch my nose at his reply and he shows a hint of his smile before he takes my hand and starts walking towards the exit.

His black mercedes is waiting outside when we exit the building. The valet hands Faizan his keys, Faizan says thank you then opens the door to the passenger seat.

I get in the passenger seat, he shuts the door then rounds the car to get in the driver’s seat.

Before starting the car, Faizan reaches in the backseat and pulls out a bouquet of lilies, handing it to me, “your flowers,”

My face breaks into a huge smile as I take my daily bouquet of lilies from him and sign, “thank you,” to him.

He shows me a hint of smile before he turns his attention to the road and starts driving.

I stare at the flowers for a while then turn my attention outside the window and stare at the streets passing by.

Faizan takes a different route into a less rushed road. I spot tall New York buildings from afar as Faizan continues driving straight ahead.

Soon, we enter an unfamiliar neighborhood with beautiful housing schemes.

The houses in this neighborhood are so big, not exactly a mansion but nothing less of one.

Faizan drives his car onto the one of the houses concrete pathway and stops the in front of the huge closed garage door. I stare at the house through the car window with my mouth open.

The house stands tall like every other in the neighborhood with its clean lines, glass windows and minimalist aesthetic. The exterior features a vast manicured lawn, adorned with carefully arranged decorative plants.

I blink when Faizan appears outside the window cutting my view and realize I didn’t even notice him get out because I was so mesmerized by the beauty of this house.

Faizan holds the door open for me and I step out, carrying my bag but keep the flowers inside the car.

Faizan holds my hand and shuts the door before he takes me around the lawn towards the entrance of the house.

Whoever lives here has amazing taste.

Faizan leads me inside the house and my mouth drops open at the interior design.

We step inside the huge room with an open layout which merges the kitchen, dining and living room area with floor to ceiling windows that overlook the backyard patio.

Before I take in the rest of the house, I realize that it’s empty.

Like there is no furniture here, only a small wall divider and a counter attached to the kitchen area.

I frown and turn around to face Faizan to sign, “why are we here?”

“Do you like the place?” he asks instead.

I nod, “it’s beautiful. Love at first sight. Why are you asking?”

He shows another hint of a smile as he says, “This will be our new home, amar.”

I stare at him, unblinking while I try to process his words.

This will be our new home, amar.

I blink at him and my lips part in shock.

“Really?” I sign, eagerly.

“Yes. There are a few more houses I looked at and I was going to take you there if you didn't like this one.”

“What are a few more?”

“Eight.”

My eyes widen and I slap my hand on my chest to calm down my heart.

Ya Allah, who is he?

“Eight? Like eight?”

“Yes, amar”

“How… how did you..”

He shrugs, “I have my ways,” when I still don’t say anything and just stare at him, he clears his throat, “do you want to see the rest of the house? Then you can finalize your decision.”

I just nod and let him give me a tour of the beautiful house.

The more I tour the house, the more I fall in love with it.

It has a home office, six master bedrooms upstairs with walk-in closets and big bathrooms. Downstairs, -along with the merged living room, dining hall and kitchen- a home theater and fitness room are present.

The backyard patio features a sparkling pool, a dedicated barbeque corner, and a separate dining area with a table surrounded by multiple chairs, perfect for enjoying meals under the open sky.

I barely keep in my excitement at the thought of moving in this house and even do tiny jumps when Faizan continues the tour. He doesn’t judge me for the way I act, in fact, the hint of his smile starts to become a little bigger.

I almost throw myself at him or kiss him for bringing me here but I tell myself to calm down and go with tiny jumps.

There’s also a separate house beside this one which will be used as the staff quarter where the maid, the driver and housekeeper will live.

By the time we're done with the tour, I am fully in love with this house.

There was one room where Faizan didn’t take me and when I pointed it out, he said, “that’s for when you’re officially moved in here,”

I pouted but it didn’t work.

“I love this house!” I sign to him, “I don’t want to see any other house. This is it. Love at first sight!”

He chuckles, “okay, I’ll sign the paper today,” I jump and do a tiny clap earning another chuckle from him, “are you satisfied with this?”

I nod, eagerly, “Yes, thank you for bringing me!”

“I wouldn’t buy a house without getting my wife’s opinion.”

My cheeks hurt from how wide I smile and also warm up at the fact he said ‘my wife’.

Ya Allah, how will I survive living with this man?