Kabir woke up in shock. It was in the middle of the night, and he had just had a nightmare. He was panting heavily with his shirt drenched in sweat and his pillow dampened by it. He stole a glance at his bedside clock and saw that it was 3:30 a.m. He could feel that Zaya was not yet back home. She really spent the night with Zafar.
He proceeded to take off his shirt. His body temperature was a little bit above normal even though the air conditioner was turned on. Probably it was because of his dream.
In his nightmare, he dreamed of Zaya, making love to Zafar, and it seemed to be pleasurable for them both. In his nightmare, Zaya seduced Zafar. It was all happening at Zafar's house, and they were putting on the clothes they wore for the date tonight. Zafar called Zaya's name countless times and pressed his lips against hers, leaving a trail of kisses all around. He just stood there watching them. They were oblivious to his presence. What made him jolt up from bed was when Zaya was about to tell Zafar that she loved him. He just couldn't listen and yelled at them before waking up with a shock.
After waking up, he experienced a severe headache and was afraid to go back to sleep for fear that the nightmare would continue from where it stopped. He didn't know why the dream made him scared or what about the dream was scary. He didn't know why he was feeling this way and couldn't explain it. Kabir noticed that he actually cared about how Zaya looked and what she was going to do with Zafar on their date night. He tried to shut down the thought before going to bed, but it still found its way to his dreams. He could not forget about Zaya and how astonishing she looked tonight!
Kabir made his way to the living room. He was afraid to lay back on his bed and the sweat on it was a turn-off for him. As he exited his room, he glanced at Zaya's room opposite his. He wanted to go inside and take a look at her room, but he withheld himself.
If I didn't allow her to see my room, then why should I see hers, he thought.
Kabir arrived in the living room and put on the TV. He sat down, and he heard a growl from his stomach. He was hungry, but he had no strength in him to cook. He headed to the kitchen to scavenge for whatever he could eat in the fridge. There he found a bowl covered up in the fridge with a note saying;
"I was too lazy to cook something better, so I made your favorite, egg-fried rice. Don't forget to reheat and wash the dish."
Kabir could recognize the handwriting and knew instantly that it was from Zaya. He let out a small smile of happiness. So, Zaya made him something to eat after all. His heart was filled with joy, and it felt to him as if he had just won against Zafar. Even though she went on a date with Zafar, she didn't forget about him. Zafar reheated the food and took it to the living room with him along with a bottle of water.
Today, he was throwing caution to the wind and eating in the living room, which was unlike him. As Kabir ate the meal and watched TV, he kept smiling in between and his headache had mysteriously vanished. Although a part of him still worries and wonders about what Zaya could be doing, another part of him was at peace.
He watched TV till five a.m. before falling asleep again, but not after doing the dishes. Kabir slept peacefully awaiting Zaya's return.
The morning came and Zaya went downstairs towards the dining room after a maid had told her to do so. There she met what looked like a buffet with different meals, all looking exquisite and sumptuous. She was not in her dress but had changed into a t-shirt and some pants the night before.
"Good morning to you." Zaya greeted Zafar once she got to the dining room.
She met him reading a newspaper and drinking coffee.
"Good morning, Zaya." Zafar greeted her.
"What's the occasion?" She directed her words at Zafar.
"Breakfast and you." Zafar answered as he folded the newspaper, placed it on the table and took a sip of his coffee.
"Hmm, nice occasion." Was Zaya's reply.
"Are you hungry?" Zafar asked.
"Insanely hungry!" Zaya answered.
"Oh, that's new. Dig in." Zafar said.
"Are you not going to join me?" Zaya asked.
"No, I'm good. The coffee is enough for me." Zafar replied as he raised the cup of coffee to show her.
"Well then, if you are not eating, I am not eating." Zaya uttered.
"Why?" Zafar asked, perplexed by her words.
"Because, I want to have breakfast with you… together. Is it bad?" Zaya said.
"No, it's not bad. I was just taken aback because I didn't expect you to say that and besides, you didn't ask me about it." Zafar explained.
"Very well then, Zafar, can I have breakfast with you?" Zaya asked.
"Yes, you can, Zaya," Zafar answered.
"Thank you. Now, enjoy." Zafar gestured at meals.
Zafar let out a small smile before they both began to eat, with Zaya savoring each bite and profusely commending the cook. Zafar smiled and admired her from the other side of the table.
After a heartfelt breakfast, Zaya began to make preparations to leave. Zafar got her a simple dress to wear, fancy slippers and some skin care and bathing products to use. It came off as a surprise to her when the maid handed it to her, but regardless, she accepted them and did her business.
After forty-five minutes, she was done and stepped out of the room, with her dress and shoes in a small bag. She headed for the living room where she met Zafar sitting and watching the television.
"Zafar," she called from behind as she approached him.
Zafar turned his gaze away from the television towards Zaya. She looked stunning even with her bare face.
"I see the dress is a perfect fit. Do you like it?" he asked.
"Yes, I do. Although, I am surprised at how you know my body size, I'll let that slide… for now." Zaya said.
"A man knows when a man knows," Zafar replied to her.
"Anyway, I'd like to take my leave," Zaya announced.
"Oh okay, let me drop you off." Zafar said as he stood up.
"Don't worry, I called a taxi to take me home, and it will be here anytime soon." Zaya told him.
"Why did you call a taxi when I can just take you home?" Zafar inquired.
"I just didn't want to bother you. You have done a lot for me since last night, and I just wanted to free you from this burden," Zaya said.
Zafar wanted to probe further but decided to let sleeping dogs lie. It's best to end the situation.
"Okay." Was all he said.
"I have to go. I'll wait for the taxi driver outside to make things easier for him." Zaya disclosed.
"Okay," Zafar said again.
"Bye, Zafar." Zaya bid him.
"Bye, Zaya." He said.
"Thank you for last night. It was the most memorable night of my life," Zaya said.
"You are welcome." Zafar told her.
Zaya noticed that the countenance of Zafar had changed ever since the issue of the cab, but she didn't have the time to talk to him about it. She needed to leave and would probably discuss it with him some other time.
"See you then." were her final words to him.
"You too," Zafar said back.
Zaya let out a sigh before she took her leave. Everything was perfect just this morning and in a few seconds it all changed! What happened?