Kareem's POV...
I glanced at my watch. It was 20 minutes past 5.
I adjusted my seating position before placing the book back on the table. It wasn't too long ago that Laila walked in and took one of the books from the shelves. I wonder if she's still in her room.
My stomach growled , clawing at my insides for food. I stood up from my seat and walked out of the library and into the kitchen. I wonder if there's food available for me to eat?
I opened the fridge and scanned the contents. Nothing except fruits, drinks and vegetables, but nothing. Disappointed, I closed the fridge door and rested my elbows on the kitchen counter. I looked up at the ceiling, searching for whatever answers may be buried.
'Brrrrr!'
My stomach rumbled again as I clutched it tight. I averted my gaze to the dining table, the soup Laila made still sitting there idle.
I glanced up at the ceiling again. Should I really eat it? I mean, I'm hungry, but, what if she added something to it? What if she doesn't know how to cook?
I kept my eyes fixated on the ceiling, debating with myself on what decision to make.
'Brrrrr!!'
The rumbling echoed again. I could feel my insides turning. It won't hurt to just have a bit of it, I mean, she has tasted my food before, and it's not like as if I won't have to live with her for a year. I should have made it six months.
Reluctantly, I took a bowl from the dish cabinet and walked over to the dining room and took a seat on one of the chairs. 'I pray she knows how to cook '. I thought to myself before serving some of the soup for myself.
I slowly took a spoonful close to my mouth and breathed a small sigh before finally putting it in my mouth.
My eyes swung open once the liquid made contact with my tongue. The sour and savory taste danced with my taste buds.
I scooped another spoonful and put it in my mouth. And another, and another. I just couldn't get enough of how good it tasted.
...
I finished up with the rest of the soup and washed the dishes before heading to the library.
I pushed the door opened to see Laila seated at the armchair facing the one I was seated on earlier. She had one leg above the other focusing intensely at whatever she was reading . Her attention turned to me when she heard the door opening but was quick to turn back to the papers in her hand.
I sighed before walking inside the library. I sat down before picking up the book I was reading.
"Did you like it?" I heard her ask. I turned to look at her, her eyes still glued to the papers she was holding.
"What?" I asked, staring at her, her eyes not leaving the papers.
"The soup". Was all she said before lifting her gaze to meet mine. I turned my attention to the shelf that was facing me. So she was there, she saw everything. It's almost embarrassing to hear her say that. Now she must think I'm someone that doesn't take anything seriously.
" Yes. It was surprisingly nice", I said before turning to see her, her lips were curved up into a smile as she stared intensely at the papers. I can't have her thinking of me in that way, she needs to respect me, maybe even, fear me. "I wouldn't have eaten it if there was already cooked food in the kitchen". I said as I glanced at the shelf facing me and then back at her.
She chuckled as she tried to hold her laughter. "I'm sorry". She said in between laughter before her hand went flying to her mouth. I watched her as her laughter grew louder as she placed the papers on the table. Her eyes were closed and her mouth wide open, giving way for me to see her perfectly white teeth. Her long black curls danced along with her every slight movement.She was laughing at me. Was she really making fun of me?
"Okay, that's enough". I said in a stern tone which got her to stop laughing. I turned my attention from her to the papers on the table. She was reading the form I gave her, which made me remember. "Are you done filling the form I gave you?" I asked as she picked up the papers on the table. She looked up at me before looking back down at the papers.
"Yes, I wanted to give you when I came downstairs". She said before handing me some of the papers. I dropped the book I was reading on the table before taking the papers from her and read it accordingly...
NAME: Laila Mahib Saleem
AGE: 22
DOB: 19 November
Name of parent (s) : Alisha Saleem and Malik Saleem
Name of sibling (s): Layan Mahira Saleem
Late relation(s): Alisha Saleem and Malik Saleem
Other relation(s):( Dalia Aqsa Omar) Maternal Grandmother.
I stopped reading and looked up to see her. She was still looking through my form.
"You're an orphan", I said, and that got her attention. She slowly looked up but didn't meet my eyes.
"Yes". Was all she said before turning her attention to the shelf that was facing her. I could sense a hint of sadness in her and that made me regret bringing that up.
I pushed all those thoughts away and continued reading.
Sibling(s) interest/occupation/ major: Business Administration
"Where does your sister work?" I asked . She carefully placed the papers on the table before looking up to see me.
"She hasn't found a job yet, so she helps my grandma run the bakery ". She said which made an idea pop in my head. Since her grandmother is still in the hospital, and her sister is still searching for a job that requires her field, why can't I just ask Imran if there's a free spot, and if there is, she can come work as an intern in the company.
I turned my attention to Laila , she was now searching the shelves or maybe just feasting her eyes on the library, I won't know. " I would ask Imran if it's possible for your sister to work as an intern". I said as she turned her attention to me.
"Really?" I watched as her expression changed. Her eyes spoke more than her lips could tell.
"Yes", I said before standing up. I turned to her."And also, Khadijah's birthday is in two weeks. It's tradition for all of us to live under the same roof whenever it's our birthday. So the two of us would be moving into the mansion for a week". I said as I watched her carefully, she seemed to be processing the news.
"Okay". Was all she said, her eyes still not meeting mine.
I nodded before making my way up the stairs and to my room. I shut the door behind me before walking towards the window. The sky looked grey, almost like it would rain soon.
I stood there watching the wind blow the trees outside, making their leaves fly to different directions.
I could feel the chills from the wind, even with my sweater on.
With a small sigh, I looked at the papers in my hand, my eyes caught the text ' DOB: 19 November ', her birthday was a month from now.
I'm not sure if was the weather or the fact that I helped her sister get a job, but something about today, about now, makes me feel ..... different.