Capítulo 0009

I walked into the office placed my purse on the desk. My gaze fell on to the bouquet of red chrysanthemum in the vase on middle of my desk.

Elina entered in my office with a knock. I sighed taking a flower out touching the petals.

"Zachariah was in my office."

It was a statement that I needed to say out loud. It couldn't have been anyone other then him.

"Yes. He came like usual and placed these flowers in the vase."

I took the flower to my nose inhaling it strong earthly smell. It was like the smell emitted from earth when rain fall on it. It was so good that I wanted to take lungful of it.

"What this one means?"

I couldn't help but ask her even through a part of me already knew the answer and Elina replied like she always did after I questioned her.

"Deep passionate love."

I look at flower once again caressing the petal before placing it back in the vase.

"You don't like them. Should I take them out?"

Elina was a good assistant. She noticed my displeasure or any emotion instantly that sometime it even irked me.

"No, they are fine."

I didn't have heart to ask her to take them out of here. It would produce a harsh message which I wasn't ready to deliver. Zach was getting bold in expressing his feelings day by day. I didn't know how long? I would be able tip toe around him on this subject but I know that I would until I can.

"You had a call from Pakistan." Elina voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

I turned around and looked straight at her before asking what I didn't actually want to.

"Don't tell me it was my mother."

She pushed the large smart glasses slipping from her nose in upward direction.

"Actually it was your mother." I closed my eyes instantly thinking what to do.

"Stall her and tell her that I am in a meeting. I will call her in lunch break. I really can't handle her now."

I ordered her and she walked out of the office before telling me about my today's schedule.

I worked on another case and then gathered the information that I need to win it.

It was time for lunch break when I stopped working and checking out loopholes and different strategies to proof that my client was a victim.

I opened my phone checked in WhatsApp and then made a video call to my mother before taking a long deep breath.

The call was answered with in the third ring. I saw the face of my mother with a white duppata around her head with her fair strict face staring right back at me.

"Aslam Alikum. How are you Ami?"

I pulled a very polite smile on my face. We mother and daughter didn't get along much as we had very contrasting thoughts on life and way of living.

You could that she was very traditional and firm in her idea and I was modern with flexibility to hear other people views but it doesn't mean that they could change my point of view.

"When are you coming back?"

"Not yet. Where is Abu?"

I couldn't see him anywhere near so I directly asked her hoping for him to near so that I could just ignore her when needed and talk to him in a way that I didn't seem rude.

"I have sent you a few proposals. I have checked and the families are literate and good. So select one of them."

She ordered and I just nodded my head feeling my mood falling. I understood her reasons for wanting to get me married but the reason that I haven't said yes to any proposal was simply that I didn't want someone to marry me for my British passport. That's was the case for many of those proposals that she sent me.

"Ami. I have some work. We will talk later."

I cut the call not intending to go through this all. I badly needed a break from all of the tension.

I had my lunch peacefully before I got back in office starting going through the work and held a successful meeting with a client.

I remembered that I had to go to meet Arish. I checked myself in mirror one last time. My wavy natural black hair were down with half lying on my right side and other falling down my back.

My nude lip gloss suited my v-neck knee length dark blue dress. The long golden white earrings completed my look making it a bit casual at the same time professional.

I took my purse and walked out with my high golden white heels same colour as my earnings clinking on the marble floor.

"Are you going somewhere?"

I stopped hearing Zach voice who was just coming from his office.

"Yes. I am going to meet Arish as planned."

I licked my lips nervously with the look that he was giving me. I didn't know how to react considering the flower that he placed in my vase.

He was just keeping his promise which he made to made me playfully a year and two months ago. The flower were always different symbolising different meaning which were about our friendship, loyalty and partnership.

Sometime the meaning had a hint of romantic feeling or likeness but this time it was like he was telling me in bold letters that he had feelings for me. I didn't know what to do with that.

"You liked the flowers." He scratched his neck looking as nervous and awkward like I felt.

"Yes. They were lovely." I licked my lips and then cleared my throat.

"Uhmm. I am getting late so see you later."

I didn't wait for him to say another thing and just got in the elevator counting from one to ten.

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I opened the door and walked in looking at the people sitting on different booths chatting and some working on their laptops.

I was really looking for a tall man in suit with black hair but instead at the very corner at the right side. I found a small black head boy wearing a grey shirt and navy blue jeans.

I smiled slightly. Recognising him immediately walked to table where he set. I guess he heard the clink of my heels so he looked up. I saw those grey eyes with aqua flecks stare back at me with a sparkle.

"I am here alone and I am in desperate need of company. Do you mind if I join you?"

I pointed to the chair next to him. He parted his lips. It felt like he was going to say yes but then he closed his mouth remembering something.

"This chair belongs to my uncle and you are a stranger."

I was impressed with the way he talked with perfect pronunciation for a five years old. He really looked like an intelligent kid.

"I am harmless." I pulled my hand up opening my palm wide open for him to see.

He seemed to be actually contemplating. If I was as harmless as I seemed to be and then he replied with a small.

"Okay."

I couldn't help from stretching my lips in a thin a smile as I took a seat opposite to him. I remembered the Lindit Lindor Truffle chocolate pack that I bought on my way.

I pulled the pack from bag opening it up and taking out a brown hazelnut flavour chocolate from it. I unwrapped the pack and casually placed the chocolate ball in my mouth.

Damn. Who didn't like these chocolates? They were heaven. From the corner of my eyes. I caught Arish licking those small lips with his eyes stuck on the pack. So adorable.

I casually pulled out a second one with red wrapper. It was a milk flavour. I looked up at him sliding my hand with chocolate toward him.

"Want some?"

He really did resist for full two minutes before he took the chocolate from my hand. I gently slid the whole pack on his side as he devoured the on that he had. Adorably cute.

I drummed my finger on the table as I waited for him finish so that I could ask him some questions.

"What do you think about your uncle?"

He looked at me with wide bright shinning eyes.

"My uncle. You do know him?"

"Yes." I answered hesitantly not really sure why there was a sparkle in those grey eyes.

"He is very nice. I love him so much. He takes me to zoo and play with me but he doesn't have much time. Ohhh. Are you going to marry him?"

He clapped his hand while I parted my lips and then bit on them not exactly knowing how to pour cold water on that excitement.

He started talking very fast and loud with his small hands making gestures as he told me reason to marry his uncle about how good, nice and cool he was. One thing was sure. He really did love him Uncle.

"Grandma Sara told me that my uncle now should get married. He is getting just a bit old. She will be happy to know that I found a bride for Uncle."

He ended his statement with that. He really thought that I would be the best bride for his uncle. Before he could go on praising his uncle again. I changed the topic asking another question.

"Do you like your grandma Sara?"

"Yes. She makes those tasty Pakistani food and tell me bedtime stories. I have also friends in Manchester. Every Sunday grandma and grandpa take me to cinema to watch a movie."

He really looked to be happy with his living condition.

"So you like it more with your Grandma and Grandpa?

He tugged on my dress sleeve silently asking me to move forward. When I did as he asked. He moved his head my way until his lips were next to my ear as he whispered in a very secretive voice.

"I do love him. Don't tell my uncle but it's more fun with Grandma and Grandpa."

I giggled at those sweet little words as the same time Mr Khan entered in taking a seat next to Arish and looked at us with a curious gaze.

"Order?" He simply asked.

"I would have blueberry muffin with hot chocolate."

Arish instantly peeked up replying with a those sparkling grey eyes. He was just lovely.

"You had way to much chocolates young boy."

Hudayfah ruffled his hair while he pouted.

"It would have been rude to not eat them when she specifically bought them for me."

I tried but miserably failed to hold back the smile at his bright reply. Wow totally intelligent.

He stood up before telling me that he would get our orders. He came later with an espresso, an iced chai tea latte and hot chocolate with blueberry muffin while in mean time we both chatted about school and movies.

I took a sip of the iced chai tea latte studying the both of them. They really had a great bond.

"I would take this case but you shouldn't have left him alone for so long."

I pulled my eyes away from Arish who was eating the muffin back to Hudhayfah who took a sip from his hot espresso.

"I knew you were with him."

It was nice that he trusted me with Arish protection. We all conversed a bit until it was time to leave.

I stood up ready and kissed Arish on cheek with a promise. "I will see you soon."

"Yes. I need you to meet Grandma____"

I placed my hand on his mouth before he could go on about the whole bride thing and thankfully he understood my meaning and didn't say much.

I placed my lips next to his ear whispering just like he did with me.

"I can't be your uncle's bride."

His face morphed into the sad expression as he pouted.

"That's sad. You two would have looked pretty together and I would have gotten a cousin for playmate as grandma told me that I can only get a cousin if Uncle gets married."

I was very glad that Hudhayfah was couple of feet away talking on the phone to not hear what he actually said or it would have been really embarrassing.

"Allah Hafiz. Take care."

I walked away with nod to Hudhayfah who was still on the phone.

I didn't know that the meeting would be this good or that small boys with his sweet talks would totally take my heart.