"You did such a great job with the Ray park project. I've been getting letters from the caretakers since all their problems were addressed and they all are really thankful."

Zaib remained smiling as Mr. Jenson praised him one after another. Everything aside and his boss's happiness with his work aside. Mr. Jenson himself was such an outstanding architect. All his comments and suggestions mattered a lot to Zaib.

"Ehsan helped quite a lot. He was the one who stood in random parks, noting down the problems after speaking to the children." Ehsan smiled in gratitude towards Zaib.

"Well done Ehsan."

After Mr. Jenson, the grey haired, lean man had left, Zaib and Ehsan sat back on the couch, sighing out of exhaustion. "Ehsan, pass me a drink," Zaib murmured, resting his head back on the seat comfortably.

Ehsan chuckled and stood, walking to the mini fridge beside Zaib's working desk. Opening the freezer, he saw the cans of seven up and brought out two. "I told you to keep Fanta! I don't like seven up," Ehsan mumbled as he opened the can with a scowl.

"Do you think I keep these for you?" Zaib replied, his words laced with sarcasm.

"Well, it'd be nice if you listened." Zaib chuckled in response and sipped, sighing in content at the sudden freshness the cold drink provided.

"Dude, I've gotta talk to you bout' something," Ehsan remarked, sitting next to him on the couch with his drink to his mouth.

"What's up?" Zaib questioned. "If it's work related, can it wait? I'm tired right now and don't have the energy—" Ehsan cut him off. "No you idiot. Basically, my parents are holding a feast where Naimat's family and our family merge and bond. I want you to be there with me." Ehsan explained, his brown eyes lit up in hope.

"Why'd you want me there?" Zaib inquired, narrowing his eyes at Ehsan.

"Well— it'll be fun! And you'll get to eat my mother's handmade lasagna." Ehsan chuckled.

"Are you really buying me over with lasagna?"

Ehsan nodded with a giddy smile.

"I'm in."

~~~~||~~~~

It was a wholesome Friday morning. The sky was a light-colored blue with rare magenta swirls. The air was cool and breezy, stroking the bodies like a light breath of freshness. Every day was the same except Jummah. Allah made this day more unique than the others.

"Ehsan, why're you in such a damn hurry today! Let me make my dua'a," Zaib groaned, complaining to the impatient Ehsan.

"Zaib, you can make dua'a on your way home. I have to prepare today. Naimat— I mean, my in-laws are going to be there," Ehsan struggled to form coherent sentences.

Zaib realized Ehsan's sudden urgency and began to chuckle as he finished his dua'a and stood to wear his slippers from the porch.

"Oh, Naimat's coming over today." Zaib teased while Ehsan ignored him completely. Both of the young men made their way back to Ehsan's house after the Friday prayer.

"As Salamu Alaykum," Zaib greeted Ehsan's mother who smiled widely in response and then darted right back into the kitchen preparing meals for the guests today.

The house was utterly chaotic. Ehsan's sister rushed from the kitchen to the bedroom with a mask of frustration worn on her face. While helping her mother, she grimaced over not knowing what to wear for the day. Ehsan's father was calling the guests and reconfirming their visit, Zaib's parents being one of them.

Zaib was trying hard to restrain his laughter; they made it seem like the President himself was appearing.

"Zaib, do I look fine? I feel like black makes me look more muscular. What'd you think?" Ehsan called out of nowhere, rushing out of his room frantically.

"Muscular? Bro, I don't know but it's looks fine I guess," Zaib sighed nodding in assurance.

Ehsan's nervousness crumbled and he rolled his eyes at his best friend. "You're useless." He spat and hurried back inside the room.

Suddenly the doorbell rung and everybody's face collapsed in exasperation. The nervousness was so thick within the atmosphere, Zaib felt it boring within him.

"Uh- I'll open the door." Ehsan stepped towards the main gate and sighed dramatically before swinging the door open. There stood the entire family of Naimat. Ehsan greeted them with a broad smile before hugging her father.

They entered inside and Zaib greeted the elders. The guests pouring in sat with Ehsan's parents on the couch. Zaib also sat at the far end of the couch with Ehsan.

Zaib swiped his eyes around and saw the elders situated in the middle. Behind Namait's parents sat Naimat herself and with her there sat a girl in a lavender hijab. Zaib's eyebrows furrowed in confusion and his gaze narrowed, trying to read the girl's features.

Zoya!

His eyes widened in disbelief and his heart began to pound in his chest. She was there before him in a lovely lavender dress wearing a shy smile as she stuck glued to Naimat's side. Nervously, he looked away, glaring at his friend who forgot to warn him about her presence.

Ehsan held a ridiculous smirk. "Why didn't you tell me she was going to be here," Zaib whisper-shouted frantically.

Zaib had carelessly slipped on a grey buttoned up shirt with jeans and didn't bother settling his hair. He had just run fingers through the wet strands after taking a shower. If he had known she would come, he would've spent extra care on his hair.

"Surprise surprise," Ehsan mumbled.

"I'll choke you with my bare hands after this," Zaib mumbled, annoyed at his so call best friend.

Zoya sat right there yet so far.

He reluctantly looked towards her and unintentionally, caught sight of her looking at him. Her eyes were big and dreamy, making him look past the world. There was a slight smile on her lips which made his heart tighten. This entire situation was sweet-pain to him. He couldn't take his eyes off her.

Zoya was the first one to break their contact; he felt a strong urge to make her look back at him but restrained. He looked away, switching his phone on and focusing on some meme.

Zaib looked to Ehsan who was shyly catching glances with Naimat. Zaib rolled his eyes. Both of them were just ridiculous, but the more ridiculous tag was probably awarded to Zaib. At least the guy was getting married to Naimat. Zaib had no business staring at Zoya and wanting her to smile at him.

"Yes, come this way," Ehsan's mother spoke, leading the elders to the table. Zaib and Ehsan got up, scattering behind them. The girls followed as well.

The table was a twelve seater and was already overwhelmed with all kinds of foods. Zaib smiled excitedly, eyeing the tray of lasagna.

Zaib and Ehsan took their seats. The elders sat at the other half and right in front of them sat the two best friends, Naimat and Zoya. This was going to be so damn awkward.

Zaib looked up and surveyed her sitting in front of him. She looked quite petite upfront; he just wanted to wrap her up and— shut up Zaib.

He looked away, frustrated as he served himself some kebabs and lasagna. Ehsan and Naimat kept on giving each other lovey glances as they texted each other. Zaib and Zoya remained awkward, staring down at their food as they ate in silence.

After finishing his share, Zaib stood up from the dining table and left to go sit on the couch. He couldn't be in front of Zoya and not gawk at her. It was too hard for him to disperse his feelings.

A while later, the elders started wrapping things up: the ladies scattered to the rooms and the men left outside to the backyard. The two best friend duos sat with safe distances on the couch. Zaib stared at Ehsan who was chucking at a text probably sent by Naimat.

Zaib rolled his eyes. Yes, he was jealous.

"Guys, let's do something I'm bored," Ehsan called out of nowhere.

"Yeah, let's play something?" Naimat mumbled from afar. Zaib confusedly stared at the couple... where was this going?

"Like what?" Zoya mumbled.

"Maybe a board game?" Zaib spoke up.

"Yeah, how about ludo?" Zoya spoke, her eyes lightening up, brightening up the whole room.

Zaib returned her smile. "Okay let's do that then."

Ehsan stood up, running into his room and then reentering the living room with the board game. Ehsan placed it on the wooden coffee table and sat on the carpeted floor, waiting for others to gather. Naimat sat in front of Ehsan, alongside Zoya and Zaib sat opposite Zoya.

The game eventually started.

For a while, things were peaceful and everybody was doing well. But well, ludo never remains peaceful till later. Only a few turns later, Naimat was dramatically beating out every counter which Ehsan owned and Zoya was chasing Zaib.

Everyone's breathing ceased when Zoya's turn came. The brunette stared at the dice and rolled it out, full of hope. The numbers rolled out and the three black dots caused Zoya to squeal aloud before kicking Zaib's counter off the board.

Honestly, it didn't even bother Zaib, considering the magical smile on her face.

The game was coming to an end. The players were exasperated at the continuous hurl of emotions. At the time, Zaib was winning and Zoya was a runner-up.

They both were heatedly competing against one another.

"Hold up!" Zoya yelled out loud. Her face had reddened after all the yelling she had done.

"Zaib, are you cheating?" She called out. She called his name so easily; he hadn't realized his heart was beating harder than ever. He wanted to hear her say it again.

"I'm the cheater?" He dramatically emphasized, pretending to look horrified.

"I literally saw your counter home a while ago. Why's it already about to complete the round?" She outright accused.

"Zoya, I think the loss is getting to your head and this is your grief speaking," Zaib answered back, his smug smile widening every second.

"Excuse me?" She seemed offended.

"The only one who's losing is you because you cheated!" She slammed her hand on the table getting closer.

"I didn't cheat. You're lying because you can't accept defeat." Zaib jerked closer to her over the table.

During the heated debate, both of them had itched way closer to each other; their forehead an inch away as they stared into each other's eyes competitively. Honestly, Zaib was enjoying this way more than he should've.

Zoya realized the position and jerked back immediately. Zaib however still stared into the depth of her gaze.

"Alright, since you've accused me, we'll ask Ehsan about this. If he concludes that I didn't cheat, then you'll have to do whatever I say," Zaib announced challengingly.

Zoya thought of it for a moment. She was really sure she saw his counter inside. She was going to win this.

Zoya nodded. "Fine, I'll do whatever you tell me to if I am wrong." Then in unison, both of them jerked away to look at Ehsan and Naimat who stared blankly.

"Alright, can you guys calm down?" Naimat mumbled and Ehsan agreed silently.

"Can you tell us Naim? Zaib was cheating right? Tell me?" Zoya edged forward with a hint of hope lingering within her tone.

Naimat sighed. "As much as I hate to say this Zoe, he was not cheating. You've got it all wrong." She answered. "Yeah, Zaib didn't cheat. I would have stopped him if he did," Ehsan seemed apologetic.

Zoya stares at them in disbelief. She looked back at Zaib who had the widest smirk covering his features. Zoya wanted to drown herself in the Mediterranean Sea.

"Y-you weren't serious about the bet right?" Zoya mumbled.

"Of course I wasn't."

Zoya breathed a sigh of relief— "I was dead serious."