Chapter 20: Chapter 20

It was so disturbing for him to sit in the living with his uncle while he has somewhere to go to. He had promised Fauziya for a date. Get to know each other date and maybe things will work out between them. Maybe.

He cleared his throat again as he felt his phone vibrates in his pocket for the second time. He always does that when he is in a hurry or he has something to do.

"Uncle, it is so nice to see you again. I am sorry but I have to go, I promised to meet a friend of mine today" He uttered politely. He doesn't want to sound rude but he knows his uncle will understand his point.

" Sure my dear. May Allah help you with everything you do" Uncle Faruk prayed while shaking his hand.

He silently drove to the address Fauziya sent him. The house was not hidden so it was easy for him to locate.

He parked and dialed her number. She picked  promising to be out in two minutes, he patiently waited for her to come out.

He watched as she exited the house majestically,her dressing showing her signature out. He couldn't help but admit she looks like a goddess on Earth.

"Hey" She whispered nervously.  He only nodded and gave a smile. Is he to tell her she looks beautiful or what?

After staring at her through the rear mirror, he drove to the restaurant he made reservations for them.

"Let's look for a place at the back to seat" He utter, the restaurant was filled with people. They got a table for three with love customization on it.

He helped cleared the table before moving to order for them. He made sure to order the best and the healthiest food there despite the price.

Throughout the lunch, he kept asking Fauziya questions about her life and school. And he learned that she had an inner sweet soul, the kind soul she shows no one.

The real Fauziya seems just like Aisha, a pretty soul in a shell hiding from the real world. As a girl, she went through a lot. Her step dad on her neck and then her mother was busy to notice her worries.

It was after she visited her grandmother and everything got revealed. Her mother and her so called step father divorced, then her life got back on track with the help of a therapist.

"He is not a man but a monster. Who does that to a child? Your mother should have sued him for child abuse. " Yusuf ranted furiously.  He is a doctor and he knows the kind of pain it feels when someone is abused, especially a child.

"She said she doesn't want anything to do with him anymore. He actually ran away before she said her mind." Fauziya chuckled recalling the event.

It seem so much like yesterday when the man that made her change her ways disappear. He ran away after her family found out about everything.  It will forever be in her heart, a day she will never forget, the day she was freed.

"I pray you never encounter something like this again. This is so bad." He uttered softly.  He hate it when someone gets away with a crime they are supposed to be punished for.

"Wait first, are you feminist?" Fauziya questioned display a smile. " No, but I don't like it when ladies get maltreated. We have to stop it"

She only gave a simple nod and typed on her phone. "Can I ask you a question if you don't mind" She said while he nods.

She played with her fingers not because she is shy but because of what he might think of her. "Say it"He eagerly await for her question.

"Do you like me?" She dropped.

Does he really like her? Or he just wants them to be friends? To say, she is a nice a lady and he found peace and solace while with her but he doesn't know it has anything to do with like or love.

"I believe it is a no. I just was wondering, that was why I asked. Nothing more, no strings attached" She stammered while her face fell.

Feeling uneasy, he drank the little water remaining in his cup. Does feel like he rejected her?

"I like you... As a friend, as a female friend I have never had and like a sister. "

"I don't know if I might feel something for you later on but for now I don't and I am sorry if what I said hurt you. Forgive me" He uttered.

She only nodded while wiping away the drop of tears threatening to fall. They left the restaurant with Yusuf try to strike a conversation with Fauziya, he tried to make her smile but no avail.

"Are you angry" he questioned tilting his face.

"No. I have a headache so I want to rest before we take me home"

"And who said I am taking you home? We are not done with our date" He told her, hitting the accelerator.

Throughout their drive, Fauziya kept looking as the drive pass houses through the tinted window. If you could ask her how she is feeling, she will tell you she felt rejected, not enough for him or she is not worthy of him.

She knows deep down he might like her or he doesn't want to tell her. She noticed the car stopped in a familiar area. She has been there once with her friends.

The place is nice for relaxation and she enjoyed it there. She likes the place.

" I know you like this place" he chuckled.

" Wait, how did you know? I never told you it did I?" She asked smiling.

" Well... A little birdie told me. She said you once let go of your worries here." He informed.

" Yes, I do. I find peace of mind and solace here. All my worries will be gone in a few"

He gave her the company she needed, the attention and the care she seeked for. They spent lots of time at the park.