Chapter 17: Chapter 17

Zada's hostel room was a mess.

She herself was a big mess.

What is she supposed to wear for a first date?

Should she just wear loose tops like she wears to college or should she wear something chic??

She groaned as she rummaged through her cupboard once again.

Why did she even agree to go on this date??

Just because he looked darn adorable while asking her out?

Nervous Liam Fredrick was such a vision to watch.

And she simply couldn't say no!!

Damn it Zada! He is a playboy. A damn playboy! Someone your brothers had warned you off on your first day here. And you agreed to go on a date with the university's certified playboy, Zada thought to herself.

But she hadn't seen him with any girls after that first time.

Maybe he still hangs out with his girlfriends after college.

Then why would he ask her out on a date??

Maybe because he finds you a challenge. Like in the books where playboys finds nerds as a challenge..

God!! Why is it so confusing?

This brain and heart conflict is so irritating.

She could really feel for her father right now!! The poor man had been through hell having a war between his heart and brain wherever her beloved momma was concerned.

Who will she talk to??

Emma??

No!! She would simply confuse her more.

Zada fell onto her bed and looked at the ceiling helplessly.

Momma!!

Momma always has solutions for all problems.

But how will she talk about going on a date to her momma.

"Chuck it Zada. It's your momma. Who would understand you better??" She told herself and picked her phone and dialled her mother's number

Aveline picked up the call on the third ring.

"Hello baby. How are you?? I miss you a lot. When are you three coming home?? Are you eating well?? Did you see your brothers?? Is Zahir troubling you?? How is college??" A barrel of questions came her way as soon the call was picked up.

"Mom. Put a break to your Barely express. I am fine. So are your beloved sons. How is everyone at home?"

"Fit as a fiddle." Aveline said.

"Where is Zera?? Is she sleeping??"

"Your papa has taken her to the park." Aveline said.

"At this hour?? It's two in the afternoon mom. It might be so sunny outside." Zada said with a frown.

"She has the whole family wrapped around her little finger. How can papa say no when his little cutie pie asks for something??" Aveline said sarcastically.

"Great. So papa is not home," Zada mumbled but Aveline heard it.

"Oh. So my baby wants to talk about something papa is not supposed to know? What have you done??" Aveline asked in a mock serious tone.

Zada chuckled nervously.

"How did you know momma??"

"Momma's are called mommas for a reason, darling. Now tell me what it is??"

Zada took a deep breath.

"There is a boy in our college"

"Boy?? Don't tell me you got yourself a boyfriend, Zada. You are only twenty. Too young to have boyfriends." Aveline said and Zada rolled her eyes.

"If you forgot momma. You had us when you were nineteen. At my age, you were a wife and a mother to three toddlers."

"That's different." Aveline argued.

"How is it any different?? You are being unfair momma."

"Okay okay. I was being a typical old school momma.Now tell me about this boyfriend of yours." Aveline said.

"He is not my boyfriend, momma. I met him on my first day here. And somehow we kind of ended up meeting each other everyday since. And he asked me out on a date yesterday and I said yes. Now I don't know what to do." Zada said.

"Is he handsome??"

"Momma.... "

"What?? I just want to know. Tell me. Is he??"

"Err.... Yes"

"Handsome than your papa??" Aveline asked.

"I am not going to compare momma."

"I bet he doesn't have hair as beautiful as your papa," Aveline said.

"I didn't call you to talk about how handsome and charming papa is." Zada said grumpily.

"Okay. What is the problem?? He asked out. You said yes. Now what happened??"

"He is a Playboy momma."

"Uh oh. Then why did you say yes."

"I.. I don't know. I have heard he is a Player. But I have never seen him with anyone. And that's kind of confusing. And he is so attentive with me. Always charming."

"Do you love him Zada??"

"I like him, momma. But I don't want to get hurt if he is just playing with me."

"Life is not always rainbows and sunshines baby. So far you only had happiness in your life. But you have to go through certain pains and hardships to know what life really is. As a mother, I would hate to see you hurt. But that's life. The Lord has planned our life. How much ever we try to protect ourselves from certain things, if it is destined to happen, it will happen. Always listen to your heart, Zada."

"Thank-you momma."

"So what's this boy's name??"

"Liam Fredrick" Zada said with a sigh, knowing her momma would figure out who he is.

"Where have I heard that name??" Aveline asked trying to remember where she heard of him

"Mom... "

"Isn't he your brothers' friend Zada??"

"Yeah"

"And still he asked you out?? That's pretty brave."

"Uh.. He doesn't know momma."

"Uh oh! Be honest with him, Zada. Let him know who you are."

"I will tell him when I am ready, momma. And please don't let papa know. Okay"

"Okay. You will have to tell me everything once you are back okay."

"Love you momma"

"Love you too"

As soon as she hung up the call, her room door opened and Emma barged in.

Emma looked around the room.

"Did a typhoon attack happen? Why only in your room?? Will we get an off if there are damages in the college?? I hope all the staff rooms have been affected too. God. Please please let last day's test papers fly away in the wind." She said looking heavenwards making Zada roll her eyes

"There is no typhoon. I am searching for a dress."

"Why?? Where are you going?? Why didn't you tell me?? I also want to come. I will go and get dressed soon." Emma said and turned on her heels to walk out only to be pulled back by Zada.

"I can't take you with me."

"Why?? I am your best friend. Best friends are always supposed to go everywhere together." Emma said with a pout.

"Well, I can't take you with me when I go on a date, now can I??"

"Why not?? It's absolutely... Wait!! What?? Date?? When?? How?? Why am I only knowing it now?? Tell me tell me" Emma asked excitedly.

And Zada told her all about how Liam asked her out and she said yes.

"Omg omg omg!! Are you guys going to kiss?? Oh!! I so want to be a fly on the wall. Where is he taking you?? What are you wearing?? When are you going??"

"Relax Emma. I know nothing about the date. And regarding what to wear. I am confused."

"Please don't wear your usual colourless tops on your first date. Ask him what you should wear. Is he taking you to an expensive five star restaurant like in movies?? Text him now."

'Where are you taking me??'

'Surprise sweetheart'

'How do I dress?? Formal??'

'Anything you are comfortable in!!'

"Anything comfortable huh?? He will be coming in his sports bike right? So wear jeans. I love sports bikes. My grandma is afraid of travelling in two wheelers, so she never let papa ride one too. And because of that I have never been on a bike. I wish my future husband had a motorbike. I will go on a long trip with him for our honeymoon. Wow!! I can't wait to get married. Then I wouldn't have to listen to grandma." Emma said with a dreamy sigh.

Zada shook her head.

They were talking about her date and Emma has somehow managed to reach her honeymoon.

"Let's find someone with a sports bike for you to date." Zada said with a mischievous smile.

"Really?? Oh I would love to. My classmate Allan has got a new bike. He said he would take me on a ride if I wanted. Should I go on a ride with him??" Emma asked and Zada frowned.

"Well, let's not jump into making any decisions." Zada said.

Zada proceeded to take out a pair of blue skinny jeans and a sleeveless white crop top and paired it with a denim jacket.

"You should let your hair down. You have very beautiful hair. I don't know why you always put it up." Emma said admiring Zada's beautiful hair.

Zada shook her head in denial.

Her hairstyle and glasses must stay on.

That would help in keeping her identity a secret.

She has got a feeling that Liam would stay away from her if he knows who she is... Or rather who her brothers are.

Right now, she is not ready to take that risk.

As her mother said, she is going to listen to her heart

And the only thing her heart now says is… LIAM FREDRICK..