Chapter 16 Questions and answers
Amrah:
I could finally breathe freely without feeling those strange pairs of eyes on me or the snores from that man.
"You should eat" I muttered on seeing that Zayd was making a move to eat the food in front of him.
"I can't"
"Ha? Is it not to liking? Or is there something you are allergic to?"
"I can't move my fingers." He extended his unharmed arm showing his bandaged fingers.
"Oh"
How could I have forgotten that his fingers were bandaged together? He can't lift a spoon with them.
"Do you want me to feed you? I requested. My heart was racing hard.
We were alone in the room, and that's all I could think about.
"Please do" his dimples flashed as he spoke.
My cheeks heated up. I just can't stop blushing around him, especially after what happened last night.
I moved my chair closer to the bedside and picked up the spoon in the bone broth.
I tried to control the tremble of my hand as I brought the ceramic spoon to his lips, he opened his mouth and drank the soup.
His eyes were trained on me making me feel self-conscious. I continued to feed him until the plates were empty.
He took his medication and leaned back against the headboard to rest his back. I sat down on the couch a few feet away from the bed to have my own lunch.
"That bike... It's not your project, right?" I asked after swallowing a mouthful of my cold soba noodles.
It's been nagging my mind because I just knew he was not built that kind of easily flawed engine.
"It is not my work" he affirmed.
"So why were you testing someone's project?" I pushed, trying to sound casual but I was curious and a little resentful that he got hurt.
"Because I need money" was his simple reply.
"Money?" My brows knitted in confusion.
"Yes I would be paid if I test the bike and give my opinion about the engine and what needs to be changed" he explained calmly, clearly not minding that I was asking too many questions.
Whoever gave him that job must be lucky because Zayd agreeing to do such for someone was unbelievable, especially since Minaret Towers was filled with privileged students like me.
"Do you need money?" I blurted out before I could stop myself. I stuffed my mouth with noodles right after.
I could swear I heard him chuckle, but I was too ashamed to look up from my plate.
"Not really. I have the scholarship stipend and I do some odd jobs at the garage as you know. I just needed money urgently because my little brother's birthday is coming up." I swear butterflies were flying freely in my belly as I heard him explain rather calmly as if he was obliged to tell me all that.
I realised this was the first time we ever sat for a normal conversation about him.
"Do you have a little brother?" I asked in surprise, testing my limits of questions and answers with him.
I thought he had no family.
"Yes, I have a little brother. He's turning six"
"When is the birthday?" I pressed further.
"Early next month" Zayd responded.
"Okay, but can you please not risk your life like this again? I'm sure your brother wouldn't like it as well" I added before I could stop myself
"I will try, but I'm already used to risking my life like this. I need to make money" he shrugged his good shoulder..
" I understand. So then, why did you reject working for those big families? A lot of big companies want you to work for them but you refused. You could earn more money without risking your life like this"
"Because I don't want to be in their control" His eyes were beginning to look tired, probably because the medication was kicking in.
"You should sleep"
"Yeah," but he didn't move to lie down.
I finished my food and packed the plates under his watching eyes, he was sleepy but was obviously fighting to stay awake.
"You should sleep, you need rest after all" I moved closer to help him prop the pillow well.
"I know. But you will leave after I sleep"
My heart thumped, "Why? You don't want me to leave?"
"Mn" his eyelashes fluttered as he tried to stay awake.
"I thought you would avoid me like the last time, after what happened yesterday." I paused my movement, my face a few inches away from his.
"I... you were hurt after all, I didn't think that. Besides.."
"It wasn't a mistake, Amrah." his voice was stern even though he sounded sleepy.
"I know you don't want to talk about it, at least not now, but we have to talk about it eventually. And I have a lot of things to ask you and tell you... But I don't want to be too forward..." he was dozing off after lying in a comfortable position.
My hand unconsciously patted his head gently, and my fingers slipped into his soft curls, rubbing his scalp very carefully.
He didn't pull away, rather he moved closer and I found myself enjoying the proximity. I sat on the bed and continued to massage his scalp.
My eyes fell on the bruise on his cheek, and I couldn't resist touching it, it must have been so painful. I wonder how bad his arm was and how long he needed to heal.
I trailed my finger over his straight nose, neither too broad nor too narrow, his lightly deep-set eyes, and his eyelashes that cast a shadow over his defined cheekbone.
Zayd had that rugged handsomeness that made my heart leap each time, this was one of the few times I ever got a closer look at his face.
I never looked at him for more than thirty seconds before that game happened. Now, the more I look at him, the more I realise that he has that face that could easily pull millions of likes and comments on WE-moments if he posted his pictures there.
His face was definitely the one those Kindle authors described as the male lead. The tattoos crawling up his neck sealed the description.
That neck... I couldn't believe I had grabbed his neck last night during our kiss like a shameless girl I was.
"You can kiss me, just pretend I'm sleeping” his groggy voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
My thumb has been rubbing my lips non-stop, as if I wanted to kiss him actually. My cheeks were flaming red in embarrassment.
"You..! Why aren't you sleeping?" He had opened his eyes and those dark orbs were staring at me in amusement.
"I can't sleep if you keep looking at me like you want to eat me up" he chuckled playfully.
Zayd chuckled playfully, was he always this playful?
Am I dreaming?