Chapter 20 Rain...Checked?
Amrah
'Ten minutes more, Amrah!'
Yes, Zayd and I are going on a date... scratch that, the lunch. He rang my doorbell about an hour ago and told me to get ready.
I didn't expect it to be as soon as I told him I would be free today rather than during the weekend. I had to start planning for the contest after deciding to go for it.
"I found a good spot, it is a five-minute walk from the building, it is a good spot" he had said.
"Okay, I will go and get ready"
"Take your time" he smiled slightly.
I have not decided on what to wear even though I was informed. And right now, it is over forty minutes and I haven't decided on what to wear. Spring was slowly going, so it got colder towards the evening.
I caught sight of a flowy white A-line skirt and a matching top, so I decided to put on a green lightweight cardigan over it, in case it got colder later.
I pulled on a pair of comfortable white loafers and a green shoulder bag to complete the look.
"Is it too much?" I stared at my image in the full-length mirror with a bit of doubt.
"I should leave my hair down" I opened my drawer and took out a red velvet box.
It was my last birthday gift from my elder brother, Jamal. In it was a piece of light green jade hairpin, the green color matched my eye color which was why he got it even though it was auctioned at a very high price.
"This is okay. Not too much" I reminded myself as I applied lip gloss and packed my small bag with some essentials.
My phone, wallet, lip gloss, small bedazzled compact mirror, and my key card.
All done.
I looked at myself in the mirror one last time to see my immature-looking face staring back at me, with my curls popping.
I didn't expect to meet Zayd outside my door the moment I stepped outside, he looked stunned on seeing me walk out. He pushed off against the wall he was resting on.
I felt self-conscious under his intense gaze.
"How long have you been waiting?" I laughed nervously, trying to cover my embarrassment.
"You should have... called me"
"I do not have your contact"
"Ah? Oh, I'm sorry for keeping you waiting" I apologized.
"It's fine. You look beautiful as always"
My cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink on hearing his compliment. I looked anywhere but his eyes. Even though my loafers elevated my height, it wasn't anywhere near enough to meet up with his towering height.
It strained my neck to look up into his eyes most times, so I settled for his lips.
Those lips... focus Amrah.
"Huh... Thank you. You look good too" he was in his usual black slacks and cotton shirt with a dark grey overcoat.
He looked more than good.
I wondered if his closet had other colors apart from black and dark grey. His hair was combed but some untamed curls fell over his forehead, teasing his eyelashes.
"Thank you, let's head out" I gave a small nod.
"Wait, let me have your phone" He pulled out his phone from his pocket without asking what I wanted to use it for.
It had no password.
I typed in my phone number before handing it back to him," There, my contact" I smiled.
"Perfect"
It was hard to keep up with his pace, his one step was two to three steps for me. He was walking calmly and normally, but his long legs had more advantage over my short ones.
I was panting by the time we arrived at the cozy diner. My cheeks and nose were probably dusted with a pink hue.
I'm fit, I promise, Zayd's legs are just too long compared to mine.
It looked small and neat, but I recognized the expensive door as soon as we got there.
It was from an expensive but subtle brand that most people wouldn't recognize, but I did because my sister-in-law specially requested that door a year ago, when she was getting married to my eldest brother, Kamal.
It was supposed to be a simple lunch within his budget, I didn't want him spending all his hard-earned money on this lunch.
"Welcome to Safee Diner, do you have a reservation?" a kind-looking waitress came forward.
"Yes, here is the card" he handed her a matte golden card.
She glanced at it and led up to a booth with a kind smile. Zayd pulled out my chair for me and helped me shrug off my cardigan.
I realized that this was my first date... oh wait, it's not a date. Being in a secret relationship with Chris didn't allow us to go out on a date or so,
The supposed lunch had somehow turned into an early dinner due to my lateness. I skimmed over the menu and realized it was filled with my favorites.
I settled for couscous and roasted salmon paired with mildly spicy cucumber salad and a large cup of freshly squeezed pineapple juice.
Zayd ordered a large helping of steak, stir-fry veggies, and a green protein shake.
"How did you find this place?" I couldn't rein in my curiosity any longer.
"The owner is my friend, it is a new one" he swallowed before replying.
That explained why everything is so expensive and trendy for a small diner like this. Probably owned by a rich second-generation.
"How is the food, is it to your liking?"
"Yeah, I can hardly find my favorite in the other diners, " I answered.
And the conversation began to flow, he told me more about his little brother.
"I really want to see Ian now, He sounds like an adorable little one"
"And a handful" he chuckled, his inked fingers wrapped around his glass of grape juice and I couldn't stop the sinful thought that slipped into my head.
I imagined those fingers slipping in between my folds... My core spilled.
Fuck...!
"I... uhm need to use the restroom." I didn't wait for his reply before I slipped away.
My heart was pounding hard, and I just couldn't stop thinking about him in such sinful ways.
"I enjoyed my meal of course" We were now walking back home.
I was too elated to be around him to even think about Chris and the promise I made not to go out with Zayd.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it," he smiled. He was now walking slowly, taking one step after I took two steps.
All of a sudden, rain started, from small parts until it was pouring down on us and we were only halfway home.