Between what is said and not meant and what is meant and not said. Most of love is lost.

Ikram's POV

I just prayed zuhr and I'm still panicking. I've been panicking since I opened my eyes this beautiful morning. Note the sarcasm. In like four hours I'll be going out for the first time with Adnan. Does this mean he finally feels something for me? Or is he just trying to play my feelings. I don't know and I'm reluctant to find out. The wedding is fast approaching and I'm really distracted. I left Zahra in charge of everything because honestly,I can't deal with the stress of planning a wedding. I always dreamt of how my wedding would go,but right now,I'm not even feeling it. All I feel is dread and just the unknown. But I shouldn't be complaining,I chose this for myself. It's my choice. I shouldn't be wallowing about it. Even though I complain,I don't regret it. Yeah,that's how deep the feeling goes.

Mama came to our room and found me pacing around. She stood by the door watching me with an amused expression in her face. I stopped and greeted her,my mind far from reality.

"Ikram." She called. I turned and she now had a worried expression on her face. "I've been calling your name for the past three minutes. What's wrong? Is it about Adnan?"

"I'm sorry mama,I'm just nervous going out with him."

She smiled. "I've been in your shoes Ikram and I know how it feels. If you're this nervous on meeting him,how are you going to cope with marriage and all? Just take a deep breath and calm down."

I nodded and took a deep breath then exhaled. All mama said was true but it reduced my nerves with just a bit. Why am I even overreacting? I squared my shoulders and gave mama my most brightest fake smile. I know she didn't believe it,heck I don't believe it myself but what can I do.

"Ikram,I'm your mother. You can't lie to me. Now go and start getting ready before he comes and you keep him waiting." With that,she left the room and I plopped myself on my bed. There's still time,I told myself and then I drifted off.

***

I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing. I rubbed my sleepy eyes and saw that it was Adnan calling me. Holy shìt! I checked the time. It was 4:16pm. Wow,I really slept off and no one woke me up. I started panicking, I don't have time to get ready. Gosh!being a girl can be so freaking hard.

I picked the call and made salaam. He replied and asked if I was ready,told him I'm almost done. Said he'll be there in thirty minutes.

I jumped off my bed and opened my wardrobe. He said casual. I scanned,but nothing. I groaned frustrated. What am I going to wear.

I brought out two evening gowns and then called Khadija and Najmin to help me decide. Yup!Called the annoying siblings. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

I brought out the first gown and showed them. It was a long red flay gown. The arms were sleeveless and if I had to wear it,I'd use a kimono. They both shook their heads in disagreement. I then brought out the second one. It was blue in color, sleeveless also but had a unique look. It had a bodice by the right hand side. It was simply lovely. They both nodded their heads and perfect,I've gotten a dress.

I put it on immediately then went over to my vanity mirror. I'm not a fan of make up but a little kohl will do. I applied the kohl then applied a nude lipstick to complete it. I then took my coffee brown kimono and wore it.

I tied my hair in a loose bun then rolled a silver veil with a touch of coffee brown. I guess I'm all ready. I checked the time and it was 4:45pm. I felt my nerves going up but I tried to calm myself down. Just then Najmin came to tell me that he's already here. I swallowed a lump in my throat,grabbed a small bag and sauntered off.

I went to the parlour and he was there talking with Mama. He noticed me,and I swear I saw his expression changed to something like surprise,then admiration. Before I could read into it,it vanished like it wasn't even there to begin with. Wow,I might as well have imagined it.

"Salaam Alaikum." I greeted.

He answered and said we should get going. Mama smiled at me as if telling me that everything's gonna be alright. I nodded my head trying to make myself believe those words.

As we got into his car,I started checking him out. He wore a black jeans with a blue polo shirt. Talk about twinning couples. I rolled my eyes mentally. The buttons weren't done,giving me a little glimpse of his chest. His hair was a tousled mess but he still managed to look as epic as ever. Only Adnan Muhammad Nur can pull that off effortlessly.

"Take a picture,it lasts longer." He said voice dripping with sarcasm.

I blinked rapidly trying to process what he just said and a blush crept its way to my face. Nice try ikky. And what a bad way to start.

To cover up the awkwardness I felt, I decided to ask where we're going.

"So...where are we going?"

"That's for me to know and for you to find out." He said smirking.

"Oh." I said.

I really don't understand Adnan. I always say this. He really needs to get himself checked up. When he didn't reply, I made myself comfortable on the seat and zoned off.

The car halted and he came out. I was about opening the door when he came over and opened the door for me. I blushed lightly. So he can be a gentleman. Nice. I muttered a thanks to him and he nodded. I realised I didn't know where we were till we came in front of the place. A grill restaurant called Grill in and out. The outskirts of the place was simple and lovely.

We had a choice to either stay indoors or outdoors and he chose indoors. We walked into the restaurant and the scent of grilled beef almost knocked me out. Just then my stomach grumbled,how embarrassing. I just hope he didn't hear that. The place had a homey feel to it and when we were showed to our table, I made myself comfortable. But wait,is this like a date?yeah we're basically a couple but he didn't say anything like that. I was tempted to ask him but held my tongue.

The waiter brought our menus and said he'd be back to take out orders. I collected the menu and scanned through it,but all the names were strange so I didn't know what to order.

"Have you chosen anything yet?" Adnan asked.

I shook my head. "Not really,not familiar with these dishes but anything you order is fine by me."

He nodded and just then the waiter came and took our orders. Turned out he ordered something called grilled croaker fish with booli. What the hell is booli anyway?

"Anything else sir?" The waiter asked.

"Some Orange juice for me and..." he turned to me. "What do you want to drink?"

"Uhm. Orange juice is fine with me too." I replied. The waiter wrote our orders and off he went.

"You look beautiful." He said straight looking into my eyes. I blushed pretending to adjust my veil and replied. "Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself." He simply nodded. He might as well have been a lizard in his past life. Lol no offence. I didn't realize I was smiling till he asked.

"And what's so amusing?"

"Er--it's nothing really." He was about to speak when the waiter interrupted us by bringing our food. I thanked him and drooled over the meal in front of me.

I took one bite and moaned in satisfaction. This is really good. I munched my food oblivious of Adnan watching me. I raised my head and our eyes met. I held his gaze until he decided to look away and continue with his meal. I took a sip from my Orange juice and decided to talk.

"So...what's your motive behind this 'date'." I said using my fingers to air quote date. "Because I might not know you well enough, but from what I've gathered,it's not everyday you take your soon to be wife out,not that you've had any."

His jaw clenched at my last statement but then his face came back blank as if he didn't do anything. Wow.

"I like that you went straight to the point. Actually,I just wanted us to discuss some few rules before the wedding." He said nonchalantly.

I raised a brow."Rules?seriously? What kind of rules?" I said not liking where this was going.

"Yes rules and it's quite necessary."

I relaxed back on the chair and looked him straight in the eye. I don't know where all this confidence is coming from but I have a feeling it's gonna crumble off the moment he speaks. "Go ahead! I'm all ears. What are the rules?"

He assessed me trying to gauge a reaction from me but I kept my face blank knowing it wasn't half good as how his was at the moment.

"Well,Rule one,don't go through my stuffs. Rule two, don't enter my room without knocking. Rule three,Don't speak to me unless you are spoken to. Rule four,don't bring friends over to my house. And lastly Rule five,don't fall in love with me because I guarantee you,you'd get nothing more than heartbreak." He said smoothly.

When he was done,I lost my appetite for the food. I felt like throwing up. I looked at his face and couldn't imagine how such a handsome face would have such a stone heart. I kept my face as blank as I could and replied.

"I see. For your rule one,two and four,they're absolutely fine with me. Not that I have much friends to bring anyway unless you want to stop Zahra from coming to your house." I said calmly and he nodded.

"And what about rule three and five?" He asked.

"I was just getting to that. I'm not some kind of slave that you'd tell me to speak only if I'm spoken to. No you don't have the right to tell me that,bakin na mene ne dama (the mouth is for what?) I won't become a dumb person in my own matrimonial home. And for your last rule,falling in love isn't above anyone else,I should be the one warning you not to fall for me not the other way round." I said. Still not knowing where all this adrenaline is coming from. He looked almost shock at my outburst clearly not expecting me to react.

"Very well then,we'll see." I don't know what he meant by that statement but it gave me chills. Making me question my decision a hundred times over. I pushed the plate with remaining fish and told him I'm ready to go home. It's already getting late. I stood up and went out the car not caring if he followed. After about two minutes,he opened the car and I got in and he drove away.

The atmosphere in the car was tense. The conversation at the restaurant hung in the middle of our silence. So much to say but too no words could form. We reached my house and I muttered a thanks to him,just before I went inside,I looked back one more time and saw him still in the car looking back at me. He mouthed something I didn't get. I just turned and walked away.

***

[A/N]: So much disappointment,yeah?
Well who's ready for a wedding? Not good at writing weddings so be warned,but I'd try my best though.

Love
Siyyamah💫