Awkward silence all the way!

We didn't talk in the cab because obviously both of us thought it was awkward to make small talk while sitting behind a stranger who sat inches from us. At least that was how I felt about taxis in general. They were too intimate and claustrophobic compared to subway trains or going on foot, which was my favorite transportation.

The cab pulled over at the multiplex movie theater in ten minutes. The place was huge. A four stories building with enormous red and white neon logo flashing continuously and casting eye-popping reflections all over the place.

Akram shifted to open the passenger door beside him and got out of the car. He agilely walked around to the other side and opened my door for me.

"Here we are." He offered his hand to help me out. The gesture never ceased to amaze me even though it seemed simple and natural on his part.

Once I was safely on the sidewalk, he released my hand, gave me a shade of a smile and went back around the car to pay the taxi driver. I watched the lungi headdress shaking through the rear window then the Taxi moved away.

Akram's radiant smile appeared again as he crossed the few steps between us.

"Sorry about the crowding. Weekend rush, I guess." Akram said, signaling to me to walk forward as he shoved the other hand in his pocket.

"It's okay." I nodded and smiled. Strangely, it really seemed okay.

Trudging among the hasty crowd to enter the famous place, I felt the heat of his arm securing the space behind me within an inch of touching the small of my back.

It felt like he was safeguarding my aura without making real contact. He merely created a protective barrier that was more tangible than he could believe. The proximate presence of him surrounded me, even though I couldn't see his arm hovering behind my back.

Taking a deep breath to collect my nerves, I raised my hand to comb my recently styled hair, suddenly realizing that inhaling wasn't such a good idea. I tried to repress the cough by covering my mouth as the polluted air of New York City filled my lungs. The streets had always been smelly, and all kinds of odors were harassing my nostrils. But I couldn't care less at the moment.

The pavement in front of the theater was like a colony of busy human ants. Except that ants were more disciplined. People would just shoulder or elbow anyone without feeling guilty about it. I've always believed this was the land of the selfish and apparently, half of the selfish population of New York City picked the same theater Akram had chosen for us this evening.

For some reason, I didn't feel much of the tension I usually felt when I'd walked alone in crowded places. It was definitely a noticeable change. Sure, I was a bit nervous but not to a freaky level. I actually felt safer this time. I wasn't alone.

I turned my face up to look to my side, stealing a glance at Akram's elegant profile. He kept his head straight up, making his sharp, nearly L shaped jawline more defined, so was his longish greek nose.

Akram's gaze was focused on the entrance, the red lights from the billboards giving his face an impressive glow as we crossed the sidewalk. His features were relaxed. A hint of a smile lingered at the side of his distinct, slightly thin lips.

It wasn't until that moment that I realized I haven't examined his face closely. Not that I'd never looked at him, but I just couldn't allow my eyes to wander freely over his face without being trapped into his gaze. But this time, a surprising sense of boldness urged me to linger over his features. He kept staring forward as if to let me study each detail. It was a short distance to walk but it felt like a slow motion moment.

While I was lost in my reverie, his smile widened to reach the corner of his eye, making it clear he noticed my ogling.

A surge of heat rushed to my cheeks. I hugged my purse in front of my body, averting my eyes to look at my feet as we approached the electric doors.

Inside, the foyer area was swarming with supposedly enthusiastic movie goers. The sight made me remember lunch break in high school. So many people roaming the place, buying food and snacks from the concessions, or filling their cups from the out-of-a-space-movie soda machine, or just sitting there munching on something at the tables in the food court. Eating and watching movies always had been inseparable activities but this place seemed to have more eating than watching anything. Even your steps. It was a holy mess!

The muddle of voices was humming in my ears along with the hustle and bustle of overeating, overstimulated folks and I remembered another reason - beside my tight budget- that had made me shy away from these places.

What fascinated me the most was the luxury of the place that was eminent in the plush interior design. Royal blue carpeting. Polished gold decorations shining like a canopy of bright stars in a midnight sky - which was rare in my city. The walls covered with protruding sculptures of the city landmarks from floor to ceiling. Shimmering pillars surrounded the lobby, emerging from a separated food court area that had a shiny marble floor. I'd never been in such upscale cinemas. It looked like the lobby of the opera house I'd seen on TV.

"Good that we booked our seats in advance. It's crammed tonight," Akram sighed, breaking the noisy silence as we got our tickets checked.

"It's okay, " I repeated like a broken record .

His eyes looked a bit troubled by something I couldn't fathom.

I thought the tests are over. Maybe something else was bothering him. Like the fact that I was being a big yawn and he didn't like my taste in movies!

Directing me to the food counter, he offered. "Would you like some popcorn? Or anything to drink?" His brows were pulled up in inquisition.

" Just a soda, please. This is not a popcorn movie don't you think?" I gave away a faint chuckle. Yeah I'm boring and I know it!

" I totally agree. I'll just get one for me but I'll make it large in case you changed your mind." He winked and turned forward to do as he said.

Unhealthy snacks were always tempting but I knew better than to get stuffed right now. I wanted to enjoy the movie, not to drain my soul in the toilet again.

Lost in the babble of sounds around the place, Akram turned back and handed me the drink and a box of tissues that popped out of nowhere.

"When did you get that?" I asked, puzzled. I didn't know they sold tissues in here.

He answered with only a lighthearted chuckle.

The theater room we entered was mind-blowing. I had no idea cinemas had evolved so much the past years. It made me feel like I'd fallen onto an alien planet where everyone sat on glossy leather recliners.

It made me feel out of place.

An usher helped us to our reserved spot; a double-seat with a movable armrest in the middle that could change into a sofa. When I slumped down the soft upholstery enveloped me in a bear hug that evoked a deep sigh from my chest. This exaggerated comfort made me feel pampered for the first time in my life. It was an amazing feeling to a degree that felt so wrong.

"Isn't this too much?" I turned to look at Akram across the armrest boundary, wondering guiltily.

His eyes widened a bit.

" No, not at all. I come here a lot and I have discount coupons. It's not as expensive as it looks." He explained, assuring my guilty conscience. "Unless you plan to eat plenty of food from the concessions, which I doubt." He flashed a reassuring smile that showed the cute laugh lines on his face.

"That's a relief. " I mumbled.

Our seats were in a perfect spot, a good distance from everyone in all directions, giving us the most extraordinary amount of privacy a person can get in a public place.

Privacy was also rare. It was something I'd barely experienced in my nineteen years of age. Considering living in a shelter or somebody else's house for my entire life, I'd never felt I belonged anywhere, let alone had my own space. Each phase of my life was a transit to another so nothing was permanent for a fugitive like myself. I've been hardly comfortable as far as I could remember. Surprisingly, this wasn't the case tonight. One of the many new things I began to experience with Akram.

My usually tense muscles relaxed as the lights went off and the commercials began.

Right in front of us, approximately a yard away, a young couple were obviously getting too cozy. The armrest of their seat was lifted up and the back was bent in a wide obtuse angle making it look like a double bed. They squeezed close, lost in each other's arms, impatiently snuggling even before the romantic movie started.

Oh no! Is this even allowed in here?

When they began to nuzzle and nip at each other I had to look away, feeling my face going red instantly.

Sneaking a peek to the side, I saw Akram smirking, a twinkle creased the corner of his eye as he fixed it on the screen. I had an inkling that he was watching me sideways but I couldn't be sure.

My head jerked forward again. My face got increasingly hotter while I tried to ignore the lovebirds nesting ahead of us. I hoped the movie would distract me from being the awkward mess I was.

As the movie started slow and the people quieted, I felt a chill in the air from the air conditioner. Goosebumps began to crawl all over my skin. I rubbed my arms repeatedly and draped myself into my new shawl that I luckily brought with me ( pink and under ten dollars anything would always be my favorite fashion designer) . I knew this would come in handy even though Asha didn't like it so much. The fake cashmere was still warm if not as soft as the real thing, but then, a much warmer sensation startled me.

A mild heated touch brushed the back of my hand for a split second. My head darted to the right to find Akram leaning his upper body a little closer across the armrest. His forehead ridged in concern while his features reflected the dim light from the screen.

" Are you Okay?" He whispered.

Why does he have to be so attentive?

My heart jumped, taken aback by his proximity before I composed myself. "Erm! Yeah... Fine. " I assured him , nodding and blinking quickly.

Immediately, I recalled when Ash had tried to explain why I didn't have to take the shawl when Akram would be sitting right next to me.

Traditionally, a guy is an eco-friendly space heater, slash, coat hanger. So if you're lucky, he'll either lend you his jacket or his arm to warm you up.

" Are you comfortable? You need anything?" He asked ever so politely. His genuine care warmed my heart.

I shook my head, partially to get rid of the image of his arm around me that made my face blush harder.

Thank you so much, Asha!

"Popcorn?" He held out his large box of popcorn and made a funny expression, lifting his brows and nodding his head quickly to encourage me to say Yes.

I chuckled " No thanks. I'm good. "

"How about letting me recline your seat? It's really nice." He suggested, tilting his head.

"Umm!... Okay. But not all the way, please. " I didn't think I would feel comfortable lying all the way down in the middle of a movie theater. It would be extremely embarrassing but I thought a little bit more comfort wouldn't hurt.

I observed his slender fingers as he pressed a button below the right arm of my seat. The back of the seat moved half way backwards, comfortably supporting my spine.

"Thank you." I mouthed.

He nodded and returned to his first position.

It took me a minute to adjust to the new situation that was way too comfortable but soon after, the darkness of the theater enfolded my mind. I swaddled my body further and debated whether or not enjoy some extra comfort. Then I decided to make the most of this place and be a little more rebellious.

I shook off my Toms, let them drop on the floor and crossed my legs on the comfy seat.

Within a few minutes, I was lost in the brilliant acting, almost forgetting where I was.

The sad romance in the story playing on the screen consumed me the same way the book did. I let my tears draw rivers on my cheeks many times for the poor lead character who was fighting cancer with her lover. The tissue box was placed on the edge of the recliner in front of my knee while I held my drink with both my hands. It felt like chilling out at home. Even though I didn't really have one.

Occasionally, I caught Akram in my peripheral vision, turning his face to watch me silently. More than once, I had a glimpse of his movement when I had one of those back-to-reality moments outside of the dramatic world in which I was engrossed. The same happened when the flood gates opened a couple of times and my tears went out of control. He'd seemed to pay attention but never tried any of the cliché approaches that other guys wind up doing. (No arm around my shoulders in case you were wondering) He barely touched my hand once and that was it. He just sat in silence, smiling to the screen ( there was nothing in this movie to smile about to be honest)  and unintentionally teasing my senses to take notice of his presence.

The emotional tension eased when the movie reached its middle. I felt my body unwind after the torrent of drama and tears. The seat was extremely soft and I pressed the key on the armrest to push the back a bit more, already getting familiar with the posh gadget. My eyelids were getting tired from the exertion of weeping.

I sucked in a deep breath, contemplating the idea of closing my eyes for a minute. Soon, my eyes started to droop.

Eyelids...

Heavy...

Slowly...

Shutting...

Down...

***********

Hello lovelies

I have no idea how you'll feel about this chapter but I really hope you like it. Part 2 should be better, I hope.

*which movie do you think they were watching?

*why do you think Akram was smiling?

*did you ever fall asleep in a movie theater before?

*what do you think is going to happen in part2? ;)

♥this chapter is dedicated to my friend Cyan @tanlines88 . You might think this part is weird because your last update was also about Em and Ethan watching a movie! But I have to promise I did not copy your idea. I actually had most of this draft done last year ;D I really enjoyed the contrast between the types of characters and their different reactions if that makes sense ;)