One kdrama later, your writer is back. Tears left and right, but I've survived. Happy ending rules!

HAMZA'S LIPS SLANTED upwards into a wide grin, which made the corner of his eyes crinkle slightly. He didn't find it suspicious that the woman who has been ignoring for as long as he'd known her was suddenly giving him attention. He also intentionally chose to ignore the two other people he hadn't acknowledged. "Oh, really?" His grin widened, and for a second, Aisha started to doubt her decision of using him. She didn't like the way he was looking at her unwaveringly like that, it just didn't sit right well with her.

But as per the stubborn person she is, she masked it with a wide smile. "Yeah, really" The sensible part of her brain tried to talk her out of whatever she is trying to put herself in. She wasn't thinking straight, and she would definitely regret this later but she wasn't willing to listen to that part of the brain.

"Well, in that case" He stood straighter, his unwavering gaze on her, "Would you like to have dinner with me?"

"Of course. Because we're just singing and dancing here" The voice of someone he hasn't gotten along with since he started pursuing Aisha interrupted. Jannah turned around to look at him, crossing her legs as she flashed him a sarcastic smile. "She can have dinner with you, as long as we are done dancing"

Hamza's smile faltered, as he held back the urge to scoff.

Aisha on the other hand threw her a small glare, though she was fighting to hold back her small smile. It didn't matter what she is trying to do-she doubts she will ever find Jannah's sarcastic remarks not funny as long as they are not directed towards her. She also knows the girl piqued in to avoid answering Abdallah for that will be a long conversation between the two.

The man managed to force a smile on his face, and asked Jannah. "I was talking to Aisha"

Jannah offered him a wide grin that was obviously fake. "Good day to you too, Hamza. We're all doing well, alhamdullilah. It's not nice to see you too" How the girl managed to hold up a grin throughout the whole sarcastic remark remained a mystery to them all.

She had never liked the man. Perhaps, if she wasn't in Team Aslam from the beginning then she would've shipped him with her friend. However, the more she gets to know the man-not that she wants to do that intentionally, the more she sees the red flags all over him. It's no wonder Aisha has been ignoring him, till now.

But it is also as Aisha assumed, she was also doing this to avoid answering Abdallah. For some reason, she has no problem answering everyone else but him, she is suddenly finding it hard to do so.

She could no longer feel his gaze on her, but his silence towards what's going on meant he is too caught up on what he just read and for that she couldn't even bring her eyes to meet his again-afraid of what will come after which she found ridiculous.

Why would she feel that way towards Abdallah? And why would he be acting like that? She doesn't like him and vice versa.

It just doesn't make sense.

Aslam couldn't help but be grateful though because at least, he knows there's someone on his side. But that feeling is masked with another that is threatening to consume his being entirely. Reaching his hand out, he picked up the cup of water on his side and quietly sipped it, hoping to try and ignore the said man Hamza.

But it is impossible since the man was standing right in front of him, ignoring his being and speaking, no, flirting, with Aisha.

No. Aslam wasn't jealous. Jealous? Him? No way. Not of this Hamza at least.

Hamza choose to ignore the woman that is obviously out for him, and focused his attention on Aisha again, who he didn't miss throwing a discrete look Aslam. It annoyed him. He wasn't stupid to see there has to be something going on between them. "So, Aisha..." He called out, to shift her attention from the man who hadn't even noticed her since he was too caught up in keeping himself in check. She shifted her gaze to him, "What do you say? We can go get dinner somewhere, or watch a movie if you want? I want to get to know you better"

Aisha wanted to downright turn him down. That's what she has been doing all the time but her stupid brain had a mind of its own. "Now? I think it's too late for that" She didn't agree with him, but at the same time, she didn't turn him down.

A battle between the heart and the brain. One sensible in this case, and the other...

He nodded, as if it's no big deal. "Don't worry about the time, I'll be sure to return you home before it gets that late"

"Well, in that case..."

Aslam noiselessly placed the cup on the table again and stared at her in disbelief, wondering if she would actually agree to that. She can't. For all he knows, she isn't in any way related to Hamza so there should be no reason for her to be out with him at that time. If someone like Abdallah is with them, sure. But alone? Seriously?

Hamza grinned widely, taking her half answer as one. "Great. Should we go?"

"She is not going anywhere with you"

"Aslam easy now" Jannah snickered under her breath, making sure none of them heard her. She couldn't help it; she is enjoying the show.

Hamza scoffed hearing the voice of the man he wanted to ignore. He was hoping they would keep up with the whole ignoring each other thing but apparently not. His grin fell, "I didn't know you speak for her now" He answered, not turning to look at him. "As far as I'm concerned she's capable of answering on her own"

Aslam who had fixated his gaze on the cup, hoping to not have to direct his glare towards anyone found himself looking up-his glare resting on Hamza's back. He parted his lips to speak, however, before he could, someone beat him to it.

"What I do is none of your concern" Aisha snapped, her lips curling downwards into a frown as her eyes narrowed at him.

Aslam shifted his gaze to her, his glare disappearing as he quirked a brow slightly. "For now"

Yet again, Jannah snickered from the side, only this time she made the mistake of turning around, making her eyes clash with Abdallah's who was the least interested in what's going between the two. His expression was blank just like earlier, but that is another thing that worried her. Swallowing thickly, she looked away-no longer finding humor in the trio's argument.

Aslam's words had Aisha scoffing. The audacity of the man to say that? He better not be implying what she is thinking. But well, knowing the man, he had had always had this confidence that she admired before. At the moment though, it annoyed her and she doubts she knows him anymore-not that she did before. "What is your problem?" She asked lowly, trying to reign her anger.

She seemed to have underestimated her anger towards the man. And even though a rational part of her is trying to get her to at least hear him out, she chose to ignore it.

Aslam eyes didn't leave hers as he answered, as if that will make her see the intensity of his words. "My problem is, you're even considering going out with him" He didn't raise his voice, for there was no need to do so. Sure, he's upset but even he knows she has every right to feel the way she does.

"I have every right to go out with whoever I want"

"And I have every right to feel the way I do"

"And how do you feel?" Though she spat the words, a part of her is truly curious but she masked it underneath her anger.

"I am jealous" He answered without blinking an eye lid, his words holding every ounce of honesty. He had no problem admitting it, not when it comes to her. Why would he deny or hide it? That will be very un-Aslam-ish.

Aisha could swear she felt her heart skip a beat, and for a split second, her walls came down but it was only for that brief second as anger consumed her again. How dare he say to her? How dare he make her feel things she didn't want to? Just how dare he still have that kind of influence on her? If it was any other man, she wouldn't have been moved in any way but Aslam...is a whole different case. Blowing out a low breath, she composed herself before she spoke again. "I will go out with whoever I want and there's nothing you can do to change that"

Aslam shrugged, as he nodded slowly. He slouched on his chair slightly, his legs crossed, and shoulders back. "Go ahead and do so. It won't change my feelings for you" He folded his arms over his torso, looking directly into her eyes.

Damn you Aslam! Aisha thought, fighting the urge to cave into whatever it is he is trying to get her into. Would she really allow herself to be caught up in his words that easily? She wondered. Would she allow him to play with her feelings?

But it's Aslam. He has always been honest to her. Which means he is yet again, being honest.

Aslam continued, "--Like I said before, the winner will be announced in the masjid and..." He flickered his gaze to Hamza, who still had his back to him before snickering, "...I'm sure it won't be him"

That was the last straw for Hamza who scoffed, and finally turned around to glare at Aslam. "I was actually hoping we'd ignore each other" He stated lowly, "But you know what, Aslam? Your audacity had always...baffled me"

His words had Aisha looking away from Aslam, to Hamza. She shifted her gaze from between them, noting that this goes beyond what it seems. "Did..." She paused, not missing how the two still held each other's gaze. "...do you two know each other?"

Hamza still glared at Aslam, and the latter simply held his gaze, his lips stretched into a smirk that only answered her question.

The two do know each other. But how?

Since neither of them answered her, she decided to ask another question. "How do you two know each other?"

"That isn't what you should be asking" Hama spoke, and although his answer is directed towards Aisha, his eyes remained locked on Aslam's, "Or I guess I should be one asking you, Aslam. Why are you here trying to win Aisha over? Does she know of what happened in Egypt?"

Aslam's smirk wavered, his eyes narrowing at Hamza who smirked. Judging from Aslam's reaction, she doesn't know. The thought had him grinning. "I heard you had taken over your grandfather's shares in HGH. I guess that means you've agreed or should I say, proceeded with the condition" He said smugly.

Aslam flickered his eyes close. He wouldn't have been worried if Aisha wasn't so and at him. He could've explained himself. But he doubts he can talk anything rational to her. Especially not after Hamza is trying to fill her head with nonsense.

And she just had to ask, in a tone that Aslam knew talking sense to her at the moment will be hard. "What condition?"

Hamza grinned, his eyes moving to her. "Well, I would tell you but I guess, the groom should tell you himself" He enjoyed seeing the look on her face, but he wanted to see Aslam's reaction more so he turned to the man. "On that note too, how's our bride? I have to admit you and Taslim have always looked good together"

Groom? Her head was already being filled with possibilities of what means but she wasn't stupid. And Taslim? The same one she met two years ago in his father's room? The girl did seem close to them all, but she didn't give it much thought then. Now though, she felt so stupid. How could she have trusted a man? Again? After what she went through in the past?

Sighing, Aslam eyes flickered open again as he met her eyes that are already narrowed. "Aisha, it's not what it looks like..." He would deal with the stupid man named Hamza later. The man doesn't even know what happened afterwards and yet, he's already giving her the wrong information.

She stared at him in disbelief before she scoffed. It's not what it looks like? That's what they all say. Pushing her chair back with a screech, she extended her hand to pick up her bag.

Aslam shot up from his chair, "Aisha...Aisha, please, listen to me--"

She whipped her head around to glare at him with glossy eyes. "Don't you dare say a word to me" She warned through gritted teeth, her voice low.

"Aisha..."

"Let me drive you home" And Hamza just had to cut him off, offering her a small smile as if he cared.

She shifted her glare to him, her anger flaring. "I know the way to my house. So, no thank you" She could feel a familiar lump forming in her throat, and her eyes becoming glossy. She didn't want to break down in front of them though. Heck, she is trying so hard to not do that at all. So, without bothering to pay of them another glance, she side stepped the man and stormed out.

Jannah hastily got up from her chair in an attempt to follow her, just as Aslam did so. "Don't" Abdallah stopped them both, getting up from his chair hastily, "Aslam, it's best if you don't go and Jannah, go home, I'll make sure she gets home safe" He didn't wait for their answer as he rushed out to make sure she doesn't do anything reckless.

Aslam threw a glare at Hamza who was looking too smug, as if he didn't just break a girl's heart with his stupid words. "If anything happens to her, it's on you" Aslam stated lowly, and with a final glare, he turned around and left.

Jannah who had been digging holes in Hamza's head with her glares, picked up her bag and rounded the table to leave. But, not before making sure to mistakenly dig her heels on Hamza's foot leaving the man to yelp in pain. Ignoring the sound, she stormed out as if she did nothing.

Safe to say, the dinner didn't end the way any of them expected.

~*~

So, dinner wasn't supposed to end up this way but I like it. Hehe, I like violence.

Anyways, I'm back before I start yet another kdrama since that's all I do with my life now. Also, we have twenty chapters left to end this book, in shaa Allah so I might probably end it this month. PROBABLY O! Because tbh, it might reach August but we'll see.

What will happen next? Oho.

Make I go and figure out what to do with my life now. You know that moment when you finish a kdrama and then start wondering 'bruh, what am I going to do with my life now?' Yup, that's my condition. But, you didn't ask for it, I know.

Sai anjima abeg. I don tire.

ALSO, the chapters are unedited. I know you've noticed but I'm too lazy to do that. If I have to edit before updating, hehe, let's just say you won't get updates early.

Bye for real now.

Love, Jannah.