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Nawal's PO

He took me to a restaurant, alright. But when you see the inside, it's completely empty. Like, we were the only one standing here. It looks normal from the outside but when you enter, the inner view is something different. It feels like a mansion. Huge chandelier at the centre with few mini ones. The special thing about it is that, even though it looks fancy, it also looks simple too. Not overly decorative. The designs on the walls look strangely familiar but I can't point my finger where. Then it suddenly hits me. I've made those designs a long back ago in the office! But how did Aadil got these? I mean, I never said to anybody about this. I secretly created the designs, hoping I can use in the future. Silly, I know. But I have always wanted to build something with my own money. To proudly say that I am the owner of this particular building.

I slowly turned around to see what Aadil is planning, only for him to slowly bring his palm close to my face. It wasn't intentional but I flinched, immediately thinking he is about to beat me. But when I realized what I did, it was too late. He looked guilty and a bit horrified. I was about to say I didn't really mean it, but he beat me to it.

"You still have trust issues with me." He wasn't questioning me, but rather said it as a statement. In my mind, I was already denying this fact but my mouth seemed to be shut. This only made his words true. I looked at him and saw various emotions flashing across his eyes. But the only familiar one was hurt.

"Aadil, it's not what–-"

"What can I do to win your trust?"

That made me shut my mouth. Instead of being angry or saying stuff like 'I'm sick of you' or 'I'm a hopeless case' or any other thing, he's asking me to...win my trust?

'Just trust him Nawal. Give him another chance. Not all humans are perfect.' My inner voice kept saying the same words again and again. But there's this other voice saying words, 'what if he's lying? What if he actually beats you to death this time? He obviously loves his company more than you' seemed real too. Aadil is patiently waiting for my answer, no anger showing whatsoever. He told me many times that he is changed for the good. But the main question is, am I ready to face the consequences?

Hell yeah.

"Aadil, take your time. As long as you want. Do what it takes for me to never have negative thoughts about you. I am not saying that I still think about past stuff, but if you see my past, it's really hard to have faith even if..."

"I don't want you to say anymore. Give me three days. In these three days, I will show you that I am not what I used to be. In these three days, I will tell you everything about me and you can ask whatever you want to. And if you still think that I am not worthy of your time, remember that my love for you was never fake, Hayati"

Hayati. Just one word to melt my heart. I'm hoping that darn blush isn't showing. Will he really change my opinion in just three days? I really hope so.

"So, the designs obviously looked familiar. It's the same designs you drew for one of our projects but this wasn't included anywhere. Just seeing those I realised that it was one of the best designs. Turn around now."

Turn around? Where...

Oh, my goodness. Saying that I was shocked would be an understatement. I looked at Aadil and he was grinning by my expression. Is this for real?!

"Yes dear. It is really real. I made sure to keep this just as you would do — simple yet elegant. Do you like it?" He asked, his ears and neck slowly turning a light shade of pink and voice slightly nervous.

In front of me is my name, in bold letters, 'NAWAL'S DINE IN' with a small board saying, 'open 24/7!'. A small laugh escaped from me, knowing how hungry I get from time to time. It looked boring if you see from a far distance, but if you get close you'll see how elegant this looks. This place is beautiful in every single way.

"Liked it? What kind of question is that? I LOVE it! But I don't get it. Not to sound rude but, why did you made this restaurant and kept my name?"

He gave me a sheepish smile. Like he wasn't agreeing with his thoughts.

"I don't want to sound cliche but it will definitely make me sound like one. I built this place so people can remember you, even if they don't know who you are and how you look. Plus I wanted to leave a memory of your name before I leave this world. Weird right? It sounded perfectly clear in my mind though." He mumbled the last part. I looked at him seriously and that made him bit scared. I tried, but the laugh finally escaped from my mouth.

I tried to stop but it resulted in me laughing more and gasping for air.

"What's so funny?" He grumbled and his face was too turning a light shade of pink.

I took a deep breath. "Aadil, this is so cliche!" And I burst into laughter again. Now his face was full red and it seemed I won't be stopping my laugh anytime soon.

A few minutes later with tears rolling down, I finally stopped.

"It felt good. I don't think I've ever laughed this much. So thank you, and thank you for this amazing present. I didn't imagined you being the cliche type though." I chuckled and looked at Aadil again, this time he was giving me such an intense look that gave me goosebumps.

"Why are you giving me this look? Is there something on my face?"

"You don't know how alive I feel just to see you smile. I feel like I'm in heaven by listening to your laugh. And I will make sure to keep you happy till the end."

'I really hope so, Aadil.' I wanted to say that out loud but I didn't. To be honest, if he ever turns back to how he was before, I'd lose hope from the word 'love'. Plus I want to know what he is planning for the next three days.

"Let's go and have food, okay? I want to take you somewhere."

°•°•°•°

We are on our way to...somewhere. Aadil didn't say much but 'prepare yourself'. Prepare me for what? Food was amazing in the restaurant. I had the best Chicken Majboos, just like in my country. Aadil ordered Pasta Arrabiata for him and he made me taste it, which tasted pretty good. Aadil, of course, told me to give him a bite of my rice. We agreed – more like he said we'd be coming here often and I was ok with the decision.

The car came to a halt. I looked outside and saw that we are in front of a hospital. The alarms in my mind were on alert now.

"Aadil, are you okay? Why are we here? What is going on? Aadil please–"

"Relax. Everything is fine. Just..don't freak out, okay? Stay calm and if you feel uncomfortable then let me know."

"I am being uncomfortable that you aren't saying anything!" He just gave a sign indicating to follow him. I came out of the car with a frown on my face.

The hospital was not crowded at this time. I kept following Aadil, not knowing where to. We stopped to take a lift to the third floor. Aadil kept a normal face, but his eyes were telling another story. He was scared, anxious and growing impatient. I placed my hand on his shoulder to support him in some way. He calmed a bit and a small and quick smile in my way, obviously a fake one. The lift came to a stop and my guess is that we are heading to a room.

And my guess is right as we entered room 29Z. Aadil was hesitating a lot, and before I knew I linked our palms together and gave it a little squeeze. He held it much tighter and squeezed it harder, but it wasn't that painful. He looks pretty scared to the point that his palms were slightly shaking. I just held him tighter and we entered the room together.

The room was empty. No patient inside. Aadil was pretty shocked and ran with our hands still linked. He rushed to the receptionist with me huffing and puffing. Somebody is clearly not in shape.

"Excuse me. The patient in room 29Z is not on her bed. Where is she?" He asked frantically. The nurse looked like she could be anywhere but here.

"And you are?"

"I am her son, damn it! Where is she?"

"She is shifted to room 18A on the first floor. What is–"

Aadil dragged me before she finished her sentence. His mother? Why is she admitted to the hospital?

He was bouncing his legs which kind of were irritating me but I didn't say anything. The man is already nervous. The doors of the lift opened and Aadil was running in search of the room. I was getting tired now. I really need to start working out. He turned a wrong turn and ran to another way, which was wrong again.

"Aadil....stop...right now. Ask some...somebody." I was out of breath. Literally. As if he noticed I was with him, he released our hold, looking quite guilty. I gave a slight nod, saying it's fine. We saw a nurse passing by and Aadil stopped her. When she told him the right way, he didn't even waited for me and ran. First I thought to walk slow but seeing how desperate Aadil is, I walked a bit faster.

By the time I reached Aadil was already inside. There was a woman, in her early 50s, slightly in a sitting position looking at Aadil, not quite believing it's really him. The only thing they share is their eyes. They don't look quite alike. When she noticed me in the room, her eyes were set on me. Me, being the worst at moments like this gave a smile, but it probably looked like a grimace.

"Wha- how... mom?" Aadil couldn't even form his sentence. He was still in shock. And it seems like I won't be getting to know his reason anytime soon.

·°•.·°•.·°•.·°•.·°•.·°•.·°•.·°•.

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