Haider's eyes remained fixed on his phone as he sorted through a few documents, forwarding them to his assistant for review.
Then-
She stepped out wearing a loose, cream-coloured buttoned tunic that flowed gracefully to her knees, its oversized sleeves draping softly around her arms. Beneath it, a pair of olive-green wide-leg trousers peeked through, complementing the deep olive hijab elegantly wrapped around her head and shoulders.
The earthy colours were modest, yet together they created an effortlessly refined appearance that suited her gentle demeanour.
Haider's fingers paused over the screen.
Slowly, he lifted his gaze.
His lips parted ever so slightly, and the firmness that usually rested upon his face quietly melted away. His eyes softened the moment they settled on her.
Ariya shifted her weight nervously, tilting her head as she searched his expression for a reaction.
Leaning lightly against the kitchen counter, Haider's lips curved into a gentle smile before he uttered in a voice barely above a whisper.
"MashaAllah."
The single word lingered in the air.
Ariya's gaze immediately fell to the floor, unable to remain under his eyes any longer. A rosy blush crept across her cheeks, and she quickly raised the sleeves of her tunic, hiding the smile creeping up on her lips.
Haider turned and made his way towards the front door.
Only after his back faced her did she finally notice what he was wearing.
A structured deep-navy wool jacket rested neatly over a raven-black T-shirt tucked into charcoal-grey tailored trousers. The outfit was minimalist, refined and effortlessly elegant.
Somehow...
It suited him perfectly.
She couldn't help but think how incredibly handsome he looked.
A few moments later, the couple settled into the car.
Silence occupied most of the journey.
Yet it wasn't awkward.
It was simply overshadowed by the relentless beating of two anxious hearts.
Neither of them knew how to begin a conversation.
Both carried feelings too precious to put into words.
Ariya, however, remained captivated by the single compliment he had given her.
MashaAllah.
The word echoed inside her heart, leaving behind a warmth she couldn't explain.
Did he think I looked pretty?
More than that, she had no clue where he was taking her.
So, when the car finally stopped, her gaze immediately shifted around.
An aquarium?
A perfect date location. Haider appeared to have done his homework.
How could one resist the childlike curiosity blooming within when placed inside an aquarium? There was so much to see, so much to appreciate.
And success.
Ariya couldn't hide her excitement anymore.
Haider found himself chuckling as his eyes followed Ariya, who was running around to see every single fish.
Caught in the wave of excitement, Ariya called out before she could even comprehend herself.
"Haider! Look at this fish-"
They were left stunned, frozen even, beneath the blue glow of the aquarium.
Haider took a brief moment, his heart skipping a beat as he walked closer, making sure his eyes never drifted away from hers.
Even when Ariya embarrassed herself, the heat of the moment had swept her away.
A massive whale shark passed through above the glass ceiling.
The couple's eyes locked onto it.
The enormous creature moved with breathtaking grace above them, its colossal form gliding effortlessly through the water, as though the ocean itself had carried a fragment of the sky and placed it within the aquarium.
Ariya stood completely still.
For a brief moment, the embarrassment that had consumed her only seconds ago faded away. The wonder reflected in her eyes overshadowed everything else.
"Beautiful..." she whispered.
Yet Haider was no longer watching the whale shark.
His attention remained fixed on her.
The way the gentle blue lights illuminated her features, the way her eyes held the same innocent curiosity as a child witnessing something magical for the first time... It was a sight he found himself unable to turn away from.
And when Ariya finally noticed his lingering gaze, an unfortunate sound broke the silence.
A loud grumble escaped from her stomach.
Her eyes widened.
She immediately pressed a hand against her stomach, her cheeks warming with embarrassment as she desperately tried to silence it.
Haider stared for a moment before finally speaking.
"Shall we eat?"
Ariya squeezed her eyes shut, wishing she could disappear from embarrassment.
"Yes..."
...
They sat across from each other in a restaurant built within the aquarium, surrounded by the faint glow of the underwater world beyond the glass.
After placing their orders, silence descended between them once again.
Haider observed her carefully.
Something was different.
Her expression carried an unusual nervousness, and her fingers seemed restless.
"Are you alright? You seem nervous."
He tilted his head slightly, his voice gentle.
Ariya hesitated before answering.
"A-ah, it's nothing... It's just because I keep embarrassing myself in front of you."
Haider listened attentively as she continued, her gaze lowering while she struggled to voice her thoughts.
"Even that day... I closed the door in your face when you saw me in that weird condition-"
"I thought...you looked beautiful."
Haider interrupted.
Ariya froze.
Her eyes widened, disbelief flashing across her face as she stared at him.
"What?"