Sara POV
I was sleeping peacefully when my phone started ringing like an alarm of disaster. I didn't even see the name and answered half asleep.
Me: "Hello..."
Then I heard his voice and suddenly sat up on the bed.
Akil: "Hey... good morning.'
Me: "Morning, Akil."
Akil: "Don't tell me you just woke up now?" he laughed.
I felt embarrassed and rubbed my eyes.
Me: "Yes... why did you call me so early in the morning?"
Akil: "Early morning?! It's already 9:30 AM. You call this early morning
I said shamelessly,
Me: "Yes, it's early morning for me. Now tell me, why did you disturb my beauty sleep?"
Akil: shaking his head "God... let's go out today."
I was shocked.
Me: "Wait, what? You want me to come out with you?"
Akil: "Yes! Actually I need your help. Next week is my cousin's marriage, so I need to buy her a gift. I don't know anybody here."
I tried to act cool.
Me: "You can ask Minnie also, dude."
Inside my mind: No no no... don't ask Minnie, take only me!
I shook my head quickly.
Sara, control yourself. This is just shopping, not a date.
Then I nodded and said, Me: "Okay... fine"
Akil suddenly said,
"Share your address. I'll come and pick you up."
Me: "WHAT?! You're coming to my house?"
Akil: "Yes. Why? Should I come with police protection?"
Before I could reply, I screamed, "OH MY GODDD!!!"
At that exact moment, my mom opened the door and gave me a deadly look.
Mom: "Why are you shouting like a mad girl in the morning?"
I smiled awkwardly and hid my phone. Me: "Nothing, ma... just friend calling."
Akil's voice came again from the phone, "Be ready in 20 minutes."
I whispered angrily,
Me: "Akil, are you mad? Give me time to become a human first!"
I cut the call and stood there smiling like an idiot.
Shopping with Akil. He is coming to pick me up.
I touched my cheeks and said to myself,
"Okay Sara... calm down. It's only shopping, not movie scene." But my heart was already dancing like, Today is not normal shopping... Today is special shopping!
Akil POV
I ended the call and smiled to myself. From her sleepy voice, I knew she had just woken up. I shook my head and laughed softly. How will I ever manage this girl? I thought.
Ever since the day I met her, something about Sara stayed in my mind. I didn't really need her help to buy a gift-it was just an excuse to meet her again. Deep inside, I knew the truth... I wanted to see her. I wanted to hear her voice again. And slowly, without realizing it, I had started to like her.
I also wanted to know what had happened to Minnie.I got ready quickly. When she shared her location, my heart beat faster. I started the car and drove toward her house, thinking to myself that this meeting was not just about a gift anymore-it was about a feeling I was trying to understand.
I reached her house and called her to come outside. When she stepped out of the gate, my breath stopped for a second. She looked beautiful. She opened the car door and sat beside me, then waved her hand in front of my face.
Sara: "What happened, Akil? Do I look that pretty that you can't even blink?"
She was teasing me.
I rolled my eyes and said, "You are overthinking, Madam."
She smirked and I smiled. I started the car. While driving, suddenly I heard a strange sound from her stomach. I burst out laughing.
Sara covered her stomach in embarrassment. "Why are you laughing like that?"
"You didn't have breakfast, did you?" I asked.
She pouted and said, "You didn't even give me time to eat. You just dragged me out of my house."
I shook my head with a smile and turned the car toward a restaurant.
"Fine," I said, "first we feed your hungry stomach... then we go shopping for my cousin's wedding gift."
She looked at me and said dramatically, "Good decision. A hungry girl is very dangerous."
We both laughed, and the drive suddenly felt lighter and warmer.
I started the car and drove toward a nearby restaurant, still smiling to myself.
Akil: "So, Miss Sleeping Beauty, since you skipped breakfast, today's breakfast is on me."
Sara crossed her arms dramatically. "Of course it is. You kidnapped me from my bed. You are responsible for my hunger now."
I laughed. "Wow, I didn't know waking you up was such a crime."
She looked out of the window and said, "It is. Especially before ten o'clock in the morning."
I shook my head. "Next time I'll send food first and then call you."
She turned to me with wide eyes. "Really? Then call me every morning."
We both laughed. The awkwardness slowly disappeared, and the car filled with a comfortable silence.
When we reached the restaurant, she jumped out of the car and said, "If the food is not good, I'm blaming you."
I raised my hands in surrender. "Deal. But if it's good, you have to help me choose the wedding gift."
She looked at me and smiled. "Fine, Mr. Driver. Let's eat first, then shopping."
And for the first time that morning, I realized... this simple moment with her felt strangely special.
Sara POV
I looked at the restaurant and my mouth opened in shock... then slowly closed. Before we even reached the table, I suddenly grabbed Akil's shirt.
He stopped and looked at my hand, then at my face, totally confused.
I asked seriously, "Wait... you are the one who is going to pay, right?"
He burst out laughing.
"Of course I'll pay. Eat as much as you want. Today your stomach is my responsibility."
I nodded proudly and walked to the table like a queen.
The waiter came and handed us the menu. The moment I saw the food list, my eyes became wide like plates. I slowly looked up at Akil. He was smiling, already knowing what was coming.
Akil: "So... what do you want to order?"
I took a deep breath and said confidently,
"I will not see the prices. I will follow my heart."
Then I started ordering one by one.
"One pasta... one burger... one pizza... and one chocolate milkshake."
Akil stared at me like I was committing a crime.
I raised one eyebrow.
"What? You said eat as much as you want."
He shook his head and laughed. "You are not ordering food, you are ordering the whole restaurant."
I leaned forward and said innocently, "This is called stress eating. You disturbed my beauty sleep, remember?"
He laughed again and said, "Okay okay, beauty queen. Anything else?"
I suddenly became serious. "Tell me... what is your cousin's favorite? Dress, jewelry, or something special? I need to help you choose the perfect gift."
He looked at me with surprise. "Wow, you are dangerous. First you attack my wallet, now you want to plan wedding gifts too?"
I crossed my arms and said proudly, "Of course. I am multi-talented."
We both started laughing, and the waiter stood there silently like he was watching a comedy show.
After our breakfast, we went to the shopping mall. I dragged Akil straight into a dress shop.
Just then, Akil got a call and said,
"Sara, you choose the dress. My cousin likes light colors" and he walked outside to attend the call.
I entered the shop and started searching for a dress, but nothing satisfied me. Every dress looked either too shiny or too boring.
I went to the salesgirl and asked politely, "Do you have any new collection?"
She looked me up and down and gave me a fake smile.
"No," she said coldly.
I frowned. So rude, I thought.
I walked to the other side of the shop and kept looking. Minutes passed. Akil was still not back
I sighed angrily.
"Is this his cousin's marriage... or mine? Why am I the one suffering here?" I muttered.
Then I heard two salesgirls whispering behind me.
"Hey, look at her... it's been so long and she still can' t decide."
The other one laughed and said, "She won't buy anything. These dresses are too expensive for her. She can't even afford one dress from here."
They both giggled.
I looked at myself and rolled my eyes. "Wow... thank you for the free judgment," I whispered.
Just then, I heard Akil's voice.
"Sara... did you choose the dress?"
I turned around. He was standing there, smiling. Before I could answer, he came closer and placed his hand on my waist while looking at the dresses.
He was too close.
My heart skipped and I forgot how to breathe.
I shook my head slowly.
"No..."
He made me sit on the sofa and said, "Wait here. I'll check."
I glanced at the two salesgirls. They suddenly froze and started staring at Akil like he was a movie hero. I felt a strange jealousy burning inside me.
Without thinking, I stood up, went near Akil, held his arm, rested my head on his shoulder, and said sweetly,
"My legs are paining..."
He smiled at me softly.
Then he picked one light-colored dress and showed it to me.
"This one... is it okay?"
I looked at the dress. It was beautiful.
A big smile spread across my face. "Yes... this is perfect."
He took the dress to the billing counter. I still didn't leave his hand. He paid without saying anything.
He saved me like a hero today, I thought.
We walked out of the shop together. Only then did I realize... my hand was still in his.
quickly removed it and asked softly, "Akil... did you hear what those girls were saying about me?"
He looked at me seriously for a second and said, "I heard everything. That's why I came faster. You don't need to prove anything to anyone."
My heart felt warm.
_________________________________________
Author Note
Hello readers 👋 If you're enjoying the story, please support with Power Stones Your support helps this story grow.💓💓🥰