Chapter 8

Chapter 8

 

 

“Lieutenant Sofiah, a delivery man has sent this flower for you,” receptionist Aliya told her as she’s just coming to work.

 

“Thank you,” she thanked her, taking the flower.

 

She wondered who gave her the flower early in the morning.

 

“Is it from your boyfriend?” Aliya asked, curiously.

 

“Nope. I don't have a boyfriend,” she replied, searching for any cards inside the bouquet.

 

“Really? I thought a pretty woman like you was seeing someone,” Aliya said, surprised at the news.

 

“I'm very busy with work. I don't have time for that. By the way, thanks.” Sofiah smiled at her and walked to her office.

 

Then, her phone rang. She smiled widely when looking at the caller.

 

“Hello, pretty,” Mazid greeted her over the phone.

 

“Hello, Mr Royal Playboy. What's up?” she asked as she’s quite surprised after receiving a call from him early in the morning.

 

“Have you gotten the flower?” he asked.

 

“Is it from you?”

 

“Yes, of course. Who else?” he said, showing off.

 

“For what? As far as I remember, no special occasion today,” she asked in confusion.

 

“I knew you had bad days because of my brother. I just want to give you my support,” he explained, smiling over the phone.

 

“Aww! Thank you, bestie!” she replied, slightly blushing.

 

“By the way, I have a polo tournament this evening. Would you like to come to the tournament?” he asked, cautiously.

 

“Umm… I can't promise anything. But if I don't have any emergency cases, I will come, for sure,” she replied, turning to see her colleagues were suspiciously eyeing her.

“I hope you will come.”

 

Then, the phone call ended.

 

“What??? Did I do something wrong?” she asked her colleagues, her eyebrows strained in confusion.

 

“What a nice bouquet you have there,” Lieutenant Haris said, teasingly.

“Sadly, I never got a flower from someone. Lucky you!” Lieutenant Maria said with a fake cry.

 

“That’s just flowers. You can buy it yourself,” she replied, heading towards the ward.

 

Sofiah was slightly late and when she arrived, the polo tournament had started. She spotted the squad at the VVIP seats and rushed towards them.

 

“Hi, guys. Sorry, I'm late!” she said, giving each of them a fist bump as usual.

 

“Mazid has been waiting for you,” Amin said to her.

 

“I know,” she replied with an apologetic look.

 

As she’s giving a fist bump, she didn't realise that the last person was Matin. She’s slightly taken aback but still gave him a fist bump, half-heartedly. And the worst part, the only seat available was beside him.

 

She let out a big sigh and took a seat beside him.

 

“Why were you late?” Matin suddenly asked her.

 

She was so focused on watching the tournament and didn't hear his question.

 

“Sofiah,” he called her with a firm voice.

 

“Huh?” she replied while taking a glance at him, then her focus back on Mazid.

 

“Why were you late?” he asked again, staring at her.

 

“I have a lot of work,” she replied without looking at him.

 

“Look at the person when they're talking,” he said, coldly.

 

“What's wrong with you?” This time she looked at him with an annoyed expression.

 

“Dinner with me tonight. I don't take no as an answer,” he suddenly asked her out, but it sounded like a command.

She gave him a perplexed look. “W-W-What?!” His command caught her off-guard that she was unable to speak properly.

 

“I don't want to repeat. You clearly heard me. After this tournament, we will go,” he said with a poker face and focused back on the tournament.

 

He’s crazy! She still couldn’t believe her ears.

 

Taking a deep breath, she replied, “I didn't say that I agree to go with you!”

 

His gaze focused back on her. “As I said, I don't take no as an answer.”

 

“But why?! For what?! Is it only the two of us?” She bombarded him with questions.

 

He let out a big sigh and calmly replied, “Fiya, after this tournament, you and I will go for dinner. Don't ask me why, because you would never get the answer.”

 

“What if I don't want to?!” She challenged him while crossing her arms over her chest.

“Can you shut your mouth and just follow me?”

 

“No! I'm not your doll or your pet to follow you around. You can't force me like this!”

 

He closed his eyes while taking a deep breath to calm down.

 

“Fine! It's because I feel guilty about the suspension issue. That’s all! Satisfied?!” he said, looking at her in the eyes.

 

She chuckled after hearing his real intention. She never thought that he could be a gentleman.

 

“It would be awkward or a disaster if we fight at the restaurant,” she commented.

 

“I promise you that we will have a peaceful dinner. Then, will you stop asking me questions and follow me?” he said, softly.

 

He confused her more and more, because, at one time, he looked angry and then, he looked gentle.

 

She breathed deeply to keep calm and focused her mind back on the tournament.

 

In the end, Mazid and his team won the polo tournament. Sofiah was very happy for him and rushed towards him, leaving unhappy Matin alone.

 

“Congratulations! You did very well, Mazid!!” She squealed with delight, clasping both her hands together.

 

“Fiya! I thought you would never come.” Mazid was surprised and happy to see her.

 

“I know I was late. And I’m sorry. But you're amazing. I love your polo outfit!” she complimented him.

 

“I look good, right?” He giggled. “Let's have dinner tonight. I want to celebrate this with you alone,” Mazid asked her out.

 

Once again, she’s speechless as she remembered Matin had asked her out. But since she didn't like him, she would rather go out with Mazid.

“Let's go! I want to celebrate this with you!” she replied hastily, without realizing that Matin heard their conversation.

 

“Congratulations, bro. I'm so proud of you,” Matin interrupted their conversation, pushing Sofiah away and hugging his younger brother.

 

“Thank you, big bro.”

 

The situation had made her more anxious to get away from Matin as soon as possible.

 

At her anxious look, Matin smirked, knowing that she’s planning to get away from him.

 

“Sofiah, let's go for our dinner.” Matin held her hand tightly, causing her to slightly flinch in shock.

 

Mazid’s face suddenly turned bitter. “What?! Bro, she would have dinner with me!” Mazid held her other hand.

 

Matin chuckled at his brother. “My twin brother, I asked her first!” he replied, gritting his teeth.

Mazid confronted his brother. “But did she agree?! And why so sudden?! You never treated her kindly before!”

 

“I’m sorry to upset you, but she agreed. Now, please excuse us.” Matin harshly pushed Mazid's hand from her.

 

But Mazid still didn't give up and held her hand again.

 

“No! She's with me!”

 

Sofiah was irritated at this moment. None of them really care about her feelings. At last, she pulled her hands from them.

 

“I'm sorry, gentlemen. I don't feel very well and I wanna go home. We will have dinner some other time. Excuse me,” she said, walking away from them.

 

Mazid was going to chase after her but he’s called by his friends.

 

"Bro, you ruined my dinner! We will deal with this later!" Mazid was angry at his brother.

Matin just stood there, looking at her until he lost sight of her.

 

"I will never give up, Fiya. This is just a beginning," he talked to himself.