Chapter 54: "Sharing a Burger"

Post your reactions as you read, lostés! ^.^ Enjoy . . . the first Zalma dat--

"Zayn: OUTING! It's an outing."

*sigh* Right. Enjoy their first outing -_-

First draft: September 3, 2021

Salma chewed on her lips nervously when Zayn closed the door. She tried to relax her posture. This was nothing new, she kept reminding herself. She had been alone with him before. And yet, her teeth sunk even deeper in the soft tissue of her lip as he took a seat behind the wheel. Salma glanced at him sideways. He was fixing his seatbelt. Releasing a slow breath, Salma followed his example just to do something, anything, that would distract her from the overwhelming thumping of her heart.

"Ready to go?" Zayn asked.

Salma turn to him to reply, only to get a jolt shake her insides.

Crap! He was too close.

Her muscles stiffened in a quick, conscious attempt to not move away on impulse. She nodded quickly, humming her response since her teeth refused to stop mincing her lower lip.

"Perfect." Zayn smiled, starting the ignition.

Salma glanced at him again. He seemed at ease. His hands were steady, and posture relaxed. There was this happy twinkle in his eyes but other than that, he seemed completely in control. Salma clenched her jaws.

Then what the heck is wrong with you?!

Salma inhaled a deep breath, scolding herself to get a grip. Maybe if she just had to get into his car spontaneously, it would not have been so hard. Knowing about their plans after class since the previous day had had her driving herself mad by overthinking. How would it go? Where would they go? Would they be okay? Will it work? Would he actually walk her pace? What would they do?

Salma shook herself out of that anxiety-inducing train of questions.

"Are you going to tell me where we're going, or . . ." Salma asked, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye as they left the campus behind. She had not asked him anything about the planned date. She did not want him to read her anxiety as excitement and start getting unrealistic expectations.

"Or?" Zayn frowned, smiling.

"Or is it supposed to be, you know, part of the whole thing?" Salma explained. "A surprise of sorts."

"You like surprises?" Zayn asked.

"No," Salma said without thinking.

What the hell, Salma? What if he's planned things and you've ruined them?

"I, well, I don't mind, really," she tried to do damage control. "Everyone likes a good surprise. It's just that in a situationship where everything is unfamiliar, I get a little anxious."

Zayn smiled.

"But you like an elaborately planned outing with many surprises?" he asked.

Salma's heart sank. What did he plan?

"Do I seem the type?" she asked.

"I didn't think so, but now, I don't know," Zayn replied. "I thought I'd take you to Cody's --"

"Oh, we're headed to Cody's?!" Salma cried out loud.

"Yeah . . ." Zayn replied, looking a little unsure.

"Perfect!" Salma smiled in relief. "That's the bestest place to go to. Thank you!"

"You like the idea?" Zayn asked.

"Of course!' Salma replied, feeling a lot more relaxed. "Why not?"

"Nothing," Zayn replied with a laugh. "Just that I was really worried how unimpressed you'd be for keeping our first official outing so low-key and casual."

Salma felt a smile spreading on her lips.

"So why did you choose Cody's if you were worried I'd be unimpressed?"

"I thought you'd be more comfortable in a place you know, and around people you're friends with," Zayn explained.

Salma felt her heart warming at his response. He knew her priorities. A flashy first date was not what she wanted. She wanted to feel at home around him, and picking a place she felt relaxed at, was the most considerate and intelligent move on his part.

"Thank you," Salma replied earnestly. "I appreciate your thoughtfulness."

"It's a relief to hear that." Zayn chuckled as he parked the car outside Cody's.

"However," Salma added as he turned off the ignition. "You've set a very high standard for yourself. Hope you can keep up to it for the rest of the date."

"Outing," Zayn corrected.

"Huh?"

"This is not a date," Zayn replied. "It's just us . . . well, just us spending time together."

Salma stared at him for a while.

"Um, there's a difference?"

Zayn nodded. "Yeah."

"I see." Salma replied, not really seeing anything.

"I have a lot of plans for our first date," Zayn explained, sensing her confusion. "A drive to Cody's doesn't cut it. When you allow me to, and we get to the point where I can take you out for a date, you'll know."

Salma looked away. He just had that intense look in his eyes again, despite the soft, easy smile playin on his lips. She nodded.

"Right, so outing," Salma said awkwardly. "Hope you can stick to the standard for the rest of the outing."

Zayn laughed.

"Yes Ma'am," he replied, unlocking the car. "Let's go."

***

Salma picked half of her burger and put it on Zayn's plate.

"No, no -- what're you -- Come on, Bee!" Zayn sighed when Salma managed to give him the half despite him trying to dodge it.

"Stop pretending you didn't want it," Salma replied, taking a bite out of her half.

"I wanted my own, not yours," Zayn replied.

"We're supposed to share a lot of things if this works."

"If?" Zayn raised a brow.

"When," Salma corrected, taking a huge gulp of her soda to hide her blush.

"I feel horrible." Zayn pursed his lips, eyeing his half of the burger.

"Deal with it," Salma returned. "I'm not generous enough to give up the rest of it."

Zayn laughed.

"I can see that," he said, "considering the pace at which it is disappearing."

"Hey," Salma mumbled, then quickly swallowed the huge bite she was busy with. "Don't judge a girl for enjoying her favorite meal."

"I'm not." Zayn threw up his hands. "Which is why I'm saying, finish your burger. I'm fine with what I ordered."

"No." Salma flat out refused, dipping fries in ketchup. "End of discussion."

Zayn stared at her, tapping his fingers against the table as he contemplated his next move. Should he be nice and do as she said, or be nice and make her take back the meal she was obviously enjoying.

"The sunnah is to accept the gift, say thanks and enjoy, or use it in front of the person as an act of appreciation," Salma said matter-of-factly as she struggled to open another sachet of ketchup.

Zayn's eyebrow flew upwards.

"That's religious blackmailing," he said.

"Didn't you use it on my dad to talk him into letting us do this?"

Zayn smiled, shaking his head.

"Fair enough." He picked up the poor half of the burger that was being rejected so far. "Thank you for your generosity."

"You're buying me one next time," Salma replied, then paused, finally looking up from her ketchup. "I mean . . ."

"Umhm?" Zayn pretended to have his mouth too occupied to form words.

"If you want, that is," Salma mumbled.

"And if I do?"

Salma felt blood creeping up her cheeks. Did she really just commit to another 'outing' halfway through the first.

Truth be told, the 'outing' was better than she had expected. In fact she was having a very good time just like all the other times she had visited Cody's. The food was heavenly, the owners lovely and her company was not so bad either. They had initially had a bit of a problem with the order when both of them decided to order the same burger.

"The usual for me please," Zayn had said.

"Okay," Cody had replied, frowning a little.

"I think I'll have C3B2." Salma smiled.

Zayn and Cody both turned to her.

"You'll have a C3B2?" Zayn asked.

"Yeah, Cody's Crown Cheese and Beef Burger," Salma replied. Cody sighed, scratching his head. "What? Chief, I've ordered it before. Stop acting like I can't finish that monster."

"It's not that," Cody replied, sounding worried.

"What is it then?"

"That's my order as well," Zayn replied.

"No way!"

"I'm serious, that's what I just --"

"Yeah, before we get excited and all, one of you will have to change your order," Cody interrupted. "And I'm never denying Sally so, Mr. Harris, please pick something else."

Salma and Zayn looked at each other.

"Why?" Salma asked.

"George messed up the groceries yesterday," he replied. "I think I only have enough mushrooms and Jalapenos for one burger. She's really upset about it so I'm leaving in a while to get the ingredients before people start pouring in for dinner. I don't think ya'll can wait that long though."

"No, we have to leave," Salma replied, "Let me check the menu for --"

"It's okay," Zayn interrupted. "I'll have a pizza instead. Make it a pepperoni with C's special topping."

"Coming right up!"

"Wait, but you said you want a burger --"

"No, I didn't. Add drinks and fries. Thank you!" Zayn hurried Cody on, then changed the subject. "Want an ice cream later on?"

Salma did not argue at that point, but shared half a burger with Zayn, anyway. He insisted on her taking a slice of his pizza. Salma took it just to be polite, because truth be told, the pizza had nothing on the burger and she did not want to ruin the taste in her mouth.

"Thanks Bee," Zayn said as they finished, waiting for the bill.

"You're getting me a C3B2 to make up for this," Salma reminded him again, helping one of Cody's staff clear the table.

"Yes burger monster, that's not what I'm thanking you for."

Salma glanced at him sideways.

"What are you thanking me for?"

Zayn shrugged.

"A lot of things."

Salma looked at him out of the corner of her eye. He's been saying that a lot.

"Thank you, Ma'am," the girl said as Salma put an empty glass on her already loaded tray.

"It's not a bother." Salma smiled at her. "Please get us the bill."

"Yes, hold on Ma'am," the girl replied.

Salma turned to Zayn.

"You want to elaborate?" she asked.

"You can't just accept a thanks from me?" Zayn smirked.

"No, I need to know what you are thanking me for?"

"Why?"

"So I know what you like and if I'm happy with you, I'd do more of that, and when I'm upset, I'd make it a point to do the opposite," Salma explained. "That's why."

"You're unbelievable." Zayn chuckled.

Salma suddenly realized she had not really seen him smile so much before. He was in a really good mood.

It's a wonder what a good burger can do to a person!

Yeah, it's really just the burger, her subconscious scoffed.

Shut up!

"Give me a list and thank me for it all individually," Salma demanded.

"Gosh, Snob is a bad influence --"

"Go on."

"Alright, alright," Zayn agreed, then held his hand towards her.

Salma frowned.

"Why must I hold your hand?"

"Because I'm about to start my list of why I am grateful to you." Zayn said. "I should get the support required for revealing such dangerous secrets.

"Pfft! It's not like we're exchanging wedding vows." Salma rolled her eyes.

"No, we already did that," Zayn countered.

"This is one messed up situationship," Salma muttered but put her hand in Zayn's outstretched palm anyway. She subdued a shiver when Zayn started grazing his thumb against the back of her hand.

"Right, Bee." He exhaled, facing her fully. "I --"

"Keep it PG!" Salma interrupted.

Zayn blinked.

"Huh?"

"Don't say anything that might embarrass me," she mumbled, not realizing that she had gotten a hold of Zayn's index and was fumbling with it nervously.

Zayn bit back a smile, taking her fidgeting hand in both of his.

"I won't," he promised seriously. "I won't say anything that oversteps your comfort."

Salma took in a shaky breath.

"Thanks." she muttered. "Please continue."

"God, it's so many things, where do I start," he muttered to himself. "First off, thank you for agreeing to give me a chance. I was over the moon when you agreed to more than just a paper marriage but I honestly did not have much hope. The amount of anger and resentment you expressed back then . . ." Zayn chewed on his lip. "I didn't think you would be able to stand me for more than two seconds. I appreciate you tolerating me when you couldn't. I felt like despite all the hurt and pain, you hoped or believe that I could do, and be better. Thank you for that. It means the world to me."

Salma rubbed her shoes against each other under the table, not knowing what to say to that.

"I know it was hard for you. I know a lot of times you were reminded of horrible things and it affected you badly, especially during that stupid 'couples' game that Charlayne came up with, but you still stuck to the original bargain of making this work when you knew you had a choice to walk away. . . I can never thank you enough for not giving up on us back then. The next day, when you agreed to take a walk with me again, it was the first time I actually had hope for 'us' happening, replace the dread of you kicking me to the curb. I'm sorry for my outburst after the sniper attack and grateful for how you dealt with it later. You didn't stick to your anger like you used to. You kept your calm despite the fact that you were super offended – rightfully so, might I add - but you allowed me explain where I was coming from, and apologize."

"I needed to tell you about Louisa," Salma muttered, feeling uneasy. "I probably would not have talked to you, otherwise."

"Even so, you did," Zayn replied. "You were presented with a chance to take it out on me shortly after when we ran into Scarlett. Again, you allowed me to clear any misunderstanding you might have had regarding her, or Carmen's death. It means the world to me that you considered hearing me out instead of just forming an opinion of me based on whatever you had heard. And that you trusted me to tell you the truth." Zayn's eyes dropped to their hands, pausing a little. "But I just want to know . . . It was because you wanted to hear me out and not because you. . ." Zayn swallowed uncomfortably. "Because you feared the monster I'd become if you don't, right?"

Salma stared at her hand enveloped between both of his. She stayed silent knowing what he meant. The last time she had been told a tale about his high school, he had treated her cruelly just to set the record straight. She did not meet his gaze when he looked at her.

"Bee?" Zayn squeezed her hand.

Salma took in a deep breath.

"I asked you about Carmen not because I was scared you'd re-enact the scene for me," Salma replied, ignoring Zayn flinch at the choice of her words. "I asked because I wanted to know the truth, and whether or not that truth would affect how I viewed the man I was to potentially spend the rest of my life with. Back when I was told about Lenny, I didn't ask you about it because it was none of my concern. I'd be just as skeptical and scared in your presence on the roof that night, had I not known of yours and Lenny high school tragedy. It did make me more wary of you, but the distrust I have for non-mahram men when I'm alone with them is irrespective of who they are, or what they've done. Ya'll can only change how bad I view you as a threat by how you behave, but in general, I'll always be on my guard. I don't know why you thought my distrust of you was only because Will told me about Lenny."

"I'm sorry," Zayn muttered.

Salma studied his downcast eyes and sober expressions. Will they ever be able to move past the bitterness of that night?

"Anyways," Salma said, not wanting to sink back into the darkness of her bad memories. "Back to the list of thanking me."

A reluctant smile made it's way back on Zayn's lips.

"You're enjoying it," he said, still looking rueful.

"Of course I am." Salma shrugged. "Tell me how else I treated you nicely. I need to know I'm not such a pain on this planet."

"You're a blessing on this planet!" he said promptly, squeezing her hand.

"Yeah, well, that's what people say when they don't know the murderous danger I wield around me." Salma laughed dryly.

"Same can said about anyone," Zayn countered. "Look what happened to Louisa, and the danger her situation put us all in, but that doesn't make her any less of an adorable pest that she is."

Salma smiled. Zayn's love for the junior was really so pure, it was endearing.

"You know when was the most grateful I felt? I was totally overwhelmed and I really could not hold myself back after we met Scarlett. If at any point I thought I had messed it up completely, it was then. With my outburst, with Scarlet and Carmen, everything. But when you just asked me instead of accusing me, and expressed understanding for something even I won't allow myself leeway, I felt like my heart would burst with love for you. If it was not that you'd mind, I'd have ki--" Zayn stopped, realizing what he was going to say would embarrassed her. "I'd have squeezed you into a bear hug for the rest of my days."

Salma swallowed, trying to keep her cool like she had not caught up with what he was going to say.

"You kinda did," she reminded him quietly.

Zayn grinned.

"I had to ask. It was too much to hold in, honestly." he said. "Thank you for letting me hold you."

Salma blushed.

"More than once actually." Zayn continued smiling fondly.

"Right." Salma cleared her throat. "I'm glad you're happy. And thank you for telling me what not to do when you blow my fuse."

Zayn scowled playfully, as the waiter finally came back with their bill. Salma pulled her hand away.

"This is not what you're supposed to say."

Salma smiled to herself, busying herself with packing up.

Ah poor thing! Was he fishing for a hug again?

"Come on." Zayn got up. Salma mirrored his actions but was stopped by his out-stretched.

Man! Salma sighed as she let him hold her hand. He won't give up either.

Smiling at her, Zayn interlocked their hands and lead her out.

Author's Note:

There! A date--

Zayn: "OUTING!"

*Grrrrr!* Fine! An outing!

They've finally had an 'outing' together. Hope you losties enjoyed it ^.^ I don't know if some of the old losties are still around, but I remember Maryam and Onyx wanting them to go to Cody's for a da--

Zayn: "OUT--"

They wanted you to go their for a date. They didn't know it was going to be an outing!

Zayn: Oh. Alright. But this one's not a date

*rolls eyes* go back to your book and leave us be. *gets back to the A/N*

If anyone of you are wondering, this is how it is in my head while I'm writing a chapter XD.

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J.