Chapter 3
Kaveh beamed at the news of one of her best friends' pregnancy. But there was a small pang of jealousy in her heart. It hurted her that her friends had a better love life than her. She sat there in the living room of the penthouse she and Alhaitham shared. And just like how it is with their home finances, Alhaitham lives in Kaveh's head, rent free. She's been in love with the man since the two of them entered the Akademiya with Tighnari and Cyno. She's been in love with him for 8 years. She groaned as she slumped on the couch. Alhaitham noticed this and walked over to her, a tray with a plate of tulumba with sauce and 2 mugs of coffee in his hands. He placed them on the center table before sitting next to her, pulling his book out from under the drawers on the center table. "You seem to have something on your mind. Care spilling it?" Kaveh shook her head. "It's nothing. Everything is fine. " It wasn't true. Nothing was fine. She was going to meet her mother the following day to discuss some certain things with her. She's been bugging her about finding her a suitable husband. She's even went through ups and downs trying to introduce rich and successful men to her daughter with no luck. "Your mom is coming to see you tomorrow, right? Do you need me to drop you off? You seem to be having a lot of things to groan and sigh about for the past 4 days." Kaveh shook her head. "No need, Haitham. Who knows what my mom might think if she sees the two of us together? You know she's a little cuckoo in the head." Alhaitham chuckled at what his housemate said. "Alright, Kav. If you say so."
"Kaveh! Darling, over here!" Kaveh walked to her mom, giving her a short hug. "Hi, Mother." "Hello, my love. How have you been? Take a seat! I wanna tell you something!" The two of them sat and a waitress went to take their orders. As the waitress left, Kaveh's mother turned to her. "So, do you remember Aunt Diba? Her son, Shercon, just got promoted to Executive Director in the company he works at. And he's single! Oh, you two would be a PERFECT pair." "Mother, I'm not interested in dating him." "Oh, well, there's also your Aunt Hana's son-" "Mother, I'm not interested in any of them. " "Why? They are all good-looking and rich! Why don't you want to date them?" "Because I have a boyfriend!" She quickly covered her mouth when she realized what she had just said. "You have a WHAT!? Are they handsome? Rich? Successful?" Kaveh just awkwardly smiled and nodded. "Yeah! He's very successful and rich. He's also very smart and handsome and works in Surasthana Detective Agency, too." "Oh, how wonderful! I'd like to meet them tomorrow!" "WAIT WHAT!?"
Kaveh groaned as she continuedly tried smashing her head into the wall. Oh, why did she say that!? How is she supposed to find someone to play the part of her boyfriend? "Kaveh! Stop banging your head on the wall! I can't focus!" She then smiled as she had an idea. "Haitham, as ridiculous as this might sound, I need you to ask you a question." "And that is?" "Will you be my fake boyfriend?" Alhaitham accidentally spitted out his coffee in shock. "What!? Why all of a sudden?" "Well, my mom was pressuring me earlier about meeting one of the 2 sons of her friends. And I had to lie about having a boyfriend and now she wants to meet them!" Alhaitham eyed her before sighing. "What do I get in return?" Kaveh groaned. "I'll pay for this month's rent." Alhaitham smiled. "Deal."
"You can't wear those! They don't match!" Alhaitham groaned. He eyed Kaveh. She had a Here, let me pick out an outfit for you." Kaveh took a quick look at Alhaitham from head to toe before running around the dressing, picking out certain things. When she returned, she had a black coat and black slacks on one hand and a white shirt and an emerald green tie on the other. Alhaitham threw on the shirt and slacks before Kaveh helped him with his tie. "If my mom asks you what you do for a living, how will you respond?" "I have a PhD and I work as forensics expert and doctor in Surasthana Detective Agency." "If she asks you where you graduated?" "I graduated from the Akademiya with a doctorate degree and I'm a Bachelor of Arts degree program in Foreign Language." "If she asks you how you met me?" "I met you when we were in the Akademiya. You were my senior and you once helped me in a project with that had something to do with ancient runes." "And if she asks you how long we've been dating?" "We've been dating for 3 and a half years. Our anniversary is December 6." Kaveh smiled as she patted Alhaitham's head. "Great! Now you're ready!"
Faranak smiled as her daughter showed up, followed by a handsome young man. "Mother, it's amazing to see you again today." "The same towards you, too, my dear. Is this your boyfriend?" Kaveh nodded. "Mother, I'd like you to meet Alhaitham Kaslani. Hai, meet my mother, Faranak Ferdowsian." Alhaitham smiled at the elder woman. "Hello, Ma'am. Good evening. My name is Alhaitham. It's a pleasure to meet you." Faranak smiled. "Oh, how polite! It's very nice to meet you as well, Alhaitham."
"So how long have you known my daughter, dear?" Alhaitham smiled. "The two of us met in the Akademiya, Ma'am. I entered the Akademiya the same year she did. She was my senior and she helped me with a project that required information on Ancient Runes." "I see. So how long have you two been dating?" "For 3 and a half years now, Ma'am." "Interesting. So, what do you do for a living, Alhaitham?" "I have a PhD and I work as forensics expert and doctor in Surasthana Detective Agency." "And where did you graduate, dear?" "I graduated from the Akademiya with a doctorate degree and I'm a Bachelor of Arts degree program in Foreign Language." Faranak smiled. "How wonderful! So, when do you two plan to get married?" Kaveh glared at her mother, her cheeks flushing. "Mother!" Alhaitham smiled at the woman next to him, squeezing her hand before turning to Azita. "We still haven't talked about marriage, Ma'am. Most especially since Kaveh is at the peak of her career. But, I assure you, Ma'am. It will happen sooner." Faranak squealed. "Oh, how wonderful! Wonderful, indeed!" She then looked at her watch. "Oh my. Look at the time. I have to go now. Well, it was nice to see you again, Kaveh. And it was nice meeting you, Alhaitham. I'll see you two next time." Faranak said, waving goodbye.
Kaveh looked out of the window of the driving car. Alhaitham noticed this and sighed. "What's on your mind, Kaveh?" Kaveh shook her head. "It's nothing. Just focus on driving." Alhaitham just shook his head and continued driving. He then pulled up in front of Puspa. "Wait here," Alhaitham said, jumping out of the car. Kaveh just stared at the building. And a few minutes later, Alhaitham walked out with 2 cups and a paper bag. He got inside the car. "Here you go, Kaveh." He handed the cup of coffee to him. "I got you a triple Berry latte with almond milk, 2 teaspoons of sugar, a tablespoon of creamer, whipped cream, strawberry syrup and chopped strawberries on top. Your favorite." Kaveh smiled as she took the cup and sipped on it. "I also got you half a dozen of sweet berry cupcakes and cake pops. We can go drinking later. Just cheer up, okay? A frown doesn't suit your pretty face." Kaveh just looked away, her cheeks flushed. "Why do you care? It's not like you like me or anything. You hate me so much that you literally would do anything to piss me off." Alhaitham turned. "Who said that I don't like you?" He smirked at her. "I like you so- No. I love you so much. I can't find words from the languages I speak that can describe my feelings for you. I love you, Kaveh. So much more than words can describe." Kaveh's lips quivered as she looked down. "I thought you hated me? Is this a confession? Stop giving me false hope. Please." Alhaitham stopped got out of his car, walking over to the door to the passenger seat. He opened it and pulled Kaveh out of the car and into his arms. "You don't need to hope. Because I do truly love you. And I'm only wishing that you do, too." Kaveh smiled as he wrapped his arms around Alhaitham. "I love you, too, Haiyi."