CHAPTER 35:SPECIAL CONNECTION

Amna had reluctantly agreed to make dinner for her brother and their unexpected guest, Shahmeer. She had grudgingly cooked up a simple meal of chicken and vegetables, hoping that it would be edible.

As they sat down at the table, Alex whispered in Shahmeer's ear, "Please don't eat it, she's a terrible cook."

Shahmeer, however, seemed oblivious to the warning. He took a bite of the chicken,his eyes widened in surprise, and then began to water profusely. The food was simultaneously too spicy, too salty, and too watery.

But to Amna's amazement, Shahmeer smiled and said, "It's tasty, Amna. Very tasty." Amna's eyes narrowed, thinking that he was just being polite.

"Let me order something," Amna said, trying to escape the embarrassment.

But Shahmeer said, "No, let me make the dinner." And with that, he got up from the table and walked into the kitchen.

Amna followed him, he started rummaging through her kitchen, pulling out pots and pans and starting to cook.

Shahmeer's hands moved deftly, his fingers dancing across the kitchen counter as he expertly chopped vegetables and marinated meat. His eyes sparkled with amusement, and his smile was infectious. Amna found herself mesmerized by the sight, her embarrassment forgotten in the face of her fascination.

As they cooked together, Amna couldn't help but notice how handsome Shahmeer looked in her kitchen. His white shirt was rolled up at the sleeves, revealing strong forearms and a sprinkle of dark hair. His eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled, and his hair was mussed from the heat of the kitchen.

Amna's heart skipped a beat as Shahmeer turned to her, his eyes sparkling with warmth. "You know, Amna," he said, "I think you have potential in the kitchen. But maybe we should start with something simpler next time."

Amna's face flushed with embarrassment, but Shahmeer just laughed and handed her a spatula. "Let's cook something together," he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Something that won't kill us."

As they cooked, Shahmeer told Amna stories about his childhood, about his love of food and cooking. Amna listened, entranced, her embarrassment forgotten in the face of her growing attraction to him.

Finally, they sat down to eat, and Amna was amazed at the delicious flavors that Shahmeer had created. She couldn't believe that she had almost missed out on this experience, this chance to connect with him over food.

As they ate, Shahmeer smiled at her, his eyes warm and inviting. "You know, Amna," he said, "I think we make a pretty good team."

Amna's heart skipped a beat as she smiled back at him, feeling a spark of connection that she couldn't ignore. Maybe, just maybe, this disastrous dinner had been the start of something special.