~CUTE EVEN IN PAJAMAS~
"Raffy, I'm going shopping with Maheen," I said casually, slipping on my sandals.
He looked up at me instantly, eyebrows raised. "Why didn't you ask me?"
I smiled, keeping my voice calm. "Because Maheen has to buy some… private things."
His lips curved into a small pout, but he nodded. "Fine. But when will you be back?"
"By six or seven, okay?" I replied.
He studied me carefully, then sighed. "Okay, but send me your live location! Should I drop you?"
I shook my head quickly. "No, Ayan is dropping us."
"Fine," he said, though his tone was still protective.
I stepped closer, leaned in, and kissed him gently on the cheek. He smiled and kissed my cheek back, both of us breaking into laughter.
"Bye-bye, Rafito," I teased softly. "Do you want me to buy something for you?"
He chuckled, shaking his head. "No. Just come back safe. Bye-bye, my sweet waffle."
I grinned, my heart melting at his words, before waving and leaving.
In the parking lot, Maheen and Ayan were already waiting in the car. I slid into the backseat, greeting them with a smile. "Hello."
"Hello," they both replied warmly.
Ayan glanced at me through the mirror. "So, where are you going?"
I gave him the address calmly.
Maheen tilted her head, curiosity dancing in her eyes. "And… who exactly are we meeting there?"
I smirked but kept my tone mysterious. "I'll tell you later."
Ayan chuckled. "Fine. Hide it. No problem."
Maheen laughed and playfully smacked his shoulder. The three of us ended up laughing together, the ride feeling lighter despite the heaviness inside me.
We finally reached. Maheen and I got out of the car while Ayan waved goodbye, driving away. The restaurant's warm lights glowed against the evening sky as we stepped inside.
We found a quiet table and sat down. Maheen leaned forward, eyes sharp with curiosity. "Now… tell me. Who are you meeting?"
I took a deep breath, my fingers fiddling nervously with the edge of the menu. Then I whispered, "Raffy's parents."
Maheen's eyes widened the moment I whispered, "Raffy's parents."
She leaned closer, shocked. "Wait—*what*? Why Raffy's parents?"
I placed a finger on her hand and smiled gently. "Calm down. You'll understand soon."
Not long after, the doors opened, and his parents walked in. My heart skipped a beat. Maheen and I stood up immediately.
"Hello, Uncle… Aunt," I greeted softly, bowing my head in respect.
They returned the greeting warmly, and Maheen settled beside me. Aunt and Uncle sat directly across the table, their presence carrying an aura of both distance and familiarity.
Gesturing politely, I introduced, "This is my best friend, Maheen. And Maheen, these are Raffy's parents."
"Nice to meet you," they both said with courteous smiles.
"Same here," Maheen replied gracefully.
We exchanged small pleasantries at first, but it didn't take long for Aunt to lean forward, worry flickering in her eyes.
"So, dear, tell me… what happened to Raffy?" she asked anxiously.
I hesitated, then whispered, "He's fine, but… if you don't mind, can I ask a few private questions?"
Uncle nodded without a second thought. "Why not?"
I swallowed the lump in my throat and asked, "Do you love him?"
Aunt looked almost offended. "Of course we do."
"Then why," I said carefully, "doesn't he *feel* so?"
Their expressions shifted. Uncle frowned. "What do you mean?"
"You left him on his own as he was growing," I explained, heart racing. "At least… that's how he feels. He believes you forgot him."
Aunt gasped, her voice trembling. "We never left him. We could never. We just… gave him privacy, so he wouldn't grow up hating us."
Her words shook me to my core. For the first time, I saw the truth from their eyes.
"I respect your decision," I said sincerely. "But Raffy doesn't see it that way. He thinks you didn't want him… that you were too busy. He wanted a friendly bond with you, but instead, he grew up alone, convinced you didn't care."
Aunt clutched her heart. "How can he think that?"
Uncle leaned forward, his voice sharp. "Did he *say* this to you?"
I nodded slowly.
"That boy doesn't open up to anyone," Uncle muttered. "How did he tell you?"
I froze. Should I tell them the truth—that Raffy and I were more than just friends? No… not now. I wasn't ready to expose us.
Hesitantly, I said, "We were playing Truth or Dare. He… opened up then."
Aunt's eyes softened with realization. She nodded. "We should go meet him."
"No!" I blurted quickly. "Don't meet him right now. He'll know I told you, and he'll think I forced you."
Uncle considered it, then sighed. "You're right. We'll call him tonight. Ask him to come over. You must come too, Wateen."
I hesitated, but Aunt reached across the table, her warm hand covering mine. "This time, you have to come. Please don't refuse."
I lowered my eyes. "…As you say, Aunt. Uncle."
The tension eased after that, and we chatted lightly for a while before they excused themselves.
"Take care, dear," Aunt said as they left.
I nodded with a soft smile. "Goodbye."
The moment they were gone, Maheen exhaled dramatically. "*That* was the reason? Oh my God."
"Yes," I admitted. "But don't you *dare* tell Raffy. Or Ayan."
"Fine," she promised, looping her arm through mine. Then she grinned mischievously. "Well, since we're free early… let's go shopping!"
I laughed. "Why not, baby girl?
While walking through the market, I pulled out my phone and dialed Raffy. He picked up almost instantly.
"Missed me, my sweet waffle?" his voice teased.
"Maheen can hear you," I warned quickly.
He fell silent.
Maheen giggled beside me.
"I *feel* like you miss me," I teased.
"Of course not," he replied stubbornly.
"Fine then," I said smugly. "Just ignore the address I sent you. Don't come, okay?"
"Okay, I won't," he said.
I laughed softly and hung up.
We entered a jewelry store, Maheen and I admiring the delicate pieces, when suddenly Raffy came rushing in, breathless, chest rising and falling as though he had run all the way.
"Why are you here?" I asked, startled.
"I was kidding," he admitted, cheeks flushed. "I missed you!"
"Ohooo, lovebirds!" Maheen teased instantly. "Wateen, this is the first time I'm seeing Raffy's childish, playful side. It's so different from his usual self."
I smiled, slipping my arm through his. "That's because he's not *Raffy* anymore. He's *my* Raffy. My Rafito."
Maheen laughed, then pouted. "Now I'm missing Ayan."
I quickly held her arm too, not wanting her to feel left out.
As we browsed jewelry, Maheen suddenly asked, "By the way, Wateen… didn't Raffy gift you a ring when he proposed?"
Raffy's cheeks turned pink as he remembered.
Proudly, I lifted my hand. "Look at this."
Her jaw dropped. "Woooooow! That's so pretty!"
I laughed. "I know, right?"
"Tell me," she pressed eagerly. "How did you feel when he knelt down?"
"At first, I thought he was joking," I confessed. "But he was serious. I couldn't say anything. I was just… laughing with happiness."
"No, no!" Raffy interrupted, grinning. "She wasn't laughing. She was crying."
"I was not!" I protested.
"Yes, madam!" he teased.
We all laughed, the warmth of that memory surrounding us.
Later That Night,
Raffy was studying while I scrolled through my phone lazily. His phone rang on the desk. I picked it up.
"Raffy—it's your mother," I said, handing it to him.
He sighed, ignoring the call, setting it down.
I sat beside him and took his hand, looking into his eyes. "You should appreciate what you have. I'm jealous of you. If it were me receiving my mom's call, I'd be jumping with joy."
He tapped my forehead playfully.
"Pick it up," I whispered. "For me."
He held my gaze, then reluctantly answered, putting it on speaker.
"Hello, Raffy," his mother's weak voice came through.
"Yes, Mom," he replied softly.
"You know… I'm so sick," she said.
Raffy's expression tightened with worry, though he tried to mask it. "What happened?"
"Leave it," she said faintly. "Can you come meet me?"
"I'm busy, Mom," he replied quickly.
I hit his arm, glaring.
Through my eyes, he questioned me silently. I rolled mine and whispered, *Say yes.*
His mother's voice cracked. "Can't a son meet his mom… one last time?"
His face dropped. "MOM! I'll come tomorrow."
"And bring Wateen," she added.
I clapped quietly in excitement.
But Raffy shook his head. "Mom, I'll come alone. She has assignments."
I pouted instantly, whispering, "Nooo…"
His mother insisted, "Help her finish, then bring her."
Raffy groaned. "Mom—"
"Yes, Aunt! Of course I'll come!" I cut in happily.
"Thank you, dear. I'll wait for you both," she said before hanging up.
Raffy glared at me. "Wateen!"
"What? I want to meet my soon-to-be mother-in-law and father-in-law!"
He blushed scarlet.
I grinned. "I'll be ready tomorrow. And I'll pick your clothes too. Don't dress like a homeless boy in front of them."
He rolled his eyes. "You said that last time."
"I know," I smirked.
Then, softly, he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "Why don't you wear something different tomorrow?"
"Like what?"
"Something traditional."
"Ohhh," I teased. "So you liked me in traditional last time?"
He nodded shyly.
"But I don't have one. Only that one I wore before."
He stood, grabbing his shoes. "Then let's go buy one."
"Now? It's late!"
"You're safe with me," he said simply, pulling me along.
The mall glowed under the late-night lights. I tugged at my pajamas, embarrassed. "Raffy, I can't shop like this."
He smirked. "Why not? You look cute."
"These are pajamas!" I hissed.
"Forget it. I like you in pajamas," he said casually, already handing me eight heavy dresses. "Go try them. One by one."
I groaned. "Eight? Are you insane?"
"Try them all," he insisted.
The first was a deep crimson lehenga, embroidered in delicate gold. As I spun before him, he froze, eyes darkening with awe.
"Next," he said huskily.
The second, a royal blue anarkali, shimmered under the lights. I twirled, and he gripped the chair tightly.
"Next."
Third: a pale lavender sharara, light and dreamy. He swallowed hard.
"Next."
Fourth: a rich emerald green, hugging my curves. His jaw clenched.
"Next."
On and on, until I finally collapsed on the sofa, exhausted. "I can't anymore!" I groaned, tossing the dresses aside.
When I peeked at him, he was gathering them carefully, blushing as he secretly smelled the fabric, before walking to the counter.
I burst into laughter. "Stupid!"
He returned with eight shopping bags.
"You bought *all* of them?" I asked, shocked.
"They all suited you," he said simply.
My heart fluttered.
And it didn't stop there. Jewelry, handbags, heels—he picked everything, dragging me from one shop to another.
After two hours, I was exhausted. "I'm fed up of you!" I shouted playfully, running away.
"Already?!" he shouted back, chasing me until he caught me, pulling me into laughter.
By the time we returned, I collapsed on the sofa, asleep in minutes.
He quietly placed the clothes in the wardrobe, then returned to find me sleeping peacefully. His hand brushed against my cheek. He kissed my forehead, then my cheeks, lingering before moving toward my lips.
But he stopped—hesitant, as if waiting for my permission.
Instead, he lifted me gently into his arms, resting his forehead against mine. "My cute baby sweet waffle," he whispered, laughing softly.
He laid me on his bed, tucked me in, turned off the lights, and slid in beside me, hugging me from behind. He kept kissing my cheek again and again, whispering sweet waffle.
Though he thought I was asleep, I suddenly turned and kissed him softly on the lips.
He pulled back, eyes wide. "You were awake?"
I peeked at him with one eye open. "Yes, my cute baby sweet waffle. Isn't that what you called me?"
"That's not fair," he whispered, before leaning down and kissing me again.
This time, it was deeper—his lips urgent, claiming mine, as he held both my hands above my head. My fingers curled around his neck, pulling him closer. The world blurred away.
The kiss was tender yet intense, breathless yet soft. His warmth consumed me, his lips tasting of unspoken love, his hands trembling as though afraid to let go.
When it finally broke, we collapsed against each other, faces flushed, hearts racing.
I buried my face in his chest, too shy to meet his gaze, while his fingers brushed gently through my hair.
Wrapped in his arms, we drifted into the most peaceful sleep.
AUTHORSNOTE :
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