The jab they were expecting

Dinner had been eaten and Maria and Laila got up to clear the dishes when Noah grabbed Laila's hand and gently pulled her back down to the couch as he said, "You have done enough for today. Just sit down and I'll take care of the dishes." Laila was pleasantly surprised to hear this from Noah and smiled at him as she took her seat. Laila was happy to know his privileged lifestyle hadn't made him feel above offering to do the dishes at someone else's home and neither did he possess the sexistic view that it was a woman's job or anything crazy like that. Although she was pretty certain he wasn't above doing these things for her when they were alone, they hadn't been in a situation yet where there was another capable woman present.

There would have been plenty of guys who wouldn't necessarily say it was the woman's job, or in this case Maria's job, but they just wouldn't offer their help and would just expect Maria to do it. Just quickly striking up a conversation to rid themselves of any responsibility. In this situation he could have just said, "Why don't you sit down. You have done enough for today" and end the conversation like that. But instead, he didn't just excuse his wife for the job, but took her place instead.

Maria was already making fun of Noah, saying things like, "It goes without saying that our sweet Laila has done enough and shouldn't have to help with the dishes. In fact, you should have offered before she even got up and wasted her precious energy instead of making it some grand gesture." Laila chuckled and said, "Stop it. What he did was sweet. I for one appreciated it. Thank you." Maria was just about to comment that if he actually wanted to be sweet, he would have offered to do the dishes on his own and let her sit down as well, when Noah said, "You have done enough as well. You cooked for us, so it isn't fair for you to clean everything up as well. Why don't you take a seat with Laila and Steve and I'll wash the dishes".

Noah had said this after picking up the first few dishes and stacking them on top of one another and he wasn't looking in her direction when he did, so he didn't see the stunned look on Maria's face. She couldn't quite believe that Noah of all people would offer to take a job like this out of her hand out of kindness. No nasty remarks, no taunting, just showing appreciation and kindness. Laila had an arrogant look on her face as she said, "Well, what do you have to say about that my dear friend? I believe you spoke too soon." While Steve took a different approach and said, "What kind of shift is this. Now that she has become my girlfriend, you suddenly know how to show her kindness?"

But where Laila and Maria had only gotten the kindness, Steve got the jab they were expecting before. "Well since you lack the common sense to offer these things, I figured I'll let her experience what a gentleman is while she still can." Laila burst out laughing, while Maria let out a breath of relieve as she said, "Fhew, I was beginning to get worried, but that is Noah I know." As Laila continued to laugh and Steve was voicing his protest, Noah walked to the kitchen with the majority of the dishes. Maria watched as he walked away, and she suddenly got an idea. She grabbed the remaining dishes and said, "Now that he is suddenly being so kind and genuine, I am feeling guilty, leaving him to do it all on his own. I dirtied up quite a lot, thinking I would be the one cleaning it up anyways. So, I think I'll leave you two to chat on your own for a bit, while I help out with the dishes."

Without waiting for a response from the two of them, Maria walked off towards the kitchen and passed through the door, leaving Laila and Steve behind feeling a bit confused. The reason Maria had given up her opportunity to sit back and relax while Noah did the dishes, is because she thought this was the perfect opportunity to talk to him about the whole Jake and Laila ordeal. Since she was no longer staying at Noah and Laila's place, the chances she would have to talk to Noah one on one, would be rare and scarce. Not even being sure if she would have another chance before she had to go back home. So, she thought it would be best to make use of this opportunity now that it was presented to her.

Although Laila was a bit confused by her sudden willingness to help Noah, she was glad she did, because she too found this to give her the perfect opportunity to tell Steve about Maria giving up her job to stay here and help him with his recovery process.