The room got quiet as everyone began to fill up their plates. The fathers would gradually joke around and laugh but the mothers seemed to have drifted into an awkward relationship. They were hesitant to speak or even share a glance. Naimat and Ehsan were having a great time communicating with whispers and texts.

Zaib, well he was busy stealing glances.

He didn't want to scare her but he couldn't help it. Nothing made itself more apparent than the petite woman sitting before him, eating soundlessly. In a room crammed with people, his consciousness only took heed of her as if others were in a separated world.

"Ehsan, when have you decided to marry our beautiful daughter Naimat?" Zoya's father inquired as Naimat looked away shyly. Ehsan chuckled, a sense of happiness filling up his voice. "Whenever she's ready uncle, Insha Allah."

Zaib smiled. "It looks like she's ready right about now Ehsan," he joked causing Ehsan to stare right at her as Bilal and Zain laughed.

"No it looks like brother Ehsan's the eager one." He looked away at the sound of a voice he knew too well. Everyone laughed at Zoya's remark but Zaib spent his moment surveying the way her eyes warmed up and twinkled for the people around her as if she'd loved them more than herself.

"I am actually. I've talked to my parents and Naimat's. We've decided to do the engagement the coming week Insha Allah."

"Insha Allah, that'll be great."

"The food's amazing!" Zayna squealed. To which Zoya's mother patted Zayna's head and kissed her forehead.

"Yes, the food is delicious Mariam," his mother finally declared easing the tense aura around them. Zoya's mother sparked up a conversation and soon they were chatting the night away.

"You really have no self respect. What're you doing here again bro," Bilal muttered to Zaib, causing for him to start chuckling. "Yeah you're right." Zaib told him.

"Or maybe I just like your sister more than my self respect," he completed. It was the truth yet it made Bilal quiet down as he eyed Zaib.

"The lasagna is delicious," he announced. Zoya's mother giggled before answering, "its Zoya's recipes after all."

Zoya shifted in her seat and accidentally met eyes with him. When he looked into her clear blue gaze, his body felt electrified and it reminded him of why he wanted to keep looking at her in the first place.

He gulped the bite of lasagna down and smiled at his sister devouring the custard. She had barely eaten any food, her excitement for the dessert untamable.

"Zoya, do you like our son?" Zaib choked on thin air, eyes widening as he gulped in mouthful of water. His father eyed him with a smile and looked to where Zoya sat flushed.

She looked flustered. Her cheeks were redder than strawberries and her eyes larger than his.

"Come on, don't be shy!" Naimat hissed from the side and Zoya lowered herself within her chair. She appeared to be wishing she buried herself within the ground.

She was cute, adorable.

"Uh—" she stammered. "I like your family uncle and— I, well, I want to finalize this proposal—"

"What is this, speech of a company owner succeeding in getting herself a deal?" Bilal mocked her and everyone bursted to giggles.

He smiled bright as she covered half of her face with her palm and then he heard the sound of her giggle. His chest ached as warmth flooded within his body.

He needed to hear her again.

He looked away to Bilal. "Bilal, I need your help." His desperate attempt came to play. Bilal stared uninterested. "If it's about liking my sister, then I don't wanna hear it." He faked a scowl.

Zaib impatiently jerked closer to Bilal, hoping no one noticed about the plans they were cooking. As he was about to lay his request on the line, the chime of the doorbell interrupted.

His mother called him out. "Bilal, it's probably the deliverer. Keep the parcel in my room." Bilal nodded immediately before excusing himself and walking out to the entrance.

Zaib scowled soundlessly, eyeing the door. The room stayed busy as everyone engaged within conversations except Zain and Zoya whom quietly finished up their meal.

He rummaged through the pocket of his coat, pulling his phone out and clicked onto Bilal's number. Yes, he was that impatient. He began to jot down his hurried text.

I have a request help me out

Bruh I legit left for a minute can you wait?

No listen up. I need you to convince Zoya into talking to me on the phone.

💩

Are you serious? Boi, my father won't hurt you but he'll rip me apart so haha I decline.

"Zaib, try these kebabs. They're delicious," his mother cried as he quickly ducked the phone down before smiling politely and adding one to his plate. He resumed to text.

I'll take permission from your father you dimwit. Of course I won't take her number unless your father allows but I'm not sure if she'll talk to me.

💩

Ok... how does any of this benefit me

👁👄👁

...

💩

...

I'll buy you vans.

💩

I'm listening...

And a double decker cheeseburger with extra large fries.

💩

Okay...

And uh... oh YEAH! A new cover for your ugly phone.

💩

Hmmmmm...

If you want more I'm blocking

💩

I'm in😇

💩

Lmao I would've agreed even on the very first option ;)

You're blocked.

He heard the door snide open as Bilal sauntered in with a slick smirk on his face. Zaib scoffed as he continued eating the food.

-:-

"We're happy and want Zoya as Zaib's partner. Brother Nadeem, we want to arrange for an engagement as soon as possible." Zaib smiled to himself upon hearing his father's announcement.

Nadeem replied, "Of course. If both the families don't have any problems, we can arrange it quickly."

"So, what day should we consider?" Zoya's mother questioned. Zaib desperately wanted to respond with the earliest possible day but he kept silent since his intervention would make everyone question him.

He prayed to Allah the day wouldn't be farther than a week.

As if his prayer had shot right up at the heavens above, Bilal spoke up. "How about we hold Ehsan, Naimat and Zaib and Zoya's engagement on the same day." Zaib perked up. For the first time in years, he did not have an urge to punch Bilal but hug him instead.

"That's a great idea!" Ehsan yelled.

"I didn't think of that. That's actually very reasonable. They are great friends after all," Zaib's father added.

Zoya had left to the kitchen. He wished he witnessed her reaction to this news. Did she want it? Did she think it was too early? He didn't want anything to be decided without her approval.

"We should ask Zoya as well," he told them and the families agreed. They called for her and as she returned, they laid out the question.

Her nod made it hard for him to focus on anything for the rest of the afternoon.

-:-

"Uncle, I need your permission."

"What is it Zaib?" Her father responded.

The day had passed very quickly. After the lunch, he only saw glimpses of Zoya Hayat Malik. He spent time with Bilal and Ehsan discussing the latest football matches and debating over which team would make it to finals. The sun had set when they decided to leave.

"Uncle, I want Zoya's number."

The silence lasted longer than necessary. "Uncle, if you don't like that, I won't press on it." He felt his heart plummet but he kept his face straight, a little attempt of a smile.

"Why do you want her number?"

Zaib answered without hesitation. "I want to talk to her and let her get to know me more. If she doesn't like something about me, I want to change it." He halted when her father broke into a chuckle. Zaib grew confused.

"Ask Bilal for her number. You can text, call but don't expect anything more son."

Wasn't it just a wonderful night?

🥰🤩

💘

🧕🏽