Fourteen November arrived on a chilly day. The sun peeked through a pillow of clouds and shone directly down at them as if declaring the day's specialness. Zaib stared at his wristwatch, awaiting the longest fifteen minutes to pass in order to see her again.

The reception was held within a chamber with an ability to summon a hundred guests altogether. Zoya's family was reluctant to hold such an event, but since Naimat's family and guests were also accompanying them, they couldn't adverse the engagement.

The distant sound of a call grabbed his attention and he stood alert, walking out to the living room.

"Zaib, could you fix my scandals? It took me so long to clasp them but ugly Zain opened them from behind!" Zayna's tiny voice wailed helplessly. Zaib chuckled and complied.

Zain hurdled back into the room and silently, walked towards the exit. Ever since the family meeting, Zain had been relatively quiet and uncomfortable around his older brother. It almost seemed like Zain was unhappy about the engagement but upon asking, he discreetly dodged the question and went asleep.

"Zain, will you drive us today?" Zaib remarked with a soft smile. Zain usually felt nervous driving the car with his brother; he was new to the whole driving phenomenon and therefore didn't like to be monitored.

Zain nodded apathetically and exited the house.

Something was definitely off.

:-:-:

As Salamu Alaykum's chorused around the hall as everyone settled on the clothed velvet chairs. The auditorium was embellished scenically with soft colors pleasing the eye. The plain white walls harmonized the sheer lilac curtains and the paintings received wondrous awes from the guests.

He was proud of choosing the color combination. Well, to be fair, he chose it because it was Zoya's favorite color but it actually looked pretty cool.

The stage carried four majestically decorated armchairs for the two couples alongside large sofas also dressed in soft velvet. The guests were to be seated in chairs aligned around the platform and the entrance was decorated with brightly colored lavenders and plain lily flowers.

"Oi, are you okay?" Zaib turned to Ehsan's frail voice and faced an unnerved Ehsan. Zaib frowned at the depressing aura he was giving off. Ehsan's paler than usual skin tone and fidgety hands gave the vibes of a teen waiting for their results to be announced.

"I'm great. Why do you look like that time when you dreaded going home because you failed your social studies exam?" Zaib joked causing Ehsan to loosen up with a chuckle.

"I'm just a tad bit nervous." His voice wavered but he covered it up with a forced cough. Zaib could tell it wasn't just a 'tad bit' but decided to leave it that way for his self-respect. He replied with a playful push to the shoulder.

"It's going to be a good day Ehsan." He pat his best friend on the back, grinning from ear-to-ear.

"They've arrived!" Someone from Zaib's family announced and everyone scrambled to their appropriate position, ready to attend to the girls' side. The mass entered along with the guests. Zaib, who was situated on one of the sofas with Zayna, sat attentive, eyeing the people entering, his eyes desperate for a glimpse of her.

Naimat entered first, dawning a salmon-coloured two piece maxi dress paired with matching heels. Her hijab was styled in a way that her gold flower earrings were visible. She was smiling brightly but had a nervous aura around her too, just a bit toned down compared to Ehsan. Zaib looked over to check his friend's reaction and Ehsan looked a bit dazed. Zaib laughed in his head.

As Naimat's family passed and Naimat was helped onto the armchair beside Ehsan, he became impatient. Large groups kept sprawling in like a flock of migrating birds.

And then there she was... her dazzling olive green maxi catching his attention. She was a dot within the crowd but his eyes only mirrored the sight of her. As the crowd moved closer inside, she became closer.

Her hijab was light-colored topped with a little flower crown. She felt her feet wobble in her golden strappy heels, the sudden weight of anxiety pushing her down. As she drew closer, Zaib immediately pushed himself off the sofa, admiring her. Her mother helped her on to the stage and then skidded away to meet the other people.

She was breathtaking.

Her gaze was lowered shyly making him smile at her adorability. Upon receiving silence on the other side, Zoya looked up nervously. She expected to hear, at least, a greeting from him but the silence prolonged and made her uncomfortable.

Did she not look great?

"Is something wrong?" She murmured, meeting his eyes worriedly. He seemed to blink rapidly and look away muttering something under his breath.

"Everything's perfect. You, uh— look perfect." Catching her off guard, she blushed, her chest swelling with relief. He seemed incoherent and lost as his eyes wandered anywhere but on her which caused her to burst into a giggle, his unease intriguing her. At every encounter, she interpreted Zaib to be a confident and amusing character; his response, therefore, amused her.

Zaib smiled, his eyes on the ground as he signaled her to sit first. She complied, seating herself on the separate armchair for the bride to be. Their families joined soon, seating themselves on the separate sofas; their faces carrying smiles brighter than the moon.

As the clock ticked one, the ring cases were revealed. The ring ceremony wasn't appreciated or prescribed by the sharia but both families decided they couldn't skip this. Sadly, the generation of today seeks pleasure more in worldly rituals than the Islamic sayings. It was already a big deal that the ceremony was quiet, without the interference of music; if they hadn't fessed up an engagement event, the relatives wouldn't spare them the sarcastic remarks.

"Zoya, were you in favor of this event?" Zaib questioned, wanting to know more of her regarding the situation.

"Of course not. I asked for an unannounced ring exchange at home but my relatives obviously persisted otherwise," she sighed, explaining. Relatives interfering with personal business? He could relate.

"Honestly, I don't mind right now." She looked up again, her raised eyebrows questioning him. "I get to see you again." Before she could even digest what he responded with, her mother called her and handed the purple case.

She flustered, fidgeting with the box.

"Zoya dear, open it and give him the ring." Her mother nudged her.

She bit her lower lip anxious if he'd like what she chose for him. After gathering the courage, she pulled the case open and there sat the silver metal, the grey gemstone attached to its titanium body.

Zaib's eyes shone with wonder as he grabbed it from her and pulled it out. He eyed it and then wordlessly wore it on his ring finger. "It's mine forever now," his declaration made her heart swoon. She hoped he liked it.

Everyone cheered aloud. Then he proceeded to hand her the case.

Upon opening the case, she stared. Her jaw almost dropped at how stunning it looked. The gleaming emerald stone sat in the middle and minuscule diamond stones gathered around it.

"The emerald represents myself and your eyes are like these diamonds, shining and making the emerald shine brighter."

She looked at him, her gaze flooding with warmth of gratitude. She slid it onto her finger, her heartbeat racing to spread the warmth of fulfillment. It was just an engagement but it felt glorious to have something of his on her.

It was his choice for her and having the ring on her made her feel like she was his.

-:-

"Hurry! Hurry!"

The tires whooshed frazzling at the outrageous speed of Zaib's car as he took dramatic and sharp turns. Bilal held onto the car handle like his life depended on it (which in his case did), letting out screams of terror.

"We ain't in fast and furious bro! Slow dow-!"

"No you can't! I'm going to be late and there's no way I'm ruining my first impression!" Zoya admantly squealed, thumping Bilal over the head as she held onto the back of Bilal's car seat with one arm. Zaib's eyes were trained on the road as he voraciously crossed the roundabout.

Zoya's yells urged him on as he passed the speed limit. "Ash hadoo al-la elaha-" Bilal recited with shut eyes.

"Bilal stop being so dramatic!" Zaib shouted over the screeching of the wheel. Bilal opened one eye to peek at his surroundings and shut them again in fear. He continued to pray.

"I can't be dying right now. I have so much to do, a woman to marry, kids to love—"

"Zoya hold on—" Zaib interjected. Zoya clutched onto the handle, awaiting the hasty stop. Zaib pulled the brakes, the car zooming into a spontaneous halt.

"We're here!"

Bilal's scream was the last thing Zoya heard before she pushed the door open and dashed towards the building.

💘

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