"Now, we just need to finalize the one you'd like out of the fifty designs here." The guy with trimmed mustache pulled out a thick book of card designs and started flipping through the pages.

The entire team of designers, catering businesses and flower arrangements had gathered today at Zaib's home. Since the wedding date had been set to the twentieth of March, which was in three months, wedding preparations were hectic. Zoya's side was preparing for the marriage ceremony (Nikah) while Zaib's side prepared the post-marriage-reception (Walima).

As the entire team went for a lunch break, Zaib and his own family sat down to eat together.

"So, are you enjoying this chaos son?" His father chuckled as he piled his plate with food.

"It's exhausting, but I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make the ceremony special," Zaib whispered a 'Bismillah' before digging into his food.

"I remember when I was getting married to your mother. It took a lot of time and effort in the preparations since she didn't like anything!" His father looked teasingly at his mother who rolled her eyes and sipped her green tea.

Zaib's father raised his eyebrows and met eyes with Zaib who was already smirking before they both chortled.

+++++++++

After Zaib made sure to see off every member of the wedding preparation team, he joined his family inside the living room where everyone was gathered around the television.

Zaib couldn't help but hear his mother's phone conversation with his aunt as it was about the wedding. "Yeah dates are set, but the cards aren't sent out yet. You know how hectic things get Afeesa."

Upon realizing it was his favorite aunt on the other side of the call, he walked over to where his mom was sitting. "Can I talk to her as well?" He whispered as he sat down next to her.

His mother handed him the phone.

"Assalamu Alaykum auntie Afeesa!" He enthusiastically greeted which was returned by an equally excited response. "How is my favourite nephew doing? I heard wedding preparations are tiring you all out."

"Yeah but it's all worth it in the end. Zoya deserves the best," he shyly replied as he heard a soft squeal across the phone. His aunt was a huge romantic and was the most excited person in his whole family for this wedding.

"That is so sweet, I can't wait to meet the lucky girl. It's going to be interesting seeing who captivated my stubborn nephew," she teased.

Zaib smiled to himself as Zoya re-entered his mind, "Yeah, you're gonna love her."

"So what kind of approach are you going for at the wedding? Traditional, I suppose, our roots are Pakistani after all." She stated in a matter of fact tone. Zaib quietened.

"Well, Zoya isn't Pakistani though."

"She's not Pakistani!" Zaib chuckled. "We both made it clear we don't want culture to intervene in the Islamic way of marriage."

"Well, I just assumed she was ethnically Pakistani as well considering how smoothly you guys connected. What is her ethnicity then?"

"I- actually don't know where she is from as we just didn't get to that conversation yet," Zaib furrowed his eyebrows realizing there was something major he didn't know about Zoya and added it to his questions-to-Zoya list.

"But it really doesn't matter at the end of the day. In Islam everyone is equal and love is the key to a marriage."

There was unfortunately a prejudice in his more traditional side of the family about marrying from other ethnicities and he would be the first one to do so. He didn't want this to be a problem for Zoya.

"Well, I think that's beautiful. Imagine your children! They will know more than two languages by default and have a diverse family." This is why auntie Afeesa was the best. She always looked at the positives.

They bursted in laughters.

"I can't believe my little cupcake is already all grown up." Zaib earned the nickname cupcake after being obsessed with them for the first eight years of his life.

"I remember when you were young: you used to sit in the laundry basket and we used to push you all around the house. Now that little toddler is an engaged man. You've really come a long way Zaib and I wish the best for you."

Zaib's heart warmed with the affection he received from his aunt. Ever since he was young, he liked spending time with her the most. She was significantly different from all his other relatives maybe considering the fact that she was brought up abroad. She had an open mindset and a free spirit and she supported him no matter what.

"Thank you auntie, seriously. I can't wait for you to attend the wedding."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world."

=======

The sky turned navy quicker than usual and even the Maghreb prayer had arrived earlier than usual, indicating that short days and long nights were slowly approaching. The weather was still rocky though with apparent mood swings: some weeks were scorching and some were bestowed with heavy showers.

Zaib enjoyed the sunny days since he was tired of the endless rain.

Zaib journeyed to the masjid and prayed Maghreb along with the congregation. He was selected to be the imam for a few weeks but later due to the constant attention his work demanded, he realized he couldn't fulfill such a commitment and signed himself off.

Ever since he had met Zoya, he found it hard to speak of anything but her within his Dua'as. "Ar-Rahman, Zoya makes me feel complete. Please let her be my soulmate. Protect her from all the evils of this world and the hereafter. And please let me be the one who she holds in her heart." He continued his prayers for a while until he realized he was late to Zayna's karate class.

Zaib scurried away, pulling his car into gear and zooming off into the starry night. He sped up, almost crossing the red light but stayed safe due to his sharp instincts. He made it to the karate class within five minutes and twenty seconds which was insane since the class was twenty minutes away from their local masjid.

It was the outcome of Zayna's terror.

"You're late mister, busy," Zayna mockingly scuffed and pulled the door open, grunting under her breath while seating herself into the leather seat. Her nose was scrunched up grumpily.

"Forgive me just this once your highness," Zaib stated as he restarted the car and drove away. Zayna remained undaunted with her nostrils flaring fiercely. Zaib felt the waves of miscellaneous emotions drifting from her side and gulped nervously. The girl was known for her indisputable grudges.

Zaib sighed as he proceeded to turn the car to the nearest McDonald's. Now, only the French fries could save him from his little sister.

"Why were you late?" She questioned as she gobbled up her French fries.

"I was at the masjid and forgot Zain had to go to uni today." Zaib explained, driving back home. Zayna nodded 'understandingly'.

"Zaib, are your really getting married?" Zaib's eyes grew in size upon hearing such a question from his sister. He nibbled onto his lower lip. "What's wrong? Do you not want that?" Zaib was her older brother but he always talked to Zayna about her feelings regarding his matters. He felt it was necessary to involve them, so later in life, they could tell him anything about their problems.

"No! Why would I have a problem? I'm so excited! I planned my outfits with Zain. But mama and Zain don't seem very excited," she elaborated, staring at the cars passing by.

Zaib sighed and then smiled massive towards his sister. "They're nervous Zay." Zayna returned his stare, confused at the statement.

"Why're they nervous Z?" She mumbled. "They are just nervous for me Zay, because they think my wife won't be as nice or fun. But I know Zoya and she will make everything great for us." Hearing this Zayna jostled to life, her normally, excited-self making a comeback.

"I know! I'm so so so excited to have a girl in the house! I'll play with her and make her do my make up! Z, she'll make life so much more exciting!" Zayna squealed and Zaib chuckled at her innocence. If only it were that easy to make his mother excited for his marriage.

-.-

Salamu Alaykum :)

Wa Alaykum Aslam.

:( I sent you a smiley.

:) is that enough

It would've been cuter if you did that without me having to say it

Zaib smiled cheekily as he eyed the smiley again. She was adorable.

:-) why did you text?

Because...

Yeah...

Idk I wanna talk to you everyday

He immediately regretted sending that. Zaib didn't want to scare her off due to his obsessive behavior. He just wanted to make sure she was okay.

Oh...

His smile faltered, realizing he had made her feel uncomfortable. Why was he always going overboard when it came to Zoya.

Me too.

No that was probably a typo. She didn't say that. She didn't say that. She didn't say that. He waited for her to clarify. She couldn't have that said that.

Even though one-eighty seconds had passed by, she hadn't replied back saying it was a typo.

So... she meant it.

His heart clenched and the hold onto his phone tightened. Grinning ear to ear, he finally responded.

I'm seriously considering driving over to your house to see you.

WHAT NO YOU CAN'T DO THAT

He chuckled with a grin.

I'm kidding Zoya. I'll only come to bring you home permanently.

He waited for a response for a few minutes and grew nervous again. The phone beeped and his heart's pace slowed.

Why do you tease me so much!

Because you're cute when you're freaking

No I am not!

Yes you are

You're so annoying..

I'm annoying to the people I love

Yes, he indirectly told her he loved her. He felt it was important for her to know.

Well... haha I'm guessing your mom always has a migraine :)

Zaib threw his head back laughing himself into oblivion. She dodged the bullet so well, she deserved some time of an award for this act of oblivion.

What are u up to?

Zaib quickly retyped.

What are you* up to

Whew.

:) nothing just working on my thesis. What about you?

Oh, well I was working on a new project.

What's it about?

He smiled realizing she cared.

Well, it's the construction of a museum. I drew some rough sketches. I'm still working on things. We have an important meeting about it tomorrow.

Insha Allah it'll go well

His smile widened. Zaib straightened up, remembering the question he had to ask her.

Zoya I have a question

Go ahead.

Where are you from originally?

My grandfather was an Italian American, who accepted Islam and married my Palestinian grandmother.

Wow, So you're originally half Palestinian and half Italian?

Yes, though I've never visited Palestine.

That's pretty cool.

Where are you from?

I'm from Pakistan, Kashmir to be exact

Really! Kashmir is a beautiful place! I've read about it in World history.

I know. I've been there once when I was 10. My grandparents migrated to US when they were a young couple so we've only spent life here.

Hm, I'd like to go there too

I'll take you with me.

Really?

Really.

Really.

💞

💞

💜