The farmhouse was overflowing with the décor stuff and flowers. Zoya was amazed by the splendor. The hanging flowers, the fairy light's it was dream wedding for many. But for Zoya it was too much. She preferred a small wedding, with all the loved one around. Only the closed to heart one would be invited. People who were going to be genuinely happy for her and would be there to bless her. She would wear her Amma ka jora(mother's dress) for the nikkah and not some designer lehnga, with a cost that could at least feed 500 families. Maybe she was exaggerating with the expenses.

Zoya had tried her mom's golden lengha once or twice, when she was a kid. Don't all desi kids wear their mother's dupatta and pretend to be brides? She knew it would look great with light makeup and all. And that pushatani nath (heirloom nose pin) which was given her mother by her Nani.

Yes, that is what my dream wedding is going to look like. She concluded as she imagined a small intimate outdoor wedding.

"Earth to Zoya", Kainat called, pulling Zoya out of her imaginary wedding preparation. "You still haven't changed much. You still space out in the middle of conversations." Kainat told her and Zoya gave her a tight smile in return.

Yes, its same old me while you guys are just wonderfully successful. Did Kainat get a nose job? Zoya wondered as she stared at her nose perfectly straight nose which used to be slightly slanted before. Okay, she wasn't jealous. No, she wasn't. She was happy for them and glad how far they had come. She just hated how they sometimes looked down at her. Like when Kainat had said, " Life is tough on you. We thought you'd be the first one to apply in some German university for Masters. I mean look at you. You screamed Master student with that exceptionally high cGPA of 3.75, extra curriculars, dean's list and all. How's life at university though?" All that mention of her achievements had felt like a slap in her face.

A slap that led her to focus on how her life hadn't turned out how she had expected and hoped it to be. No, I am content with what I have become. I teach at the government University, even if I am still on prohibition. Its huge. I am writing my research papers at the same time. Its huge. Right? So what, if I am not an influencer who rants about the blocked chakras and spiritual awakening. So what, if I don't get pr packages? Right? I am successful? Am I not? She thought trying to put that insecurity back into the box but no matter how hard Zoya tried, Kainat's words did sting. Maybe she hadn't mean to hurt her sentiments. Maybe Zoya was looking too much into the situation like she usually did.

"I lost my glasses and 4 extra kilos. I think I have changed." Zoya told her, pride evident in her tone. She may not be proud of her career, but she was proud of how she had changed physically. Straight out of university, she got her laser operation done and said "bye" to the nerdy glasses. And the kilos she lost, made her feel like a completely different person. Confident in her skin! Sometimes.

"Yeah Zoe. You look good, Heinaa? I never noticed how thick and curly your lashes were before...MashAllah" Fazeela-who was busy curling Alizey's hair said, making Zoya blush.

I love you too Fazeela.

Alizey's makeup was done. Aunty had called this beautician from a well-known parlor. The makeup did cost heaps but after seeing how pretty Alizey looked, it was worth every penny Aunty had spent on it. Alizey who had went with the natural glam, was a sight to sour eyes. Pretty like a picture.

"All the gifts and mithai baskets are ready, I will just go and change now." Zoya declared as she got up, placing that mithai ki thaal (sweets baskets) on the table safely. She had been adding sonay ka warq on the laddos. It wasn't much of a job, but Zoya pretended that it was. It needed a delicate touch otherwise the laados would have been de-shaped. She thought, giving them a final glance satisfied with the job she had done.

"God Zoya, go get ready quickly. (the wedding party is going to arrive)!" Kainat said dismissing her. Unlike Kainat who was busy with herself, her makeup, her hairstyle and her mani-pedi, Zoya had been helping with the shadi work. But by the way Kainat had said 'get up' sounded like Zoya was the lazy brat who was busy playing video games instead of getting cleaned up and ready.

Zoya was going to wear a ghara, her Nani(grandmother) had cut and stitched for her with the embellished shirt that her mother had gotten from Anarkali. They nearly searched the whole market for hours and finally found that shirt. Her outfit was perfect. Designer perfect.

Alizey was freaking rich. Born with a silver spoon rich kind of rich. Her father was a bureaucrat while her mother was some heiress who had inherited mango gardens. Now anyone who could do the math knew that all the designer wedding wasn't costing arms and legs for them.

But being a middle class, Zoya couldn't afford to go buy designer clothes for each and every function nor she had a loaded husband like Kainat did. So, Zoya had to utilize what she had and spent wisely on her clothes. She did get her barat ka jhora (Barat's suit) ready made from a designer and it had costed her, her whole salary. In her defense and to give some credit, the barat jhora she got was to kill for.

Alizey was having a theme nikah. Every man of her family was going to wear black Sherwani with a white pajama while the ladies were going to go with pastel pink. It was actually baby pink. But since the designer called it 'Pastel pink' everyone was supposed to call it pastel pink and not baby pink if they wanted to live long enough to attend the rest of the functions.

After changing into her outfit, Zoya stepped out of the dressing room. "Zoyeeeeee, I love your dress. You look like an angel" Fazeela exclaimed, who herself had changed into her pastel pink organza suit with a mirror work on it. Zoya blushed at the compliment. Fazeela was a sweetheart. Full of the compliments but sort of slow like Bubbloo (Bubblo tumhara sabon slow hai kya).

Fazeela missed every snarky, sassy insult that was thrown her way(jokes too) . Although Zoya was happy to explain the jokes, she hated how Fazeela missed the insults, which was why Zoya had assumed the duty of the knight for Fazeela and only Fazeela.

Alizey who was busy taking selfies of herself in her nikah jhora and probably sending them to Hashim, turned and focused her eyes on her. "Planning to snag a groom for yourself, are you?" Alizey asked as she smiled at Zoya.

After blushing, the deepest shade of red floored by those compliments, Zoya playfully replied with a "Maybe" making everyone laugh. It felt like old times, Kainat snorted with laughter while Fazeela snickered. It looked like one of the scenes from the movies, where all the girlfriends gather for the wedding and have fun.

"Zoya, let me braid your hair. It will go with the gharrara." Fazeela offered and Zoya settled on the stool in front of dressing table. Kainat finally decided to put herself to some use and offered to do Zoya's makeup.

Zoya didn't know what they were doing to her face. She just sat patiently for 10 minutes. Her mind kept wondering about the stranger she had spilled her secrets too. It nearly had been a week since she had seen him, still he never left her mind. Thinking about that made her palm sweat and heart rate accelerate. "Done!" Kainat declared as she stepped aside.

Is that me? I do really look pretty. Maybe I should get more clothes in this Pastel pink. It does suit me. Yeah, I mean look at me? Should I pinch myself? Mann, I really do look pretty. Let's hope there are pretty boys to have that Kushi kabhi gham moment with. Zoya thought as she stared at her reflection, in the mirror.

"Come on let's take a squad picture! Barat anay wali hai (the wedding party is going to arrive soon)" Alizey said.

Alizey being such an Instagram it, called the photographer from downstairs took of pictures. But none of them was good enough in the sight of Alizey and the poor guy had to redo every single shot. Zoya rolled her eyes as she complied to Alizey's order who had instructed her to sit on the sofa with her, while Fazeela and Kainat stood at the back.

Zoya had expected Alizey to be less Alizey at least on her wedding. But she was just as bossy as she was normally. Actually, she was bossier now. Zoya was exhausted with all the pictures and the poses. The function hadn't even begun yet. Sabr karo ( have patience)

Zoya was done, she was going to relieve the photographer guy of the duty when they all were interrupted by Sara, Alizey's 10-year-old niece who informed them that Barat was here. It meant that they had to go down and welcome the groom and his family.

"Zoya, ask Ahmad if he had given the entrance song to the DJ! I swear if someone mess ups my entrance, I'll strangle them" Alizey ordered as she raised her hands strangling an imaginary person. It was not an imaginary idle threat. Alizey had spent months planning her wedding. A slight mistake and she'd literally strangle the culprit responsible for it.

May Allah save us all from Alizey's wrath. Ahmad, I hope you hadn't messed up. Please!

"I will check", Zoya told Alizey after giving her a comforting smile as she left the room with her girl gang.

After welcoming the groom's side, it was time for Alizey's bridal entry. Sara was her flower girl. Kainat, Zoya and Fazeela were the bridesmaid. They were going to walk ahead of Alizey, while Alizey was going to be accompanied by her father. A thousand years by Christina Perry was supposed to play when the bridal party entered. And her cousins and brother had those pastel pink color bombs which they had to pop when she entered.

"I swear Ahmad, mess it up and I will mess your life." Alizey warned her little brother as she took her place beside her father. Zoya felt bad for Ahmad in times like these. The poor boy was an emotional wreck and Alizey was giving him a tough time. "Alizey, we got this. Stop glaring at him. Otherwise, you are going to ruin the pictures." Zoya told her and Alizey sobered up at the mention of ruin....

"It's your cue, Sarah. Let's go" Zoya instructed Sarah who began marching towards with the flower bucket that had pastel flower's, the stage which too was decorated with baby pink roses! No pastel roses. Her alter ego corrected.

Hashim who was wearing a white sherwani, stood as he saw them approach.

Don't fall. Don't fall. Watch your steps. Deep breaths Zoya, you don't want to mess it up. Alizey will kill you and bury you in the farmhouse. Don't trip over the gharara. Zoya repeated the mantra to herself till they all reached the stage. She was so busy with her pep talk that she didn't look at the guests.

Reaching the stage, bridesmaids stepped aside while Alizey took the outstretched hand of Hashim. Everyone cheered and OOOOOO-ed as the nikkah still wasn't done and Molana sahab had yet to arrive.

Look at them. MashAllah what a sweet couple they made. May Allah grant Hashim strength and patience to tolerate Alizey's bossy attitude. Zoya made a silent prayer for her best friend as she stood there getting all teary eyed.

Zoya was standing beside Kainat and Fazeela busy chatting with them while the photo session with the newly wed was going on. "Hey Zoye, did you check the hottie at 9 o clock" Kainat asked Zoya. "If you are referring to Hashim's brother, Moiez I think I have. Jeez K have you already forgotten my type. " Zoya told him in not interested undertone without glancing in the direction Kainat had just pointed out.

Zoya was busy checking her emails, and clearly not interested right now. Being an instructor, it was important to check them regularly for updates. Plus, she was expecting a reply from a professor to whom she had emailed her research papers.

Moiez was the Hashim's younger brother. He was well built around 5'9. Had a beard that covered his not so prominent jaw. His most striking, features were his dimples. He was the boy next door, kind of cute. But not the manly kind Zoya preferred.

"Get yourself out of this phone. I am not talking about Moiez. I am talking about this other guy in white kurta and pajama with a waistcoat on. Man, you have to look. He is just your type. 6 something, broad shoulders, vein popping out of the arms, still have hair, thick black hair if I might add and a stubble. Just like you want them. Brooding, at the same time boyish. I remember it all. " Kainat told her. She made it sound as if Zoya was missing out bigtime. Spiking her curiosity and forcing her to look upwards in the direction of the guy she was referring to.

Zoya stared in fascination. The guy had his back towards her. But by his tall frame of around 6'1 and well-built strong shoulders, she could tell that Kainat was right. She was clearly missing out bigtime. Waiting for him to turn, Zoya glared holes in his back. By his physique she could tell that he maintained a healthy lifestyle.

She felt like ShahRukh from Dilwale Dulhaniya lay jain gay whispering "Palat palat(turn turn)", staring at some random guy's back.

Finally, he heard her silent plea. And then he turned. Maybe he had felt her heated gaze. And as the image formed in her head, she felt a thud. As if someone had dropped a heavy boulder on her chest squashing the air out of her.

Oh my God.

It's him.

The realization was enough to kill her. It was HIM. The cucumber rude jerk. The same dark eyes. The same lines etched around them. The stubble had grown thicker and darker which made him a little more attractive than before. The changes weren't striking enough to confuse her. It was definitely him. A week had passed, and although he looked different in kurta and a prince coat, she could still recognize that face from miles. He had been haunting her dreams since past week, where he would announce her secrets and people would erupt into laughter. Of course, she had and would recognize him in a heartbeat.

It was the man from the plane. And not just any man. HE was the one she wanted to avoid forever!

What's he doing here? Zoya thought.

She blinked rapidly and then rubbed her eyes twice, hoping that he was just a figment of her imagination. She prayed that he would disappear as soon as she blinked. But no. He stood there in his glory talking to some guy while she was losing her calm. "Told you, he is a hottie. Look at you. You are already gaping at him like a fish. I think he is from Hashim's side of family." Kainat arched her left eyebrow in a told you so signal....

No no no!!!! You got it all wrong Kainat. I am panicking. I am not getting flustered by his beauty. I am getting embarrassed thinking about the upcoming scenarios when he decides to tell everyone about our flight experience. An image of everyone laughing and holding onto their stomach's flashed though her mind.

Zoya closed her eyes in fear and then opened them just in time to watch him turn in their direction. Zoya instinctively ducked behind Kainat trying to keep out of his sight.

What's he doing here?

Attending the wedding, DUH!

He can't be related to Hashim?

That can't be—

He can't possibly be —

Can it get any worse?

These and billions other questions occupied her mind as Zoya began losing her sanity.

Finding this sudden change of behavior strange Kainat turned towards Zoya with a questioning look. Her hands were resting on her hip in a motherly 'you-tell-me-what's-going-on-missy' posture.

"Are you hiding from someone?" Kaiant asked. God, she had already smelt that something was off. If she came to know about her secrets, she'd tell everyone and then everyone would lose their sh*t.

Zoya thought about the stuff she had told the stranger about Kainat. Zoya knew that if Kainat came to know about her views on the chakras and spiritual awakening, she would disown her. Damination and hell, Zoya was already a disappointment to her parents, she didn't want to be one to her friends.

Think Zoya think. Think of some excuse before you have to explain.

Zoya ransacked her mind for an excuse and then finally her eyes found it. "Is that Abdullah?"

"What are you kidding? The shortie Abdullah from college who wrote you poems. I didn't know Abdullah was invited. Zoya, you did a number on him. You crushed his poor soul when you told him that you didn't do relationships. Khair acha kiya that you turned him down. Do you know he is a misogynist with an earnings aren't blessed by Allah) thoughts?"

Zoya was already in a turmoil. And Kainat had to make her feel like shit for rejecting Abdullah. But it was true. She didn't do relationships. Well, she could have made an exception if he wasn't that short. No actually. She wouldn't. Relationships were haram. Abdullah would have to ask for her hand in marriage and she would have accepted that if he wasn't that short.

The revelation about his mindset made her feel better. Actually glad that she had rejected him. As they say 'inch inch bachi hai' (Saved by an inch). If only Abullah was an inch taller she would have accepted his proposal and married his misogynist self. Consequently, all her dreams of financial independency and her career would have went down into gutter.

People who go, "women's earnings aren't favored in the sight of Allah", do they even know that the first Islamic campaign was funded by a woman? Hazrat Khadija (A.S) funded everything. Spent all her money on Islam. Zoya definitely would give Abdullah her peace of mind if he said that kind of disgusting stuff in front of her. Right now, she had better things to focus on. Abdullah was a distraction enough for Kainat, who bought her lie and didn't question her further.

Zoya glanced at the airplane guy's direction and her light brown eyes met his black. It felt like forever. She stared into his black eyes completely unaware of the surrounding. Breaking the gaze after getting hold of herself, Zoya searched his face for any sign of recognition, and he smirked.

Kamina, was her first thought. Followed by questions.

Did he recognize me?

It was a short flight. He probably doesn't remember me. If I take his calm cucumber attitude in consideration, it means that he probably takes a lot of flights. Which means that he will hopefully not remember me. Plus, don't I look different with this makeup on, and my hair done? He is probably smiling at me in curtesy. Like one-guest-to-other-guest smile. Not that, I-know-you-from-airport smile. Zoya now stared at the floor after getting caught as she stared him shamelessly.

I need to get away from here.

He is probably from the event management.

Yes! I won't see him tomorrow. He is not from the bride sides. Or from the grooms side. Alizey had introduced me to everyone who she thought was a suitable match except for Hashim's cousin who still hadn't arrived yet. So, he was definitely a one-time guest. Hide Zoya hide. Zoya thought to herself.

"Kainat, I think I forgot to lock my suitcase. I'll just go check." Zoya made an excuse. But it was a sucker one and she got caught. "You locked it Zoya. Stop fretting." Kainat told her.