Incandescence

Chapter 44

The following weeks passed in a flurry of activity. Neither I knew how time went by and neither Anis did. We were swept in a flurry of activity that was going at our respective households. I saw little of him over these weeks because I was considered a bad omen for the bride and groom to meet before the wedding. I met him about a week ago when Anis took me shopping for the reception dress. It was tradition that the groom's family gave a wedding reception the day after the wedding, therefore, the dress was also a gift from the groom. We had roamed Centaurus Mall and Safa Gold Mall but nothing clicked me. Anis had laughed so much at me for being choosy but I just made a face and continued searching designers on my tablet.

Sometime later, we stepped into the Karma designer outlet somewhere in Rawalpindi. I had a good feeling about this place and I was right. I found the dress I was looking for there. It was sea-green and sky blue concoction that called out to me. I tried it on and showed Anis but it was Maira said that the dress was made only for me. After that day, I hadn't seen Anis till now.

Only two more days left till the wedding and Sadaf had organized a small mayun function at home. She had designed my dress herself, which was bright yellow with some green lace on the sides. The dress was simple as this function required to wear simple clothes. I was watching my burns in the mirror with a wry smile on my face when the door opened and Sadaf entered, holding a basket decorated with golden and silver paper.

"Alisha! You haven't changed yet?" She whined, looking at me with disapproval. I broke out of my stupor and turned to face her.

"I was just going to change." I said and got up hastily. The picture of Sadaf and mine right before our graduation dropped on the floor near my feet. I tried to pick it up but Sadaf was quicker. She looked at the picture and then at me.

"Good old time, aren't they?" she asked, scrutinizing my face closely.

"Yeah! We look so fresh in this one." I glanced at the picture again. Sadaf agreed and then she turned towards me.

"Why were you watching this picture now, Alisha? What are you thinking?" She asked.

"I miss those carefree days, Sadaf. I didn't have to hide behind my hair or think that people won't like me. I was confident and beautiful back then." I sighed at memories.

"You are still beautiful, Alisha. Come here!" she dragged me towards the mirror and pulled my hair back.

"What do you see in the mirror?" She asked. I saw myself in the mirror, with the left side of my face almost the shade of yellowish white skin which had improved a lot over the last few months. It didn't look as bad as I'd imagined in the start.

"I see myself." I whispered. Sadaf shook her head.

"You know what I see?" she said. I nodded to allow her to tell me what she saw.

"I see my beautiful, gorgeous, sexy best friend standing in front of the mirror, procrastinating and not getting ready because she thinks she's not beautiful. You are beautiful Alisha, if you don't believe that nobody else will." Turning me towards her, she smiled at me and said.

"I know you wanted your wedding to be perfect. I remember those nights in bed when we shared our dreams with each other and I promise you that your wedding will be perfect. Now hurry up and change your clothes before someone else comes in searching for you." I nodded and then overcome with emotions, I hugged Sadaf.

"I don't know if I've ever told you this but I love you, Sadaf. I don't know what I had have done without you." She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tightly.

"I love you too." Stepping back, I walked to the dressing room to get my clothes changed.

Half an hour later, I was changed and almost ready. Sadaf had tied my hair in a beautiful French braid which was decorated with beautiful strands of yellow and white flowers. I wore matching flower jewelry which consisted of earrings, bracelets and bindiya, this was a piece of jewelry made for the head which consists of flowers and pinned with a hairpin.