It's my engagement day and I'm so nervous. I need someone to talk about these nervousness and what I'm going through right now and now I'm feeling the loss of not having many female friends. My only female friend is on her honeymoon. Since it's a small function we didn't get to invite many people and the function is going to happen in our house garden. All of my cousins from my mother's side didn't get to come because they are living in different cities. Most of them are married and most of them are still bachelors. Only Zain's family and some of my father's and mother's really close friends are invited. I had a talk with Zain yesterday on call and he said he will be there early at the function but he's still not here.
It's evening and I've already prayed my Maghrib Salah.
Right now I'm sitting on a chair in my room in front of the mirror wearing a peach coloured mermaid lace gown with full sleeves. The lace is engraved with shiny material. It's a beautiful gown designed by mom. Well these are the perks of having a designer mother. Mrs. Samaira Hussain, a known makeup artist in the city and one of my mom's friends, is doing my make-up. I told her to make it look natural and not to overdo it.
I wanted my engagement to be simple but mom wanted it to be memorable because it's her eldest child's engagement.
When she was done with my makeup I looked at myself in the mirror. She has done a natural minimal makeup look. She has used a light base to give an even tone, with subtle colours to accentuate my features. She has made my look all peachy and pinky, just like I'm blushing. It’s the perfect makeup look because I wanted to look great but not all made-up. It's even making me look flawless, while not distracting from your natural features.
She put my hair in a bun and after covering it with a tube cap she tied my matching hijab beautifully using a lot of pins.
When I was ready she went out of the room to meet mom. Mom, dad and Munif are busy with all the arrangements. Uncle Adnaan and Aunt Fatima are also doing a lot of effort for the arrangements but I've not seen Zain once. According to his schedule he has a day off today.
After a while mom came into my room.
"Oh Allah I can't believe you're going to get engaged" mom said and I smiled.
"You're looking beautiful dear" she complimented and I can see tears in her eyes.
"Thank you," I replied.
"I can't believe that you're going to get married and you're going to leave us" she said sadly.
"Mom, don't say this, I'm not going to leave the city or country. I will always come to meet you and today is my engagement, not my wedding," I said.
"I love you sweetheart" she said.
"Love you too mom, now don't make me cry I'm going to ruin my make-up" I said while hugging her.
After a while she went out of the room. Then Munif came to my room.
"Hey girl, what did you do to my sister?" He said dramatically.
"Here I'm dying out of nervousness and you're joking around?" I said angrily.
"Why are you nervous they're not an outsider, they're our family. You don't have to be uncomfortable around them" he said.
"I'm nervous because it's all new to me and it's just normal for brides to be nervous, no?" I almost said like asking him.
"Well I don't know," he said. "You're looking beautiful by the way," he said.
"Thank you, why did you come here?" I asked.
"Oh yeah Zaid and his family is here I came here to bring you downstairs" he said.
"Oh" I said.
"What are you waiting for, let's go," he said as I got up.
When I went downstairs with Munif I saw all the guests in my garden. I went to the small stage which was made for me and Zaid. There I saw Zaid wearing a peach coloured tuxedo. The colour was the same as my dress. It was Zainab's idea for Zaid to wear a similar coloured dress as me. He looked stunning.
"Are you done checking your future husband?" Munif asked.
"Shut up" I said.
Then he stood me next to Zaid.
"You're looking beautiful," Zaid said.
"Thank you" I said shyly, feeling the heat on my cheeks.
Aunt Reem and Zainab came and after greetings and complimenting each other they went down the stage leaving me and Zaid alone on the stage.
It was so awkward being the centre of attention. It's usual for me to be the centre of attention while giving speeches in seminars but right now it's different.
After a while Aunt Fatima and uncle Adnaan came on the stage to meet Zaid.
"Assalamualaikum" we greeted them.
"Walaikum assalam" they answered.
I introduced them to Zaid.
"You're looking beautiful, Mary," Aunt Fatima said.
"Thank you" I replied with a huge smile.
"Are you both happy with this marriage?" Uncle Adnaan asked.
"Yes" we both said in unison and looked at each other then avoided each other's gaze.
Why is it feeling so awkward?
"Aunt, where is Zain?" I asked Aunt Fatema while Zaid was busy talking with Uncle Adnaan.
"You don't know he went out of the city to attend a seminar" she said.
"What? Dr. Paul was supposed to attend the seminar and yesterday he told me that he will be there at the engagement" I said, a little shocked.
"Yes he was not supposed to attend the seminar but suddenly yesterday night he told us that he will be leaving for seminar this morning" Aunt said.
"But-" I was cut off by mom when she called Aunt Fatima.
"I think your mom needs some help" Aunt said and got down the stage with Uncle Adnaan.
"Who is Zain?" Zaid asked suddenly.
"He is Aunt Fatema and Uncle Adnaan's son and my childhood best friend" I said with a smile. My cheeks are hurting with all the smiling and greetings.
"Why is he not here? I mean being a best friend he should be there" he asked.
"That's what I don't understand, yesterday he told me that he will be there but now I found out that he is not even in the city" I said a little frustrated but soon changed my expression with a smiling face.
Then I saw Munif near the stage talking with some of my dad's friends. I gestured to him to come on the stage.
"What happened Mary?" He said.
"Give me your phone!" I said with a frown.
"Why are you frowning?" he asked.
"Just give me your phone. I left my phone in my room" I ordered.
"Alright but why do you want my phone?" He asked.
"So that I can call Zain and ask why he ran away?" I said in an angry tone.
"Hey! Control your anger and what is it with all these frowning?" He said.
"I don't understand why he is doing this," I said, frowning more.
"Stop this behaviour, the guests are watching you," Munif whispered into my ears.
"Sorry Zaid but you have to handle this annoying girl," Munif joked and I just faked a smile.
I took Munif's phone and dialed Zain's number.
"Assalamualaikum" Zain said from the other line.
"Walaekum assalam where are you?" I asked.
"I'm attending the seminar," he said.
"I know that but why did you go to the seminar when Dr. Paul was supposed to attend the seminar and you were supposed to attend my engagement?" I said in one breath.
"Sorry for not attending the engagement but this seminar is important," he said.
"Not more than your best friend's engagement or is it?" I asked.
"I can't hear you, what are you saying the signal is weak" with that he cut the phone.
I tried calling him again but his number was out of reach.
Then mom, Aunt Reem and all of the members of our family and guests came near the stage.
Zainab brought a beautifully decorated ring platter. Both our rings are beautifully arranged on the platter in between flower petals.
We exchanged our engagement rings which were a couple rings. We bought the ring together of our own choice.
All the arrangements and shopping that we did in these past few days had brought us closer. Now I can say that I am happy with this marriage without any hesitation.
After the ring exchange we took a lot of pictures together with our families. My cheeks have started hurting with all the smiling.
"Are you happy?" Zaid asked.
"Yes I am" I said smiling and he smiled back.
I'm happy but even after having all these people here I'm feeling alone. I'm feeling a lack of a friend's presence. How much I'm missing Bella and Peter. I just got betrayed by my best friend. I was supposed to be happy because I just got engaged but I'm feeling devastated because of my best friend's betrayal. Yesterday he told me that he will be there and he can't miss my engagement but he went out of the city.
Right now we all are sitting on a table for dinner. Zaid's family, my family and Aunt Fatema and Uncle Adnaan we all were waiting for the food. Elders were discussing Nikah.
"Maryam and Zaid, is it okay for you both if we decide your Nikah to be held next month?" Aunt Reem asked.
"That's too early," I said.
"I agree," Zaid said.
"If you both have decided to marry each other we shouldn't delay the wedding" mom said.
"But mom it's too early and we need some time for all the arrangements" I said.
"No dear you don't have to worry about those things, we can arrange all the things," mom said.
"But-" Zaid was cut off by Aunt Reem.
"No buts in our family after fixing a marriage we don't leave it for long" Aunt Reem said.
"But first let me think about it properly and I'll have to talk to my chief for leave" I said.
"Alright talk to your chief then we can fix an exact date for the wedding" dad said.
"That's final, then you're going to get married next month," mom said happily.
After dinner all the guests and Zaid's family left the house. After a while Aunt Fatima and Uncle Adnaan also left. I went to my room and changed my dress into pajamas and slept.
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A/N: Assalamualaikum everyone!
Mariyam is engaged to Zaid.
What do you think will Zain be able to get Maryam?
Will Maryam be able to understand Zain's feelings?
What do you think why Zain is not confessing?
Comment your thoughts.
Don't forget to vote.
Thank you!
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