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36

Ramadan was halfway over, and today we were all invited to have Iftar at Uncle and Aunty's. I hadn't seen any of them since the engagement, so I was pretty excited. For once, I'm more excited than nervous. I fiddled with my ring as I sat in the car. Since the engagement, I rarely was seen without the ring. It's not even the materialistic aspect, just the fact that Zayn gave it to me, gives me butterflies. Aunty Asma had mentioned to Mama that she was craving Cream rolls, so Mama being Mama, decided to make a pit stop on the way to buy some Cream Rolls. My phone buzzed, and I picked it up to find more new messages from the group chat. Since none of us had seen each other in awhile, the group chat the past couple of weeks was as lively as ever.

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Fatima<3: So Zayn Bhai bought flowers for Layla Aunty, Anum Appi, Maya Dadi, Zara, Rukaiya and Saima Appi EVEN MARYAM but he forgot about me :/ I feel so loved

Zayn: Fatima IM SORRY I miscounted alright! I'll go to the store right now if it makes you feel better

Zayn: and it was supposed to be a surprise smh 

Fatima<3: too late now, you already broke my heart :(

Bhai bye: I see how it is Zayn smh where are my flowers :( I feel you Fatima we get no love in this family

"Bhai, you're an idiot," I said. He was sitting in the Driver's seat in front of me.

"You do know Zayn got all the women flowers because he wanted to get you flowers, but it would be weird if he just got you flowers?" He said, looking back at me, while Baba read the messages. He laughed at the messages mumbling something about how odd this generation was.

"That made no sense," I mumbled, texting back Bhabi, who was inside the store with Mama. She had asked if I wanted a chocolate bar, to which I, of course, replied yes.

Bhai turned around and looked back at me, then Baba, "Tell me, Baba, if a man wants to buy his fiance flowers, he can't just get them for her, but he has to get them for all the ladies in the family right?" Baba nodded, 

"Yes, Saima, remember when Omar brought flowers for every lady in Anum's family? To earn the girl's heart, you have to earn the one's of those she loves the most."

That made sense, but it didn't. "Whatever you say, Baba," I hummed.

A couple of minutes later, an exhausted Mama and Bhabi came into the car, "What took so long?" Bhai asked, starting up the engine,

Mama and Bhabi exchanged a look and started laughing. We all stared at them weirdly. They were both so weird. But I loved the relationship they had. I wish I had that mother in law- daughter relationship. I can only imagine how awful he must feel, Subhanallah. The loss of a parent is absolutely terrible.

"Nothing," Bhabi said, calming down, "Here, Saima," Bhabi said, passing me a Kit Kat. I squealed at sight and began to unwrap it. I moaned at the taste of the creamy chocolate goodness. Which probably was not the smartest idea since everyone around me was fasting...

"What did we get Zayn into?" Bhai mumbled.

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"Saima, remember these are your soon to be in-laws. Do not act weird," Mama scolded as we stood in front of the door, waiting for them to open it. I nodded, "Mama, it's not like he can un-engage me," I said, fiddling with my ring.

Mama looked at me wide-eyed and gasped, "That's exactly what he can do" I shook my head, "Isn't that good? Then I can live with you and Baba forever," I teased, wrapping my arm around her shoulder.
 She looked at me in disgust, and removed my arm from her shoulder and whispered under her breath, "Oh Allah, please can you make sure that never happens."

Before I could react to her request, the door opened. A beautifully dolled up Asma Aunty ushered us in.

"Bhabi!" Rukaiya squealed. I pretended to look around, "Who's your Bhabi?" I asked, even though I knew they were referring to me.

She hugged me and gasped, "You are silly! At least you will be," She winked as she led us all upstairs. Zara had come over earlier during the day. I walked in to find her and Fatima on the ground with this giant poster board.

"What's this?" I asked, smoothing my skirt and taking a seat on the cold floor.

Zara looked at me with this huge grin, "Your wedding mood board," she said, continuing to glue on a picture,

"A Moodboard? What for?" I asked, confused. Both the Nikah and the Waima were almost done planning. The venue, clothing, catering were all done. We were working on the little things now.

"So we can feel the vibe," Fatima said. The vibe? I just laughed. They were so cute. They loved planning the wedding, always sending me pictures and ideas. It was so cute.

"Okay, let's take a look," I said, examing the board. I scrunched up my nose, "Zaima?" Is that supposed to be -

"Ship name," Bhabi answered, a cheeky smile on her face. I shook my head. What were we in middle school?

"It's gonna be so pretty," I quietly said, getting nods of agreements,

"Iftar time!" Mama yelled from downstairs; everyone scurried down, excited to eat. I wasn't fasting, so I didn't feel that urge to eat but seeing all the food Aunty made got me excited. I took a seat beside Zara, with Bhabi across from me and beside her a very tired looking Zayn.
His under eyes were as dark as coal, and his usual cheeky smile not visible. I tried to read his emotions even more, but he caught me staring, raising his head and throwing me a smile - but I could tell it was a forced smile.
Looking away, I gave the food on the table my attention. All of the Piyaju's, Khichuri, and Samosa's it all looked amazing. Thank god I was wearing a skirt because my usual jeans would've been suffocating.

The Adhan was heard throughout the room, and we began to eat.

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"I think I'm going to have to go one of those wedding diets, or my dress won't fit," I exclaimed, falling onto the couch. I was so full, my stomach felt like a mountain, and I didn't even eat that much - okay, maybe a little, but it's hard to say no when everyone keeps pouring food onto your plate, insisting you need to eat more.

"It better that Lehenga is gorgeous," Bhabi said, placing a sleeping Maryam beside me.

It was then that Bhai came storming in, a pout on his face.

"Where's my angel," He said, looking for Maryam, I pointed to a sleeping Maryam, and he came over and gently picked her up, "Don't wake her," Bhabi scolded. He took Maryam and walked away. He then came back a couple of minutes later with Zayn trailing behind him. His hair all messed up, and his eyes exhausted.

"What's up," Fatima asked, lifting her head off the pillow. Bhai then pulled out controllers for the WII,

"Mario Kart time!"

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"How many times do I have to tell you guys you'll never beat me. Why even bother," I said with my eyes closed. Bhai grumbled something, "Why don't we play something else?" Rukaiya suggested. She and Fatima both exchanged a look. Without saying anything, Fatima walked away. Talk about twin telepathy. She came back with a Ludo board. We spent hours upon hours playing Ludo. I thought I was going to win - heck. I was so incredibly confident that I was going to win.

"That was cheating!!" I grumbled, getting hums of agreement. I had lost, lost every single round.

"Mario Kart is your specialty Ludo's mine," Zayn said with a smirk on his face as he fiddled with the pieces.

"No one even plays Ludo anyways," I stated, crossing my arms over my chest and getting raised eyebrows from everyone. Okay, maybe that wasn't true.

"Who's the sore loser now!" Bhai said, sticking his tongue like a little child. I threw a pillow at his face,

"You're more childish than Maryam" Before he could say a snarky remark, it was time for dessert, and we were all told to go to the kitchen and get what we want. I grabbed myself some Doi when someone stood beside me and grabbed the Jalebi, which was beside the Doi.

I couldn't help myself, and I asked, "Are you okay?" not looking at him. From the corner of my eye, Zayn looked at me, "Yes, why?"

I shrugged, "You just seem off."

"I'm okay," He said, although it sounded like he was trying to reassure himself. He walked away, and then I turned to Bhabi, who was beside me and saw the whole ordeal. She shrugged her shoulder, but I didn't miss the knowing glint in her eyes.

I walked back to the living room, hundreds of questions running through my head.

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"Jazakallah Asma, everything was amazing, and Thank you, Zayn, for the flowers," Mama said with the bouquet in her hands. I stared down at my bouquet, white and pink roses. They were stunning, and now officially my favorite. I always was more of a sunflower type of girl, but I love roses more after receiving these.

"Of Course, Aunty," Zayn said as he spoke to my mother about what the lady at the shop said about taking care of the roses,

"Saima has a better memory than me. I'm sure she'll remember adding the seasoning packet in the flowers. After all, she does love flowers" I laughed at Mama's use of "Seasoning packet" to describe the food for the flowers.

Zayn raised an eyebrow, "Well, Saima, I hope you liked these," He said, looking at me. I nodded,

"Yes, thank you, they're very beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as you," He said with a grin. I tried not to gasp at the sudden boldness, and right in front of my family, I could feel myself heat up, so I quickly turned away,

"Zayn, man, stop flirting with my sister. Save it for after the wedding, bro," Bhai said, making me even more flustered. I turned to Bhabi, praying she'd save me from this disaster, but instead, she had a smirk on her face,
"It's okay. I'm sure Saima likes it," and at that, while everyone started to laugh, I let out a gasp. No shame. They're all so lucky Baba wasn't here, or he would've had their heads. 

"Okay, okay, that's enough," Aunty Asma said, still laughing. We said our goodbyes, and I was about to head out,

"Assalamualikum Saima," Zayn said, smiling at me, his eyes slightly warmed up but still distant.

"Waalikumsalam, thank you, again for the flowers," I said, heading out. As I walked into the car, Baba was already inside. He took a look at me and then at the rest of my family,

"Why's Saima so red?" He asked, genuinely concerned; Mama, Bhai, Bhabi, and Zara looked at each other and then at Baba and me. They all started to laugh hysterically.

"Zayn was-" I clamped my hand over Bhabi's mouth. My Baba did not need to know this; knowing him, he might even call the wedding off.

"What?" He asked his eyes on the road. I removed my hand from Bhabi's mouth, giving her a look; she rolled her eyes,
"Zayn gave us all flowers," She smoothly replied.

"I know, I heard he's such a good boy; it's tragic what happened to his family," Baba said, again bringing up Zayn's family, still which I don't know about.

"How did his mom die, and why's his dad in jail?" I asked, not even trying to beat around the bush.

Mama and Baba exchanged a look, not replying. Even Bhai was silent.

"Please, I'm marrying him. Shouldn't I know what happened to my in-laws?"

"Zayn should be the one to tell you. It's not our place we barely even know all we know is that is dad's in jail, and his mom and sister died" Bhabi said,

"Sister?! No one mentioned anything about a sister?" I said, his mom and sister died; that's horrible. Why am I just hearing about all of this now?

"Bhabi, please tell me," I pleaded, "Mama, Baba!"

"Saima, we would if we knew! All we know is that his father played a part in his Mother and Sister dying," Mama said truthfully, 

"That's why Anum stayed longer in Dubai after the wedding."The pieces were starting to make sense, but as more pieces got solved, more questions appeared.

"Bhabi, is that all you know?" I asked she didn't respond.

After a minute, she shook her head and looked me dead in the eye. Tears were bubbling in her eyes,
"Zayn's father killed his mother and sister." 

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