Naureen

I woke up by buzzing sound of my phone. It was time for fajr.
Last night, I had peaceful sleep. I felt fresh after having sufficient amount of sleep.

I dragged my legs towards the washroom, performed ablution and started to pray. After praying I did Sajda-e-shukran thanking Allah(SWT) for the calm night. Then I recited few surah's of Quran. Reading Quran makes my heart feel lighter. It calms my soul.

I took a refreshing bath and dressed up in light green Salwar suit.
and headed towards the living room. Aunt was not up yet so I decided to make breakfast for everyone. I made french toast and tea.
We had hearty breakfast. It feels so good having a lovely time with your family.
After breakfast I left for work.

******

I finished up with two lectures and was sitting in the staff room. Sidra was busy with her classes.

I decided to read something, rather than sitting here and getting bored. So I walked towards the library.

Library was at the ground floor.
We had a very large library consisting of a lot of books. I was confused about which book to choose as I loved to read all types of books.
There are two sections in the library. One section consist of Islamic books while other section is of various novels.

I was wondering in the library when I heard someone's footsteps running towards my direction. I turned my gaze towards the person and saw none other than Sidra.

"No..oor.. you-I-here" she said breathlessly.

"Yes I'm here. What happened? Why are you panting, like you ran a marathon. " I asked with a worried look.

"I have....been.. looking for...you everywhere in.... the school." she said

"Oh sorry. i should have told you befo- why didn't you call me?" I asked her.

"you  weren't picking up my call? Where's your phone?" she cut me off staring at my empty hands. Oh. I think I left it in the staff room.

I smiled sheepishly at her, "I left it in the staff room".

She shook her head at me."dumb woman" she muttered.

"Hey!"  I punched her shoulder.

She laughed.                      "Anyway, Why were you looking for me?" I asked.

"Come on, we are going for Shopping!!! " she tugged on my arm, excitement gleaming in her doe eyes.

"Shopping...Now?? and what about the school" I asked, confused.

"I have already taken permission from the principle. she was fussing about it at first but then....well you know me"she winked.

I folded my hands and gave her a stern look. "What excuse did you make this time?"

I remembered that time when we needed to attend a friend's wedding and Sidra had told the principle that my grandma passed away when I had never seen my grandma.

"Uh......you wouldnt wanna  to know" she said abruptly. It was my turn to shake my head at her as she started dragging me out of the school.

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"Ugh! Why don't you have this piece in some other colour! I don't like dark colours."  Sidra whined, tugging at the deep blue coloured maxi dress.

The sales girl sighed, Cleary exhausted. "I am sorry mam, but that's all we've got. You can try at some other shop if you are not pleased."she replied politely.

I just stood there staring at them with Sidra's seven bags, all from different shops. If you haven't noticed, I'm not a big fan of shopping. If I need a dress, I just choose from the first five I see at the store.

She huffed and walked out, with me following her like a lost puppy.

"Why do you need another dress? Aren't these enough?" I asked, waving the bags in the air.

"No. I still have to buy a wedding dress." she said, as if offended.

"WHAT? what are these dresses for then?" I asked, horrified.

"Well, I'm gonna wear the yellow anarkali on my mehendi, I know right, typical. And the peach maxi skirt with the white blouse on my first dinner with my in-laws after marriage, the royal blue one with golden embroidery on my walima, the purple Salwar kammez on my first day at school after marriage and the last one, the golden lehenga on the third day of our marriage, when we'll be visiting my parents" she took a breath finishing her blabber.

"You are UNBELIEVABLE" I whisper yelled.

"oh shush! just help me find a gorgeous dress."

"okay but no arguing with the sales girls"

"yeah yeah.." she said
_____________________

We finally found a beautiful maroon lehenga with golden embroidery, a typical Indian wedding dress and bought it. I was so thankful the shopping was FINALLY over.

But isn't the whole universe against me. Y'all too.

"Now it's time to buy a pretty dress for a pretty lady" Sidra exclaimed.

"Pretty lady? Who?" I asked.

"You,...duh" She rolled her eyes

"Sidra it's been four hours since we are shopping, my legs are not in the condition of walking. Can we please do it tomorrow" I  pouted, trying my best to convince her. Like, have some pity on my legs Woman!

"No..I only have one week for all the preparations. And I want to buy the best dress for my friends after all you are going to be the 'brides maid' " she squealed. Trust me this girl doesn't stop squealing like monkeys. Don't tell her that though.

After the short debate between us, as always, Sidra won the argument. She pulled me towards another store. 

"Isn't that Ayaan?" Sidra asked pointing behind me.

"Sidra please, not now. No teasing, please" I sighed not bothering to turn because I know she is just teasing me. She does that often.

"Hey, I'm not lying. He's here see for yourself" she said , pointing behind me.

I turned around  and my gaze landed on none other than Ayaan. Oh, he really was there. He waved at us and walked over while Sidra started nudging my sides.

"Assalamu alaikum, ladies" he greeted.

"Walaikum assalam" we replied in unison.

"You here?" I asked.

"He must be buying a gift for you" Sidra whispered ,with a shameless grin plastered on her face.

I pinched her, making her shut her mouth. One day this girl will surely lead me to great trouble.

"Did you say something?" Ayaan asked.

"No-nothing. So you were saying?" I said changing the subject.

"Actually I was here to buy a wallet." He explained

I nodded.

"And we were here to buy dress for my wedding." Sidra squeaked.

"Oh...Sidra, you're  getting married. Congratulations!" He smiled.

"Jazakallah Ayaan. But you have to come to the wedding if you really want to congratulate me." she said, almost sternly.

"Yeah. sure I will try to, you know my busy schedule" he pressed his lips in a thin line.

"hmm....okay. Anyway, we were going to buy a dress for Noor. Why don't you help us with it" Sidra glanced at me.

"I'd love to. But only if Noor is happy with it. I think she doesn't like my choice" he teased.

"No. It's nothing like that." I said, almost too quickly.

"ahem!" Sidra fake coughed bit my glare was enough to shut her up. "So let's go!" Sidra said happily.

After making me try ten dresses  Ayaan choosed a peach maxi dress with white work on it. It was a beautiful dress. I knew Ayaan has a pretty good choice.

After spending half day at the mall we finally headed back to our respective homes, with aching legs, but with a content smile on our faces.

May Allah always keep us happy.

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Sorry for the fashionably late update.
Also,
Next chapter is the heart of the story so don't miss it.
And also plz comment and vote.

love,
TheHijabQueen