Naureen

I sat on my bed reading one of my favourite novel- Pride and Prejudice.
I had read it many times yet I chose to read it again to distract myself from the thoughts by keeping myself busy with this book. I had took two days leave from work, to help up for Sidra's wedding preparations.

Just then Sidra's call interrupted me.

"Assalamu alaikum, Noor" she greeted happily.

"Walaikum assalam" I replied with the same tone.

"You're coming two hours earlier, right?" she questioned.

"Yeah. I will be there by 4 pm" I replied, smiling to myself, thinking about my best friend's big day.

It was Sidra's nikah (wedding) today. MashAllah, I am very happy for her.

"Okie and wait! I had to ask you something...uh...i don't remember...yeah! How was the chat?" she asked.What chat?

"What chat? with whom?" I voiced my thoughts.

"tsk. Your conversation with Saif's dad."

Ya Allah! I forgot! He was going to come to school the day we took a half day! how stupid can I be?

"You forgot?" she asked.

I sighed. "Yeah...he must've been so pissed off. What would he be thinking of me? Calling such a busy man and not even attending. He wouldn't think I did it on purpose would he?" I blabbered.

"No Noor, but you can always apologise. I'll take the blame.I was the one who took you to shopping that day. I forgot you had to meet him. I'm sorry." she said.

"No it okay. not your fault. I'll try to call him tomorrow at school and apologise"

We talked for a few minutes and then I decided to take a nap.

******

I wore my peach coloured maxi dress. It had beautiful white design on it. It looked really beautiful on me. It perfectly fitted me, neither too tight nor too lose, as if it was just made for me.

I tied my soft and lush auburn curls in a side-braid and put on a white coloured hijab. I applied some kohl and a baby pink lip gloss. I didn't like much makeup. I love the natural beauty.

When I was ready I left for Sidra's house, for her make over.

Sidra was already dressed in her maroon lehenga, which suited her perfectly.

I am not that good at doing makeovers but I tried my best.
I managed to arrange Sidra's raven down hair in a perfect hairstyle, which I learned from youtube, a big thanks to youtube.

I applied little foundation, and some kohl. Brushed her cheeks with light pink blush and a red lipstick with gloss.

"I'm done." I smiled proudly.
"Awww...Masha Allah! You look so pretty" I further continued.

"Aw..Noor, You're the best. I look gorgeous." She smiled widely.

I wrapped her head with the silky bright red headscarf, with beautiful stones fixed on it.

"Perfect!" I grinned at her.

"Just perfect!" she giggled.

*****
The nikah ceremony was held at Greenland lawn. The place was enlighten with beautiful colourful lighting. The stage was decorated, and two fancy
chairs were placed on it, for the bride and the groom. " Bilal weds Sidra" was written with bright glittery shades and was hung on background of the stage. The wedding was not highly luxurious but a simple and sweet one.

I, Sidra and few of Sidra's cousin's were gathered at the women's side. Sidra was blushing by all the teasing from her cousin's. I too joined them. I didn't wanted to miss this golden opportunity of teasing her. After some time guest started to arrive, slowly the empty lawn was filled with people and noise of there chit- chat.

Finally it was time for the nikah. The kazi recited the surahs and verses. Silence filled the hall when the bride accepted the groom by saying it thrice. The groom's approval could be heard on the microphone.

The nikah was done. Everyone congratulated the new couple. Dates and sweets were distributed.
I took Sidra on the stage and made her sit on the chair beside Bilal.

"Congratulations! May Allah(SWT) keep you both happy and blessed." I greeted them.

"Jazakallah" The couple replied simultaneously.

"You look beautiful, Mash Allah" Bilal whispered to Sidra. But I being the stealthy listener, heared it anyway.

Sidra blushed after hearing a complement from her husband.

"Jazakallah" She murmured with scarlet cheeks.

"Bilal bhai cannot take his eyes off his bride. Bhai it's not just two of you, we are here too."
said Bilal's younger sister, Maysa.

Bilal smiled and flicked her head.

"Masha Allah! They look so cute together." One of Sidra's cousin said.

"Awww...cutest couple ever" the girls said in union.

Sidra turned pink.Again. She never stopped in the first place.

"Stop it now all of you. Don't you have anything else to do?" Sidra muttered.

We all chuckled and got caught up in conversation.

"Where's Ayaan? I didn't see him anywhere."Sidra asked, turning to me.

"He texted me saying he has a very important meeting to attend. He told me to give his wishes."

Sidra was about to say something when I cut her off

"-AND, he has cancelled another meeting of his so he can come for the walima to make it up to you "

Sidra smiled, satisfied but then pouted. I frowned and asked her the reason to which she replied with,

" I wish he was here to gawk at how pretty you look"

I gave her a look. "you know I don't like him so much-"

Liar Liar pants on fire.

Shut up, stupid inner self.

"-that you don't spare me even on your wedding day. I should be the one teasing you" It was my turn to pout

"you don't like him?" she asked, confused but I didn't miss the mischievous glint in her eyes.

She got that from the whole blabber?

" Well then. I suddenly feel like playing cupid. Whoops! shouldn't have said that out loud. Anyways" she babbled.

"how about that guy? sitting beside Bilal. I think he is his friend." she whispered.

I pinched her." what in the world Sidra?!" I whisper yelled

She chuckled.

"No seriously, look at him, You'll make a great couple, and I think he's Muslim too, oh and he isn't much older than you-"

"Dad!" a kid, standing with his back towards us, ran to the guy.

I raised a brow at Sidra.

"Ooopsie" she said sheepishly.

The guy and the kid whispered something to the each other and then he walked off. When the kid passed us, I caught a glance of his face and was surprised to know that it was Saif!

"Wait. was that Saif??" Sidra asked.

"Yes and that's his father!" i exclaimed.

"I think I'll just pay a visit to Saif" I said

"Yeah, go check up on him. But I can see he's standing around some men's squad." Sidra said

Just then Ali stepped on to the stage with about 2 ice cream cups in each hand and a lollipop in his mouth. He is such a kid.

"Hey Ali can you do us a favour?" Sidra asked him.

He looked at me and then nodded his face towards me. I shook my head, sighing, and removed the lollipop from his mouth while Sidra rolled her eyes.

" Yes, but only if you-" he looked at sidra "give me 2000 Rs for Eidi this time. And you-" he paused to look at me, "promise to eat all my veggies for a month."

Sidra nodded her head and I copied her actions.

"And how would I know you won't tell mum? say wallahi"he asked.

"urgh! Wallahi I won't tell aunt! now hurry before he leaves for dinner " I pointed at Saif standing between a group of men with a boy of his age.

Ali turned to him." That little kid? what do I tell him?"

"tell him that I want to talk to him and bring him here and DON'T force him if he doesn't want to"

he nodded his head, handing us the ice cream cups and left before warning us not to eat his food. But Sidra being Sidra already started eating one of his ice creams anyway.

In a few minutes Saif was reluctantly walking towards us but his father stopped him. They shared a few words and then both of them started walking towards us.

"Assalam wa alaikum. I'm Saif's dad." He gave a small smile, staring at Saif. I took in the man's features. He had his brunette hair styled in a quiff and was dressed in a dark blue waistcoat. He had a thick beard as well.

"Uh.. we alaikum assalam. Did you come to the school that day?" I asked. Through my peripheral vision I could see Ali return and he and Sidra started bickering about the ice cream.

"No..uh-i was a bit busy." He glanced at Saif again.

I sighed in relief and asked him the one question bugging me.

"Is there something wrong with Saif? I've observed he's been distant lately. And there is quite a decrease in his grade."

He pressed his lips in a straight line."umm..its actually..." he sighed," He is rather depressed lately due to his mother's sudden..d-death" his voice quivered.

I flinched hearing the word. Saif looked at his father with disbelief written all over his face. Tears pooled in his eyes and he walked off. I was confused yet I was worried. He was just a kid. How is he supposed to handle all this. This was unexpected though. I never thought this would be the reason of his downcast behaviour.

"They were very close" he continued wiping stray tears. I felt my eyes water as well.

"h-how did she..."I left the question hanging.

"Bus accident. She was heading to Mysore and the bus met with an accident. Nobody survived" he replied, staring into space.

My breath hitched and hands trembled.

Bus heading to Mysore
Accident

"I'm.. so..s- sorry...a-about it" I stuttered

"No, You don't have to be.
And about Saif, he just couldn't move on. My wife,was everything to us." He blinked off tears.

"w-what w-was hh-her n-name?" I asked

He gave me a shady look but answered anyway,

"Razia. Razia Hamid."

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Hamid's outfit above^
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Sorry to say that I will not be updating tomorrow :( as I'm very busy with assignments. I have to submit them on time.

love,
TheHijabQueen