Zubaida was seated at one of the most popular tables, with Kristen and a few of her girl friends. Students from all around the cafeteria were glancing in their direction and talking in hushed voices.

"Never mind their stares, that's what they are good at, making fun of others behind their backs." Kristen said, sensing Zubaida's uneasiness.
Zubaida gave her a wry smile.
"Why are you always so reserved?" Patricia, the redhead, asked her.
"I guess people don't like mingling with me, being a Muslim, so I try to keep to myself." Zubaida replied.
"There is nothing wrong in being what you want to be!" Kristen exclaimed.
"Not everyone thinks that way." Zubaida said.
"Screw everyone. Who cares what others think!" Lucy, the tallest girl at their college, expressed herself.
"Exactly!" Kristen said, "You are welcome to join us, we are a bunch of out of place girls, who don't give a damn about this cruel world."

It took Zubaida a moment to process Kristen's offer for friendship.
"Thank you so much." Zubaida said, after a pause, with a hint of enthusiasm.
"Friends then?" Patricia asked, taking another bite of her pasta.
"Friends." Zubaida replied with a genuine smile on her lips.

...................
"Put on the maroon dress you wore for Maria's wedding," Hajrah said, as Zubaida came out of the washroom, freshening up after her return from the college,"Some relatives of one of the colleagues of baba are coming with the risha° of their son for you."
"You are kidding, right aapi?" Zubaida asked, laughing at what her elder sister had just said.
"No, I am not." Hajrah replied seriously.
Zubaida suddenly fell silent.

"Baba did not have money to pay my fees, now how will he arrange for my marriage?" Zubaida inquired, agitated.
"They will arrange for everything, we won't have to worry even for a penny. They are not demanding dowry as well." Hajrah said , clearly impressed.
"Why are they being so generous?" Zubaida asked, sarcastically.
"They are a very Islamic family and want to marry their son according to Sunnah°." Hajrah replied.
"That is what all of them say at the beginning, even Murtaza bhai° was sweet as honey at first, they show their true color after marriage." Zubaida said.
Hajrah stiffened at the mention of her ex-husband.
"Not everyone has a wretched fate like me," Hajrah said with a sigh,"Insha'Allah°, you will have a blessed married life."
"Yes of course," Zubaida mocked Hajrah," till I come back divorced. I wonder, how Amma will take that news, probably she will lose her eyesight this time."
"Zubaida! Do you know what you are saying?" Hajrah scolded her sister," Just go and get ready, the guests will be here at around 7 p.m."

...................
"Masha'Allah°, your daughter is very beautiful Zubair sahib°." The most overweighted woman among the guests said, complimenting Zubaida.
"All the credit goes to my lovely wife." Zubair Ahmed said smiling at Naeema.
Zubaida's mother could not listen to what her husband said, but none the less, smiled when all the others laughed.

The prospective groom sat exactly opposite to Zubaida, ogling her from behind his thick glasses. He might as well be drooling, Zubaida thought with disgust. She scowled at him defiantly.

"Aunty, please try these. Zubaida made them herself." Hajrah said, passing a dish of samosas° to the possible future mother in law of Zubaida.
Zubaida turned to look at Hajrah in astonishment, she could not believe her sister just lied for her sake. She came to know about the visit of these people only an hour before their arrival and all the edibles were either prepared by Naeema or Hajrah or were purchased.
Naeema nudged Zubaida, signaling with the eyes, to lower her gaze.

"Sharjeel has to leave for Singapore, due to a work assignment, in about a week's time. We were wondering if the nikah° could be performed before his departure?" Sharjeel's father asked.
Zubaida wanted to vanish in thin air. She felt sick in her stomach, being a part of all this drama. She was definitely not going to marry this middle aged, almost bald man, sitting in front of her.
"Certainly, why not!" Zubair Ahmed said, crushing Zubaida's fantasy." You may choose a date that is the most convenient for you. "

.....................
°Rishta: It is the Urdu word for a marriage proposal.
°Sunnah: It is an Arabic word and refers to the records of the teachings, deeds and sayings , permissions and disapprovals of the Islamic prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), that have become models to be followed by the Muslims.
°Bhai: Is an Urdu word which means 'brother' in English.
°Insha'Allah: Arabic for 'God willing' or
'if Allah wills'. It is said by Muslims all over the world and a few non Muslims too, when speaking about some plans and events expected to occur in the future.
°Masha'Allah: Is an Arabic phrase that expresses appreciation, joy, praise or thankfulness( towards Allah) for an event or person.
°Sahib: Is a polite title or form of address for a respected man, in Urdu.
°Samosa: Is a triangular fried or baked pastry with a savoury filling, such as spiced potatoes or cooked minced meat (beef, mutton or chicken). The samosa is claimed to have originated in Central Asia.
°Nikah: It is an Urdu word referring to the Islamic matrimonial contract between two people (bride and groom). There must be two Muslim witnesses at the time of signing the Nikah nama( marriage contract). Nikah is an act of Sunnah in Islam and is strongly recommended.