*Ring Ceremony*

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-Maryam-

"Are you okay?" Dad asked me as we ride back home. I nodded slowly and shake my head lightly to clear my mind with everything that happened.

"Are you sure? I mean you seem quiet since you get back talking to Shehry." I know Mom would know, but I am not ready to talk and I have to think about it.

"Did he say something to make you upset?" Dad asked me sternly. I quickly shake my head and my face turned red when Mom grinned at my reaction.

"No. I just want some time to think about this proposal. I will tell you my decision tomorrow." I told them. They nodded slowly.

When we reach home, we get into the house. Mom and Dad went in their room and I went upstairs in mine. I sigh as I step in my room. I quickly take off my hijab and fall in bed with my face on the pillow and scream loudly as I can. I wanted to do it since Shehryaar indirectly say he loves me. I just want to scream in excitement. I don't really know why I said I want to think when I want to be with him forever.

'I will tell my parents about my decision tomorrow.' I promised to myself.

***

"Assalam-o-Alaikum." I give my Salam as I walk in the dining room. Everyone give me their blessing before we start eating breakfast.

"What is with that smile on your face?" Saim asked as he notices my smile that I tried to hide it. I looked up at him with a frown, trying to calm down as everyone turned to me.

"W-what smile?" I stuttered it out, but groaned mentally when everyone smirk at me.

"Is it about last night?" Nadia interrupted before I could defend myself. I looked at her surprised and start shaking my head. I lowered my head and hide it in my hands as everyone laugh at my reaction.

"Enough teasing her." I heard Dad's stern voice, but I could feel laugh in his voice. I peak him through my fingers and saw him controlling his laugh. I take my face out and a pout from my lips, which making him laugh with everyone else. I slowly get back to eating my breakfast and saw as everyone laugh like crazy.

"Are you all done?" I asked them as they finally calm down. They nodded with a smirk. I rolled my eyes at Saim who continue to give me teasing looks. "I have to say something."

"What? Is it about that proposal?" Mom asked quickly. I nodded nervously.

"Yeah."

"Do you like him?" Dad asked me softly. I looked at him nervously and was about to answer him, but Saim beat me.

"She loves him." I glared at him and saw Dad giving me a teasing smile.

"I just wanted to say, I am ready because I know whatever you all decide will be best for me." I told him honestly. Dad smiled at me softly and lightly put his hand on my head and nodded.

"We will call them today and tell your decision." Mom says smiling. I smiled back and finish my breakfast as they started to talk about preparations.

***

"What the hell I am listening? You are getting married?" I looked up and saw as Misha sit on a chair in front of me. I smile and give me Salam before taking a sleeping Aahil from her.

"I am." I told her and saw as she looked at me clearly not happy. "To Shehryaar." I saw as a happy smile take over her face with a surprised look. We looked up as a waitress stop at our table and we give her our order.

"Why didn't you tell me before? Shehry didn't tell us about it either." She says with a glare. I sigh and start telling her everything that happened, how Dad and Mom break proposal news to me and tell me that his new client with whom he is working invite us for dinner and to meet their son.

I was nervous and almost told them about Shehryaar on our way there, but stop when we turn toward his house. It doesn't matter that I go to his house a few times, but I still remember where he live.

"You are saying that his parents ask your parents about it?" I nodded. "I know about your's and his Mom being friends, but I don't have any idea that they will actually talk to your parents about it."

"How do you about our Moms being friend?" I asked her confused. She smile and start telling me everything.

"Rayyan Dad throws a party for awhile and they invited all business men in the city. Your Dad was invited with his wife and there Mom and Aunty see your Mom and remember each other." She explained me everything. I nodded finally knowing everything. When our order, we start eating and switch the conversations to something light.

"So you start planning everything?" She asked me. I shrugged and tell her that Mom will be handling it. After finishing our meal, we talk for a few minutes before Aahil started to cry and Misha takes him back home while I leave for mine.

***

"Maryam?" I heard Mom calling me. I stood up from the chair where I was reading books. I went downstairs in the living room and saw everyone there.

"Yes, Mom?" I asked her and she looked at me and patted the space beside her for me to sit.

"We called Shehryaar parents and tell them about your decision. They wanted to do engagement this weekend, is that okay with you." She asked me after she tell me what they talk about. I nodded with a shy smile. I looked at everyone as they decide what they are going to do. Mom divided work to everyone because engagement will be held at our house.

I walk back upstairs in my room when Mom told me to get ready for shopping for my dress. I had a lot of Pakistani dresses, but Dad didn't want to wear it. He wants me to go shopping with Mom and choose what I had to wear. He didn't want me to wear what he choose because he know I didn't like heavy dresses.

Finally, my dreams are coming true.

***

"I am so sorry." I shake my head and smile slightly at Simra.

"Don't worry about it. It's fine. You should take rest but you have to here for my wedding." She nodded quickly making me laugh. I looked at her daughter as she tried to grab me through the screen. I laugh lightly as she start hitting the screen before her eyes filled with tears and she started to cry loudly.

"I will talk you later." I nodded and hung up the video call after saying goodbye. I laid back on my back and stare at the ceiling with a smile.

Today is my engagement and everyone are downstairs doing their last minute thing. I didn't have to worry about anything because I already make my mind how to do things until Shehryaar family arrive. They will be here in 3 hours which is more then enough for me.

Peoples who are invited was only close friends and family memebers. My grandparents and Simra parents came to attend it from L.A. Unfortunately Simra couldn't come because she fall from stairs a few days ago and her ankel twist which caused her to take complete bed rest but she is going to be here for my wedding which wouldn't be anytime soon.

***

"Are you okay?" Misha asked me with a worried look. I looked at her and shake my head. She, Waniya and Nadia smirked at me and give me teasing looks.

"Don't tease me." I glared at them but they glared back at me.

"It is our right to tease you. You were doing the same with me when I was getting engaged." Misha remind me. Nadia agreed with her. I open my mouth to complain but shut it when I remember doing the same. They grinned in victory making me roll eyes.

"Nasir Uncle is calling Maryam Aapi downstairs." Safia told us as she walk in with Fatima. I am happy that they are becoming friends because I didn't see them hanging out with their friends or maybe they are too shy to make any friends.

Fatima my soon-to-be sister-in-law smiled at me and they both walk toward me. I stood up and check my dress and smile. The shirt was in dusty rose color with very light embroidry but veil had a little more work in the same color as the shirt with golden pajama. Mom thought it was simple but for me it was enough work. I like it and think this is the right dress for me to wear tonight.

When we reach downstais in living room, Mom and Aunty came by my side and walk me toward the couch where Shehryaar was sitting. I looked up when I reach him and saw him giving me a smile. He was wearing the golden Sherwani. I smiled back nervously and sit next to him. My two Moms kissed my forehead and went back to their places.

I look around for a minute and saw everyone here. Shehryaar family and his friends, Rayyan and his family, Misha and her family. Waniya and her family. My all family memebers are here. They all are smiling at us and giving us their silent blessings.

It was time for us to exchange the rings. Our Moms make us wear the rings and feed us sweets before moving back so other could congratulate us. Rayyan and Shehryaar other friends snapped some pictures for us before moving away. I glared at Misha, Waniya and Nadia as they smirk and walk toward us to congratulate us.

When everything was done, everyone stood up and went in dining room for dinner. Shehryaar and I were the last one to leave but I want to talk to him about our wedding. As he was near the door, I stop him. He looked at me confused but nodded when I tell him I have to say something. I open my mouth to talk but Dad walk back in living room.

"Everyone is waiting for both of you." Dad told us but get confused when we didn't move.

"You can eat and give us few minutes, we will be there. I have to talk about something." I told Dad and give him a look when he was about to aruge. He nodded suspiciously but leave us alone.

"Sit." We both sit back on the couch where we were sitting before.

"What's wrong?" Shehryaar asked me. I sigh and look down at my hands before my eyes stop at the ring on my finger.

"I don't want to marry now."

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Update! I hope you all like it and let me know what you think about it.

Last chapter and Epilogue will be out soon. (In Sha Allah). After this book, book 3 will be continue from chapter 2.

Destiny brings Us Together will be posted tomorrow evening In Sha Allah.

Thank you for everything. ☺

-Maddy.!