Zaid's POV

I've never felt so nervous, so afraid, in my entire life. "Will you make me the luckiest and happiest man in the world, by agreeing to spend the rest of your life with me? Will you marry me?" I ask, my voice trembling, looking into the eyes of the girl I love so much.

With fumbling fingers, I open the small, velvet box. To say that Zara looks surprised is an understatement. She looks shocked. She looks at the ring in my hands, and then up at my face, her eyes glistening with tears.

She starts to cry, tears flowing down her beautiful face. Why is she crying? It's a bad sign, isn't it? Zara crying. Didn't she like my surprise? My proposal? She continues to look at me in shock, her fingers clutching the fabric of her dress tightly.

"Zara, please say something?" I whisper, chuckling softly. I have absolutely no idea what her answer will be, but I can't see her cry. If she refuses my proposal, I will be heartbroken.

She gently holds my free hand, her own trembling. When she smiles at me with tears streaming down her angelic face and nods, I can't believe my eyes. I must be dreaming.

I will never forget the next words which she says. She chuckles slightly, before nodding once more. 'Yes, Zaid, yes. Of course I'll marry you!' She laughs gently, before clutching onto my hand and giving me another dazzling smile.

I can't believe my ears. I can't believe it. This seems too good to be true. She said yes. She said yes! She agreed to marry me! I am the happiest man in the world right now. Nothing can bring me down. I'm the luckiest man. Zara will be my wife, my life partner.

The entire audience starts clapping and cheering as I take the ring out of the box and slip it onto Zara's left hand ring finger. It's a perfect fit. She looks at the ring on her hand, smiling, as more tears flow out of her eyes. I don't realise when I start to cry myself, but I can't help it. It feels like a dream! Zara, the only girl I have ever loved and ever will love, has agreed to marry me.

She stands up from the chair and I gather her in my arms immediately, hugging her tightly. This causes the audience to go even crazier, whistling and cheering. I wrap my arms around my girl, hugging her closer. She hugs me back, and I feel her tears seep through the front of my shirt. My own tears have started to soak the hair on the top of her head. All I care about right now, is Zara. I don't see anyone else right now. It's only me and her. I love her so much.

********

I have no idea how much time has passed, when Zara lifts her head from my chest. She wipes away her tears, and looks into my eyes, blushing profusely. I can't help but smile at her blush. It is her this blush which stole my heart months ago. Even after crying so much, she still looks perfect. She is the most beautiful girl in the world. No one can match her beauty.

"Already blushing, love?" I ask her, smirking at her expression.

She blushes harder, shaking her head. 'Stop it. I was going to kill you, for calling me onto the stage in front of so many people. I even told Aunty and Uncle.'

I chuckle. "So, have you changed your mind?" I cock my head to the side, looking at her beautiful face and the blush which deepens even more.

She nods. 'I was mad at you, but I think you made up for it. This was all...perfect.'

I grin, thinking of how madly I love this girl. She walked back into my life, and changed it completely. She changed my whole world, without even realising. She is my whole world. "I'm glad you liked it. Have I told you how beautiful, how perfect you look today?" I ask her.

She bites her lip, trying to control her blush. 'Just in front of the whole world.'

I chuckle, loving the effect I have on her. "How do you feel, Zara? How do you feel knowing that soon, you will be Mrs Zaid Malik?"

Her cheeks are now deep scarlet. She playfully hits me on the arm, before turning to walk away.

'I guess we don't have to go anywhere, as everyone is coming to us themselves,' I whisper, laughing. Our families are rushing to us, Hafsa in the lead. She has tears streaming down her face, as do Mum and Aunty. I've never seen my parents so happy before, and knowing that this happiness is due to me warms my heart.

Hafsa reaches the stage first. I laugh when she pushes past me and hugs the life out of her best friend. 'Zara, Zara, Zara! I love you so much!' Hafsa shouts at the top of her voice, hugging Zara tightly.

I frown, but chuckle at the same time. "Hafsa, you're hurting her. Don't hug her so tight!"

My sister turns to me, glaring. 'She's my best friend, so shut up bhai. I'll do what I want, she's not your wife yet. And even when she is, she'll love me more than you.'

Zara blushes deeply at this, causing me to smile again. Hafsa hugs her again. "I can't believe you're gonna be my Bhabhi (sister-in-law)!" She says to her, excitedly.

Zara nods, biting her lip and looking down towards the ground when Hafsa finally breaks the hug. After that, I'm attacked by a bone-crushing hug from my sister.

"Bhai! I love you so much! Not as much as Zara, but I love you so much too! You two made me the happiest girl in the world today, you know that?!" She screams as she continues to hug the life out of me.

I chuckle, hugging my sister back. 'I love you too, Hafsa. Now please, move, you're breaking off my blood supply!'

Hafsa breaks the hug and frowns at me. "I know you wouldn't say this if Zara was hugging you so tightly!" I chuckle, shaking my head. 'You're crazy.' Hafsa rolls her eyes, but the grin on her face doesn't falter even a tiny bit.

My parents congratulate me next, and then Zara's parents do. Everyone so happy, that it makes me even happier. Everyone continues to congratulate us, but I can't keep my eyes off Zara. She looks so happy, still shocked, and she has that beautiful blush colouring her cheeks.

I smile as I watch her parents and sister congratulate her. Aunty hugs her, still crying with happiness.

'Are you happy, Zara?' Aunty asks her, smiling.

Zara blushes harder, before nodding. Uncle hugs her next, and then she is engulfed into a bear hug by Maryam. I grin. I can't wait to make her my wife. I will make sure that we get married soon, because I can't wait any longer. Especially now that she's agreed to marry me, I can't wait.

I will make our wedding day perfect for Zara. Everything will be according to her choice. I will make sure that everything is perfect. Our wedding will be the biggest wedding of the century. I smile, starting to plan out our wedding in my mind.

I feel a nudge in my side and turn to see Hafsa smirking at me. I frown at her.

"Don't tell me you're already planning out your wedding, bhai," Hafsa says, laughing.

I shake my head, lying. 'Hafsa, how was everything today? How did it go?' I ask my sister.

She smiles, her eyes brightening even more. "It was absolutely perfect. Everything was amazing, and I can honestly say that today is the best day of my life. Now quickly marry Zara and bring her home, because I can't wait to have her as my bhabhi!" I can't wait either, Hafsa.

I chuckle at Hafsa. She's so excited. I knew that she would be the happiest person in the world (after me, of course) when I propose to Zara. Just the other day, Hafsa told me that she always thought me and Zara looked cute together, and she always wanted us to be together. It makes me very happy knowing that.

The relationship between Zara and Hafsa will be great, that's for sure. They're closer than sisters to each other. And my parents have always loved Zara as their own daughter. Right now, they're hugging and congratulating her. I notice that she is still shaking, because she is still in shock. So am I, to be honest. But I've never been so happy in my entire life. Ayesha congratulates us next, with her parents and brother.

After our families have congratulated us, all the guests start to come to us. It takes a while talking to everyone and responding to their well wishes, and to be honest, I don't even know what I reply with. I'm too happy and excited right now, and the only person I can see is Zara, who is now talking to a few girls from work.

An hour later, the guests all leave the venue. It is only my family and Zara's family who remains now. We are sitting together in a room, talking happily. Well, everyone else is talking except Zara, who is blushing and looking down into her lap and playing with her fingers. She's too cute.

She's sitting with Hafsa and Maryam, who I can tell, are teasing her. Maryam laughs at something Hafsa says, and Zara blushes even harder. I chuckle.

'Zara, beta, you have no idea how happy we are today,' Mum says to her, her eyes glistening with tears.

Zara looks at Mum and smiles. Dad speaks next. 'You have always been our daughter, Zara. We are the happiest today. We can't wait for you to become a part of our family and come to our home. Even though you already are a part of our family. You always have been.'

Zara smiles, blushing deeply.

Aunty speaks next. She is looking at her daughter proudly, and has a smile on her face. "Zaid, I'm not saying this because you're sitting right here, or for any other reason, but you are the only man who I can fully trust with Zara."

I smile. 'Aunty, I won't ever break your trust. I feel honoured that you've always treated me like your son, that you trust me so much, and I promise you, I won't ever break your trust. I will always do everything I can to keep your daughter happy and safe.'

"Zaid, we know you will, son. You've always been amazing, we have always trusted you and we know that we always will. You know that we have always treated Zara like a princess," Uncle says, smiling.

I nod. 'Of course, Uncle. Zara will be my queen.'

I hear 'aww's' from Maryam and Hafsa. I look towards Zara to see that her cheeks are now scarlet red. I smile.

It's entirely true, though. I know how Zara's parents have always treated her like a princess, they have been the best parents to her. Zara will be my queen. I will always protect her, love her and keep her safe. She's too precious for me. I will show her how much she means to me, how much I love her. She means the world to me.

'Babe, do you still want to go to Pakistan for your wedding shopping?' Hafsa asks Zara, loudly, so that everyone can hear. I look towards them, the smile not leaving my lips.

Zara looks at Hafsa and glares at her, but continues to blush. Everyone laughs.

'After the wedding date is set, we will all go to Pakistan to do some wedding shopping. It's a great idea!' Mum says, happily.

I am about to ask her when the adults will set the wedding date, but I decide not to at the last second. It's probably not such a good idea to ask so soon, straight after proposing to her.

Aunty nods. "Yes, it's a good idea! We will all go and do shopping from there. Even though Zara once said that she wants to buy her wedding dress from England. Maybe we can buy your mehndi dress from Pakistan, dear?"

Zara looks towards her mother in shock. 'Erm, I'll be right back,' she mutters, blushing deeply. She stands up and rushes out of the room, her face scarlet. Everyone laughs at how adorable is.

I really want to follow her out of the room, but I probably shouldn't. Not with her parents and my parents here, anyway.

********

We all head home about half an hour later. I'm driving home, with Hafsa in my car. Mum and Dad are in Dad's car, and they couldn't stop talking about our wedding.

I've just realised something. Now that me and Zara are engaged, I probably won't be seeing her so much before our wedding, which I have no idea is when. She most likely won't be visiting the apartment as much anymore, and she won't be coming to work, either. I can't stay without seeing her.

Looks like I'll have to think of ways to meet her.

I chuckle at my thoughts. I'm the sort of guy who would go to any limits to meet Zara before our marriage. I would probably even climb the walls of her house, and try to get in through her window.

'Zaid bhai? I know you're very happy today, but why are you smiling evilly like that?' Hafsa asks, a smirk playing on her lips.

Oh, yes. My sister. She will help me, won't she? She'll help me find ways to meet Zara.

I shake my head. "I wasn't smiling evilly. I'm just tired." Lies. I'm not tired at all. Not a single bit. I don't think I'll be sleeping for a single minute tonight. I'm way too happy, and I will be planning out our wedding in my head.

'Tired? Bhai, you're such a liar! You're thinking about your fiancée, I know you are,' she says, winking at me.

My fiancée. Zara is my fiancée now. It feels so good to be able to call her that.

But it will feel even better when I'm able to call her my wife.

Our wedding day will be the best day of my life.

I chuckle, not even arguing with Hafsa, because she is so right. I'm thinking about Zara only, and I'm sure that she will be the only person on my mind now. I want to meet her right now. I miss her.

I'm so whipped.

********

Zara's POV

When we reach home, it's well over midnight. I sit with my parents and Maryam for a little while. We just talk (they mainly talk), and then I excuse myself, saying that I'm tired and that I'm going to bed. Mum and Dad nod, telling me to go to bed. Maryam smirks, but doesn't say anything. Everyone is so happy, it's unreal. I'm the happiest, though. Gosh, I still feel like I'm dreaming.

I head upstairs to my room, not being able to take the silly smile off my face. The ring on my left hand ring finger is a constant reminder, though, that I'm not dreaming. That all this is completely real.

The ring. The beautiful, perfect, stunning ring. I love it so, so much! It's gorgeous. Surely Zaid didn't pick this himself? He couldn't have! It contains everything I've ever wanted in a ring. It's absolutely perfect!

I shower and change into my nightgown, making sure to neatly hang up my beautiful dress. I get into bed and turn off the lights. I feel so happy today, I can't describe it. Everything feels unreal, and I've never felt this way in my entire life.

I remember Zaid's proposal, and I can't help but grin. It was so perfect. He told me that he loves me. In front of the whole world! Zaid loves me.

Out of the entire female population of the world, he chose me. Me! Stupid, clumsy old Zara! He chose me! He loves me!

He seemed so nervous when he proposed. His voice was shaking. I chuckle, blushing hard. I've never seen him so disorientated and nervous before. His entire speech keeps replaying in my mind. I laugh, remembering how he mentioned our first meeting after two years in the interview, and also the coffee incident. The damn coffee incident!

My heart stopped completely for a few seconds when I heard him sing 'Hero'. He remembered! He remembered me telling him that I would absolutely love if someone proposed to me with my favourite song. And he did it! In front of so many people, too! I love him so damn much. It was honestly the most perfect proposal.

I still can't believe it at all! I don't want to fall asleep, because I'm afraid that I will wake up to realise that all this had been just a perfect dream. I clutch my ring, bringing my hand close to my heart. My heart is beating so fast right now, nearly as fast as it had when Zaid had called me up onto the stage.

I move my hand back, and see my beautiful ring glistening in the dark. It's so beautiful. I am completely in love with it.

I keep tossing and turning all night. I can't fall asleep, I'm not tired at all. Zaid loves me. He loves me! The only man I have ever loved, loves me back! My eyes fill with tears as I remember the beautiful proposal again.

It was unquestionably the best day of my life.

I close my eyes, trying to fall asleep but I can't. It feels like I've drank cups and cups of coffee and also Red Bull, because I'm wide awake. I'm not tired a single bit. I still need to sleep, though, otherwise I won't feel too good tomorrow.

I'm trying to fall asleep, when I hear my phone vibrate from the bedside table. It's 3am. Who's texting me at this time? Whoever it is, they must be as crazy as me to be awake at this time!

I grab my phone and unlock it. When I see a text from Zaid sitting in my inbox, my cheeks heat up and I bite my lip. I open his text, and chuckle when I read it, my cheeks even hotter.

Zaid: Hi, soon-to-be Mrs. Zaid Malik! Are you awake? That's a stupid question, of course you're not awake. I, however, have been lying in bed for the past two hours, wide awake.

Should I reply? Should I not? After minutes of debating in my head, my phone vibrates again, signalling another text message.

Zaid: You're awake, Zara, you read my text! Don't tell me you're not gonna talk to me before our marriage? How are you feeling?

I decide to reply to his texts, as he's noticed that I'm awake.

Zara: I was asleep, I just woke up a few minutes ago to drink water. I'm feeling exhausted! How are you feeling?

I am such an idiot. I know for a fact that he must be laying in bed, laughing his head off right now.

Zaid: Sure, Zara, sure! Admit it, you can't sleep either. I'm feeling...the best I've ever felt. How did you like the proposal? Was it okay?

I smile. Was it 'okay'? Is he crazy?!

Zara: Zaid, it was perfect. Honestly, everything was so beautiful. And I love the ring so much! Did Hafsa choose it or Aunty?

He replies instantly.

Zaid: I chose it, of course! I'm glad you like it :)

Zara: I LOVE it, Zaid. It's perfect. Thank you.

Zaid: I should be thanking you, Zara, for agreeing to spend the rest of your life with someone like me.

Zara: I'm going to sleep, goodnight!

I'm such a coward. When he starts talking like this, I can't think of a reply. My mind goes completely blank, and I start blushing even harder. Why does he have to be so damn sweet?

Zaid: When shall we get married then?

I feel my cheeks, and they're as hot as fire right now. This guy is crazy. But he's all mine. Forever.

Zara: That's up to the adults! I was thinking, though, next summer?

I laugh loudly, biting my lip. I quieten down quickly, as I don't want to wake my family up. They'll think I've gone mad!

Zaid replies in seconds.

Zaid: What?!

Zara: Next August would be perfect, don't you agree? :)

Zaid: Absolutely not. That's 1 year and 3 months away!

Zara: I know! I think it would be a great time for the wedding! What do you suggest, though?

Zaid: Zara, if it was up to me, I would marry you right now. But as our wedding will be the biggest wedding of the century (it will), next month would be perfect.

I blush a deeper shade of scarlet. Next month?! He's crazy. He wants to get married as soon as possible. The same guy who was against the idea of marriage up until a couple of months back, wants to marry me as soon as possible. It's crazy. But honestly, so do I. I can't wait to marry him.

Zara: Next month?! You've gone crazy, Zaid! I'm going to bed, goodnight!

Zaid: I can't wait even one month, Zara. Please don't tell our parents that you want to get married after a year.

Zara: Well, I'm happy with whatever they suggest. Whatever they think is the perfect time. Now sleep!

I can't believe I'm talking to Zaid about our wedding dates right now. It's crazy! Absolutely crazy. But I'm loving it so much. I'm so happy right now, it's unbelievable. He is the only guy who can make me so happy. I love him so much.

Zaid: Zara, can I call you for one minute? Just for a minute, I promise.

I frown, biting my lip. The amount I've been biting it today, it's probably going to be bleeding in the morning.

Zara: Why?

Zaid: I need to tell you something. You can sleep after one minute. It won't even take a minute.

I pause for a few seconds, grinning. Then I click on his number and press 'Call'. He answers immediately.

'Zara?' He whispers, his voice lazy and husky. My heartbeat increases frantically at the sound of his voice.

"Yes?" My voice is also a low whisper. I love this giddy feeling I'm getting right now, I've never felt anything like this before.

'I wanted to tell you something,' he replies, his voice almost teasing.

"What did you want to tell me?" I ask, frowning in confusion. What on earth does he need to tell me at this time?

'I love you,' he whispers, his voice gentle but husky. I bite my lip, not being able to control the silly smile which is playing on my lips. This is the first time he's said these three words to me, alone. And I will never get enough of these words. My heart soars when I hear him say this. I want nothing more than to say these words back to him, but not today. Not yet. I will say these words to him on our wedding day.

"Goodnight, Zaid," I say, my voice catching in my throat. I clear my throat, blushing hard.

He laughs gently. 'Goodnight, Zara.'

I disconnect the call, holding my phone close. My heartbeat is so frantic right now, my heart is beating at a thousand times the normal rate. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I am. Because Zaid loves me.

I miraculously fall asleep a few minutes later, with a small smile on my lips.

********

Hi, guys! How are you all? I hope you're all doing amazingly?! Thank you so much for reading, how did you find this chapter? I had a constant smile on my face while writing it for you guys.

What was your favourite scene in this chapter?

So, wedding planning will soon start, and also their wedding shopping! I hope you all like what I have planned for the next few chapters...I think you'll like it!

Again, thank you all so much for reading! I'm gonna go back to eating my pizza now. Don't forget to vote and comment if you liked the chapter! I love you all! ❤️ x