Zara's POV

We don't go wedding shopping that day, but we do go the next day. I am accompanied by Mum, Maryam, Hafsa, Ayesha and Layla. In the last few months, me and Layla have become really close friends. She's actually a sweet girl, and no matter what she was like in the past, she has changed. I can see this much, even though I didn't personally know her in the past. I asked her a few days ago, if she wants to go wedding shopping with me, especially when I go to find my wedding dress. She was ecstatic when I asked her, and she agreed happily, saying that she felt honoured and lucky that I had asked her.

So, Dad drops us off at 10am at the shopping mall in the city centre. This mall contains all the large, popular designer Asian bridal wear stores, and also several jewellery stores and shoe shops. We walk around the mall, visiting each and every store.

Two hours have passed, and I have only bought a set of bangles yet. They are green and gold, and are stunning. I don't have a Pakistani outfit to match them with yet, but I will make sure that I do because the bangles are so pretty.

At 1am, we have lunch at a small, cozy restaurant near the mall. We each choose different things to eat; I choose pizza, Hafsa chooses lasagne, and so on. Mum pays for us all, being adamant that she wants to treat us. We have dessert, too.

'Zara, you're so picky!' Ayesha says, laughing. We have just finished having dinner, and are just sitting at the table and talking.

I chuckle. "Well, everything's got to be perfect!"

Everyone laughs, nodding. 'Yes, babe. Everything will be absolutely perfect! We should try that boutique which Aunty mentioned earlier. Mum and her friends were also talking about it, and saying that the bridal dresses there are so beautiful,' Hafsa says, smiling.

An hour or so ago, Mum had mentioned a high-end, very expensive bridal dress boutique. It was on the top floor of the mall we were in earlier, the one we were going back to after lunch. She had said that her friends and also Aunty had been talking about the store, and saying that we should go there. So, after everyone persuading me for at least half an hour, I agree to check out the boutique.

Just as we are about to get up, my phone starts to ring. I take it out of my purse and I blush when I see the caller ID. Zaid. Why is he calling me? Is he crazy?! He knows that I'm shopping with everyone.

Hafsa sees my phone, and she smirks at me, causing my cheeks to burn even brighter. I turn my phone to silent mode and turn back to everyone. Mum sees me blushing and chuckles.

'Let's go,' I mutter, leading everyone out of the restaurant. I hear everyone laughing from behind me, but I ignore them. On the way to the mall, I check my phone. Zaid has sent me a text, telling me to take pictures of myself after I try on wedding dresses. I blush deeper, sending him a one-word reply – No.

We head back into the mall, and take the escalators up to the top floor. The designer boutique is the largest store on the floor, and even before walking in, I can see how stunning the dresses are. They're absolutely beautiful.

We walk into the store, and are greeted by a lovely saleswoman. "Hi ladies! How are you all doing? Have you come to see some wedding dresses?" She smiles brightly at us.

We smile back at her, nodding. 'Yes, can we please see some bridal dresses? Show us the best you've got,' Mum says, excitedly.

"Who's the bride?" The woman, named Aliya, asks.

Everyone points towards me, making me chuckle.

"You're beautiful, you will make a beautiful bride! Now, what type of wedding dress would you like to see?" She asks me brightly.

I look towards Mum and the girls for help. 'It's all your choice, sweetie,' Layla says, smiling at me.

I turn to Aliya, the saleswoman. 'Okay, so...this might sound slightly confusing. But I want a traditional red lehenga, preferably with silver and gold embroidery. I would like a very heavy lehenga, but I'm really picky and these girls are gonna make me try some. So I apologise in advance, if I take hours and hours trying on dresses,' I ramble.

She chuckles, shaking her head. "That's no problem, lovely. Would you like to select some dresses that you can try on?"

I nod, suddenly feeling nervous. I'm remembering the last time I had come shopping for a wedding dress, when I had been engaged to Hamza. Just over a year ago. It had taken me over two weeks to find my dress then, and we had been going shopping nearly everyday. Although it had taken so many visits to find my dress, it still hadn't been absolutely perfect. Do you know that feeling you get when you find your perfect dress, and you just know that it's the one? Yeah, well, I didn't get that feeling last time.

This time, though, when I'm marrying Zaid, I will make sure that my wedding dress and every aspect of my wedding is perfect. Last time, it had taken me weeks to find my dress, but I have a feeling that I will find my perfect dress today.

There are so many gorgeous dresses in this shop, in every colour and style. There are lehengas, maxi dresses, anarkali dresses and many, many more.

I select some dresses, and the girls and Mum also select a few. Then, I have to try them all on, which takes a while. Three hours later, we are still in the boutique, trying on dresses. I'm probably trying on my 20th dress now, and I just haven't found one which is perfect.

"This dress is stunning, but I don't really like the sleeves. They're too short, but I don't really mind that. They're completely sheer, and I'm not really comfortable wearing this in front of everyone," I mutter, embarrassed.

Aliya, the salesgirl, smiles and nods. 'I can see that you're not too comfortable in this dress, lovely. It suits you, all of these dresses suit you, but we will find your perfect dress. I promise you!'

I smile, nodding at her. "Thank you so much, Aliya. And I'm so sorry for being so picky!"

She smiles. 'That's no problem, sweetie. The most important thing is for you to be completely happy with your dress.'

Layla helps me into my next dress, which is extremely heavy. It is a maroon coloured maxi dress with a trail and beautiful silver embroidery.

I walk out in the dress, and glance into the mirror. I shake my head. "This one makes my hips look too big."

Everyone laughs, shaking their head. 'Zara, you have a beautiful figure and you know it. Bhai will go crazy-'

"Hafsa, if you finish off that sentence, I will scream. Mum is sitting right here, and you have no shame at all!" I say, my cheeks burning scarlet. Everyone, including Mum, just laughs.

'I don't mind, but you girls are crazy,' Mum says, chuckling.

I shake my head, turning back around towards the fitting rooms. Just as I turn around towards the back of the boutique, I see it.

It's definitely the one.

It's absolutely perfect.

Stunning.

Beautiful.

I see the most beautiful bridal lehenga that I have ever seen. It's red, and has very heavy embroidery in silver and gold, just as I wanted. This is the dress that I had always envisioned myself wearing on my wedding day. The shirt has short sleeves, but they suit the dress. The dupatta is very heavy, too, but a girl only gets married once. It's absolutely beautiful.

'It's beautiful,' Mum whispers, placing a hand on my arm as she sees me staring longingly at the dress.

I smile, nodding. "It's perfect," I reply in a whisper.

'Oh, Zara! You have to try that on! I know that it will look beautiful on you! I haven't seen a wedding dress as beautiful as this one before! Gosh, I'm getting emotional now!' Hafsa says, her eyes tearing up.

I chuckle at my crazy best friend.

"Do you want to try on this dress, Zara? It's the best in our boutique," the salesgirl says, cheerfully.

I nod. 'Yes, please.'

She takes the dress to the fitting room, and I follow. I try on the dress, with Layla and Hafsa both helping to pin it up. Of course the dress isn't on my measurements, but they help to pin it up and adjust it.

"Zara, you look absolutely beautiful," Layla whispers, tears filling her eyes.

Hafsa nods, wiping away a tear which is rolling down her cheeks. I laugh at them. They're crazy.

They lead me out of the fitting room and towards the sofas, where everyone is seated. As soon as Mum sees me in the dress, she bursts into tears. That's when I know that it's the one. It's definitely the one. All the girls start crying and laughing out of happiness.

Hafsa turns me around, so that I'm looking into the full-sized mirror near the front of the boutique. I glance at my reflection in the mirror and exhale heavily. It's stunning. I look beautiful, and I feel beautiful. I feel a million dollars in this dress. It's definitely the perfect dress. I won't find another one so lovely and stunning. Although I know that the dress isn't made to my measurements, I feel as though it was made just for me. If I choose this dress, we will have to order it and it will be ready in about a month or so.

The lehenga and shirt are both a beautiful shade of red, and they are covered with the most beautiful silver and gold beadwork and embroidery. I feel like a princess wearing this dress, and I just can't wait for Zaid to see me in it. I blush at the thought.

"I can't wait for my wedding day," I say out loud, making everyone smile.

'Zara, this is the perfect dress and now I can't wait either! Aliya, we will be ordering this dress. Please can you take Zara's measurements?' Mum says excitedly, wiping her tears away.

'Babe, I can't wait either! You will be coming to our home! And...Zaid bhai most definitely can't wait! He's the most impatient...poor bhai!' Hafsa says, laughing and wiping her eyes.

'Sis, you will make the most beautiful bride. That's for sure,' Maryam says, coming to me and giving me a gentle hug. I smile.

I'm then attacked by a group hug from everyone, including the salesgirl Aliya.

"Zaid will go crazy when he sees you in this dress," Layla says, winking at me. I hit her on her arm playfully, blushing.

Ayesha pulls my cheek gently, before a pressing a kiss to the top of my head. 'I love you, Zara. You look beautiful!'

"I love you too, babe. I love you all!" I say, laughing.

This is one of the happiest moments for me. I've never felt so happy before, except for one day. The proposal. Everyone seems so excited and happy for me, that it makes me even happier.

We order the dress, which, let me just say, is very expensive. Several thousands of pounds. I try to argue with Mum, saying that I'll choose a different dress, but she doesn't let me argue. She pays for the dress and gives my measurements. We are told that my wedding dress will be ready in 4-5 weeks time. In perfect time for the wedding.

We walk out of the boutique, and we visit a few more shops. Mum buys me a pair of gorgeous gold heels and also a black Louis Vuitton purse. She's spending so much money on me, but she's more than happy right now. She tells me that it's nothing, and that she hasn't even started my wedding shopping yet. Crazy.

'It's so warm in here,' I groan, taking off my black leather jacket. I'm wearing a fitted maroon dress with black leggings and maroon wedges. I place my jacket into one of the shopping bags I'm holding, loving the feel of coolness and air I'm finally getting. It's getting warmer in England, and it's so warm today that I can't even wear my jacket any longer.

"Girl, you're hot," Hafsa says, winking at me.

I shake my head, laughing. 'And you're crazy. This dress is too tight, I know.' The dress is clinging to my body, making me feel slightly self-conscious.

"It's alright, babe. You look hot!"

I laugh at her craziness.

About half an hour, Mum calls Dad to tell him that we're done, and that we've ordered my wedding dress. He tells us that he's finishing work after 45 minutes, and that he will come to pick us up then. He thought that we would spend longer at the mall, because he knows us so well.

Just then, Hafsa's phone starts to ring. She answers it, walking over to the side of the mall where it is quieter. She returns a couple of minutes later.

'Aunty, Zaid bhai is nearby, and he said that he could drop us off if we wanted?' Hafsa asks with a smile.

Zaid is nearby? Why do I feel as though it's not a coincidence?

Crazy guy.

Mum smiles happily. "That would be lovely, Hafsa. But, there are six of us. How will we fit in the car?"

Hafsa bites her lip, as if to control her laughter. 'He's brought his Range Rover today. Seven people can fit in that car, so it will be perfect. He said he's reaching in five minutes.'

Mum nods, smiling and thanking Hafsa, before turning to say something to the other girls. Hafsa walks to me, chuckling. "He never drives that car, Zara. He doesn't like that car much, even you know that! He's always driving his Mercedes or BMW! He's thought of everything today, hasn't he? And, it's such a coincidence that he's so close by!"

I blush. 'He's crazy.'

"Just for you, baby, just for you," Hafsa replies, winking at me.

********

My heart skips a beat, or a thousand, when I see Zaid sitting in his Range Rover, sunglasses on and windows down. He's wearing a white t-shirt, which he has paired with light blue denim jeans. He looks very handsome, even more than usual. He looks like a freaking model.

I follow everyone to his car, walking slower than the rest. I feel self-conscious wearing such a tight dress which is clinging to my body, and I can feel his eyes on me. I can't put my jacket on, because Mum has placed the bags into the boot of Zaid's car.

'Want to take the front seat, Zara?' Hafsa asks, winking at me.

I glare at her, shaking my head. "No, I want to sit right at the back."

She chuckles, shaking her head. She quickly makes everyone get into the car, and it's so obvious that she's got something on her mind, because the next thing she says to me, is to get her a coffee from the nearest Costa, which is just right in front of where Zaid has parked the car.

Zaid tells her that he will go and grab her coffee, but she refuses, saying that she wants me to buy it, because I know how she likes her coffee. I know exactly what she's doing, and everyone is more than happy about it.

I'm back with Hafsa's coffee in two minutes, and I hand it to her. She is sitting in between Mum and Maryam in the middle section of the car. Layla and Ayesha are in the back seats. Guess where that leaves me?!

'Maryam, move up,' I mutter to my sister, who shakes her head after smiling at me innocently.

'Mum, tell Maryam to swap seats with me,' I say to Mum.

She bites her lip before laughing, shaking her head. "Zara, what's the matter? Sit at the front! Zaid is waiting! You guys can talk all you like, just forget that we are sitting at the back! We're not listening!" Mum says, winking at me. I glare at her. Is she being serious right now?!

'I hate all of you,' I mutter, making everyone, including Zaid, laugh. I get into the passenger seat, putting on my seatbelt. I can feel Zaid's eyes on me, but I don't look at him.

I'm not going to look at him at all. I'm so embarrassed wearing this dress, and Hafsa purposely made me sit next to him in the front of the car.

"Hi, Zara," Zaid says to me, a smile in his voice.

'Hi.'

This is the first time I've seen him since the proposal.

"How are you?" He asks me.

Hafsa coughs from the back.

'Fine. You?' I reply.

"Good, thanks. So, what did you buy today?" He asks me.

Is he seriously going to have a conversation with me in front of everyone?

'Erm, I bought bangles. And Mum bought me a purse and a pair of shoes, too,' I reply.

He nods.

"She forgot to tell you that we've ordered her wedding lehenga, bhai. And it's absolutely perfect!" Hafsa says, excitedly.

I look towards Zaid to see that he is looking back at me, his eyes filled with happiness and also mischief.

'Oh, really? What colour is the dress, Zara?' He asks me.

"I'm not saying anything. You'll see on the day, if you're lucky," I say, before blushing even harder.

Hafsa bursts into a coughing fit behind me. I ignore her, my cheeks burning scarlet.

'Aunty, did you know, Zara doesn't want to go shopping with us, for her walima dress,' Hafsa tells Mum.

I shake my head, laughing. "I trust your choice, Hafsa. And Aunty's choice, too! I know that I will be more than happy with whatever you choose!" I say to my best friend.

'But why don't you want to go with us?!' She asks, pouting at me. I turn back to look at her. She's giving me the puppy-dog face.

"I want it to be a surprise, Hafsa. I want to see the dress the day after my wedding, when I will wear it," I tell her. It's the truth. I honestly want Hafsa, Aunty and Zaid to select my walima dress. I love their choice, and I know that I will extremely love whatever they choose for me.

'I know that you'll forget me after you get married! You'll be in the same house as me, but you will not have any time for me!' Hafsa says dramatically.

My cheeks redden. "Hafsa, of course I will have time for you, you crazy girl! How could I forget you? You'll be living under the same roof as me!"

'We have to have sleepovers every week, okay?! Not every week, actually. After every two-three days. Okay? Promise?!'

I am going to slap this girl.

I lean back into my seat, closing my eyes and wishing that I could somehow disappear right now. Everyone in the back of the car is laughing. They all love embarrassing me. They do it on purpose!

I can feel Zaid's eyes on me, but I don't dare to turn and meet his gaze.

'Zara! Forget Zaid bhai, you can stay with me instead!' Hafsa says loudly.

I cover my face with my hands, not knowing what to do about this girl who I call my best friend.

"Hafsa, shut up!" I mutter, groaning. "I'm going to sleep. Wake me up when we reach home. And Hafsa, please stop talking." I can't believe that she's saying all this in front of Mum! And what's worse is that Mum is just laughing about everything, and joking with Hafsa. Sometimes I think Mum's even worse than her!

I close my eyes again, and the next thing I know is that I'm asleep within minutes. I must have been exhausted after the shopping trip, otherwise there's no way that I would have been able to fall asleep sitting right next to Zaid.

********

Zaid's POV

'Bhai, shall I poke her?' I hear Hafsa whisper.

"No, Hafsa," I reply, chuckling.

'Okay, fine. Shall I drop this bottle of water on her?' She asks me.

"Hafsa, no. Sometimes I can't believe that you're my sister. Follow Aunty and girls into the restaurant. She's coming with me," I say, sighing.

'Fine! You wake her up then!' Hafsa huffs, dramatically, before getting out of the car.

Zara's POV

A few seconds later, I feel someone nudge me. "Zara, wake up. We're here." Zaid's voice is gentle and husky.

'Zaid, let me sleep,' I mutter, before grabbing something warm and comfortable, and hugging it close to myself. It feels so good.

Zaid's POV

I tense as I feel her grab my arm, hugging it close to herself. It brushes against her body, making me feel things I definitely shouldn't be feeling right now, or for the next two months.

She rests her head on my shoulder, my arm still pressed up against her body. "Zara, wake up," I whisper into her ear.

She groans before grabbing my hand, lacing her fingers through mine. This is making me feel happier than I should be feeling. 'I'm tired,' she whispers, holding onto my hand tighter.

If she wakes up and realises that she's holding onto my arm and hand, I know that she will feel embarrassed about it. As much as I don't want to, I slowly free my hand and arm. I shake my head when I realise that it suddenly feels cold and empty.

Two months, Zaid. Two months are left for the wedding. After that, Zara will be all yours.

A few seconds later, Zara opens her eyes slowly and turns towards me. As I knew, her cheeks turn a bright shade of scarlet when she sees me and realises what she had done.

'I-I'm sorry, I grabbed your arm while asleep. I'm so stupid,' she mutters, nervously.

I smile. "Relax, Zara. It's no problem, trust me, I didn't mind at all. Two months are remaining for our wedding day, and after that..."

She stops me from speaking further by covering my mouth with her hand. 'Don't speak further. You're definitely Hafsa's brother, that's obvious.'

She removes her hand from in front of my mouth and I laugh. "Yes, but Hafsa's crazier than me. At least in some ways. Now, Miss Ahmed, or shall I say soon-to-be Mrs Malik, let's go into the restaurant. Everyone must be waiting for us."

She frowns, confused. 'Restaurant? Why?'

I chuckle, shrugging. "It's my treat."

********

Hi guys! As I updated the last chapter late, I've updated again for you guys! Early update, because I love you all so much! Please give this chapter some love, I've been sitting and writing this in the middle of the night! So please point out any grammatical errors, because there must be some in this chapter! It's not perfect at all.

What did you guys think of this chapter? Zara has found her perfect wedding dress! What do you think?

What do you think of her friendship with Layla? Do you like it, or not?

What do you think of Hafsa's craziness? How she says absolutely anything in front of anyone! In front of Zara's mum and also in front of her brother! She's crazy, right?! I love her though!

And finally...Zaid! What do you think of him, in this chapter? He arrived to pick up Zara and the crew, and he had a 7-seater car ready, too! Lol!

Let me know what you think will happen in the upcoming chapters, and what you want to happen next!

Don't forget to vote and comment if you liked this chapter! I love reading all your lovely comments, they mean a lot to me! I love you guys loads! Bye! x