Zara's POV

We reach the venue twenty minutes later. When Uncle parks near the front of the large, glass building, my heart starts to beat frantically. Why am I suddenly starting to feel so nervous? My hands start to sweat. We get out of the car and turn towards the huge building, which towers over the city. This venue is usually for holding the largest and most expensive wedding parties. It is one of the most elegant and most popular venues in the city. Of course Zaid and his parents would choose a venue like this one.

Hafsa walks forward, but I grab her arm. She looks at me, concerned, giving me a small smile.

'What's up, babe? Is something wrong?' She asks me, worried.

I shake my head. "I don't know, Hafsa. I'm suddenly starting to feel so nervous, I have no idea why! Am I looking alright?" I ask her.

She chuckles, her eyes glistening. 'You look stunning, Zara. I'm sure that you're looking more beautiful than any other girl here tonight! I'm telling you, so many girls will be envious of you tonight!'

I laugh, shaking my head. She's crazy. "That's not true! I feel so...out of place here. I mean, look at this venue! Everyone entering looks so famous and rich, and I'm just so...ordinary."

She smirks slightly. 'Babe, I promise you, after tonight, everyone will know exactly who you are. They'll be jealous of you. You're more beautiful than any other girl here, and everyone will see it! Now come on, bestie. Let's go! Before Zaid bhai sends out a search party for us!'

I chuckle, nodding. "Okay, let's go."

********

My parents and Maryam have already reached the venue. I quickly spot them when we enter. They are seated at a table near the front of the venue, with Ayesha and her family. I of course knew that a party of the Malik family will be amazing, but I didn't think it would be this good. The decorations are absolutely stunning; light pink and gold. All the tables are draped with gold and pink tablecloths, and the napkins are also matching the colour scheme. The chairs are draped with gold silk, and have a light pink ribbon near the top. The cutlery on the tables is sparkling silver and gold. Everything looks so expensive, and perfect. The ceiling of this hall is similar to a marquee, lined with pink and gold fairy lights which give the hall a stunning look.

We are in a great big hall, which is lined with tables and tables. At the front of the hall, is a large stage which is also decorated beautifully, matching the pink and gold colour scheme. I've just noticed something. The colour scheme matches so perfectly with my dress. Such a coincidence!

I chuckle, shaking my head lightly. All this for a party to celebrate the end of our first year exams. Crazy. Everything the Malik's do, though, is over-the-top. I love them no matter what, though. Everything today is perfect.

Just then, Hafsa's parents come to us. They both hug me and kiss me gently on the cheek.

'How am I looking, Aunty?' I ask, after greeting them both.

She smiles, her eyes shining brightly with happiness. "You look beautiful, Zara. You're the most beautiful girl here, and everyone can see that!"

'Aww, Aunty! You look so beautiful too! I love how you and Uncle are matching!' I say, laughing, pointing to the blue tie Uncle is wearing, which matches Aunty's clothes. They're so cute.

"Thank you, dear! How do you like the decorations?" Uncle asks me, smiling.

I look around, grinning. 'I love the decorations, and everything! It's all so amazing! I just noticed how perfectly the colour scheme matches my dress!' I laugh.

Uncle and Aunty share a mischievous look, nodding. "Oh, yes! It does match beautifully, doesn't it?"

I nod. 'Isn't Zaid here?' I ask Aunty after a small while.

"Oh, he is here, beta. He's somewhere here, he was greeting the guests," she tells me.

I nod. I want to see him, I haven't seen him in days. I've missed him like crazy. I know how busy he must be, though, as his family have organised this amazing party and there are so many guests.

********

The party is amazing, and we all have so much fun. I walk around with Hafsa for most of the time, greeting guests and joking around with her. Dinner is also amazing, so delicious. I love all the food, but especially the desserts. I'm a sucker for anything sweet. There were various desserts, including fruit trifle, chocolate fudge cake, custard, pastries, tiramisu, cupcakes and ice-cream. The chocolate fudge cake, of course, was my favourite. Hafsa's, too.

It is over 10pm by the time dinner has ended, and I still haven't seen Zaid. Where is he? I feel kind of upset that I haven't seen him yet this evening, and that he hasn't seen me. I really wanted him to see me in this beautiful dress. But, I don't know where he is. I haven't seen him once this evening.

I'm feeling exhausted by the time dinner is over. I feel full and sleepy, and my feet have started to ache. Probably because I've been walking around the whole time, talking to everyone.

I sit down at a table with my family and Hafsa, when I feel someone tap me gently on the shoulder. I turn back to see Layla grinning at me. I give her a small, tired smile.

I guess it's safe to say that me and Layla have turned into friends in these last few months. When I was at the hospital, she came to visit me and stayed with me for the day. She also visited me at home several times, bringing me gifts and my favourite pastries. She's actually not too bad. Hafsa still doesn't like her, but I guess I do.

'Hey, girl! You look stunning!' She says, giving me a small hug.

I smile. "Hey, Layla! Thank you, so do you! I'm so tired, I want to go home!"

Hafsa turns to me when she hears me say that. 'You're not going home yet. You can't.'

I frown at her. "Hafsa, I'm exhausted! I'm gonna fall asleep here any minute now. My feet are hurting so badly!"

Layla chuckles. 'Pink is definitely your colour, Zara. You look lovely, honestly. That's such a beautiful dress!'

I smile, nodding. "It is, isn't it?"

She nods, grinning at me. She looks beautiful too, wearing a figure-hugging teal coloured dress. She's very pretty, there's no denying that.

'Where's the host of the party? Zaid?' Layla asks me and Hafsa.

I shrug. "No idea. I haven't seen him today. He must be really busy."

Hafsa bites her lip, trying to hold back laughter. What's so funny? This girl is so crazy sometimes. All the time, actually. 'Bhai was just here a few minutes ago, he was talking to some guests. He's here somewhere. Zara, do you want to see him?' He was here a few minutes ago? How come I didn't see him, then? The entire time, I have been trying to catch a glimpse of him, but I have failed. What is he so busy doing?

I shrug. "I want to go home. I thought I should meet him and thank him for this party before I leave, but I'll thank him later. I really am going to leave now, Hafsa. I'm so tired, I'll see you tomorrow. You too, Layla."

Hafsa shakes her head furiously, trying to think of something to say. 'Aunty and Uncle are still here, you can't leave yet!' She says, looking concerned.

I chuckle. "They can stay and enjoy the party, but I'm so tired! Hafsa, why don't you come with me?"

She looks at me pleadingly, and then at Layla. 'Zara, stay for a bit. I'll drop you off in a short while if you want?' Layla says, nodding at Hafsa for some reason.

I sigh. "Fine. I'm only staying for 15 minutes, though. Hafsa, please can you go and find your brother so I can thank him for throwing this amazing party?" I say to Hafsa.

She nods. 'I'll go and find him right now! Zara, you...stay with Layla. Layla, please make sure she doesn't leave yet. Please?'

I roll my eyes. Layla nods. "Sure! I'll give Zara company."

I sit with Layla for about twenty minutes, chatting. Like Ayesha and Hafsa, Layla is very talkative. Sometimes it gets annoying, because it gives me a headache.

Hafsa returns twenty minutes later, slumping down onto the seat next to me. 'I don't know where he is. Mum said he's about to make a speech, though.'

I nod. Zaid and his speeches.

I tell Hafsa that I need to use the bathroom and touch up my makeup, so I head to the nearest bathroom which is near the end of the hall. I've just finished touching up my makeup, when I hear the speakers adjust and Zaid's voice. This guy needs to make a damn speech today, too? He's crazy. I haven't seen him all evening, and I'm mad at him.

I exit the bathroom and return to the hall. From here, the huge hall looks absolutely full. Uncle said that 700 people are invited to the party? It looks well over 1000 people from here. Zaid is so confident, talking in front of so many people. I wouldn't be able to talk in front of 100 people, let alone 1000!

I tiptoe to the table where my parents and Hafsa's parents are sitting, and take a seat. Zaid's speech has started. I look over to the stage, but he is not there. Where is he speaking from, then?

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for coming to this party tonight. It has been wonderful seeing you all here, and meeting some of you after so long. I hope you all enjoyed yourselves tonight?" His voice booms out of the speakers, making my heartbeat quicken. I need to sort myself out.

'He's gone mad. Why is he delivering a speech tonight?' I ask Aunty, who looks back at me with a small smile on her face. She doesn't speak.

"I threw this party today for a few different reasons. One of the reasons being the end of my sisters' first year at university. Another reason being to celebrate the success of our company these last few months. And the final reason, well, let me just say that you will find out in a few minutes. And none of you can see me right now, because I've never felt so nervous and afraid in my entire life. Yes. Mr Malik is feeling nervous. Probably more nervous than all of you have felt in your entire life."

What is he saying? I burst out laughing, my parents and his parents watching me carefully. 'I'm telling you guys, he's gone mad! Why is he nervous?' I again burst out laughing. Hafsa comes over to the table, and takes a seat next to me.

"Why are you laughing?" She asks, trying her best to contain her own laughter.

'I can't believe that your brother is feeling nervous. Why is he suddenly feeling nervous today?' I ask, laughing again.

She shakes her head and shrugs. "No idea. I guess we'll find out."

Zaid continues to speak. "You can all make fun of me, today I don't mind. Go ahead, make fun of me. Where do I start? This is definitely a lot more difficult than I had imagined." What is he talking about? I'm so confused right now. I'm even more confused when I see the smiles on the faces of my parents, Zaid's parents, Hafsa and Maryam. They definitely know something which I don't. I frown at them.

He pauses for a few seconds. "Okay, this is it. I would do this in front of the entire world, but you don't like large audiences. So, I chose a very small audience. Trust me, I would do this in front of the entire world if you let me. Okay. When I first met you a very long time ago, I thought..God! This girl is absolutely crazy! I always used to feel sorry for your future husband, but how things have changed. You used to drive me insane with your pranks and jokes. You used to annoy the hell out of me sometimes, you still do, but I don't mind it a single bit."

What the hell is he on about? I give Hafsa a questioning look. She smiles at me, moisture filling her eyes.

"When I saw you again, eight months ago, it seemed as though everything had changed. You had changed completely, even though deep inside, you were still the same crazy, fun-loving and amazing girl I always knew. Even when you dropped the cup of boiling hot coffee on me, I couldn't be mad at you. It hurt like hell, but seeing the innocent, apologetic look in your eyes made all the pain go away. I wanted to get to know you better, I wanted to do whatever I could to make you smile. Seeing a tiny smile on your face made me so happy. Gosh, I sound really crazy right now, don't I? It's because you've made me crazy, totally crazy. You've changed my entire world."

My heart starts to race at a crazy speed. It feels like it's about to jump out of my chest. He's talking about me. I know he is. He's mentioned the coffee incident, and I just know that he's talking about me.

What is he doing?

My heartbeat is going absolutely crazy at this moment, and I can't look at anyone. I know all eyes on this table are on me, but I don't look back at anyone. My hands are sweating like crazy, and have started to tremble. What is Zaid doing?

"The time you walked into my office on the day of your interview, I knew we were meant to be. I felt as if I had finally met the person I had always been waiting for. Before I met you, I was a completely different man. You changed me entirely, and every person seated here at this moment can see that. Before I met you, I didn't care about anyone except myself. I didn't care about anything, except my work. Now, I am a changed man. I am a much better human being now than I was a year ago. All because of you. You made me believe in myself, you made me believe in love. I would sacrifice everything I have, just to see you happy. I can do anything in the world to keep that beautiful smile on your face. Do you know what I love the most about you? I love everything, but I love your kindness and loyalty the most. It makes me want to try harder to be like that myself, but I know that I can never be as amazing and perfect as you are. No one can, no matter how hard they try. You're perfect and beautiful without even trying. You're the most beautiful girl here tonight, everyone can see it. You're the most beautiful girl in the entire world." He takes a deep breath, and I hear his voice shake when he starts to talk again.

'I didn't know what love was, until I met you. You turned my whole world upside down. There were so many times when I tried to explain to myself that I was out of my mind, that I had gone crazy. I tried so hard to make myself forget you, but wherever I went, your thoughts followed me. Your laughter, your smile, and your blush. Your beautiful blush. Making you blush is my favourite thing to do in the whole world. I know that you're sitting in the audience right now, blushing crazily and thinking about bashing my face in. You can do that later.'

Everyone starts to laugh, causing my blush to deepen. I'm sitting at the table with my family and his family, and I'm shaking like mad. My heart is beating at such a fast rate, it feels as though it is about to fall out of my body. I feel like I'm about to go into cardiac arrest.

Zaid has just....admitted his feelings for me, in front of the world? Am I dreaming?

I must be dreaming.

'Hafsa, pinch me. Now,' I mutter, my voice shaking.

She chuckles, hugging me gently from the side. I feel her tears on my shoulder. "What did you say?" She asks me, laughing.

'Pinch me. Please.'

She chuckles again, but does as she's told. "Ouch! Not that hard! I'm not dreaming. Hafsa, I'm not dreaming," I say, looking at her face. Tears are falling down her cheeks. She quickly wipes them away, nodding.

'You're not dreaming, Zara. This is all real.'

I look towards my parents, who are also getting very emotional. Mum is crying, and Dad and Maryam are smiling at me with tear-filled eyes. My own eyes fill up with tears.

Zaid's voice is now trembling, too. "Zara, please come onto stage. Zara Ahmed, you can't hide from me. I can see you. Please, love, come onto the stage. You can be mad at me later, but please, come up onto the stage."

I shake my head furiously, looking at everyone on the table. 'There is no way that I'm going onto that stage. Is he crazy? What is he doing?!' I ask, shocked. I feel so nervous right now. He's asking me to go onto stage, in front of over a thousand people?

Hafsa nudges me gently. "Zara, go baby. It won't be scary."

'It won't be scary? I'm scared shitless right now, what is he playing at?!' I whisper, looking at my parents.

"Zara, you should go, dear," Dad says to me, giving me a bright smile.

They've all gone crazy. I can't believe this. Why is he asking me to go onto the stage?

The audience waits for me to go onto the stage, but I'm still sat in my seat, glaring. At Zaid. But where is he?!

'I will kill him. Hafsa, I'm telling you. Aunty, Uncle, I'm sorry, but I'm gonna kill him today,' I mutter, standing up. I throw my clutch into Hafsa's lap, and start walking towards the stage.

The entire hall is silent as they see me walk towards the front, with my chin up. I'm blushing like crazy, but I'm mad at him. For making me do this. He's gonna get a punch in the stomach when I see him.

Why is this damn hall so big? I feel like I've been walking for ages. I've never felt so nervous in my whole life, as all eyes are on me at this moment. Everyone seems to be just as confused as I am, about what's going on.

One second I'm thinking of what harm I'm going to cause to Zaid when I see him, and the next second, I freeze in my tracks. I halt in my step when I hear a very familiar tune in the background, starting to get louder and louder.

And then, my favourite song starts. Zaid is singing it.

No freaking way.

Zaid is singing 'Hero' by Enrique Iglesias, and he has a beautiful voice. He's such a great singer.

Why is he singing this particular song, though?

Would you dance, if I asked you to dance?

Or would you run, and never look back?

Would you cry, if you saw me crying?

And would you save my soul, tonight?

Would you tremble, if I touched your lips?

Or would you laugh? Oh, please tell me this

Now would you die, for the one you love?

Hold me in your arms, tonight

I can be your hero, baby

I can kiss away the pain

I will stand by you forever

You can take my breath away

It can't be what I'm thinking at this moment. It's not possible! Is it?!

My eyes fill up with tears, hearing Zaid sing my favourite song. Is he really....?

I continue to walk towards the stage, with shaking legs. When I reach the stage, I grab my dress and walk up the fancy gold stairs. Right now, I've forgotten about everyone. I've forgotten that I am standing on stage, in front of over a thousand people. Mostly influential, businessmen and celebrities. I've forgotten everything.

I stand on stage, holding a hand to my mouth, standing in shock. I don't even realise when the song ends, because I'm too nervous. I've never felt anything like this before. I'm feeling so many different emotions right now, including shock, happiness, nervousness, fear, annoyance and love.

Where is this crazy guy? Where is he?!

I turn instantly when I hear footsteps behind me.

Zaid.

He is standing in front of me, a small smile on his face. I have never seen this look on his face, though. Never. He looks nervous as hell.

'Hi, baby,' he whispers, quietly so that only the two of us can hear it.

"What are you doing? Have you gone crazy?" I reply to him, slightly louder. Several people in the audience laugh at my response to Zaid.

He gently holds my shoulder, and helps me to sit on the beautifully decorated 'throne'. It is decorated with red and pink roses.

I open my mouth to argue, but my heart stops when he gets down on one knee in front of me. I must be dreaming. I still can't believe my eyes. He pulls out a small, blue velvet box from his pocket and looks up at me, smiling, with tears in his eyes.

Oh, my god. My own eyes well up with tears, and are threatening to spill.

'Zara Ahmed, I don't know what to say. It's a lot more difficult, when you're in front of me, staring at me with that beautiful face. You're still confused? Okay.' His voice is shaking like mad, and my heart feels like it's about to combust. It's racing at an unbelievable speed.

I don't know how I manage to muster up a tiny smile, but when I smile at him, his eyes lighten up and he grins, quickly wiping his eyes.

'Zara, you've changed my life completely, ever since that first day at the office, the day of your interview. You taught me what it's like to love someone with all your heart, you taught me the meaning of love. I don't know when it happened. Maybe it was that first day, or maybe it was the day when you told me everything. I have no idea. I don't know anything, but there is one truth in my life which is more important than anything else. The biggest truth of my life is that...I'm completely and madly in love with you. There is no one else in this world that I can imagine spending the rest of my life with. I want to spend everyday with you, Zara. I love you so damn much, you have no idea. I feel so much better now that I've admitted this. I want the whole world to know. I love you, Zara. I have always loved only you. It's always been you. 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?' He looks up at me with so much love and sincerity in his eyes, I feel like I'm going to break. He opens the small, velvet box and I see the most beautiful ring ever. It's absolutely perfect. The ring, the proposal, the party, everything. I can't believe my ears. Zaid, the guy I have always loved with all my heart, has just asked me to marry him.

I don't realise when I start crying, but my tears don't seem to stop. It all feels like a dream to me. It's too good to be true. Zaid loves me, and wants to marry me?!

'Zara, please say something?' He whispers, chuckling softly. His voice and laughter is music to my ears.

I gently hold his hand, smiling at him with tears streaming down my face. I chuckle gently before nodding. "Yes, Zaid, yes. Of course I'll marry you!"

The entire audience starts clapping and cheering as Zaid takes the beautiful ring out of the box and slips it onto my left hand ring finger. It's a perfect fit. I stare at the ring, and then at Zaid's face. He's crying.

As soon as I stand up, he gathers me in his arms and hugs me tightly, causing the audience to go even crazier. I don't see or hear anyone else at this moment. Right now, it's only me and Zaid. I wrap my arms around him, hugging him closer, crying into his chest. I feel his tears falling onto the top of my head. We're both crying happy tears. I've never felt so happy in my entire life.

I can't believe it. I'm engaged to Zaid. I'm engaged to him! I'm the luckiest girl in the entire world. Zaid is all mine, and the whole world knows it. I love him so damn much.

********

I was writing this and crying at the same time. My babies! They've grown up so much, haven't they?! Can you guys believe what just happened?! I can't!!

What did you guys think of this chapter? Zaid's proposal? How was it?! He admits his feelings to Zara (and the rest of the world)! Finally! Do you guys love me now?!

I hope you guys liked this chapter! If you did, please don't forget to vote and leave your lovely comments on the chapter! They mean the world to me, honestly!

I love you all more than you can imagine! Thank you for all your love and support! Zara and Zaid love you too! You guys are honestly the best! Stay tuned for the next chapter, I hope you enjoy reading it! Bye, my beautiful people! xx