Chapter Thirty Three

Two days later,
The room was eerie with noise. Farah and Myrah as usual were discussing the invitation card they would send to their friends and other relatives. A giggle made its way to Myrah's lips as she laughs to some joke Farah was telling her. On the other side sat Zara browsing through her phone. She resists the urge to roll her eyes at their never-ending conversation. They have been in that position for almost half an hour.
"Mom, Aunt. When will your planning finish?" She finally asked bringing their noise to a halt, getting a glare from her mom in return.
"What do you mean finish? Something we just started now and the wedding is in five days so we have to make sure everything is in place. You might not want a grand wedding but that wouldn't stop us from inviting our friends" she exclaimed turning her attention back to Myrah "So as I was saying, you know that my client, I will send her one. She's very nice and then..." A sound came from the door and Zara trekked to check when her eyes came in contact with Yasmin.
"Aunt Yasmin" she exclaimed cheerfully. Both Farah and Myrah turned to her and she let out a smile.
"How are you, Zara?" She asked
"I'm doing just fine Aunt. Happy to see you here" Zara uttered. Yasmin took her seat close to Farah who was already looking at her with a kind of questioning look.
"Don't you guys think you're being hard on me. Planning the wedding preparation without me" her statement made Farah watches her with more curiosity. Last time she checks, she's keen on stopping the wedding and now she's talking about wedding preparations.
"What-" Myrah started getting cut off by her as she continues.
"We don't have much time, we have two weddings to take care of"
"Two weddings?" They all said in unison. Yasmin's lips broke into a smile when she remembered their discussion with Amir last night
"Yes. You know, Amir is also getting married" she answers her smile widening more. Zara who was left standing made her way towards them.
"Are you serious Aunt? So he decided to marry her. Masha Allah"
"Marry who?"
"What are you two talking about?" Farah asked totally confused about the whole thing. Yasmin places her hands atop her sister and she let out the explanation slowly.
"Amir came to me with this good news last night. To be honest, I was delighted. There's nothing I would say than Alhamdulillah. This is the best gift that has ever happened to me and once again our family will reunite again. No conflict" she ended with a sharp breath.
"Masha Allah. I'm happy to hear this news. By the way, who is the girl and how do they meet?" She bombards at once. Before Yasmin could speak up, Zara interjected.
"You know her already. Her name is Sumayya, the girl I work together with at the bakery" Zara proudly answered.
"You mean that girl who made that delicious milk cake?" Myrah asked and Zara nodded in return.
"Alhamdulilah. Indeed Allah is the planner. who would ever imagine Sumayya will someday be in our family? Without any more interruptions, we need to complete the rest preparation. Let me call the man again, we need to print their wedding invitation card and we are almost done with the shopping."
"Um...Zara?" Farah called. "You guys will take care of the shopping since Minal is here she can help you. By the way, where is she?"
"She went to see her cousin at the hospital" Zara's lips form a thin line as she answers. Honestly, she can not understand what Minal is up to. She always steps out every morning and she at times overhears her speaking, maybe talking to herself. Allah knows what she's up to. But she won't dwell at that, she would take care of her wedding herself. No their wedding, She and Fawwaz, Amir and Sumayya. Just thinking about it made a smile out of her lips. She sends a message to Sumayya and Manal telling them they should meet.
"Mom, I will be stepping out for a bit. I'm meeting with Sumayya and Manal, we are going to check out the dresses and other things"
"Take care of yourself and come back soon" Myrah answered.
"Playing the mother-in-law already?" Yasmin teased.
"Of course. Both of you are mothers-in-law now" Farah chirped in flinging her hands up in a joking manner. They all laugh at their own sisterly moment.
**
As planned, they all arrived at the said location. Sumayya and Zara spot Manal as her eyes roamed around looking for them.
"Here" Zara exclaimed waving at her. A frown graced her face as she walked towards them.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting. You know the situation" she ushered forming her lips in a thin line.
"It's okay, I'm glad you came. Now shall we. First of all, we will branch at the cafe there and grab some coffee before we go for the shopping" Zara said pointing at the building a few miles away from them.
"Sure let's go" Sumayya added. They made their way to the cafe and ordered the coffee. Zara sipped her cappuccino before focusing her attention on the two.
"So before we go for shopping, can you kindly explained to me how both of you agreed to get married?" Her question was directed towards Sumayya.
"What's there to know. You should be satisfied that we decided to get married" A ting of blush tangled at her cheeks as she uttered the words out. She has never imagined that one day will come when Amir will be hers. Seeing how he was hell crazy on Zara. She knows that he still loves Zara but at least he assured her that they will work things out. Gradually, they will learn to love each other. That is what matters.
"Hey, dreamy girl. Already thinking about him?" Zara teased waving her hands in front of her face which drew her back from her little thinking.
"Of course not. So after shopping what else will we do? For me, I prefer the wedding to be simple. I don't have a lot of people to invite. Only my father and some of his friends then my Aunties" her voice cracked at the end as she lowers her head down. Zara rub circle on her shoulder in a comforting way. She knows Sumayya misses her mother. It's such a pain that her mother wouldn't be able to witness her daughter getting married.
"It's okay Sumayya. You have your father so don't get yourself into too much thinking. Just keep praying for her" she assured continuing rubbing circle on her shoulder. Manal also felt weak seeing Sumayya like that, so she decided to cheer the thick atmosphere.
"Em... Why not after the shopping we branch at the park for some refreshments" she started. Zara's face immediately lit up. She remembered when she was small, her parents used to take her to the park. Come to think of it, she misses going to the park.
"What a good idea Manal. It will be fun. So without further ado, let's get off" she cheered rising up from the seat. Just as they are out of the cafe, Zara sight Minal getting inside the taxi. Her brows knit in confusion. What is she doing there? Her inner mind asked her. She thought she told her that she's going to visit her cousin and now she came here, which is not the hospital. What exactly is Minal up to? Her thought was cut short when Manal and Sumayya's distant voice beat to her eardrums.
"You coming or what?"
"Yeah"
**
"Ya Allah I'm so tired, I can't believe we spent two hours just in shopping," Sumayya said resting her back on the seat as they drove to the park.
"Why wouldn't you, you guyz almost purchased the whole shop. Huh, I should also get married soon. I'm the third wheeler here" Manal retorted puffing out a sigh. Zara and Sumayya broke into a fit laughter.
"Well it's not too late. You can join too, in less than 5 days. I will be Mrs. Fawwaz and she would be Mrs. Amir. Sound good right?" Zara throws.
"Exactly"
Manal resists the urge to roll her eyes. Zara is sure unpredictable and now Sumayya has followed her footsteps. A sound blared through the car.
"I think it's yours Zara" Sumayya said.
"Who is calling?"
"Fawwaz"
"Pick it up and tell him I'm driving. I cannot answer the call" she replied. Sumayya did as she was told. Picking up the call, she put it on the loudspeaker.
"Princess" came his voice. Zara snapped her eyes towards her as Sumayya lips curved up liking of what she's about to do.
"Your princess is not available at the moment but she asked me to pass on this information to you. Should I say it or not?" Zara passed her a dirty glare daring her to utter the lie and face her wrath later.
"Go on" his voice revamped again.
"Okay. So, she said that if you really love her as you do, then there's one thing you will have to do"
"And what is that?" He asked. By his tone, you will know he's getting impatient.
"You two won't meet or talk on the phone until after the wedding. After five days."
"Sumatra!" Zara called out sending more daggers to her.
"Oh, I have to go now. Bye" After hanging up, her lips broke into a fit of laughter as Zara throw glare by glare to her direction.
"What was that for?" She inquired.
"Well just wanted to mess with you"
"I think you are becoming a trouble maker, more than me" Sumayya shrug her shoulder while Manal uttered another word that provokes Zara more. And their bickering continues up to their way to the park.