"Can I get some rest first?" I asked my sister, feeling suffocated by the conversation,
"Sure," Ruqayya said, "Just make sure to come down in time to prepare dinner" she replied, as I took my things and rushed upstairs, as I got upstairs, I prayed and crashed onto bed, falling asleep almost instantly,After an hour of rest, I felt a little refreshed and able to go back downstairs, I could hear Ruqayya and Jidda talking about something and giggling, Ruqayya had a gentle and calm voice but my friend Jidda was loud, if Jidda was in her comfort zone you could hear her laughter from a mile away,I walked back down stair and the room suddenly became silent they were obviously talking about me, "Jidda, you're going to stay for dinner, right?" I asked, resolving to meet the Mukhtar's since I clearly had no other choice."Of course" Jidda replied glancing and Ruqayya as though requesting permission, Ruqayya smiled and Jidda continued I would love to see how handsome my best friend's husband-to-be is," she replied with a smile."Zahra, we've helped you by cutting some of the spices, but you have to do all the cooking yourself," Ruqayya said.Zahra was my nickname, Ruqayya called me that whenever she had work for me, and knew I was in for a challenge."Why? I'm tired!" I exclaimed, wondering why I had to do all the cooking when I wasn't the one who invited anyone for dinner.My sister gave me a warning look. "They are your visitors," she reminded me. It was our culture to treat our guests with the utmost respect."Alright," I said reluctantly, accepting my role as the host.I picked up the pot and started frying the spices they had cut. I was going to make a variety of dishes—basmati rice with fried chicken, spaghetti with Bolognese sauce, coleslaw, fruit salad, and so much more. The list seemed endless."Please tell me you ordered some snacks," I pleaded with my sister, hoping I didn't have to make samosas along with everything else."No! I was hoping you would make cupcakes," Ruqayya said, adding another item to my already long list of things to do.I sighed trying to maximize my time, "What time are they coming!" I asked my sister wondering how I was expected to finish all that and dress up to meet them.I wasn't sure if I was still going to accept the proposal but yet I felt the need to make a good first impression."After maghrib" Ruqayya replied, Maghrib was the fourth prayer Muslims did in a day, it was usually done after sunset around 7 pm most times, although the time varied in locations. "Okay, I can do it" I convinced myself as I continued with the preparation. "So how was the interview" Ruqayyah asked as I got to cooking "Yeah, you didn't give any feedback" Jidda added, Ughh the interview, I didn't want to even remember how awfully the HR treated me, "Well, honestly it didn't go well"..."I am sure you did better than you think," Jidda said, "There wasn't even an interview, the HR just kept me waiting for nothing, very unprofessional," I said luckily for me basmati rice and fried chicken, didn't take so long to cook and I was done, Ruqayyah brought out a cooler and poured it in, I boiled the spaghetti while making the rice it was done in no time. Leaving me with the sauce, cupcakes, fruit salad, and coleslaw, which I did one after the other, I had finished earlier than expected, just in time for evening prayer. By the time I was done Ruqayyah and Jidda were upstairs, leaving me alone to put everything in its appropriate place, set the table, and clean the kitchen before going to my room to pray. I entered my room to find Ruqayyah and Jidda sitting on my bed talking, They laid a red dress on the bed both chattering about it, "Zahra, get ready, they are coming by 7:30" she said, I nodded playing along with everything she was saying, I knew at the bottom of my mind that I wasn't going to agree to the arrangement, I peeked to see the dress, but Jidda pushed away from my gaze, "What are you hiding?" I asked, "Get ready and you will see" my sister replied. I did as I was told, I was a mermaid when it came to baths, as I loved to take my time in the bathroom, but this time around I made sure to hurry, time wasn't on my side either as it was already 7:20. I came out of the bathroom to find Jidda holding up a beautiful red dress, It was a glittery red dress, with silver lace around the neck and hand, was beautiful "You bought a new dress for this?" I asked my sister nodded with a smile."Isn't it too extra," I asked, The dress was very beautiful but I felt it was too extra considering I wasn't interested in accepting a proposal, "No, it's not, we are talking about the Mukhtars here," Ruqayyah said, taking the dress off Jidda's hand, and handing it over to me, "Try it on, I want to see". I tried on the dress and it was perfect, It was the perfect fit for me, the perfect length, and size, and it rested on my body without exposing too much of my figure, Use this scarf, my sister said handing me a silver scarf to wrap around, the blended perfectly, "Ibrahim wouldn't be able to take his eyes off you now" Jidda teased, making me blush, I looked at myself in the mirror and not to toot my own horn but I looked good, "Makeup time or no makeup?" Jidda asked They both stared at me like a doll on display, "How good is your makeup skill" Ruqayya asked Jidda, "Very good" Jidda boasted, "No makeup" I answered for myself. "Not that I am accepting the proposal, but he should like me for my natural self," I said."sure" "sure" they both sync with smirks on their face, the doorbell rang, making my heart skip a beat, "let go, let go!!" Ruqayya rushed me downstairs, "Stay in the kitchen, I will tell you when to come out, she said pushing me into the kitchen with Jidda, Jidda and I leaned against the kitchen door, listening to them exchange pleasantries, I heard a nice deep voice say "Asallamu Alaikum" sending shivers down my spine, "Is that him" Jidda said, holding my hands as I began to feel nervous, different thought flooded my mind.Amidst the panic, I heard my phone start to ring, tightening my grip on Jidda's hand as I picked up the call. "Hello, Am I speaking to Fatima?" the male voice on the other side of the phone said, "Yes" I replied, My name is Kabir, We met earlier today," he said, "Okay…. I said trying to remember if I met anyone that day, "The HR from NPC" he explained,Chapter Four: Meeting him "Okay," I said again. "I am sorry about earlier, You are perfect for the job but the company has a no-dating policy, and I like you," Kabir said the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard."I don't understand?" I asked feeling the door Jidda and I were leaning on move as we both stepped back, Ruqayya opened the door, "Take some drinks to them" she whispered, trying not to interrupt my call."If you had gotten the job..." he said I could feel my body tense up and my hearing pause, I couldn't hear anything Kabir was saying anymore "You know, can I call you back?" I asked, hanging up the call immediately."Take some drinks to them", Ruqayya said again, I glanced at Jidds who had a wide smile, my heart suddenly pounding, and my hands trembling as I picked up a tray of drinks, "Let's go" I turned to Jidda who shook her head, "you go alone, make sure to look at him properly" she teased,"I would follow you," my sister said, standing in front of me as we both wal
Ibrahim looked at me, "you are so beautiful" he said his voice filled with sincerity. My face broke into an unconscious smile, "Thank you" I replied. My reply was followed by deafening silence."Fatima" he called my name like he was testing a microphone, I could tell he was nervous too. I looked up at him and he said "I know all this is happening very fast and we barely know each other. But I think we can make it work, if you are willing, I promise to try my best to be a good choice" he assured every time he spoke I could feel his sincerity. I smiled at his words, wondering if I was expected to say more. he didn't seem like much of a talker and I was feeling too awkward to say anything. The room was filled with silence until his younger sister Kareema rushed in. "Can I have more cake, ya Ahmad wouldn't let me," she said holding my hand, she probably saw me as a hero, the defender of her junk-eating habit, and I took it proudly."Let's get you some cake," I said, she was just too a
"I accept'' I said. At that moment my mind told me it was safe. I watched her face break into a smile. "Thank you so much sis" she said, giving me a tight warm hug. "Let me tell Umar," she said, rushing out of the kitchen. I knew she wasn't actually going to stay to help me wash the plates especially after she was the one who made breakfast. "She said yes" I heard Ruqayya's voice from all the way. I wasn't sure I made the right decision but seeing how excited it made her, made me feel better. Once I was done from the kitchen I stepped out to find Umar on a call while Ruqayya stood behind him nodding. "We have a wedding to prepare for," Umar said immediately he put down the call and my heart skipped a beat. I was really getting married.Ruqayya turned to face me, a wide grin on her face, now her smile was getting me more nervous. "What do you have to do today, why don't we go shopping for your wedding clothes," she said, making my heart race. this was all too sudden. What did I j
What did she mean I was supposed to be here since last week, I had only met Ahamd yesterday.I felt there was more to this than I knew. How long had they been talking about the marriage with Ruqayya and Umar and why was I just finding out now? "Please tell me about my job," I said changing the topic. There was no point explaining to Flora that I had just met the Mukhtars. whatever conversation I needed to have was with my sister."you are now the head of the customer service and partnership department," she said "Head!" I exclaimed out loud, "Yes ma'am" she answered innocently, how could I be the head of a whole department when I had no job experience? I thought to myself. "Are you sure?" I asked in utter disbelief."Yes ma'am" she replied with a smile. "but I have no job experience," I protested, as she nodded like she had already known that. I wonder what they were told about me for the past week. "But you studied psychology ma'am, that gives you the ability to understand peopl
"Okay," I said, as he hung up."Ma'am are we waiting for Ms Laila" Flora asked, "let's go back to the office" I said as we went back to our floor. I had no idea I was meeting Ibrahim today, I came out without a single line of makeup, I looked at my window which was made out of a mirror opaque glass. I was glad I took dressing up to make a first impression seriously I thought as I looked at myself.I picked up the powder in my bag, touching up my ever-so-oily face with it. I had no other make-up material in my bag, not even a lip gloss "Shame on your Fatima" I berated myself. I pulled out the card to read it before he came. "My love for you is like a flower, it blooms every day. from the moment I set my eyes on you, until this day. I promise to nurture what we have and protect you with all I have" it read. it was handwritten making it more romantic, I held on to the letter smiling at the words.I thought he didn't like me. I had tried not to think about the marriage or my choice all
I didn't mind the arranged marriage because I wasn't even in love with anyone else but I could never marry someone who didn't love me. "Alright," he said as we both stood up, I hated that I didn't eat anything he set up, there were so many juicy-looking things. but I also needed to leave that space. "I am sure Ahmad told you to set up a romantic brunch" I blurted as soon as we got into the car. I was expressive I didn't like having words hooked in my throat. "No, I thought about it myself," he replied innocently. I didn't want to lie to you about the card, I want our relationship to be built on honesty" "I am sorry" he said opening the car door for me. I admired his honesty but I also wished he picked out the card himself or didn't even do it at all. "It's fine" I said I said glancing at him as soon as he entered the car, "I would make it up to you" he assured. 'you better' I thought to myself nodding. We arrived back at the office and he parked at the basement parking lot, I
"What!" I exclaimed, "This is my cousin Kabir's number" he said, "Ughh, I am not a fan of that guy, is he the one harassing you?" Ibrahim asked, "he wasn't really harassing me I guess, I am just not comfortable," I said defending him as soon I realized they were cousins. "It's Harassment dear," Ibrahim said, I could sense his anger increasing as soon as he realized it was his cousin. "I don't like to talk to him. but I would ask Ahmad to talk to him, Ahmad is the only person calm enough to talk to Kabir" Ibrahim explained. 'Ahamd, Calm, you mean bossy enough' I thought remembering how Ahmad was stopping Kareema from eating cake and had been bossy with everyone else. "He wouldn't bother you again" Ibrahim assured. and I nodded. "Can I ask? Is Ahamd getting married on the same day as us?" I asked. I wanted to know if Ahamd was in a relationship. I wanted a way to push the idea of him and Jidda. "No" Ibrahim replied, "but he is in a relationship, right? I further enquired. "Not that
"My Mr. Mukhtar?" I felt a surge of anger as I asked."no!!" "the CEO, Mr Ahmad!" Flora clarified. I could see she immediately regretted telling me. I felt embarrassed, 'why did I add "my' ' to Ibrahim's name, it's not like he was mine or anything' ' I thought to myself. So what if it's Ibrahim?' I thought again."why would that make her jealous of me? I have nothing to do with Ahmad " I said. "she bragged about being the first daughter-in-law of the family" Flora explained, I could tell Flora no longer wanted to talk about it. I respected that. We both silently got out of the elevator.I wondered why I felt jealous earlier, it wasn't like I loved him or anything, 'you are getting married to him, maybe that's why' I told myself.As I got into the office I received a text from Umar, it said he wouldn't be able to take me home because he had an assignment, I was not surprised, Ibrahim had already told me.I wished it was Ibrahim who was available to take me home, I was starting to