Naseem-e-Subh

Chapter 13: beautiful lover

Israh's POV

"Oh my god, they're here!" Tamannah squealed, hurrying away from the window and grabbing my wrist.

My heart was in my mouth. I didn't want to see him and yet that was all I wanted to do at the same time.

Noor and Aliya crowded around the window as well, and Noor let out a low whistle of appreciation. "Damn girl, how did you score that?"

I rolled my eyes and wiggled my way between them to look through the curtain. I tried to suppress a smile at his sight, hiding behind a veil of nonchalance but in reality I was in awe. He was so beautiful. Truly, how did I score that? He was way out of my league, honestly.

Clad in a light grey suit, a crisp white shirt and a dark grey tie, with a red rose in his blazer's pocket he was a sight for sore eyes. He was holding a large bouquet of roses, the kind that I melted over when I saw them on Pinterest. I wondered whether he'd bought it himself, or if it was aunty's doing.

"Oooh, y'all are matching! Did you secretly tell him you were wearing silver today?" Noorie spoke again, shoving my shoulder playfully.

I kept my eyes on him. I couldn't tear my gaze away. I'd never had crushes but now I wondered whether this was what it felt like: racing heartbeats and an inability to look away.

"I did not. Maybe aunty did."

Aliya whispered into my ear next, "lower your gaze mahraani. (Queen) In a moment you'll be drooling."

Right. I should definitely look away.

Feeling all three pairs of eyes on me, I stepped away the moment Asad and his parents began walking to the door.

I sat back down on the chair in front of my dresser and fiddled with my bangles and my dress like there was anything to fix. Heat had taken up my face, and I knew my friends would tease me to death.

The bell rang. Noorie, Tammu and Ali hurried over to the stairs and hovered around to watch the family come in. I was still waiting for Jamal bhai and bhabhi to come. They were running late it seemed. They were going to meet Asad for the first time today, and it'd been a while since I'd seen bhabhi and the kids. I missed them, and I wanted them around for all my events.

The three came back and sat around me, Tammu fixing my hijab while Aliya draped the dupatta over my shoulder. "Haaye, you look so pretty. My baby!" Tamannah cooed.

I chuckled at her behaviour, and looked at myself in the mirror. My maxi dress was silver, with the prettiest bead work and pale pink embroidery. It wasn't too heavy for I would be incredibly uncomfortable right now if it was, but it was obviously a little more than casual. I wore short silver heels, my dupatta laying around me with the same shade of pink border, while the main part was silver net. My hijab was grey too.

Noorie was the make up fanatic, so she'd adorned me with a soft glowy look that enhanced my eyes and made me look akin to a porcelain doll. I was the perfect combination of me and not me at the same time.

I still had my apprehensions about how this evening was to unfold. I'd prayed Maghrib earlier and hoped that everything would go smoothly today. I didn't want bhai and abbu to argue over anything. I didn't want to trip on myself or choke on chai again.

And between it all, I hoped he was happy. I couldn't read his mind or judge his character, but I really, really wished that the easy smile he carried with himself, was truly representative of the ease in his heart. I knew he didn't love me. I didn't love him either.

I just hoped he would at least be open to a new chapter in both our lives. If not love, I at least wanted friendship.

"Ab to mein hi reh gayi hu. Mujhe bhi koi aisa hero dhund do yaar!" (Now I'm the only one left. Someone find me such a hero too!) Noorie said, her eyes dreamy as she scrolled through her phone.