And He Created Them In Pairs

C H A P T E R 14

{midterms week}

Ahmed and I are on good terms now. He left my apartment after because I had to start studying for my exams, which were this week! Midterm week is so stressful. 

I met up with Saima, Isra and Arwah to study at the library, where we were mostly goofing off. 

"So, Laila, how's Ahmed?" Saima asked teasingly. 

"He's good, alhumdulilah. He is actually being really sweet this week! He dropped off flowers this morning before my exam and wished me good luck!" 

"Awww! Thats so cute!" Saima and Arwah said. 

"So, have your parents said anything to you in person about the engagement?" Isra asked while writing some business equations onto the white board. 

"No, not yet. But I'm going back home this Friday. I think they'll probably sit me down and explain." I told them as I opened a bag of hot cheetos.

"Cool, tell us what happens!" Saima says. As we were getting back to actual work, a loud group of guys came and sat at the table right next to us. And of course, they were from the same business class. 

"Hey, isn't that Ali and Zain?" Isra asks me, to which I nod. I noticed Ahmed wasn't with them, maybe he's studying at home. 

"Hey guys! Do you mind if we study together?" We look up to see 6'1 Zain smiling down at us, eyeing our bags of chips. 

"Uh, yeah sure." Saima says making a weird face.

"Awesome!" he says as he goes and calls over his obnoxiously loud friends. They all pulled up chairs and began talking about how annoying our professor is, while also doing the study guide. 

{2 hours later}

Isra and Arwah had left, and so did some of the guys. The only people who were left at the table were me, Saima, Zain, Ali and some dude named Abbas. Saima and Zain seemed to be getting along very well for the past few hours, they'd be so cute together! Me, Ali and Abbas have been trying to understand one concept that was left on the study guide. 

"Okay well. Today was actually productive!" I say as I start to pack my things. 

"Yeah, it was. You're a good teacher" Ali says with a smirk. Hm, never noticed he has green eyes. 

"Well you're a good student" I smile back. 

"So, if you're not busy next weekend, do you want to go to the new Hookah lounge?" Ali asks me hopefully. Wait, doesn't he know I'm "engaged" to Ahmed? 

"Um, sorry I'm actually busy then." I say and look over to Saima, who also starts packing her things. 

"Ah, I have to go! Its really late!" She says, looking at her watch.

"I can walk you to your car" Zain offers politely and picks up one of her books. AWW! They're so cute! Zain and Saima say bye and head towards the exit, and I say bye to Ali and Abbas and begin to leave.

"Dude, what are you doing? That's Ahmed's girl" I heard Abbas whisper to Ali.

"Yeah, well he's not here, is he?" Ali says back. 

{Friday}

Finally, I'm done with my exams! It feels so great to be going back home and seeing my family for the weekend. I opened the door to my house and the smell of onions and curry entered my nose. Ahh, I'm home. 

"Mom, I'm home!" I yell from the door, leaving my bags on the floor. I hear her come running down the stairs.

"Laila! Beta, finally!" She sighs as she hugs me tightly. She did not let go for a good five minutes. 

"Okay, mom I've missed you too. But we need to talk!" I tell her, pointing at my ring finger. 

"Oh, right." She smiles. "first go freshen up, and I'll come to your room and talk". Mom walked off into the kitchen to finish cooking. I grabbed my bags and headed to my room, setting everything down. I washed my face, wore my PJs and waited. The anticipation was too much. I need her to come tell me everything now. 

"MOM! PLEASE JUST COME UPSTAIRS NOWWW!" I yell down the stairs. 

Five minutes, which felt like five hours, later-Mom came into my room and sat down next to me. 

"Okay. So, beta. Your dad and Akif Uncle, Ahmed's dad, are very close. They have shared everything together: business, houses, cars. Before you were born, Ahmed's mother passed away when he was only 1 years old. This devastated Akif, obviously. One thing he really wanted was a daughter, but Ahmed's mom passed away before they could try to have one. So when you were born, your dad told Akif that you are like his daughter too. And then came up the idea that you and Ahmed would eventually get married one day." Mom explained.

Oh. This was not at all what I was expecting. I thought my parents owed Akif uncle money and tried using me to pay it off. This situation makes it so much harder to break off the engagement! 

"And, we were planning to have the party this weekend. Tomorrow." Mom said, quietly, avoiding eye contact. 

"WHAT? Where?!" I asked. I have to go get my face waxed! 

"At Akif's house. Tomorrow at 8. Akif uncle even sent you a dress!" she said as she pulled out a gorgeous lavender lehenga with diamonds embroidered into the top. It was even altered to make the sleeves longer and cover my stomach so it was hijab friendly.  

"The makeup artist will be here by 5. Be ready!" My mom said as she slipped out of my room, leaving me to try on the outfit. 

Just as I was about to put the dress on, I got a text message. 

Ahmed

So do you like the dress? ;)