The Perfect Girl

41

"And they're happy for moment,                                                                                                                                         That's what happens when they keep hopin'"

"Do you have any gum?" Hiba asked as we pulled into the parking lot.

The engagement party was outside in a small park.  It was quite a picturesque place, flowers everywhere and a small creek behind the trees.

"Yup," I pulled a pack out of the side compartment, "Here, love."

"Thanks," she said, popping one into her mouth.

"Okay, you good?" I asked, and then when she nodded, "Let's go."

We got out of the car.  I could see a small crowd of people in the distance.  I assumed it must be Laith and Safa's family and friends.  The suspicion was confirmed when I came a bit closer.  I could make out their features.

"As salaamu alaikum!" I called, grinning.

Laith's head snapped up to meet my eyes.  He smiled, jogging to meet us.

"Wa alaikum us salaam, bro!" he said, pulling me into a hug, "How are you?"

"I'm good, man.  The real question is, how are you?"

"Feeling good," he replied and laughed a little, then looked at Hiba, "As salaamu alaikum, bhabi." (brother's wife.)

I saw the surprise in Hiba's eyes at the title, then she smiled and said, "Wa alaikum us salaam.  Congratulations, Laith."

"Thank you." he said, "Safa is over there, if you want to go say salaam."

Hiba nodded, something uncertain and reluctant on her face, and made her way over to where the women were crowded around Safa.  

"So how's the married life, bro?" Laith asked, collapsing on a chair.

I sat down next to him, "It's good, man."

"Really?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Yes," I laughed, "Why's that so hard to believe?"

"Everyone else has been warning me," he chuckled, "Men have issues admitting that they love their wives."

I shrugged, "I love Hiba, man.  No reason to deny it."

"Good on you," he said, clapping me on the back.

"You excited?" I asked.

"Yeah," he sighed, "I am, man."

I gave him a look, "Why don't you sound like it?"

He laughed, "What, do you want me to smile like an idiot?"

"I don't know," I said, "That's what I was doing when I got married."

"Whipped." he muttered.

"Maybe a little."

***

Later that night, when most of the guests had left and all that remained were the close friends and family, the gender separation sort of dissolved.  The couples sat together and the siblings together.  

Hiba sat next to me.  I offered her my hand, and she grasped it, intertwining her fingers with mine.  A moment later, she took her hand away to cross her arms.  I felt her shiver a little.

"Are you cold?" I asked quietly.

"It's a little chilly," she mumbled.

I took my blazer off, handed it to her.  

She gave it back to me, "It's fine.  You'll end up cold."

I rolled my eyes, "Take it, sweetheart."

She shook her head.

I draped it over her, holding up the sleeves so she could put her arms through.  She refused.  

"Love." I murmured.

She put her arm through, tugged it closer to her.

"Thanks," she said.

I nodded, focusing back on the conversation.  Laith made eye contact with me, smirking at my blazer on Hiba.  

I flushed.

Hiba noticed, gave me the sort of look that told me she too was embarrassed and that it was my fault.  The uncles and aunties paused their conversations to send a look our way.

"Mashallah," Laith's mother smiled.

Hiba was blushing, "Thank you, Auntie."

"May Allah always keep you together and happy."

"Ameen," I heard Hiba echo.

I smiled, said the same.  

***

When everyone finally left, Hiba and I walked to the car.

"Do you want the blazer back?" Hiba asked.

I shook my head, opening the door.

"So," I said, "Was everything good?"

"Yeah," she sighed, "Everything was fine."

There was silence as we began driving.

"Laith thinks I'm whipped," I said, smirking. 

Hiba laughed, "Are you?"

I shrugged, "Maybe."

She curled up on the seat, taking off her high heels and leaning against the door.

"Sleepy?" I asked.

"A little," she said, "But mostly my feet just hurt."

"Why do you wear heels if they're so painful?"

"They look nice," she shrugged, "And they give me a few inches."

Again, we faded into quiet.

"You know Safa?" Hiba murmured.

"Mhmm?"

"She was the girl I was talking about, the one I'm not friends with anymore."

"What?"

"Yeah."

"Damn, that must have been awkward," I muttered.

"It was," she said, half smiled, "But I think it needed to happen, you know?"

"Not really, but if you say so."

She laughed, snuggling into my blazer.

"My stuff looks cute on you," I said.

"You probably shouldn't say that," she warned.

"Why?"

"I have a habit of stealing other people's clothes, especially boys'."

"What boys have you been stealing clothes from?" I exclaimed.

"All the boys." she teased.

"Really now?" 

She shook her head, "Just Amar and Shuayb."

"Good," I muttered.

She giggled.