Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 11
Since 10 am all of us in the wedding
house were running back and forth to
get the things done. From phone calls to
dealing with kids, taking care of the
food and running for last minute
alterations, all of us were having panic
attacks especially the poor bride who
was consistently calling to check if
everything is under control while she
was getting her makeup and nails done.
At last, around 4 pm we were finished
with everything. All the stuff was neatly
packed and placed inside the wedding
bus and now it was time to get ready.
Sobia wore a beautiful long green dress
with silver detailing and paired it with
bright red bangles. I on the other hand,
wore my red and black anarkali dress. It
was long and flowy with beautiful gold
detailing and paired it with big gold
earrings and pinned side of my hair in a
braid and secured it with a clip. I usually
leave my hair out for special occasions.
I look so different whenever I wear
eastern clothes; I wish I could wear it all
the time.
‘Wow you look stunning Laila, all the
single boys will go crazy tonight after
they see you’ Sobia blabbed on while
applying her makeup.
‘Oh stop it, I bet Rafay will go head over
heels when he sees you tonight…Oh and
did I tell you he has arrived in Brighton’
‘What?’ Sobia almost dropped her
makeup brush.
‘You are not a bride, stop the drama’ I
picked up the brush and applied her
blush on her left cheek.
‘I am just nervous’ Oh what a hopeless
little soul.
We arrived at the wedding hall and it
looked magical when we stepped inside.
The décor was to die for, the theme was
white and lilac and all the tables were
decorated with small pearls, flowers and
candles.
‘Wow’
‘I know right, Saima is such a visionary.
She planned everything’ Saima’s mother,
Samra said to me.
‘She did a wonderful job Samra aunty,
everything looks wonderful’
Sometime later Rafay showed up with a
beautiful bouquet of flowers. As soon as
he saw us, he came over and handed
the flowers to Samra aunty, said
congratulations and instantly won over
her heart as well.
‘Asalam O Alikum Laila…Sobia’ He
couldn’t take his eyes away from her.
Rafay was also wearing a dark green
shirt inside his tux and it complimented
Sobia’s outfit so well. Maybe they did
plan this.
‘He is also wearing green’ I elbowed
Sobia.
‘I can see that, shut up’ She elbowed me
back. Everyone was pretty much here
except the groom and his groomsman
and our lovely bride Sobia who wanted
to walk the aisle with her father so all
the bridesmaid were standing near the
altar waiting for the couple.
‘Where are the groomsmen?’ Rafay
asked us, he was still standing with us
while everyone was seated.
‘You should sit down, they’ll be here any
time now’ Sobia said calmly and he took
the seat closest to where we were
standing because he didn’t know
anyone else.
‘Oh here comes the groom and his
gang’ Sobia announced when the music
started playing in the background and
all the photographers gathered around
the entrance.
‘Akeel Bhai is good-looking isn’t he?
Sobia whispered when the groom
stepped out from the huddle of
photographers.
‘Yess he is but Saima is lucky too I
mean….’ And I couldn’t finish my
sentence after recognizing another
familiar face in the crowd. Farid Ibrahim.
He was wearing a navy blue suit and a
white shirt. This time he had his hair
pushed back and beard trimmed, but he
still looked like himself.
‘Is that…?’ Sobia nearly shouted.
‘Yeahh’
‘What the hell is he doing here?’ She
asked me as if I know.
‘How do I know?’ I snapped back.
‘Wait here I am going to ask Samra
aunty’
When she came back I could tell there is
something wrong.
‘What?’
‘He is one of Akeel’s friends’ Sobia told
me.
‘Why is this keep on happening?’
‘Don’t panic, just stay close to me and
ignore him okay?’
‘Hmm’ I wish it was that easy.
The groom and the groomsman finally
arrived at the stage and Farid eyes met
mine straight away.
He walked over and Sobia stood in front
of me to stop him.
‘Go back to your side’ Sobia fired at him
but his eyes were nowhere close on her
instead he dipped his head to the side
and looked at him.
‘Hello Laila’ His eyes traced every inch of
my body but I kept my eyes on the
ground the entire time. Thankfully Rafay
stood up and walked away.
‘Everything okay?’ He glanced over at
Farid and he smiled at him and walked
back to his side.
‘Is that…”
‘Yup’ Sobia and I said at the same time
before he even finished his sentence.
‘What’s up with this dude?’ He asked
me.
‘Nothing’ I didn’t want Rafay to get
involved.
‘He is a creeper; he has been giving her
trouble lately’ Sobia told Rafay despite
me trying to stop her.
‘If he does anything, you tell me. I mean
it’
‘Don’t worry Rafay, I can handle it but
thank you’ Rafay went back to his seat
after.
‘Don’t tell him anything Sobia please’
‘Fine, but I promise he won’t be staying
here for long. I am going to make sure
Farid leaves as soon as possible.’
‘Common Sobia, he is Akeel’s friend.
Don’t cause any scene. It’ll pass’ I
ensured her, still feeling unsure myself.
When Saima stepped inside the hall, she
looked like a fairy. Her bright orange
dress was a killer and everyone in the
room seemed to agree.
During the Nikkah ceremony, I couldn’t
help it and started crying.
‘Ya Allah not again, Laila you have been
to so many wedding and you still cry.’
Sobia handed me a tissue.
‘It’s all so beautiful; the vows are so
special Sobia, marriage is a promise of a
lifetime and it just gets me’. I carefully
placed the tissue under my eyes making
sure not to ruin my makeup.
Rafay and Sobia were both laughing at
me for crying.
‘Not you too Rafay’
‘Sorry Laila but it is funny, it’s not your
wedding’
‘Shut up, oh gosh I am such a mess’ I
laughed at my condition too, I bet all of
my makeup just melted off.
‘Go and fix your eyeliner’ Sobia passed
me her makeup bag and I head out to
use the washroom.
When I saw my reflection in the
washroom mirror, I realized that it’s not
just my eyeliner that needs to be fixed, it
was my entire makeup. I reapplied my
mascara, fixed my eyeliner, and
reapplied my nude lipstick. Once I was
sure of my appearance I stepped out
and right then I bumped into Fared.
‘You better start looking where you are
going Laila’ He steadied me.
‘I am fine it’s you who needs to watch
out’ I stepped out of his grip but he held
me hand and pulled me back in his
space.
‘Let go or else I’ll scream’ I yelled.
‘Go ahead’ He smiled evilly.
‘I am serious’
‘Me too…but I know you won’t scream’
He whispered and brought his face near
mine.
‘I don’t have time for this’ I told him
straight up.
‘Your lover is here too I see, but he is
playing his charming games on your
friend’
‘It none of your business’
‘Maybe, but you are becoming my
business Laila…don’t you remember
what I said the other day in the
classroom?’ He was testing my patience.
‘I don’t remember’ I looked away and
my hands were still in imprisoned in his
hands.
‘You wanna know why I followed you?’
‘I don’t want to know anything, let me
go.’ My voice again became shaky.
Farid moved his hands up until it
reached my shoulder and then he
turned me around so my back was
facing him. I tried to leave but he
gripped my shoulder tighter.
‘Your zip is open.’ Before I could even
protest his hands moved down my waist
and my body shivered from his touch.
‘I can do it myself’
‘You don’t even know what’s going
around you half of the time’ He sounded
pissed. His hands however felt a lot
gentle when he pulled the zipper of my
dress to the top and secured it.
‘Go’ I didn’t realize I was still standing
close to him until he said that.
‘Thanks’ I went back inside the hall and
sat with Sobia and Rafay. When Farid
entered the hall, he was smiling to
himself. I honestly don’t know what’s
wrong with him and why he treats me
like that. I have seen how he is with
other girls, he is flirty, light-hearted and
fun but whenever he sees me he goes
off and turns into a maniac.
‘What are thinking about?’ Rafay asked
me.
‘I am hungry’ I excused myself and went
to get some food.
The food was amazing; I filled my plate
as much as I could with kabobs, rice,
yogurt and salad. It was divine.
‘Wow slow down girl’ Rafay was eying
my food.
‘Go get your own’
‘No thank you, Sobia and I had plenty of
food when you were busy doing
whatever you girls do with all the
makeup’
‘Don’t be jealous of us girls’ Sobia’s
feminism sparked up.
‘I wouldn’t dare ma’am, I’ll go get us
some ice cream’
‘Ma’am huh?’ Both of laughed when I
repeated his words.
‘Hello Sobia’ Akeem Bhai came to our
table with his fellow friends, including
Fared.
‘Asalam O Alikum Bhai Jaan , you look
handsome…oh by the way, this is my
best friend Laila’ Sobia introduced me to
Akeel, the groom.
‘Asalam O Alikum, congrats on your
Nikkah’ I said to him.
‘Ahh thank you Laila, you have a
beautiful name and yes I am a lucky guy’
Akeel Bhai was really sweet. The entire
time we talked, Farid kept looking my
way.
‘Anyways it was nice talking to you, I
have to meet other guests too, see you
at the reception tomorrow.’ He walked
away with everyone but Farid stayed
back.
‘You have a beautiful birthmark’ He
winked at me and walked away.
D–n he saw my birthmark too.
‘What just happened?’ Sobia asked me
with her eyes wide open.
‘Huh?’
‘He said you have a beautiful birthmark’
Sobia never learned to keep her voice
down.
‘Keep it down will you? He is just making
thinks up…he is crazy okay’ I went back
to eating my food. No one has ever seen
my birthmark and the person who did is
the person I can’t stand being close too.
What is life!
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