BEST FRIENDS

Chapter21

Yesmeen...
Today's the henna party, and I'm opting for a low key wedding, which suits me just fine. As soon as my henna application is  complete, I stood up from my seat.

"Yesmeen, I've never seen an Amarya like you," my cousin sister, Habiba, said with a smirk. "Won't you even send your henna to your husband? Let me tell you something, remember, you aren't the only one he's getting married to."

I smiled, knowing that Ameer wouldn't need to see the henna now, but he would surely get tired of it soon after the marriage. Khadija, another cousin, whispered to someone nearby, "This girl is actually mad. She's only doing this because Ammar  is  once her friend, and the girl he's getting married to is also her friend."

"Yesmeen, oh my goodness, where's your phone? I'm going to start lecturing you!" Habiba exclaimed. "Just because Ameer is your friend, you're going to leave him for her? Just for some stupid girl's happiness, right?"

"Habiba, you wouldn't understand, seriously, how things are going...I will never understand," Khadija mumbled, snatching my phone from my hand. "Please don't do this to me, Wallah, Ammar will just start teasing me, I know it. Yes, we will do everything to draw his attention towards you."

She snapped a photo and sent it to him, but after 30 minutes, there is no reply, no call, nothing. "I'm going to dial his number," Khadija said  . "L

No, please don't call him, he must be busy."

But before I could finish my statement, his call came through on my phone. I immediately snatched the phone from Khadija's hand and ran to the bathroom, locking the door behind me. My heart is racing with anticipation and a mix of emotions. What would he say? Is  he really busy.

I answered the call, and his laughter filled the line. "Assalama alaikum Greetings, from the girl who swore she wouldn't send anything," he laughed . "The henna is beautiful, by the way. Yesmeen,

But seriously, stop being so sensitive, okay? And by the way, I'm not the one who sent the photo."

Let me pretend." I believe you,so today no crying?he questioned

What do you think of me? I questioned

A  cry-cry baby who always cries over little things?

Erm, Ammar...

Erm, Yesmeen...

Stop it and listen now.

Yes, all my ears.

So, did Ameera send you her henna design?" I asked nervously, trying to hide my jealousy.

Ameer let out a sly laugh. "Are you already feeling jealous, Yesmeen?

I'm just asking a question.

Interestingly, you both sent the photos almost simultaneously.

And you called her first?

I texted her, then called you.

What did you tell her, Yesmeen?"

"Oh my Allah, meen, this kind of jealousy can't you even hide it?" You want me to tell you what I told her? Well, it looks beautiful, and I love it.

And you just tell me that my own looks not that bad? Thank you." I hang up the call, feeling a mix of emotions.

As I came out of the bathroom, his message popped up on the screen. I threw the phone aside, and Khadija read the message beside me. His text message made my heart skip a beat: "You know why I texted her and called you? No right, meen, your voice is my favorite sound. If only you know how much those little moments with you mean to me. You won't say that... and you know your henna is more beautiful than any other girl's own ❤️, not even Ameera's. Hope now you'll be at peace 😊."

I smiled cheekily, feeling a flutter in my chest. Is he telling the truth, or is he just saying it to make me feel better?

Allah, Yesmeen, you're trying to make this guy mad! What else do you want him to say? He shouldn't compliment Ameera's henna, after all, she's his fiancée!

Khadija looked at me with a knowing glance, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. Am I being unfair to Ameera, or am I just trying to protect my own heart? The confusion and jealousy swirled inside me like a storm, and I didn't know which way to turn.

*****************

As I sat on a stool, the makeup artist worked on my face. Suddenly, Khadija handed me my phone. "Yesmeen, your husband is FaceTiming you!" I answered, and Ameer's face appeared on the screen, lying in bed and rubbing his eyes.

"Good morning, beautiful! You're looking gorgeous today!" he said, blinking his eyes. "

You compliment her  first, right?"

He squeezed his face yesmeen , I don't like this I hope you'll stop this nonsense when we get married."
He continued, "So, how's the event going? You're looking absolutely stunning today, meen.

Just today? I shoot him a glare

I mean, you always look beautiful, but today's different." His flirtatious tone made my heart skip a beat. I blushed, feeling a mix of happiness and shyness. The makeup artist and Khadija looked at me with knowing glances, and I couldn't help but smile.

"Seriously, I look beautiful," I muttered, blinking my eyes.

Uhm, the girl is beautiful, but not you..." he teased,. "Don't put on red lipstick, it would spoil the makeup."

I laughed, "Then which color should I use? Pink, for girls?" We bantered back and forth until I ended the call, feeling radiant and confident. The makeup is done, and the kamu went off without a hitch, Alhamdulillah.

The next day, around 12 pm, Ammar called, "they're heading to Ameera's wedding fatiha. My heart skipped a beat as I realized the big day has finally arrived. I felt a mix of emotions - happiness for Ameera and a tinge of jealousy that Ammar is going to be there with her. ...