A Queen's Touch & Some Glitter

ستارواں باب - Chapter 17

ستارواں باب — Chapter 17

THE QUEEN'S LAST DAY IN HER MATERNAL KINGDOM

RAEES HAD LEFT THE HOME FOR THE NIGHT. Lyana's bridal shower was about to commence soon and to give her and her friends and women all the room to get wild, Raees had booked a hotel room for the night. The decorating team had arrived shortly after his departure, setting up the large lounge for the occasion. Placing a long table on one end with a white linen table cloth on top. Trays of black porcelain were set up on top of the table with different kinds of food places in them. From chocolate covered strawberries, drizzled with sprinkles and glitters. A two tier cake resting in between on a large cake stand. Covered in white italian meringue frosting and edible flowers. Small finger foods like the deep fried tempura with a tangy sauce inside a small bowl. French fries and honey glazed wings with toasted sesame seeds sprinkled on top. The room smelt like a five star restaurant.

The musky smell of the incense went perfectly well with the floral scented candles. The spicy and sweet smells of the food placed, added more oomph than one would give them credit for. On the other side, a large white wrought iron arch had been set. Covered in twigs and flowers. White fairy lights threaded through them. Varying sized vases were set with large blooming red roses inside. A natural perfume for the air.

In the middle, a long light wood table was brough in. Floor cushions placed at its sides with name tags infront of each. Candelabras ran along its length, burning with red candles. Smelling of what one could associate with love. Cutlery and black ceramic plates were arranged infront of each name plate, the large ceiling length windows showing the dark weather outside, set the mood perfectly, as the lights inside were dimmed.

Lyana stepped downstairs with Rania in tow. The bridal shower was an intimate event and the theme had been chosen as floor length dresses. Lyana was dressed in a ruby red, cold shoulder dress. The bodice hugging her tight before falling loose. The ends of the sleeves having cuffs that puffed them. Her hair was wrapped into a sleek ponytail with a few pieces framing the front. Under the champagne lights of the chandelier the diamond set that she wore, glittered. Her weddings rings looked stunning on her fingers in the light.

Rania had gone with a loose fitted white chiffon evening gown. Her hair in a sleek loose bun. She smiled at the entourage of guests that had begun to pour in. Hugging them and kissing their cheeks in soft greeting. She smiled seeing Merzia enter the room in her pastel floor length dress. Her long dirty brown hair let loose, her fingers glittering with rings as she stumbled forward in her heels. Lyana left the group of her cousins as she saw her soul sister step into the room. Hugging the life out of Merzia.

Merzia squeezed Lyana with an equal force. The two feeling their rib cages tighten. But that had always been how they greeted each other after a long time away from each other. Lyana guided Merzia into the lounge, with the rest in tow.

Naima and Fatima were the last to arrive. Having gotten stuck in the rush hour traffic on the canal, they were thirty minutes late. However, it was a Pakistani event and being thirty minutes minutes late simply meant you were well, early. Rania hugged her nieces before walking away to sit with her mother. Who looked way to young for her age in the white peshwas she had donned.

"Alright girls what do you want to start with?" Rania cheered.
Bringing them away from the photo booth. Lyana's friends stared at each other a bit confused. They had no idea where to start since they quite honestly had prepared a lot. Finally it was decided to play a game of charades and the cards with the movie and song titles were brought out.

"Lyana beta Unnati aur Myra nahi aaye?" [Lyana child Unnati and Myra did not come?] Nazia looked at her eldest grandchild.
Lyana, who was sitting in the feet of her grandmother, rested her head against her legs, before smiling softly.
"They said there was a dinner held by Almageer's maternal uncle. So they had to go there," she elaborated.
Sighing softly as Nazia began to play with her hair.