Journey To The Half Of My Deen

Chapter Sixteen

LAIBA P.O.V

Today was Rania's engagement. It was a very calm day although it felt like the calm before a storm. I know I should think positive but I could not bring myself to feel otherwise.

Ever since Zeeshan's comment on me, I felt really hurt, he judged me without knowing the whole truth. Rania noticed that and kept asking me if everything was okay but I kept denying if anything was wrong and kept saying everything was okay but deep down i knew i wasn't and so did Rania, she left me to tell her when i felt like it which made me feel relieved because i didn't feel like talking about it.

I woke up early today and got my suit ironed, then removed the jewellery and all the accessories needed. After knowing i have everything i went to shower and wore some long dress with a matching hijab and boots and headed out for the venue, i wanted to check if everything was fine.

As I walked down the stairs I tripped, making me gasp and Arif holding me in time "Relax sis, where are you in such a rush to?" he seemed really concerned but i brushed it off "I am fine Arif, i just need to head to the venue then check up on the staff at the gym and then...... come back home to start getting ready then go see if Rania needs my help" i said in one breath panicking

"Breathe Laiba! Breathe '' he held my shoulders and made me face him, we both breathed in and out a couple of times which made me relax. After I relaxed "Look, I can ask Zeeshan to take us as Irfan bhai is not around" i looked at him with wide eyes.

"NO!, I would rather go alone, Thank You" i tried to walk past him and he stopped me "Wait..... Why?" he frowned at me "There is such a thing as Uber, we can just go '' I whined, he narrowed his eyes at me then i just looked away not wanting to meet his eyes. I do not want to talk about it, I would rather not.

His silence was killing me but soon he agreed, making me sigh in relief. Once we reached the venue we got out and went straight to check the decoration and i was so impressed, it was much better than expected. I walked over to the food side and saw the caterers already arranging their stuff making me satisfied. I walked over to the dessert section but saw nothing. So I decided to call Halima and ask her if everything is fine.

After a few rings and she finally picked up "Assalamu Alaikum" i spoke "Wa Alaikum Salam, everything is fine, just relax Laiba" my sister already responded before i even asked the question, i chuckled "How did you know i was going to ask that?" I was not surprised as she knew me so well. "I am your sister, i know you too well" she voiced my thoughts making me smile "Okay, see you soon Habibty" i said "Okay love Ma'asalaam" she said " Ma'asalaam" i replied ending the call. After confirming everything was perfect we headed to the gym, once we entered i finished all the work and headed back home to get ready as only two hours were remaining.

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I got dressed which took me half an hour. Once I was ready I looked for my phone as I could not remember where I kept it. I found it under my makeup and shook my head in disbelief. I opened my phone only to see almost 20 missed calls of Rania which made my heart drop, 'bismillah, i hope everything is okay' i said that and called her.

'Laiba! Finally! I have been calling you all this time, the makeup artist is not here yet and she is not responding to my calls or messages" Rania panicked crying and i took a deep breath "I am on my way" i said and packed my makeup then rushed out the room and as i was rushing i saw aunty azras family and i greeted them

"Ey, where are you headed alone?" My mother stopped me on my tracks, i took a breath and explained to my mother then aunty Azra told Zeeshan to drop me, sadaf and his sisters at Ranias to help out. And I thanked aunty azra for being a lifesaver and hugged her while she laughed and urged me to go.

I went back to my room and got all the things that i needed for setting the scarf and checked if i needed anything else, then i rushed back down and Zeeshan took the things from me and put the things into the boot. I sat behind and Zeeshan drove really fast.

As we got there us girls rushed to a panicked Rania "We are here do not worry at all!!" we all assured her. I started doing her makeup and the girls got on making her wear the jewellery while sadaf went to iron her suits dupatta that will go on top of the hijab.

Once I was done with her makeup I made her wear her hijab and then set the dupatta. Once I was done i stood a bit behind happy with how she looked and turned her around for a reveal to her and the girls, they all gasped in union making me laugh. Rania turned around and hugged me so tight while I smiled rubbing her back. She kept thanking all of us and we just laughed. I felt so relieved.

Once we reached the venue i went and re- check everything and also the desserts and saw my sister smiling at me and i cheekily smiled back hugging her "Jazakillahu Khayran" i said happily, she replied before leaving her staff to handle the section and went to sit with family.

I kept going around asking everyone if everything was fine and Alhamdulillah everything was just how i wanted it to be. I went and sat down next to Rania and she held my hand, smiled at me and I smiled back. Soon the ring ceremony took place where his mother made Rania wear the ring and everyone clapped, then Rania's mother made the groom wear the ring And everyone cheered and clapped again, i was so happy.

Rania hugged her mom then she hugged me for so long and said in my ear. "This all would have not been possible if you had not handled everything" i laughed and shook my head "No, i had so much help from everyone" i said feeling embarrassed looking down only to look up and find her with tears in her eyes.

"My father is not here today but i did not feel his absence because you took all the stress weight away from my mother and my family" she said and i got tears in my eyes too shaking my head refusing her and hugged her again, Rania's mother rubbed my back and hugged me thanking me and i refused her, i told her since i am her daughter she does not need to thank me.

Everyone came and fed the bride and groom the sweets and gave them gifts and covers. Then I took the gifts and covers and gave them to sadaf. After it was over the food was served and everyone went to eat.

I went down the stage and stood near it sighing in relief and thanked Allah, "so you finally managed everything, you see, you did not need to stress yourself" someone stood next to me saying that, i turned to see Hamad and smiled "it would have not been possible without you, Jazakallahu Khayran" i looked away blushing while he laugh "no problem, you can count on me whenever you need help" he said and i nodded "likewise" i smiled and i looked up to feel eyes on me, only to see Asher and Zeeshan looking our way but there was anger in Zeeshan's eyes and i looked away not wanting to meet his gaze.

I was called by my sister as she was wondering who was talking to me and I told her while she smiled at me which made me nervous as to why but I decided to ignore my bipolar sister. I honestly thought she would be upset but for some odd reason she was not, confusing me.

Once all the guests left it was just us close family friends and family. Rania's mother kept praising me and Hamad in front of everyone, making me feel embarrassed but my family was proud. I saw sadaf and she did not seem to be happy because of it but i just sighed looking away. Once everyone left and i reached home i knew i had to do ghusl so i could start my prayers, with that though i knocked out.  

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A/N: Assalamu Alaikum, well... what an emotional chapter... phweh, i cried writing this chapter!, i would love to know what you think about it. <3