Scarred Petals

Chapter 2

"Tayar hojao, Fariya! Mehman bas aate hi honge." Her mother yelled out from across the hall, sending Fariya scrambling to her feet. She stood up with shaky legs and paused, letting them steady, before she stepped forward to her room, taking twice the time to reach there as it did before the accident.

*"Get ready, Fariya! The guests will be here any minute."

Well, at least she could somewhat walk now. That was one thing to be grateful for.

She swung open the dark doors to her wardrobe, sifting through the clothes as she searched for her favorite white gora. The white anarkali dress hung till her ankles, exposing the matching churidar underneath with with she wore her white pair of khussas. Her gold jewelry matched the gold band of her engagement ring, and she used a rose gold clip to pull her hair back, and swept half of them over her shoulder. Rose blush dusted her cheeks, black eyeliner and mascara brought out of her brown eyes, and rouge lipstick painted her bow-shaped lips.

It had been a while since she put effort into her appearance, but she wanted to look pretty for her fiance, Junaid. Her father would've scolded her if she didn't try to look her best.

Her mother came in just then, wearing a lilac dress. A smile stretched upon her face as she cupped Fariya's face in both her hands and kissed the top of her head. "Ma Sha Allah, you look beautiful, meri shehzadi."

*meri shehzadi: my princess.

She gripped the crook of her mother's elbow, taking her assistance to walk out into the lounge. Thankfully, they'd reached the sofa when Fariya felt her leg going weak, and gracefully plopped down on the beige couch, spreading her sheer dupatta around her.

She smiled at Maliha as the girl brought out trays of food and drinks on the cart and arranged them on the coffee table in the center. "Thank you." She mumbled and pulled the girl to sit down beside her.

"Aap pyari lag rahi hain, baji." The girl complimented, toying with the lace border of her Fariya's sleeve. "Junaid Bhai dekhe gein to unko dil karega ke aaj hi nikkah parhwa ke aapko saath le jaye." Maliha teaser, causing Fariya to chuckle light heartedly as she brushed it off, even though her cheeks flushed pink at the idea.

*"You look beautiful, baji."
*"Junaid Bhai will want to get married today and take you with him."

"Shararti ho Rahi ho. Tumhari shaadi bhi na karwa dein?" Fariya nudged the other girl's side and winked. Maliha looked down as she fidgeted her fingers, but Fariya didn't miss the blush on her face.