The Hijabi Detective

The Article

"MRS AZHAR'S MUCH HYPED LAUNCH TURNS OUT TO BE A DAMP SQUIB"

Last night at Shanaya's was not just any other night. It was the night when the most eligible bachelor of our City would finally present his newly wedded wife to the world.

Billionaire industrialist Azhar Faisal who had been linked with everyone from actresses to models to pop stars to business heirs, finally ended all speculation and sent shockwaves down tinseltown when he announced his marriage.

Not much was known about his wife other than her name and profession - a senior detective in the Police. Even less was known about the wedding. Azhar, notoriously private man, kept the paparazzi and reporters at bay with heavy security and closely guarding any information about the wedding.

When Shanaya announced a lavish party at her family mansion, it wasn't just any other party, it was the first time the paps would get to see Chief Guest Azhar's much talked about wife.

This party at Shanaya's house was touted as Azhar's first public appearance with his new wife and his wife's 'launchpad' into this world as Chief Guest.

It was hyped like no other event, with speculation rife about Azhar's wife Nabila. It's not everyday that the Glamourtown talks about a Police Detective but Nabila was not any other Police Detective.

Papers were filled with daring stories of her achievements and how she rose up the ranks at the young age of 27. Her hijab only added to the allure.

Insiders revealed how Azhar had ordered a much vaunted, much sought after, custom made, hand stitched evening gown for his precious wife. Brown & Williamson have a waiting list filled with just the rich and famous of this town, vying with each other to get them to use their magical fingers on their outfit. Azhar's special business relationship with them meant that only his wife would earn the right to this elusive outfit.

Add to this the 'special history' that Azhar shared with the event's host Shanaya.

For the longest time, Azhar and Shanaya were linked. Newspapers and gossip columnists filled entire columns and pages speculating on whether they were together, broken up, or got back together. Every public appearance, every glance, ever eye contact set the ink rolling for the columns.

It was set to be the coming together of two largest business empires, two of the richest families, two of the richest legacies. Not to be.

Azhar picked a Hijabi Detective over Shanaya, and the world was going to see this Hijabi Detective for the first time, at a party hosted by Shanaya.

So how did it fare out?

Mr and Mrs Azhar walked in hand in hand, looking very much in love like most newly married couples. Azhar, aware of the stakes, and experienced with the paps, maintained a dignified poise and grace all through, looking just as handsome in a dapper suit as he did during his bachelor days. He introduced his Detective wife to who's who in town and smiled and entertained the paps with confidence.

The Hijabi Detective, however, looked like fish out of water. She had on the most expensive, beautiful, custom made gown made by the most exclusive and sought after designers. And not much else going for her unfortunately.

From the moment she walked in, she looked unsure of herself, fidgeting with her dress, pulling a crease here, a crease there, when not clutching onto her husband, as if to convince herself he was still married to her.

While Azhar found a natural poise and posture looking dashing, Nabila lacked grace. Soon it became clear what she was so fidgety about.

All of us have been there - planning a massive wedding. The stress of managing a hundred things, routines going haywire and a number of last minute matters to take after, brides are known to gain weight during their wedding and the poor Hijabi Detective was no different.