The Unexpected Match

Chapter 1

December, 2018
Dhaka, Bangladesh

The clock strikes nine, and I gaze at my jumbled room, filled with a chaotic array of my clothes. Shirts, pants, and dresses are scattered all over my room, making the whole space a complete mess. I've been trying on clothes for a solid two hours, but I still can't decide what to pack for my upcoming trip.

Picking out clothes is certainly the hardest thing I have ever done. One moment, I pick an outfit that seems perfect, but the next, I have doubts about it.

I often wonder if all women go through this, or if I am the weird one here.

Maybe.I.am.

As I debate between a denim jacket and a cozy sweater, my phone suddenly rings. Turning back, I glance at my phone screen, and soon my lips curl into a smile. Throwing off my clothes, I jump on my bed to grab my phone. "Hey, Sara!" I exclaim. "You don't have a clue about the wreck I'm in at this moment. I'm so muddled up and still can't figure out what to pack."

In the next moment, I can hear my best friend laughing on the other end of the line. "I can seriously picture your room right now. It must be a total disaster."

I chuckle, feeling instantly better.

"By the way, when are you planning to come? I already miss you!!" Sara asks.

I lazily swoop up a pillow placed next to me and plop it behind my back, against the headboard, to get all snuggled up in a cozy position. "We'll be catching the morning flight tomorrow from Dhaka to Chattogram. So, see you in less than twenty-four hours!"

"Ugh! I can't wait anymore" she exclaims, giving a little wiggle. I smile, before continuing again. "But seriously, girl, I'm so happy that you called. I really need your help right now."

"Always here for you. What's bothering my bestie?" Sara replies as she rests her chin on her palm and focuses on the screen.

"Let me show you," I switch the audio call to video to show her the mess I've created. Getting off my bed, I grab the purple kurti. "Look at this kurti," I say, holding it up for her appraisal. "Should I pair it with these baggy jeans or go with these salwar pants?"

She scrutinizes for a moment until she finally answers. "Hmm, I think jeans would be perfect."

"Alright! Now, take a look at these two kameezes," I continue, presenting the delicate peach-colored one and the elegant black one. "Which one should I go with?"

She chuckles in response. "Take both! Why not? You will look gorgeous in both!"

I let out a huge dramatic sigh, feeling a mix of amusement and indecision. "Stop Sara, you are making me even more confused now!"

She giggles once again. "Okay, show me more." Sara listens to me intently as I pour out my fashion perplexity, and after a short while, I finally manage to sort out half the mess.

"Okay! Check out these two lehengas, tell me which one looks best on me?" I ask, draping the lehenga over myself while with a swift turn of the camera, I make sure my bestie can have a proper view of it in the mirror.

"Alee! You look so gorgeous in both of these! To be honest, I'm more confused this time," she replies, which causes me to shake my head. "My suitcase has zero capacity to fit these two lehengas together, so you better help me choose one, Sara Zafar!"

"Alright! Let me observe."

It's been practically four years since Sara and I have been best friends. Well, online best friends. It's pretty wild how we were able to form such a strong bond, even though we didn't have the privilege to meet face to face due to being in different countries. What's even crazier is that for me, my friendship with Sara is stronger than any I've had before.

Our online chats and regular calls are like the thread that weaves us together. Sara and her family are US citizens, although they are originally from Bangladesh. Her upbringing and education have all been in the US.

But now, fate has given us the chance to bridge that distance. Within just three weeks, Sara's elder brother Sahil will be tying the knot. Although he's already done with his Akht, so technically he's married.

However, to honor their cultural traditions, Sara's family have decided to hold the other wedding ceremonies in Bangladesh. So here they are, staying in their house in Chattogram. It wasn't too long ago when I received the invitation to join the wedding. Sara demands that I show up two weeks before the wedding as she wants us to enjoy every second together.

After ending my call with Sara, I swiftly grab the clothes we have chosen together. I begin pushing them into my bag when, in a moment, the reverberating sound of the door opening up catches my attention.

In no time, my mom comes in. "Aleena, dear, come out for dinner. Your dad and I are waiting for you." Just as she glances around the room, she cups my forehead. "Ya Allah! Look at this girl! What have you done to your room?"

I flash a nervous smile while scratching the back of my neck. "Don't worry, Mom. I'll take care of it."

She sighs, wearing her usual 'Asian mom' frustrated articulation. "When will you learn to stay organized, Aleena?"

"I dunno, but for now, I'm super hungry," I answer and see a slight grin framing on her lips. "Come. We are waiting for you," she replies and swiftly exits my room. Pausing my packing, I grasp my phone in a swift motion and scamper out of my room.

With each step I take towards the dining room, the sight of my mom and dad comes into focus before me. "Dad, you're back from the office," I smile as I glance at my dad sitting on a chair. "Yes, my daughter, come sit with us." Nodding at him, I take a seat next to my mom.

"So, did you pack your bags?" my voice muffled as I'm invested in stuffing the food into my mouth. "I'm done packing, but your mom is still halfway through," my dad replies, as a laugh crawls up his throat, which earns me a smile. "How would you know!? We women need a lot of time to sort things out," my mom lets out a sigh.

I laugh. "Exactly! Even I was so confused, but then Sara called and that's it! She helped me, and now I'm done! Honestly, I'm so excited!"

"So am I. It's been a long time since we attended a proper wedding. Plus, I can finally take a few days off from office work!" my dad says, with excitement in his voice.

"I agree!" my mom adds.

When it comes to my parents, they've always had my back. Whether it's because I'm the only child of my parents or other undisclosed factors, I always get the affection and backing I need in my life from them. I love them so much!