Hidden bonds of love

47.

They arrived at the Halal restaurant, concealing their plans for Najiba's surprise wedding celebration. As they stepped out of the car, Najiba's face lit up with an unexpected delight, completely unaware of the impending surprise.

"Oh my goodness! You brought me to the Halal restaurant, one of the most renowned and luxurious places in town, owned by the remarkable young woman, Jannah. I adore you all," exclaimed Najiba, as she embraced the group in a joyful hug.

"Come on, let's head inside," Mustabshira urged.

Upon entering, they were ushered to the VIP room they had reserved, which had been exquisitely decorated, fitting for a bride.

Najiba couldn't contain her excitement. "It's absolutely stunning! How did you manage this? I'm at a loss for words," she gushed, her enthusiasm palpable.

After Najiba expressed her gratitude and excitement, they settled at the elegantly set table and savored some delectable snacks, showering compliments on their deliciousness.

Maryam chuckled, "I always thought Valeria was the most exuberant among us, celebrating even the smallest joys. Little did I know that Najiba takes the crown when it comes to moments like this – pure, unbridled joy."

Valerie defended Najiba, saying, "Cut her some slack; she's just thrilled."

They all shared a laugh as they rose from their seats and started dancing to the lively music playing in the spacious VIP room, complete with tables, chairs, and cozy sofas, as well as a bathroom tucked away in the corner.

"This VIP room is truly enchanting," Najiba remarked.

Valerie playfully teased, "Stop pretending like you don't come from a well-off family."

Maryam and Mustabshira chimed in, "Okay, here's one more surprise for you."

Just then, the restaurant's owner entered – a young and strikingly beautiful woman named Jannah, dressed in an exquisite gown.

Najiba was overwhelmed with surprise and excitement, her eyes welling up with tears of joy. "Is that really you, Jannah? Oh my goodness, may I please give you a hug?" Najiba eagerly inquired.

Without hesitation, Jannah embraced her tightly, sharing in her happiness. "I am honored to receive a hug from my favorite celebratory today. Thank you," she replied, eventually breaking the warm embrace.

"Your friends here informed me of your upcoming marriage – congratulations," Jannah said, her lips curving into a friendly smile.

"Thank you so much," Najiba responded with gratitude.

"They also mentioned your admiration for me; you're one of my fans. So, I asked my husband, Hazrat, to prepare a cake as a gift for you."

Everyone in the room was taken aback by this unexpected gesture of kindness. "Awwn, You're incredibly generous, even more than people say, and your husband's snacks are the best here," Valerie exclaimed.

"Thank you," Jannah humbly acknowledged. A staff member soon brought a beautifully decorated cake into the room, bearing the inscription, 'Happy Marriage Life in Advance.'

They all shared in the joy of the beautiful cake, admiring its craftsmanship and offering profuse thanks. Najiba, brimming with happiness, couldn't resist hugging Jannah once more. She then asked if they could capture this memorable moment with some photos, to which Jannah gladly agreed.

With Valeria handling her phone for recording, they took numerous photos and even recorded some videos together. Jannah, ever the cheerful host, suggested they sing a congratulatory song for Najiba and Khalifa. Laughter filled the room as they prepared to sing and Valeria set her phone to video record the moment.

🎵"Happy, happy, happy, happy marriage, happy, happy, happy, happy marriage,
Happy, happy, happy, happy marriage, we wish Najiba and Khalifa a happy marriage!" 🎵

Amidst cheerful claps and Jannah playfully releasing some glitter into the air, they wished Najiba a happy wedding in advance.

Jannah then offered a heartfelt prayer for Najiba and extended her warm wishes for a joyful wedding. "Can I post these pictures on Instagram?" Najiba inquired.

"Of course, dear. Don't forget to tag me," Jannah replied with a friendly smile.

Najiba expressed her gratitude once again, saying, "Thank you so, so much. We truly appreciate your kindness."

"No problem at all. I need to head to other meetings now. Have a wonderful day," Jannah bid them goodbye.

As she exited, her phone rang, and she answered, reassuring the caller, "Hello, my dear, coffee guy, calm down. You've been sending me a flurry of messages." She flashed a smile and added, "Sorry for the interruption; it's my husband. Goodbye."

They all gathered around Najiba, sharing their admiration. "Awwn She's so cool."

Valeria chimed in, "Wasn't she the one who married an Arab guy?"

Najiba confirmed, "Yes."

"I might not know much about her or the Halal restaurant, but I've heard she's not only running a fancy establishment but also providing free food to beggars on the street every Friday and supporting the orphanage," Valeria mentioned, offering some insight into Jannah's charitable activities.

They continued to enjoy their day, filled with lively discussions, before eventually heading home.

Later that night, Maryam found herself seated in the backyard beneath a quaint hut, savoring the refreshing evening air. Yusuf approached and joined her, breaking the silence.

"Enjoying the air?" he asked, attempting to strike up a conversation.

Maryam couldn't help but express her earlier frustration. "Oh! So now you want to talk to me after ignoring me?" she retorted.

Yusuf, adopting a more serious tone, responded, "Don't answer my question with a question."

Maryam maintained her composure, fixing her gaze upon him. "And who do you think you are that I can't answer your question with a question? I thought you were the one ignoring me because I refused to let you kiss me, and I told you I wanted us to get to know each other better," she calmly explained.

There was a brief silence as Yusuf contemplated her words. Eventually, he admitted, "Okay, fine. I'm sorry, I was in the wrong. Please forgive me."

Maryam accepted his apology with surprising ease. "Alright, I forgive you," she responded without much ado.

Yusuf was taken aback by her swift forgiveness. "That was quite unexpected," he admitted slowly.

Maryam continued to scroll through her phone, her smile growing as she read the messages Suraj sent her. This piqued Yusuf's curiosity, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy, wondering what had her so delighted.

"I still love you, Maryam, and I'm willing to give us a chance to get to know each other," Yusuf confessed.

Maryam shifted her gaze to him, seeking clarification. "What did you just say?"

Yusuf repeated his declaration, and she responded with a chuckle and a nod.

But then, her tone shifted. "Yusuf, have you forgotten how you treated me just because I asked you to change? I wanted us to try, but you refused and started ignoring me. Your actions showed you didn't care about me at all."

Yusuf, nervously, attempted to explain, "But everyone deserves a second chance."

Maryam sat up straight, her focus squarely on him. She said, "Yes, everyone deserves a second chance, but I'm sorry, Yusuf, you're too late. We can't be together. I've been hurt too much, and I can't risk being hurt again. Our personalities don't align, and I pray you find someone better suited for you."

Yusuf was taken aback by her rejection. Her words felt like a shot to his heart. He had never experienced rejection before, confident in his looks and charm. He once left his devoted ex-girlfriend Mina to pursue Maryam, believing her to be more attractive. Now, he regretted that decision as he faced Maryam's rejection, realizing the mistake he had made in leaving Mina, who had loved him deeply.