Too Little, Too Late

11

By the end of October, the wedding plans were fully underway and even the ever unsatisfied members of the Fahad family had to admit that although the wedding was not going to be as big as they wanted, it was still good.

Ayra, with the support of Ibrahim, wanted a simple wedding with just three programmes; the henna party for her and the ladies, the Nikkah, and then the reception which would be the highlight of everything. She wanted both the henna party and Nikkah at her family's house there in Haven Estate so it took time to decide where they wanted the reception to be.

After a lot of deliberation, and subtle jabs from the Fahad women, the main hall of the Aomi International Conference Centre was booked; a large space that could comfortably sit six hundred guests banquet style and take a thousand people conference style. Ayra knew they weren't going to have that much people in attendance despite the popularity of the Fahads so it bothered her that they'd have too much space. Salama assured her daughter that it was better to have enough space to fill with décor than to have very little. Ayra calmed down after that.

Iris and another event décor professional, Kim Harden (suggested by Fareeda), were to work with Salama to bring the plans to life. Once that was settled, Ayra, Ibtihaj, Ibrahim, and the others got started on picking out the other vendors. When they weren't working or in school – in the case of Ayra and Ibtihaj – they met in restaurants, cafes, and even in Anneth and Nathaniel's home to go over lists and suggestions, narrowing down options. They pulled up the first guest list too.

In the first week of November, they had their final list and they had the IVs settled before they got started on reaching out to the other vendors that had been picked. The families vetted the guest list, adding names and removing others. The fashion designers were the tricky part because Ayra wanted to be simple but she knew she also had to be elegant for all three events and she didn't want a situation where someone would outshine her. Then there was a part of her that wanted the Fahads to approve too.

So instead of allowing Falilat take care of all her dresses, just like she and Ibtihaj had always planned, Ayra split it between Falilat and a bridal styling company in Monwict; The Styling Emporium. For her first consultation there, she went with Ibtihaj, Bella, and Anneth, and the staff members were very nice and also very professional. She told them she wanted something simple yet elegant and they provided samples that she immediately fell in love with.

By combining designs, they came up with a rough sketch for her that she was happy to say yes to and then they drew up the budget as well as the timeline they'd have for material sourcing, sewing, fittings and adjustments, and then the delivery of the final product. Still not used to using her fiancé's card which Ibrahim had sent over weeks back, Ayra shyly made a deposit and the head stylist promised they'd get started as soon as possible.

Ibtihaj was on cloud nine. "Normally, I would be telling you to take your materials back to my mother but this is good. I approve." Her smile then vanished. "But if the final product is not worth the thousands we just paid, thunder will strike them."

Ayra laughed. "Ibty, please!"

"I don talk my own."

Bella and Anneth could only laugh alongside Ayra. With time on their hands, they decided to get lunch at a nearby restaurant. Ibrahim called just as their orders were taken and Ayra didn't know why she did it but she excused herself to take the call. She ended up on the restaurant's terrace which gave a beautiful view of the high class district, her phone by her ear.

"Ibrahim."

"Leilani."

Her eyes widened to the size of saucers while her heart turned to mush. He'd never called her by her middle name and now all she wanted was for him to forget her name was Ayra and call her Leilani for the rest of their lives. It'd never sounded so beautiful and that was saying a lot because Salama pronounced the name exquisitely.