Better Late Than Never

50

No one in the Abdulaziz home was surprised when the Bellos showed up at the front door at exactly 8:30AM the next morning, led by a smiling Ayman who hid his nervousness well; something Muhsin saw through immediately he opened the door. He couldn't help but laugh and Ayman had to join in too.

The main living room was used and every space seatable was occupied. The Bello squad, as Muhsin liked to refer to them as, made sure to be present including Aneesa who had decided with Mahmoud to not leave Aomi for their honeymoon until all the weddings were out of the way and all that remained was Ibtihaj's birth to Faris.

Malik, Adil's father, was the spokesperson while Omar held his nervous son's hand. If the situation wasn't a serious one, Omar would have laughed at how ironically beautiful Ayman's nervousness was when he'd been the same one threatening just the night before to deal with anyone who made them late while glancing Ibtihaj's way every five minutes with the reminder. Ibtihaj, as usual, had met his craziness with hers.

As his uncle spoke on his family's behalf, Ayman glanced Ayra's way whenever he could. She sat between her mother and her best friend, and she wore the terracotta brown abaya dress set he'd gifted her on her birthday. Although it wasn't the time to dwell on such thought, Ayman reminded himself that she had to be the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen, and that she was the best model for every item he'd made and every item he was going to make.

When the Abdulazizs asked if he was indeed here to ask for their daughter's hand in marriage, Ayman nodded with much conviction and his dialect was as pronounced as ever when he said "Yes, I am."

They turned to Ayra, asking if she was willing to accept his proposal based on what she knew and based on what they – her family – had found out. Ayman's heart leapt to his throat and he squeezed his father's hand tighter when the Abdulazizs told Ayra that she had every right and reason to say no if a future with Ayman wasn't what she wanted.

She chuckled and it was so beautifully soft. She shook her head, keeping her eyes on her father's as he was the one seeking her consent. "A future with him is what I want."

She turned to Ayman and her smile softened even further, an arrow aimed perfectly at his heart. "He has my consent." She meant every word. She was content too. "He has my consent."

Relieved breaths were exhaled on the side of the Bellos and Ayman sagged against his father, relief and everything else mixed together. He shot her a small smile and mouthed the words "Thank you."

Ayra smiled wider, mouthing back. "You're welcome."

Ibtihaj hissed loudly and playfully pushed her best friend. "Tah, commot for here! Shey we agreed that you will drag class small? After I told you what this man did to me yesterday!"

Ayra laughed. "Ibty, let it go."

"See this ungrateful woman o! É mi!"

Ayman, as always, shot Ibtihaj a dirty look and she shot him one back, calling him a werey under her breath while knowing fully well he knew all she'd said. The exchange, one of many witnessed by everyone present, had the others chuckling and shaking their heads as they knew better than to try and butt in. It never worked and from how things looked, it was never going to.

Both families tried to suggest waiting until after the wedding of Amna, Aabidah, Hayder, and Hammad to pick a wedding date for Ayra and Ayman, but Ayman wasn't having it. He put a foot down, stubbornly giving them every reason possible why they had to choose a date then rather than having to wait for longer than another week. Ayra watched him with love and amusement, and backed him up when he sought her support.

Falilat looked from Ayra to Ayman, her hands clasped on her stomach. "Ah. Ó serious gán."

Resignedly, Muhsin sighed and nodded. "Let's settle a wedding date then. Ayra and Ayman, do you have a preferred month between now and the end of the year or are you choosing to wait until next year?"