𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐓: 𝐀 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐐𝐮𝐫'𝐚𝐧

chapter 10

Soon, she placed the Qur'an back on its shelf and sat on the bed. She was alone in the room because Anaya and Salma were downstairs. Ayat picked up her phone from the table to call Sidra.

"Assalamualaikum," Ayat greeted when Sidra answered the call.

"Walaikum assalam! Finally, you remembered that you have a friend, huh?" Sidra replied, sounding annoyed, while Ayat smiled.

"Okay, so now tell me everything in detail," Sidra said more like an order, and Ayat began sharing the news about Ashar and Nayla's visit to their house.

"Okay, just tell me his Instagram ID—I want to see him!" Sidra exclaimed excitedly over the phone.

"I don't have his ID, but his name is Ashar. You can look him up yourself," Ayat said.

"Oh, but what's his full name?" Sidra asked, laughing.

"Sayyed Ashar Ahmed," Ayat responded in a neutral tone.

"Oh God!" Sidra gasped.

"What happened?" Ayat asked, feeling worried.

"Damn girl, he is the CEO of Sayyed Enterprises!" Sidra exclaimed happily.

"Hmm," Ayat just hummed.

"But girl, how did you get to know all these rich people? You won’t believe it—he’s like a college heartthrob in the eyes of other girls. You're going to have a hard time with them!" Sidra laughed, but Ayat's smile faded.

"What? I mean, does he have a girlfriend or anything like that?" Ayat asked seriously, pacing around the room.

"No, Ayat, he doesn’t have anyone, and he doesn’t like being around girls. He ignores them like they’re dinosaurs!" Sidra laughed again, and Ayat felt relieved.

"Okay, so did you get his number or not?" Sidra mischievously asked, but Ayat's mood changed.

"Sidra, you know me. Sometimes you say things that don't sit well with me, and that's why I don’t call you!" Ayat said coldly, and Sidra was taken aback.

"Okay, okay, sorry! I won't say anything further," she replied, but Ayat insisted.

"No, I want to know your thoughts on this, but please, without talking nonsense," she said casually, but Sidra was done with her.

"Only Sayyed Ayat can use unpleasant words with the sweetest voice," Sidra thought but decided to just hum in response.

"Okay, Allah Hafiz. Ammi is calling me," she said, ending the call just as Salma and Anaya came into the room carrying some clothes.

"See, Ayat, this is your nikah dress. Isn’t it beautiful?" Salma said.

"No, Appi, this one is more beautiful, isn't it?" Anaya asked happily, hoping Ayat would prefer her dress over their mother's choice.

"Anaya! I said she will wear this one!" Salma insisted, showing the dress, which was a pure white gharara covered with multicolored pearls. It looked quite heavy, while Anaya was presenting a white lehenga that was even heavier.

"No, please, I don’t like either of them," Ayat exclaimed, causing both of them to pout. However, Ayat quickly noticed their disappointment.

"Okay, I will wear them, but not for the nikah. I want something simple for that. I’ll wear these for the walima, okay?" she pleaded.

"Okay, Appi. So wear this one; isn’t it simple? This is Abbu's choice," Anaya suggested, handing her a dress that was pure white with white pearls, beautifully embroidered on the arms and neck.