𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞 | 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝟎𝟏

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟓𝟕

ARZO

[Four Months Later]

"He's late." I blurt out.

"He's probably stuck in traffic. He'll be here," Api reassures me while holding her three month old son, Zain.

"What if something happened?" I ask

"Nothing happened, Arzo. Calm down." She rubs my arm. Zain lets out a laugh.

"Do you think I'm overreacting?" I ask him. All I earn is a giggle, "yeah, he thinks I'm crazy."

She chuckles, "no, he doesn't."

I kiss his cheeks. Babies are so cute.

Today is the day my debut painting gets showcased in an art gallery.

I had a meeting with Nancy- the art curator- four months ago where she expressed how much she loved my portrait and wanted to showcase it in her art gallery.

I have been nervous and excited about this since Nancy gave me the date. I ate Faizan's ear off talking about how nervous and excited I was. As perfect as he is, he never complained once.

Everyone is here today- almost- ammi, abbu, mama, baba, api, Zahid bhai, their cute little son, Rose, Bree, Finn, Ryan and Jack.

Bree has recently started dating a guy named Jay. No one likes him. I heard Ryan talk about how much he disapproves of him but he can't threaten him because Bree made him promise not to interfere.

I am almost sure that Farhan and Jack are planning something so that Bree leaves him.

The guy isn't even good looking and he stares at everyone.

Gross.

"Shukar," I breathe out as I spot Faizan and Farhan walk in.

"See? He's fine." Api says.

"Yeah."

I excuse myself from her and hurry towards him.

"You're late." I say as soon as I reach him.

"Not my fault!" Farhan quickly says.

Faizan and I look at him.

He nervously laughs, "I'm gonna go play with Zayn." He says then leaves.

"It's his fault," Faizan says.

"Everything alright?"

"Yes." He says then kisses my forehead, "you look beautiful, amar,"

I smile, "thank you."

I didn't want to overdress but also wear my traditional clothes. So I decided to wear a simple but beautiful gray kurti and trousers. The kurti and the trousers' ends are decorated with white beats. I paired a gray hijab with it, my necklace, silver rings and silver slippers.

Our attention turns to the massive stage when Nancy steps on it, her voice echoing in the hall as she greets everyone.

Faizan interlocks our fingers together as we walk towards the stage.

Nancy greets and thanks everyone for attending the event before she starts talking about the showcased paintings.

"Allow me to introduce Arzo Saeed, a gifted painter who recently graduated from SVA." Nancy starts my introduction, gesturing towards me in the crowd which earns me the attention of almost everyone. I smile as she continues, "Arzo Saeed draws inspiration from nature and emotions she feels when surrounded by her loved ones, which is evident in her evocative and thought-provoking work. Tonight, we are proud to showcase Arzo Saeed's debut painting, titled 'The Moon and its Shadow'..." she continues to explain the theme of my portrait exactly as I envisioned it.