CONNECTED HEARTS

42: A Picture Perfect Day

Kaltoom's POV

"Auntyyy, this henna is already dry! Please let me rinse it off," I whined for what felt like the hundredth time.

Aunt Sabreenah rolled her eyes, completely engrossed in her phone conversation with her husband, her romantic husband. I could tell from the tone that they were exchanging sweet nothings again. Those two were hopelessly in love and honestly, a little too cheesy for my liking.

I loved henna, but I wasn't a fan of sitting around with stiff, dried-up hands for hours. My friends had somehow convinced me to do it, and now here I was stuck, uncomfortable, and cranky. Aunt insisted that the longer it stayed, the darker the stain would be. But it was black henna! It didn't even need to stay that long.

"Come on, Aunty!" I groaned again.

She chuckled, probably reacting to something her husband had said. I bet he'd just sent her one of his cringey romantic memes.

"That's it. I'm washing it off," I announced, standing up dramatically and heading upstairs.

"Hey, hey, hey! What do you think you're doing?" she exclaimed, dropping her phone and chasing after me. I ignored her, walking faster.

"Girl, don't you dare! Stop! I didn't come all the way from Abu Dhabi to watch you ruin those hands!" she yelled, clutching her chest as if this were some kind of life-or-death moment. Yes she's that dramatic.

I giggled and slipped into the bathroom just in time, turning on the tap. The cool water hit my skin, washing away the thick paste.

By the time she burst through the door, it was too late I'd already rinsed most of it off.

"You're stressing me out!" she groaned dramatically, flopping onto my bed.

I laughed. She was a whole character one of those extra, lovable aunties that could turn anything into a scene.

The henna was supposed to be for our pre-wedding photoshoot, and I knew she wanted everything to be perfect. But honestly? My patience had long expired.

⸻

The pre-wedding photoshoot preparations were in full swing. Amani and Afeeyah had gone to the tailor to finalize my dresses. Afeeyah was supervising the mostly because she wasn't doing much for her own wedding, which was happening on the same day as mine.

It was obvious she wasn't thrilled about it. Afdal, too, seemed distant. They cared about each other like siblings, and I understood her hesitation. She'd grown up seeing Afdal as family, not as a husband.

Even Khairiya who had once loved Afdal wasn't bitter. She'd taken everything with quiet maturity, and only a few people knew about their secret relationship.

I was lost in thought when Aunt Sabreenah's excited voice jolted me back to reality.

"Kal, guess what?" she said, eyes sparkling.

I barely looked up. "Hmm, what?"

"You won't believe this," she teased, grabbing my hands and gasping dramatically at my half-faded henna.

"Try me," I said dryly.

"Your uncle is coming for the wedding!" she announced proudly.

I blinked, unimpressed. "Wow. Shocking. Can't wait."

She ignored my sarcasm and continued, "And he's coming with Yaseen."

That made me sit up straight. "Wait..what?"

"Yaseen," she repeated, smiling knowingly.

"Really?" I asked, trying (and failing) to hide my excitement.