Love unveiled

Chapter 2

As the car pulled up to the tailor's shop, Zara and I exchanged excited glances. We had been looking forward to this moment for weeks, eager to see the final products for our Sallah outfits. The tailor's shop was a modest space, but well-known for its exquisite craftsmanship, and as we stepped out of the car, Zara couldn't help but clap her hands in anticipation.

The tailor, a middle-aged man with a keen eye for detail, greeted us with a warm smile. "Ah, the girls of the Sallah season! Welcome, welcome!"

"Are our clothes ready?" Zara asked eagerly, glancing around the room where rich fabrics in various colors lined the walls.

The tailor chuckled. "Almost! I have three sets ready for you today. The remaining pieces will be finished in the next three days, insha'Allah. Let me show you what I have."

He motioned for us to follow him to the back of the shop, where he carefully laid out three beautifully stitched outfits, each one more stunning than the last.Zara and I both gasped as we admired the intricate embroidery and flawless finishing.

"Oh, these are perfect!" I exclaimed, running my fingers over the soft fabric of a green and gold lace gown.

Zara nodded in agreement, her eyes sparkling with delight as she lifted a vibrant red and blue ankara ensemble. "Yes! This is exactly what I imagined. The colors, the fit... everything!"

The tailor smiled proudly. "I'm glad you're happy with them. I'll make sure the remaining pieces are delivered to your house within the next three days."

I grinned. "You've really outdone yourself this time. Thank you!"

We finalized the payment, and as we were leaving, I looked at Zara. "Coffee?"

I raised an eyebrow, already knowing the answer. "Always."

We hopped back into the car, and the driver took us to our favorite coffee shop just a few streets away. The cozy little spot was tucked into a corner of the bustling market district, with the rich aroma of coffee drifting out onto the sidewalk. Zara ordered her usual—an iced caramel latte—while I opted for a steaming cup of cappuccino. We added a few pastries to our order, knowing we couldn't resist a good snack.

Once we had our coffee and treats, we headed back to Zara's house, the air in the car filled with lighthearted conversation and laughter as we sipped on our drinks.

When we arrived, the house was as quiet as we had left it, with only the soft hum of the air conditioners filling the air. Zara gestured for me to follow her upstairs, and we made our way to her mother's room to announce our return.

As we entered the spacious room, the scent of burning oud greeted us again, and Mami looked up from her spot on the couch, a book in her hand. "You're back!" she said, smiling. "How did it go? Were the clothes ready?"

"They were," Zara said excitedly, holding up the sets of clothes we had brought with us. "Here, Mami, have a look!"

I stepped forward to show her one of the outfits, spreading it out across the arm of the chair so she could see the details. Mami nodded approvingly as she examined the stitching. "Beautiful work. The tailor always knows what he's doing."

Zara beamed. "He really does. The rest will be delivered in a few days, but these turned out amazing."

"Good, good," Mami said, her voice warm with approval. "You two enjoy yourselves, but don't make a mess in Zara's room trying everything on."

Zara laughed, rolling her eyes playfully. "We won't, Mami!"

With that, we headed to Zara's room, both of us giddy with excitement. As soon as we got inside, Zara tossed the bags onto her bed and immediately started pulling out one of the dresses. "Okay, we have to try these on now!"