For your eyes only

4

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Salman's fingers drummed lightly on the steering wheel as the car cruised down the quiet highway. The hum of the engine filled the silence between him and Hamraz, who sat beside him, head buried in his phone. Outside, the sky was painted in soft hues of orange and pink as the day slowly melted into the evening.

"You think we're late?" Salman asked, his voice casual, though his thoughts were anything but.

Hamraz barely glanced up from his phone. "Nah, we'll be fine. Wedding receptions never start on time, especially not Adnan's. He's probably still stressing about everything being perfect."

Salman gave a small nod, though his mind was far elsewhere. The timing didn't matter to him. It was just an excuse to mask the heaviness lodged in his chest. Yesterday's therapy session with Fayrouz had left him more unsettled than he had anticipated. Her words lingered, an echo he hadn't quite shaken off.

As they turned onto a quieter road, the estate hosting the wedding came into view, hidden behind rows of swaying trees. The serenity of the surroundings did little to calm the storm in Salman's thoughts.

"You know," Hamraz spoke up again, breaking the silence, "these kinds of events are great for networking. You should at least try to talk to a few people tonight."

Salman sighed quietly, his grip on the wheel easing slightly. "I'm here for Adnan, not to network."

"Yeah, right," Hamraz smirked. "You always say that. But weddings, man... you never know who you'll run into."

Salman responded with a noncommittal grunt, his mind still circling yesterday's conversation. The session with Fayrouz had stirred up something inside him, leaving an uncomfortable restlessness behind.

After a beat of silence, Hamraz glanced over at him. "You've been off lately. Something going on?"

"Work's been hectic," Salman replied quickly, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "A project went sideways yesterday—had to leave therapy early."

Hamraz nodded slowly, sensing there was more to Salman's clipped answer. "That's why you've been so quiet? You didn't even vent. And you love to vent."

Salman exhaled, his fingers flexing on the wheel. "Nothing I can't handle."

Hamraz studied him for a moment, then shrugged. "You know you don't have to fake it with me, right? You can talk to me".

Salman glanced at him, then turned back to the road. "I'm fine. Just not in the mood to socialize."

"Well, too bad. Weddings are all about socializing," Hamraz teased, a grin spreading across his face. "At least pretend to enjoy it for Adnan's sake."

Salman sighed again, knowing Hamraz was right. "I'll try, but no promises."

"Fair enough." Hamraz chuckled, settling back in his seat. "But if you sulk, I'm calling you out later."

A small chuckle escaped Salman, momentarily lightening the mood. "You always do."

As they approached the venue, the sprawling estate emerged from behind a line of trees. The reception was set outdoors under a massive white tent that seemed to glow with the soft lights spilling from within. Cars were parked neatly along the driveway, and guests in elegant attire slowly made their way toward the tent.

The two men stepped out of the car, the cool evening air washing over them. Salman ran a hand through his hair, trying to shake off the lingering tension. He straightened his midnight blue suit, the tailored fabric fitting snugly over his frame. His white dress shirt was crisp, its brightness contrasting against the deep blue of his suit. A silver-gray tie complemented the silver cufflinks that glinted in the last light of the setting sun.

The reception tent looked like something out of a dream. Its vast white canopy stretched overhead, supported by tall poles draped in strings of golden fairy lights that bathed the space in a soft, ethereal glow. Long tables adorned with ivory linens were set up beneath the tent, each one decorated with towering floral arrangements, their petals delicate under the flickering candlelight. Waiters moved gracefully through the crowd, trays of hors d'oeuvres in hand, while the faint hum of jazz music added an elegant touch to the atmosphere.

"Wow," Hamraz muttered, his eyes wide as he took in the scene. "They really went all out."

"Adnan doesn't do anything halfway," Salman replied, his voice distant as he scanned the gathering.

As they weaved through the crowd, familiar faces greeted them with polite nods and smiles. Salman's gaze drifted toward the head table, where Adnan sat with his bride, both glowing in their happiness. Adnan looked sharp in his black tuxedo, his hair neatly styled, while his bride's white gown flowed elegantly around her. The light caught her veil as she turned to smile at a guest, the scene almost too perfect to be real.

"In a bit," Salman murmured, his mind wandering as he scanned the room. The dazzling chandelier hanging from the center of the tent caught his eye, its crystals refracting the light into soft rainbows across the polished floor. As he looked away, something—or rather, someone—captured his attention.

Across the room, near the edge of the crowd, stood a woman in an emerald green gown. Her back was turned to him, but the way the fabric cascaded elegantly to the floor, with intricate gold embroidery tracing its edges, was unmistakable. There was something familiar about her stance, the quiet grace she exuded.

Hamraz nudged Salman's arm. "You see anyone interesting yet?"

His heart skipped a beat as she turned slightly, her profile now visible in the soft glow of the fairy lights.

It was Fayrouz.

She was stunning. The rich emerald of her gown stood out against the evening's soft light, the delicate gold embroidery shimmering with every movement. Her hijab, a matching green, was draped elegantly over her shoulders, the subtle beadwork along its edges glinting in the glow of the chandeliers above. There was a quiet elegance about her, a beauty that went beyond mere appearance—it was in the way she held herself, in the grace with which she seemed to float across the space.

Salman's breath hitched, his chest tightening. He hadn't expected to see her here, least of all looking like this. The world around him blurred for a moment as his focus zeroed in on her—on the surreal sight of her standing in the middle of this fairy-tale wedding, unaware of the effect she was having on him.