Whoa, Baby!

13.

Chapter Thirteen
A Bridal Shower Full of Questions

The moment I walked into Zahida's bridal shower, I knew it was going to be one of those days. The house was overflowing with family, laughter, and chatter, the kind of energy that you couldn't avoid, no matter how much you wanted to slip into the background.

I was already on edge because of the way people tend to suffocate you with their expectations, and this bridal shower would be no different.

It wasn't that I didn't love my cousin Zahida—of course, I did. She was like a sister to me. She and I had grown up together, sharing secrets, and confiding in each other about everything from our embarrassing first crushes to our struggles with our parents.

I'd seen her through her high school heartbreaks, her first job, and now this big milestone—her wedding day was just around the corner. Everyone was so excited for her, and I was happy for her too. But it didn't change the fact that I was already dreading what would happen when I walked into the room.

"Tatiana! You look gorgeous!" Zahida greeted me with a huge smile as I walked through the front door. She looked radiant herself, glowing with the kind of excitement you only saw in people who were on the verge of a life-changing event.

"Thanks," I said, leaning in for a hug. "You look beautiful too. How are you feeling?"

"Excited, nervous, overwhelmed, all of it!" she answered, her face lighting up. "But I'm so happy you're here."

I gave her a quick squeeze. "Wouldn't miss it for the world," I said with a smile, even though a part of me felt a little out of place. But it was family, and I had to be there, no matter what.

I scanned the room, hoping to find a quiet corner where I could sit and maybe just blend in. But I should have known better. There was no such thing as blending in when you had a big, loud family that was always eager to catch up, especially when it came to your personal life.

"Tanya!" Aunty Farah called out, waving at my sister from across the room.

Tanya's presence was my buffer. She had this amazing ability to light up any space, to make everyone feel like they were the most important person in the room. People gravitated toward her, and while I loved her for it, it also meant she was often the first target for conversation.

"Tatiana, darling! It's been ages!" Aunty Laila came up to me with open arms. She was always the first one to make her rounds, making sure everyone was "up-to-date" on the latest news. I braced myself, already knowing what she was going to ask. I had gotten used to her way of probing.

"How have you been? Still working with Joe, huh?"

"Yeah, still working with Joe," I replied, trying to keep my voice light.

"Any wedding plans?" she asked, her smile widening as if she already knew the answer, but wanted me to say it out loud.

I felt my stomach tighten. I hadn't expected it to start this soon, but then again, I should've known. It was the question everyone had been asking me for the past months, ever since Joe and I had gotten together. And no matter how many times I told them we were in no rush to get married, people still seemed to think that it was only a matter of time.

"Oh, you know," I began, trying to play it cool, "Joe and I are as happy as we are. We're not in a rush. We're just focusing on... other things right now."

Aunty Laila didn't seem to take the hint. She pressed on, her voice lowering slightly, almost conspiratorially. "But you're *not* getting any younger, darling. You know, it's time to start thinking about settling down. You're so lucky you have someone like Joe. He's a good catch, Tatiana. He adores you."