CONNECTED HEARTS

44: Event Of A Lifetime

Kaltoom's POV

What can I say... oh right,I'm tired! Like, genuinely tired. Today has been one long, exhausting day, and all I want right now is a quiet room, soft pillows, and sleep. Just peace. But of course, that's not happening today.

The house was full like really full. I don't even know half of the people that came. Right now, Afeeyah and I are huddled in Abee's foyer, the only quiet spot left, getting our henna done. The artists are taking their sweet time, carefully decorating our hands and legs. It's been over three hours. My back hurts, my legs are stiff, and the artist working on Afeeyah is definitely faster than mine. She's already almost done, while I still have half a leg left.

To make matters worse, my girls aren't even around. Maimoona, who was supposed to be here with us, disappeared. Amani's at Laila's house helping with "wedding things," and Khaireeya had to run off for what she called a "groom's side emergency."

Just as I was starting to zone out, the henna artist working on Afeeyah finally said, "And that's a wrap!"

Afeeyah smiled faintly. "Thank you," she said softly. The design looked perfect, but I could tell her mood wasn't. She's been quiet since yesterday, and I've noticed something's off. Maybe now, when it's just the two of us, she'll finally talk.

A few minutes later, my artist looked up too. "We are done, mashallah."

I glanced down at my feet, and my eyes widened a bit. The design was breathtaking. The black and red mix looked so elegant, I almost forgot how tired I was. "Wow... it's beautiful. Thank you so much," I said with a grin. "You both should go grab something to eat inside." They smiled and left us alone.

I turned to Afeeyah. "Hey, Afee... you wanna talk?" I asked, trying not to sound too pushy. She shrugged and slumped back into the couch.

"I don't know... don't bother, I'm fine," she muttered.

I rolled my eyes lightly. "Afeeyah, who are you trying to convince? You know talking helps, right? So come on, out with it."

She stayed quiet for a moment, biting her lip. Then she sighed, her voice trembling slightly. "I just feel like... this marriage is a mistake. Like a big one. I didn't even have much of a say in it, and now that it's happening, it feels so wrong."

My heart clenched hearing that. "Shhh, don't say that," I said gently. "InshaAllah, it's not. Allah won't test you with something you can't handle. I know it's hard marrying someone you grew up seeing as a brother but maybe there's khair in it. Maybe this is Allah's way of giving you peace through something unexpected. You'll see."

She blinked back tears, and I smiled softly. "And besides," I added, trying to lighten the mood, "I honestly believe you two will end up falling in love and become everyone's couple goals."

She giggled, wiping her tears. "You think so?"

"I know so," I said confidently. "You know everything about Afdal his likes, habits, moods. And he knows you too. That's half the work already done. You guys just need time. So please, relax your heart. Pray for goodness in it. InshaAllah, you'll never regret it."

She nodded slowly, her expression softening.

I smiled. "At least you're not leaving home. You'll still be with your Mah,Me on the other hand I'm leaving mine."

The words came out shakier than I expected, and before I knew it, tears were streaming down my cheeks. I chuckled, embarrassed, while Afeeyah's eyes welled up too.

"Afeeyah... I'm scared," I whispered.

She opened her arms instantly, and I leaned in, careful not to smudge my henna. We hugged tightly, silently crying into each other's shoulders.