The Moment She Saw Him

Part 34

Hamza

I was at the gym, finishing my set, when my phone buzzed. It was Raza.
"Hamza, bro, I need to talk. It's serious and urgent," he said, his tone making me pause.
"Alright, go on. What's up?" I asked, wiping the sweat off my face.
"I'm going to meet Ziya's dad," he blurted out.
For a moment, I was stunned, but then a wide grin spread across my face. "Wow, that's amazing, bro! Finally taking the next step, huh? When's the big day?"
"This Friday," he replied, his voice a mix of excitement and nerves. "That's just three days away, and I have no idea what to do—what to wear, what to say, what to take. I'm so confused, man."
"Hey, calm down! Why panic when I'm here?" I teased, trying to ease his tension.
I heard him chuckle on the other end. "That's exactly why I need to see you, Hamza. I need your help. When are you getting out of the gym? I'll swing by your place."
"Sure thing," I said, glancing at the clock. "I'll be home in an hour. Drop by then."

Later that evening

Raza showed up at my house, his nervous energy palpable as he paced around the living room.
"Okay, first things first," I said, gesturing for him to sit down. "What's the plan? What kind of impression are you going for with Ziya's dad?"
"I want to look confident and responsible but not overly formal, you know? I want him to know I'm serious about Ziya," Raza explained, fidgeting with his watch.
"Got it. Let's start with the outfit," I said, heading to my wardrobe. After some back-and-forth, we settled on a crisp white shirt paired with navy trousers and polished shoes. "Classic and respectful. This will do the trick," I assured him.
"Now, what about the gift?" Raza asked, his brows furrowed.
"Hmm," I thought for a moment. "How about something thoughtful but not too extravagant? Maybe a box of premium sweets or a book if you know what he likes."
Raza nodded. "Sweets sound good. Ziya mentioned her dad has a sweet tooth."
"Perfect. Now, as for what to say, just be honest and genuine. Speak from the heart. Let him know how much you respect Ziya and your intentions for her," I said, patting him on the back.
Raza sighed, looking both relieved and nervous.
 "Thanks, Hamza. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Hey, don't mention it. Just go in there and be yourself. You've got this," I said with a smile.

As he was leaving, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride for my friend. Raza was finally stepping up, and I was glad to be a part of his journey.

He was just about to step out the door when he turned back and looked at me. "Hamza, will you come over with me? I really need someone. My dad's not around, and it's just my mom. I'd really like it if you came," he said softly.
The look in his eyes caught me off guard. Without thinking, I walked over to him, pulled him into a quick hug, and said, "You don't even have to ask. I'll always say yes to you. Now go on, tiger. We'll meet on Friday."
He gave me a grateful smile before leaving, and it made me feel warm inside. Moments like this reminded me how much Ziya meant to him.We had decided to meet at her house at 4 in the evening. Hamza and I planned to bring some sweets and a bouquet of white roses for Ziya—her favorites

Sehar

Ziya had called me over because Raza was coming to meet her dad to ask for her hand in marriage. She was super excited but also a little nervous, which made sense—it's a big moment in anyone's life.
"I want you to stay with me until Friday," she said, her voice full of emotion. "Raza's mom is the only one coming with him, but I need you to be here with me, Sehar. I want you to be part of every big moment in my life from now on."
How could I say no? Ziya was one of my closest friends, and being there for her during such an important time felt like the right thing to do.

"Alright, let's decide on the dress," Ziya said, holding up two options. One was a simple and elegant pastel pink kurta set, and the other was a deep maroon suit with heavy embroidery.
"Go with the pink," I suggested without hesitation. "It's simple, classy, and perfect for the occasion. His mom will absolutely love how graceful you look in it."
Ziya's cheeks turned a soft shade of pink, matching the dress. She smiled shyly, and we moved on to picking out matching jewelry and deciding on a hairstyle. We wanted everything to be perfect—this was an important day for her, and I could see how much it meant.

We spent the rest of the evening planning every little detail—how she'd greet them, what she'd say, and even how she'd sit and present herself. Ziya wanted to make a great impression, not just for Raza's mom, but for herself too.
As she tried on the dress one last time, she twirled around, laughing. "Do I look okay?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"You look stunning, Ziya. Raza's mom is going to adore you," I assured her.