Kismat Konnection: Forced To Marry Zayn Malik

Chapter 6

Why must it be so soon? It seems like just yesterday that we were talking about marriage. I got out of the car and slammed the door. I entered my flat and went straight to my room. “How was the date?” Nicole asked. “It wasn’t a date. I just met the boys and their girls for the first time. They’re lovely.” “What else happened?” “Nothing, we talked. I told them about the whole marriage thing. They understood. And did you know that tomorrow is my engagement with Zayn Malik?” “Yeah…I might have known that detail. Maybe you should just get some sleep. We have to wake up early tomorrow. You have an appointment with the stylist.” “I can’t believe you are still hiding stuff from me! I thought we stopped this. What else do you know? My wedding day?” “I’m sorry for hiding it but I didn’t know how you would react. I wanted to tell you but I just…it…wasn’t working.” “Yeah, whatever, I’m going to bed.” Nicole gave me a sad smile before she left. I went to the bathroom to take off my make up and do my night routine before getting ready for bed. I wanted to be happy. I was getting engaged tomorrow but I couldn't help but think this was wrong. I couldn't help but think that if this is my wedding, why can't I make decision for it? Why are there plans being made without my consent? Eventually, I fell asleep with questions flowing through my head.

            "Nikki. Nikki! Wake up! We gotta go!" Somebody was shaking me awake. "Five more minutes," I mumbled, turning the other way. My curtains were opened and the sun shined down on my face. I groaned as I covered my eyes. "We really gotta get going. Your sister and brother are already checked in." I shot up out of my bed. "My brother is here?!" "Yup, he's here for the engagement. Now, come one lets go." I rushed out of bed, grabbing whatever clothes Nicole had in her hands for me. Getting in the bathroom and doing my thing, I made it out in just 20 minutes. I had to see my brother. "Let’s go! Let’s go!" I yelled as I grabbed my purse, phone, and Nicole's arm. We got in the car and I asked her where we're going. "Andaz London." I gaped at her. "Did you-" "I may have mentioned your wedding plans to Aaroosa who then made them clear to Trisha." I hugged my best friend so tight she couldn't breathe. "Thank you thank you thank you! I thought nothing would go as I wanted it too!" "Does that mean you're okay with this?" "NO! I don't want to marry him but if I have to, I want it my way." I turned on the car and started the drive to Liverpool Street. After getting there and getting out of the car, I followed Nicole's lead. I didn't know where to go. We walked into the lobby and went to the receptionist. "Hello madam, how may I help you?" "Reservation under Malik," Nicole said. "Could I see an ID just to make sure?" Nicole turned to me, “It’s under your name too." I rolled my eyes and pulled out my license. I handed it to the receptionist. "Nikki!" I turned to see my future mother-in-law coming towards me. "Trisha aunty! It's great to see you." I hugged her as she grabbed me tightly. "Everything is set up for you. First, meet your family and try on your clothes. Then, come down to the hall and see if everything is the way you want it. It's still early in the day so if you want to change anything, we can. Then, go get ready and come back to take some pictures. And finally, the party will begin!" The smile on her face was massive. She was so happy and it broke my heart that she couldn't see that I wouldn't be happy with her son. I nodded my head and took my ID and key card. Following Nicole up to the bedroom, I didn't see anyone else from the Malik family or side. I continued looking for the room until I reached the end of the hall. "This is it," Nicole said. I unlocked the door and entered a room bigger than my flat. It was spacious and elegantly decorated. It included a kitchen and 3 separate bedrooms. I continued looking around the quiet space. I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around to give Nicole a "what's up" look. She shrugged and waved me off. "Nothing." I nodded and turned back around letting out a shriek. "NIKSTERR!" My brother picked me up and spun me around in circles while I was laughing and hitting him to put me down. "Put me down! I'm getting dizzy!" "You gained weight," my brother said, putting me down and straightening out his back. I playfully hit his arm which caused him to hit me back and started a little cat fight. "Stop it guys!" My sister said laughing at us with my parents. I stopped and ran up to her to give her a hug. She squeezed me tight and gave me a kiss on the cheek. "I missed you two so much!" I told them. "We missed you too munchkin! Who knew the next time we would see you it would be for your wedding," my sister, Navi, said. "Who is this guy anyway?" My brother, Neil, asked. "He's a great boy. Very nice and respectful. He's the perfect man for Nikki. You'd really like him," my mom said. My brother looked at me questioningly and then looked back to my mom. "When do I get to meet him? I wanna see how he's really like." My older brother scared every one of my boyfriends. After my breakup with my first boyfriend, he beat the kid up so badly that any guy was scared to talk to me. It wasn't until my brother graduated later that year that boys started talking to me again. My brother made sure that the guys didn't forget who her brother was. I was counting on my brother to really scare Zayn off, even hours before the engagement. "You'll meet him soon. Before the ceremony but we have work to do. I'm going to set your suit out for you in your room, take your father with you. Navi and Nicole get your clothes from the main room and match the accessories with it. Then get Nikki's clothes and set them on the bed. Once the stylist gets here, text Nikki and we'll come up. Come on, let’s move." My brother squeezed my hand while my dad gave me a kiss on my forehead. Everyone started moving around and I just stood there. "Should I try on my dress?" "No, it's fine. The tailor had your dimensions from the last dress, the one you wore for Eid. That fit fine right?" "Perfectly." "Then this will be fine. Come now. Let’s go to the hall." I followed my mother down to the hall where everything was being set up. People were working their way around us and I saw Trisha aunty talking to Zayn in the corner. "Trisha!" My mother yelled. Trisha aunty and Zayn both turned around, with smiles on their faces. "Taj! Nikki! Come here." She motioned us to come to where she was.