Deadly Stalker

Chapter IX: Fresh Pink Bouquet Of Roses

"Zara, will you please come down." Someone shouted.

Our house was in chaos. All my cousins and aunts and everyone related to my parents had come from all over the world. There was so much shouting and calling each other loudly that a neighbour had come to complain which Mama had handled very well. In case you are wondering what we are up to, let me tell you. Today is my engagement or Fatiha as we Arabs call it.

"Zaraaaaa"

I hurriedly made my way downstairs to the door where Mama was standing with a dress in hand and welcoming my ever so late Khaltu Samana and her family who lives Canada. The dress in Mama's hand I immediately recognized as my engagement dress and took it from Mama while saying a quick salaam to Khaltu Samana and hurrying to my room to show it to my cousins who were impatiently waiting for it. More impatient than me.

"Zara can you come over here." Zaman called out just as I was about to enter my room. I motioned Summer my cousin to take my dress and I made my way towards Zaman.

"What's with you and that long face?" I asked because Zaman looked unusually sad.

"I have got a bad news for you." That was enough to knock the breath out of me. I looked at him wide eyed. Was this even possible?

"Say" I managed to open my mouth.

"I got a news that Zaid....." Zaman stopped before completing his sentence. He had now shifted his gaze from my face to looking down on the floor.

"Zaid what?" I asked as the scarf on my slipped down on my neck. I must be sporting a grim expression on my face. It was just the news that had changed my mood so fast.

"Hahahaha. The look on your face is hilarious." Zaman burst out laughing and my cousins who were all a little distance behind Zaman in his room. I now noticed that Bilal was holding a camera in his hands.

They must have clicked my picture or worst recorded the whole conversation on it.

"I will see you all later." I said to my cousins and smacked Zaman on his hands.

"That was a very bad joke. You just wait and see what I tell Sukaina." I whispered to Zaman. It was now Zaman's turn to look all wide eyed at me.

He tried to protest as I went to room but I ignored him and closed the door not before winking at him and giving him a wicked smile. Zaman had a crush on Sukaina, my maternal cousin, and the same feeling was mirrored from her.

"Come let's get started!" Amber announced from the corner of the room. She is my stylist for the day.

"I have so much work left." I whined making puppy faces so that they would just postpone it for some time.

"Come on Zaru, everything in the backyard is ready." Sukaina said getting up from the bed and going towards my dresser.

"Let me just check and come once. Please!" I said. It was up to me to decorate the whole backyard where the engagement was to be held. Since it was our own backyard, it was already ready with flowers, considering Mama's love for gardening. I just had to add some extra lightnings and tables and chairs for dinner. Not many people were invited except some friends and relatives. Since there were mostly relatives there is no partition for gents and ladies.

I just hope everything goes right!

******

"They are here." Little Amina rushed in the room and announced. Someone must have probably told her pass in the message.

We are in my room, where Sukaina and Amber who have teamed up with Tuba Farah, have decided to make a fool of myself. They are just busy patting my cheeks and eyes with God knows what things from the past hour making me look like a cake iced with vanilla cream. My only wish now is somehow this floor should split and swallow me up.