Greyscale Angel

Malik Villa

Malaa'ika's POV

After giving my consent, everything seemed to speed by. Before I knew it, my aunt and uncle were on the next flight over, talks of engagement and an immediate nikaah were ongoing. I was perfectly fine with that as I had never intended on having an engagement period at all actually. My aunt and uncle went straight to the hotel from the airport as my apartment was far too small to accommodate 2 more people (thankfully). They were to meet Amaan's family that very day and before long, the phone call came through and it was all confirmed. The engagement would be in two days time and the nikaah at the end of the week. Wow... I wasn't expecting it to be this quick. But I wasn't going to protest either, if this is what everyone wished, then so be it.

Amaan and I hadn't spoken since that day on the phone and surprisingly, I didn't feel like we needed to. I liked the fact that we were still practically strangers. I mean don't get me wrong, I was extremely nervous but not really in a "I'm not sure" kind of way, no. I was nervous in an "Oh my soul what am I going to do" way. Life as I knew it was about to change. Where I lived, how I lived, everything!

As I got ready to go and meet my uncle and aunt, it suddenly donned upon me, the engagement was in 2 days and I had nothing to wear! It's my wedding and I have nothing to wear! Ya Allah this makes me more nervous than the wedding itself. Okay first thing's first though. I had to go to work and apply for leave for about a week or two if possible, then I needed to meet aunt uncle and then grab Jennah for shopping! I felt like such a typical girl but I couldn't think about that now, I had to run!

Getting my leave wasn't too difficult considering I had never taken a day off since I started and had worked occasional Sundays as well. I managed to get 10 days of leave, leaving me with  5 off days after the wedding. I reached the hotel and was greeted by my uncle's warm embrace in the lobby. It was the first time I was being congratulated and actually felt a tug at my heart strings. My uncle was genuinely thrilled for me and I smiled a smile I wasn't even sure I knew how to express, until now. My aunt joined us soon after and embraced me as as well. We talked for an hour long about the dates, venues and so forth. "Oh Malaa'ika, I almost forgot to mention, " my aunt started, "everything is happening so quickly because Amaan's parents are leaving in a month's time for India and they really wanted everything to be sorted by then. Mrs Malik was hysterical when I spoke to her today, saying that in all this rush, they haven't even met you once! They would like us to join them for dinner tonight. Then we'll do the engagement tomorrow night and the nikaah 3 days later on Saturday. " Nerves came over me like a tremor. It had not even donned upon me that I'd have to meet the family, I mean obviously I do, but I just never thought about it. "Tonight? I thought I would finish my shopping today, considering I have just a few days to find a wedding outfit." I saw my uncle's gaze fall in shame. "I'm so sorry Malaa'ika, I know it's so soon, and we've given you no time or support in preparation... Come on, we will go with you and you can get all the clothing and things that you need." I saw my aunt's eyes narrow as he spoke. "There is nothing to be sorry about, " she interjected, " This is just the current situation. The shopping will get done in these few days. It's just 2 outfits... and you are strong, you'll manage." I had a lot of mixed emotions in that moment, I thought of my parents, of what their reaction would be to this marriage, of the dreams that they probably had for me. My heart ached. Ultimately though, I smiled. My aunt was right, I was strong, and I would get through this the same way I got through everything in life, independently.

My uncle was insistent on at least buying the wedding outfit for me and at last I agreed. We decided that we would go shopping tomorrow afternoon. I had to find something to wear tonight though and called Jennah to meet me at the mall. She still had no idea what was happening but I was sure that she would be supportive.

Jennah was absolutely thrilled when I told her, she hugged me tightly and told me to breath, that everything would be okay and in that moment, that's all I needed to hear. We searched and searched for an outfit before coming to a standstill in front of black and navy, lace embroidered evening dress. It has full sleeves and stunning beadwork and I was sure I had a matching Hijab back home. It was slightly higher priced then I would normally care to spend. But so so worth it! I rushed home to get ready and joined my aunt and uncle as we left for the Malik house... The door was opened by a younger man, he looked so much like Amaan, just a few years younger and he had darker eyes. Yaseen, I guessed. He greeted my aunt and uncle before turning to me, "Assalamu'alaikum I'm Yaseen, Malaa'ika right? " I smiled and nodded, he seemed so excitable. "We have lots to chat about, you have no idea what you're getting yourself into, " he laughed. I laughed too, though more nervously. He had this strange power of making you feel like you've known him for years. The house was absolutely breathtaking! The entrance hall was larger than my entire apartment! Dressed in curtains of gold and white, the lounging area was equally stunning. As we stepped into the lounge, a sea of people stood to greet us. I could feel the the peer of a hundred eyes and they were all looking directly at me. "Malaa'ika!, " I'd never heard my name shrieked like that before. A woman approached me, she was so beautiful and had teary eyes, she immediately hugged me and sighed. " I'm so happy to finally meet you," she said, "I'm Amaan's mum. I'm so sorry I asked you to come all of a sudden. It's just that I couldn't wait any longer to meet you.  You're so beautiful hun." I smiled back at her, slightly uneasy yet strangely happy. "This is Amaan's dad, " she said pointing to an elderly man. He had silver grey hair and a warm smile. "You've met Yaseen already, this is my eldest son Luqmaan, his wife Laaiqa and little Rayhaan. " I smiled fondly at the little boy. "I knows her, " Rayhaan squealed, she's nice " Everyone laughed.

We all set down at long dining room table, the ladies on the one end and the men on the other. Laaiqa and Mrs Malik spoke wonderfully to me asking about work,  we discussed our common love for Bollywood films and so much more. Though social interaction was still a tricky thing for me, they made it easier than I had thought.

My eyes couldn't help but scan the room. No sign of Amaan. As if he had read my mind, Yaseen  quickly announced that his brother was working late and would be home soon. "So have you had time to shop in this rush? Do you know what you are wearing?" Laaiqa asked. "Actually, I was hoping to find something in one shot tomorrow, "I admitted. We were interrupted by the creak of the door. My heart did some 12 somersaults.... Amaan. He quickly greeted everyone and caught my gaze, I looked away. He found a seat next to Yaseen and sat down. "Amaan are you comfortable over here? " Yaseen asked him. "Umm yip? Why? " "No I mean we could always make space on the other side of the table." I felt my cheeks turn scarlet. Mrs Malik scolded her son before turning back to me. "So Malaa'ika, coming back to clothes. I know it was inappropriate of me as I didn't even know your size or style choice, but I found this white silk gown at a friend's designer warehouse a few weeks ago and couldn't get it out of my mind. I actually brought it with me... would you consider I mean ..?"... "I would love to wear it," I interjected, feeling overwhelmed.

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