"Yum these brownies are gonna taste ah-mazing," said Marium licking off the brownie batter from the spatula. "I think i'm going start my own brownie business once I'm done with the undergraduate program, already my mom's friends ask me to bake cupcakes and brownies for their get togethers. Ahhhh I can totally see myself baking yummy goodies for the rest of my life!"
"Oh sure that and making Bilal fat for the rest of your life," joked Haya. "The only reason you're now a master baker is because Bilal said to you 'Oh Marium your brownies are so delicious! I can never get enough of them,' Oooooo", she rolled her eyes as she mimicked Bilal's deep voice.
"Yeah Bilal is going to be one lucky man, every time he opens his mouth to protest at something you can stuff your brownies in his mouth and he'll go ga-ga all over you again," teased Nazia.
"For your kind information, Bilal always listen to whatever I say. He's so sweet and understanding, I am truly blessed," said Marium with a dreamy smile.
"Well you two are pretty lucky, both your families agreed to your union without acting like the typical zaalim samaajh. I can't wait for your wedding after school's over, I have already started designing my outfits in my head," said Haya excitedly as Marium and Bilal had recently got engaged and both their families had decided that the marriage would take place after their graduation.
"I know, this upcoming visit to Pakistan is going to be so fun! I love shopping but shopping in Pakistan for desi clothes is on another level altogether. Also I'll be meeting my cousins in Lahore after ages!" said Marium who was traveling to Pakistan with her mother to shop for her trousseau. "Bilal is going to look so good in a sherwani, he's so tall and slim and carries all his outfits with such panache. I think I'm going to get him some casual shalwar kameez as well, he looked so good in the one that my parents gave him on our engagement everyone was saying....."
"Ufff Marium you and your obsession with Bilal! You guys are so lovey dovey right now, I hope it lasts after marriage too and doesn't turn sour like Hira's sister's.....oh that's wrong of me to mention that, Hira is so upset already," said Haya with a guilty grimace.
"Yeah I know its so sad yaar. I wish she wasn't so sensitive, she takes everything to heart," said Nazia about her childhood friend. Nazia and Hira had known each other since they were 10 years old and had attended the same middle and high school together. Through the girls' friendship their respective families had come to know each other socially as well.
"Hira has been pouring her heart out to Mum since the past hour, I hope talking to her helps. Mum is bound to give her some good advice," Nazia told the other girls.
"Yeah man its been a rough week for Hira what with the exams and presentations and stuff going on at home, she's bound to be feeling stressed out. It seems to me that Hira is the sensible older sister and Rabia Apa the spoilt younger one," said Marium taking out the baking tray from the oven. "Here you go ladies, my ooeey goeey double chocolate brownies are ready for consumption! Nazia is the hot chocolate ready?"
"Yes Ma'am, ready to go. I'll go up and call Hira and then we can start the party," said Nazia as she set four cups of hot chocolate on a tray. "Oh wait here she comes. Hey Hira boo whats up, c'mon man cheer up. I've hosted this sleepover especially for you, we can't have the guest of honor all sad and mopey," said Nazia while hugging Hira.
"I'm ok dear, Huma Aunty made me feel so much better, your Mom is simply the best Nazia," said Hira with a soft smile.
"Yes I know she's the best! Mum I lurrrvve you," said Nazia hugging her mother who had entered the room after Hira.
YOU ARE READING
When The Stars Shine Bright
General Fiction"I think I will always want to aim for the stars; for they are always a guiding light. After all it is only in the darkest nights that the stars shine more brightly." That is what Nazia Ali wrote in her high school yearbook as her life defining quot...
