Diamonds And Pearls *New & Improved* *CURRENTLY EDITING*

CHAPTER 2(REVISED)-The Wedding Made of Dreams & Prayers

CHAPTER TWO-The Wedding Made of Dreams & Prayers

"Oh my God Zayan, you're going to pass it again." I groaned in frustration. This guy had absolutely no sense of direction. Even if you gave him a GPS, he'd still pass our location or get us lost.

"Maybe I wouldn't forget where to turn if you would just stop yapping in my ear." Zayan growled back. I rolled my eyes. He'd still get lost even if I stopped talking.

"Pull over! Park right there, we can walk. It's not that far." I exclaimed. He did what I said with an annoyed sigh. I hopped out of the car and grabbed my bags out of the back seat.

"Zayan, I think I left my makeup bag in your trunk about a week ago. If it's still there, could you bring it please?" I asked as I hurriedly made my way down the sidewalk and into the large building. I looked at the space in awe as I took in the biggest chandelier I'd ever seen in my life. The room itself was huge. There were tables strategically placed to the right and left sides of the room with tall centerpieces filled with gorgeous flower arrangements. The men would sit on one side and the women on the other side. There were silver and blue silks cascading from the ceiling on either side of a stage at the center of the room. The stage had beautiful handmade gold and silver cushions where the bride and groom would sit. Zayan finally caught up to me and dragged me off to find the room where Zayna was.

After getting lost and arguing with my brother for several minutes, we finally found my sister. Zayna looked up and smiled as we came in the door. She was sitting in front of a vanity with her blown out hair ready for styling. Her dark hair was huge, poofy, and long. She wasn't even dressed yet but she looked amazing. It seemed as if love had given her gorgeous dark brown skin a beautiful glow. She was happy, anyone could see that. I felt at ease with her decision once I saw the excitement in her eyes. Zayna stood and hugged Zayan tightly, then me. "Assalamu alaikum, I thought you guys got stuck in traffic or something. What happened?"

"Wa alaikum assalam. Well, your twin here wouldn't listen to me and kept missing the turn. I swear, I can't understand how his sense of direction is so jacked up." I said with a laugh. Zayna smiled.

"He'll learn to listen to you one day Daleela," Zayna said and slapped Zayan on the back.

"Aw, come on. I'm not even that bad." Zayan exclaimed, looking back and forth between the two of us. I looked at Zayna and we both burst out laughing. Our mother hustled into the room wearing a long cream colored embroidered shirt with a long flowing skirt to match.

"Wow ma, you're gonna outshine the bride." Zayna said with a smile.

"You do look great Ummi," I added while looking over her outfit.

"True story," Zayan said with a nod.

"Thank you my babies," Ummi squealed and managed to pull all of us into a hug at once. "But I could never be prettier than my little bride to be." She sniffled as she pushed Zayna's hair behind her ear. She took my sister's face in her hands as her eyes welled with tears. "You're going to be an amazing wife Insha'Allah."

"Okay, no waterworks here people. We have a marriage to complete and a feast to chow down on. Let's get it crackin' ya'll." I shouted happily.

"Zayan, your father needs help with the tables." Ummi said and wiped her tears. Zayan smiled at Zayna and then nodded to Ummi. He gave salams to us and left.

"Okay Daleela, you need to help your sister get ready. I have to go check on the food and guests, I'll be back." Ummi said and then hugged us once more.