SAUDAH✅

4.Shine Bright Like a Diamond.

Saudah's POV

The The event concluded around 9:00 pm, and Syna left with the girls. Meanwhile, I stayed back to ensure that everyone had left first.

As I made my rounds, I overheard familiar voices. Curiosity got the better of me, and I peeked in, only to see Azeeza, Amal, and him.

"Oh, please, Yaya, pretty please," Amal pleaded, giving him her best puppy dog eyes.

I swiftly turned on my heels, intending to leave unnoticed, but to my great luck, I heard my name being called.

"Oh, Saudah, please help us plead with Yaya," Amal called out to me.

I closed my eyes briefly before turning to face them, putting on my best fake smile. "Um... what?" I asked, feigning innocence.

"Tell Yaya it's okay if they stay with you for the night, please. We won't cause any trouble, right, Saudah?" Azeeza asked, her eyes filled with pleading desperation.

"Ohhh... I... it's... it's okay... they can stay," I reluctantly agreed, avoiding direct eye contact with him, as I had been doing the entire night. His gaze had a mysterious effect on me, something I couldn't quite decipher. When I finally dared to meet his eyes, I swear my heart skipped a beat. I quickly looked away, but not before catching a smirk on his face.

"Ok then," he smiled, while the girls grinned in triumph.

*******

"Ok, just one more step," I said to Syna, leading her into her room with a blindfold on.

"You've been saying that for the last five minutes," she replied, smiling. She adored surprises, just like anyone else.

"Alright, we're here," I announced, removing the blindfold. She gasped in awe as she took in the sight of her room, which we had redecorated. It was adorned with illuminating lights, a magnificent five-layered chocolate cake, a snack table, and her bed had been replaced with cozy blankets where we would sleep.

"Thank you, girls. Thanks, bestie," she exclaimed, hugging me tightly.

"Okay, enough with the hugs. Let's get crazy!" Hidaya shouted, pressing the remote for the confetti cannon, and we all burst into laughter.

We cut the cake, indulged in it, danced to numerous songs, capturing videos of our shenanigans. There was even a video of Syna and me singing and dancing to Ed Sheeran's "Galway Girl," with the caption 'Current bride and Future Bride,' as if. The girls posted it on their social media accounts with a flurry of heart emojis. I, too, couldn't resist sharing it, and Ahmed and his friends liked and commented on it.

Syna posted a picture of both of us, beaming with icing on our faces, with the caption 'Bff goals, Diamonds are nothing when I'm shining with you Bestie.' We appeared so happy and carefree. I knew I would miss her immensely.

Afterwards, we watched movies while munching on snacks before drifting off to sleep.

*******

"The tie has been knotted," Syna's aunt Lubabat said, walking into the room where Syna, the girls, and I were sitting.

We all grinned and hugged the now teary-eyed Syna, offering our congratulations. She then prayed before the makeup artist applied a light layer of makeup, as the groom and his friends would be arriving any minute now.

Once the makeup artist finished, they all left me alone with Syna as I helped her slip into her white and green gown, along with a green headgear. I was dressed

in my white and teal blouse and skirt, flawlessly tailored by Devouge Couture, complete with a white headgear.

"I can't believe this, Saudah. I'm married," Syna said, sitting down on her bed, clutching my hands in hers.

"Yes, you are, bestie. You're married to Ahmed. Your dream has finally come true. Congratulations," I said, embracing her tightly.

"This is so unbelievable. Saudah, you better get married soon too," she said, raising an eyebrow.

"How did you-"

"Yeah, we saw," she shrugged.

"We?" I asked, surprised that it was so obvious.

"Yeah, me and Ahmed," she replied, smiling at the thought of her husband.

"It was... *laughs* nothing... *laughs* really," I stammered, waving my hand dismissively, laughing nervously.

Syna stared at me, already bored with my feeble attempts at denial. "Uh huh, and now you're doing that thing where you laugh in between your sentences, clearly meaning you're lying," she said, narrowing her eyes at me.

Gosh, she knows me too well.

I was about to respond when we heard a knock on the door. "Girls, come down, they're here," Lateefa announced, and I released a breath I didn't realize I was holding.

Thank goodness.

"This is not over," Syna declared, standing up. She began hyperventilating, rambling nervously, "Is my makeup smudged? Is it still good? Are my eyes too big? Am I sweating? Oh my God, maybe I need to change."

I held her hand firmly, trying to calm her down. "You look beautiful, baby girl. Ahmed's going to be stunned when he sees you. You're flawless," I reassured her, smiling.

"Thanks, girl," she replied, visibly calmer. She took a few deep breaths before gripping my hand tightly as we walked out.

We descended the spiral stairs, hand in hand, the trailing ends of our gowns flowing behind us. I walked with confidence, while Syna wore a nervous smile. All eyes turned to us as her grip on my hand tightened.

"Calm down," I whispered, still smiling.

She hummed, and together, we successfully made it downstairs. I genuinely smiled as I handed her hand over to Ahmed, who was mesmerized and stunned by his bride. He held her hand, kissed her forehead, and embraced her warmly. We all cooed, while his friends teased and exclaimed, "Prince Charming, the knight in shining armor has finally met his Cinderella."

I glanced towards his group of friends, and our eyes met briefly. I quickly averted my gaze and went to sit next to Falisha.

"Aww, this is so romantic," she cooed, pretending to wipe away tears.

"Come on, cut it out. Don't be so dramatic," I playfully scolded her, hiding my smile.

"Haba, Adda Saudah naa," she replied, side-hugging me, and I reciprocated the gesture, smiling.

"So, where's the photographer?" Hidaya asked.

"Oh, the selfie queen wants to know. Today, you won't be taking any selfies," I teased.

"Well, it's a must, but seriously, where is this photographer?" she persisted, scanning the surroundings.

"Lemme look around for him. He's probably here somewhere," I said, standing up.

"Saudah, where are you going?" Syna finally remembered my presence.

"Oh, now you remember me, after getting lost in your loving trance with your husband," I mocked.

"Haba, in-law," Ahmed chim

ed in, smiling.

I shook my head. "I'm just going to look for the photographer. I have no idea where he is."

"You can always take the picture since it's what you do best," Lateefa suggested.

"Yeah, that's true, but I don't typically handle these kinds of situations," I explained before turning to walk out.

"Sorry, I'm here," the photographer, Farhan, my friend, apologized, entering the room.

"What took you so long?" I asked, relieved to see him.

"Urgent stuff. Now, let's take the picture, shall we?" he replied, sheepishly smiling at me.

"Finally," I exclaimed, clapping my hands together. This was going to be a long photoshoot session.