His reaction after hearing about the deal was priceless. His eyes were wide open, mouth agape waiting for me to say it was a joke. It was funny but I was not in a situation to laugh.

"It's not a joke. I'm serious" I said.

He recovered soon enough. "No? Wow. You listen to me. Marriage is no joke. You are making it into one by having made this so called deal. Is it business you are doing? Deal it seems" he had raised his voice like he always does when angry. 

"I don't know what else to do. Plus this was a good idea. The best yet" I tried to reason even though it wasn't going to work in my favour.

He exhaled. "Aayat it seems to me sometimes as though you haven't grown up at all. You are still the kiddo I used to visit parks with". He was looking at me no more angry but  just a little dissapointed and asked "Are you sure about this? Every action has a consequence you know"

"Yeah I know Raz bro. I am not 100% sure about this but Allah knows best. This seems right to me". Just then I heard Sulaiman calling me and his voice seemed close by. "I think it's time. Now if you will do the honours and escort me" I said.

"I can't believe this is happening" he said shaking his head.

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All eyes were on me. I could sense it without looking. My head was bowed low and my mind clouded with different scenarios of how the evening would unfold. I was seated at the front of the hall with everyone facing me. We had moved the sofa and made space to accomodate chairs for all the guests.

Someone would come up to me every now and then to chat and would disperse quitely sensing that I was not in the mood to keep the conversation going. My friends were maintaining a good distance from me after I had yelled at them. They were teasing me and getting on my nerves as if all that was going through my mind was not enough. 

Just as I was about to yawn my mother-in-law appeared. My mom was smiling at me with tear filled eyes. I couldn't utter a word.

"Aayat,my dear. Mashaallah you look beautiful! Bless you"she said.

I smiled. She then recited something and placed a ring on my ring finger of right hand. This was it. I was officially engaged! Everyone started hugging each other. I don't understand these things at all.

Mom and dad came up each unable to say what they wanted to or atleast that's what I thought. Dad was giving me a thumbs up sign and I nodded. Next Raz bro and Sulaiman appeared. They formally congratulated me and marched off before I could stop them.Talk about me being weird.

My stomach was growling with hunger. The aroma of the food made me even more hungry.

"Hey, my engaged sis. Here's your dinner" Sulaiman said appearing with a plate filled with the food items.

"You are a life saver. I love you Sulu"

"We're going to your fiancee's house after everyone is done with dinner. Your friends will be here to keep you company. Any message for Zayd?" he teased.

"Oh okay.Everyone as in everyone is going? And no, no message for Zayd."

"Yeah everyone. Look your sister-in-law is coming. I'm leaving then"

Atifa arrived with my cousins all smiling smugly.

"Aayat you are looking beautiful. I was watching you sitting there. Your cousins had kept me preoccupied"she said

"Yeah we were telling her all your embarassing stories" Aliya said

"Ya ALLAH! Don't believe them. They tend to exaggurate too much" I exclaimed

Atifa laughed "Don't worry. Anyway we should be leaving. It's getting late. Zayd would be waiting for his limelight"

My cousins were giggling like small kids. They will surely get a sound scolding from me.Everyone left one-by-one, car-by-car. Mom and dad were the last to leave. Only the maid, me and my friends remained.

First things first! I changed into comfortable clothes and came back to the hall to witness everyone cleaning up the mess. I decided I should help and picked up a broom to sweep.

"Take a break Aayat. You must be tired" Shazia said

"Yeah relax. We'll handle it" Samreen added.

"No it's fine. And I'm so sorry you guys. I got mad for such a silly reason" I  apologized.

"It's fine. We know a lot is happening too fast" Fariya said. Everyone nodded."Group hug everybody come on. "

At that moment I was feeling blessed. This wasn't so bad. Allah is with me. 

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Sorry for the late update. Let me know what you think. More interesting chapters coming up In Sha Allah. Vote, comment and support.