- Noor's POV -

It's the day... it's the big day.

I told my family I wanted simple for the nikkah + engagement ceremony.

Amma wouldn't have it. She said we won't spare any expenses. She wanted this to be extravagant because she didn't get much for her wedding. She wants to plan like she's never planned before.

So I agreed. I gave all the heavy planning to her and my sister, Ayesha. All I really wanted to do was choose the dresses for the events.

Except for today's dress. I didn't have much time to pick out something for today so I told them something simple or not overly sparkly...

When they unzipped the bag to show me the dress, I was speechless. It's gorgeous. Absolutely made out of my dreams except... I really didn't want to look too over-the-top.

However, I couldn't wipe off the smile on my face because my whole family looked so proud and happy.

I stare at myself in the mirror. I look so different. My makeup is heavier than usual but still simple enough for a small engagement party.

The dress is silver and completely covered in sparkling stones. The design work done on the dress is exquisite, it makes me feel like a princess. The long, trailing peach-pink scarf is detailed with the same twinkling stones.

I twirl around like a blushing bride unable to look at myself any longer.

I'll be Omar's today. I'll be a taken woman. I've thought about marrying at different times in my life. But I feel like as I got older, the more I put this thought at the back of my mind.

I can't believe I was crushing hard on Lateef just months ago. I invited him, yes.

What did he ask me? If Farrah will be there.

Why did this idiot think she wasn't going to be here? I told him multiple times that she's my best friend.

"Mash'Allah! Mash'Allah! Mash'Allah!" Amma comes in to the room saying. "You look so beautiful, Omar won't be able to take his eyes off of his bride."

Her eyes start suddenly getting teary. "You're all grown up."

"Amma! Don't cry! You'll make me cry and I'll end up not signing the nikkah papers." My bottom lips start to quiver from seeing Amma cry.

Ayesha and Farrah peak their heads through the door and both their eyes widen.

"Ya Allah! You look so beautiful, Mash'Allah! I honestly thought you'd look like the dirty rag that you usually look like." Ayesha says.

Amma lightly slaps Ayesha's arm. "Ow! Amma!"

"Stop saying mean things to your sister on her nikkah day. She'll be leaving soon and you won't have anyone to bother anymore."

"You look so beautiful, Mash'Allah! I would take you home by the end of the night if I were Omar." Farrah winks, then she quickly covers her face because she burst into tears.

Ayesha's eyes start watering too. "This is dumb. Why does she have to go?"

"Not you guys too!" My quivering instantly turns into tears.

We stood there for a minute or two, just holding each other, before going out to the main room.

We're holding the nikkah/engagement at our house, only because we didn't invite many and I begged them to let it be at home so I can feel comfortable. It's a small gathering anyways, I'd rather save money for the bigger events.

Before walking down the stairs, Farrah had informed me that Yasir and his family had arrived. Apparently, his father and my father are getting along really well.

"He looks dashing." Ayesha whispers. "I couldn't peel my eyes away from him."

"Ayesha! She's marrying Omar, don't forget!" Farrah hushes her.

I'm shocked Yasir even bothered showing up, let alone showing up with his parents.

"Is Omar here yet?" I ask anxiously.

Farrah shakes her head. "His mother said he's running a bit late."

Amma holds one arm, while Ayesha holds my other arm so we could go downstairs together. Farrah holds the trail of my dress so I wouldn't trip.

I take a deep breath and start the descend slowly down the stairs.

My eyes are glued to the floor as I make my way to the makeshift "stage".

There's cheers and whistles coming from the guests.

"My beautiful daughter-in-law! Mash'Allah! How lucky we are!" Omar's mother says as she softly caresses my cheek. "Many, many blessings to you! Sorry my dumb son is running late... to his own nikkah!"

I giggle. "It's okay. It happens."

I finally look up after some guests greet me. I see that everyone is chatting away except for one: Yasir.

I haven't seen him literally until now. My God, he looks so good in a kurta that I almost couldn't look away. Ayesha wasn't kidding. I didn't even expect him to show up, let alone in a kurta...

Stop it, Noor! You're marrying Omar! How would you feel if he was oogling some other chick during your nikkah to him? Exactly. Shut up.

But the thing is... Yasir hasn't looked away from me either. In fact, he wasn't chatting up with anyone. He wasn't doing anything except staring at me as if he's never seen me before.

Finally, he walks up to me with his father and mother with a small box in his hand.

"Congratulations, Noor." He smiles, almost with too much innocence. "You look wonderful."

God, that smile.

Snap out of it, Noor! He's only being this nice because he's in front of people.

"Thank you. This wasn't necessary! It's just a nikkah." I gulp down the butterflies in my stomach.

"My inconsiderate son thought it was unnecessary too. But he knows nothing of decency, sometimes." Mr. Asad Khan laughs. "Congratulations, Noor dear."

"Thank you so much, sir." I smile.

"I wish you were becoming my daughter-in-law instead." He winks, jokingly.

Funny, but I don't think I'd survive spending the rest of my life with your son.

Instead, I laugh along with him as I see Yasir roll his eyes as he sighs.

"That's enough, Abbu. Don't make the bride regret her decisions." Yasir smirks.

I roll my eyes this time.

"Come on. Let's continue your conversation with the uncle again." Yasir says to his father but right before leaving, he looks at me and says, "I really hope you won't regret not taking up the offer to marrying me." He winks before taking his father away to talk to a few guests.

I sit there, absolutely flabbergasted.

He remembers. He remembers what he said to me that night.

"Nadira won't be with me but maybe you can. I'll give you anything and everything. Name it and it's yours. Just be with me."

I almost couldn't breathe all of a sudden. How dare he just mess up my thoughts just like that? And on my nikkah day! This man—

His mother comes forward, interrupting my thoughts [thankfully], to hand me a gift bag. "You're an absolute beauty! Mash'Allah!"

I'm the type of person who can't handle compliments. I don't know how to reply to them and start becoming uncomfortable or awkward.

"Thank you so much. You're Mr. Yasir Khan's mother?" I ask only to make sure.

She's gorgeous, she even resembles him with her sharp, yet large brown eyes. She looks just like you would imagine a wealthy, socialite mother to look like. Her brunette hair has hints of blonde highlights pulled into a clean bun as her skin glows as if she just walked out of a garden of youth. She looks her age but also doesn't look her age.

Again, just gorgeous, Mash'Allah.

"That's me. But I'm not the mother if he's given you a hard time." She jokes.

Both his parents are hilarious, where did his humour disappear to? Well, I guess it does appear at rare times.

"I just want to say you're really pretty." I slide in a compliment.

"Oh! Thank you so much!" She grins. "I wish you were my daughter-in-law... my son is stuck up on that wo—sorry! I hope you and Omar live a blessed life, Ameen!"

I tried hard not to crack a smirk. I'm glad she doesn't like Nadira either. I'm sure she hates her more for hurting her son so badly.

20 minutes pass by and there's no sign of Omar. I open my clutch to take out my phone to see if he messaged.

Nothing.

My anxiousness has started to turn into fear. Farrah holds my hand to comfort me.

"Holy shit, Noor. Your hands are freezing!" She knows exactly what that means. "It's okay. Just calm down. Maybe he got caught up in something."

Another 10 minutes later, my phone buzzes. I've got a text.

I take it out of my clutch to read what it says.

Just as my eyes roll over each and every word of the text, every bit of oxygen was knocked out of my lungs. My legs immediately force me to stand up. My hands instantly go past just being "just cold" and my heart rate could easily be going at over a 190 bpm.

Am I having a stroke? A heart attack? Dying?

My eyes begin to slowly roll back to my head and I hear Farrah yell for help, "Noor!"

Every bone in my body gives out and I couldn't hold my own weight any longer.

From Omar:
I'm sorry, Noor, but I can't marry you. I should've told you before but I love someone else. I can't go through with spending my life with you knowing my heart belongs to another. I hope you'll find it in your heart to forgive me for letting you and everyone else down. I'm truly sorry and I wish you the best for the future.

- - -

- A/N-

• Surprise update! ❤️

• The nikkah outfit [that really went to waste... 😔]:

• Omar just did that... 🤭

Next Update: Every Friday and Saturday, Insha'Allah!

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