~~~🕊️~~~

The weather was perfect, the sun shining its love on me. A bright light hugs the land as it touches the land with its stretched out golden arms. The blue sky was speckled with white fluffy clouds that floated lazily in the light breeze.

"Qubool Hai", I replied for the third time to the Imam who was conducting my Nikkah. I let out the breath which I was holding and I smiled at my parents who were wiping their tears of joy. They hugged me and kissed my forehead blessing me. As they moved to congratulate my... well.. my prince charming, I was being suffocated by my cousins and friends, who were hugging me with all their energy while some of my relatives gave their compliments on my wedding.

"I believe it is time to lower the curtains," one of my cousins, Zahra, exclaimed, "the bride is eager to see her prince charming." Everyone laughed on that statement, while I blushed. When Zahra noticed my blush, she said, "Look at the bride, we can see her cheeks turning pink, Is she blushing?", no sooner had she commented on my blushing there was a roar of laughter. I blushed even harder now, and I'm sure my cheeks are now flushed Ugh.... How will I face him now?

"That's enough Zahra," Uncle reprimanded her, thank goodness he intervened, otherwise I would have turned red as a tomato and would have been embarrassed when I meet him.

"Get the drapes down, Aamir and Naadir," My father said to my cousins.

Oh my god, I'm finally getting to see him. Let's begin the countdown..

1... I could see his dark chocolate brown hair, which was neatly gelled up.

2... I could see his white, unlined forehead.

3..... I could see his...

..

"Hayat, wake up, it's getting late, you've to go to the university". My mom yelled while waking me up from my deep slumber. I stirred in my sleep but did not open my eyes as I was dreaming about my prince charming. As I was ready to meet my prince charming's enchanting gaze, my mom's loud words made my eyes shoot open.

"What?, It's 7:30? Why didn't you wake me up earlier, mom" I said gloomily. "My classes start at 8:00 and I'm still in bed, how am I going to get to university in another half-hour?"

I was ready to get out of my cozy bed when I noticed it was raining outside, which meant I could go back to sleep and see my prince charming again. Yay...

"Mom, it's raining outside, therefore I'm not going to class today."

"Although, it's raining outside, sweetie, you're expected to go to university. Do you want to know why?"

"Why?" I pouted.

"It's because you have exams next week, and I know you'll do nothing if you stay at home. So it's better to be at university where you can at least study something."

Oh, no! I should have pretended to be studying. I could have used that as an excuse to stay home today.

"Please mom, let me stay at home and I promise, I will study today."

"No Hayat, get up, right now. You have already wasted 15 minutes. You've got another 15 minutes to get to the university before the lessons begin." My mom said as she approached the door to exit the room.

"Mom, please! It's raining outside and it's late, you don't want me to get sick, do you?"

"No worries, sweetie. we can go to the hospital if you get sick and Hayat, you aren't going to the university by foot. You've got a car, remember." Mom replied ironically.

"Mom, If the rain drops touch me, I will melt," I said sarcastically to lighten her mood, but mom being mom, responded with a caustic response. "Oh really, but then again we don't have any problem. We can freeze you to get you back to normal."

"Mom!" I laughed at her response. I tried voicing out another reason to stay back but before I could, she cut me off abruptly and told me to get ready.

I tossed my blanket aside and got off the bed, sulking, "Hayat, don't rush, it's just 6:30 now," mom stated as I was choosing my day's outfit. I spun around at full speed to see my mother's ever-so-beautiful face, but she was gone.

No, Mom!
How could you do this to me, I was dreaming about your Son-in-law...

************

I hurried downstairs ready for the day, dressed in a long white shirt that reached till my knee and blue jeans, paired up with a light pink hijab and white converse.

I plopped my backpack on the couch near the dining table and sat on the chair. Until my mum brought my food, I unlocked my phone to check my WhatsApp messages. I don't know about you but it's a must for me in the morning before I go to college.

I opened the group chat named 'Friends Forever'.

Farah : Everyone going to college right?
Raiha: Yeahhh
Ramla: Yes going
Hafsa: yup 👍

I know it's unnecessary but its our daily routine. I don't know about you, but I go to college only if my friends are coming and same with my friends.

"Nuska, keep your phone aside and start eating" Mom said and walked into the kitchen.

I ate my noodles fast as possible and after bidding goodbye to my mom, I hurried outside.

"Good morning uncle" I greeted my driver.
"Good Morning" He replied. I got into the car and he drove me off to my college.

***************

"Assalamu Alaikum, beautiful ladies" I greeted my friends as I dropped my backpack on the table. They replied to my greetings while I sat on the chair, my mind still filled with my prince-charming's half face because obviously my mom didn't let me see him fully. *rolls my eyes*

"Today, I dreamed of my prince charming, girls" I said cheerfully.

"Omg! Ya Allah, please save our ears from bleeding" Raiha chuckled.

"Seriously.... I am not going to tell anyone about my dream," I responded with a fake cry. Whilst safiya kept requesting me to tell them about the dream, I started getting my books out of my backpack pretending to ignore her.

After a few minutes of ignoring her, I finally surrendered and told them my beautiful dream that I had dreamt today.

"So, you didn't see his face?" Farah questioned once I was done with the story.
I nodded, still in my dream world.

"Don't worry, you'll see him soon. Aameen" Farah joked, and everyone burst out laughing except me, because they all know I'm not planning on getting married anytime soon.

I was going to lecture them about my plans in life before getting married, when our professor entered the room. I decided to drop the subject because I was convinced that I would not marry anytime soon.

Although, she was convinced, God had other plans. Farah's statement was about to come true, and she had no idea.

************

The time flew very swiftly, and when our lecturer asked us to remain back for an additional 15 minutes after college was over, I immediately regretted coming here in the first place.

I simply wanted to get home so I could sleep well
I love to sleep, please take note of it.

"Would you all kindly give me your full attention?", our professor started speaking as he entered the room.
"Listen everyone, this is something very important. You must begin your training as designers as you are all nearing the completion of your degree programs. With the completion of the training of 3 months you will all be graduated. Your respective companies have been allotted to each of you. I'm going to read them out now, so pay close attention."

"What in the world is this? I thought we could select them." Ramla muttered. "I hope we work for the same company."

"Hope that's the case," Safiya retorted.

"Ramla, Zaid architectural & design. Ahmad, Reflex architecture. Sam, Reflex Architecture. Sadiya, Dream Design Architecture. Hayat, Zaid architectural & design. Raiha, Zaid architectural & design...." And the list went on.

We experienced mixed emotions because some of our friends would be together while others would be apart. Zaid Architectural & Design has been one of the best performing companies over the last 12 months, therefore I was happy to work for them.

I don't know what life has in store for me on my new journey, but I am prepared for anything.

~~~🕊️~~~

...........................................................................

✨ Hi/ Assalamu Alaikum everyone.✨
I hope all of you are doing good.

I am back after a really long period of time.. It really feels good to be back..

How did you feel while reading this chapter?
There are few changes that has been made..

I promise you more interesting scenes are coming up.
Hoping to see your love and support for this version of 'Connected Hearts' too❤️

Add the book to your library to stay updated for the next chapters.

✨ Thank you for reading ✨