The white garment folded itself around the to-be bride. She looked elegant in a lehenga, the off white and silver complimenting her dark skin tone. Nadiya rushed in with the headscarf– the zari embroidery stood out in the blue silver chiffon cloth and glowed under the light. Zari embroidery was made from fine silver or gold threads and it cost a lot too. The family looked like they could afford it. We had multiple types of zari too and let them know they could have the real deal or the imitation ones, which would be lighter and cheaper.

They preferred to have the actual silver embroidery. The team was slightly overworked as we had to rush to get the materials from our source and ship it here before their date before we started tailoring their clothes.

Nadiya and Zahra came in the morning as the other two left their overnight shift. I sighed happily. This month we would make extra and I reminded myself to give everyone a bonus for working hard.

"Mirza!"

I looked over to see the mother waving me over. I went over and braced myself. I have had both lovely customers and ones who screamed that I didn't have variety and enough customer service as they stormed out.

She smiled warmly at me. "The dress fits. I'm so glad we decided to tailor it here."

"Glad to help."

The girl smiled and blushed as I looked at her. Sets of pins held up the skirt at the waist and the knot at the back of the top. We finished tailoring but called in the family for final tweaking. I preferred to always add the zippers while they got their final fitting so they could let me know how fit they wanted the final dress to be. Bridal dresses, especially the tops were made to fit perfectly.

"We couldn't find any ready-made dresses in her size," the mother gestured to her daughter, smiling sheepishly. I raised an eyebrow.

"It is hard for fat people to find the perfect dresses," I blew a breath out. "One of the reasons I became a tailor. I could get perfect dresses for myself now."

"Thank you, Mirza," the girl twirled around and giggled. She was obviously so happy to be in it.

"Alright, let me know where you want the zippers on the skirt. Or if you would prefer hooks or drawstrings instead."

"I would like drawstrings."

"Alright. And for the top? I have a zipper here."

"Yes."

"Okay. Nadiya here has your headscarf, please wear it and let us know if it's okay."

The girl was already wearing a headscarf and the extra one was supposed to act like a veil while fully covering her head at the same time. I was glad we got some plain extra silk for her normal headscarf.

"It's a bit heavy but it works!"

"Alright. I am going to remove the pins from your skirt now. We shall have it ready by tomorrow–"

"Mirza, why don't you wear a headscarf, mole?" the mother looked at me and asked, her eyebrows a worried frown.

I pursed my lips. I could tell them it didn't really matter to me and I did try to wear it after I started my transition but oh well, it wasn't really my thing. I wore a scarf around my shoulders when I travelled far but covering my head was a choice of course.

I smiled sweetly. "I've been busy, I forgot."

She nodded like she decided to believe me for now and patted my hand. "Truly, thank you for all the help. My daughter is happy but we had to run to many stores before finding yours."

She glanced back at her. "It would help if she lost weight but oh well, I am just glad she found a partner for her after all."

"She deserves everything and more," I said, the words tumbling out. I forced myself to keep my fury in check but they rushed out anyway. "No matter how she looks."

"Yes yes," her mother waved a hand dismissively and walked out with her daughter. The girl smiled and waved at me happily before rushing out. She could not have been more than twenty two, she was happy and excited and bubbly and I hoped her partner was good.

Lots of people I knew, previous friends, my college mates got married by twenty three and it was frightening to me, considering that was hardly on my mind, even now at twenty six. Not that I didn't want to marry– I just never found someone whom I could imagine that life with, so far. I suppose, if they came along, I wouldn't mind it.

I remembered warm kisses and blinked to forget them as Nadiya called me from the other side. It was already evening by now and we had put up advertisements for the extra collection we should have gotten by now.

"Nadiya," I walked over to her. "Shall we step out for tea?"

She nodded as she grabbed her phone. We walked to the nearest cafe and ordered a coffee and a tea.

"I am really worried," she put her head in her hands. "We crossed off a good deal with the previous customer but like, we haven't received any news about the dresses we were supposed to receive."

"Really?" Panic bubbled in my chest and I felt pins pricking at my sides. This was not good.

"Zahra said she would manage calling them but so far none of them have responded. I thought we would receive them by now."

Our drinks arrived and tea was the only thing keeping me from not losing my sanity right now. The chiffon dress I wore suddenly felt too scratchy and my tongue felt like sandpaper.

Think, Mirza, think. What else can I do?

It wasn't the first time dresses arrived late and when we found out, normally put the ads a week ahead. We wanted customers to know about the new arrivals and though it was risky, putting ads before we got the dresses kind of worked. We only did it for designer dresses though, so the new look would remain and it would get sold quickly.

Except for now. We were fucked, and that the least of it.

We went back and I decided to ask Zahra directly. Customers piled in as Nadiya sectioned off piles of sarees to their respective categories: Kancheepuram, Banarasi, Chikankari and Kasavu. I had placed an order for five hundred new sarees from our usual buyer which was set to come today but it didn't. They had informed us a week back they would deliver it by dawn, but now it was noon and I was afraid we would fall short of it. After all, marriage season was around the corner and lots of them were coming to check out the latest designs. It didn't help that I also told many families to come today.

Work was good, it would keep me busy from distracting thoughts.

"Zahra!" I called out to a woman who was pacing and making furious phone calls, and gesturing wildly. "Any luck?"

"They aren't picking up and I am trying to get through to the nearest buyers to salvage this but–"

"Ah, I would rather buy from them, to be honest," I sighed. She raised a finger and took another phone call, walking away from me.

Lots of our sarees were hand woven and embroidered and I wanted people to see the beauty of it. Not many could tell the difference I knew, but to see the labour of love of small artisans was when I was at my peak euphoria. They loved that they had a way to sustain their business too.

This also meant getting into contact with them personally and travelling a few hundred kilometres for it, but I didn't mind; not when I saw their happy smiles when they were thrilled they wouldn't be put out of business so soon. After all, machine embroidery and designs were taking over, which did make the job easier, but it wasn't hard to ignore that a lot of people did this for their passion too.

I hope I didn't have to catch a train there, two employees had already called in sick this morning.

I saw Zahra rush back in and I prayed to Allah for good news. The panic on her face told me it was not.

"Okay so I asked Nadiya and currently we have fifty sarees to show our customers. We are expected to have about twenty customers whom you personally invited. Now, obviously it seems there are enough, but are you seeing the customers piling in from mouth of word? There won't be enough."

"So you're saying we just have enough, or we have to keep them busy by making them try outfits, until it arrives?" I raised an eyebrow, my heart pulsing.

"Yes, but also, I don't think it will arrive. Look, I know you're all for helping small term businesses, but this is serious unprofessionalism and we are all going to suffer," she whispered, her eyes glinting. I loved Zahra for keeping me in line and being rational but something just felt off.

"Yeah, I get it. Okay, I will try to get them to try on our recent designs, and if it doesn't arrive by 3 PM, let me know," I nodded to her. I asked Nadiya to keep a cool mind and accept those who came. I would sort this personally if needed.

I took a quick look at all the train timings set for today and made a mental note of it. Worst case, I could hop on a train by 5 PM and reach by morning, the next day.

"Mirza, you've got to adapt, I know how you are about authentic stuff we sell, but not having any products is kinda terrible."

I nodded but my mind felt far away. I personally wanted to go see what had happened. Most of our textiles came from retail stores except for the ones which were handwoven from some of the best weavers in the country. A lot of people would pay for it, too. But the lack of response from their side concerned me. I crossed my fingers and prayed nothing bad happened.

Sebastian, our source of all raw materials, wasn't picking up my calls. If he wasn't going to make good on our promise then I would see to it myself.

I looked at all the trains. The A.C compartment ones had been filled long before, and there were very few reserved seats. If I had to go today I might not get the reserved ones, and the waiting list only cleared after some days. General compartment would be swamped too. I sighed. I didn't like it at all, and mom would certainly disapprove because it was way too crowded and even standing would be a hassle.

After battling a little, I booked the reserved one anyways and hoped I would get a seat.

"Allah, help me," I whispered as I closed the app. Looking at it for long would only make me more worried.

I went to the back of the shop and left for home to get ready. I picked my favourite dress – a strawberry and lilac shirt dress with puffed sleeves and a sweetheart neck. The dress reached below my knees and the cotton was light and airy and perfect for travelling. I twirled around in it for a moment of happiness before my worries stripped me away of it.

Well, at least I was dressed well and it made me feel slightly better and cute. It really was true, what people said, about dressing up improving moods.

I kept thinking there was something I needed to do, but it slipped from my mind like the softest cashmere. 

***

Glossary:

Zari: Of Persian origin, zari zardozi is a type of embroidery done using gold and silver metallic threads. It gives an elegant and dressy look to any garment it is done on and is mostly used for wedding garments. 

mole: daughter, in Malayalam. Elders call younger ones either mole or mone (daughter or son respectively) whether you are strangers, acquaintances or friends :) 

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Vote and comment if you liked this chapter. 

Hey! Another update, this time from Mirza's pov. Mirza is very secretive so i struggled a lot to write this chapter though I was motivated and even wrote the first 500 words a week after last week's posting. 

Also, I have an interesting question! As some of you know, I am an artist first, and I draw a lot more than write. I have decided to draw these girls and let me know whom would you like to see drawn first? Anya, Mirza, or Kaynath? I am indecisive haha.  I know I post sporadically so while you  wait you can enjoy some art of them!