Ayaan's eyelids fluttered open to Siya's gentle shake –
but her voice was laced with annoyance
"Ayaan, wake up! You're late – like, seriously late! What's gotten into you?"
He rubbed sleep from his eyes, still groggy –
but his mind instantly cleared, focusing on HER...
The girl from his thoughts – the one he was meeting today.
He got ready quickly –
his younger siblings teasing him along the way –
"Getting married today... or getting rejected?"
"Is she pretty, bhaiya?"
Ayaan chuckled, then left with family –
They headed out in the car to the marriage proposal residency...
Inside the car, Ayub teased "Nervous groom!"
Ayat giggled adding "Is she going to say yes, bhaiya?"
_________________
On the other side, Adeeba scrubbed in for an urgent surgery –
her senior role demanded precision and calm nerves.
Though her mind wandered to the upcoming family gathering...
Her mother's words echoed: "Beta, promise me – finish surgery quickly, come straight home."
Adeeba had agreed, "Mama, I will – our guests arrive soon, I wouldn't miss this for anything."
Now, focused on the patient, she began the delicate procedure...
Time ticked away – Adeeba's skilled hands moved swiftly,
yet she knew every passing minute delayed her return home...
where a certain guest awaited her presence.
____________
The guest had arrived – Ayaan stood respectfully as his family settled in.
He then turned to Adeeba's mother and asked politely,
"May we meet Adeeba now? We've traveled specifically for this occasion."
Adeeba's mother smiled graciously, about to respond,
when a gentle voice echoed from the doorway –
Adeeba had arrived.
She wore a stunning pastel black Abaya,
her face modestly covered with a matching Niqab –
only her bright, expressive eyes visible, locking briefly with Ayaan's gaze.
The room fell silent, awaiting her mother's introduction...
"Adeeba, beta, our respected guests – Ayaan's family – have arrived."
Adeeba nodded softly, her eyes still flicking towards Ayaan.
Her eyes locked with Ayaan's for a fleeting moment –
a spark of recognition from their previous encounter.
Adeeba composed herself instantly,
breaking into a gentle smile as she greeted everyone –
"Assalamu alaikum, respected elders and guests..."
The room replied in unison – "Wa alaikum salam..."
Adeeba then turned to her mother and whispered briefly –
"Mama, I'll change into something suitable for our guests."
Her mother nodded understandingly –
"Yes, beta, hurry – they're waiting to speak with you."
Adeeba glided upstairs gracefully,
leaving Ayaan wondering what lay beneath her reserved demeanor...
and anticipating her return eagerly.
Exactly a few minutes later, Adeeba descended the stairs gracefully –
transformed into elegant casual attire.
She wore:
a sleek black top,
matching black pants,
and a soft cream-colored shrug that fell gently to her knees.
Her hair hidden beneath a simple yet sophisticated black hijab –
framing her heart-shaped face and accentuating her bright eyes.
Adeeba's beauty was understated yet captivating –
Ayaan's gaze locked onto hers again, this time openly appreciative.
The room fell silent once more –
Adeeba's mother smiled warmly, nodding for them to proceed...
"Adeeba, beta, Ayaan's family has come to discuss a proposal –
please, everyone sit, let us talk."
Adeeba sat down gracefully, her eyes cast downward –
directly across from Ayaan, yet avoiding his gaze.
The air between them vibrated with unspoken tension –
a palpable attraction that neither dared acknowledge.
Adeeba's heart raced with familiar longing –
she had secretly wished for Ayaan to be hers for months.
Ayaan, oblivious to her feelings until their chance encounter,
now found his mind preoccupied with thoughts of her –
wondering what it would be like if she were indeed his.
Their families chatted politely around them,
oblivious to the silent connection sparking between Adeeba and Ayaan –
each lost in private thoughts of "what if" and "could this be"...
Adeeba's mother began speaking, breaking the spell slightly –
"Adeeba, beta, Ayaan's family wishes to know about your thoughts..."
Adeeba nodded slowly, still not raising her eyes –
or responding – as if waiting for Ayaan's gaze to meet hers.
Just as Adeeba's mother awaited her response,
Ayaan's elder brother spoke up –
"I think we can trust these two to discuss freely.
May we give Ayaan and Adeeba some privacy to talk?"
The room fell silent, considering the suggestion –
then nods of agreement from both families followed.
Adeeba's mother smiled warmly –
"Yes, beta, go to the garden room – talk freely, children."
Adeeba rose gracefully, still not meeting Ayaan's eyes –
yet her heart racing with anticipation.
Ayaan stood up slowly, his gaze finally locking onto hers briefly –
before he turned to lead her out of the room, into private conversation...
The garden room door closed behind them – silence outside,
tension and curiosity palpable inside.
Inside the garden room, Ayaan leaned against a velvet armchair –
eyes fixed on Adeeba, seeking the perfect moment to break silence.
He wanted to initiate conversation, but chose his words carefully –
aware of the significance of this private talk.
Adeeba stood near the window, gazing out at lush greenery –
her mind racing with thoughts, longing to speak first.
Yet, she hesitated, not wanting to appear overly eager –
a delicate balance between interest and restraint.
She fiddled subtly with her black hijab's edge,
a nervous gesture Ayaan almost caught –
his eyes narrowing slightly as he observed her discreetly.
The air was thick with unspoken thoughts –
both waiting for the other to make the first move...
Ayaan finally took a gentle breath, ready to speak –
just as Adeeba turned slightly, their eyes almost meeting.
Ayaan's gentle voice broke the silence –
"Adeeba, honestly, do you want to marry... or is there family pressure?"
His eyes searched hers for truth –
Adeeba's expression remained calm, yet her mind raced wildly...
"To myself, no pressure at all... outwardly speaking," she said softly aloud –
But inwardly, her thoughts screamed:
"Family pressure?! If this marriage happens, Mama will be on board instantly...
But truthfully, my heart screams only one name –
I'll marry under any family pressure gladly,
only if the groom is YOU, Qalbi (my heart)"
Her heart fluttered at the secret admission –
Adeeba's voice remained steady, awaiting Ayaan's next question or response...
His eyes still locked on hers, as if sensing something beneath her calm surface.