Fancy chandeliers lighted the flawless surroundings as more clients trooped inside. The venue still harboured a relaxing sentimentality, in spite of the instrumental that the female musician was playing in the other corner of the premises.
Saliha walked clumsily behind Zara who with confidence followed ma'Hanan including Loharani's PA. One would spot the tourists delightfully feasting on their tables as they engaged in casual dialogues. Couples laughed jubilantly while they enjoyed their meal, valuing the beams of one another.
Zara excitedly surveyed the surroundings as Mr. Karagoz led the way to their reservation. It was a stunning view. The aroma of food spread through the atmosphere, making Saliha to swallow with difficulty as soon as the scent reached her nostrils.
"Right there," he ushered them, politely pointing at a table which was already occupied.
Though it was shared, there however existed a border on behalf of the women. Ma'Hanan and Zara sat first, followed by Saliha. She had weakened once her optics noticed Aabid who was settled opposite her. She did not intend to sit there, but a guide had already drew out a chair for her to sit. Empty seats on both sides separated Aabid from Yeccef as well as Zara from Saliha.
Succeeding the hailings and warm reception from the Jalaludeen household, the mother-figures introduced the two to each other.
"Well the two of you have at last met," ma'Haleema declared, grinning from ear to ear. Saliha only stared at the table-fabric in front, powerless to run into her intended spouse's eyes.
"Alhamdulilah! They are still and all nervous," ma'Hanan exclaimed and the whole table burst into an extreme laughter.
Saliha could not look up. Aabid on the other hand calmly gazed, examining her, and making an individual dialogue in his brain.
"Peace be upon you," he greeted after getting a touch from Yeccef. It was an instruction from Muhammad.
"Upon you be the peace, good evening," she greeted back, still looking at the table linen. Her palms fiddled at the time that she felt sweaty.
"Brilliant! They've had their first greeting," Muhammad declared with humour, and the elder ladies laughed. Saliha glanced at Zara who eyed her with a 'You're dumb look'. She breathed out, wishing ma'Nosheen was present for motivation.
The waitresses appeared and in a blink of an eye, turkey, roasted potatoes including perfectly seasoned fish were organized on top of the table. The restaurant did not delay to serve them their signature salad, the waldorf salad. Fresh fruit drinks came along shortly after that. During the meal to which Saliha rarely ate, Muhammad and Yeccef were specially introduced to her side. As the time ticked, the jumpy conversation between the two gradually slackened. She even felt self-confident enough to inquire what drink he wanted her to pour.
"Berry," a curt response. He barely looked at her as he forked bits of fish; handling it to his mouth. The softness and sweetness of the fish compelled him to nod. It had been quite a while (during his recent arrival) to consume such mouth-watering fish meal. Saliha poured the berry juice into his glassware. The moment she filled the cup, Aabid guided it to his mouth, downing the refreshment till the quantity reduced. His date tried her best not to look.
"Was studying international relations really your choice?" he brought up a random conversation about her studies.
A nod. With a shaky voice, "y-yes... I planned that and. And luckily everything went well,"
Zara frowned as she was slyly listening to the conversation; then quickly changed her demeanor as seated opposite her was Farida: Aabid's sister. She looked to be the same age as her. They had engaged in a conversation along with the mother-figures. The men on the other side were also chit chatting about their work.
"I just love writing!" She mumbled, sipping her Berry juice. Zara's eyes from time to time roamed over Farida's wristwatch—it was shiny and golden, embezzled with rhinestones.
"I would love to read some of the books you've written. I really would," Zara told her, smiling as she guided a spoon of roasted potatoes to her mouth.
"They are only poems actually," she shot Zara a delightful smile, cutting turkey. Zara did not fail to notice that Farida ate the exact thing Aabid was eating almost at the same time. "Your sister looks sweet and calm,"
"Oh--really?" Zara raised an eyebrow. That was completely unexpected. She could not agree but instead, gave a simple nod as she knew quite well ma'Hanan was secretly paying attention to their discussion despite she was interacting with ma'Haleema.
"May we present the dessert?" it was the head waitress himself.
Ma'Haleema surveyed her female guests to see if they wanted the serve.
"We have eaten so much already, I doubt if there is space for that!," Zara did not like what ma'Hanan had just said. She earnestly wanted to try their fancy desserts.
After a brief persuasion to which ma'Hanan refused to comply, the desserts were cancelled for their side, including that for Saliha and Aabid. The men wanted the serve on the contrary. Heeding to this, the waiters trooped in with jellies, fruit slices, some cakes and parfait.
The moment they boarded the car, everywhere was quiet and lonely for Saliha. No one said a thing to her, causing her to feel she had messed everything up. Aabid's final words vibrated in her head as she closed her eyes listening to the sound of the Lincoln MKT's engine igniting—and off they went.
"We'll see how soon we meet,"
-
"You are sooooo dumb!" Zara exclaimed as she flinged her veil to her bed. "You were stammering there! You looked so... So..." She hissed, "I don't even know how to describe how stupid you looked. I had a feeling you were gonna mess up anyway..."
Saliha quietly listened to what Zara was pouring into her ears wearing no notable expression. She was feeling overwhelmed and confused—the events were too scary for her. Yet, she knew it was because she was rarely praised for the good things she does, nor consoled in stressing situations—surely that was what made her to learn to be a coward.
"Did you hear what he said? He's not even planning to meet you anytime soon," a smirk from Zara. Saliha exhaled. "Girl, work with your brains,"
"What wrong did I exactly do? I only let things unfold on their own. What were you expecting me to do?!" Came Saliha, fed up with Zara's unnecessary rants. After all, when did she start caring on Saliha to that extent.
"Woah! Hold on! Hold on! This is none of my business just so you know—I'm not the one who couldn't survive multiple proposals from well-off men. You are. Therefore don't start complaining to me when this one fails. Because its all your fault. You're incapable of acting right!"
Saliha steadily walked to the bathroom to silently let Zara's awfully mean words seep into her as she quietly cried, tears ruining her face. She wished the hours, days and even weeks will just pass and everything will be back to normal. Perhaps another meeting might take place and perhaps not.
After Zara retired to bed shortly afterwards they observed their Isha, Saliha sat quietly at the edge of her bed, pondering about the events that evolved.
She speculated what Aabid thought of her. But she precisely believed he instantly saw her as a wimp and coward. Saliha sighed hopelessly, feeling a twirl of gloominess bang her. She tossed and turned on her linens, unable to doze off. Standing up, the damsel aimed out to the hallway which led to the livingroom, looking forward to enjoy fresh breeze at the yard. That was when she realised ma'Hanan and ma'Amina had not turned in to bed.
"The instant we observe they change their mind dealing with Sallu, we switch her with Zara instantly," ma'Amina stated to her sibling. She was brushing her disordered hair, a pattern for every night. "If this one falls flat, It will be awful word,"
"May Allah make the whole befittingly," ma'Hanan said as she used her prayer-bead. "Let's be optimistic regarding this matter,"
-
Saliha returned to her space all weak and dejected after unintentionally overhearing their discussion. Assuming Zara dared show interest on Aabid, she perceived they would swap straight away and sideline her. With tearful eyeballs, the young lady ultimately drifted into a distressed nap.
Twenty-four hour period went by and Saliha heard nothing from Loharani who had correctly been on a business journey since the day prior to her first meeting with Aabid. A week moved nearer so fast as if it were only hours. Saliha until now felt troubled and tense regarding the entire case moreover blamed herself for whatever negative twist that was going to occur.