Part 95-The Engagement Part 2

As narrated by Nemo

Was I right or was I right? I knew she was on her way when she phoned me!! I spotted her as I descended the staircase and had to bolt right back up!

Me: problem!

Aara: what happened?

Me: Riza’s mother is here!! Riza is NOT here…Laeeka is NOT here!!!We’re in big trouble!

Zoheb: (on the phone with Riza) where are you???

Riza: around the corner

Zoheb: dude your mother is here…we’ll meet you out back

Riza: WHAT!! Ok ok

Me: how do we get out back -there’s only one way to get down and that is via the stairs! Shit shit shit…that woman is going to create a scene for sure!!

Zoheb: (looking through the window) Nemo there is a way come on let’s do this( and he climbed out of the window)

Zainab: Zoheb are you mad!!! What if you fall!

Me: he’s right (climbing out behind him) it’s now or never…Riza and Laeeka’s engagement depends on this!

Zainab: you didn’t tell anyone you were coming did you??

Me: errr no Zai I got to go

Aara: (coming to the window) be careful

Zai: why did you take a chance and come!!?

Me: to see my sweetheart ( and I put my head through the window and kissed Aara on her cheek taking her by surprise)

Me: wooooahhh ( I nearly fell off the ledge)

Zoheb: come on bro (descending the pipe) hurry up!!!

And I followed Zoheb down this long pipe outside and made so much dua that I don’t fall!! I looked up again to see Zainab and Aara still standing at the window…I blew them both a flying kiss and Aara being Aara “grabbed” the kiss and “blew” it away *sigh* and she winked at me and moved away from the window.

We ran to the back entrance where Riza was already waiting in Zoheb’s Audi. I felt like dancing with joy! And the fact that we were running away gave it a kind of a thrill!

Laeeka hurried out,Zoheb helped her with her scarf and they ran back to the house as Riza and I sped off..whew close call. Poor Laeeka running through her garden with her heavy outfit:-p

Me: that was AWwWwwwwweeeesoooommmeee!!! I am totally out of breath!

Riza: (laughing as he hit the steering wheel with his hand) I hope they made it back in time!

Me: we climbed down a pipe bro!!

Riza: no ways! Seriously?

Me: your ma was already in the house there was no way out:-p

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As narrated by Aara:

I walked down the stairs as if nothing had happened. Thankfully, Riza’s mum was now in the lounge and amidst all the chaos I was able to get into the kitchen quickly. Zoheb and Laeeka were out of breath! ℓ☺ℓ the things people do in the name of love *sigh*

Me: sit…quickly… and madam you have mud on your shoes

Zoheb: give them to me quickly (and he took Laeekas shoes but before he could do anything fast enough we could hear Riza’s mothers voice and it seemed as though she was coming towards the kitchen)

Zoheb: oh goodness these shoes ( looking around ….and he finallly decided to chuck it in the bin!)

Laeeka: swarovski slippers Zoheb…(Suppressing a laugh)

Riza’s mum: I know Riza and Naeem are here…and I’m sure Laeeka must have called Riza here because Riza would never do anything like this and I’m telling you if I find him….(And she walked into the kitchen)

Her mouth was literally hanging open! Zoheb and I were sitting next to each other and Laeeka was sitting across the table and Zoheb was dabbing sugar water on our hands..and we looked up at her as though we had seen her for the first time! :-p

Riza’s mum: oh…I thought…

And we greeted her…

Me: are you missing us so much Kala?

Riza’s mum: Aara is Riza here?

Me: here? No…why would he be?

Riza’s mum: I just had the strangest feeling that he was here..

Me: so you drove all the way to find out?

She shot me a killer look as she took out her phone and dialed…Riza I’m guessing?

Riza’s mum: hello….who is this?..Amien…why do you have Riza’s phone? Okay don’t worry let him talk to Uncle Omar..alright no no problem..salaam

Laeeka had a slight grin on her face…Riza had made it home in no time!
Riza’s mum sat down next to Laeeka.

Riza’s mum: let me see your mehndi (and poor Laeeka obliged and put her hands forward…and Riza’s mum started to dab her hands with the sugar water) it’s important for a woman to know what is right and what is not…you are marrying into our family now and you will have to change the way in which you do things…maybe you were used to doing things your way but things WILL change. I can tolerate anything for my son…even if it’s not what I want…

I noticed Zoheb clenching his fist and Riza’s mum noticed it too..

Riza’s mum: don’t let all of them spoil you Zoheb…they are a bunch of good kids but their habits need to be mended…you’ve come from London you don’t know about what happens here…but you don’t worry, I’ve told your mother that I will find you a nice girl here

Zoheb: that won’t be necessary

Riza’s mum stared at Zoheb coldly for a few seconds before she stood up and walked away…Laeeka’s mum stood in the doorway and once Riza’s mum had left, Laeeka’s mum burst into tears! My heart broke into millions of pieces for her…

Zoheb: (walking up to Laeeka’s mum and wiping her tears) Aunty please don’t cry…you should be so proud…you’ve raised such a wonderful daughter who even when someone hurts her like this, she never says a word…she keeps your respect and the respect of the values you have given her…Allah won’t burden your child with more than she can handle….He has given her Riza…and Riza’s character speaks for itself….Laeeka’s goodness will even melt Riza’s mother and she will accept her wholeheartedly(Turning to Laeeka and crouching down next to her) you know Laeeka, I have a sister…but she’s nothing like you….and right now all my heart is wishing for…is why were you not my sister?

Laeeka was in tears and so was I!

Laeeka:(smiling through her tears) now you have two sisters Zoheb…

And Zoheb put his hand on Laeeka’s head and said ” I’ll always be there for you, never ever not even for a second think that you don’t have a big brother ok no matter what life throws at you”

Zainab: (who had just walked in) I also want a big brother…

Zoheb: (small laugh) yes you too Zainab (as Zainab side hugged Zoheb)

Zainab: and what about Aara?

Zoheb: (looking at me ) I have too many sisters now Zai

And he winked at me and smiled his full dimpled smile…oh gosh flip flop…*sigh*

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As narrated by Nemo:

Morning of the Engagement:

The girls stayed at Laeeka’s house and Zoheb and I had gone back to our flats. Riza’s mother was like a short fuse and I didn’t want to be there when she was throwing her tantrum uh uh.

We were meeting up at 11am for breakfast(obviously Riza’s mum didn’t know) and had to drop the girls off for their beautician and hairdressing appointments after that.

Didn’t they look good 😉 four pretty ladies with pretty mehndi hands. They decided to match (blue jeans and white tops) but we didn’t…so how did Zoheb, Riza and I end up wearing blue jeans and white t shirts? *raised eyebrow* this looked a bit weird now…we could have been campaigning for Omo or Surf or whatever…because we looked the part minus the name tags *hide*

Aara: okay Nemo you’re fetching Uzair from the airport at 2. Zoheb you’re fetching your two new sisters from the salon once they are done and Mari as well…I don’t know if you want another sister :-p and Riza you’re dropping me off at the salon once we’re done at the hall..and boys here’s your list of things to do between now and then

Zoheb: and the countdown has begun…

Me: what’s with the whole sister thing?

Aara: (with a smile) we had some charming moments last night the four of us…and Zoheb adopted Zainab and Laeeka

Zoheb: Aara…

Aara: what? It’s the truth…I didn’t know you had such a soft side and it’s…it’s really sweet(as she turned the page on the menu)

Riza: did my mum give you a hard time babe?

Laeeka: no not really…(And she busied herself with the menu to avoid any further questions)

Riza knew her better though…so he let it be.

Mari: only a few hours to go and you both will be almost married!!

Me: and not forgetting Arshoo is coming back today too

“Mind if join you guys?”….

Riza: err sure…no problem…you didn’t meet the rest of our friends…Imraan this is Aara, Naeem and Zoheb…guys this is Detective Imraan..he saved Mari on that awful night

And Detective Imraan shook our hands and sat down next to Maariah…she shifted in her seat and was suddenly conscious of herself!

Imraan: I have actually been meaning to call, I did drop by at your house Maariah but your mum said that you were in Cape Town

Mari: oh ok…what did you want?

I almost choked on my coffee as I noticed Zainab giving Maariah daggers, presumably for her rude reply to Imraan’s question!

Imraan: (not seeming to mind -or maybe he was a little deaf I don’t kno) it’s about the case…but nothing that can’t wait for now

Mari: oh..ok

Riza: hey Imraan…why don’t you join us this evening…Laeeka and I are getting engaged, we’d love for you to join in the celebration

Imraan: that’s lovely…congratulations to you both and thank you Riza but I couldn’t..I’d just be imposing

Riza: nonsense…you’re coming and that’s it

And Mari shot Riza a “why the hell” glance..ℓ☺ℓ did we just grow from 8 to 9? Or was I thinking ahead of myself?..

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Author’s Note:

Our countdown has also begun…as we come closer to the end of Season 2!
Hope the remaining posts take your breath away:)

Beeeeeg ∕Ɩ∕Ɩω∂h

Much Love,
Shazia