Most of the guest started leaving, and soon it was just few people who remained. I could actually count the amount of people now. There has been a woman who has been staring at me, she's sitting right in the front table. I don't know if I am over reacting but whenever I look at her direction she's look right at me. I felt a little uncomfortable, but it's probably a mere coincidence.

Today is and will be my favorite memory, I told Ahmed that I wanted to grow old with him. Cheesy right? Do you blame me? I have zero relationship experience, except for Adil. Though most of the time we talked it was about life and experiences we had and well a few cute paragraphs from him. But I hadn't reciprocated my love to any other guy — face to face, until today. It was exciting at the moment telling him that, it felt like the right thing to say.

Ahmed and I walked out of the hall, and went back to our separate suites. Sarah helped me with my hair, she removed the bobby pins used. My hair was so stiff, from all the hairspray that was used on it. I wiped my make up off with wipes. I then took a warm shower and put on comfortable clothes — a skirt and a plain top. "Are you ready?" Sarah asked me, as I combed my tangled damp hair.

"I am almost done," I replied. "I really hope the guests enjoyed the reception."

"Oh they did!" Sarah said enthusiastically. "And they also loved your gown."

"Well I am glad to hear that," I said. I tied my hair into a loose ponytail and put on my scarf. "Where is Imad? I miss him," I said and sat on the bed while I put on my shoes.

"He is with his uncle," Sarah replied, though her concentration was completely at her phone-screen. Then her phone started ringing, her facial expression changed suddenly, she looked sad. "I have to take this..." She said still looking at her phone, and walked out of the door. I just pray that nothing bad happened. Before I left the suite, I put on my cardigan. I wanted to tell Sarah that I was going to see Ahmed but I didn't want intrude her whilst on the phone. I got a feeling it was an important call, she was at the balcony talking. I walked out suite and along the hallway I see a woman talking to guy, I couldn't see the guys face. He was facing the woman, the same woman who was staring at me. I could tell from the dress she was wearing. It's her.

Before I walked past them, or even began to walk towards their direction. I witnessed them hug. "Ahmed I am so sorry," I overheard her say, as she let go of him. Ahmed? What. I wanted to move but it felt as if my feet were planted. So I stood there and did nothing, I didn't intervene. I just observed not knowing how to react. When Ahmed turned around and saw me, I could clearly see the shock on his face and the desolate in his eyes.

"I was just coming to get you," He said and nervously chuckles. I didn't say anything, I guess he noticed that I was still looking at the girl. "Aisha," he looked at her and said her name. "Come meet my lovely wife." I stared at her blankly, I don't understand why they had to hug. What possible reason could there be? She walked side by side with Ahmed and stood alongside him.

"Hi, it's so nice to finally meet you," she said in an orotund tone.

"Hi," I replied. Then I thought to myself... Aisha. Adil's fiancé is called Aisha, could she be the same person.

"I hope you don't mind me talking to your husband, considering our history. I just wanted to congratulate him and speak to him about important matters," She spoke, and looked at Ahmed briefly and then looked at me.

"No I don't mind," I replied and looked at Ahmed who remained silent, and shifted his gaze to the floor. "Um I'll go get ready and get my stuff." I walked away, and headed for the suite. When I entered inside, I noticed that Sarah was still at the balcony. I decided to check up on her. "Hey is everything okay?" I spoke as I walked in the balcony.

"Yeah everything is okay," She replied her voice muffled. She turned around and her eyes were puffy, like she's been crying.

"What's wrong?" I approached her.

"Oh don't worry about me," She said and looked away.

"Sarah..." I kept my hand on her shoulder. "I know you're not okay, and I know your trying to be strong. But I am here and you don't have to hurt alone," I told her. She hugged and started crying.

"It's going to be okay," I said to her. Sarah didn't say anything she just cried. After a minute or so, she stopped hugging me and wiped away her tears.

"I'll be okay," She tried to reassure me. "Don't worry about me."

"Are you sure?" I asked her.

"Yes. Aren't you supposed to be on your way to your honeymoon destination?" She changed the subject.

"Yeah.." I said quietly. I crossed my arms across my chest.

"Am I interrupting?" I turned around to see Ahmed.

"No not at all. I was just about to leave and get the kids. We should be heading home, it's getting late," Sarah said. She hugged me before she left. As I walked past Ahmed, I mean when I tried to walk past Ahmed. He got a hold of my hand.

"What is it?" I asked him, and looked at him.

"I know something is bothering you," He said.

"No nothing is bothering me," I replied in a firm tone.

"So you're telling me you're not even a little bit curious to know why Aisha wanted to talk to me?"

"I am not."

"That's very hard to believe," he replied. "You know I love you."

"Okay." I looked away, I didn't want to look at him. I didn't know how to describe what I felt at this moment.

"Layla can you look at me," he spoke. I shifted my gaze and looked at him.

"What did she mean when she said considering your history?"

"She was my first... I asked her to marry me, she denied. That's all there is to that."

"And the hug was just a way of her to console you after all these years. She is so nice," I spoke in a sarcastic tone.

"Why are you acting like this?" He asked, his eyebrows arched.

"Leave my hand!" I spoke my tone higher than his. I tried to escape his hold, but he didn't budge. I inhaled and exhaled, trying to stay calm. But one thought lead to another and I opened my mouth and spoke my mind:

"Why am I acting like this? Why are you acting like you don't have a free will. You could have stopped her from hugging you, she didn't force you. It sure didn't look like it. 'Speak to you about important matters'. You know what, it doesn't matter." I wish I hadn't said anything, Ahmed just looked at me. I am sure he thinks I am unreasonable and just blabbering.

"The thing is if I kiss you, I am afraid I won't be able to stop," he said completely out of topic. What? Did he just say, what I think he just said.

"Did you even listen to me?" I asked him.

"Did you hear what I said?"

"I heard what you said," I spoke in a low tone and looked at the floor. I was sure my flushed cheeks would give me away.

"You're right, I should have stopped her from hugging me. I should have told you stay when you were walking away. I should have reminded you that I love you very very much."

"I am not jealous, if that's what you're thinking."

"I know my love..." I look at him, my eyes widen and my mouth partly open. What did he just call me? "I know you're not jealous. You care and that is one of the reason why I am in love with you," he spoke in a modulating tone. When did Ahmed turn into a sweet talker?

"Aisha is engaged to Adil," He said and paused. "She just wanted to tell me that and also congratulate me on marrying you. She really likes you, even though she got the impression you don't like her. I used to like her, yes but that's in the past. My future is standing right in-front of me..."

"You are so corny," I said and smiled.

"That's not the response I was hoping for... But at least you are smiling," he said. "Now my love can we get going."

"Okay, let me go get my bag." Before he let go of my hand, he kissed on the cheek. I went back to the room and took my bag — my cheeks completely red and my hands cold.

While at the hotel lobby, I got to see Imad before he left with hi aunt. "Did you enjoy yourself today?" I asked him.

"Yes I did. But I am tired now," He replied.

"It's good you had fun. You'll sleep at Auntie Sarah's place, okay? But don't disturb her, she's very tired as well. Don't forget to read your dua before you sleep and also brush your teeth," I told him.

"Okay," he said and nodded his ahead agreeing.

"Layla he's going to fine. He's a big boy now," Ahmed said and fist bumped with Imad.

"Take care," I said and hugged him. We left the hotel, and a white BMW was waiting for us just outside the hotel entrance. Ahmed opened the car door for me and I got in. He got in the car in the drivers seat and drove off.

"So where are we going?" I asked him.

"If I told you, it would ruin the surprise. You'll just have to wait and see," he said.

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