Chapter
1
She lay
against the bus window as she stared out into the bright, sunny afternoon sky.
The wind from the half open window rustled her hair but she didn't care. The
calm, soothing feeling was exactly what she needed. She was nervous about this
project she was heading towards. She has been working as a wedding planner for
the past 2 years but this, this was her one of the biggest client yet. She had
to do a good, no great job! Her reputation and her future were at stake. Her
thoughts were broken when she felt a hand being waved in front of her face. She
turned to her sister, who was sitting next to her. "Zoe, what happened? Where
are you lost? she asked. "Kuch nahi, I was thinking about the project. I am
nervous Najma," she confessed. "Zoya, come on! You are one of the best wedding
planners I know. I am sure we are going to rock it, as always" Najma said
encouraging her sister. "Thanks Tamatar! But you know na that I would have
never gotten this if Mrs. Sani wouldn't have come down with the viral fever. I
just hope that Tanveer is nice about the change," Zoya said. "Yeah, I have
heard she is such a bitch! But don't worry, main hoon na," Najma said filmily
making Zoya giggle. "I have some pictures of the venue, I should try to think
of ideas now," Zoya said as she stood up to grab her bag which contained her
laptop. "What? No way!" Najma said pulling her down into her seat. "What?" Zoya
said confused. "We have three weeks to work on the project before the wedding,
let just chill and talk till we get to Jaipur," Najma told her. "What do you
want to talk about?" Zoya said, adjusting herself in the seat. "Ok, at least in
this wedding, we have to find you a guy," Najma said excitedly. The others in
the bus snickered. "Tamatar, what are you doing? Stop announcing my personal
life to the world," Zoya scolded. "Sorry Zoe, but seriously we need to find you
someone. You do so many weddings, unite people with their true love, it's time
to find you yours," Najma said dreamily. "Najma, true love isn't sold in the
malls you know," Zoya stated. "Oh come on, I know you are a diehard romantic
then why are saying that," Najma countered. "Because it's true. Yes, I want
true love, I want romance but for that, I need someone who is truly in this for
the right reason," Zoya told her. "Don't worry sista! I will find you your true
love, sooner or later. Once I see the sparks, I am totally setting you up," Najma
said beamingly. "You and your sparks, you are crazy," Zoya said shaking her
head. Najma believes that when you meet the person you are supposed to be with,
your soul mate then you have this instant connection. "Sparks" as she calls
them. "What? It's true! Imran and me totally had it the first time we met in
college," Najma explained. Zoya smiled. "I am really happy for you two, you are
getting married to a great guy," she said pulling her sister in a side hug.
"And you will too. InshAllah I will find you your guy soon and who knows, maybe
we can have a double wedding," Najma squealed. "You sound like Ammi," Zoya
mocked. "No I don't," Najma defended. "Ammi wants you to get married to some
khandaani telu ram, but I want you hitched with a hot, handsome, and happening
hunk...see that difference," Najma added. Zoya just smiled. She didn't understand
all this setting up stuff. If she was meant to have true love in her life, she
was sure that her Allah miyan would send that person in her life. Her Mom and
sister always tried to set her up with different men, it just wasn't working
anymore. "Forget all this Najma, focus!" Zoya chide as she stood up to face the
rest of the staff. There were about 30 other people who were going with her for
the wedding, after all the venue was so big. "Ok everyone, we have about 2
hours of the journey left. We have a wedding to plan and not just any wedding,
it's the wedding of Tanveer Siddiqui. She is the daughter of the billionaire,
Gaffur Sidduiqi, and we have to put our best foot forward. The next three weeks
will be stressful but I know we can do it," Zoya said with a smile as everyone
cheered. Zoya sat back down and looked out the window, ready for the journey
ahead.
Soon, they
reached Jaipur. Getting off the bus, Zoya and Najma felt their jaws drop to the
ground. They have reached the venue which was the Samode Palace. The building
was a tribute to architecture of ancient time. The stunning design and the
details were splendid. The building was magnificent to say the least. "Excuse
mam," a girl said as he walked up to them. Everyone's focus shifted from the
building to the person next to them. "Hello, I am Aisha, Ms. Siddiqui's
assistant. I am here to escort Ms. Farooqui to meet Ms. Siddiqui," she
informed. "Which one?" Najma joked. Aisha looked at them confused. "Sorry
Aisha, hi I am Zoya," she said as she put her hand forward. Aisha smiled and
shook her arm. Next, Najma introduced herself. "We are both Ms. Farooqui so
that's why Najma was saying which one," Zoya explained. "Oh I am sorry, I
didn't know," Aisha apologized. "It's completely fine. Najma and I will both
would like to meet Tanveer. Najma is my sister and my business partner," Zoya
said. Aisha became uncomfortable at Zoya mentioning Tanveer by her first time
which was unnoticed by Zoya and Najma. "Very well then, please come with me,"
Aisha said as Najma and Zoya followed her. Zoya admired the interior structure
of the palace as she started to plan how she could decorate the walls. They
were already so beautiful, they didn't need any adornments. The carvings, the
interior design everything was so enjoyable for her to see. Having a degree in
event planning and creative design, she had a passion for art, history, and
culture. The palace fascinated Najma too. Though, she wasn't engrossed in the
details as Zoya, she appreciated the architectural details. She was the
business minded between the two. She also had a degree in event planning but
her focus was business administration. This is why they were a good team for
their business that they started 2 years ago. They reached the queen suite of
the palace which they knew had to belong to the bride. Aisha knocked and
waiting a couple seconds before entering. The door was made of metallic
structure and was thick so sound flow was pretty low in the rooms. Walking in, Zoya
and Najma saw a girl who was laying on a chaise lounge. There were four people
surrounding her.
The girl was being
treated like she was a princess. One girl was washing her hair in a basin that
was placed on top of a table. The other was wiping a face mask off her face.
The third girl was holding a glass of juice nearby which contained a straw in
it. Lastly, the fourth girl was giving Tanveer a pedicure. Zoya and Najma just
glanced at each other not knowing how to react. Zoya walked up to her, "Hello
Tanvveer, I am Zoya, it's nice to meet you," She said putting her hand out. Tanveer
eyes opened and she sat up from the chair. Her eyes were blue mixed with a
little bit of grey, similar to a cat's. Her long black wavy hair fell apart
from the bun and fell on her shoulders. She was pretty, but one couldn't say
she was beautiful. Tanveer placed her hand in Zoya's and shook it. "I prefer
Ms. Siddiqui," she informed. "Of course," Zoya said. This was awkward as
none of her clients have never asked her to address them by their first name. Najma
could sense Zoya's feeling so she walked up and held Zoya's hand for support.
Then she turned to Tanveer and introduced herself. "So where are the designs?" Tanveer
asked. "Designs?" Najma said puzzled. "Yeah, the venue design for the party,
mehendi/sangeet, and nikaah," Tanveer clarified. "Actually tan...I mean Ms.
Siddiqui, I only saw the venue in the pictures. I wanted to take a closer look
at the palace before I design the decorations," Zoya said. "Well then, you have
2 days. Do whatever you have to and get the job done," Tanveer firmly stated. Zoya
and Najma nodded. "And remember, I want everything to be exquisite,
extravagant, all top class," Tanveer added. "Yes Ms. Siddiqui. I was wondering
if I could meet the groom. I mean if I could meet him and discuss what he likes
too then it will be easier for me to fuse your likes and come up with something,"
Zoya said. "Asad will be here tomorrow, you can meet him then," Tanveer told
her. "Thank you," Zoya stated. "Aisha, you can escort them to their room now," Tanveer
said as she turned to Aisha. Aisha nodded and escorted them out of the room. As
soon as the door closed, Najma was about to say something when Zoya nodded her
head as a no' and motioned to Aisha. Najma calmed down and they just walked
quietly to their room. Aisha wished them good day and left. "Omg! She is crazy.
What is wrong with her? I want everything to be extravagant, top class
seriously?" Najma said mimicking Tanveer. "Najma," Zoya scolded. "What? Did you
see her? It's like she is the princess of this palace," Najma said. "Well
technically she is a princess, not of this palace me but of Siddiqui industries
for sure," Zoya said as she admired their room. "She is such a snob," Najma
complained. "Forget it na Najma. Who cares? She is the only child of the great
Gaffur Ahmed Siddiqui so obviously she is pampered. For us, she is just a client
and that's what should matter to us," Zoya said. Najma nodded as she took a
seat next to Zoya. She placed her head on Zoya's shoulder, "I am tired," she
said as a yawn escaped her. "Me too. But I am going to shower, change, and take
a look around so I can start thinking about decorations," Zoya said. "Good. I
am going to take a nap," Najma said as she lay down on the bed. Zoya smiled at
her sister. She stood up and covered her with the blanket and left to freshen
up. Later that night, Zoya roamed through the palace and took pictures with her
camera and jotted down ideas in her planner about where she could hold
different ceremonies. Later, she too went to bed tired from the long journey.
The
next afternoon, Zoya and Najma were informed by Aisha that the groom has
arrived. Zoya was measuring the venue for measurements. She quickly gathered
her stuff and excitedly went towards the entrance along with Najma. As she was
walking down the stairs and through the garden, her foot tripped over the water
hose and she fell forward. "Allah miyan," she screamed afraid of hitting the
ground. Instead, she fell forward against a hard chest. She was scared of
hitting the ground that she didn't even realize that she has fallen into
someone's strong arms. Her eyes were tightly shut closed and he could see that
she was frightened. Her
hair moved over the right side, hiding his view. The box that he was holding
fell from his hand as they wrapped across her waist to steady her. "Are you
ok?" his coarse voice bought her out of the scare. "I am so sorry," she said as
she stepped back and brush hair off her face. Her hazel eyes looked up to meet
his chocolate colored orbs. He felt this instant connection with them, new yet
familiar. "I wasn't watching where I was going and then I tripped over...I don't
even know what that was. And then I bumped into you. I am such a...," Zoya was
blabbering as she bent down and started to pick up the contents of the box and
place it back inside. He knelt down in front of her. "Are you ok?" he calmly
said. Zoya stopped her task and looked at him surprised. "Yeah, thanks. I am
sorry again," she told him as they both stood up. She handed him the box and he
smiled taking it from her. The moment his hands touched her fingers, she felt a
tingle down her spine. "omg...what was that?" she thought. But, the feeling only
lasted for a few seconds before he took the box and left. Zoya brushed her
thoughts away and walked up to the young man who stood in front of her dressed
in jeans, a white T-shirt, and a navy blue jacket. "Hello, I am Zoya, your
wedding planner," she said, extending her hand out. "Hello I am Raj but
why are you telling me this?" the guy said confused. "Because you are the
groom," Zoya replied. He chuckled. "You are mistaken. I am not the groom, I am
the best man. He is the groom," Raj said pointing towards the young man that
she had collided with just moments ago. Najma felt her face sulk at his words.
What? He is the groom? No way! I just sparks between him and Zoe. How is this
possible, she taught looking at Zoya and then at the unknown guy. Zoya
apologized to Raj and walked up to the groom. His back was towards her so as
she was close enough, "excuse me," she said. He turned around to face her and
that is when he observed her closer. Dressed in a sleeveless white anarkali
with a red chudidar and dupatta around her neck, she looked angelic. Her long
black hair lay on her shoulders. She just had small, silver jhumkas in her
ears. He was surprised at the way she drew him towards her. He wasn't a man
that stared at women, heck he didn't even look at them. But, this unknown girl
seem to cast a spell over him. She waved her hand in front of him, breaking his
trance. "Hello, I am Zoya, you are wedding planner. I am sorry again, I didn't
know you are the groom," she said. "It's completely fine, I am Asad," he said,
shaking hands with her. "I was hoping you had some time today so I could talk
to you about the decorations and how you want the wedding," Zoya suggested. "It
doesn't matter what I want," he blurted out. Zoya was taken back at his words.
"I mean, you can just do want Tanveer wants," Asad corrected. "But, its your...,"
she was speaking when she heard a high pitch scream of Asad's name. Zoya closed
her eyes at the impact and turned to see Tanveer running towards them. She
moved out of their way as Tanveer flung into Asad's arms. Zoya just smiled at Asad
and left from there along with Najma. Asad had to almost fight with Tanveer to
break apart from the embrace. "Tanveer, how many times have I told you? I don't
like to do all this?" he said, upset. "oh come on baby, we are getting married
in less than 3 weeks. Get used to this because this is what it's going to be
like forever," she told him happily. Asad felt him cringe at the words forever.
Is that what it was he felt with Tanveer? The forever kind of relationship? The
truth was he didn't even know if he felt he had a relationship with her.
Najma and Zoya were walking back to their room. Zoya was
telling him what Asad had said when she asked him about the wedding. "I can't
believe he said that," Najma said surprised. "I couldn't even believe that he
was the groom. I mean when I saw Raj I thought it was him because he was in a
jeans and jacket. Asad is so simple," Zoya told her recalling his wardrobe of
black slacks and a light blue polo. "and nice," Najma added to which Zoya just
nodded as she opened the room door. "By the way, I saw sparks between you and
him. Tanveer so doesn't deserve him," Najma exclaimed. "Shhh! Tamatar what are
you saying?" Zoya yelled as she quickly closed the door. "What? I am serious," Najma
replied. "You are seriously crazy. Stop! He is Tanveer's fianc," Zoya said. "I
know but you can't change the truth," Najma told her. "You can be wrong," Zoya
said as she grabbed her sketch books and her color pens. "No way! I am never
wrong when it comes to matchmaking," Najma boasted. "Shut up Tamatar," Zoya
said taking one of the cushions next to her on the sofa and throwing it at her
sister. Najma carefully ducked as she laughed at her sister. She knew what she
saw. There was something between Asad and Zoya, there were definitely sparks.
But, he was getting married to Tanveer. Ewww! But he hasn't gotten married yet,
you still have 3 weeks Najma, she told herself with a big grin on her face.
Looking forward to your comments...let me know what you think! 😊
Edited by asyasahil928 - 9 years ago
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