The Moment We Met (Epilogue)

Maisara's pov

I'm a married woman now.

I keep thinking of this as I sit before the vanity in my wedding gown staring at my reflection in the mirror with wide eyes. Wide eyes do not suit me but that's not the point. The point is that I have just got married.

The Nikah ceremony has just finished. I have almost three hours to get ready for the reception party. I have asked to leave me alone just after getting into the suite assigned for me. It required a little more than one and a half hours for me to get ready for the Nikkah. I'm expecting the same for the reception. So, time won't be a problem. I need some time to myself to recollect and rest. 

And all I keep thinking is that I'm now married. That too with Felix. Oh my God!

I pull my hands up to rub my eyes but prevent myself from doing that at the last minute. The makeup is hella expensive and I'm not doing another one for the reception by ruining this one. A little touch-up might work but not redoing the whole thing. If I'm being emotional, I have to do that without ruining the makeup.

Felix is my husband now. Oh God!

That guy whom I have known for around six months only. That guy who I have hated and blamed for my misfortune for such a long time. That guy who I used to think of as a trouble and burden. That guy who brought colors into my life. That guy who showed me the beauty of companionship, of having someone by your side, of someone supporting you, and choosing you over anything any day. That guy who did things to be by my side when I couldn't do the same for you. That guy who made me believe in love again.

That guy is paired with me for life now.

I feel squealing like a teenage girl. However, I settle for a wide grin.

I have been feeling the rush of excitement since the preparation for the wedding started. I thought that it would die down once the wedding was over. It's only increasing.

The wedding plan and pre-wedding events passed in a blur. I wanted to keep the whole thing simple. But even the planning and preparation for a simple thing were so much. I'm not complaining. It was fun.

Mosque weddings always attract me for some reason. When I became Muslim at first, the thought of getting married and starting a new life with a partner by my side was an impossible equation. Still, whenever I could, I would always attend a mosque marriage.

That's why when the planning for my marriage started, I proposed the idea and luckily got accepted. Even it seemed like Felix was way more excited than me to have a mosque wedding.

It's such a rare feeling to have the one person who is always there for you. I never had one and never even thought I could get one. Being there for you doesn't mean bringing you flowers and gifts or taking you out on a date every day. It's just noticing you. Constantly. In a crowd, in private, in the day time, in the night time, in your presence, and in your absence. It's simply the art of noticing you. How beautiful it is to be always noticed by someone!

Anyway, so we kept it simple. A wedding in a mosque and a private reception ceremony after that. The guest list in both of them was small, around ten people for the Nikkah and a hundred for the reception. Most of them were from Felix's side. I don't have many people I know in life in the first place. On top of that, I only invited those close to me.

The Nikkah ceremony was around zuhr waqt. I started getting ready in the morning. If only I knew the hassles of getting ready as a bride! Did I hate it? Hell no. I can't believe I'm saying this but I even enjoyed the troubles I had to go through for the wedding. 

I have avoided white for both of my gowns. That's not because I wanted to be different from traditional brides. It's mainly because white isn't my color. I look dull in white. I wanted a more vibrant look. My wedding gown is of light sea green color with a touch of blue while my reception one is a deep purple one. I have done heavy makeup too.

I find myself smiling. Me getting wedded in a gown and heavy makeup? If you had told me that one year ago, well, even if it was six months ago, I would have laughed in your face. Now look at me.

So much has changed within these six months. I have changed drastically during this time and I haven't even realized it. Now that I think about it, that genuinely surprises me. I have started feeling more like myself. I have started enjoying life, appreciating little moments, and feeling gratitude for being alive. I haven't felt that way for a long time. Well, maybe, there wasn't a time in the past when I felt it. Now I do. I have started feeling better about myself too. I'm not perfect but I'm trying to get better. And I love myself now more than ever.

Was it all Felix's doing? No. He has influenced the process but it's mostly me realizing my worth and rediscovering myself. I don't know how that happened but loving him has made me love myself as well. 

I start removing the pins from my hijab. I need to rest but it's impossible to lie down on the bed with this gown on. It's also impossible to take it off by myself. I'm not gonna call for help now. Because if I do that now, they will start getting me ready for the reception, them being my bridesmaids, Chloe and Vicky. As there are only two of them, they have to face a lot of pressure. They didn't complain at all but I could feel it. On top of that, they wouldn't even let me lift a finger. 

They have become best friends in no time. It is everyday behavior for Chloe, making everyone her friend. But I was genuinely surprised to see that working for Vicky too, the most introverted person I know. I think that's Chole's infamous charm which even Vicky couldn't resist. 

The way they sync is quite impressive. I didn't want a bachelorette party for obvious reasons. They didn't want to lose a chance to celebrate. Then I came up with the idea of mehendi night and they accepted without even knowing the details. It wasn't exactly a bachelorette party and not even close to one in my opinion. Still, they enjoyed it to the fullest. It was sort of like a girls' night, I think. It was the first one for me and I realized what I had been missing out in my life. Don't get me wrong. I went out with Chloe and with Lydia, individually. Most of those times, I was forced to. It wasn't like I didn't enjoy those times. But that experience is different from this one. I'm lucky to have them in my life.

As much as I love them and their company, they are a pain in my ass as well. The consistent nagging to check up on me, as if I'm on bed rest and feeding me like a baby. They have been babysitting me the whole time and Felix keeps fueling it. I'm used to taking care of myself so much that this sudden affection often leaves me awkward.

I have finished removing the pins from the hijab. Carefully, I move the fabric away from my head and hang it on a hanger. Next, I undo the bun and run my fingers through my hair strands. It's a simple everyday bun, so it's particularly easy to remove.

My phone starts ringing. It's a good thing that I have it with me. Pulling it out of the purse, I stare at the caller ID with a full-blown grin and a heavily beating heart. Felix is calling me and I'm really thankful that it's an audio call. If it were a FaceTime, I would have died of a heart attack before even answering.

Getting up from the seat in front of the vanity, I slide the bar to answer it. He speaks before I even get the chance to open my mouth, "As-salamu alaykum, Wifey."

Such simple words but they almost make me tear up. I guess I'm just extra emotional today.

"Wa-Alaikum-Salaam, my dear husband," I reply, clutching my gown with one hand and the phone with the other while I try to walk over to the bed. "How are you doing?"

He actually giggles like a teenager hearing my words. I can't believe I have made a grown man giggle like that. But who am I to judge when I'm getting emotional over his words?

"You are stuck with me for life," he says in a teasing tone when his laughter dies down. I sit down on the bed and my gown fluffs up. I don't bother fixing it because it will be impossible to lie down if I do that. 

I smile lying my head down on the fluffy pillow and sighing with relief. "I'm very much aware of it. In fact, that's what I have been thinking about until you call me."

"You have been thinking about me this whole time?" He asks the dumbest question ever known to mankind. I roll my eyes. "I think of you all the time, so that's not the point. I was thinking about the fact that we are now married and starting a new life."

He doesn't say anything for a few seconds. When he speaks the next time, I notice the soft and considerate tone. "Are you scared?"

That makes me chuckle. "Hell no! I have waited so long for this day. You wouldn't know how many times I have fantasized about this. Still can't believe It's now my reality."

"Honestly, same," he mutters, his voice filled with contentment that I feel in my heart. "Congratulations for being my wife and best of luck for the life waiting ahead for us."

For some weird reason, I feel giggly now. However, I don't do that. Instead, I clear my throat and answer professionally, "Thanks, husband. I wish you the same."

"Facetime me," he requests all of a sudden, making me jump in surprise. What I have feared before answering the call is becoming the truth. My immediate response is, "No."

"Why?" he asks then, almost whining. I look around trying to find an excuse. "Because........" Then my reception gown catches my eyes and I find the excuse, "I'm changing."

That doesn't defeat him. If anything, he sounds more encouraged. "Let me see."

I haven't seen that coming. My face flushes up as I almost yell out in response. "What? No!"

That makes him whine more. "Why? We are married now."

I end up laughing this time at his ridiculous reasoning. "That doesn't mean I need to let you see me changing."

"Right," he responds, defeated and I practically see him nodding along with a down face. Then as if a light bulb has gone off in his head, he suddenly perks up. "But I'm gonna see it anyway. Maybe tonight?"

"Haha, you wish," I respond with dry humor. I have the wish to talk to him more but my eyes are feeling heavy. It would be nice if I could take a nap now.

Yawning, I try to shoo him away. "Okay, so I have to go now. See you at the reception."

I don't know if he understands but he doesn't seem to mind. "Okay, wifey. I love you."

"I love you too, hubby," I respond with a smile realizing that there's no barrier to saying it now. 

As the call gets cut off, I pull the phone away from my ear and stare up at the screen until his caller ID vanishes and the screen goes black. A sigh of contentment leaves me. Life has never been more beautiful than it is now.

Two hours later

"Should I even be asking how you are feeling?" Vicky asks from my left side as our car passes through the big iron gate of the reception hall premises. Chloe is the one driving and Ayesha is sitting in the passenger seat. Vicky and I are in the backseat.

I don't look in her way. My eyes are trained on the approaching entrance of the hall. "What do you think I'm feeling?"

"Happy. Content. Excited. Something beyond that. Some other-worldly feelings," Vicky answers uncertainly. Chloe's chuckle reaches us from the front seat. 

"What is that even supposed to mean?" She inquires turning around the corner. We have been driving for over half an hour but crossing the distance from the main gate to the entrance of the hall seems to take an eternity. I rub the inside of my palm subconsciously.

"Oh, I don't know. My love stories only end as unrequired, one-sided shits. I have never experienced the joy of even dating the person I love, let alone marrying them. The feeling must be euphoric," Vicky pauses to glance in my way and ask for my affirmation. "Right?"

I stare at her. What she has said may sound jealous but I feel like she's just being genuine. Also, it is actually a depressing matter. But somehow she has also made it sound like a joke. She doesn't look like it but I somehow feel the underlying sadness in her tone.

"It doesn't seem to be the issue this time," Chloe remarks and before I get to ask what she means by that, the car is stopped. Ayesha announces in her static and monotonous voice, "We are here."

I take a deep breath. I haven't answered Vicky's question but I'm not exactly feeling any of those she mentioned. I'm actually way beyond nervous than I should be and that's all I can think about right now. I'm not sure about the reason though. The wedding is done already. The reception is just for formalities and celebration. Yet I'm so nervous to meet him.

I feel warmth over my hand that's still rubbing the other one's palm. Turning my head, I glance at Vicky's smiling face. "Best of luck, Maisara."

"Thanks," I mumble turning my hand up and squeezing hers. She squeezes back. 

My side of the car door opens just in time. Ayesha is standing there extending her hand to me. "Let's go," she says smoothly with a nod, not a muscle changes on her face.

She's gonna walk me down the aisle. She is one of the witnesses at the wedding. She has been a guardian to me. Well, that's a role mainly played by Maria in my life. Ayesha is more like a mentor. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be on the right path today. She may not always show it but she has her own shares of affection reserved for me.

I place my hand in hers and step out of the car, somehow managing my gown and the bouquet with the other hand. We start for the entrance with Ayesha and me in the front and Vicky and Chloe in the back. With each step, my heartbeat increases. I realize the nervousness that I'm feeling is sort of a good one. It's as if I'm enjoying it. Weird, but I don't mind.

We reach the entrance in no time. The aisle can be seen from here which ends at the steps of the stage. Maria walks up to me and stands by my other side. She has arrived earlier but is now joining us. She's one of the most important people in my life. Obviously, she's gonna walk me down the aisle along with Ayesha.

Soft piano music starts playing when I start walking with both of them by my side. I realize that my heartbeats aren't that noticeable now as I'm too busy noticing Felix.

There he is at the end of the aisle, standing in a lavender suit, complementing my purple gown perfectly, looking as beautiful as a painting. His smile is more radiating than ever. He has cut his hair down for the wedding but started growing stubble. That makes him look more mature now. I love every version of him though. That's why, I have married him. 

"I didn't wanna say it but you're ogling him," Maria whispers from the side and I instantly look away with heat creeping up my cheeks. Before I can protest, she adds, "I didn't say it was a bad thing."

"Thanks for pointing it out," I tell her through clenched teeth, looking back at Felix over my lashes, physically unable to keep my eyes off of him. Oh God, he is looking so beautiful! And to think that this pretty man is my husband! It makes me fold so badly!

"That's her husband now. She can ogle him all she wants," Ayesha intervenes from the other side of me taking my side which makes me more flustered. Maria instantly fires back, "Like I said, I didn't say it was a bad thing."

Ayesha doesn't get a chance to make another remark as we have reached the end of the aisle. With the last step, I'm standing right in front of my husband. The rest of the world fades away. I start noticing the details in him that haven't caught my eyes from far. 

I sense the same nervousness in him that I'm feeling. He is trying to hide it but I see it in his eyes, the way he keeps biting his lips, and the way he keeps rubbing and adjusting the cuff of his sleeves. It puts me slightly at ease. We are in it together. 

Ayesha takes my hand and places it in his. He grips it tightly and I realize his hands are shaking. I squeeze it silently trying to reassure him that I'm here now. His condition seems worse than mine. 

He brings our hands to his lips and presses a kiss on the knuckles before flashing me a sheepish grin. Ayesha clears her throat, maybe because she is uncomfortable or because she wants our attention back to her. 

She speaks, however, before we even get to turn our heads. "Felix, I hope you're aware that you're taking her responsibility from today. Take proper care of her. I know you will but I'm just saying it because, well, it needs to be said. Don't make her cry. You wouldn't be able to even if you try. Because, well, tears aren't her thing." 

She pauses to give me a spectacular look. I stare back blankly. If only she knew how many times I cried before him, both happy and sad tears.

Maria interrupts her with a snap. "Will you stop talking emotionally now? Jeez!"

Then she turns back to Felix. "You wouldn't dare do anything to her, now would you, dear? I know you wouldn't. You're a good boy."

They sound like such simple words but the way she says it runs a chill down my spine. She's threatening him, that too with a psychopathic grin. She even pats his hand two times.

Felix doesn't look threatened either. He's nodding with passion and a smile. I decide to intervene before Maria takes it one step ahead. "All right. That's enough. You two can leave us alone." Hugging both of them individually, I almost forcefully shoo them away before turning to my husband.

The way he is staring at me takes my breath away. His gaze holds the yearning in them almost as if he's looking at something precious to him. The way his eyes trace my face, lingering like a warm touch, makes me flustered. I can feel my cheeks heating up, and I have the urge to look away. But, instead, I force myself to look him in the eyes, matching his intense gaze as best as I can.

"You are looking.....Mashallah," Felix says, failing to find any other words to describe me. With my hand in his, he leads the way as we take the two steps of the stage and stand before our designated seats facing each other. He moves one of his hands to lightly grip the side of my face and then presses his lips to my forehead. The sound of cheering and clapping from the guests fills the hall room as he moves away. 

"And you are looking just like the reason for which I'm married to you." I pull our joined hands up and place a kiss over his knuckles. The guests clap and cheer again.

"So you're saying you married me for my outer beauty?" He questions suspiciously as we take our respective seats. "Don't you think it sounds a little bit shallow?"

I sense the teasing in his tone. Showing him my teeth, I try to match his energy. "Too bad you're now married to a shallow woman."

That's just a joke I've made. To my surprise, he gets defensive about it. "You are not a shallow woman! Don't ever say that. I know the reason why you married me. You don't-"

Immediately, I cut him off placing my hand over his. "Relax, Felix. I was just joking."

He blinks at me, looking lost. Then he lets out a sigh, shaking his head. Placing his other hand over mine, he squeezes as if to emphasize his words. "Don't ever say that even when joking. You're a precious woman, my precious woman. Don't downgrade yourself for any reason. I suppose it's my fault actually. I shouldn't have said it like that. I will be more careful from now on with my words. And you will be more invested in thinking positively about yourself."

I feel the burning sensation in the back of my eyes and a lump in my throat over which I manage to whisper, "Okay."

That barely conveys what I actually want to say or whatever I'm feeling. His eyes soften and he kisses my hand again. I realize at that moment that I have made no mistakes marrying him. He's the right one for me. I just pray that these feelings for me and this caring side of him never leave and that he never changes. I will not ask for anything else from Allah SWT.

The next half hour passes in a blur of smiles, hugs, and warm congratulations from the guests. I shake so many hands, exchange so many pleasantries, and try to remember the faces. It shouldn't have been that hard but I'm genuinely bad at remembering names. Felix helps me as best as he can. 

Soon, it is lunch time, and everyone moves toward the dining area. The aroma of delicious food fills the space, making my stomach grumble. I haven't realized how hungry I am until now. 

Guests serve themselves from the buffet, chatting as they pile their plates with fragrant rice, creamy curries, grilled meats, and fresh salads. Servers move gracefully, refilling glasses and offering warm bread. 

Felix and I take our seats with our plates full. Before taking a bite, my eyes slide up to my husband naturally. And just like every other time, he is already staring at me. As our eyes meet, he smiles softly at me. I feel giddy inside as I move my attention back to my plate. This is our first meal together as a married couple, and everything feels just right.

Lunch stretches beyond half an hour through savoring foods, loud talks, and laughter. At the end of the lunch, when we are chatting among ourselves, the sudden sound of a microphone draws our attention. 

"Hello, hello. Can y'all hear me?" 

That's Ian. We turn our heads to find him sitting on the floor of the stage with his feet planted on the steps and a microphone in his hand. He's about to give a speech. We are aware of it.

When he is sure that everyone's attention is on him, he flashes a grin before starting, "So y'all can hear me. I've brought your attention to me because I'm about to give a small speech regarding the matter for which we are gathered here today."

He pauses to clear his throat and then looks straight at me and Felix, nodding with a smile. "Let's begin with congratulating the newlywed couple and wishing them good luck for their upcoming journey. My most favorite couple, actually. I don't remember shipping anyone else together so much for so long. Finally, the ship is sailing."

I think I remember him saying something like this before too. He has been shipping us for so long. But we have only known each other for over six months. Is it that long?

"Well, how do you say it? Their official meeting before becoming a potential couple started around five months ago?" He glances in our direction to confirm the time frame. 

"Six months, twenty days," Felix corrects him. "Do you need the hour, minute, and second? I can give that as well."

"Such precision!" Ian whistles with an encouraging applause from the crowd. "It's quite impressive that you remember such details. Another reason why y'all are my favorite."

Felix and I exchange a glance. I'm pretty sure my eyes have the "Did you really count?" look. His lips curve into a smug grin. "Why? You don't believe me?" is what his gaze saying. I don't have a reason to not believe him. 

Ian gains our attention again. "Thanks, Felix, for sharing it with us but I'm afraid we wouldn't need that many details. With due respect, it will make my speech longer. Sorry about that."

A wave of soft laughter goes through the crowd. Ian bows a little to Felix and Felix shrugs dismissively. Ian goes on, "So y'all must be wondering why I said that I have been shipping you two for a long time. Well, if I try to say it in short, I've started shipping you guys even before you knew each other."

He pauses to see our reactions. I feel a weight drop in my stomach. Stunned, I turn my head to look at Felix and he does the same mirroring my expression. Both of us are obviously surprised, a little bit scared even.

Ian notices that and tries to lighten up the mood. "Hey, there's nothing to be scared of. And I swear that I'm not a creep. I just simply thought you two would be a perfect match. And God answered my prayers."

He pauses again, resting his chin on his knuckles as if he's deep in thoughts. I suspect that he's doing that just for a dramatic effect. A second later, he looks up as if something brilliant has come to his mind.

"We met in high school senior year? Or was it in junior year?" He asks me and I shrug. My high school memories are kinda blurry. Whether it's a defense mechanism as my high school life wasn't that good to remember or I just have a really bad memory, I can't tell. I honestly don't remember when I met Ian. I think it was sometime after I started dating Ryker that I met both him and James.

He nods in understanding as if confirming my thoughts and continues, "However, I remember seeing her for the first time and thinking, "Oh, she compliments Felix so perfectly." And at that moment, well, it wasn't exactly an appropriate thought as she was dating someone else. On top of that, these two weren't aware of their existence yet." 

He jokes about it with a chuckle which travels through the audience. It's only me who doesn't find it funny. Rather, I feel a chill running down my spine. If it's true, it's a horrible thought he had no matter how cute it sounds now. Did he ever share it with Ryker? Was he aware of it when......... things ended between us?

I, however, don't get the answer from him. Felix grabs my hand under the table and squeezes it reassuringly. When I look at him, he offers me a smile as well as if sensing my worry. I smile back at him.

Ian moves on from that topic. "Anyway, so, I want to give y'all a glimpse of Felix when he realizes that he has feelings for her. I swear it's gonna be a lot more interesting." 

He has got my attention now more than ever. I haven't thought that I want to know it until he mentions it. Felix doesn't seem to like the idea as he protests almost instantly. "But that's supposed to be a secret."

Ian smirks, amused like he has finally got something against Felix. "Never said that," he announces before turning to me. "Did you know we made a written plan so that Felix can win you over?"

That.......is definitely news to me. "No, I did not know that," I reply, turning my head to give Felix a skeptical look. He sighs shaking his head. 

"So you've manipulated me into falling in love with you?" I ask in a half-amused and half-serious tone. He looks troubled, staring at me with desperate eyes and then looking back at Ian with the accused ones.

I don't know if it's seeing his look. But Ian jumps in to save him. "It wasn't anything like that, Maisara. He simply wanted to treat you right as he had no prior experience."

I'm actually quite amused at this new information. But taunting Felix feels good too. It's the reason why I speak in a slightly grumpy tone, "Hm, I will see that later." 

What I have said sounds pretty normal to me. But that's not the case for him. When the words register in his brain, his expression instantly changes. With a smirk, he leans closer and whispers behind my ear, "Tonight?" 

It takes a second for me to realize where he has gone with it. When it hits, I feel my face heating up. "Maybe." My own response takes me by surprise.

Ian is blissfully unaware of our exchange. He's continuing his speech, reaching near the end. "Some of y'all are aware that my belief in love is quite different from the general view. We aren't gonna go about my point of view. But if love looks like what these two lovebirds have? If it was steady and unshaken, like theirs, then maybe, just maybe, I wouldn’t mind being wrong. If that kind of love exists, I probably wouldn’t have any regrets in life."

He bows fully ending his speech and the hall room fills with the sound of applause. I'm aware of his actions regarding his idea of love and have often judged him for it. But it never crossed my mind that there could be something more to it. The last part of his speech got me thinking about it. I briefly remember his words from Ryker's wedding.

"You never know when the time will end for either of you."

I remember asking him if he was talking about his situation or mine to which he gave no clear answer. So the question still remains there. What's his side of the story? Did his time come to an end with someone? Who is it and what happened?

Felix's voice pulls me out of my thoughts. "Have you seen James?"

I look around trying to find him with my eyes. "I haven't seen him today at all, I think."

"No, he came here with us," Felix responds, trying to find him with his eyes as well. "I just haven't seen him for almost half an hour or maybe more."

I try to find him again. "You need him for anything?"

"Yeah, he left his phone with me." I turn back to him, startled. Who leaves his phone with the groom at his reception? 

Seeing the look on my face, Felix reasons, "He was gonna go to the restroom and couldn't find Ian."

I'm still failing to understand why he would do that. Nonetheless, I search in the crowd for him. All of a sudden, I notice another interesting thing. I don't see Vicky anywhere either, haven't seen her in...... I don't remember when I saw her last time after coming here.

When the realization hits me, I instinctively turn to Felix. He gets alarmed. "What is it?"

Before I get to say what it is, a sudden noise on the microphone grabs our attention. We turn our heads to find that Chloe takes Ian's place. She's gonna give another speech. They, the bridesmaids and the groomsmen, have fixed that two of them would give a short speech individually, one from my side sharing some of my stories and one from Felix's doing the same. 

Flashing a wide grin to the audience, she starts, "Thank you, Ian, for your lovely speech. We get to know some interesting sides of Felix that lead us here. Now I'm about to tell you some similar facts about our bride aka Maisara Kamal."

Unlike Ian who has spoken whatever comes to his mind, Chloe has her speech prepared. Pulling the phone out of her purse, she opens it before speaking, "I have written my speech. I hope y'all don't mind that."

Chuckling to herself, she starts, "In case y'all don't know me, I will start off with my introduction. I'm Chloe Sinclair, Maisara's bridesmaid, best friend, and the most favorite colleague."

She pauses to glance in my direction, a soft smile playing on her lips. "I have known my girl for over a year now. And I can say with certainty that Felix has won in life by winning her heart."

She pulls the phone down and swipes her hair away from her shoulder before continuing, "I may not know her for a long time but I can tell with enough confidence that I know her well enough to be able to say when there's a change in her. Whether it's a good or a bad change doesn't matter. I know she may look like the hardest person to understand. But trust me, I never had that trouble with her. And that's coming from an overly extroverted person, who has already interacted with thousands of people before meeting her."

She pauses to take a breath and her tone changes when she says the next words, "The hardest people to understand are those with multiple faces, not those who are genuine."

Her eyes wander off, gazing into the distance as if lost in a world far removed from the present moment. Allah SWT knows what she is thinking.

She comes back just as suddenly. Her eyes swipe over the crowd once as she cheerfully goes on, "So if you couldn't already guess from my words alone, I noticed when Felix came into her life. Well, not at the very first meeting. But maybe after second, third, fourth, or even fifth time, I start noticing it. Her stoic demeanor was still intact but there were very few moments of softness. That too was only directed to her phone at first. Slowly and gradually, that started changing. Her softness started growing. She was radiating. The happiness in her was contagious."

She shrugs in between her words, giving me a disappointed look. "She never admitted it though. That she had a man in her life. My doubt was confirmed when she asked me to be her bridesmaid."

The audience finds it funny. A soft chuckle moves through them that catches Chloe as well. When it dies down, she continues, "When I met Felix finally, I understood why Maisara picked him. He's just the right kinda guy for her. Maisara, I'm telling you that you've found someone who adores you, supports you, and loves you more than you can think of. You probably can because he has already proven it to you. And, Felix, to you, I'm saying that you've won the heart of an incredible woman. I'm not saying that because I'm her friend. That's a genuine compliment that I guess you already know. Also, you got the approval of all her bridesmaids, which is no small feat!"

Her speech has come to an end. With a small bow, she wishes us good luck. "May your upcoming days be filled with love, your adventures be endless, and your bond grows stronger with each passing moment. Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness!"

The hall room fills with cheers and applause as she leaves. At the same time, I feel my phone buzzing in my gown's pocket. The first thought that comes to my mind is that I'll check it after everything is over. Because what can be more important than my own reception to me? 

Something in my brain keeps nagging me to check it and I make a grave mistake by listening to it. There's a new message from an unknown number that says, "Enjoy as long as you can. Today is yours. Tomorrow will be mine. Be prepared for that."