9. Surprise

Shadab

I was on my way to the party on the eve of my wedding. I wasn't excited about this party much. I had to go and put up with these three losers while they made fun of me and ate to their heart's content. I had to do this to maintain my status in front of everyone, to maintain my reputation.

Mom would be on her way to the mehndi ceremony that took place on the wedding eve. Zarine was being a brat as usual and hadn't attended any ceremonies. After my outburst that day she hadn't shown her face again for which I was grateful because she had started to put a damper on my mood nowadays.

I got out of the car and handed the keys to the valet. I didn't drive just any car, it was an Audi for crying out loud. If my car was that good just imagine the place I was having dinner at right now. I was proud of myself.

I entered the restaurant and asked the host--in this case a tall blond hostess-- about the reservation which was under my name.

"Has your party arrived?" She asked politely.

I looked around and couldn't find anyone. "Let me check," I told her. I took out my phone and dialed Rusty. He picked up on the first ring. "Hey, where are you guys? I'm already here."

"Don't fret man. Look behind you."

I turned around and there they were walking towards me. Rusty was flanked on either side by the other two-- Raj and Ernie. I turned back to the hostess and smiled at her informing her that my party had arrived. We followed her to a table near the window that had a beautiful view.

"Your server will be with you in a moment." She said and walked off.

"This isn't so bad," Rusty said.

"Of course it isn't. This is the best restaurant in town." I replied.

"Not that. I meant about the strippers. Even though we can't go look at them we still have beautiful women around, huh?" He said glancing at the other two and they gave their assent. I felt disgusted. These three were married and yet here they were ogling at other women. Didn't they have any decency?

"Good evening gentlemen. I'm Roxanne and I'll be your server tonight." She said handing us menus.

"What would you guys like to have tonight?"

The guys started to order. It felt like they wanted to have the entire menu and the poor girl was jotting it down. I squeezed in my order after they had finished.

"Would you like something to drink?" Roxanne asked.

"Coke." All three said simultaneously.

I choked on the water I was drinking. Did they just say coke? Was my hearing right?

"Coke?" I croaked after Roxanne had left.

"Yeah, man. We decided we'll cut you some slack." Ernie said.

"Yeah, you're already going all out on the dinner and we thought we could just not drink tonight," Rusty explained.

"And anyway, we want to be in our complete senses when you get your gift," Raj said smiling slyly.

The last part made complete sense. These were some of the sly and cunning people I worked with so it was always better to stay in their good books. But what were they giving me? That was the big question. They weren't carrying anything when they came in so it can be either small that they could have kept it in their pockets or something heavy that they couldn't carry so it might be in the car or something. I decided I couldn't guess what they had in their minds and concentrated on dinner.

We were waiting for our deserts when slender arms wrapped around me from behind. I jerked and removed myself from their clasp and turned around.

What met my eyes made my jaw hit the floor.

Smiling at me was a beautiful, slender, tall woman in a shimmering blue cocktail dress that came up to her mid-thigh. Her dark black hair--which were just like mine--were let loose so that it contrasted with her fair complexion. She was wearing killer heels and looked just like a runway model.

"Stella," I whispered.

"Hey, Shabby! It's been so long." She said smiling widely and leaning in to kiss me on the cheek.

I quickly composed myself and gave her a wide smile.

Remembering I had company I turned around to the guys who I thought must be gaping at Stella wide-eyed. But I was wrong. They were smirking and passing glances like this were part of their mischief.

Could it be that Stella was their plan of surprise?

I decided to do the introductions anyways. "Hey, guys! Meet Stella. My ex-girlfriend." I said smiling at her. "Stella, these are my colleagues, Raj, Rusty, and Ernie." They all stood up and shook hands with her.

"Can we talk outside?" She whispered in my ear.

I nodded and put my arm through her, telling the guys to continue their feast and I will join them in a few.

I had met Stella while I was in college. I was the famous guy, the heartthrob. She was the famous gal that every guy wanted. My friends told me to ask her out since we would look good together and I did just that. We went out a couple of times and I had told her that we would be just what everyone wanted us to be-- the perfect couple. We would hold hands in front of everyone, hug sometimes but I never kissed her and I told her I didn't want to do anything physical. She said she understood and found it cute. We had even been to each other's homes and met the respective parents. Her parents weren't so happy about me, neither were mine about her. We ended things when college ended and went our separate ways.

"This is a huge surprise, Stella. What brings you here?"

"You."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I moved here only a few days back." She gushed. "I missed you so much Shabby and all that we had all those years."

Hold your horses. What was she talking about? "Stella you know that none of it was real, right? I mean we did what we did because everyone expected that of us." And besides, I now had my beautiful wife to show off. "And besides I'm engaged to be married tomorrow."

"What? You're getting married?" She seemed genuinely shocked.

"Yep."

"But I thought... She said..." She mumbled deep in thought.

"Who said what?" I asked.

"Nothing." She said brightening up. "Congratulations Shabby! I'm happy for you." She said and it felt genuine.

"Thanks, babe. I will send you an invite for the reception. The wedding ceremony is going to be simple so I can't squeeze you in, sorry."

"No problem." She took out a pen and paper from her clutch and scribbled something on it. "Here's my address, come visit anytime you want." She said handing me the piece of paper which I pocketed instantly.

"It was nice to see you." She said and went her way while I went inside.

Turns out Stella was as a surprise to the guys as it was to me. They said they knew I had an ex-girlfriend but didn't know who she was. Then how did she know where I was? Other than us only mom knew where I was, and mom definitely didn't tell her because she disliked her. Then it hit me!

"Guys, I gotta go," I said signaling for the check.

"What? But we haven't even given you your gift yet..." Raj whined.

"It's okay, dude. You can give me some other time. Now I really gotta hurry."

"What's the hurry dude?"

"Is it Stella?" Ernie asked.

"Something like that," I said. I left the cash in the checkbook with a hefty tip and left.

The valet brought my car out front and I jumped in it hurrying to her house. How could she?

Reaching her home I rapped on her door. The instant it opened I dragged her out and closed the door behind her.

"Well, well. You have some nerve showing up at my doorstep."

"Don't you dare!" I warned her.

"Why are you here?" She said folding her hands.

"I came to tell you that I met Stella today."

Hearing that she seemed to relax and she almost smiled.

"And...?" She asked.

"And I invited her to the reception," I said nonchalantly.

"You did what?"

"So it really was you. You sent her there."

"Of course it was me." She confessed with a mad look in her eyes. "You two were perfect together. The perfect match! The perfect couple! I don't know what you're doing marrying that hijabi!" She spat the last word.

"What are you talking about?" I said taken aback by her accusation. "Who is a hijabi?"

"Your soon-to-be wife. Who else?"

"She isn't a hijabi."

"Oh really? Then what was that on her head that day you saw her?"

"So what? Don't all girls wear it when a suitor comes to meet them? Didn't you wear it when Ali came to see you?"

"That was different."

"Different how?"

"Because it was."

"I think you should go see a shrink Zarine. You've gone crazy."

"I don't need a shrink. I know I'm right. She is a hijabi. You'll find out soon enough. Then I will happily say, 'I told you so.' Goodbye, big brother. Enjoy your big day tomorrow. It might be the last time you enjoy." She said and walked away while I stood there rooted to my place watching her go.

I didn't know what to make of all this information. My wife couldn't be a hijabi. There was no way she was. Mom knew my choice and she would never pair me with such a boring girl.

Yes. That's right. Mom would never do such a thing to me.

I convinced myself and went home to get a good night's sleep. Even if what Zarine said was true, it was too late to call off the wedding and it would break mom's heart if I did. I loved my mom and I couldn't do this to her.

Tomorrow I'm getting married.

Goodbye bachelor Shadab.

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How was the surprise? Were you surprised? If you think what's the problem with being a hijabi... I say there's none, for us... because we love our hijab. But for some people, it does pose a problem because it says in the story description some people love this worldly life and its possessions more than Allah.

I hope you liked this chapter. Please show your love and appreciation by sharing your views and hitting that beautiful star.

Jazakallah Khair :)

PS: Next chapter is going to be about the wedding. Whose POV would you like to read it in? I'm thinking of either Suhad's dad or brother. Please comment with your views :)