A taste to remember

Chapter eight

Munnira pov

Choosing the right colors for the occasion was a challenge. I had to decide between light blue and white or pink and white. I tried on both dresses but couldn't make up my mind.

"You're not dressed yet?" Zainab asked, entering my room.

I dropped both dresses on the bed and said, "I can't decide. Should I wear the lace or an abaya? I'm so confused!" I collapsed onto my bed, overwhelmed.

Zainab walked over to my wardrobe. "It's your friend's wedding, not yours, so relax." She gazed at me with a hint of teasing. "Or is it because of your new boyfriend that you're taking so long?"

I threw a pillow at her, laughing. Just then, my phone rang. "Talk of the angel, and the angel calls," Zainab said.

Ahmed's cheerful voice asked, "How long will it take you to get ready? Are you going to take 24 hours? I can't wait that long for my girl!"

I laughed and promised, "I'll be out in a minute."

He replied, "You've been saying that for 30 minutes now!"

I assured him I'd be out soon, and we ended the call.

I finally took the blue and white dress, did my makeup, and tied my headscarf. I double-checked my reflection in the mirror, ensuring everything was perfect. The mascara and eyeliner made my eyes pop, and my hair was neatly tied under my headscarf.

When I emerged from the house, Ahmed was waiting by the car, and his expression changed to one of admiration.

"Wow, you look stunning!" he exclaimed, adding, "I'm going out with the Queen of the Nile!"

I blushed and got into the car, feeling pleased that he liked my look.

We arrived at the wedding venue, and Ahmed parked the car. As we stepped out, Khalid and Yesmin approached us with warm smiles.

"'Finally, you're here!" Yesmin exclaimed, hugging me tightly. "Well, I'm going to steal her away for now," she added, drawing my hand.

The venue was stunning, with minimal decorations and a few colorful balloons scattered around. The atmosphere was filled with the savory smoke of barbecue, and the aroma of various dishes and drinks wafted from the large buffet table. On the other side, a space was reserved for games and karaoke. The barbecue and game night was well-organized.

Yesmin spotted Fara, surrounded by her friends, and exclaimed, "There she is!"

Fara wore a dark silk bridal gown adorned with stones, and her friends fawned over her. As we approached her, she gave me a warm hug.

"'I'm so glad you made it," she said, her face beaming with excitement.

It was great to see her again. I stood opposite Ahmad, and our eyes met, exchanging playful expressions.

Yesmin handed me a drink and said, "I thought I stole you away from him."

She continued, "The game night will start around seven, but you know how Africans are with time."

I replied, "The event is lovely, a simple celebration of love, just like I would want someday."

We turned to gaze at the bride and her friends, who were lavishing attention on her. While some were overdoing it, Fara's friends and family seemed friendly, except for a few who appeared full of themselves.

Yesmin whispered, "Most of them are her cousins; she has a large family. I don't particularly like some of them."

She took a sip of her drink, her eyes still fixed on the group.

Yesmin pointed at the girl with purple and said, "You see this girl. We had issues last year; she accused me of being involved with her boyfriend just because he interacted with my tweets."

I burst out laughing at the absurdity.

Yesmin shook her head. "Girls and their issues."

She shared more about the incident, and we both laughed.

I enjoyed Yesmin's company and the snacks, savoring my samosas and corndog. I prefer to avoid drama and gossip, which is why I have more male friends than female friends. However, when Yesmin mentioned something that caught my attention, I turned to her and asked what she said.

She repeated, "One of Fara's friends had feelings for Ahmad, the one in blue and black."

Yesmin headed to get us more snacks.

I scanned the girl, with her slim face, big bold eyes, and a free-spirited personality. She didn't seem like Ahmad's type.

Just then, a voice behind me said, "Hello, beautiful."

I turned to see a young man in a white kaftan, with a charming beard and mustache. His outfit was stylish, with simple embroidery and a designer watch. I looked away, but he stood beside me and continued, "From the look of it, you're not fond of crowds; you stand alone like a ladybird."

He added, "Hope I'm not interrupting your personal moment."

"Personal moments," I repeated, "Well, you're not who you are now," I added. I gave him a look, then looked away without saying a word.

Suddenly, he clutched his chest as if having an asthma attack, and I got so scared that I almost dropped my snack.

"Are you okay?" I immediately asked.

He replied, "You stole it."

"What?" He slowly lifted his head. "My heart."

I burst into laughter, shaking my head. He smiled, showing off his pearly whites. "I guess I made you smile," he said, still laughing.

To be honest, he really did get me; I tried hard to keep it inside, but the laughter was impossible to hold. He went on teasing girls who were trying so much to get a guy's attention and the tactics they use. We stood there, watching it in action.

A few minutes later, his friends came and took him away. I must confess, I really enjoyed those few moments with him. I had no idea who he was, but he surely knew how to keep someone company.

"Here are more corn dogs, the last ones," Yesmin said, handing me a plate. "What took you so long? You were gone for almost thirty minutes," I said.

She cut in, "I know, I know. I saw you had company, so I didn't want to ruin things. You were enjoying yourself, and I didn't want to spoil the show." She tried not to look at me.

"No, I wasn't," I denied, but it was obvious.

"Salim is a really nice guy, and you'd be lying if you said you didn't enjoy his company. He's very friendly. He's Fara's brother, a diplomat, so he's not always around. In case you're looking for other options."

I quickly turned and looked at her. "My dear, as long as you're not married, you're single." Yesmin added.

Ahmed didn't like this short conversation we had. I turned around, looking for him, and when our eyes finally met, he looked away and changed direction. He looked furious and upset.

Immediately, the game show started, and Ahmed held my hand, dragging me to the side. "We're going now," he said.

I was confused, calculating the minutes. He wasn't even ready to hear my response; he went so far as to say goodbye to them, and I went to hug Fara, wishing the marriage well.

Since we got to the car, Ahmed didn't say a word. He was silent, his anger still visible on his face.

"Are you okay? You've been quiet since we left," I asked innocently.

He looked at me, lifted an eyebrow, exhaled, and turned back to staring at the wheel.

"Seriously, babe, don't you have anything to say to me?" I asked again, pressuring him to talk.

He quickly found a spot and parked the car as if he'd been waiting for me to repeat myself.

"What do you want to hear from me? I'm sure my words are not as nice as Salim's. Are you sure they are what you want to hear?" Ahmad was clearly angry at that point.

I wasn't sure what to say to him at that point. He added, "I saw you guys; he was flirting, and you were enjoying it, making me look like a fool."

I adjusted my sitting position, looking straight into his eyes. It was pure jealousy, obviously. Maybe I went a bit overboard and was inconsiderate. I took a deep breath, playing with the edge of the wheel.

"I'm sorry for making you feel that way. It wasn't fair, allowing him to flirt with me. I'm sorry for making you feel so uncomfortable, babe, but I never meant to do so, seriously," I said with a little tone and a calm voice. It was intentional, so he would feel the words.

I kept a sad and sorry look. "I love you, babe, and nothing can change that, not even a single conversation with a stranger. I love you and you alone; I want you to know that," I said finally.

He gazed at me, leaning in closer. "I feel the same way, please don't do that again," he said, continuing to drive.

He claimed we were heading home, but instead, he took me to a house with tall walls. I asked where we were, and he replied that it was a surprise.

As the gates opened, a magnificent mansion with a unique architectural design unfolded before me. We drove in, and I saw a basketball court at the far end, a water fountain in the center, and luxurious black and white cars parked by the side.

I wondered whose house this was. As I stepped inside, I was struck by the elegant and unique interior decoration. The paintings on the wall and the little art sculptures on display showcased the owner's refined taste.

"My Munnira is here," Ahmad's sister announced, descending the stairs.

I rose to greet her, and she embraced me warmly, inviting me to sit back down. The maid appeared with a tray of snacks as we sat to chat.

Although our conversation with her was brief, I felt at ease. She had a way of making one feel comfortable and at home. We discussed school, and she shared some stories about her own experiences.

She playfully teased her brother and laughed about it. It was then that I discovered she ran an NGO that I had been following on social media, unaware that it was hers.

She was the Madam Zara, the renowned philanthropist, known by most households in the north. I felt like I had met a celebrity.

She invited me to visit her NGO whenever I wished, handing me her business card to arrange a visit. Before we left, she gave me a paper bag filled with various skincare and hair products, which I gratefully accepted.

"I hope to see you again soon. I'd love to hear your feedback on our new products," she said with a smile, hugging me one last time before we departed.

It was a wonderful way to end the day.