Chapter 18
Reshma
There was a buzz in the air as the events team added finishing touches to the garden for Saleema and Nomaan’s henna ceremony, which was due to start in a matter of minutes.
The space was rectangular and large, with a swinging bench in the middle surrounded by chairs so that everyone could see where the main action was to take place.
The sun was on its descent, so while it was nice and warm, there was no risk of sunburn for anyone and for those seeking shade, there was an abundance of trees around the perimeter of the garden, interspersed with small hedges and boxes and pots of colourful flowers and plants.
A small gangway had been cleared between the chairs leading to the bench where the bride and groom would sit for the ceremony, beyond which there were cushions and blankets on the floor for the more traditional folk music element of the evening.
Reshma ran a keen eye over the floral arrangements, which her aunt had delegated to her, knowing that Reshma enjoyed gardening and had a knack for flower arranging.
Everything looked exactly how she wanted it to and satisfied that she’d done a good job, she told the event planner that she was heading outside to join the family.
There was no colour scheme to follow for the henna ceremony, though traditionally greens and yellows were the preferred colour combination for the occasion.
Saleema hadn’t wanted that and with the event being outdoors, Reshma had suggested using an array of different coloured flowers so there was a vibrancy about the place which made each and every colour pop in its own right.
Reshma had got ready for the event before coming to check over the arrangements she’d planned with the events manager beforehand.
Auntie Ruqayyah had arranged for hair and make-up artists and Reshma had managed to get ready in record time in order to get to the venue earlier and check that everything was as planned.
The events team had followed her plans to a T and she couldn’t wait to see what Auntie Ruqayyah and Saleema thought.
‘Hey.’ The word was softly whispered in her ear from behind, making desire roll down her spine and leave a trail of sparks in its wake, much like it had when she’d been dared to sit on his lap.
Reshma turned and found Zafar standing to the side of her near the entrance to the garden, looking fantastic in his straight-cut trousers and long silk kurta.
His hair was slightly tousled, probably due to the soft breeze, and his jaw was clean-shaven.
He looked so good, Reshma was tempted to touch him, but she held back, cocking her eyebrow at him instead.
He grinned as he flicked the sides of his kurta out and put his hands into his trouser pockets. She noticed that he’d rolled his sleeves up just enough to show off his forearms. What was it about Zafar’s rolled-up sleeves and forearms on display that made her want to keep looking at them?
‘I thought you were going to come later with Daadi?’ She looked beyond him in a bid to get her errant thoughts under control.
‘She’s coming with Auntie Bilqis. I was at a loose end, so I figured I’d come and join you, see if you needed a hand with anything.
’ He looked around at the arrangement and then at her, a big smile – dimples and all – on his face.
‘This looks brilliant. You’ve got a magic touch, you know that?
Any event you’ve arranged has looked spectacular.
The set-up you did for Daadi’s party last year was fantastic and now this. ’
Reshma felt warmth blossom in her chest at the words of praise Zafar was showering her with.
He’d never been this effusive before, simply giving her a ‘thank you’ or ‘this is nice’ whenever she did anything.
Making arrangements for Daadi’s eightieth birthday party had been a chance thing because the event planner Zafar had hired fell ill days before the event and Reshma had volunteered to step in, making changes here and there to make everything more to Daadi’s taste.
At the time, Zafar had given her his ‘this is nice’ compliment and left it at that.
This was the first time he was acknowledging her work with such high praise and it left her momentarily speechless, so she only said, ‘Thank you.’
‘But you know what?’ He took a step closer and lowered his face until it was mere inches from hers, her heart suddenly racing. ‘It all pales in comparison to how you look. That little Romeo, Haroon 2.0, better keep his distance today.’
Reshma felt heat suffuse her cheeks and Zafar winked as his grin widened while she blushed. She giggled like a teenager at his compliment wrapped in possessiveness. She knew he was joking, but it made her feel tingly on the inside nonetheless.
She was wearing a peach lehenga with a cream blouse.
The blouse had a large bow on the back so the stylist had put her hair up so it could be seen in all its glory.
The lehenga had gold print work on it, as did the matching organza dupatta.
Peach and cream glass bangles jingled with the slightest movement and her gold and pearl jewellery completed her look.
Zafar took a hold of her hand and held it up as he moved the index finger of his other hand in a circular motion, asking her to twirl.
She did so, unable to stop the laugh that bubbled up her throat.
‘This is so silly, Zafar.’
‘No, it’s not. I want to see you properly.
’ He twirled her three times, her lehenga flaring out with her movement and brushing against Zafar’s legs.
When she stopped spinning, he was standing so close that her hands landed on his shoulders, her breasts brushing against his chest. ‘You look gorgeous.’ His voice was deep and husky, making a pleasurable shiver go through her, which he probably felt because his hands were resting on her waist.
He lifted one hand and gently ran the tip of his index finger from her temple down her cheek, leaving a tingling trail in its wake. Reshma slowly pulled away and felt Zafar pull his hands away from her at the last moment, as if he was reluctant to let her go.
His heated gaze made her feel a resurgence of the desire she’d felt earlier on the beach but had made a conscious effort to bank.
With each day, they were making progress in their relationship, but she couldn’t help the slight hesitancy that always crept in, keeping her from fully committing herself to what she was feeling.
She was saved from pondering on any more thoughts because the event manager came up to her, smiling. ‘I’m glad you’re still here. I just wanted to confirm that the caterers are setting up on the paved terrace and we’ve set up table arrangements there too. We’ll serve starters after the ceremony.’
‘Perfect. Could you just make sure there’s enough space for wheelchair users to get to the tables comfortably and that there are high chairs for the little VIPs.’
‘Absolutely.’ The manager left and Reshma found Zafar staring at her, a half-smile on his face.
‘What?’
He shook his head. ‘I just find it amazing how you think of every tiny detail. Who even remembers setting up high chairs at a henna ceremony?’
Reshma lifted her chin playfully. ‘I do. It’s a nice touch to think of the smaller details. Not that high chairs are a small detail to those who need them. They’re a lifesaver, I’m sure.’
He nodded in acknowledgement. ‘Is there anything left for you to do now?’
‘Nope. We just wait for the others to arrive.’
They didn’t have to wait long. Within five minutes, loud voices preceded the arrival of the bridal party. Everyone except the bride – who would make a grand entrance of her own – was there and busy marvelling at how wonderful everyone looked in their finery.
Daadi came up to her and Zafar on Uncle Jawad’s arm, smiling broadly.
‘Don’t my children look especially lovely today, Jawad?
’ She pulled some currency out of her purse and ushered Reshma and Zafar forward.
‘Step forward together and lower your heads. That’s it.
’ She circled the money around their heads a few times and then put the money back in her purse.
‘Remind me to give that money to charity. I’m not going to risk anyone casting an evil eye on my children. ’
Uncle Jawad stepped forward, holding Reshma by her shoulders. ‘My girl looks like an absolute angel today.’
In no time, Daadi pulled her phone out of her bag and demanded selfies with all of them and then had Uncle Jawad taking pictures of just Reshma and Zafar.
He pulled her close to his side in front of everyone and she gasped. They’d never even held hands in front of their families. ‘What are you doing?’ She spoke through her smile.
‘Taking pictures with my wife.’ He winked at her.
The comment was simple enough, but the resulting flutter she felt had her thinking that her heart might fly right out of her chest. There was a tenderness in his eyes and smile, his touch and his words, and Reshma wanted to bask in it, but the moment was soon over.
Auntie Ruqayyah was ushering everyone inside because Nomaan and his family had arrived and she wanted everyone in place to greet them.
There was much fanfare as the groom arrived and took his place, followed by the bride. Family members surrounded them as they sat on the bench together and Auntie Ruqayyah and Nomaan’s mother took no time in getting the ceremony started.
They invited Saleema and Nomaan’s grandmothers to participate and then Auntie Bilqis took Daadi up with her.
Daadi greeted both Saleema and Nomaan and then put a piece of sweetmeat in each of their mouths.
She took a small amount of henna and brushed it on the henna leaf Saleema had rested on her palm and then she did the same with Nomaan.
She then smeared a few drops of oil on their hairlines and, lastly, she circled money around their heads and placed it in a platter.
All the money collected would be donated to charity.