Second year was coming to a close, and Fiza and Alan had two weeks off.

Fiza was about to visit her family for the first time since Covid had hit.

Her father picked her up from the airport. He had aged in the last year, but her mother looked the same. She gave them both a hug, wearing her N95 mask. She planned to test herself with a home kit before taking off her mask at home.

Farzana was planning to visit over the weekend as well.

"Mmmm," Fiza exclaimed, closing her eyes as she enjoyed the familiar aroma of her mother's cooking. "I missed your food so much! I need to learn how to make this!"

"Pappa, how are the resorts doing?" She asked her father. She knew that the pandemic had affected his business.

"We are doing really well now," her father replied with enthusiasm. "People are staying at the resort as a work from home. They are calling it 'staycation.' I hired a new boy, Sandeep, for marketing. He is handling the social media and is bringing in a lot of youngsters."

Fiza watched her father talk about his resort, the changes they had made to adapt to the needs the pandemic had brought on. He loved discussing his business with her.

"So, Farzana and Fahad," her father smiled at her, and she smiled back. "Funny how life works. Fiza ammai wouldn't mind, I'm sure."

Though the truth was out that Fiza's aunt was actually her biological mother, everyone still referred to her as her aunt. It was easier that way, and Fiza didn't mind.

"How did you find out?" Fiza asked, surprised. The last time she had talked to her, Farzana had been having second thoughts. She couldn't have told her father.

"Fahad told his parents, and they told me. Imagine!" He laughed. "Farzana still doesn't know that I know. I'm waiting for her to come this weekend so I can have some fun with her."

Fiza chuckled.

"Pappa," Fiza started, since they were on the topic of marriage. "Pappa, I was thinking, I don't want to wait another year. I want to marry Alan. He will finish PG in a year and will surely get a job. It's just... I just want to... We just want to be together."

Her father gave her a sharp look.

"I'm not sure about him, mole," he said softly.

"But I am!" Interjected Fiza. "I love him. I can't... I can't be with anyone else."

"Fiza, there's actually a nice proposal that has come..." Her father began but was interrupted by Fiza's raised voice.

"No! You promised me!" Fiza couldn't believe he was going back on his words.

He then received a work call that took his full attention. Neither of them broached the topic after. Fiza was going to brainstorm with Farzana before she brought it up again.

Fiza's school friend Kiran was in town, and they had reconnected after a long period of no contact. Despite their complicated history involving Farzana, who had slept with Kiran in the past, Fiza agreed to meet with him before Farzana's arrival.

"Hi!" Fiza greeted Kiran as she approached him at a restaurant in Fort Kochi with outdoor seating.

Kiran's demeanor was somewhat awkward as they exchanged greetings.

"Fiza, it's been so long. You look amazing," Kiran remarked with a smile, and Fiza sensed a hint of apprehension in his expression.

"You too," she replied politely.

Kiran then shared his news. "I'm getting married," he told Fiza. "Her name is Soumya. It's an arranged marriage, but I love her."

Fiza genuinely expressed her happiness for him. "I'm really happy for you," she said.

However, the conversation took an unexpected turn as Kiran expressed concerns about inviting Farzana to his wedding.

Fiza, who had always been protective of Farzana, listened carefully to Kiran's explanation.

"See, I haven't told her about Farzana. She... she is the only one I've ever been with," Kiran confessed. "I will tell her. But I don't want any drama."

Fiza frowned, wondering why Kiran was sharing such intimate details with her.

"I liked you in school, Fiza. And Farzana... I'm sure she told you..." Kiran's words left Fiza perplexed.

Farzana had only shared the fact that she had been involved with him, but she had never divulged any other details. Fiza had confronted both of them at the time, but Kiran had made no effort to reconcile with her since then. His sudden confession and apology were unexpected.

"Anyway, I'm sorry. I hope we can put our past in the past?" Kiran asked, seeking reconciliation.

Fiza, feeling conflicted and uncomfortable with the situation, responded, "Why are you telling me this now? You should be apologizing to Farzana, not me."

Kiran tried to explain, "You know how she is... I don't know how she will react. She had been really mad at me when I called her Fiza."

"If it's any consolation, I asked him to imagine it was you. That's what they all want anyway."

"You never asked me if I was okay. I wasn't."

As the pieces of the past started to fall into place, Fiza found the situation perverse and distasteful. Her friend had thoughtlessly used her sister. She abruptly stood up and stated, "Neither of us are coming to your wedding. Have a nice life." She left Rs 200 on the table for her coffee, walked away from Kiran, and tried to distance herself from the uncomfortable memories of the past. She had been so angry at Farzana back then, she had failed to ask her if she had been alright afterwards.

When Farzana arrived the next day, Fiza felt a sense of protectiveness and affection towards her. While they were catching up, their mother brought two big bags to the room.

"Lehengas. From Hyderabad. Try them on," their mother exclaimed.

Fiza eagerly picked up the blush-colored lehenga with rose gold embroidery and crystals. It was a stunning piece.

Farzana, on the other hand, selected the yellow ochre lehenga adorned with crystals and paired it with a silver blouse. Both sisters tried on the lehengas, feeling like royalty.

Their mother stood in awe as they experimented with different ways to drape the dupattas.

Farzana couldn't resist doing a playful mini catwalk and posing, which made Fiza burst into laughter. The lehengas fit them perfectly, even though they were initially tailored to Farzana's measurements, thanks to the adjustable doris in the back.

As her mother left the room, Fiza FaceTimed Alan, who was at his home.

"Hi!" He greeted, followed immediately by a "Wow!"

"Farzana, hold this!" Fiza said, handing her sister the phone so she could back up and give Alan a full view of her lehenga. She twirled playfully.

"You look hot!" Alan exclaimed, adding, "I would love to take those off you," with a mischievous wink. Fiza's eyes widened in surprise, while Farzana burst into laughter.

"I look hot too," said Farzana, switching the camera view to herself.

"Yeah, sure," remarked Alan, though his enthusiasm was notably less for Farzana's attire.

"What's the occasion?" Alan inquired.

"Nothing. Mamma just got us dresses, like when we were kids," Fiza replied.

Farzana still held the phone, and Fiza checked herself out in the mirror. She was pleasantly surprised by the style; the blouse was short and showed her tummy. She was glad she had been working out, thanks to Alan's coaching; her tummy was flat.

"Hey, princess. I'm still here," chuckled Alan as he watched Fiza place a hand on her abdomen, pulling it in slightly while examining herself in the mirror from the side. This side of Fiza was new to him, and he found it adorable. The Fiza he knew usually dressed up quickly and effortlessly.

"You should wear a lehenga on our wedding day," he said, sounding serious. "Red." He couldn't wait for the day she would officially be his and just his.

Fiza blushed, taking the phone from Farzana, who was playfully rolling her eyes.

"What are you up to?" Fiza asked Alan as she placed the phone on the bed, capturing her ceiling fan in the frame while she changed back into regular clothes. She carefully folded the lehenga.

"Working on some songs," he responded.

"Let's hear it!" said Farzana enthusiastically.

Alan retrieved his guitar and began to sing 'In the Stars' by Benson Boone. His voice filled the room, and both Fiza and Farzana listened intently, enjoying the private mini-concert from afar.

Now, Sunday mornings, I just sleep in
It's like I buried my faith with you
I'm screamin' at a God I don't know if I believe in
'Cause I don't know what else I can do

I'm still holdin' on to everything that's dead and gone
I don't wanna say goodbye, 'cause this one means forever
And now you're in the stars and six-feet's never felt so far
Here I am alone between the heavens and the embers

Oh, it hurts so hard
For a million different reasons
You took the best of my heart
And left the rest in pieces

He was singing to his grandmother who had passed away from COVID. It was an emotional song, and Fiza wiped away a tear.

"Are you okay?" she inquired when he completed his song.

"Yeah, it just hit hard when I got home. That she was really gone. But I'm okay." Alan explained.

The next day, at around 2 pm, Fiza's mother came to their room. "Fiza, there is a boy we want you to meet. They will be here at 3:30 for tea."

Fiza opened her mouth to protest, but her mother silenced her with a gesture.

"He is a pediatrician, he is from a good family, and they are very interested in you," her mother said.

"But I'm in love with Alan," she protested.

"It doesn't matter. You see them and then decide what you want. Pappa and I really want you to consider options."

"Mamma, I'm not with Alan because I don't have other options," argued Fiza. She couldn't believe that her parents were going back on their word.

"Mamma, please..." she begged.

"Fiza, don't embarrass us. If you want us to consider Alan, you need to prove to us that the matches we find for you aren't good enough," she said sternly.

"Fine!" said Fiza.She put on her heavy lehenga.

Farzana entered the room already dressed.

"What are you going to do?" she asked her sister, taking over her hairbrush and styling her hair. She dabbed on her tear-stricken face with a cotton ball and applied makeup for her. When she was done, Fiza looked stunning.

She called Alan. "Wow!" he said as soon as he picked up but frowned as he saw Fiza's expression.

"They want me to see a boy!" she told him. "For marriage."

"What?" Alan couldn't believe this. After everything they had been through to be together, she was going to marry someone else? "They can't do this! I did everything your father wanted me to." Alan's voice broke.

"I'll talk to the guy and tell him I'm in a relationship. Don't worry." Fiza assured him. But she still looked concerned, noting his Adam's apple bobbing up and down, and his eyes glistening.

"You know what? I'll pin the wireless mini mic that we used to use for our music. You can listen in the whole time!"

**********************************************

Author's Note:

Despite recent legal reforms and cultural progress in India, interfaith marriages still face significant social stigma. While new laws have granted rights to same-sex couples and transgender individuals, interfaith unions have become increasingly more stringent.

Isn't it ironic?

Thank you for reading my story. Vote and comment if you like it!

❤️Faiza