“I don’t think this is the one,” Qurbat declared, stroking her right index finger against the emerald gem on the necklace she had been inspecting with her glistening brown eyes.

Huma and Emaan let out audible groans in harmony.

“For Lord’s sake, Qurbat,” Emaan groaned. “This is like the fiftieth shop we have been to. Just choose one at this point.” She was a young woman the same age as Qurbat, dressed in purple with fair skin and silky black hair.

The twenty one year old shook her head, bringing the necklace closer to her round, child like face to look at it once again. “If you two are tired, you can head back home. It is fine.” She placed the necklace against herself, inspecting it in the mirror in front of her. She was a fair, petite woman with long hair a hue of golden brown, coiled into a bun and tucked under the veil that hung behind her shoulders. The peach and olive green she wore made her look like she walked out of a forest fairy legend.

“And leave you alone with jewels worth thousands? What if you get robbed?” said Huma, a dusky woman dressed in green with curls that were pouring out from under her veil.

Qurbat turned to face Huma and pursed her lips, tilting her head to the side like a child. She did that when she wanted something. “One only gets married once. Let me complete all my desires.” A smile spread across her face as she turned back and put the necklace down. “I want Yahmir to look at me and me alone on our day.”

“He should do that anyways,” Huma replied.

Qurbat smiled at her, her cheeks going red. “He does, doesn’t he?”

Yahmir Saud, Qurbat’s fiance. The son of the great Saud Family who had fought for the royal family for centuries. Two years her senior, he and Qurbat had been engaged since childhood, only being separated when he would be sent to the borders. But the wait seemed to be over now, their wedding was just two weeks away.

Huma didn’t reply, clearing her throat. “Qurbat, we came here without your parents’ knowledge. We really need to head back. It’s almost time for Asr.”

Qurbat pursed her lips together and sighed, putting the necklace back. “Fine, I will come tomorrow with Yahmir.”

“Oh thank GOD,” declared Emaan, hopping out of the shop, her enthusiasm to get home as soon as possible helping her ignore the weight of the bags in her hands.

Huma and Qurbat followed, barely being able to keep up with her. Qurbat looked around with gleaming eyes, a wide smile never leaving her face. Huma looked at her friend. “You are really looking forward to this, aren’t you?”

Qurbat raised her rows as she faced Huma. “Doesn’t every woman?”

Human nodded hesitantly. “That is true.” Huma, Emaan and Qurbat; the trio had been inseparable since they were children. The two were daughters of traders, not half as prosperous as the Raees family, but privileged enough to have studied in the same institute as Qurbat’s. Then, Huma tilted her head up. “Laia must be excited too. Once you are married, it will be her turn.” Qurbat didn’t reply. Huma frowned. “What is it?”

Qurbat pursed her lips again, looking at her feet. “I have a feeling that she isn’t... thrilled.”

Huma blinked. “What do you mean?”

Qurbat sighed. “I don’t know. I mean, we have never been close. We aren’t exactly friends. I don’t expect her to be jumping up and down from excitement, but I am her sister. It is a little weird to see her lack of interest.”

Huma swallowed. “Well, maybe she’s just young...”

“She is just ten months younger than me,” Qurbat interrupted. Huma didn’t reply, studying her face instead. Qurbat was bubbly by nature, always smiling, so much so that Huma often wondered how her cheeks never ached. Yet after years of studying together, Huma knew there was more to her than that. When the moment demanded it, Qurbat could be calm and calculating. And so, Huma knew: Qurbat was aware, fully aware that her sister envied her.

“Come on you two!” Emaan called, loading the bags into the carriage that had been waiting for them outside the bazaar.

“Let us reach her she bites both our heads off,” Qurbat chuckled.

“Ugh, my own feet are killing me,” Huma snickered.

“That’s a small sacrifice for a friend, sugar plum,” Qurbat winked.

Huma shook her head.

...

They chatted all along the ride home. About the ceremony, clothes, jewellery, food, dancing, music and everything related to weddings.

When the carriage stopped, Emaan kicked open the door before the chauffeur had the chance to open it.

“Finally,” she grumbled, hopping out.

Qurbat and Huma followed. “Aamir, get the bags please,” said Qurbat with a smile.

“Of course, Maam,” he replied as he curtsied.

The gates were already open for them. The mansion that stood within was huge, as suited to Councilman Raees, a member of the King’s court. The mid afternoon sunlight shone of the grass in the lawn as they walked through the courtyard and into the main building. Once they were inside, a middle aged woman walked up to them and curtsied.

Qurbat smiled at her. “Where is Amma, Madam Kausar?”

“In the hall, milady,” the maid replied. “She and your father were entertaining Sir Saud.”

“Yahmir is here?” Qurbat’s eyes brightened up like they always did when she heard his name.

“Isn’t he always here?” Emaan grumbled, walking past her.

Qurbat tipped her nose up haughtily. “Don’t dare speak that way about my husband!”

“To be,” Huma added, walking up beside her.

Qurbat grinned. “You know what I mean.”

Huma sighed. “I am famished. I need to eat.”

“He is in the second yard before your room, milady,” said Kausar. “I will have your lunch sent to your chambers.”

Qurbat nodded before signing Emaan and Huma to follow as she entered the corridor. “Come on. You two wait in my room. I’ll see Yahmir and then we can eat.”

“I can’t wait to lie down!” Emaan exclaimed, trotting after Qurbat.

“Don’t get too cosy. Remember, we still need to visit the seamstress tin the evening,” Qurbat chirped with a grin.

“Oh Lord,” Emaan moaned, dropping her head.

Huma sighed. “Me and Emaan seem to be waiting more for the wedding than you. When it is over, I will sleep for...” She paused as Qurbat stopped walking.

“What’s wrong?” Emaan asked, stopping behind her.

Qurbat didn’t answer.

Huma stood still for a moment, eyes fixed on Qurbat’s back. They were standing at the entrance of the second yard. Then she walked forward slowly, as if knowing what she was going to see. And there it was, right under the canopy.

Laia... in Yahmir’s arms.

Emaan gasped. “Oh my...”

Laia shrieked as they heard her and sprang apart. “Never heard of knocking?

“It’s an open space, you harpy!” Emaan snapped.

Yahmir’s eyes met Qurbat’s, whose face had turned to speak. Qurbat! I... listen to me...”

“Oh my GOD, is this what I think it is?” Spoke Emaan, heR hand shooting up to cover her mouth.

Qurbat blinked slowly. “Yahmir, what were you doing?”

Yahmir stepped forward, reaching out his hands to hold Qurbat by the shoulders. Qurbat, I... I want to tell you something but you need to calm down first, alright? Come, sit down...”

She stepped back. “What were you doing?”

Yahmir swallowed. “Qurbat...”

“He is having an affair with Laia, Qurbat,” Huma responded coldly from behind her.

Qurbat turned slightly to look back at Huma. “You knew?”

Huma hesitated for a moment, then spoke, “I... I well I was suspicious and I didn’t’ want to speak without proof.”

Yahmir was visibly offended by Huma’s description of what was happening. “Qurbat, we are not having an affair. it’s just, we... we have gotten close in the past year...”

“Close?” Qurbat interrupted, raising her eyebrows. Her eyes were empty.

Yahmir swallowed, “Yes... I... we like each other and...”

Huma glanced at Qurbat. There was no anger on her face, just... coldness. “For how long have you been betraying me?” She questioned.

“Qurbat, I didn’t betray you,” Yahmir groaned, frowning. “There was never anything to begin with. The match was arranged by our parents...”

Laia placed a hand on his shoulder, appearing from behind him. “Don’t argue with her. Just let her be.”

Qurbat’s eyes widened with rage. It was the first time since the revelation that she had shown any expressions. “How dare you speak you wench!” She reached out her arm to grab Laia but Yahmir held her hand. Laia shrieked, inching away from them.

“Enough Qurbat!” Yahmir yelled in her face. “What is wrong with you? Why are you always attacking her? What has she ever done to deserve this? She is your little sister! Would it kill you to treat her kindly?” Ah yes. Yahmir had always believed Qurbat had treated Laia coldly, always insisting that they be closer. It all made sense now.

Qurbat glared at him, prying her wrist free. “What has she done? She has been sneaking around with my fiance! She stole...”

“She didn’t steal anyone, Qurbat!” Yahmir yelled back desperately. “I love her! I want to be with her! For Lord’s sake, we were eight when we got engaged. It isn’t that deep!”

“It isn’t that deep? We are getting married in a week!”

Emaan shook her head in disgust, looking at Huma from the corner of eye who was equally disgusted.

Hearing that, his anger subsided a bit and he looked visibly embarrassed. “I know... I... I should have ended things already. But... but this is good too right? We aren’t married yet and...” Before he could finish, Qurbat reached forward her hands, grabbing the collars of his navy blue tunic coat.

Laia lunged forward. Not daring to touch Qurbat, she held on to Yahmir instead. “Have you went mad? Let go of him!”

“You son of a thousand whores,” Qurbat hissed through clenched teeth. “I’ll destroy you. I’ll make sure you can’t even hide in your grave!”

Yahmir looked back in surprise. “Qurbat...”

“Yahmir, don’t argue with her!” Laia cried out, shaking him. “There’s nothing she can do about this anyways! Just talk to father, I am sure he’ll allow us to...”

Qurbat’s eyes shot to the side to look at Laia who paused as their eyes met. Instantaneously, she freed her right hand in an attempt to grab Laia again. “Stop speaking you shameless...”

“What is this ruckus?” A voice behind them called out. Everybody turned in it’s direction. And there she was, Qurbat’s mother.

“Mother...” Laia squealed, her face morphing into an innocent expression.

Emaan stepped forward, attempting to explain. “Madam, we were walking to Qurbat’s room and...”

“I wasn’t asking you,” Bakhtawar Begum snapped. Emaan went quite, exchanging a glance with Huma.

Qurbat swallowed down before shutting her eyes and answering, “I caught Laia and Yahmir together. He has betraying me this whole time.” Laia rolled her eyes and Yahmir let out a breath of exasperation.

Bakhtawar Begum raised her brows, looking over at Yahmir and Laia. Then, she spoke, “Yahmir, come to the main hall.”

The lack of anger in her mother’s voice shocked Qurbat. She blinked in confusion. “What...”

“Now,” Bakhtawar Begum interrupted firmly before turning away and leaving.