Six Years LaterHazel POV:In a vast Santorini sky, the sun's rays beam down upon a joyful occasion. The balmy breeze was laden with the scent of wildflowers. A gentle melody of an orchestra intermingles with sophisticated murmurs of the stylishly garbed guests, seated at tables adorned by sumptuous feasts.It is the wedding day of Serge and Katie.On a raised platform, the well-dressed groom eagerly awaits his bride to walk down the aisle. Next to him stood Bilal and the ever-reserved appearing Grigori and Huxley.As bridesmaids, Rachael, Rebecca, Bev, Arielle, and I, stood on the right of the altar's platform. The five of us, assembled in similarly lavish magenta-hued bridesmaid gowns. Except for the hijab on my head."I had always thought Aunt Katie and uncle Serge would make a great couple." Arielle's remark's fond to the rest of us. "Finally today they are getting married!""It took them long enough!" Bev snorts next to me, shaking her head. "Katie really shįt tested Serge every s
WARNING: This is not a cliche Mafia Multibillionaire romance, there is a lot of dark angst involved and slow burn. ______HAZEL -I became engulfed in the darkness of a cruel world for the past four months. Since my mother was snatched away from us in a terrible car collision. Having no place to go, my elder married sister Leila refused to bear responsibility for me and our eleven-year-old little brother Bilal. She herself was married to a selfish imam who dissuaded her from sheltering us at their home.My mother was my comfort and shield, composed of truly devotional motherly traits which were stripped away from us. Leaving Bilal and me unprotected and vulnerable. Fast forward four months since her passing on to the next life, Bilal and I are dwelling now with our estranged father whom we refer to as baba, including his nightmarish second wife and their three kids.Baba and his wife, Naheed are already planning to marry me off to a total stranger. My groom-to-be is the son of Naheed'
"Sorry you're not familiar" I shook my head in rapid decline. Upon hearing this, his smile nearly vanishes for a split."I work as a fashion editor for Aussie Fab magazine, I have my own clothing line for tweens and teens." He provides a quick introduction."Oh, um.." I search for the words to respond with, uncomprehending why he'd approach me.Without wasting another second, he elaborates why. "The reason I asked you for your age is that one of the girls I hired for my brief fashion show before the pageant begins, has bailed out on me today! So I am wondering if you could fill in the gap?"What?!I stare at him in unmasked alarm. Does he not see the simple hijab on my head indicating clearly that I'm a Muslim girl? Has he not noticed my overall modest yet plain attire of mine? I don't even look remotely fashionable."My name is Hazel.." I laugh nervously, indicating the obvious as I touch my hijab. "Eighteen and a Muslim!""Yes, it's one of the reasons why I'm asking you" He beams, co
HAZEL -From my vantage, I could sense that something seems out of order. I wish to halt that man from taking her away but it could just be her father. My family always made it clear to stay out of people's businesses on the streets. So I just watch as they exit the gymnasium."Arielle!?"Within a few seconds, the two girls Katie and Bev rush out of their cubicle. They look around frantically. "Arielle!"Where are you?!"Uh oh, My suspicions proved right! Bev approaches me. "Hey excuse me? Have you seen a little red-haired girl about seven years old, this height with a black frock?" Her voice trembling and her eyes wild with concern."Oh my God, Rachael will kill me," Katie shouts over as she worriedly scans the crowd. "Where the hell is that brat?!""I saw that little girl! A man dressed in a black suit with shades was taking her away through those exits." I point quickly toward the exits and without a second thought -start rushing toward them hurriedly along with the two girls in tow
We finally reach the safety of the recreation center and the throngs of excited people. Suddenly, Arielle pulled away from my back."Arielle Marie Doucette! How many times did we tell you to not go wandering around without us ?!" Katie shakes the child angrily before clasping her into an embrace. "Thank God you're safe! You nearly got me into trouble!""Thank you so much !" Bev takes hold of my hands. "Thank you so, so much for returning the Lil rascal to us.""Don't thank me, all thanks is to God." I pant, trying to catch my breath, my figure still trembling. "I think you should definitely alert the police, some strange man with a gun had her in his possession!"Immediately the two girls' faces paled in apparent fear. "No, don't call the police !" They both declare in unison. I give them a questioning look of exasperation."Katie, I told you we should have gotten Serge and Grigori to accompany us! But you wouldn't listen !" Bev frantically paces back and forth. "This wouldn't have ha
HAZEL -"Hazel darling, just please relax." Leila squeezes my hand reassuringly as a bright flash nearly blinds me.The cameraman is at it again, Hasn't he already snapped enough pics of me from this angle? We are reclining on a silk couch atop a one-foot-tall mini-stage. It's my wedding day. It is almost over and the nikkah ceremony has been completed. I'm officially Mrs. Hazel Imran Mirza."How can I when everyone is looking at me !?" I whisper tensely as my gaze sweeps over the attendants in the banquet hall. All of Baba's (dad's) and Mirza's relatives and friends are reclining on plush seats at round tables laden with food and drink.It was a decent banquet hall, simple yet elegant, and paid for by Mr. Anwar Mirza since he insisted that his one and only son was to be married. I catch sight of my reflection in the compact mirror Leila briefly holds out to me. I looked pretty for my wedding. I had many of my mother's features.I was inwardly grateful to have inherited her features. F
Her smile vanishes at the mention of her younger sister's name. She reluctantly answers. "Katie..she was discharged from the hospital Saturday morning...thank you for asking."I was intrigued to further question her regarding the shooting incident. Yet her discomfort at discussing this causes me to refrain from delving anymore.Mr. Mirza cuts the uncomfortable atmosphere short. "Rachael, if you ever have time to spare, I'd like you to acquaint Hazel with the tour of Griffith. ""Oh yes of course. Rachael affirms, She then rummages through her purse and draws out a card, and hands it to me. "You just ring me up to let me know and I'd be happy to schedule a tour for you."I thank her with a lack of enthusiasm and slip the card into my red embroidered clutch. I saw no reason for me to attend college anymore. I had attempted to pick college as an excuse to hinder an arranged marriage which ended up occurring anyway."Rachael, debriefing in twenty minutes." Grigori ends up interrupting ster
Hazel -the table I sit at is laden with halal east Asian food. it's my favorite cuisine. mister mirza was kind enough to have asked me beforehand to create a menu selection of the food I'd prefer to be served.I was looking forward to eating up until the handshake incident. my appetite was gone and my anger was now replaced by glumness as I relapsed into my thoughts."come on! at least break this big fortune cookie the waiter must have brought in for you !" Leila's voice disconnects me from my brooding daydream.I peer down and spot a fortune cookie the size of a lemon sitting on my plate. I hadn't even realized when the waiter had brought this in since I was so lost in thought."how come I didn't get one ?" Bilal whines."hazel is the bride, I think only the bride and groom get one." Leila assumes."believing in fortune cookies is forbidden," I state disinterestedly.Leila chuckles. "no one is telling you to believe in it, just break the cookie and read it for fun!"heaving a solemn