Noor's pov:

"What?" Aliyah screamed through the phone. I expected her reaction to be like this but it still surprised me. I don't know how. 

"So you agreed?" she asks in disbelief and disappointment. I told her and the others I wasn't going to agree to it and she was the one who supported my decision more than the others.

Flashback to a week ago*

"My parents set up a meet-up with this random family next week," I say after everyone joined the group call.

"What?" Karya shouts out

"Why?" Aliyah says right after.

"Huh?" Nafisa speaks. 

I knew their reaction would be something like this. 

"They set me up. I told you they kept pestering me to find a guy so I told them to find one for me, right? I thought they'd stop annoying me. They did, and in return actually set me up! Our family is going to meet his family next week for the final decision."

"You will have a say right?" Aliyah asks.

"Yes, and I'll say no. No matter who it is. There is no way I'm getting married." I answer.

"Isn't that a bit too harsh?" Nafisa says hesitantly.

"Yeah, you should see first and then say no. I'd obviously support you but still, no hurt in getting married." Karya continues what Nafisa started.

"But she still has a dream to achieve! What if they don't let her?" Aliyah asks Karya. It was true. I still haven't achieved my dream yet. I was getting close to it though.

"They might. She should see first, not make up her mind without even knowing the guy." Nafisa says.

"Okay, but you're still on the 'no' side right?" Aliyah asks me and I nod.

Flashback ends*

"Yes, I'll explain the rest later. Meet me at the cafe at 7." I say before she starts arguing with someone on that side and then hangs up. 

I text Nafisa about it as she just got a new job recently and it might look bad if she is on her phone. Then I call Karya and share the news.

"Told you! You should've stayed open-minded from the start! What did Aliyah say?" Karya says. She knew Aliyah well, more than me and Nafisa. 

"She asked what happened and why I said yes. I told her to meet me at the cafe at 7. You come as well. I texted Nafisa as well. I'll tell you the rest during the meetup." 

Karya hangs up after.

I sit on my bed and start picturing everything that happened today.

Flashback to earlier*

"Quick Noor. Let's go!" Nazia pulled me out the door where everyone was waiting in the car. I didn't want to go into a set-up. No offence but I don't trust my family's taste in men. If my friends chose the guy then I'd say yes without even looking at his picture.

We reach the restaurant and see the guy's family was already there. Our family sits opposite theirs. Me in the middle. I was looking down the whole time so I didn't see anyone's face yet. The family breaks into chit-chats about how they'd love to be together as one. 

Nazia nudges me. "If you don't look up then Ma would not even consider your decision. She'll say you didn't even see him," she mutters so only I could hear. 

I look up to see the most handsome man in the world in front of me. In the world would be an underestimate. The most handsome man in the universe was sitting in front of me. I can't believe this. Am I really falling for him already? How am I going to say 'no' now? 

"Let's have the to-be couple have a conversation in private before they make their decision." One of the women, who I guess is his mother, says. 

"His name is Aariz by the way. Don't think you heard that." Nazia whispers to me before I get up. Aariz was already up and walking to a corner where no one else was. I follow him to the corner.

"My answer is already yes," he says, making me smile. "I-" I was saying it was a yes from me as well but he cuts me off. "Don't overthink Miss... I don't even know your name," he says in irritation.

"Noor" 

"Miss Noor, don't overthink. I'm only saying yes as I owe a favour to my family. If you marry me, I'll take care of you and respect you. But you'll always be a responsibility, not my wife." he says shattering all my dreams.

"If you dream about living like a princess with her prince, then I suggest you say no." He starts leaving. What confuses me is that he leaves the restaurant. 

I start walking up to my family when I hear them talking about the deal they plan to sign with the Raihans. I walk back and sit in my position after listening a bit. 

"You are here. Aariz left didn't he? He had important work to do so he left. But before talking he told me it was a yes from him." his mum speaks up right after I sit. 

"So it is a yes from our side, what do you think?" Aariz's father says

"What are your thoughts Noor?" Ma whispers to me. "We all think he is a lovely guy and you two would suit very well," Dad whispers from behind.

"I agree," I say out loud. 

Both families were very excited and started discussing about shopping and wedding preparations.

Flashback ends*

Nafisa texts me back.

'Just like I expected. Bet Aliyah was surprised'

'Okay C ya!'

There was a knock on the door. Nadia enters a few seconds later. "Ma told me to tell you the engagement is next week. She wanted you to be mentally prepared." she leaves.

Next Week? Oh My God!

Thank you for reading<3