Once she left, he muttered to himself, "Irony... weren't you always against Muslims? What a sudden change... Iliana's presence is making me feel weak. I still don't prefer her religion, but as a person, she's just enchanting... my green chameleon. You've made my heart race... wait!!JUNGKOOK, STOP! You need to enjoy your youth . Stop thinking about Iliana all the time!" He sighed heavily, shaking off his thoughts, determination building within him as he grabbed his keys.
He climbed into his car, the engine humming to life as he set off, a swirl of emotions coursing through him. The drive felt both exhilarating and nerve-wracking, anticipation bubbling in his chest. Finally, he arrived at Iliana's house, ready to embrace the evening ahead, hoping to navigate the complexities of his feelings amidst the festivities.
He called out, "Green chameleon, come on! We're going to be late!"
Iliana shot back, "Just a minute, hold on!" As she moved around the room, she turned to Zahra and said, "Zahra, we'll be going in Jungkook's car. His mom called me yesterday and said he'd pick us up, okay?"
Zahra nodded, and then Iliana continued, "And Ayaan, you'll drive your own car, right?"
Ayaan nodded in agreement, but curiosity sparked in his eyes. "Who is Jungkook?" he asked, trying to gauge the situation.
Iliana replied casually, "I'm collaborating with him."
"Oh, okay, sister," Ayaan said, rolling his eyes slightly, but inside he thought, "I'm definitely going to find out who this Jungkook is soon..."
The air was filled with a mix of excitement and intrigue as they prepared for the evening ahead.
Zahra and Iliana made their way downstairs and opened the door, and in that moment, Jungkook seemed to lose his train of thought. His eyes traveled over Iliana from head to toe, leaving him momentarily speechless. His lips felt dry, and as he bit them nervously, he whispered to himself, "What should I call you? 'Beautiful' feels so inadequate. I'd need an entire book to express just how stunning you look today."
Shaking off his thoughts, Jungkook opened the door for Zahra, who murmured a soft "thanks" as she stepped inside. Then he turned to Iliana and asked, "Iliana, if someone is exceptionally pretty, and you want to protect them from evil eyes, what do you do for that in islam?"
Iliana was slightly taken aback by the unexpected question. "We say MashaAllah," she replied, her brow furrowing in confusion.
Jungkook looked down, a hint of shyness creeping in. "You are looking... MashaAllah," he said softly.
Iliana felt a rush of surprise, her heart racing as she looked down, caught off guard by his compliment. Quickly, she decided to steer the conversation in a different direction. "Alright, let's go, Archaeopteryx. Honestly, you look like Jin just rolled out of bed or maybe even a turtle," she teased, her sarcasm playful.
Jungkook rolled his eyes but couldn't help but smile. "I was just joking! You look like a pink chameleon today, though," he shot back, a grin on his face.
Iliana gave him a bewildered look as she climbed into the car, muttering "Bismillah" under her breath, ready for their next adventure.
Iliana found herself lost in her thoughts, gazing at Jungkook. "You look incredibly elegant today, MashaAllah. You're just so charming! This outfit really showcases your aura," she whispered to herself, feeling a flutter of admiration.
Suddenly, she closed her eyes, shaking her head slightly. "Astagfirullah, Iliana, what are you saying? He is na mahram. How many times do you need to remind yourself of this?" The internal conflict stirred within her, a mix of admiration and the need to adhere to her values. She took a deep breath, trying to refocus her thoughts and maintain her composure in the moment.
Jungkook drove Zahra and Iliana to the marriage hall, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. Esra had already arrived with Zeeshan, his dad, and Syed Ahmed. As they approached the entrance, a stunning sign caught their attention: "Syed Zahra weds Zeeshan Abdullah" written in an elegant font that added a touch of charm to the occasion.
Once they stepped inside, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation, and applause erupted as the guests welcomed the bride and her party. Zahra let out a soft chuckle, her nerves easing, while Iliana's smile radiated happiness. Zeeshan stood at the front, his eyes fixed on Zahra, waiting eagerly for her arrival, with the Imam poised to begin the ceremony. Just then, Ayaan strolled in from the back, his voice ringing out, "Assalamualaikum to everyone!"
Iliana quickly introduced Ayaan to the group, including Jungkook, who couldn't help but feel a surge of annoyance at Ayaan's presence. "So, you're her brother," Jungkook said, extending his hand, trying to keep his tone neutral. Ayaan shook his hand and nodded, but Jungkook's mind was racing. He noticed Ayaan standing too close to Iliana, who was smiling at him like he was the only one in the room. Jungkook couldn't help but roll his eyes, frustration bubbling beneath the surface as he watched their interaction, wishing he could shake off the feeling of jealousy creeping in.
Esra beamed at Zahra and Iliana, saying, "You both look absolutely stunning!" As she wrapped her arms around them in a warm hug, laughter filled the air. Her genuine compliment brought bright smiles to their faces, and the three friends shared a joyful moment together, radiating happiness and camaraderie. Esra's playful spirit added to the delightful atmosphere, making the occasion even more special.
Asma entered the hall, her long, shiny yellow dress shimmering brilliantly in the light, catching everyone's attention.