“But just saying it is not enough,” I interrupted. “You have to show her you support her. Like give her a whole house to decorate, not just a bedroom. You know what I mean?”

“Uh . . .”

“She needs someone who’s going to stand beside her, not on top of her.”

He scratched his head.

“Basically, Haroon, what I mean to say is you’re a good-looking guy—I mean, you were cute and all in the photo, but in real life, whoa! You’re even better than I anticipated—”

He tilted his head and gave me a sideways smile.

“—but a relationship is more than just charmingly good looks. You need to be more than that. You have to be the type of husband who is deserving of a girl like Meena.” I drew in a deep breath before I continued. “Anyways, that’s all I wanted to say. Congratulations again.” I smiled.

He stood silent for a moment as if processing everything I had just said. He finally opened his mouth, but before he could respond, Jamila aunty walked into the room.

“Beta!” she exclaimed with her arms outstretched. She walked over and gave him a warm embrace.

“As’salaamu Alaikum, aunty,” he said, still scratching his head.

“And Leila, you are finally up?” she said, glancing at the clock. It was 9:32. Much earlier than I normally woke up during the summer. I was pleased with myself. “I see that the two of you have already met.” She smiled at us. “Leila, this is Hisham, Haroon’s twin brother.”

Hisham? His twin bro—

“I’m sorry . . . what?” I stammered, confused.

Hisham looked at me with an amused smile.

“Hisham has just stopped by to pick up a few things for the mehendi ceremony tonight.”

I wrapped my robe around me tightly, suddenly feeling very aware of the fact that I was in my pajamas. This isn’t Haroon? My cheeks burned with humiliation. Why didn’t he stop me? How could he just let me go on and on like that, yammering away about Meena?

“Yes, aunty ji, I was just here to pick up Haroon’s outfit and to find out what time his party should arrive.”

I stood there awkwardly while the two of them discussed details. Did I really tell him that I thought he was even better-looking than I anticipated? I glanced at the hallway, wondering how quickly I could make myself disappear.

“And Meena? Is she around? Haroon wanted me to give her this.” He pulled out a blue velvet box. “It is a small gift for her to wear for the ceremony tonight.”

“Leila’s mother has taken her to the beauty parlor to get ready,” Jamila aunty said. “But Leila, beti, why don’t you hold on to it and you can give it to her when she returns.”

“Huh?” I said, my eyes still glued to the hallway.

Hisham smiled and placed the small box in my hand. “Thank you, Leila,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.