“You probably can’t wait for it to be over!”

“Oh, yes. We have already decided for Hisham’s wedding, we will not go this extravagant.”

“No, no. Of course not. The expectations are much higher for the first child’s wedding.”

The saleswoman handed us our bag, and the four of us exited the store, walking onto the bustling sidewalk outside. Shabana aunty and my mother continued chattering away while Hisham and I trailed a few steps behind.

“Looks like they’re already planning your wedding, huh?” I gave Hisham a playful nudge. He shot me an embarrassed look and shrugged. I laughed.

“And it is much more work for a daughter! All the clothes and the jewelry.” Shabana aunty shook her head. “Ya Allah. I don’t envy your position, Nida.”

“Trust me, I would happily shop for jewelry and clothes if it meant my daughter was getting married.” My mother glowered disappointingly in my direction.

“It will happen in its own time, Nida.”

“That’s the problem. With Leila, I’m afraid that time will never come!”

I could feel my face burning.

When we finally reached the corner, Shabana aunty turned toward Hisham. “Beta, will you pick up the sweets from the shop, and I will wait for you here?” she asked, fanning herself in the afternoon sun. “I am feeling very tired all of a sudden.”

“Come, Shabana, let us take you home,” my mother offered, pointing to Sahil’s car parked across the street. “You should take some rest. We will give you a ride back.”

“No, no.” Shabana aunty waved her hand. “There is so much left to do. I will just take a break for a few minutes.”

“Aunty is right, Ammi. You should go back.” Hisham placed the bags in her hand. “Just let me know what still needs to be done, and I can take care of it while you go home and rest.”

My mother looked at Hisham with a satisfied smile. She loved when others agreed with her.

“Beta, there are three different sweets shops you must go to, and a long list of others. How will you manage alone?”

“Leila will accompany him.” My mother pushed me forward. “If there is anything Leila knows, it is her way around a sweets shop.”

I looked down at the ground, wishing a sinkhole would magically appear and swallow me whole.

Shabana aunty hesitated, but after a few moments finally acquiesced. “Okay, I will come with you, Nida,” she said, nodding. My mother grabbed her arm and we watched the two of them cross the busy intersection and climb into Sahil’s parked Suzuki as he tried to fit all their shopping bags into the small trunk. The sound of thunder rumbled in the distance.

* * *

“Shall we?” Hisham said, motioning his arm forward. I followed his lead, still feeling deflated from my morning with my mother.

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah,” I mumbled, my mood reflecting the dark gray clouds forming overhead.

“Wedding pressures getting to you?” he said half-jokingly.