Zoya’s P.O.V
The day of the ceremony finally arrived, and I was feeling anything but excited.
My stomach churned with unease, and I found myself rushing to the bathroom to vomit once again.
I tried to dismiss it once again, thinking it was just pre-wedding ceremony jitters, but the queasiness persisted.
Hoping it would pass, I continued to get ready, applying makeup and styling my hair, trying to focus on the day ahead.
But the sickness wouldn't relent. A sudden rush of dizziness overwhelmed me again, and I found myself rushing to the bathroom once more, as if the acid that had risen up earlier hadn't actually come down and had more to give to the toilet.
As I knelt in front of the toilet bowl, I couldn't help but feel frustrated and worried.
It wasn't the first time I had experienced these bouts of nausea, but it always seemed to come at the most inconvenient moments.
I was beginning to think that it was actually more than just jitters and nerves. I was a doctor after all, so I could diagnose my own symptoms. But still, I tried to dismiss the possibilities, because the idea seemed almost impossible to me.
I took a few deep breaths, trying to steady myself. I didn't want Ezra to worry about me, especially on such an important day.
As much as I wanted to share everything with him, I also wanted to be strong and independent. He had been my rock through so much, and I didn't want to burden him with my health concerns.
With a sigh, I splashed some water on my face and tried to compose myself. I didn't want to be late for the wedding, and I knew I had to put on a brave face. So, I pushed aside my discomfort and nausea, trying to ignore the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.
As I stepped out of the bathroom, I had to once again reapply the makeup that I had just washed away thanks to my acid refluxes. I was glad that I hadn't yet put on the dress because I just had it delivered to my doorstep last night all the way from the city and I didn’t want to ruin the $6000 traditional lahenga by having vomit all over it.
It was a pink number with gorgeous golden embroidery all over that made it shimmer in the darkness. Ezra had wanted me to try it on last night, saying that he wanted to make sure that the size was alright, but I knew they were all excuses so he could watch me put it on.
As much as I loved him for being so supportive and appreciating my culture, I also wanted to surprise him with it this afternoon when he finally came to visit me.
Finally, when my makeup was done, my smoky eyes looked perfect and my lips looked plump in the pinkish nude shade of lip-color that I had decided to go with rather than red, I took my lahenga out of the box it had come in and set it on my bed piece by piece.
It was breathtakingly gorgeous and I couldn’t wait to get into it. However, my time for admiring my dress was cut short soon enough.
A knock on the front door told me that someone hadn't been able to hold their excitement any longer and had arrived before time. So, I put on a smile and greeted Ezra at the door, who was waiting for me with that familiar look of love and admiration in his eyes.
However, as soon as his eyes landed on me, they nearly bulged out of his sockets.
"Holy mother of the Moon Goddess! You look absolutely stunning!" Ezra said, leaning against the doorway in a dramatic fashion, as if being flabbergasted by my beauty.
Blushing, I glanced at him through my lashed. "Thanks, but I'm not even done yet," I replied, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. It was the day of the wedding, and I wanted everything to be perfect, or else I'd get so much shit for ruining everything for Tania.
Ezra walked over to me and gently took my hand in his before kissing the back of my palms. "You're look this beautiful and you say this isn’t the finished look yet?" He asked in astonishment. "I’m afraid to let you out once you’re finally done.”
If possible, I blushed harder. “It’s just the makeup…”
“Nonsense. You are gorgeous, Zoya,” his fingers lightly grazed my cheeks, making me look up into his earnest eyes. “With and without makeup. I just wanted you to know that."
His sweet words made my heart skip a beat, and I couldn't help but smile at him. "You always know how to make me feel special.”
It was all the more reason why I didn't want to worry him.
"Because you are special," he replied, his gaze never leaving mine. "To me, you're the most beautiful woman in the world."
Oh, come on. I was feeling giddy all over, my nerves dissipating due to his comforting presence. I felt a surge of affection for this amazing man standing before me. I leaned in and gave him a soft kiss, cherishing the tenderness of the moment.
"I love you," he whispered against my lips, and I knew those three words held a world of meaning.
"I love you too," I murmured, my heart overflowing with love for this man who had become my rock and my anchor.
As I invited Ezra inside, I continued to get ready by styling my hair into an updo and then draping a garland of fresh flowers on the side to complete the look. Ezra helped me place pin the flowers to the bun so that they stayed in place. His fingers gentle and skilled, as they worked their magic.
Once everything was done, I looked at myself in the mirror, feeling satisfied with the result.
But it wasn't the reflection that mattered most; it was the love and pride I saw in Ezra's eyes that truly made me feel beautiful.
He pulled me into a warm embrace, and despite myself, I couldn't resist kissing him again, cherishing the affectionate moment.
"Alright, enough of that," I said, playfully pushing him away. "I need put on my dress now."