Clara had lost her mind.
The second the call ended, she opened:
Canva
Her Pinterest Wedding board from 2019
and a group chat titled: "Operation LockDown Malik"
Mara had NO idea what was coming.
.....
Two Days Later ..
Mara was at work, minding her business.
Malik had been unusually smug all morning.
"You're sure you don't have plans tonight?" he asked, barely hiding a grin.
"No, just a date with Netflix and my bonnet," she replied.
He smirked.
She was suspicious.
...
Mara's Apartment
The lights were off.
The door creaked open.
"SURPRIIIIIIISEEEEEEE!!!"
Mara froze in the doorway, heels in hand, bag slipping off her shoulder.
Confetti everywhere.
Balloons with "Future Mrs. Haidar" floating.
Clara holding a mic.
Finn holding CAKE.
"What the—WHAT IS THIS?"
Clara: "Your engagement party, duh!"
"I didn't agree to a party!!"
"Sweetie you lost voting rights when he slipped a ring on your finger."
"Claraa..."
"Shut up and wear this bride-to-be sash before I cry."
...
There was dancing.
There were games.
Someone brought a slideshow of Mara's most unhinged moments.
Malik showed up halfway, kissed her like she was air, and whispered:
"Your friends terrify me."
She whispered back:
"You haven't even met Clara's mother."
....
It was loud.
It was chaotic.
It was perfect.
Mara laughed so hard she couldn't breathe.
And in the middle of the madness....
She looked around at the faces that loved her.
At the man who chose her.
And thought:
"This is what home feels like."
....
Malik's POV
He was never good with emotions.
Malik had mastered silence.
Mastered strategy.
Mastered every ruthless business deal thrown his way.
But love?
Love stripped him bare.
...
She was at the engagement party Clara threw.
She didn't know he was standing by the door, watching.
Didn't know how his heart ached when she laughed like that.
Didn't know how beautiful she looked; barefoot, cheeks flushed, a sash hanging crooked across her.
"Future Mrs. Haidar."
His throat closed.
He turned and walked out quietly.
Called the one man who'd understand.
"Baba?"
"Malik? You sound… off. Are you alright?"
He cleared his throat.
"I proposed to Mara."
Silence.
"She said yes."
More silence.
"And I.. I can't breathe. It's like everything I built… was always leading here."
His father chuckled softly.
"That's called peace, son. And fear. The beautiful kind."
"What if I mess it up? What if she wakes up and realizes she deserves someone softer?"
"Then you love her louder. And you remind her every day that she's the only thing you've ever gotten right."
Malik sank into the leather seat of his car, eyes burning.
.....
He got home late that night.
Quietly slipped in.
She was on the couch, fast asleep, cake on the table, phone in her hand.
Probably arguing with Clara over bridal dresses.
He knelt beside her.
Just… watched her breathe.
"Mara Daniels," he whispered, brushing a curl from her face,
"You're the only war I've ever wanted to lose."