५.

The Rani Maa decides it's time for the sagaai* when she walks in to Liam sleeping in Zayn's bed.

Liam's head on Zayn's chest.

Liam's legs tangled in Zayn's legs.

Liam's hair under Zayn's nose.

Liam's body intertwined with Zayn's lips.

Zayn loves the idea. He wants to officially declare Liam as his as soon as possible. A grand, regal sagaai is the best way to announce that Liam is his.

Liam (albeit) has stopped kissing Harry, is against the whole "sagaai" idea. Liam and Harry still hang out together, affectionately messing around.

On the night of the sagaai rehearsal, Liam is nowhere to be found.

Zayn rides out into the night, looking around frantically, questioning commoners.

He spends so much time worrying about his jaaneman, when all the while Liam is with Harry.

‡

Liam's sitting on the ledge of the town's infamous marble fountain, staring into the water with wide eyes. He's moving his hand through the gentle waves looking mesmerised.

Small circles glittering idly in the moonlight melt into one big track of light as Liam's fingers dance through the serene water.

Harry's sitting behind him, front to back, watching Liam, (Zayn's Liam), admiringly.

He presses his lips to the nape of Liam's neck and Liam shivers under his touch.

'Chaand' Harry hums, walking two fingers up Liam's spine. The older brunet leans into his touch, and Harry smirks softly.

'Harry' Liam whispers, closing his eyes as he arches his neck.

'Before you leave for that ameer kuthha** - could you give me a tohfa***?' Harry's lips go to Liam's neck; kiss, bite, suck.

Liam turns to face Harry, and raises his hands to Harry's face. He threads his fingertips through Harry's curls and smiles earnestly at the latter.

'Anything for you, rooh¢'

‡

Sagaai ka din.¢¢

Liam is glowing; a sheen of rose high up on his cheeks. He's wearing these beautiful indigo robes, thin silk ribbons lining the velvety material.

The Emir, on the other hand, showcases his lean yet strong frame in regal violet robes, designed intricately, lined with only the finest gold thread.

They stroll into the decorated darbaar, hand in hand, and the room bursts into applause, every single guest smiling fondly.

Of course, Louis in all his pompousness cheers loudly and climbs on a chair, before whooping and grinning like a madman.

A gorgeous young woman sings kawaalis¢¢¢ and shaayaris^ about everlasting love and beauty along with her group and Zayn feels so proud to show off his fiancé like this.

Liam falls into conversation with Zayn's relatives immediately, and within minutes the pack are already joking about the Emir with secretive whispers and twinkling eyes.

The more the Emir watches Liam throughout the evening, the more fond he becomes of the brunet.

This is the most time they've spent together at once.

He memorises the way Liam clutches on to his arm like a lifeline. The way he raises one eyebrow at something weird and grins crinkly-eyed at something funny. The way he skillfully handles Zoha (Doniya's baby daughter) when she starts crying. The way he apologises to a little girl servant who has to wipe up the port wine he spilt. The way he shyly tangles his leg with the Emir's and looks down to the ground with a smile when someone brings up their "relationship".

The way he kisses Zayn; sweetly and gently and filled with more meaning than any love Zayn has made.

The actual ceremony is heartwarming. Liam and the Emir are seated on identical silk cushions, facing each other with shy smiles and wandering eyes.

The guests are surrounding them haphazardly, and a Pandit is reciting some sort of mantra, occasionally turning to them and asking them something.

It takes forever.

Liam's eyes droop at some point and Zayn notices, reaches forward and slyly pinches Liam's thigh.

The latter jolts and looks round sleepily, before landing his eyes on Zayn and smiling sheepishly.

Zayn is endeared.

When the Pandit is finally done, the pair stand up and two young girls rush to their sides with cushions, one single ring perched on each one.

Liam shyly slips a simple golden wedding ring on to the Emir's finger.

He gasps loudly when the Emir gets on one knee and slips on a golden band, studded with the most beautiful of diamonds, on to Liam's finger.

At some point, with half a bottle worth's 1834 port wine flowing through his veins, the guests force the Emir up on the platform to sing something for them (and Liam).

Zayn giggles nervously and looks around at the expectant guests; tightens his grip around the stem of his champagne flute.

Allah.

He hums lowly in his throat, voice trembling as he starts off the song.

Liam is watching now, head cocked to one side, a curious smile on his face. Louis' with him, looking like he's prepared to be unimpressed already.

Zayn gulps, closes his eyes and slowly opens his mouth to sing.

'Jab tak, iss mohabat kaa phool naa khile^^'

He opens his eyes and looks straight at Liam, already blushing uncomfortably.

Louis looks slightly less judgemental than earlier.

'Tab tak iss dil ko, sukoon na mile^^^' he pauses for a breath, purposely ignoring Liam who now looks like a kicked puppy, wearing his martyred expression.

The Emir can almost imagine what he's thinking; oh I don't like him that way though; oh I hope what he's singing isn't true; oh but this love will never blossom.

He shakes off such negativity and closes his eyes, continuing.

'Dil de, mujhe°' his voice fades into pleasant nothingness before he starts singing again, lower and softer this time.

'Dil de'

The crowd starts clapping as he finishes, accompanied by a few drunken wolf whistles.

Liam is quickly rushing out of the room with Harry following close behind.

The Emir sighs to himself, but smiles bravely when people greet him with compliments as he descends the stage.

He will definitely win Liam over.

‡

* Sagaai means engagement.

** Ameer kuthha - it's an insult and literally translates to rich dog. In lots of cultures, calling someone a dog is hugely offensive.

*** Tohfa - a gift.

¢ rooh - literally spirit or soul. An endearment - as in 'tum mere rooh ho' or 'You are my soul'.

¢¢ sagaai ka din - literally "the day of the engagement"

¢¢¢ kawaali - a style of Muslim (generally devotional) music. However nowadays it has been modernised to describe sagas of love, tragedy, etc.

^shaayari - a Hindi/Urdu poem. Usually 3 or 4 lines. In some cases, the first line is repeated to make the poem 4 lines long.

^^Jab tak, iss mohabat kaa phool naa khile - a lyric from "fLoWeR: INTERMISSION" by Zayn. Literally means: til this flower of love has not blossomed

^^^Tab tak iss dil ko, sukoon na mile - another lyric from "fLoWeR: INTERMISSION" by Zayn. Literally means: until then this heart won't be at peace / will be restless.

°Dil de Mujhe - yet another lyric from "fLoWeR: INTERMISSION" by Zayn. Literally means: give me [your] heart

This fic is rapidly getting popular here and I'm so proud omg. I hope you are enjoying this form of writing, and hopefully this era and its mannerisms aren't too confusing. The main focus of this story is obviously Zayn and Liam's relationship💕💫