New Beginnings: A Modern Reimagining of Pride and Prejudice

By Khairun Atika Kamsan

A wedding could be a happy ending for some or simply a new beginning for others. While celebrating their cousin’s wedding, sisters Julia and Alisa encounters two different men who are about to turn their worlds upside down. Julia finds herself instantly attracted to accomplished young law graduate Bazli Sulaiman, while Alisa finds herself instantly repulsed by his best friend and superior, Gadafi Wahid. While Bazli courts Julia, Alisa and Gadafi find themselves reluctant chaperones, forced to get to know each other despite their initial dislike toward each other. In this modern reimagining of Jane Austen’s beloved novel, Pride and Prejudice, two sisters learn the true meaning of moving forward and that while chasing their own happy endings, they are learning to create new beginnings as well.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing Singapore
• Release date: Nov 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9781543748642

Khairun Atika Kamsan

Khairun Atika Kamsan is a writer for adult fiction and poetry. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Literature from Singapore University of Social Sciences. She lives in Singapore and is deeply passionate about books and is a big fan of Jane Austen. New Beginnings is her debut.

Book preview

Chapter 1

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A wedding is not just a union of two souls celebrating their love for each other and making it official. It is also about new families being born old families being reunited. A simple celebration of love that creates even more love. It may well be a symbol of a happy ending. Or even a new beginning, as Ummi liked to say.

That’s what I like to think about weddings. I sat on the floor and tucked my dress over my feet, bumping knees with my older sister. Kak Lia turned to me and smiled, her eyes bright with happy tears. One of our other cousins, Liyana was trying to kneel so she could get a good look of the akad nikah ceremony. We were at my cousin Nourah’s house for her solemnisation ceremony. Yes, our dear cousin, who was a good few years younger than both Kak Lia and myself, was just minutes away from becoming the wife to the love of her life, Malik. Her mother, Cik Jah, was sitting next to her on the love seat, looking slightly nervous. She was still smiling, but we could sense that she was avoiding any eye contact with Nourah.

The kadi started the ceremony by asking both the bride and groom some questions, going through the formalities such as identification and consent from both partners. He led us all in dua, and we recited along with him. I was holding my breath as the kadi commenced with the akad nikah. I could practically feel the goosebumps as Malik declared that he accepted to be married to Nourah.

The kadi turned to the two witnesses, Abah and my uncle, Cik Salim, and asked, Sah? When the witnesses said, Sah and nodded, I could see Malik letting out a sigh of relief. He immediately caught a glance at his wife, the shadow of a grin playing across his lips as he watched her, her head bowed. The kadi guided Malik to recite the taklik. Malik confidently repeated his responsibilities as a husband. Once everything was settled, we all recited, Ameen in gratitude as the akad nikah came to an end.

I turned to look at Kak Lia, who simply smiled. We all stood up and stepped aside to allow for the newly wedded couple to greet each other formally as husband and wife and to exchange their wedding bands. We watched as Nourah kissed her husband’s hand, and Malik planted a soft kiss on her forehead.

Alhamdulillah, Kak Lia said softly as she watched them. The wedding photographer was busy giving instructions to the couple, making them pose to his liking.

Yes, Alhamdulillah everything went well. I said, grinning. The guests had started to make their way to the dining area, including our parents. Kak Lia and I hovered at the mini dais area, with the two other bridesmaids, Nourah’s friends Mariam and Zahra.

Kak Lia, can you help me with this? Nourah called and passed her bouquet to Kak Lia. Kak Lia rushed forward and helped to hold the bouquet for Nourah as she and Malik continued to pose for the camera. Kak Lia started to adjust the petals and held it close to her chest.

As the maid of honour, she had helped so much with the preparations, such as picking up the bridal bouquet and designing the bridesmaids’ dresses and hijabs, and picking out the design for Nourah’s hijab.

Kak Lia has a thing for designing dresses and was the one who proposed for us all to wear matching lilac – Nourah’s favourite colour, with a modest, white lace lining at the top and a tulle skirt at the bottom. She had sourced for the cloth and materials needed and set off to work on the dresses individually in our room. In addition, she had also prepared a hijab for Nourah for the akad nikah ceremony. Nourah was wearing an ivory Chantilly lace scarf, which has little petals of purple peonies embroidered on them – to match our dresses.

She must have been exhausted, but she was smiling, as always. Kak Lia was always calm and positive, always the bright ray of light to any speck of darkness that surrounds us. And even though she had loads to do for this wedding, she took it all in her stride and did it all without asking for any help. She was so determined to finish all her errands while juggling her work. Still, she looked elegant and resplendent, beaming as she held the bouquet.

I glanced around the room, and my gaze landed on one of the groomsmen, who had clearly noticed Kak Lia as he stared at her less than subtly. He was watching her with a small smile, but Kak Lia was unaware, focusing on the petals of the bouquet. I looked at the groomsman again. He was still watching her. He noticed me looking at him, and slowly turned towards his friend, who was taller and…less jovial than him. In fact, his friend looked almost as cheerful as one might look at a funeral, not at a wedding. Huh.

Can we have a photo with the bridesmaids and groomsmen please? The photographer asked.

The wedding party started to move towards the dais, and the groomsman watched us again as Kak Lia handed the bouquet back to Nourah.

Can I have the best man stand behind Malik, and the maid of honour behind Nourah? The rest of you just form up next to them ok! The photographer instructed impatiently. Come on, let’s move!

Kak Lia moved to the centre of the row, and I moved in right next to her. To my surprise, the groomsman who was staring at her took his place next to Kak Lia and flashed her a shy smile.

Hello, I’m Bazli, the best man. He greeted Kak Lia, while smiling at the rest of us. Before Kak Lia could say anything, the photographer barked at us to look at the camera. After he snapped a few pictures, Liyana appeared.

Kak Lia, Kak Lis, your Ummi is calling for the both of you. She said. Nourah beckoned for us to proceed to the dining area, and we quickly walked downstairs, to where Ummi was rearranging the bunga rampai tray.

Alisa, check that all the containers are filled before distributing them to Malik’s female relatives. Ummi said to me. She passed another tray to Kak Lia, Julia, you take this tray. Go on.

We quickly walked to where Malik’s relatives were sitting and distributed the little trinkets that were filled with bunga rampai.

I nudged Kak Lia. Did you notice that the best man spent most of his time staring at you?

Kak Lia’s eyes widened. The best man? Really?

Uh huh. He introduced himself to you, right? Bazli?

Yeah, now is not really the time to-She passed a trinket to the woman at the table. Thank you for coming.

She pointed to my tray. Quick, give these out.

But Kak Lia-

Ah, there you are! We turned to see Mariam and Zahra, who were carrying plates of small cakes and cookies. Mariam pointed towards the table behind me. Come join us. Better get something to eat before we get busy.

Too late for the bridesmaids slash cousins of the bride, Zahra joked.

We’ll just finish these, I said. After making a few more rounds, we returned the trays to Ummi and grabbed some drinks for our bridesmaids’ table.

Thanks! Mariam said cheerily as she accepted a drink from us. Her gaze fell onto the table at the other side of the room. Oh, Julia, you have an admirer.

We turned to see Bazli, the best man, looking sheepishly at Julia’s direction before turning away, once again to speak to his tall, grumpy friend.

Bazli Sulaiman. Zahra let out a low whistle. Nice.

Who is he? Mariam asked, squinting at Bazli and his friend.

He’s Malik’s best friend. They studied law together at Perth. His father has a partnership or something at a firm there, but he runs an office in Singapore, too. Zahra said. He has loads of money and is like super smart.

Really? I asked.

Mariam snapped her fingers. Oh yeah, he’s the one who got the scholarship or something right? And his mum is a Professor at NUS?

Wow. I looked at him. He was dressed simply in a black shirt and dress pants, the uniform for the groomsmen for the day. He looked…friendly and easy-going.

I think his family lives at Namly Avenue. Zahra said, biting her cookie. Good catch, Julia.

Kak Lia laughed. Ladies, he was just looking at all the bridesmaids, out of curiosity. It’s nothing.

Yes, sure, which is why he is making his way here right now. Mariam said, grinning. True enough, he really was walking towards us with the rest of the groomsmen.

Hello, ladies, He said.

Hi. Mariam and Zahra greeted in unison. I nodded and smiled, while Kak Lia said a soft, Hello.

"We were wondering what you ladies would ask our poor Malik to do for the hadang later." One of the other groomsmen said.

I don’t think we’re supposed to tell you. I said, laughing.

Well, Malik hates to dance, so please ask him to do something like that. Bazli winked, making the other groomsmen laugh.

"Of course! Is zapin okay?" Mariam asked Bazli and the other groomsmen. They laughed in agreement.

One of them said, That sounds great. We will pretend to be surprised when you ask.

That’s an idea! Zahra said, nodding. "Zapin from the groom then!"

Bazli grinned. Great. We’ll see you ladies in a bit. He let the other groomsmen walk away and flashed a smile.

Julia. He bowed his head and joined his friends.

Mariam squealed once he was out of sight – and hopefully out of earshot. Oh wow he’s so cute, Julia! And he likes you!

Very handsome, too. Zahra commented. And I am glad that the other groomsmen are game too. I noticed that one of the other groomsmen was still talking to Bazli, his eyes serious and his jaw set. The taller guy whom he talked to right after the ceremony. He turned to glare at us, before turning back to Bazli.

"What’s his problem? I asked. That other groomsman." I said, nudging my chin towards the grumpy groomsman.

Oh, that’s Gadafi, Bazli’s best friend. He’s just like that. Don’t mind him. Mariam said, shrugging.

You know him too? Julia asked.

He comes to our gatherings a lot, but yeah, he’s usually like that. Quiet and moody, like the world owes him something. You’ll get used to it.

I turned to look at him. He was staring stonily at his drink while the other groomsmen were busy chatting away. He looked up all of a sudden, and after giving me a rather sullen glance, turned back to stare at his drink.

I don’t think it is something I want to get used to. I mumbled to myself.

Chapter 2

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T he wedding procession started with the groom and his groomsmen in the lead, with a spirited Bazli leading the group through the different gantries manned by Nourah’s cousins. Malik looked sheepish as he answered the many questions, with Bazli and one of the other groomsmen handing out the money packets to the cousins.

The procession finally reached our gantry, at the front of the dais. Nourah was already sitting at the dais with her mak andam, who shielded her face from the audience with a fan.

Kak Lia held the microphone and smiled at Malik. We will only let the groom meet the bride once he performs her favourite form of dance, She said teasingly. The relatives cheered for Malik. Bazli gave him a supportive pat on the shoulder.

At that moment, Mariam grabbed the microphone from Kak Lia and said, But of course, the groomsmen has to dance as well.

The guests cheered even more loudly, and Malik went on to lead the dance as the DJ played a traditional zapin song. The groomsmen were game enough as they sheepishly followed Malik’s lead. When the song ended, the guests around us started to applaud and Bazli winked at Kak Lia.

We parted and allowed for Malik to walk up to the dais. I finally noticed the moody groomsman, Gadafi. He sidled up next to Bazli, who looked slightly surprised at his surly expression.

I nudged Zahra. Where did he come from?

Zahra shrugged. Don’t know. Bazli was looking for him just before our gantry, but he just disappeared. Too shy to dance, I guess?

I rolled my eyes. Oh, please, it is Malik’s wedding day. As if anyone would look at him.

We went to stand a little further away from the dais as the silat performance and the marhaban for the newly-weds started. We hovered around for a little while, until the photo-taking session. When it was time for the bride and groom to have their lunch, the bridesmaids started to disperse.

Kak Lia passed some of the money packets to me. Can you help me pass these to Cik Jah? I’ll go get a drink.

Sure. I replied.

I walked away from the wedding party and made my way to the guest reception area, where Ummi was helping Cik Jah with the berkat. Guests were streaming in and out of the reception hall, and Ummi looked rather busy as she passed the berkat to Cik Jah.

Liyana was manning the photo booth, along with our other cousins, Nayla and Dahlia.

Kak, you want to take a photo? She asked as she caught sight of me.

Sure. Have you seen Kak Lia? I asked, looking around the hall. I had lost her after I helped to pass some of the money packets to Cik Jah.

Liyana’s eyes widened. There. At the candy counter. Talking to that very handsome guy.

I turned towards the candy counter. True enough, Kak Lia was indeed talking to a very handsome young man. Bazli. They were both laughing at something he had just said…and I could not help noticing how radiant Julia looked.

Liyana wiggled her eyebrows. Kak Lia managed to get the attention of the hottest groomsman huh? She grinned as she waved Kak Lia over. Kak Lia turned towards us and nodded. She held up a hand to Bazli as though to ask him to wait for her, and started to make her way towards us, a blush creeping up her cheeks.

What is it? She asked.

Let’s take a picture, just the two of us, I said, gesturing towards the photo booth. Before we get too busy.

You look pretty busy with the hot groomsman there. Liyana said, smirking.

Kak Lia smiled. Oh Bazli? We were just talking about…oh never mind it is nothing. So, picture?

I grinned at Kak Lia. She was usually cool and composed when talking to or about guys, indifference preceding over the grins and giggles. Liyana held up her camera and focused on us. Kak Lia and I pulled each other into a giant bear hug and grinned cheesily at the camera.

You ladies look amazing!

We turned to see our friend, Sophia walking excitedly towards us. We salam and hugged each other. Sophia and I have been best friends since our secondary school days, and we lived about three bus stops away from each other. She also got to know Nourah during her polytechnic studies and maintained contact with her ever since their graduation.

I looked down at my lilac bridesmaid dress. Why, thank you! Though I am kind of tired from walking around in heels.

So where’s the bride? She looked at the dais, which was empty.

I think they’re upstairs, changing to their second outfit. I think will be downstairs in about a half hour? Why don’t you get something to eat first? I suggested.

OK. Come keep me company. She tugged my arm lightly. I led her to greet Cik Jah before excusing ourselves from the reception table and headed towards the buffet line. The other bridesmaids were all scattered at different parts of the reception hall, since Nourah and Malik were still upstairs.

Wow, the deco looks beautiful, Sophia said, looking around at the beautiful Tiffany green drapes adorning the pillars of the reception hall.

Yup, they both picked the same colour. And finally, they are married. I said.

So, when is your turn? Sophia asked teasingly. As we are both on the brink of the age of 25, and have not reached the brink of marriage, we have been asked that question at practically every family function.

I’m safe for now. It’s Kak Lia who has to go up the dais first. I chuckled.

Sophia raised her eyebrows. Well, well, it seems as though the day will come earlier than we expect.