𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟐𝟒

ARZO

I am officially a married woman.

Never thought I’d say those words but here I am, married to Faizan.

We reached his parents house a few minutes ago, after our nikkah at the masjid. While our nikkah was taking place, guests were arriving at Faizan’s parents’ house for the celebration of our nikkah.

When we arrived, ammi and Soniya Aunty greeted us at the entrance with warm hugs. Soniya Aunty told me to call her mama and Adnan Uncle baba from now on, just like api does.

Faizan and I had to part ways because our families started introducing us to each other’s relatives. Some cute kids gave me flowers which literally melted my heart and I gave them a hug in return.

After a while, finally, api and I are able to move away from the crowd into the hallway to catch some breath.

“Welcome to the married life,” api says, “this is just the start.”

“I’m well aware.” I sign, “remind me not to wear heels ever again.”

She chuckles then asks, “so, how are you feeling?”

“Happy.” I sign, smiling, “by the way, what happened with Hira Chachi?”

“Ammi Abbu went to her house but she refused to attend any events because we broke her poor son’s heart,” api says the last few words dramatically, “in my defense, it’s better she doesn’t attend. One less judgemental relative.”

“What will everyone else say?”

“Arzo, people will talk about the tiniest mishap. Even if your wedding is perfect, there are still people who will pull out a topic to bug you on. I know I’ve encountered those people. Not only in our family but in Zahid’s.” she says, “But it doesn’t matter as long as your partner is with you and supports you. Zahid takes me away as soon as he sees that I’m uncomfortable and I am sure Faizan won’t disappoint.” a pause, “if he does, I’ll break his legs.”

My eyes widen and I hit her arm.

“What? I’m serious. No one messes with my baby sister.”

I scrunch my nose, “I am not a baby.”

“Yes, you are. End of discussion.” api says then peeks in the lounge area where everyone is present, having food and drinks, “You have got to be kidding me.” she suddenly says making me frown, “I might end up breaking someone’s legs.”

I hit her arm again, making her look at me.

“I’m not talking about your husband,” she says. I haven’t processed the fact she said ‘your husband’ when she adds, “I’m talking about the girl talking to him.”

What?

I peek in the lounge area as well and just as api said, there’s a beautiful woman with long hair, dressed in a long pink dress, talking to not only Faizan but as well as Zahid.

Although, she’s just talking. Faizan is busy sipping his drink and Zahid bhai is eating his pastries.

Or what if he’s just pretending to not listen but is actually listening to her?-

Shut up.

Who is she, anyway? I saw her at api’s wedding but I never talked to her.

As if reading my mind, api starts explaining while also looking at the same direction, “that’s Layla. Their cousin. She has had a huge crush on both of them but after Zahid and I got engaged, she set out to accomplish Faizan.”

I look up at api just when she looks down at me and says, “she didn’t succeed. You have a ring to prove it.”

I scrunch my nose and look back at the target.

Faizan’s married, why is she talking to him?

I’m still throwing daggers at her through my eyes when the brothers suddenly lift their heads and look at each other then their attention turns towards us.

As if caught red-handed, me and api start panicking and quickly hide back in the hallway.

“Wait,” api says, “why are we hiding?” I shrug.

“What are you two doing?”

Api flinches and turns around to face her husband and Faizan.

“Ya Allah. You scared me!” api says.

“My greatest apologies, habibti. I never meant to do that.” Zahid bhai says which makes api blush.

“Here,” Faizan says, handing me a cup of juice.

“Thank you,” I sign before I take the cup and take a sip.

“Why were you spying on us?” Zahid bhai asks.

“Why were you talking to her?” api asks in return.

“We weren’t talking to her-”

“Are you saying that I’m wrong?”

Zahid bhai opens his mouth but doesn’t say anything. Our eyes move back and forth between the couple before we look at each other.

Faizan tilts his head, gesturing to leave and I nod before letting him take my hand and escaping from the awkward environment.

Faizan doesn’t take me back to the lounge area. Instead, he takes me to a different room- or specifically a study room.

“Why are we here?” I sign.

“I figured you didn’t want to stay in the crowded place.” he says, “isn’t that why you and Hafsah were hiding?”

I press my lips together and slowly nod. The side of his lips lift up in amusement before he leads me to the sofa placed in the room.

“Have you eaten anything?” he asks.

I shake my head, “I didn’t because of nerves. I get nauseous.”

“Oh.” a pause, “wait here,” before I could ask him anything, he leaves the room. I look around the study then my attention goes to my phone when it dings with a notification.

I open my phone and find a picture attached with api’s text.

Api

Forgot to send this romantic picture to you <3

The attached picture is of me and Faizan from api’s rukhsati when my dupatta got stuck in his watch. In the picture, I’m trying to take my dupatta out of his watch while his gaze is on my face.

I never noticed it.

The longer I stare at it, the more precious the picture becomes.

My head lifts up at the sound of the door opening. Faizan walks in, holding a plate full of almost everything that is being served outside. He closes the door and walks towards the sofa. I turn off my phone as he takes his seat and places the plate on the table.

“I wasn’t sure what you wanted to eat so I brought one of everything.” he says.

I smile and sign, “thank you,” to him before I pick up a sandwich and take a bite, savoring the taste.

I sit back as I finish my sandwich and Faizan finishes his drink.

The silence in the room isn't awkward or uncomfortable at all. Instead it's comfortable.

“What’s your favorite flower?” Faizan asks as I finish my sandwich.

“Lilies.”

“Okay.” he types something on his phone then puts it down. He turns his attention towards me and says, “you have sauce on the side of your lips.”

I quickly lift my hand and wipe it but nothing comes on my thumb.

“Wrong side.”

I lift my head and freeze as Faizan reaches out his hand and wipes the side of my mouth, gently.

“There.” he says and sits back nonchalantly, as if he doesn’t know what he just did.

I look away from him as soon as I feel my cheeks heat up.

Why am I like this whenever he’s around?

Our attention turns towards the door as it flies open, revealing Faizan’s friend- Farhan.

“There you both are. Everyone is looking for you two.”

“Why?” Faizan asks.

“For pictures. And don’t worry, keeping Layla away is my responsibility.” he says.

“Okay. Let’s go.”

We both get up from the sofa, I pick up the empty glass and plate, still full of goods.

“I’ll hold these.” Faizan says, taking the dishes from me so that I’m holding nothing except my phone.

“Aww. Look at you helping your wife.” Farhan says.

“Here, help me-”

“You’re on your own.” he says and runs out of the room.

The action makes me silently laugh while Faizan shakes his head.

We make our way back in the lounge area where everyone is getting in places for pictures.

“I’ll put these aside if you want to eat later.” Faizan tells me. I show him thumbs up before he walks away.

“Where did you go off to?”

I turn around at api’s voice, “we were in the study.” I sign.

“Why?”

“You and Zahid bhai seemed to be having a very important discussion and we didn’t want to disturb.”

“Hm, sure. Or maybe Faizan wanted alone time with his wife.” she says, raising her eyebrow. I shake my head and she says, “you’re blushing.”

I put my hands on my cheeks and shake my head which makes her laugh.

“What’s wrong?”

I turn around and find Faizan standing an inch away. I shake my head at his question.

“Why are you covering your cheeks?” he asks, frowning.

“She’s trying to hide her blush.” api answers, earning a hit on her shoulder from me.

“I’m going to see if your mama needs any help,” I quickly sign and walk away from him.

How am I going to survive?