22. The Family Dinner

N A D A' S P O V

Why do people tease me whenever they see me?

The hall was crowded with people and I was going to meet Rahim and Mira's family when I bumped in to some random guy.

"I am sorry." He looked up.

"Uh...it's okay." I said in a hurry and was going to move forward when he again started.

"No I am sorry please forgive me. Actually I would like to treat you as an apology and celebration too. Like a date." He started and winked. Freaking winked.

Is he freaking kidding me?!

"Are you insane you stupid? I AM MARRIED BACK OFF ALREADY!" I shouted at him. And he looked flabbergasted. Idiot!

"Oh bad luck then. Sorry."

"Next time just check whether the girl is taken or not before you start your low class flirting." I don't why I was angry at him but I was. Maybe I was married already and he flirted. But no I have never liked the boys who flirted, it's just haraam [forbidden].

"Excuse me." He spoke up.

"What?" I growled turning towards him.

"Ummm...those eyes...are they really yours or lenses." He asked. He did a mistake by asking me this question.

"No. Those are her real eyes. Now get lost." I heard a familiar voice from behind me.

"Oh so husband has come I guess I should go now. I really hoped that you were single." He rushed back before I could say anything.

"Why are you standing here?" Fahad came up from behind me and asked.

"I was on my way to meet Rahim and Mira's family when this wretch boy came up and started talking nonsense." I explained to him. Nincompoops loitering around.

"You should have called someone else or would have ignored him."

"I di-"

"Anyway let's go everybody is searching for you." He didn't even give me a chance to explain and dragged me.

He didn't even listen to me!

Now we were sitting in some five star restaurant. Our families asked me and Mira to suggest which restaurant we should go as it was our occasion today. Mira suggested this restaurant and I agreed, hence we are here.

Alizah is still crying because she is a quite terrified because of the rush or seeing so many strange faces because there were Mira and Rahim's parents whom she hasn't seen before. And this restaurant doesn't have a high chair! Like whaaaaaaat? Five stars for what?

Sitting on my left was Mira who was sitting beside Rahim, ofcourse, and on my right was Fahad with whom I, unfortunately, had to sit. And on my lap was Alizah who is becoming so impatient. Why hasn't she slept yet? Everyday, she sleeps by this time.

Once I had put the pacifier in her mouth she was quiet and stared at others who were all busy in their talks.

"You liar." I whispered to Fahad who was busy texting his mails to God knows who.

"Why are you calling me a liar?" He raised his eyebrows.

"Because you are one."

"And why am I one?" He asked tilting a little bit towards me.

"Because you lied to me that you won't come but you did." I stated, narrowing my eyes at him.

"Umm...I came only because...uh...Alizah was crying." He started making an excuse.

"What a rubbish reason!" I exclaimed. "Liar liar pants on fire!" I teased him.

"Such a kid you are. Still stuck on that phrase." He rolled his eye making me huff.

"I am not a kid you are just simply old."

"Old? You call a twenty-five year old boy 'old'?" He raised his eyebrow at me.

"Umm yeah for me you are old. And please don't address yourself a 'boy'. Please." I uttered with a disgusted face.

"Excuse me, I am a boy, you Grandma." He mocked me.

And calls me a kid. Huh!

"We will ask Alizah who is old you or me." I chatted as he facepalmed himself.

"Tell Alizah do I look old?" I asked her bending down a little.

"Say yes Alizah." Fahad chimed in leaning down.

She looked at both of us with her emerald wide eyes and gave a toothy smile. Awwww!

We both chuckled at us when she smiled.

"If you guys are done with your family moment please order something." Mira nudged me from beside.

"Uh...yeah." I looked at the menu with one hand as the other one was holding Alizah at my lap.

What shall I order? Hmm...

Yes! Chicken soup.

The waiter came and took everyone's order one by one.

"And what would this couple would like to have?" He questioned once he was in front of me and Fahad.

Ew. Couples? Enemies would have been much better to adress us.

"Chicken soup." I mentioned but not alone. Me and Fahad again said it together. Ugh!

I turned towards Fahad and glared at him.

"Okay then done." The waiters smiled with amusement.

I saw Uméma and Mira mouthing 'Couple Goals'. Oh God! How could this be more awkward?

We finally finished our dinner and were bidding goodbyes to each other as we were parting our ways to home.

It was time to greet everyone I started with Mira's mom, Aunt Rahat.

"Married already, huh?" She teased me.

Why does any person who sees me teases me?! I have mentioned it many times but not more than times I have been teased.

"Yes Aunt but Mira must have told you the reason too."

Mira informed me that she told her family about mine and Fahad's unfortunate marriage.

"It's okay dear. Sometimes there is something good in what you sacrifice." She postulated the positivity and smiled at me.

Then I went to my Mom and hugged her really tight.

"I miss you Mom." I croaked out.

"Honey, it's been hardly three days."

"Yeah but I still miss you." I mumbled and pulled out of hug.

My mom took my left hand and slid a ring in my ring finger. The ring was so beautiful. It had a ring of diamonds with space in between.

"Mom? What is this?"

"It's was Mom's. She gave it to me when I got married. And now it's my turn to pass it on to my daughter who is now a married woman." She informed keeping her hand on my cheek.

First Aunt Naaz who gave me two necklaces and now mom giving her ring. Why are they giving it me when they know I will be no longer married in a few months?

"I see Naaz has given the necklaces to you. I can't believe my daughter is married and has a husband and not to forget a daughter to take care of."  She continued. Oh, my emotional Mom.

"Mom you know that in few months I will neither be having a daughter nor a husband to take care of then what will you do?" I queried her.

"I-"

"Nada! Alizah is crying. Come here for a second." I heard Fahad calling for me.

"Atleast now you have both of them. Go! He is calling you." She ushered me to go.

"Okay Mom AllahHafiz (Parting greeting of Muslims. Basically meaning let God be with you.) I will come tomorrow to meet you."

"No. I am not there tomorrow."

"Huh? Why? Where are you going?"

"I am going to your Uncle and Aunt's place." She informed me referring to her brother.

"Why? What happened?"

"As you know your Aunt is eight months pregnant and your Uncle has to go due go some urgency so that's why I am going there for a week or two."

"You will be staying in Australia for a week or two?" I questioned her, surprised.

"Yes."

"Mom but going from here to Australia is a long journey."

"Ya but this is not the first time."

"Fine then I will also come."

"No. You won't. Be here if you will come then who will take care of Alizah?"

"Fahad."

"No. A baby requires both mother's and father's care."

"But we are not the real ones."

"But for now you are. Bye now. I gotta go. Take care sweetheart." She kissed my cheek.

"You too Mom." I hugged her.

Lastly after the emotional goodbye everybody departed to their respective houses. We also got home when Aunt Naaz got a call from her brother.

"What happened Mom? Why did Uncle Zoheb call?" Uméma asked Aunt Naaz as soon as she bid her brother goodbye.

We all were sitting on the couch as we had just arrived.

"Your Uncle is coming tomorrow." Aunt Naaz announced.

"Cool then." Fahad spoke, drinking water from the glass.

"With his wife, daughter and Rehanna."

"WHAT?!" Both Fahad and Uméma hollered.

"Why is she coming?" I heard Fahad murmuring. Who is he referring 'she' to? His wife or His daughter?

What the heck is going on?

"And what about Fahad's and Nada's marriage? Do we tell them?" Uméma questioned with a skeptical expression. "I don't think so we should." She continued.

"Yes. He will be so pissed if we tell them." Aunt Naaz stated.

"Why?" I asked totally confused by the situation.

"Because he wasn't invited." Uméma answered.

"But it's neither arranged or love marriage." I told.

"He doesn't believe in divorce. He is still an orthodox so if he comes to know about the whole situation. We all will be boomed." Uméma explained.

"I think we should tell them about the marriage-thing." Fahad interrupted.

"Then you alone face his wrath we will say that you ran away and got married." Uméma said getting all hyped.

"Hey! Don't put all the blame on me."

Man I am so confused.

"It's better if we don't say anything." Uméma suggested.

"God what is gonna happen tomorrow?" Aunt Naaz sighed and went inside her room.

"I hope whatever happens, happens good." Uméma prayed and went to her room too.

"I still have no idea." I muttered going inside the room with Alizah in my hands.

"I am so screwed." I heard Fahad murmured.

Wait! Then what happens to me and Alizah if we are not telling them about the marriage?!

Asalamwalaikum and hello people!! The next chapters are going to be so fun, I am telling you guys. By the way how was the chapter? Liked it? Let me know through the comments and don't forget to vote.  Until then thank you, AllahHafiz, bye and take care ^_^

Also, do share your favorite part of the chapter.

CHAPTER ORIGINALLY WRITTEN ON: 06/07/19

CHAPTER REWRITTEN/EDITED AND PUBLISHED ON: 18-05-20