Chapter : 40 - Jannat ki noor jaisi!

For Hindi / Urdu Readers.

For English Readers.

"Aziz came? Did you meet him? How was he? And why is your nose red? And how did you come back so quickly, Uns?" Ammi bombarded me with questions as soon as she entered the room.

"Ammi, your Aziz came, but because of his daisies, our meeting couldn't be completed," I said, closing my diary.

"What do you mean?" Ammi asked as she sat down on the couch.

"He came with a bouquet of daisies, Ammi," I told her.

"Daisies? He couldn't find a bouquet of roses?" Ammi seemed to mutter to herself.

"He likes daisies," slipped out of my mouth.

"What?" Ammi asked.

"Maybe he likes daisies, that's why," I suggested.

"Enough of this, tell me how did you find Aziz?" Ammi grabbed my hand with excitement and asked.

"I want to refuse, Ammi," I said with ease.

"Refuse? But why? Aziz is so nice," Ammi said, taking his side.

"Aziz Nader is nice, Ammi, but I am not worthy of him. You forced me to meet him, and I did, but that's it. Nothing more," I said, ending the conversation and going to bed to sleep.

"What if I tell you that your Abbu has chosen Aziz for you? Would you still refuse?" Ammi asked with great patience.

I instantly sat up on my bed. Abbu chose someone for me?

Abbu?" I asked quietly.

"Yes, when Khalid Nader and Zaina proposed your match with Aziz, Hassan smiled and said that he already liked Aziz. He just wanted to see you stand on your own feet so that you wouldn't face any hardships in the future, Uns," Ammi gently held my hand and completed her words.

I drifted into deep thought. This was the first time Abbu had chosen someone for me, and who did he choose?

Aziz Nader.

My heart still yearned for Abbu's love, and knowing that Abbu had picked Aziz for me, how could I refuse? My heart seems to bow before him, valuing his every word.

Seven years ago, Abbu asked me to leave, and I did. And now he has chosen Aziz Nader for me, a man who doesn't believe in Allah. On one hand, I want to refuse, but on the other, my heart is compelled to say yes for Abbu's love.

"This is emotional blackmail, Ammi," I said, trying to hold back my tears.

"There is no force, Uns. If you want to say no, just say it. I will tell Hassan," Ammi said as she started to get up.

"Ammi," I stopped her.

"Kya hai?" she asked, turning back to me.

(What is it?)

"Jaise Abbu chahate hai, waise hein hoga," I said, surrendering.

(It will be as Abbu wishes)

"Mashallah, then be ready tomorrow evening. Zaina and her husband Khalid will come for your proposal," Ammi said as she left the room.

What? I just returned from India today, met him for a brief moment, and tomorrow they are coming with a proposal?

"Ya Allah, where are you all? Farhan, Hakim, Salma, Rizwana, is everything ready? We have to go to Reza Mansion today, hurry up and help," Ammi scolded all the servants in frustration and busyness.

"Ammi, sit here and have some tea first," I said, handing her and Abbu some tea.

"Tea, Aziz? We are getting late," Ammi said, still frustrated.

"I'll drop you both off. For now, please have some tea," I said, taking a seat beside Abbu.

"So, how did you find Uns?" Ammi asked, taking a sip of tea.

"Exactly as you described her," I said, also taking a sip.

"Kaisi?" Ammi asked, being puzzled.

(How?)

"Jannat ki noor jaisi," I said with a slight smile.

(Like the light of paradise)

"Mashallah, what am I hearing?" Ammi said, laughing.

Abbu and I smiled seeing Ammi's reaction.

"So, are you okay with this arranged marriage, Aziz?" Abbu asked in a teasing manner.

"Jaise aapki marzi," I said with a smile.

(As you wish)

"If the girl wasn't Uns, would your answer still be the same?" Abbu asked again with the same smile.

Aur mai jawaab mein kuch nahi keh sakha. Kya kehta mai? Jise chaha tah, use mere naseeb mein likha jaa raha tah, isse badi koi neymat ho sakhti hai mere liye?

(And I couldn't say anything in response. What could I say? The one I loved was being written into my destiny. Could there be a greater blessing for me?)

"Hakim!" Me and Abbu heard Ammi shouting our driver's name. We turned to see her frustrated with him as well.

"Abbu, how do you handle her?" I asked, looking at Ammi.

"Bas, uski mohabbat mein bebas hoon," Abbu said, looking at Ammi too.

(Just helpless in her love)

Abbu doesn't just look at Ammi, he admires her.

"Aziz, come here," Ammi called me. I walked over to her and stood in front of her.

"While dropping us off at Reza Mansion, remember to buy flowers for Uns on the way, don't forget," Ammi instructed.

"Yes, Ammi," I said, bowing my head.

"Go now," Ammi said, smiling at my gesture.

"Yes," I replied and went to the couch to drink my tea.

"Assalam walikum, Phuppu," Samir said, hugging Ammi as he entered the house. An unexpected guest had arrived.

"Walaikum assalam, Samir. Aren't you here quite early?" Ammi scolded him.

"Ahhh, but I'm here now," Samir said with a laugh.

"Is there a special event at home?" he asked, looking around the house and at Ammi.

"Why?" Ammi asked.

"Because you look so beautiful, Phuppu," Samir said with his usual mischievous smile.

"We're going to talk about Aziz's marriage proposal. Pray everything goes well," Ammi said, then headed towards the kitchen.

"Marriage proposal? For Aziz? Wait, Aziz is getting married?" Samir began to speak dramatically.

I was calmly drinking my tea when I saw Samir quickly walking towards me.

"Can't you see me?" he asked, being annoyed.

"Itna bada charir hai tumhara, koi andekha kar sakhta hai? I said, looking at him.

(With a body as big as yours, how could anyone ignore it)

"Is that a joke?" he asked seriously.

"No," I said, trying to hide my smile.

"You're getting married? What's her name? Have you forgotten about bhabhi? He asked, impatiently.

"Who are you marrying?" Samir asked another question before giving me a chance to answer.

"Uns Reza," I said, looking at him.

"Bhabhi?" Samir said in a confused manner.

"Yes," I replied with a smile.

"Abhi bhi un seh mohabbat karte ho?" he asked, looking at me.

(Do you still love her)

No one said anything; a complete silence enveloped us.

"Tum mohabbat ki baat kar rahe ho? Jabki mai toh Ishq kar bhaita hoon usse," I said calmly after a while.

There was a sense of peace in my voice when I expressed my love.

"And you're the one asking, Samir, who went to Paris like a madman to protect Sahara just because she was alone studying there?" I asked him.

"I... I..." Samir seemed to be searching for words, but unfortunately, he couldn't say anything.

Before I could ask Samir anything else, Ammi called us. Samir went to his room to rest while Ammi and Abbu, both ready, were walking towards me.

"Shall we go?" Ammi asked.

"Yes," I said with a smile.

It was 10 in the morning. While sitting in the car, Ammi was only worried about finding flowers.

"Where will we find jasmine flowers so early in the morning?" she wondered. I turned the car towards the market, and we all three were searching for the soothing shop of mogra.

"Oh Aziz, stop the car! There's a shop over there," Ammi said hurriedly.

"Sure, Ammi, you stay here. I'll go get them," I said, parking the car.

Meri hone waali biwi ke liye phool kharidne mai ek dukaan ki aur chalne laga.

(I walked to the shop to buy flowers for my soon-to-be wife).

"How much for these?" I asked the shopkeeper.

"Saab, we sell them based on the hair length. The price will depend on that," he replied.

Baal? uske baal hein toh nahi dekhe hai maine aaj tak?

(Length? I had never noticed her hair length before).

"Just give me as much as you can," I said. The shopkeeper measured the flowers and packed them in a cover.

"Thank you," I said, holding the flowers in my hand as I walked back to the car.

"Ammi, they gave them in a cover. Should I get a box for it?" I asked, lowering the car window.

"I have a tray, we'll arrange them in it. Just come quickly," she said, taking the flower cover from me.

After a 30-minute drive, we reached Reza Mansion. I was unloading things from the trunk and handing them to Hakim and Salma when I heard Hassan Uncle's voice. I turned around to see him hugging Abbu. After handing over the things, I went over to them.

"Assalamualaikum, Uncle Hassan," I greeted him warmly.

"Walaikum assalam, Aziz," he replied with the same warmth, giving me a hug.

"Mashallah, you look very handsome," he said with a smile.

"Thank you," I replied, smiling back.

"Alright, Uncle, I should get going," I said, after concluding our formalities.

"Leaving so soon?" he asked.

"Yes, Uncle Hassan. I'm running late for the office. I just came to drop off Ammi and Abbu," I explained with a smile.

"Inshallah, we'll meet again," he said, hugging me once more.

"Inshallah, definitely," I replied.

I was passing by her balcony. The curtains were drawn, but some memories rushed back. With a smile on my face, I headed towards the office.

"Uns, wake up, your in-laws have arrived," I heard Ammi's voice.

"What? Who's here?" I asked, still sleepy.

"Aziz's family is here. Get up now, it's already 12 o'clock, Uns. They've been here for the past two hours. Hurry up and get ready," Ammi said, pulling off my blanket.

"Ammi, I'm not going downstairs all dressed up like a showpiece," I said, sitting up.

"Showpiece? What do you mean?" she asked, confused.

"I won't go downstairs just to parade in front of them, for them to find faults in me. I won't do it," I said firmly.

"Crazy woman, the engagement is already decided. Zaina wants to put flowers on you. Get ready quickly," Ammi said, scolding me as she left the room.

My engagement is finalized? With Aziz?

Yaah Allah, what are you doing to me?

After taking a shower, I came back to my room to find an outfit laid out on the bed. I opened the box to find a beautiful white dress adorned with roses.

I picked up the dress, changed into it, and was adjusting my dupatta when I heard Zaina aunty's voice.

"Mashallah, jannat ki noor lagh rahi ho, Uns," she said, coming towards me and hugging me warmly.

(You look like a vision from paradise, Uns)

"Assalam walikum, Aunty," I greeted her with a smile as I hugged her.

"Walaikum assalam. Mashallah, may you be protected from the evil eye," she said, looking at me with great affection.

I just smiled in response.

"Uns beta, can you take off your hijab? We want to put flowers on you," she asked, standing in front of me.

"Ahh, yes... sure," I stuttered. I wasn't sure why, but it felt strange, or maybe it felt like a dream.

Sitting at the dressing table, I started to remove my hijab. My hair was tied up in a bun and still wet. As I removed the clutch, drops of water began to fall from my wet hair.

"Mashallah, the flowers are so fresh, Zaina," Ammi said, looking at the mogra flowers.

"Aziz leke aaya hai, mujhe dar tah ki pata nahi kaise laiga, magar mashallah dekho toh, Amira, apne hone waali biwi ke liye janab neh kitne taaze phool kharide hai", Zaina aunty said, smiling at my mom.

(Aziz brought these. I was worried about how he would manage, but look, Amira, how fresh the flowers are that he bought for his soon-to-be wife).

These two didn't seem like in-laws at all.

And now both of them started chatting as they adorned my hair with flowers and put bangles on my hands. They left my small earrings in place. After finishing, Zaina Aunty gently touched my cheek and looked at me, as if she wanted to say something.

"Uns, I know that in many places, girls are treated like showpieces, made to walk around, and compared for their beauty. It's completely wrong. But my dear, my family and I are not like that, and my son definitely isn't like that. I told him to marry you, and without any questions, he agreed. You are not a showpiece, so don't think of yourself that way, okay?" Aunty said, smiling as she finished speaking.

She heard me?

"I apologize, Aunty. I shouldn't have said that," I said, lowering my gaze.

"Don't ask for forgiveness, dear. It's understandable why you might think that way, given how things are in many places. I just want to assure you not to think negatively about yourself," Aunty said, gently stroking my head.

"Jii," I replied with a smile.

"And this is for you. Wear it at the engagement tomorrow," she said, placing a box in my lap.

"Engagement?" the word slipped from my mouth uncontrollably.

But they didn't hear me, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Puri taiyaari ke saath aayi ho, Zaina?" Ammi asked teasingly.

(You came with full preparation, Zaina?)

"Absolutely," Zaina Aunty replied, laughing.

"You have good taste. I didn't know Zaina Nader could choose such beautiful colors," Ammi praised Aunty.

"Oh, please don't embarrass me. I didn't buy anything. Khalid and Aziz did all the shopping," Aunty said as she sat on the couch next to Ammi.

"Khalid adores Uns, so it's understandable he'd want to buy things for her. But I don't know what came over Aziz, all the shopping was done according to his preferences," Aunty finished.

Aziz Nader!

Kitna ajeeb hai na, meri us shaqsh seh saath saalon baad kal sirf dol pal ki mulaqat hui tih, aur aaj mai uske mere liye kharide phool aur usi ka pasand kiya hua joda pehen rahi hoon.

(Aziz Nader! How strange it is. I only met him for a few moments yesterday after seven years, and today I'm wearing the flowers and the outfit he chose for me).

"I'll tell Aziz to arrange for a good mehendi artist. She'll be here by evening, so make sure to get the mehendi done because the color needs to come out by tomorrow," Zaina Aunty said while talking to Ammi.

It didn't seem like they were in-laws; rather, they looked like best friends gossiping. Watching them, I started reminiscing about Ezzeh.

"Here is your coffee, Baaji," Nazma said, handing over the coffee.

"Thank you," I replied, taking a sip. This was exactly what I needed. First, they had me all dressed up and sitting here, and if that wasn't enough, the strong fragrance of these jasmine flowers. I use mogra perfume, but it never had such a strong scent as these real flowers.

"Alright, Amira, keep my daughter-in-law ready tomorrow. I'll bring my son over," Zaina Aunty said with a smile.

"Absolutely," my mom replied, smiling back.

"Get some rest, Uns," Aunty said, giving me a hug before leaving.

"Jii," I replied.

******

For Hindi / Urdu Readers

For English Readers.

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I hope you'll have a wonderful day✨

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