Chapter : 51 - Wedding Reception

After the Fajr prayer, I sat on the bed, waiting for Aziz. It was already 7 o'clock, but there was no sign of Shahjahan.

Before my restlessness could increase any further, the door to the room silently began to open, and Aziz walked in with quiet steps. As he walked, his eyes fell on me, and he stopped in his tracks. Then, a slight smile lit up both of our faces.

"Why don't you go to sleep? Why do you wait for me, sweetheart?" Aziz said as he lay down on the bed, extending one arm so I could rest my head on it.

"kya karu? Tumhare bagair neend hein nahi aati, Nader," I replied, placing my head on his arm and moving closer, placing one hand on his waist, finally feeling peace.

(What can I do? I can't sleep without you, Nader)

"If you talk like this, I'll go crazy, sweetheart," Aziz said with a laugh, pulling me even closer with his other hand.

"So, what do you suggest? Should I book an appointment with Rasha for you? You do need a psychiatrist, you know," I teased him.

"Why Rasha? You're here, aren't you?

Aur waise bhi, mai toh dil ka mareez hoon, begam, and after all my wife is a heart surgeon. You must already know the condition of my heart, Sweetheart," Aziz replied with a smile, but my peace of mind was gone.

(Besides, I have a heart problem, Begum).

"Uns, you will treat me, won't you?" Aziz asked, lifting my chin and looking into my eyes with great seriousness.

"No," I answered, lowering my gaze.

"Why?" he asked.

"I'm not going to continue my job, Aziz," I said with great difficulty.

"Can I know why?" Aziz inquired.

"Do you really want to know?" I asked.

"Yes," he said softly.

"Abbu has forbidden it, Aziz. I was trying hard to control my tears.

"Why?" he asked, puzzled.

"Just because he doesn't like it," I said, with a weak smile.

"Hassan uncle is such a modern-minded man. Why would he forbid it then, Uns?" Aziz asked in surprise.

"He may be modern, but his thoughts are not," I replied.

"Do you know, Aziz? He thinks a woman is only suitable for the home. That's why he also forbade Ammi from working," I continued explaining to him.

"Amira aunty used to work?" Aziz was shocked.

"Yes, Ammi was a heart surgeon too, Nader." I felt a pang of pain as I spoke, realizing how Abbu had taken away Ammi's dreams as well.

"When I was born, Hassan Reza told Amira to leave her job. And Ammi, who was so deeply in love with Hassan Reza, abandoned her dream," As I told him more, my heart grew heavier.

"And then, when Hassan Reza said, 'Amira, send Uns to America,' Amira Reza sent her 8-year-old daughter to abroad, Aziz. He took my mother away fromme," I didn't want to cry, but today, the tears wouldn't stop.

"When I turned 18, Hassan Reza said, 'Amira, either you stay in this house as my wife or Uns, a impure woman, stays here.' That's when I realized that my presence or absence wouldn't matter to Hassan Reza. So, for Ammi's sake, I left India, Aziz," My pain continued to grow.

"Then, when I turned 25, Hassan Reza said, 'Uns won't work after marriage.' So, Uns Reza refused-"

"Ab Agar, Aziz Nader, Uns Nader seh puche ki, kya woh apne sapne pure karna chahti hai, toh Uns Nader ka kya jawab hoga?" Aziz interrupted before I could finish, asking a question that left me speechless. Or maybe I was just taken aback by his question.

Without wasting a second, I laid my head on his chest and began crying uncontrollably. And I found immense peace whenever I cried in front of him, because I knew he would take care of me.

(What would Uns Nader's answer be if Aziz Nader asked her whether she wanted to fulfill her dreams?)

Yaah Allah, yeh kaisi neymat seh nawaz diya hai, tune mujhe? Aziz ko meri rehmat bana diya, mera hamdard banadiya, meri shauhar banadiya, mera sukoon banadiya, mera sab kuch banadiya. Kaise mard hai yeh? Joh meri aankhen yuhn padh leta hai, jaise tere bande teri Quran padhte hai.

(Yaah Allah, what kind of blessing have You bestowed upon me? You made Aziz my comfort, my solace, my husband, my peace, my everything.

What kind of man is he? Who reads my eyes as Your servants read Your Quran?)

"Will you allow me to pursue my dreams?" I asked, trying to control my tears.

"My Allah Himself did not give me permission to grant His creation any permission, Uns. But yes, I can offer advice, but I don't have the right to grant permission to you, begum," Aziz said, pulling me closer with both hands. There was something in his voice that vanished all my worries, something in his words that gave me peace.

And hearing those words made me cry even more than before. Why is it that tears are the only way I can express my pain?

"What good deed have I done, Aziz, that Allah has rewarded me with you?" I couldn't help but ask.

"But I wonder what good deed I've done, Uns, to receive you as a reward in this world," Aziz replied with a question.

"What if Abbu says no?" I was scared. Isn't it strange that a person can be so afraid of their own father?

"He can forbid Uns Reza, but not Uns Nader. My wife will definitely do her work and fulfill her dreams," Aziz said with confidence, and I felt reassured, knowing he would handle everything.

"But there's a problem, Nader," I said, lifting my head from his chest to look at his face.

"Tell me, Begam. I am here to solve all your problems," he said, touching my cheeks with a sweet smile.

"I came to India only for three months, Nader. My work, my identity, my documents - everything is in America," I shared my first problem with him.

"Okay, then we'll just shift to America!" Aziz said calmly, and I choked on his words.

"We? Are you crazy, Nader? You have such a big business in India, you'd leave everything behind?"

"Tum kaho toh, kya chodna hai, Uns. Siwai tumhe, mai, sab chod sakhta hoon," Aziz said, kissing my forehead.

(You just ask me, what should I leave, Uns? Except you, I can leave everything).

"I'm not so selfish that I would fulfill my dreams at the expense of my husband's dreams, Nader" I said, annoyed at his words.

"When you're with me, I can work anywhere, Uns. You tell me where you're comfortable, India or America?" Aziz asked.

"I'm comfortable with my home, Aziz," I said, looking into his blue eyes.

"You like this house?" Aziz asked with curiosity.

"I'm not talking about this house," I replied, smiling.

"Then?" Aziz's curiosity was growing.

"I'm talking about my home, which is right in front of me," I said with the same smile, kissing both his eyes.

This time Aziz was surprised by my words, and Shahjahan's face was turning completely red now, meanwhile he was unable to utter a single word. He looked cute.

Then my gaze shifted from his eyes to his cheeks, and I kissed both his cheeks. After that, I kissed his rough beard. That's it! Only this much courage I have. I can't go beyond this.

As I tried to get up, controlling my rapid heartbeat, Aziz's question made me blush deeply.

"Just letting you know that I have lips too, begum. In case you forgot," he said innocently. How shameless this man is!

"I don't have that much courage," I said, but why did I say that? Uns, what is wrong with you?! I screamed internally.

"But, I do. Should I?" Aziz asked eagerly, but instead of feeling embarrassed, I felt like laughing. How Bhegairat this man is!

"Can I? Should I? Do I?" He began asking one question after another.

"Are you so eager, Nader?" I tried my best to control my laughter.

"Am I looking like that?" Aziz started blushing.

"Are you asking for permission?" I began to tease him.

"Of course, I need your permission," Shahjahan tried to defend himself.

"Chalo, di Ijazat tumhe," I said with a smile, but before he could do anything, Shahjahan's face started to turn red again.

(Alright, you have my permission).

"Really?" Aziz was even more surprised.

"Are you doing it or not?" I said, feeling frustrated.

"I'm getting nervous," he confessed. I was surprised. I should be feeling all of this, then why is he feeling so shy?

"Aziz, it's okay, you can't do it. We'll see after the reception," I said as I got up.

"Uns, give me some time, Uns. It's my first time," Aziz said, standing up and trying to defend himself.

"I'm literally giving you time, Nader- until the evening. Prepare by then, leave your shyness, nervousness, everything behind and come," I said all in one breath, and walked away to take a shower.

"Stop, Aziz, let me do it," Uns said firmly as she began to comb my hair. I was sitting in front of the mirror, wearing my Walima suit, while my begum was trying to help me a little. Help? Absolutely not; she was giving orders, and I was helplessly letting her do whatever she wanted to do with me.

"Perfect," Uns said, looking at both of us in the mirror.

I smiled, seeing her happiness.

Then my wife opened the mirror's drawer and started searching for something.

"What are you looking for?" I asked.

"Kohl," Uns replied while searching.

"It's in the corner of the second shelf, where you kept it few minutes ago," I said.

Uns stopped what she was doing and gave me a sharp look.

"How do you remember?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.

"Ahh, I was watching you when you were getting ready, so I remember," I said, nervously running my fingers through my hair.

"Aziz!" Uns shouted.

"What?" I asked calmly.

"Don't ruin the hairstyle, Nader!" she scolded again.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Uns," I apologized again, nervously, and was about to touch my hair when her hand stopped me.

"Why do you feel shy in front of me, Nader?" Uns didn't really ask; it felt more like a taunt than a question.

"Just looking at you makes me feel shy, Uns," I said, trying to hold back my shyness but still I felt shy.

"If you keep being shy like this, then tonight-"

"Stop it, Uns," I interrupted her in the middle.

She is dangerous, and why am I getting shy? Shameless Nader, get a grip on yourself! I screamed internally.

"Aziz," her voice came, a voice that always made me lose in front of her.

"Look at me," Uns said with a smile.

"Of course, Begum," I said, putting my hand on my chin so that I could look at her peacefully.

And in just one second, she surprised me.

"What are you doing, Uns?" I stopped her when she approached my ear with kohl on her finger.

"I don't want to take any risks, Nader, so apply this silently," my wife commanded sternly.

"Who will cast an evil eye on me, Begum? In fact, you should be the one applying kohl. Because just imagine how I will look with a black dot near my ear; instead, it will highlight me even more." I tried explaining to her.

"You are going to apply kohl, and that's final, Nader," Uns ended the conversation in a minute and went to apply the black dot.

"A tiny dot, just behind my ear, please," I pleaded.

"I know, Nader," Uns said as she applied it.

"Can I get up now?" I asked to, sweetheart, gently because I've been sitting in front of this mirror for the past hour. It didn't even take me this long to get ready for the nikah.

It only takes me ten minutes to get ready.

But I am sitting here for an hour! Only my heart knows how I have endured this.

"One more thing is missing," I heard Uns say.

"No more," I said in my heart because I don't have the strength to say it out loud.

"What else is left, Begum?" I asked, smiling helplessly.

"Wait for a minute, I'm coming," Uns smiled and went toward the wardrobe.

She'll take another five minutes just to come back here, I thought.

Exactly five minutes later, she walked toward me and placed a small box on the table.

"What's this?" I asked.

"Let me put it on you first," Uns said and opened it, only for me to be surprised by her surprise.

"Seriously?" I asked her when I saw the daisy brooch in her hand.

"Why?" I asked, unable to control my happiness after seeing a daisy after a long time.

"I can't give you daisy flowers, so at least a brooch, for you" Uns said with a smile, and then she started putting the brooch on my dark blue suit.

"For what occasion, you bought this?" I asked her, looking at the brooch.

"It's your wedding gift, Nader," Uns said while touching the brooch.

"Uns, please don't buy all this for me. Instead, I should be the one doing everything for you," I stood up and faced her.

"A relationship should be equal, Nader," Uns said while looking at me.

"Of course, it is. You exist, and I'll take care of everything," I said with a smile, and she blushed again.

"So you won't let me do anything?" she asked with a pointed gaze.

"Absolutely not. Just be by my side, that's more than enough," I said and gently embraced her.

Uns laid her head on my chest while I inhaled her hair.

They smell so good; her hair is becoming my new addiction.

"Do you like the brooch?" Uns asked.

"It's very beautiful," I said and kissed her forehead.

"Aur kya pasand hai tumhe, Nader?" Uns asked while gazing into my eyes.

(What else do you like, Nader?)

"Mujhe?" I paused at her question.

(Me?)

"Tumhe dekh the rehna pasand hai, Uns," I said, and bending down a bit, I kissed her neck softly, then prepared myself to see her reaction.

(I like looking at you, Uns).

Her face literally turned as red as a tomato, and her nose ring was glowing on her flushed face, while the scent of her hair filled the entire room.

Even though I didn't want to, I enjoyed seeing Uns like this. You troubled me a lot this morning, Uns. Now it's my turn.

"W-what was that?" she stuttered. I mean, Is Uns shy right now?

"Should I do it again?" I teased.

"Do you like going to the hospital, Nader?" she was excessively stern.

"If you take me, then for sure," I teased further.

"Aziz!" she yelled.

"Uns!" I responded calmly.

Before I could tease her further, she came close to me, jumped a little, kissed my jawline, and walked out, leaving me completely speechless.

I stood there with my mouth open and just touched my jawline where I felt her touch.

She really did it! I wanted to shout. Why am I so delusional! I screamed internally.

She is absolutely dangerous, I reassured myself and stood up straight before walking out of the room.

Uns was standing near the door. I extended my hand, and she grabbed my bicep as we began to step down to the hall, which was adorned with white roses. The whole place was filled with a delightful fragrance. Taking small steps and managing Uns and Uns's heavy lehenga, we descended slowly.

"Mashallah, you look beautiful, Uns," Ammi said as soon as we came down, then she came closer towards, Uns, kissed her forehead, and offered a prayer for her.

"Thank you, Ammi," she replied with a smile.

"Your arrival has brought even more joy to our home," Abbu said, placing his hand on her head.

"You are absolutely right, Abbu," I said, looking at Uns.

When Uns looked at me, I couldn't take my eyes off her. She looked incredibly beautiful and exceptionally stunning. May Allah protect my Uns from all evil eyes. Ameen. I prayed for her and blew the prayer over her.

Uns asked with a gesture of her hand what had happened.

"Nothing," I said with my eyes.

"Okay," Uns nodded.

"Have you checked the time? No one has arrived from your in-laws' side yet," Samir asked as he came over, with Tamir silently standing next to him.

"Why are you getting so impatient, Samir?" I asked, teasing him.

"N-no, I was just saying for bhabhi's sake," Samir tried to defend himself.

"They'll come. I just spoke to Amira Aunty. They're on their way," I said.

And just five minutes later, Hassan Uncle and Amira Aunty came inside. Ammi and Abbu went to greet them, followed by Uns and me. Tamir, Rasha, and Samir also followed us.

After the customary greetings between Uncle, Abbu, Aunty, and Ammi, was taking place. Then Uns and I stepped forward. Amira Aunty hugged Uns tightly, and I greeted Hassan Uncle. I wasn't pleased to see him. A father who can't respect his own daughter, how can he possibly respect his son-in-law?

I'm compelled to respect him only because of one favor: choosing Uns for me. I will never forget this favor for the rest of my life, but I will also never forget that he insulted Aziz Nader's wife.

"You look very good, Aziz," Hassan Uncle complimented.

"But not more than Uns, Uncle," I said with a smile, looking at my wife.

"Uns is very fortunate to have found someone like you, Aziz," Uncle said.

"Fortunate? I believe that, I am the---"

"You're right, Abbu. I am truly fortunate to have found a respectful husband like Aziz," Uns said, looking at me.

For some reason, hearing those words from her lips made me proud of myself for the first time. I was never this kind of person, but since Uns came into my life, things have been changing.

"May Allah keep both of you safe," Amira Aunty prayed.

"Ameen," came the response from behind. It was Samir and Tamir's voices.

When I turned around, both of them were standing with their hands raised in prayer, saying "Ameen."

"You guys are crazy," I said to them.

"Not as much as you are," Samir replied.

"Let's see who goes crazier today?" I smirked at him, and he gave me a death glare.

Teasing him, we moved aside to give way for Aunty and Uncle to meet the other guests. After they left, my two sisters-in-law approached, holding the traditional gift, with their eyes downcast.

To further tease Samir, Uns and I stepped aside, allowing Sahara to see Samir's face first.

A minute later, Sahara and Ezzeh looked up, and in front of them stood my two young brothers. Samir forgot to blink, and Tamir was just as affected as Samir.

Samir's reaction was expected, but what was happening to Tamir? Even Tamir and Ezzeh couldn't take their eyes off each other.

And I was angry on Tamir. Until yesterday, he couldn't sleep because of his beloved, and now he can't take his eyes off Ezzeh?

"Tamir?" I tried calling him, but it seemed like his ears had shut down too.

"Samir, tell Tamir to look down, or else it won't take a second for all the three sisters to punch, Tamir," I whispered to Samir. As soon as I did, Tamir let out a loud yelp.

"Ouch!" Tamir exclaimed, glaring angrily at Samir.

"What did you do?" I whispered to Samir.

"Nothing, just stepped on his foot," Samir said casually.

"You did the right thing, Samir," I praised him.

"I guess you are here to meet uns, as the wedding reception is ours, right?" Uns said to everyone as we stood together again, like a wall between the four of them.

"Ah, congratulations to both of you," Ezzeh and Sahara finally focused their attention on us.

"Shall we go?" Uns asked the two of them.

"Yes," they said, and the three of them left the room, leaving me here alone with these two men.

I guess, I need to remind this to, Uns, that the wedding reception is actually ours?.

Great!

At my own reception, my wife isn't even by my side.

I looked over to see my wife sitting on the chairs, deeply engrossed in gossip with my two sisters-in-law, and my sister.

"Tamir, how are you?" I asked him through gritted teeth, while giving my complete attention to him.

"I'm fine, bhai" Tamir replied, looking down at the ground.

"You're looking down now? You should've done it earlier," I said sternly.

"I'm sorry, bhai," Tamir answered.

"Tamir, don't tell me you fell in love with,Ezzeh now?" Samir asked Tamir.

"Who's Ezzeh?" Tamir asked.

"The one you couldn't take your eyes off of," Samir reminded him.

"Her name is Ezzeh?" Tamir asked Instantly, being surprised.

"Wait a minute. Her name? Does that mean you know Ezzeh?" I was getting curious.

"Bhai!! She is the one, I was searching for!" Tamir shouted after taking a few seconds to process everything.

"Tamir, calm down," Samir and I said together.

"But tell me something, Tamir, were there no girls in Paris, that you had to fall for an Indian girl? And out of all the girls, you ended up liking my wife's best friend?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Amazing!" I exclaimed.

"One is in love with my sister-in- law and another is love with my own wife's best friend!" I said this and walked towards Uns, who was engrossed in a conversation with Ezzeh.

"Can I sit?" I asked Uns since she didn't look at me.

"Sure," Uns said, still talking to Ezzeh, but she didn't look at me.

I sat beside her, took her hand from her lap, and placed it in my lap, intertwining my fingers with hers.

"Rasha, can you get something sweet to eat?" I asked her.

"Sure, bhai, let me get it," she said and walked away.

Thank God, one is gone, two more to go, I thought to myself as I watched Uns deeply engrossed in discussion with my two sister-in-laws.

"Sahara, Amira Aunty was calling you," I said with a smile.

"Oh, is it? I'll be back, Appi," Sahara said and left. Now, the main target was to get Ezzeh to leave, which was absolutely going to be difficult.

"Yaah Allah, just send Ezzeh away," I prayed while trying to think of a valid reason to send her away. Just then, her phone started ringing.

"I'll be back, Uns," Ezzeh informed her and walked away. Now, it was just me and Uns left.

"Uns---"

"Bhabhi," before I could speak with my wife, this man interrupted my beautiful moment.

"Yes, Samir?" Uns looked at him. Then, both brother-in-law and sister-in-law started communicating with each other using only their eyes. I knew they were up to something, and I could tell it had to do with Sahara. And it's fine! I don't have a problem with that, but at least they could have included me as well. I mean, I am Samir's brother and Uns's husband, after all!

Their conversation ended, and Samir came over and sat on my left side. I shot Samir a sharp look, but when I turned toward Uns, she stood up.

"Where are you going?" I asked as I got up.

"Sit, Aziz, I'll be back," Uns said calmly.

"Should I come too?" I asked.

"Just sit quietly here, Aziz," Uns said, giving me a light tap on my chest.

"Ouch, that hurts," I said, placing my hand on my chest dramatically.

"Why do you always forget that I'm here, Aziz?" We heard Samir's voice. I turned to look at him, only to see him giving me a mischievous smile.

I ignored him and sat down while watching Uns. She walked over to Amira Aunty, stood beside Sahara, and whispered something in her ear. Exactly one minute later, I saw Sahara coming toward us.

"Bhai, did you call me?" Sahara asked as she took a seat beside me, leaving some space between us.

"I didn't-"

"Ouch!" I yelped in pain and looked at Samir, who had just stepped on my foot and was sitting as if nothing had happened. And then realization hit me, why Sahara is here. Uns! Samir! Both are betrayals! I internally screamed both their names.

Great, they didn't include me in the plan, but instead, they made me the sacrificial lamb. I am absolutely not going to spare either of them.

"Are you okay, Bhai?" Sahara asked with concern.

"Y-yes, I am," I said with a tight smile while looking at Samir.

"So, you called me?" she asked again.

"Y-yes," I stuttered.

"Why did you call me?" she asked, now curious to know, while I had no idea what to say to her.

"Just wanted to talk to you," I said, realizing I had no choice but to be part of this idiot Samir's illogical plan.

And then, complete silence fell between the three of us. Samir wasn't speaking from the start; instead, he was busy staring at her. But me? What did I even do to deserve this silence?

"Bhai, should I go?" Sahara asked, noticing our silence.

"Yes!

Ouch!

Noo!" I shouted again in pain and glared at Samir with death stares as he stepped on my foot yet again. I swear I'll kill him today. My foot is on its last stage here.

This man could've said something, but he's literally making me the sacrificial lamb here.

"Do you need juice, bhai?" Sahara asked as she got up.

"Yes," I said, but then it hit me again-Samir is sitting right next to me, and now he's glaring at me with those death stares.

"Sahara, don't bother yourself. I'll bring it. Plus, do you two need anything else?" I tried my best to escape this weird yet painful situation.

"Yes, Aziz. If you could please bring me some cold juice," Samir said with a smile. Finally, I could leave this place. I breathed a sigh of relief, and without wasting another second, I stepped down from the stage and walked toward my sweetheart, the one who put me in this situation.

She was engrossed in a conversation with Ammi and Aunty Amira when I went over and stood beside her, securely placing a hand on her waist and pulling her a bit closer to me. She immediately looked at me, giving me a death glare as if she was about to punch me any moment.

"This is just the beginning, sweetheart. Compared to what you and Samir did to me, this is nothing," I whispered near her ear and pulled her even closer to me.

"I'm a human, Nader. If you hold me this close, how am I supposed to breathe, you shameless man," Uns whispered angrily at me, trying her best not to blush in front of our parents. And my smile grew even wider.

"Then kiss me on the jaw, and I'll let you go, Mrs. Nader," I whispered again in a deep voice, trying to make her weak in front of me.

"I'll punch you, Nader," she said, giving me a death glare.

"When?" I asked, a smirk playing on my lips.

Without answering my question, she continued giving me death glares while I thoroughly enjoyed her cute angry face.

I sat in front of her, struggling to find the right words to say.

Should I say, 'Sahara, this color looks good on you'? But what if she gets angry and says, 'Only the color looks good, not me'? What then? No, no, I can't take any risk with Sahara, I reassured myself.

"Then what if I say, 'Sahara, you look beautiful today'? That would sound good, right? But no, what if she says, 'Only today I look beautiful, not on other days?' Ah, Allah, please help me find some words to start a conversation. I was struggling to find words when her voice broke my thoughts.

"How do I look?" she asked, and I was left speechless.

I mean, she asked me herself. Am I dreaming? My Sahara started the conversation on her own?

"Your-"

"Samir, you're here? I've been looking for you for an hour!" We both heard a woman's voice, and we instantly looked up, only for me to regret my fate for today.

Nihar was standing in front of me with a bright smile, while Sahara, who had been calm and gentle just a minute ago, was now giving me dangerous glares.

"Why?" I screamed internally.

"How are you, Sahara?" Nihar asked her and took a seat beside me, leaving only a few inches of space. I moved even closer to the corner of the couch to create more distance from her.

"I am good," Sahara replied with a tight smile.

"And, you Mr. Farsi, how dare you not pick up my calls? I've been calling you since yesterday," Nihar was just rubbing salt into my wounds.

She asked, and Sahara looked at me with a piercing gaze. As if her gaze wasn't enough, there was a plate full of fruits next to her, which also had knives and forks. And if that wasn't enough, there was even a pair of scissors. Her dangerous gaze warned me that she wouldn't hesitate for a second to stab me with a knife.

"I think I'm disturbing your precious conversation. I'll excuse myself," Sahara said and walked away without giving me a chance to speak.

I stood up instantly, watching her disappearing figure.

"Samir, kahan jaa rahe ho?" Nihar asked, holding my hand. Is she for real? I don't want to speak ill of any woman, but she is literally crossing the line here. Even my Sahara doesn't touch me without my permission, and Nihar just grabbed my hand like it's nothing.

(Samir, Where are you going?)

"Mere sukoon ke paas, jaa raha hoon," I said calmly, because I'm absolutely not in the mood to let her ruin my mood when there's someone, where just by looking at her can lift my mood.

(I'm going to where my peace is).

With slow steps, I started walking behind Sahara. She immediately turned towards me and looked at me without any expression, but even then, she looked absolutely cute.

"I am requesting you, Mr, Farsi. Please leave me alone for some time," She said with cold expressions and left.

She ruins her mood, and with her, she even ruins mine. How can I be happy when she's not?

Already pissed off by all this drama, I went over to the couch and sat beside Aziz and Tamir.

"Your cold juice," Aziz offered with a calm smile.

"So quickly your giving it," I taunted him while taking the juice and sipping from it.

"You weren't there when I brought it for you," Aziz said, drinking his tea.

Tamir was completely silent right now, but there was a certain sparkle on his face. I wondered if he had met Ezzeh or not.

We were all engrossed in conversation when a young man walked up to us with a charming smile on his face.

"Congratulations, Aziz," Hamza greeted and embraced Aziz warmly.

"What a pleasant surprise! I thought you wouldn't even come to attend my reception," Aziz said and sat back down, while Hamza smiled a bit and took a seat in front of me.

"I was caught up with some work, so I couldn't attend your wedding. But I literally cancelled all my meetings just to attend your reception, Aziz!" Hamza said with a laugh.

"We are honored, but you're not the type to cancel your important meetings, Hamza," I questioned him because he and Uncle Kareem both value only money.

"Well, there's another reason for coming here too," Hamza said with a nervous smile.

"What? Don't tell me you're here to marry someone," Aziz teased him. Hamza laughed at his statement, while I continued enjoying my juice.

"Kind of," Hamza said with a smile.

"Who's the lucky one?" I asked this time.

"Aziz's sister-in-law, Sahara," he finished, and I ended up spitting my juice on him and started choking uncontrollably at his ridiculous, baseless, logicless confession.

"Are you okay, Samir?" Aziz asked, handing me water.

"Oh, so sorry, Hamza," Aziz said to him, giving him tissues to clean up the mess.

"Ah, it's okay. I'll come and talk to you later, Aziz," Hamza said and stood up.

"Please don't come back, Hamza," Aziz whispered a bit loudly.

But I was literally giving him death glares; my eyes were burning with the desire to kill him right now. I mean, just how dare he even lay his eyes on my Sahara?

"Who even invited him?" I asked Aziz as soon as Hamza left.

"Maybe Ammi and Abbu, but we had no idea he came for this," Aziz was also confused here.

As if Nihar wasn't enough, now Hamza too? What kind of trials are these, Allah?

"Samir, as your brother, the only thing I would suggest is to go and convince her. You have one chance, don't lose it now. If you don't win Sahara's heart now, you might never get another chance," Aziz's words, for the first time, made me feel worried.

"It's now or never, Samir," I motivated myself and set out to find Sahara.

After searching for her everywhere, I finally spotted her sitting in a corner of the garden. Her gaze was lowered, lost in deep thought. She looked even more beautiful in the cream outfit against the dark sky.

"Sahara," I called her softly, taking a seat beside her, leaving some space between us.

"Don't talk to me, Mr. Farsi," she said, still keeping her eyes lowered.

"Baat na sahi, tumhe dekh toh, sakhta hoon, mai?" I said gently.

(Even if I can't talk to you, can't I at least look at you?)

She lifted her eyes, and once again, and my heart melted just by looking at her. This is what I was searching for-the sight of this incredibly beautiful woman, my Sahara.

"Why are you here? Go and spend your precious time with your cousin," she taunted, looking at me.

"I don't want to," I said calmly.

"You think I'm crazy, Mr. Farsi?" she asked, even more sternly now.

"No, who said that?" I asked, confused by her behavior.

"Then what do you think of me? She talks so freely with you, smiles with you, and you're saying you don't want to spend your precious time with her?" she burst out.

"She is just my cousin, mohtarma," I defended.

"Cousin? Seriously? What kind of so-called cousin sits so closely, huh?" she taunted.

"Sahara, I don't know why she sat beside me," I tried my best to explain to her.

"You have her number too?" She didn't give me a chance to speak further and asked another dangerous question.

"Maybe Ammi gave it to her. I don't have her number with me," I said, starting to show her my phone.

"Oh please, don't act in front of me, Mr. Farsi! And why are you even proving yourself, as if I'm waiting for your answers? You know what, just leave it. I'm not interested in you or your cousin," she said all in one breath and walked away with heavy steps, towards her car. And with a second drived at full speed.

And I stood there, absolutely dumbfounded.

She burst out at me, she asked about her number, she even yelled at me, and after doing all that, she walked away as if it is my fault for having a female cousin.

This crazy woman will not let me live in peace, Allah!

___❤___

Good Morning, Readers!

I know, I took a long time to post the chapter, I didn't intend on doing it, just got stuck with my health issues, and during the healing process I didn't get much time to write the chapter. So I apologize for the delay.

I am overwhelmed for your comments and votes. Thank you so much.

And now let me just inform you this, the next chapter will be posted exactly after 4 days, so you'll have time to complete the next target of 399 Comments and 799 Votes.

Take your time, no hurry.

Give me Genieune comments❤

I hope you'll do this for me.

And I'll try my best to post it on time.

🌟Have a great day ahead 🌟

___❤___

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 :

___❤___

𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 :

___❤___