CHAPTER 13- THE WALIMA~ Ayesha💕

A Y E S H A :-

As soon as my house reached my sight,  I was buzzing with an unknown happiness and excitement to see my mom and brother. When the car stopped in front of my house's gate, I was about open the car door and was planning to sprint inside not even bothering to see if the slab of rock is following me or not.

But before I could hop on he said, "I will pick you up in two hours."

My hands halted at the door handle. "Won't you come inside?"

"No I have some work to do, anyway I am picking you up in two hours so I will visit then."

"Make sure you do or my parents might feel bad."

"I will. Now, I am getting late."

Giving him a discreet eye roll I climbed out of the car and made sure to slam the door, and opened the gate I practically sprinted across the porch to ring the bell excitedly.

As I was waiting for the door to open I turned around casually and frowned noticing Farhan's car still standing in front of the gate. Before I could react the door opened and I was engulfed in a bone crushing hug.

While I was struggling to breath in murat's grip I didn't failed to hear the roar of engine and the sound of the tires driving off the gravel road.

My brother looked at me with happiness and excitement, while my heart fluttered by the action of my husband. Ew this feeling is weird.

Murat ushered me inside and closed the door behind us, removing my coat I made my way inside my house...or should I say my parents house?

Shaking my head I went to the kitchen, knowing very well where to find my mom.

Finding her cooking something with her back to me, I sneaked behind her and wrapped my arms around her shoulder from behind, I was expecting her to startle or to be shock but she engulfed my hands in her as I swayed her excitedly.

Closing off the stove she turns towards me and holds my face in her hands, her eyes shining with love, longing, guilt and tears. "I know your scent, your footsteps from the day you were born."

My eyes fills with tears as she engulfs me in a hug again, embracing her, crying with her, for the longing, the pain, the situation, for everything.

"Come on mother, this was only one night. One. One night away from your daughter how are you going to spend your whole life." Murat says trying lighten up the mood by chuckling but his voice cracks at the end, and I didn't failed to notice him furiously wiping under his eyes.

"Always needy." I remark.

"Come here." Mama says motioning him with her another arm spread apart. Without wasting a second Murat jogged towards us and wrapped his arms around both us.

And I? I cry. Again. Because except my own father these two are the only people who knows me. Cares for me. Loves me. And will always know why I cry. Why I am sad. And I know they always will hold me when I cry, tired from the world. But now, things has changed. I am no longer their responsibility. They gave my responsibility to someone yesterday. As much as it hurts to accept and say, from now they don't need know my pain. They don't need to absorb it as their own. Because they are simply family, not the one which I am going to live with. I was send off yesterday with my real family, where I am supposed to built my life, my real life.

And I hate it. God I so hate it.

"Are we going to cry all day?" I asked sniffing.

"I am not. You both are crying." Murat says wiping his tears with his arms. I look at mom and we both share a laugh.

"Okay, no crying." Mom said wiping her tears and I did the same.

"Oh how do I look?" I wipe my tears and gestured towards my dressing.

"Beautiful."

"Like a duck."

I rolled my eyes at my brother and thanked my mother.

"Farhan didn't came with you?" Mom asks.

"He said he have some work to do so he will meet when he will come pick me."

"Alright. How is your new house?"

I stiffen momentarily, "It's good," I pause trying to form another sentence.  "Everyone is nice. I like it there."

"You are happy over there right?" Murat asks this time.

"I am." I nod as we all walk towards the living room.

"Anyway, where is Baba?" I ask changing the subject as we settle down on the couch.

"Office." Mom says.

"Must be really happy, he finally threw out the smear to his family." I chuckled bitterly.

"Ayesha. You are not a smear, We all know baba got it wrong." Murat says.

"You know how he is. Don't spoil your day thinking about the past." Mom says squeezing my hand.

"Yeah you are right." I agree.

"By the way someone cried at your room after you were gone." Mom glances at murat suppressing her smile.

"Aww, Murat really?" I placed a hand on my chest feign overwhelmed but I was really overwhelmed.

"It was not me. It was mother dearest." He raises his hands in air.

"Liar." Mom mouthed me, and I laugh at my brother.

"It's okay brother. I am here now, here let me wipe those tears." I moved towards him and feign wiping his tears and he put me in a headlock. My mother kept laughing at our antics.

An hour flew by as we three kept talking about everything and nothing, I have never talked to them for so long, because we all lived in the same house so we all knew there is nothing to catch up or talk but me moving out in just one day brought this together. And it makes me sad and happy at the same time.

"I almost forgot, Ayesha go to your room and see what else you want from there, I have kept few boxes in your room, take your things out and I will send it you after the walima." Mom reminds placing her hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah, I need few things, glad you reminded me." I got up and gave her cheek a kiss and ran towards the stairs.

Almost on auto-pilot, I enter my room and kick off my heels and flunked down the bed sighing in bliss. There were few cardboard boxes placed on the ground beside my bed.

People say true, you find true peace in your own home, for me this was my safe abode. These four walls have witnessed my every breakdown from either college, baba, Danish, stress, every happiness of having my friends here, trying new clothes, secretly doing a walk show, the silence of me reading books, indulging in every emotion in it, asking to god to give me a brown haired- coloured eye hero, to writing secret letters to my future husband, to the stress of my studies, the late night group calls, the study sessions, the frustrations by throwing books, to celebrating my results. To crying over everything, to me going from this room as a bride and never coming back the same, to me coming back to this room but not as the same, now as ex-member of this house, someone else's responsibility, someone's wife. These four walls have seen it all.

I turned my head towards my study table and eyed the last drawer, picking up the cardboard box I stalked to my drawer and opened it with my key, which I used to keep under my pillow, and took out all the letters which I started writing from the age of fifteen till twenty one. I didn't got the chance to write this year because of Danish, and now it's over. Stuffing the stacks of letters at the bottom of the box, I filled the box with few of my books and taped it. I don't know why am I taking it with me but it's better than to be left here.

As I was taping up my last box of my shoes, I heard footsteps approaching my room, not one but several, also they were fast- almost eager.

I jumped in air like a cat when the door slammed open, and three faces with huge grins were met by my eyes.

I didn't had a chance to react, or even breath, when I was taken in a choke to death hold by three of my favourite persons.

"Nice day to kill me." I wheezed as Safa squeezed my stomach in her hold.

"And we still don't care." Sakina all but yells near my ear.

"We are so exited to see you." Sania hugs me from behind swaying me excitedly.

"Oh we are." Safa starts jumping which starts sakina jumping which starts sania jumping, it causes all jumping and me choking.

"I think we are really about to kill her."

Safa says loosening her grip on me and both followed same and I took huge breaths of relief, quite literally.

Sakina holds my arms and take a look of me from head to toe, "Oh am gee! You are a married woman."

"And you look so beautiful." Sania comments making me smile.

"Yeah, check out that glow, wowza!"

Safa made me spin.

"Thank you so much, but let me take a breather before I faint." I say sitting down on my bed.

Sakina rolls her eyes flopping down beside me, "How many times should I remind you we don't really care."

"But on a serious note, Ayesha you so stunning Masha'Allah!" Sania gushed pinching my cheeks.

"Thank you sania." I smiled at her.

"No really, there is this weird pretty glow on your face." Sakina says tilting my face to her.

"It's called Noor, sakina which only few people gets after marraige, and look at our Ayesha, god I think I might be getting obsessed." Sania sighed dreamily while I just shook my head at them, beautiful to everyone but not one compliment from the new important person in my life.

"Oh okay, I have a question," Safa says sitting on her knees behind me propping her arms on mine and Sakina's shoulders.

"Which is?" Sania wondered sitting on my other side.

"What did you do last night-"Sania clamped her hand on Safa's mouth so quick making her stumble back on her heels.

Sakina doubled laughing over while I sat confused for a while and when realisation dawned on me, my face temperature was as same as your favourite heater in winter.

Safa's struggling voices were muffled under Sania's hand, Safa bit her hand causing her to yelp and move back.

Huffing she got up and took a deep breath placing her hands on my shoulders, "What's wrong with you woman? Why do you want steal my right of speech!"

"Because your speech deemed inappropriate." Sania huffed making sakina laugh even harder, I elbowed her stomach to which she flinched but continued laughing again.

Although I couldn't see but I sense safa's frown, "Inappropriate? Since when did asking how did one removed her makeup become inappropriate? Is it a new thing? Should I start politics?"

Sakina stopped laughing, Sania closed her mouth, I turned back to look at Safa,

"You were asking that?" Sakina asked wiping tears from her eyes.

"Yes." Safa eyed us confused, "I was about to say, 'What did you do last night to remove your makeup?' I forgot to recommend you coconut oil, so I thought of asking what you did. What was wrong in it?" She shrugged.

Sakina started laughing again and Sania giggled embarrassingly.

Shoving sakina I say, "There was nothing wrong. And I had my makeup remover with me, the micellar water one." And tears too.

"You were asking that? We thought you were asking about that!" Sakina clutched her stomach constantly slapping the bed.

Safa ignored my comment thoroughly,

"Huh? That what?"

"That...that um that," I looked at sania for help,

"Oh um yeah, that.......that she....she...yeah, that she snored or not. We thought you are gonna say 'what did you do um last night to stop your snores.' Yeah that's we thought nothing else."

I snapped my head at her glared, "I do not snore! What's wrong with people telling me that! Let me put it on a billboard, I don't snore!" I stomped my foot.

"Oh!" Safa nodded understanding clear in her face, "But how is that inappropriate?" She was confused again.

"It is because," sakina slowed her laugh and wiped away her tears, "Miss Ayesha no sorry, Mrs. Ayesha does not accept the fact that she snores."

"Excuse me? I. Do. Not." I emphasised on each word.

"Remember summer camp?" Sakina whistle, "I forgot what sleep was sleeping next to you and your snores." Sania giggled and I glared at her to which she raised her hands in mock apology.

"Yes she doesn't." Safa comes to my rescue. She hugs me from behind. "At least not as much as she grinds her teeth." I shoved her back on bed causing all of them to laugh at me, seeing their laughing faces and warm environment a smile etched on my face.

"Shut up." I all but laughed along them.

"So how have you been?" Sania asks wiping away the remnants of her laugh,

"Yeah, honestly?" Sakina places her hand on my shoulder.

"Honestly," I think for a while, "Complicated, but not impossible."

"Are you happy?" Safa puts her weight on my shoulders and wrap her arms around me,

I was quite for a while, "Not really," I felt my friends stiffen around me, "But I will be, eventually."

"I know it was difficult for you, but just so you know whenever you feel to be yourself, unapologetically, you will find us around you." Sania squeezed my hand, my eyes stung,

"No matter what." Sakina completes giving me her smile and I am sure a tear left my eye.

"Yes no matter what, I will be there for you...I just sang the friends intro didn't I?" We all laughed at Safa,

Looking around my friends who I know not only by words will always be there for me, this warmth here, makes me feel stupid for feeling lonely last night, you can never be lonely with this kind of love.

Another hour or something passed as we all keep chatting until murat came to call us down for some snacks and also because Farhan would be arriving soon to drop me at the salon.

As we all descended down the stairs I didn't failed to notice the extra stares from two persons who's names start with an S and M. I need to enquire M about it soon.

"Okay, Allahafiz Auntie, we will be leaving now." Sania hugged my mom.

"So early? Stay for lunch." Mom says as Safa gave her a hug.

"We really wish auntie, but it's also reception day, the bride needs to get ready." Sania explains.

"Yes and don't worry my dear you will us tonight at the reception, all decked and all." Mom pats Sakina's cheeks.

"Yes we will meet tonight, and Ayesha I will join you at the salon, Dorok will pick and drop me, Kay?" Safa gave me quick kiss on my cheek as they all left my house to probably get ready.

Once they were gone we three sat again, mindlessly chatting about something when the door bell rang again,

Murat got up from the couch to open the door and few minutes later he returns with Farhan trailing behind him. I sober up my laugh and my mom got up from her place to greet her new son- in- law.

"Salam mumani." Farhan greets her as she placed her hand on his head and gestures for him to take a seat.

"Walaikum as salam beta, jeetay raho."

[Stay blessed my son.] Farhan took a seat beside Murat.

"How are you Farhan?" Mom asks,

"I am good mami, how are you?"

"By the grace of Allah I am fine too," mom smiles kindly then bits her tongue, "Oh I almost forgot, let me make some tea for you." Mom says getting up.

"No no mami, it's alright, I am good, thank you. I am just here to pick up Ayesha."

I could see the small fraction of disappointment on my mom's face which she masked it quickly, "How come? You are here for the first time, atleast let me give you some sweet."

"Yes, first time as a son in law of this house, we can't let you go without stuffing your face with food." Murat pats Farhan's back.

"Thank you so much but I am-"

"Have it, they are insisting." I spoke softly yet I could feel the tension in this room.

"Just a little bit." Farhan nodded and mom gave a big smile before rushing to the kichen,

"I will help her," Murat followed her.

"Why are you forcing me into this?" The iceberg in front of me spoke when we were left alone.

"Because if I didn't, you would've broke their heart, which I couldn't handle," I shrugged indifferently, "it's as simple as that."

He placed his elbows on his thighs as he leaned forward, fingers steepled together placed on his knees as he glared me intensely.

Again a door bell was rung and Murat yelled for me to open the door, getting up I peeked through the peep hole to see it was my father dearest,

Taking a deep shaky breath I opened the door,

"Salam baba." I greeted him, he froze momentarily seeing me and stared at me for solid two seconds and nodded his head closing the door behind him.

"Farhan is in drawing room." I took his coat from him and hung it on coat hanger beside the door.

Without a word he stalked towards drawing room and sound of happy greetings and laugh was heard,

Blinking back my tears I went back to the drawing room to see baba chatting happily with Farhan who was eating sweets with him, Murat and mom were seated opposite of them, there faces eliciting the same thought as mine,

He never as much as smiled to his daughter, if he ever thought me as one.

****

"Left, tilt face to a little bit right and perfect. Thank you." The photographer took our many of thousands of photos and then we were free to rest. Sitting on front table my friends sent me a pity look and ate the starters, real sad I know. Here I am hungry and they are enjoying food already.

Sitting down on the couch, I smoothed my lavender coloured gown, which was Mina's choice for my walima outfit, had to give it out to her she had a great taste.

The said expert climbed on the stage with her own camera on stage, the soft material of her baby blue gown fluttering behind with her each step.

"I realised that," she huffed as she sat between me and her brother, "That I was so busy being you guys photographer, that I didn't even had a single photo with the couple of the hour," she wiggled her shoulders and called for the photographer to take few pictures of us,

"I wonder who asked you to take that profession." Farhan muttered.

"No one, it was my choice, don't be jelly now, smile."

"One more photo, and I am gone." Farhan muttered after mina left the stage after taking numerous photos.

"Have some patience, maybe." I mutter back, smiling at aunt ayeeza and junaid who were greeting few relatives.

"You have enough for both us."

Noticing Murat lingering on my friends table especially behind S, I inwardly rolled my eyes at him and turned my head to look at my husband, "I only have mine, thank you."

He raised an eyebrow adjusting the bow tie around his neck, "Not welcomed."

My mom climbed the stage next, "You both need anything? Water? Snacks? Your turn to eat will be in approximately thirty minutes." We both shook our head at her and she patted my head.

"Also, there is someone who is here to meet both you." Mom said smiling excitedly.

"Again? A long lost relative from Australia, who has seen me when I was born and I don't remember them?" I all but whined sitting on the stage.

"Don't be like that, Ayesha, I will send him on stage see for yourself." Mom says and smiled at Farhan before going down.

"Just how many relatives do you have?" Husband mumbled.

"Mine and yours are the same." I smiled at him. Mockingly maybe?

Before he say another remark a new person climbed on stage without us noticing and spoke which made my spine stiff like a plywood.

"Congratulations, my dear cousin."

My head was in my husband's direction and I didn't dared to look at the guest, Farhan smiled and got up from his seat beside me,

"Danish?" They both hugged I think, I was sure my lungs forgot their function, my brain could not fathom anything, except one name,

Danish.

Danish.

Danish.

Oh god.

Slowly I turned my head to look at the two friends and when I did I hoped I didn't, it was really him. My fingers felt cold, my legs light-weighted. And my heart racing one hundred miles per hour.

Breaking from my husband's hug his grey eyes behind his gladiator specks found mine, he was the same, the same intimidating aura around him, his lips curled into a smirk making me notice the moustache he had grown, he no longer had his beard, clean shaved with a villainous moustache.

"Congratulations to my also dear cousin."

I couldn't tear my eyes away from him, for the first time in one year I wanted nothing but to scratch his eyes.

Resting my hand on the couch handle I tried to get up but my legs felt so heavy that I stumbled back, Farhan caught my hand on instinct and helped making me stand again.

Danish tsked, "Careful out there dear bhabhi." He smiled dangerously grabbing my arm.

Freeing my arm away from him, I looked at the lights on the stage, "thank you." I mumbled numbly.

"Let's take a photo with this wonderful couple, right?" His deep voice hinted evil.

"Sure." Farhan agreed standing beside me, and that spawn of devil stood beside me only, very close may I add. Spontaneously I moved away from him and stick close to my husband.

As we were taking photo, my ears started ringing my surroundings blurred and my body froze again at his next words.

"Be careful indeed."

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A/N :-

Don't @ me.

Is Danish here for free food?

Comment please cuties.

Also Ramadan Mubarak! 💖

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