CHAPTER 38- LATE NIGHT ADVENTURES~Ayesha💕

A Y E S H A : -

"Ouch," I heard a hiss beside me, I paused cutting tomatoes and turned towards mina who was holding her index finger and jumping in air.

"Careful mina," I say as she went towards the sink and opened the tap and put her finger under the running water.

"I was just going to stir, but I had no idea the spoon was so hot," she pouted closing the tap.

I shake my head and while looking at her grabbed the spoon which was still inside the vessel on stove, as soon as I touched the spoon,  I yelped and dropped it as I felt burning sensation on my fingers,

Mina chuckled but covered it as cough and gave me a 'told you so' look. I blowed on my fingers and grabbed a rag from the handle of the oven and carefully grabbed the spoon and stirred it.

"Bhabhi why does bi jaan scares you so much?" Mina questions, hopping to sit on the kitchen counter, a little distance from the stove,

"The same reason as yours." I reply getting back to chopping those veggies,

"I mean she is cool sometimes, mostly at giving eidis but most of the times she is really intimidating," she shudders eating a slice of cucumber from the salad plate,

"Well yes she has the aura around her and now she is even my nani-saas, I have to be careful around her and make no mistake like a good bahu," [Grand mother- in- law] I smiled cheekily adding a few spices in the pot,

Mina steals a slice of carrot from the salad plate and laughs suddenly,

"Po-poor Farhan bhai, bi jaan got his plan flop," she laughed and I couldn't help but chuckle with her,

"You shouldn't laugh at your brother's miserable state mina," I chuckled slapping her arm lightly,

"Did you looked at his face? It resembled like someone stole his favourite candy and he was ready to cry." she laughed clutching her stomach,

"Mina!" I tried to scold but a chuckle left my mouth,

"Bohot Yaar-aana lagta hai dono nand aur bhabhi ka."[Looks like there is a good friendship between both sister-in-law's] At Bi jaan's sudden voice from behind us, startled mina and she jumped from the counter quickly almost tripping her herself and knocked down the kitchen roll stand beside her,

Bi jaan's judging gaze felt on mina and then the roll stand which she knocked down, cringing from her reaction, I quickly bend down to grab the stand and mina did the same thing resulting our both of us heads's clashing together,

"Ow,"

"Ouch!" we both hissed jumping apart, rubbing our foreheads, not wanting to see the judgmental eyes of bi jaan, I bend again and signalled mina to stop as she was also about to bend again she nodded and stood straight still rubbing her head, I picked the kitchen roll stand and placed it back at it's same place.

Placing my duppata on my head again I turned to bi jaan and smiled awkwardly,

"Bi jaan aap yaha?" [bi jaan you here?] I ask giving her a smile,

"Aayi toh dekhne thi ki dono kya kar rahi kitchen mai lekin yaha toh dono ke aane di pan hi nahi khatam hore."[I came here to check what you both are doing in kitchen but here both of your clumsiness has not been over] Bi jaan said more like taunted, I looked down, the floor looked more interesting than the old lady in front of me.

"We-we were making food bi jaan really you can come and check," mina said and motioned her to come forward.

Bi jaan raised her hand, "Rehne do bibi, aab jo bhi tum dono ne pakaya hai woh toh mai aab raat ke khane mai hi khaougi," [Leave it dear, now whatever you both of cooked I will see at the dinner only] she says and I frown looking at mina, she was as confused as me,

"Dinner? But isn't this for lunch bi jaan?" Mina asks tilting her head,

A look of recognition sets on her face and I shook my head, she forgot again,

"Yes yes I remember no need to teach me, continue now." she says turning around and walking out of the kitchen with the help of her walking stick.

As she went from our sight we both puffed out a breath of relief and I slipped back the duppata from my head, I looked at mina and she looked at me at the same time and we both laughed seeing each other,

"Now we know huh?" Mina said stirring the pot with another spoon,

I shook my head, "let's complete making dinner- I mean lunch" I slapped my forehead for my slip of tongue mistake and Mina laughed,

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

"I smell delicious food here," Baba jaan grins happily pulling out a chair and taking his place on the dining table,

"Because it is," mina said flipping her hair and I smile arranging the plates on the table.

I caught Farhan's eye as he entered the dining room and passed him a smile too, in return he just huffed and took his seat.

I raised my eyebrow at him.

So are we playing blame game now?

Mama brought bi jaan to the dining table and made her sit on her chair,

Bi jaan adjusted herself on the chair then looked at me  "So what have you made today hira?"

"Amma Ayesha not hira!" Mama sighs correcting bi jaan,

"I remember, so Ayesha and mina what have you both made?" She said accessing the the closed lids of the dishes,

"Aisa waisa bi jaan, bilkul five star hotel ka khana banaya hai bhabhi ne," [Just like that? My sister in law has made food just like a five star hotel]

Mina chirped happily plopping down on her seat and munched on a slice of cucumber from the salad plate infront of her,

"Sirf bhabhi ne? Tumne kya kiya hai mina rani?" [only your sister in law what about you princess mina?] mina's smile faltered at bi jaan's comeback, she gulped the cucumber and tried to make a reply,

I interjected,  "She did bi jaan, this butter chicken," I opened the lid of the dish, "has made by mina." bi jaan looked at the dish and mina shot me a confused look, I gave her the expression to play along, realisation sets on her face as she nods proudly at bi jaan.

"If certain master chef's have finished assessing the dishes, please start serving Ayesha, some people are sitting here hungry you know?" Baba said playing with his set of cutlery.

Bi jaan turned her attention at him,

"Of course Damad ji[Son in law] mai toh bhul gayi thi ke yaha pe aapse bada bhuka toh koi aur hai hi nahi"[I forgot there is no one as hungry then you] bi jaan shot him a smile, I sat on my chair after serving some butter chicken on everyone's plate, and sat down next to Farhan,

"Hamesha toh bhul jaati hai, usme kya nayi bath hai?" [ you forget always, what's new in it?] Baba jaan replies and mama glared at him to shut up.

After serving everyone, I waited nervously in my seat for Bi jaan's reaction, she took a morsel in her mouth and chewed it thoughtfully and didn't said anything, she took another one one continued eating,

I slump my shoulders in relief, it's good I guess. if it wasn't bi jaan would've insulted me the second the morsel went in her mouth, but she didn't, which was a good thing.

I started eating from my plate happily after seeing everyone's satisfied reactions, the only person who didn't gave any was sitting beside me, eating quietly, I nudged my foot at his leg, he looked at me and raised an eye in question, I pointed my eyes to the food and raised my eyebrows asking 'how is it?' He looked down at the food and back at me again, the corners of his mouth drifted down in a frown and he shook his head, telling 'not good' my mouth hung open in shock,

Was it really bad? I looked down at his plate and back to his eyes, his eyes were twinkling in amusement as he was trying to suppress his smile, I nudge foot harder at his leg, and he had the audacity to laugh...quietly.

The audacity.

"So tell Saso-mom, how did my daughters made lunch today? Outstanding ins't it?" Baba asks bi jaan,

"Hm, it's....Eatable." Bi jaan said after thinking for a while.

"It's really delicious Ayesha" mama says happily,

"Even I helped her, hello! Give me some credit too!" Mina says waving her hands in air,

"Aha? Let me guess you just stirred and sat on the counter for the rest of the time, while she did all the work," Farhan retorted, while mina's smile faltered,

"Bold of you to assume that!" Mina retorts taking a spoonful of rice and stuffs it in her mouth,

"She did helped me, you're a great helper Mina," I assured her and she winked at me.

After lunch was over, everyone headed to the veranda for the dessert as today was a pleasant weather, neither snow nor too cold, and perfectly sunny, Mina told me earlier that this whole house was builded and decorated according to mama, and she loved free spaces under the sky so veranda was her favourite place to plan,

The veranda was styled simply so beautiful, there was wooden panel of roof, which continued on it's sides to the wooden railing on the perimeter, so that the perfect amount of sunlight can enter, and next to the glass sliding door an L shaped sofa sat, opposite to that was a white crochet swing chair hanging and the last corner, there was also a barbecue grill stand, this is perfect for picnic on a sunny day.

After having dessert in silence I observed that bi jaan and mama were awfully quiet as if they both were thinking about a...problem maybe? Or am I thinking too much?

Farhan got an call from someone so he excused himself and went back inside to attend the call, few minutes later after Farhan left mama says,

"Safina called amma today," she says looking carefully at baba who paused his banter with mina,

Baba was appalled, his face contorted in silent fury, it looked he wanted to lash out but he calmed his expression and replied,

"And?"

Amma looked nervously to amma, who looked quite conflicted herself, I was a little confused here, I knew for a fact that Aunt Safina's family had issues from her own sister's family but I have no idea what are those? Where they related to Fahad bhai's death or some family political issues?

"She," mama cleared her throat, "She said Amma that she wants to invite us all on her twenty eighth anniversary,"mama said every word carefully as if she was scared that baba might explode like a time bomb, "She um also said that she wants to resolve our old issues."

Mina expressions mirrored mine, but she sat quiet sensing the building tension in the atmosphere,

Baba sat quietly looking down, the tension in the atmosphere escalated almost making me choke.

"What does she wants?" Baba asked with an impassive voice which surprised me, I liked his cheerful self only,

"Bas kaha milna Chahti hai, shayad purane rishto ko phirse jodna chahti hai?"[just said that she wants to meet, maybe she wants to amend old ties?] Bi jaan asks hopefully,

I could understand her torment, she wanted both of her daughters to live peacefully and not break relations which is heartbreaking for a mother and the elder of the family.

Baba scoffs, "Jod hi na le purane rishte."

[As if she would amend her relations]

Mama and bi jaan stayed quiet as baba sighed  removing his glasses,

"I have no idea of her intentions to make amends now, after years of not talking to us, saso-mom, I respect your decision, but I am sorry, I won't be able to join them," he gets up from his seat, "Although I know he will decline, but you can ask Farhan." With that, he walks out of the veranda,

Not knowing what to say I remained silent, I didn't want to be seen as a nosy daughter in law, if mama wants to tell me she would, I can't interfere here.

"Don't know how Farhan will react now," mama sighed wiping her hands on her face tiredly,

"Maybe try talking calmly and make him understand?" Mina said and amma and bi jaan glared at her the same way. Like mother like daughter?

Mina awkwardly tucked a strand of her hair, "No? Okay."

Mama shook her head and turn towards me, startling me,

"I know beta you might be a bit confused here, but you know about our family situation right?" She asks hesitating,

I nod my head. I don't know anything. But she doesn't need to know that.

"Try to tell him this, please? I believe you can make him understand." mama pleaded,

Not liking het saying please, I agreed, not knowing how to 'make farhan understand'

"Of course mama, I will. don't say please." I say to her,

"Don't say him now, say it tomorrow or day after, not today. I don't think I can handle both father and son's attitude on the same day," I chuckled at that, "Safina's anniversary is in two weeks."

"Tu biwi hai, pyar se samjha bujha dena use, samjh jaye ga woh, shohar aapni biwi ki bath zaroor manega" [Your his wife, make him understand by love, he will understand, a husband would always listen to his wife.] Bi jaan said, and unknowingly blush crept on my cheeks, I don't if we are on the stage where I can lovingly tell something Farhan.

"What is Ayesha going to make me understand lovingly?" Startled, I kept my hand on my heart on Farhan's voice, as he entered the veranda and sat down beside me, not only me everyone present here got startled.

Farhan's smile faltered a bit, seeing everyone shocked, "Everything good? What's with that look on everyone?"

"Yo-you came so suddenly it scared us of course, we where busy gossiping, god you are so insufferable." mina feign annoyed, which I thought would work to save us but Farhan was a bit unsure,

Mama immediately looked at me with pleading eyes, before I could say anything bi jaan interrupted,

"When did you came back from America?" Bi jaan asked confused,

I looked at her completely confused was she playing to keep it cool?

Farhan shook his head "Bi jaan I got a call, and I didn't came back from America, I never went there."

A look of realisation sets on bi jaan's face,

"I know I remember." she dismissed and I shook my head at her habit of forgetting, which saved us today.

"Where is baba?" Farhan asked draping his arm on the sofa behind my head,

"Nap time." mama says giving a tight lipped smile.

"Farhan ki dulhan, Idhar aa mujhe mere kamre tak chod aa "[Farhan's bride, come here take me to my room] I nodded my head and helped her and took her from the veranda to her room,

After helping bi jaan to lay on her bed, I said,

"You saved us today bi jaan,"

"Hein? When?" She asked placing her walking stick beside the bed, I place her slippers on the mat beside bed, so she could wear it easily when she gets up.

"Nothing, you rest." I smile, I was about to walk out when she called me,

"Before I forget telling you this, you made a good lunch, your mother surprised me the same way when she cooked first time, and your dada jaan gave her this," she took out her small purse from the nightstand drawer and took out some notes, "And promised to give you like this too when you would make food for the first time, he maybe not here with us but," she cleared her throat, "But I am, and I want to complete his wish so take it." she extended those notes to me.

I hesitated, "but bi jaan.. you don't-"

"I am not offering you, rewarding you, your dada jaan would always give it in a form of love, so take it," she said sternly but her old eyes were warm. She might be strict and stern, but behind all of it also lays, love.

Reluctantly I took it from her and kissed her hand, she dismissed me and before I could go out she says,

"Butter chicken was delicious, you made it...nice." I widened my eyes realising she picked my mistake, she had a small smile, almost invisible, which made me relax.

I smiled widely at her, and she frowned,

"If you are thinking standing here and smiling, I will give you extra money then go, don't waste my time Hira," she says laying down completely,

"Bi jaan, Ayesha." I chuckle, opening her blanket, she snatched it from me and brought it over her,

"Yeah same I remember. " she mumbled sleepily, few seconds in, she felt asleep.

I walk out of her room and closed the door, smiling I looked down at the money in my hand,

It was love, not money, from my bi jaan.

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After finishing the dinner, I stepped inside my room taking a long breath, I was about to close the door behind me when I noticed one of the house helps was looming over the small study table in Farhan's room,

I cleared my throat, she got startled and dropped the cleaning rag from her hand,

"Sorry, I didn't meant to scare you, but what are you doing here?" I ask her,

She showed me the cleaning rag and cleaning spray in her hand,

"Madam told to clean here, so I was- I was leaving." she mumbled and before I could say anything she dashed out of the room, suspiciously I moved towards the table to see what she was seeing and saw my textbook 'pharmacology' opened, which I brought along with me to catch up, as I was starting college next month, I sigh closing it, guess she just wanted to see the book.

Changing into my night clothes I waited for Farhan, he was taking way long to come here, he even left dinner in a haste. To kill time I called my mom and talked to her about an hour and before I hung up,

The sound of door closing made me turn around, expecting Farhan, I smiled but I was quite confused to see...Mina who just waved at me and dashed towards my closet..?

Mina called in from the closet, "Bhabhi where are all your clothes?"

"Um..suitcase mina, I still have to unpack." I reply and before I could ask anything, she ran back from the closet and started opening my suitcase and rummaged through my stuff,

"..mina?" I mumble,

"Sorry bhabhi, I am touching your stuff without your permission but...desperate times, you know what they say," she threw me a uneasy smile.

"It's alright..do you need anything?" I ask her, she looked at the watch on her wrist and panicked looking around my suitcase,

"Bhabhi you didn't brought any shoes? Sneakers? Just boots and sandals?" She asked taking out a pair of jeans and a sweater from my suitcase,

"No mina, I didn't thought it would be a great idea for wearing sneakers around bi jaan." Mina groaned and shut the suitcase and thrusted the clothes in my hands in a haste.

"Listen bhabhi I don't have much time..ok..so wear these. Bhai...down..go!"

She mumbled frantically and ran out of my room,

I was standing confused in the middle of the room with my clothes in my hand, and a rummaged suitcase in front of me, few minutes later mina barged in again with a pair of white sneakers in her hand and looked at me with wide eyes,

"I brought you my sneakers— Why aren't you ready go change now now now!" She dropped the sneakers and pushed me inside the dressing room,

"Mina tell me what's going on-" she slammed the dressing room door on my face, I sighed looking at the clothes in my hand and wore them,

The high waisted loose jeans or as safa said while buying it 'mom jeans' still fitted perfectly to me which I brought like two years ago, the material of the black sweater was so soft, making want to sleep it, but I was apparently in a hurry, to go to a place I have no idea about.

When I came out of the dressing room, mina was seeing out of the window looking for something, hearing me she turned back and did a double check,

"Damn," she whistled, "you should wear jeans more often, it looks so good on you." she gushed and I looked at her weirdly,

"And get killed by bi jaan? Yeah no." I scoffed searching for a matching hijab, deciding on the beige brown, I took it out but paused and asked mina, "But would like to enlighten me know what's going on?"

"Shhh, we don't have time, wear your hijab fast!" She ushered looking down from the window, tying my hair into a bun, I wore my undercap and wrapped my hijab around my head and secured it.

"What are you looking down for, are you going to jump from here?" I ask her as she told me wear her sneakers which she brought with her,

She handed me my coat and said,

"Not for me but you." she said looked down again while I was stood shocked,

Mina jumped excitedly, looking down from the window,

"Fast fast your hero is here, now go!"

"Mina tell me what's happening now!" I demanded looking at her,

She looked down at the window and then at me and sighed desperately, "Fine! Bhai made a plan and asked me to help you sneak out with him, that's it!"

"Oh," I mumbled, shocked by her revelation, "Did he told you to make me wear these too?" I pointed to my attire,

She shook her head laughing,

"Not at all, he just wanted help from sneaking you out, this was my twist." she winked,

"Ok come on let's go now, I just checked, everyone was asleep, so the runway is clear but just to be safe, I will escort you from the back door, let's go now!" She grabbed my hand I struggled a bit because, I was half- way wearing my coat,

Checking like an agent, mina escorted me to the kitchen's back door carefully and waved me, giving me my phone.

"Thanks mina," I say pocketing my phone,

"No issues, just help me the same way in future, no?" She smiled sweetly, I rolled my eyes playfully before waving her bye and going out through the back door.

As I stepped out, I realised I didn't knew what to do where to go?

While I was contemplating, I felt a presence behind me, I turn around to see Farhan standing, he was still in his morning attire, wearing black jeans with a white sweater, but now he added a black leather jacket, he was standing there, behind me with his arm raised and his expression showed he was caught off guard,

"What are you doing?" I asked him seeing his hand in air,

"I..," he cleared his throat and looked at me from top to bottom making me squirm a little, "was...um going to tap you..but anyways," he cleared his throat again raking a hand through his hair,

"You look..amazing." he says sincerely, making me smile.

"Really?" I smile looking down at my outfit,

He shook his head as if clearing his thoughts and grabbed my hand leading me to garage, there were two white sedan and an white suv here, and as we passed all the three cars, I was quite confused when he lead all the way to the corner, where I could see a single shutter.

"Why didn't you take your car out already?" I ask, as he pressed a button on the side of the wall,

He turn back, with his keys raised, and moved aside when the shutter opened fully,

"Cause we aren't taking one." he moves aside, my eyes widen when I see what it is,

I gasped, "It's Harley."

He grins, walking over to the bike, inserting the key in, the bike roared to life, he wheeled the bike out of the shutter and stood in front of me,

"The whole day, I was busy getting it's engine checked and to see if it's still working the same," he straddles his bike, giving it a race, "Still the same," he grins.

"It's a beauty." I admire the bike, intrigued by the bike and happiness of the person sitting on it.

He look at me, "What are you waiting for? come on," he waved me to come, I walk to him, he gave me a helmet to wear before, giving me his hand to climb at the bike, adjusting my self, I grabbed his shoulders,

"What are we doing? Going rebellious?" I chuckled looking at him through the side mirror he caught my eye and winked.

He actually winked.

"Didn't say I wasn't." with that he wore his helmet and drove from the garage, I gripped his shoulders tightly,

I was actually shocked when the guard at the back gate secretly opened the door and was helping Farhan escape enthusiastically.. after we crossed the gate, I turn back to look at him to see him waving back happily as if he was waiting for this moment. The backside of the house had only two rooms one Farhan's and other mina, the back gate definitely is a great sneak out spot.

"He used to help me sneak out at night back, when I was a teenager." Farhan's voice filtered in the night air, as he zoomed in the road, I immediately gripped his shoulders tight,

"Look Forward Farhan," I screeched,

"Oh relax will you, I have experience doing this, and," he paused, grabbing my hand which was on his shoulder and bought it down to his torso, all the while he kept riding the bike.

"Relax wifey, and experience the late night adventure with your husband." He tapped my hand and moved his back to the bike handle.

Tightening my hold on his torso, I bought my other hand to wrap around him too and leaned my head on his shoulder,

"I will take that as a yes." he increased the speed making me laugh and tightening my hold.

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A/N:-

I am so happy with the responses I am getting, it inspires me so much to see people loving my work 🥹🫶🏻

Manifesting late night bike rides with bae>>>>😍

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