𝟐𝟒. 𝐊𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐚𝐛 𝐇𝐨 𝐓𝐮𝐦

Barkat Villa buzzed with action after breakfast as the family members took to their rooms to prepare for the first event of what looked like a long chain of events in Daniya's wedding.

"Mumma! What do I wear?"

Came in Muaaz and Muskaan from the two ends of the living room where Saira was sipping her tea.

"Oh, God! You two." She shook her head, setting down her cup of tea. Muskaan shot a playful glare at him who only grinned in return.

"Mumma, me first." Said Muskaan.

"Let me talk to Muaaz before that." Saira said, turning her attention to him.

Muskaan gasped. "But, mom! I am your daughter. Not him!"

"That's cuz he is my son."

Muaaz let out a 'pfft' before quickly covering his mouth. Their gazes met and the playful glare coming from Muskaan wasn't playful anymore. Muaaz straightened at once, putting a finger to his lips although his torso was shaking with silent laughter.

"Dekho, Mumma, he is cackling at me."

"He is not laughing." Saira negates the statement like you would to a toddler. The arched brow from her daughter said the same.

I'm not a toddler anymore.

"Ok, maybe he is laughing-- a little--" By now the little giggles had turned into a peal of full-blown laughter where he was clutching his stomach and couldn't put a stop to it. His contagious laugh got to Saira and Muskaan herself who couldn't help but chuckle.

"Stop it, Mr. Angrez. We have work that needs to be done."

"Sorry-- I just--" He wheezed, sucking in a breath. "Oh God! When Mumma said 'that's cuz he is my son.' I just lost it. Aaahhh! Sorry, I'm OK. What were we talking about again?"

"Muaaz is also starting to forget things like you."

"Clothes to wear for tonight." Muskaan offered at Muaaz's question, ignoring her mother's comment.

"Oh yeah. Mumma, you really need to help me first. Cuz, I am your son."

"And, I am your daughter."

"There we go again."

"I am the first child of this family," Muskaan argued.

"I came into this world before you."

"Not in this house, though."

"I might've. Ask mum."

"Did he, mumma?"

"What?" Saira questioned.

"Step into Barkat villa before I did?"

"Of course! I mean he practically grew up here like you, Fatty and Farha."

"I--" Muskaan fumbled. "I mean, yeah, sure I guess. But not as much as we."

"But that doesn't rule out the fact that he was here before you."

"Does that mean you'll help me first?" Muaaz grinned at Saira who was at a crossroad between her own child and her godson.

"Uh, I-"

"Saira," came in Fahad's voice as he stepped into the house. Muaaz straightened up, moving to step a little closer to his aunt just in case, and squared his shoulders. Fahad stopped by where the trio stood, and took his sweet time to access their faces, staring at Muaaz for a couple of seconds longer before saying,

"Mera shirt istri kardo, please."

"Coming right up." His wife said, following his lead.

"But, Mumma, what about me?" Muskaan asked, joining the train.

"Tum bhi chalo uper, I'll find you something to wear."

"And me?" Muaaz called out, stopping at the bottom of the stairs and watching the family make their way up.

"Choose a nice shirt, it's a semi-formal lunch."

"Right."

Muskaan stopped dead in her tracks listening to her mom's words.

"Ab kiya hua?" Saira questioned her daughter's abrupt stop.

"I need water." She lied, excusing herself, descending the stairs, and took a detour to Muaaz's room.

She knocks the door that was left ajar and pops her head in. "Mr. Angrez?"

"In here," He calls, standing in front of his open wardrobe.

"Hi," Muskaan says as she makes her way towards where he stands.

Muaaz turned to her fully and flashed one of his best smiles to her. "Hey," The simple gesture led Muskaan's heart to skip a beat and her breath hitched in her throat.

"I was just here to tell you that pick a nice shirt but not from the best collection that you have."

"Kiya matlab?" He frowns.

Taking a deep breath in, Muskaan starts to elaborate. "You told me you didn't like the way Daniya's mother was taking you around to meet her friends?"

"Mm-hmm,"

"So if you end up looking devilishly handsome in the first event of the week-long shaadi, you might end up getting verbally engaged to one of her friend's daughters."

As sad and shocking as it was to break it to him like this, it was the truth and Muskaan knew it.

"Understood."

The burden lifted from her shoulders as she let out a breath. "Ok, great! See you then."

Muskaan would never admit to anyone or even herself that this Angrez has slowly begun creeping into her heart. She'd had sudden thoughts of him at the most random moments, felt the urge to just see his face even though he had just come home from work where he spends most of his time with her, wanted to be the reason for his smiles, not the one he's always wearing, but that special one where his eyes crinkle in the end or when he flashes his teeth and grins.

The rising need to protect him from all the prying eyes he'd be facing soon was also a result of this unexpected person living rent-free in her heart.

Now, she makes her way upstairs to her room where her mother is awaiting her arrival with a hearty skip in her step. She was humming to herself when she pushed the door open and faced Saira who didn't fail to notice the subtle change in her daughter's behavior from a couple of minutes ago.

"Had your glass of water?" She asked to which Muskaan replied with a nod and a slight smile, relieved as she pictured Muaaz looking hideous in whatever he chose to wear for the lunch. Like a red and black flannel button-down.

Muskaan doesn't waste a second to dress up after her mother picks the dress for her and does her usual makeup routine, adding a wing to her eyeliner and extra gloss to her pink lips.

"I'm ready!" She calls into the hallway, stepping out of her room. On seeing the doors to the other rooms still shut, she blows a raspberry knowing she was the first to get ready and the others weren't yet.

Deciding to stroll into the kitchen to actually drink water this time, she makes her way downstairs. She skids to a halt when her eyes land on Muaaz stepping out of his room, and her heart sank instantly.

She felt this sudden need to cry and scream at what her eyes made her watch forcefully.

I'd told him! Her heart exclaimed. I'd warned him and yet--- and yet he managed to pull off the 'ugly outfit' in Muaaz Hussein Taseer's version.

He hadn't noticed her presence yet which gave her the advantage of dashing to her room and shedding a tear or two of frustration but she knew it was a stupid idea as tears never came. She can't count the number of times she'd cried this year which was 0, so running back to her room now was off the list.

Instead, she did what she knew best. Masking her disappointment, she stepped the last step and strolled in his direction.

"Damn it," Muaaz cursed, suddenly struggling with the cuff on his sleeve.

"Need help?" Her voice reached his ears before he could twirl around to face her. And when he did, his brain had to mentally slap him back to his senses so he didn't forget to breathe.

Darn it, he thought, taking in her appearance.

She had told him not to dress up but she just did the opposite, highlighting her gorgeous eyes with that wing and glitter, those naturally pink lips that were smothered with gloss, and the faint peach blush on her high cheekbones.

Was she trying to kill me? Muaaz thought, swallowing thickly.

"Yes, please." He extends his hand forward, waiting for her to do the simple cuff that he surprisingly couldn't for some reason.

His eyes took this moment to drink her in, darting from the single pearl dangling off her ear to the silver chain with its matching white pearl that rested right in the center of her collarbone. Her hair was down and loose, curled slightly at the end.

Muaaz couldn't help himself as the words rolled off his tongue. "You're gorgeous." He whispered.

Muskaan, who was focused on the task at hand looks up and meets his dark chocolate eyes. She noticed how his hair was done, probably gelled into a quiff because it appeared wet. He'd trimmed his beard, defining it in just the right place.

I wish I could say the same, she wondered but chose not to say it.

"There you go," she said instead, dropping his hand and taking a step back to put some safe distance between the two.

"So, did I get the assignment right?" He asks, flexing innocently in front of her to see.

Band kardo ye torture! Main hath jord ke vinti karti hoon. Her insides screamed.

"Not quite." She said quietly.

Muaaz couldn't help the grin. "That means I look devilishly handsome."

"You do." She conceded.

He didn't fail to notice how awfully quiet she went. His fingers gripped her chin delicately and tipped her face so she could look at him.

"I'll be careful, I promise." He uttered, sensing her unrest. "I won't let anyone get verbally engaged to me for the entire length of this wedding."

Still not believing his words, she raised her hand, holding out her pinky between them. "Do you solemnly swear you won't let any woman near you?"

"I mean, I can't push away whoever chooses to have a chat with me now, can I? You do have to be mindful that I am a guest there."

"Hussein!" She shoves him away and spins on her heel beginning to walk away from him.

Muaaz was quick to grab hold of her wrist and pull her back to him, locking their pinkies as he did. She was frowning when he met her eyes and smiled to himself.

"I swear."

"Say it."

"I swear to not let any woman come near me with the wrong intentions." He said raising their semi-entwined fingers for her to see.

"You won't talk to any woman."

No matter how absurd this statement sounded, Muaaz accepted it wholeheartedly and repeated after her.

"I will not talk to any woman who seems suspicious." He added the last bit earning a scowl from her.

"You will not smile at any woman."

"I will not smile at any woman."

"You will not touch any woman." This extracted a scowl of his own at her but she stood her ground, raising her brows at him. He sighed.

"I will not touch any woman. Happy?"

"No, but satisfied? A bit."

He chuckled at her lightening the frown on her face. His thumb reached for the area between her brows and he smoothed it with a swipe, shooing away the permanent frown of her beautiful face.

Muskan bit back the urge to smile like a teenager, fighting the butterflies in her stomach and the rising goosebumps at his touch. She just stared at him, dazed at the type of man he was.

A throat is cleared behind them, making them jump away from each other.

"Dada,"

"Ready bacho?" He asks, feigning innocence to the moment he has interrupted. His eyes took in their red faces.

"Ji," They said in unison.

He motioned for the two of them to follow him, stretching his hands in their direction. At once, Muaaz and Muskaan take his hands in theirs and they begin taking baby steps toward the front door.

"When your parents were getting married," He started, gesturing towards Muaaz. "That's when Fahad and Saira met each other. Fahad was Wajih's bestfriend and Saira was Rehana's cousin sister. But they knew each other before that because your Nana and I were close friends. And let me tell you this, Fahad and Saira couldn't stand each other for longer than a minute."

The trio chuckled.

"Ek minute bhi aysa nahi hota tha jab dono argue nahi karte."

"Really?" Muaaz exclaimed. "What happened then? How did they end up getting married?" He asked, wanting to know more.

"They fought each other but they couldn't fight fate." Maqsood Abdullah smiled ruefully, recalling all those years. "But it wasn't easy to get them married. Saira had come to India for the wedding, and we got her engaged to Fahad. She went back to the States because she had commitments made and came back 2 years later, got married and never left since." He let's out a sigh, looking at the younger versions of his son and daughter in law.

Placing his hand on their heads, he read a series of duas. "Allah tum dono ko khush rakhe."

"Ameeeeeeeen!"

"Muskaan!" Maryam called for her niece.

"I'll be back." She tells the men and goes back into the house while the duo proceeds toward the car.

Muaaz looks over his shoulder at the same time Muskaan does as she makes her way up the stairs and he winks.

⚜️

Humna, Daniya's mother welcomed the Abdullahs with open arms, going around to meet each and every member of the family one after the other. Thanks to Muskaan and Daniya, spending most if not all their life around each other, the bond between the two families has only grown stronger.

"Khairyat bache?" She asked, smiling at Muaaz. "Mashallah bohot ache dikhre aaj aap. Formals me pehli baar dekhre bache ko."

Muaaz's cheeks turned pink, the tips of their ears feeling hot at the compliment he knew not to take lightly.

"Aur humari Muskaan to hai hi pyaari."

"Dono twinning karre sky blue me." Humna's husband pointed out happily, unaware of the role of 'Seema Aunty' his wife was playing for Muaaz and Muskaan, setting them up with others.

Muskaan and Muaaz had been smitten by the way the other looked but didn't realize that they were in fact twinning with the sky-blue chikankari suit she had worn and the Oxford shirt paired with beige trousers he had opted for. They shared a look, just like the rest of Barkat Villa members did. Except one.

Fahad Abdullah.

He didn't look the least bit pleased like the rest but annoyed at the coincidence. The Father mode in him went off, making him take a step towards his daughter.

"Chalo, let's go in." He announced, grabbing Muskaan's hand like she was a toddler needing assistance to walk, and led her inside.

Once inside, the family parted ways. The men went for the drawing room while the women sat down with their chit-chat buddies.

Muskaan rushed over to Daniya and took her in a bear hug.

"Mashallah kiya baat hai. Ache mood me dikhre aaj." Her bestfriend commented pulling away.

"Acha mood nahi," Muskaan says, trying to down play it a bit. "But sukoon mein hoon."

"For what?"

"That you're getting married." She lied smoothly.

"I don't believe that and you know it."

"But that's all I've got atm, Dani."

Daniya hummed in response. "Koi baat nahi. I have a surprise for you."

"Surprise?" She frowned. "What is it?" She asked looking around her best friend's room.

"It's not here. Abhi raaste mein hai."

"Oh? Is it a living thing?"

"Very much alive and kicking."

Muskaan gasps. "Is it a cat? Are you gifting a cat as a farewell gift?"

"What? No!" Dani said. "Knowing Saira aunty's allergic, I would never."

"Mumma ko sirf US mein trigger hote allergies. She's completely fine here." Muskaan plops on the bed, while Dani sat by her dressing table, giving her lashes a final coat of mascara. "Acha bolo na kiya surprise hai?"

"Sabar, meri jaan. Sabar."

"Give me a hint at least!"

"You really like it."

"I like way too many things," Muskaan said pursing her lips in thought.

"But this one you like sabse zyada."

"You are not helping, babe."

"Isiliyea boli, see for yourself."

"Urghhh!"

"You hungry?"

"Did someone say, hungry?" Farha pops her head in the doorway. "I am hungry."

"That's cuz you didn't have anything for breakfast," Muskaan argued.

"Farha," Daniya called her name in the stern way only reserved for older siblings.

"I will eat after the men are done."

"The guys are eating now?" Muskaan asked, reaching for her phone already.

Have you eaten? Her fingers typed quickly and hit send.

Muaaz was quick to reply with a picture of his plate filled with so much food there was no room left on the cutlery. A snort escapes her mouth.

Did you leave anything for the others? She asked.

Muaaz replied with another picture of a plate that was filled with food in the same manner if not more. 'Fatty had his share so I suppose there's more.'

"What's that?" Farha questioned, peeking at the screen.

"Lunch menu."

"Haleem, butter chicken, naan, biryani, raita, kabab, what's the meetha?"

What's the meetha? She texted receiving an audio message in return.

'What's for dessert?' Muskaan recognizes Muaaz's voice instantly, acknowledging the fact that they'd never spoken to each other over the phone.

I see gulab jamun, shahi tukda and kheer. Fatty answered. Which one are you gonna have?

All of them, duhhh.

"Who is that"? Daniya questioned making Muskaan aware of her surroundings.

"Fatty and Muaaz discussing desserts," Mudkaan replies with a shrug.

She felt guilty about keeping things from her best friend even if it meant not telling them that you have crossed the line of crush-hood on your cousin and are in now a foreign land because her mother is setting him up with someone else.

After they'd had lunch, everybody was gathered in the living room with the youngsters out on the patio. Across the garden, Muskaan spotted Muaaz. He was engaged in a conversation with a small group of friends, his laughter carrying over to where Muskaan stood. She couldn't help but smile at the sight of him, but her smile faded as she saw Sierra approach.

Aagayi Kamini.

Sierra was the kind of woman who turned heads wherever she went. Tall, with striking features and a confident air, she moved through the crowd with ease. Muskaan watched as Sierra greeted Muaaz with a bright smile.

"Hey, Muaaz," Sierra said, her voice carrying a hint of flirtation.

Flirtation wrong intention nahi hai shayad.

They exchanged pleasantries, Muaaz doing his best to show how uninterested he is in the conversation but that didn't mean he was going to be rude about it.

"So, Aunty said, you're here for this massive renovation project. How's that going for you?" Sierra asked.

"Quite well, actually. We're working on Golkonda Fort and aiming to turn it into a hotel of sorts. Can't really get into the details but that's what is going to be."

"Sounds ambitious." She smiled.

Daniya swatted at Muskaan's forearm, gaining her attention. "Stop staring at them!"

"I'm not staring, just looking. Farq hai." She scowled, giving her beastie a scowl before turning her attention back at the couple. "Waise hai kon ye, Victoria secret?"

"Mom's friend's niece."

A niece this time.

"Moved to the UK just months ago."

"Hmm, dikhra wo to." She said taking in the way Sierra was visibly trying to settle in with her hair cut short with blonde highlights in it that didn't suit her. She was probably wearing Maria B. Or Agha Noor shipped directly from Pakistan with the pants slightly over her ankle.

Their conversation was animated, filled with shared laughter and easy camaraderie. Muskaan cocks her brow when Sierra places a hand lightly on his arm as she just couldn't stop laughing at something.

Muaaz who was used to such innocent touches, let her hand stay for a couple of seconds before pulling back his with a smile and going back to whatever the bullshit they were talking about. He nodded at something she said, his eyes briefly falling on Muskaan standing with Daniya and someone who he'd not seen before approaching them from behind.

He notices the guy and Daniya carry out an animated conversation without Muskaan noticing before he comes around to face her. He couldn't hear a word they were saying but something went off in Muaaz's head.

His stomach churned as he watched the interaction. His heart sank when she gave him a Muskaan.

Muskaan smiled at him! His mind went berserk, mode panic going full swing.

And when she laughed at whatever he said and he pulled her in for a quick embrace, Muaaz lost it.

May day! May day!

"Excuse me," He dismissed Sierra, taking quick and determined steps in the direction of the trio.

His mind fuelled the wildfire while his heart just stuck to ramming in his chest.

I don't care who he the f he is, but he just can't touch her like that.

Muaaz's hand went straight for the stranger's collar but before he could grab it, Fateh materialized out of nowhere and dragged him away.

"What are you doing bhaiya?!" He exclaimed, holding Muaaz's elbow with two hands and pulling him to a corner.

"He really can't touch her." Muaaz gritted, not taking his eyes off him.

"Of course, he can't, but you can't hit him for it."

"Not when he's asking for it."

"Paani peelo aap thoda. Tabiyat kharab hori aapki."

Muaaz yanked his hand free and took the plastic glass of water and chugged it down in one go.

"Better?" Fateh asked in a softer voice.

"Not really." Muaaz sucks in a deep breath, gaining control of his self. "Who is he?"

"I don't remember very clearly but I think he was with baj back in high school. After passing grade 10th his family moved to the States. And I'm guessing he's back now after all those years."

Bohot yaarana lagta hai.

"Anyway, let's go," Fateh said, beckoning Muaaz to stand up. Looking at them a final time, he sighs and pushes to his feet, following Fateh inside the house.

Few moments ago...

"Your surprise is here," Dani announced, flashing an exciting smile.

"What is--" Muskaan is cut off when a pair of hands cover her eyes. "whoa!"

"Guess karo kaun."

"Who is this?" She asked, feeling the person's hand and slowly making her way towards the wrist. "I don't know."

"C'mon, take a guess."

All she knew was it wasn't the hand of a female because they were quite callous on the knuckles with a huge wristwatch on.

"I really don't know."

The hands came off, and whoever the person was came to stood in front of her. He smiled like he had expected Muskaan to identify him right away but she stood there utterly clueless, staring at the man and trying to label him.

"It's Saim!" Dani said finally.

Her words felt like a bucket of ice-cold water had been thrown on Muskaan's face as she took in the person. She could finally recall the dark pools of brown from her memory, the baby face that had now undergone a massive transformation with full-blown beard and tortoise shell glasses that completed his face.

It was in fact Saim Sikander.

"Saim," Muskaan whispered, taken off gaurd as he wrapped his arms around her in an embrace she wasn't expecting. She stood there frozen and numb not moving her arms to reciprocate the hug and mentally waited for him to pull away.

"I missed you so much." He whispered in her ear, causing her to clamp her eyes shut.

"Kaisa laga mera surprise?' Dani beamed at her, clearly proud of the stunt she'd pulled.

Muskaan was still trying to feel something besides shock and realized she had to show an emotion that was more than shock. She pasted a smile on her face, not meeting the man's gaze, and looked straight at her best friend.

"Dhamakedaar." Saim laughed, Dani flipping her hair in pride.

"I know!" She said. "I sent him a request on Insta like a month ago and told him about me getting married. Saim was like, meko aana ich hai India ab chahe jo hojaye. . ."

Muskaan gave a little chuckle, her eyes catching the retrieving figures of Muaaz and Fateh moving to the far end of the patio.

What's up with them?

". . .Itna time kaha the tum?" Muskaan turned her attention back to the Bride to be.

"Prepare karra tha." He replied, his gaze cutting to Muslaan for a split second. "Apni life set karra tha so I could marry the person I've always wanted to marry."

She felt her stomach churn at the statement.

"Bhala kaun hai wo humming bhi batao," Dani sings. "Ye tasveer uski humming bhi dikhao."

"Time to aane do." He grinned.

"Do I know her?"

"I think."

"Is she from our school?" Daniya pondered

"That's for me to know and you to find out."

"Not fair, Saim!"

"Mummy log bhi saath aaye?" Muskaan asked dreadfully.

"Yeah. All of us are in town for a month."

A month. Ha!

Her gaze flashed to where she saw Muaaz go but he wasn't there anymore. She looked around to see if Sierra was still there which she was but not with Muaaz. But where had he gone?

Oh God, I need a breather.

"Be right back." I announce, spinning on my heel and making my way inside.

My mind was running at the speed of an F1 car and I couldn't take it. Amidst the haze, I spot Muaaz standing a couple feet from me. When his gaze lands on me, he drops whatever he was doing, and covers the distance between us, takes my hand in his, and whisks me away just like that. While I, like a weightless body, follow his lead without a single protest and we find ourselves in a quiet room.

He drops my hand and crosses his arms across his chest instead.

"You have something to say to me?"

"About?"

"About what happened out in the garden."

Muskaan frowns, trying to recollect what exactly he's talking about.

"With the guy that hugged you..?" He prompted.

"Saim, you mean." She provided but the look on his face said 'elaborate' "He was with me in high school before moving to the States."

"And is it normal for schoolmates to hug eachother here?" He asked with no hint of malice in his voice.

"We hadn't seen each other in years."

"Ok."

Shit.

Did I sound defensive? She dreaded. I didn't mean to defend that act because I didn't hug him back. Had he not seen that? Me standing limp and frozen in my spot?

Muaaz sighs. "All I wanted to say was I hope you know the promise you made goes both ways and applies to you as well."

"Huh?"

He reaches for her pinky, entwined it and raised it to their faces.

"I solemnly swear,." He says, urging for her to repeat after him.

She bit her cheek. "I solemnly swear,"

"I will not let any man come near me with the wrong intentions."

"I will not let any man come near me with the wrong intentions."

"I will not talk to any man who seems suspicious."

"I will not talk to any man who seems suspicious."

"All my smiles are reserved for Mr. Angrez." She chuckled as the words left his mouth but repeated nontheless.

"Are we clear?" He stressed, raising his brows.

Aag dono taraf lagi hai barabar ki.

Muskaan smiled out of relief. Relief that she's not the only one feeling the way she did for him. Relieved that she didn't have to worry about Saim catapulting into her life like Hiroshima and she had something to fight for this time.

"Crystal."

💥💞

The first author's pov of the book. What do you guys think?