𝟐𝟕. 𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧

"What day is it today?" Saira mumma questioned Noor who sat across from her, as I stepped into the dining area.

Her eyes land on me and she raises her brow in question seeing me all dressed up in a classic white kurta. "And where are you off to?"

"It's the 16th of June," i answered. "And, I am heading to the cemetery."

"Cemetery?" Noor's ears pick up. "Why?"

"It's the death anniversary of my grandpa."

"Oh," She says while Mumma falls silent, staring at the plate of food. "Do you know how to find your way around the graves?"

I nod. "Papa has given me a set of directions. I think I will be OK."

"Should I call Karamat uncle for you?"

"I ubered my ride."

"Want me to pack you a snack?"

"No, ba--" Her eyes go wide in shock, detecting the term of endearment that almost rolled off my tongue, followed by raised brows in warning. "No thanks, I am good."

I flash her a secret smile and wink before bidding them farewell and making my way towards the front door.

The ride to the cemetery wasnt a long one. I thank the Uber driver after getting off the car and take steady steps towards the huge gates of the cemetery. Pulling out my phone, I follow the directions papa texted me and come to stand infront of two graves.

Yusra Syeda

Ibtesam Taseer

A sigh leaves my mouth as I stare at the two people Iwas once blessed with only to be taken away from me so early in life, resting 6 feet under. I shut my eyes, trying to envision what they were like. Attempting to make out their faces in the darkness that had shadowed my vision.

I snap my eyes back open when the faces of Maqsood Abdullah and Hafsa Begum takes form. All the moments I've spent with them up until now flash in my mind.

What is that supposed to mean?

I'd be lying if I said I felt like an outsider living in Barkat Villa for the past months. Everybody have treated me like their own. Especially Dada jaan and dadi jaan.

I've never felt anything besides their grandchild every minute I've spent around them. They treat me just like they do to Fatty, if not more caring.

Am I wrong if I see them as my grandparents too?

I blow a breath, and focus on my prayer when the sound of leaves crunching catches my attention. Turning to look at my right I am stunned to see Sir come to stand next to me.

"Assalamalaikum," I am the first one to greet him.

"Walaikumsalam." He replies in his unusually curt tone. I take it as a sigh he needs to be left alone like usual.

I go back at staring at the tombstones wondering what it feels like to have Dada and Dadi around. Is it the same as Nana and Nani? Or are the memes about the mothers side of the family being different than the father side true?

"What were they like?" I ask, not really expecting an answer.

"Usual desi parents."

"And to me?"

"Usual Dada dadi."

"Did I get to spend time with them when I was a kid?"

Sir doesn't reply but nods his head.

"Was I a spoilt grandson?" I notice the slight twitch in his lips as he nods in affirmation again.

"Am I good grandson if I don't remember what they looked like?"

His eyes met mine. They had an unsettling look in them. Like he meant more than he was saying.

"Yes, you are." He rasped.

I flash him a smile. Grateful for all the support he was giving me today.

Unable to hold his gaze without my eyes getting watery in front of him, I look away.

"It's not your fault you didn't get to spend much time with them. They couldn't travel much and you lot couldn't fly here every year."

I nod my head, understanding. "Would the situation we are in today be better had they been around?"

Sir swallows thickly. "I don't know."

My stomach rumbled, a loud reminder I didn't have anything for breakfast.

"Can I ask a favor from you, sir?" His silence was a green light. I licked my dry lips, framing the request in my head. "Will you allow me to share Noor's Dada and dadi jaan with her?"

He looked like it pained him to hear the question but before I could be certain he put back his mask on.

Sir opened his mouth but was cut off by my damn stomach rumbling again.

"What did you have for breakfast?"

"Water...?"

He blows a breath and begins to walk away. "I am waiting for you outside."

"Uhhh," I watch him leave, my jaw hanging low.

Does that mean I am riding back home with him?

I don't get to question that because he was out of my sight pretty quickly. My instincts had me pull out my phone and shoot a quick text to Noor just in case I don't make it back home.

Me: Your father dearest surprised me at the cemetery. We'll be leaving together here. Pray your future husband gets back home safe.

Pocketing my phone with a sigh, I crouch down by the graves, doing a final round of round of prayer before getting on my feet.

"Sorry, did I take long?" I ask as I round the 2 wheeler and hop on behind a grunting Fahad Abdullah who refused to acknowledge my presence like it would kill him to do so.

We drive past vehicles in a silence I would otherwise label as comforting had their be someone else in his place but I was not complaining. Rather I was enjoying the cold air that slapped me in the face as we hit a wide empty road.

Stopping by a crowded place packed with 2 wheelers outside a tiffin center, whatever that is, Sir kills the engine and gets off. He shoots me a frown when I don't follow him past the crowd and inside.

"Chalo," He ushered.

"Don't you have to buy something?'

"Buy you breakfast."

My jaw drops to the floor.

Sir buying me breakfast?

Ha ha ha!

Who would've thought?!

I follow him inside with the biggest grin I could pull and get us a table while he stops by the counter. I expected someone to get us a menu but was surprised when a couple minutes later a plate of Medu Wada was placed infront of me.

I look at my favorite South Indian dish and back at the man who brought it for me. "Of course you know my favorite," I flash him all my pearly white teeth.

"I don't." Sir grumbled, pretending to be uninterested while sipping his filter coffee. But I don't take my eyes off him nor wipe the smile from my face. "Eat before its gets cold." He instructed.

I could just pull his cheeks at how cute he looked right now but thought better of it. Not wasting another second, I dig right in, wolfing down the 2 wadas and wiping the 2 chutneys off the containers.

"Can I get one more?"

He snaps his fingers like Thanos and a server stopped by. "Ek plate wada."

Just so I don't ask him any more questions while we wait for round 2, he pulls out his phone, creating an invisible wall between us. I let him, thinking he might be running low on talking-to-my-nemesis's-son energy.

I am a happy man with my happy meal as I am served another round of Wada, eating like I was hungry for days. I order myself a cup of filter coffee when Sir got busy with someone over the phone and by the time he was done, I was done too.

He frowned when he saw me grin from ear to ear. Old man has no idea he's made my week by this gesture. One I would never forget.

We exit the mini restaurant and head home wasting no time. He rings the door bell and Mumma is surprised yet relieved to see us together.

"Aap dono saath aaye?" She inquired, taking one look at my face. Sir grumbles something under his breath and walks into the foyer.

"Did he bother you?" Mumma asked me. I shake my head in negative, brushing away her concern.

I notice Noor make her way towards me over Mumma's shoulder, slowing down for her mother to leave before she bolts straight to me.

"Are you OK? What was that text for? It freaked me out! Why wouldn't you reply to me after--"

I grab her hands, lacing her fingers with mine to calm her down. "I'm perfectly fine." I tell her. "I freaked out when I saw your dad at the cemetery and taken by surprise when he offered me to drive home."

"You scared me." She juts out her lower lip.

"I'm sorry." I nudged my forehead with hers. "If it makes you feel better, he stopped by and brought me food cuz my stomach wouldn't stop rumbling."

"For real?!" I nod fervently. "Wow, guess he does care but doesn't let it show."

"I forgot to ask, where are you getting my name written in your mehnd?"

"Why should I write your name?" She cocked her brow.

"You know why."

"No I don't."

"Maza aata mujhe tang karne?" I ask point blanc, earning a giggle.

"Bohot."

"Ok. I'm sure Fatima doesn't mind adding my initials to her palm."

"Ab ye Fatima kaun hai?"

"Humna aunty's cousin sister's daughter's best friend."

"How does she manage to try and set you up with a new girl at every event?!" She frowned mirroring the expression of her father, causing me to sigh.

Yahi surat dekhna hai zindagi bhar. Aadat abhi se daalo.

"Tell me where are you getting my name written?" I pull her closer, resting our hands on my chest.

"You're supposed to find it on your own but not by me telling you where it is."

"Not fair, Noorie."

A throat is cleared behind us and we jump apart. But all is well when we see it was Fateh who made us think it was an elder and laughed to himself seeing our faces.

"Sorry to bother your secret rendezvous but baj, tayi ammi is calling you upstairs asking to start getting ready."

"Right." She nods. "Don't look too good." Noor tells me with a pointed finger and makes her way past the foyer and up the stairs.

I realise I haven't taken my shoes off and stood chatting with Noor. Moving to the shoe rack,I kick them off and put them in there place.

"So bhaiya," Fateh starts, leaning sideways against the wall. "Have you guys made it official?"

"If official means, accepting and confessing her liking towards me then yes."

"Are you gonna be talking to Taya Abbu soon?"

"I have no other option but talking to him to marry her." I sigh.

"That's gonna take time."

"Pray it doesn't take much."

With that said, I make a dash for my room and plop down on the bed. Pulling my phone out, I ring Papa, telling him all about my visit today to the tiny detail. And he just couldn't believe it.

"Fahad was there?" H asked for the nth time. "He knew where the graves were or did he secretly follow you?"

"He was there before me."

"I don't believe you."

"I've got proof." I send him the picture I'd discreetly taken of the half done plate of wada and Sir sitting across me talking away on the phone like you do when posting on IG with the caption as 'it's a date'.

Papa goes silent for a moment. I don't force a response from him giving him the time he needs having to look at his bestfriend after ages.

"Saala, rocking the salt and pepper look." I snort at his comment. "Zyada tang to nahi karta?"

"I was the one tanging him today, taking revenge for the past weeks in one go."

"That's my boy!"

We talk about more random things before his questions alerts me. "How is Muskaan?"

"She's good."

"Your mother just can't shut up about her."

"Oh My God! Ma phoned me while I was in the office and she didn't speak to me for any longer after I said my Salam and asked me to hand over the phone to Noor and they were talking about me in front of me like I don't exists."

"Do you know they're talking behind your back now?"

"Really?!" That was a shocker. I really didn't think Noor would be speaking to Ma after the FaceTime we've had in the office ages ago.

"Doodh me se Makhi ke jaisa nikaldiyea apan dono ko."

"Mr. Angreeeeezzzzzzzz," Noor came in strolling into my room like it's no one business. "What are you wearing tonight?"

"Aren't we leaving in like an hour or something?" I ask.

"Ek hi baat hai." She waved a hand, and walked over to my wardrobe pulling it open and rummaging through my clothes.

"You know there's a thing called privacy." I start, laying on my side with a propped elbow so I was facing her.

"That's why you lock doors."

"It's my fault I didn't lock the door?"

"It's ok." I grinned at her for grilling me like she does so effortlessly, anyone one would be confused. "You're talking to someone?" She asked, pointing to the phone that resting on my shoulder.

"Papa,"

"Ohh, Taya abbu!" She cheers.

"Taya abbu?" Papa and I question at the same time. I turn on the speaker so she could hear him.

"I call your wife Taya ammi and so that way you're my Taya abbu." Noor explains, taking the phone I passed to her. I motion for her to sit on the bed with a tilt of my head. "Oh, excuse me, main aapko Salam nahi kari." I chuckle as she clears her throat and acts as though she's just started a conversation.

"Assalamalaikum, Taya abbu, kaise hai aap?"

Papa on the other end was laughing to himself as he replied to her Salam. "Main theek hoon, mera bacha. How are you doing?"

"I'm fine. Just that aapka beta bohot bother karta hum sab ko."

I feign shock. "What?!"

"Main bola usko nahi bother karne ke liyea kisi ko." Papa plays along.

"You just said the opposite minutes ago! You told me to bother Sir and were happy when I told you I was doing my best at it."

"Fahad alag case hai. Bakhi ghar wale alag hai." He clarified. "Lekin Muskaan dono bhi categories me fall nahi karti. You're supposed to be treating her with the best ability you can."

"What did you do to my parents?" I ask Noor.

"It's called payback. Now you know how I feel, or at least felt."

"I thought we were past that stage."

"We are, and stop arguing with me. Let me speak to my Taya Abbu."

"Ok, well, great. I'm offended by you two and I'll leave it there." With that said, I get off the bed.

"Phir se mood off karli humari bachi." Papa teased and Noor loses it as she goes into a fit of laughter with no point of return.

"It's ok. Paani peelo." I hand her my bottle of water and approach that stack of clothes we'd bought for the series of events in the shaadi.

Noor and Papa talk some more before someone calls her name, asking for her to start getting ready. "I'll talk to you soon, Taya abbu." She says shuffling to her feet.

"Ok, bache. Take care, pass my Salam to everyone, including your father dearest."

These two.

I bid him farewell, and hang up leaving Noor stand a hand away from me.

"This is what I'm wearing," I show her the hideous pastel green kurta I hate but I'm still wearing cuz she chose it for me.

"You're gonna look great in it." She says clearly enjoying my hatred towards the outfit.

"I'm sure." I play along. "Now, shoo. We don't wanna be late cuz of you."

She gasped, pinching my bicep. Noor resorts to mumbling under her breath as she scowls her way out of my room.

"I was in the kitchen, drinking water." She says to someone probably standing at the top of he stairs and disappears out of my site.

Stepping into Daniya's house, we're greeted by loud music and a crowd of people divided into two groups. On one side were the ladies, getting their henna done while on the other were people of all ages stuffing their stomach with the open buffet system the host decided to go with for today's event.

I grab Noor's hand and pull her towards me.

"Please tell me you don't want all these events in our wedding."

"What?!"

"Please tell me you'd rather have a simple intimate nikkah over this."

"Urm, no."

"Why?!"

"I want all this," She reasoned, running a hand around the place. "I want the raunak, the crowd, the aunties and the vibe."

"But we'll have a calm, quiet and sukoon wali shaadi. As opposed to this," I point at a child who was screeching more than crying at something he was robbed off. "And this," I point at a pair of aunties sitting side by side and judging a poor girl for her choice of outfit for the day.

"Muaaz, I want this or nothing."

"I don't give you the right to say that."

"Since when?"

"The second you confessed."

"Hold your horses, buddy." She places a hand on my chest. "We've got time to discuss our wedding. Let's focus on Dani's for now."

I huff, crossing my arms at my chest and wanting an out from this place right now. "I'm outside with Fatty."

"You can't just leave."

"I'm not leaving. Just stepping out for a breath of fresh air." She squints her eyes at me. "I'll be back in a jiffy. Promise!"

"Fine."

"I love you too,"

"Hein?!"

Shit. I bite my tongue and clamp my eyes shut.

Where is my sense of control?!

"What did you just say?"

Play it cool.

"The truth." I say to her, flashing a lopsided grin.

"But I never said the L word."

"You did say you liked me."

"That doesn't mean the L word you just said." Noor stressed.

"The like is gonna be turning to love soon enough."

"What makes you so sure? It could also be infatuation."

"Really?"

I decide to pull a teeny weeny prank. Looking over her shoulder, I pretend as though someone is standing there looking at me. "Oh, hey, Fatima."

Noor spins on her heel ready to give offer a peace of her mind and walks right into my prank.

"I'll see you in a bit." I whisper leaning in her ear.

I exit the house for a while, hanging around in the porch with Fateh when my phone rings. Fishing it out, I'm not surprised to see Ma FaceTiming me like she said she would.

"Salam!" I wave into the camera with a smile. We exchange pleasantries before I pull Fateh into the view.

"Assalamalaikum," He said, blushing like Ma was his gonna be MIL.

She gasped seeing him all grown up. "Walaikumsalam, mera bacha. Kitna bada hogya!" She gushed. "Pho sent me a picture of you recently but I think I'm still talking like months ago."

"Ji," He blushed, trying his best to not embarrass himself.

"Why are you suddenly acting so shy?"

"Cuz I am speaking to her for the first time. Also, seeing her for the first time."

"Bache bhool gaye mujhe." Ma clicked her tongue, and shook her head. "Aana bohot zaroori hai India."

"You can stay with us."

"Awleleleleleleyyy." She grins. "I don't have a problem but your Taya Abbu might."

"Dada jaan wouldn't." He points out. "As long as Dada jaan is fine, you'll be fine."

"Haan, dikhra meko mera haal." I intervene.

"I called so I could see Muskaan and everybody else." She says, turning to me.

"Noor is indoors. We are outdoors." I say, flipping the camera over and showing her the decorated porch.

"Why are you outdoors?'

"Cuz they're having a girls thing in there. Mehendi, Sangeet whatever you call it. Besides, they're way too many people cramped in there. I could barely breath without sucking in someone else's carbondioxode."

"Kardiyea na angrezon wali baat."

"Buts it's true!"

"Koi baat nahi. Be a big boy and take me to Muskaan."

"You want me go in there after all I've said to you?'

"Yes."

"Urghhhh!" I let out a groan before stepping away from Fateh and heading towards the front door of people. "Give me a second." I say to Ma cuz I thought locating Noor in the crowd would be tough.

I step into the house to see Noor getting her henna done. She was seated on the divan, stretching her hand to the lady who was working on her left palm.

Raising my phone, I show Ma the scene and like always the first thing she does is gush about how pretty Noor looks.

I'll need to ask Dadi to do the nazar dua on her today.

"Go to her." Ma ushers me.

"It's an all girls things, Ma." I excuse, like it wasn't me last night dancing with her infront of all girls. "And let's not disturb Noor."

"Who Noor?" Layla pops in the camera. I open my mouth to reply but Ma beats me to it.

"Muskaan's middles name is Noor. Muaaz calls her Noor."

"Why?"

"'He likes it."

"We call her Noor back at the office."

"So you don't like it?" Ma questioned.

"Besides the point."

"Oh, she's here."

Noor makes her way toward me, wearing an excited smile. She had her hands in the air so the henna could dry and not ruin the intricate design.

"What do you think?"

I let out a dreamy sigh. "Gorgeous as always."

"I know but I'm asking about the henna."

"Pretty, especially on you." I whisper.

"Ufffff!" She rolled her eyes, pretending to not like my cheesy side.

"Ma wants to say hi." I raise the phone and switch camera so I could capture both of us in the frame.

The women exchange pleasantries and theirs more gushing about pretty Noor looks, how well her hairs done and how nice her dress is. They chat about everything and anything while I passed a few comments here and there but stood silent other time.

Noor was blowing at her hair, the curtain bangs that wont stay put and graze the side of her temple making her tilt her head to the side and avoiding contact until I decide to intervene.

We were still being watched from the camera, as i reached out and tucked the strands behind her ear. Dragging my fingers for longer on purpose fr her temple to behind her ear.

She smiled for camera but elbowed me in my ribs.

✨️▶️

This one was long due, ik. Apologies for taking too long but I was buying my time, tbh. I'm out of chapters and since the story is going slow atm, finding it hard to come up with good scenes.

Romance is tough to write, I tell you.