۰۱

•••

The night bathed the moon in its comforting black blanket and the stars shone bright like pearls, as if they were stitched cushioned. A serene silence rang throughout the Zardari Haveli as almost everyone had dozed off into deep slumber the result of an extremely hectic day, except for the room that belonged to the newly wedded couple.

Low sobs and hushed cries echoed from the woman who sat clad in a delicately crafted yet heavy peach lehenga. A veil with heavy zardozi hid her noorani face from the eyes of her spouse.

Meezan Zardari, shuffled at his feet nervously almost petrified as he eyed his shrieking bride.

How was he supposed to console this woman?

Heaving an impossible sigh, Meezan did the only thing he could think of. Or rather the only person who could help him.

He dialled the number that was on his speed dial and waited patiently as the call connected after four rings.

"Ammi?" Meezan whispered slowly as he leaned against the door, eyeing her who sat on his bed with the lehenga sprawled, in his room.

"Huh? Meezan? Tum phirse kahin gir gaye ho kya?!" He flinched as he heard his mother's groggy sleep driven voice.

(Did you fall somewhere again?)

He had fallen down numerous times in the past week and it had coincidentally happened all in the night time. It had gotten so bad that, once he slipped near a manhole almost falling and dying in the sewage. What a horrid death to die!

Noor, his younger sister had teased him saying that he was so in love that he couldn't walk straight without falling to his feet.

Meezan could only scoff at his delusional sister. Love? He barely even knew his bride.

"Nahi Ammi. Main theek hoon wo--" Meezan replied, but was cut off soon enough when his mother started yelling at his father who was probably asleep too.

"Hashim! Aapki phislati aulaad apne shaadi ke din bhi gir gayi hai. Is baar keh raha hai ke Dahi mein gir gaya hai. Arrey uthein!"

(No, I am alright-)

(Your slippery son has fallen down on his wedding too. He is saying this time he has fallen in yogurt. Wake up!)

Meezan groaned ready to pluck his hair out as he eyed her sceptically who was still sobbing. How much is she going to cry? Ya Allah, help me.

"Meezan? Dahi ka raita bana lena, beta. Kal hum lunch ke liye rakh lenge." His father's drowsy voice came this time as his parents passed the phone back and forth.

(Make dressing out of the yogurt we'll have it tomorrow for lunch.)

"I am alright! I didn't fall. It's her. She is crying. What do I do?" Meezan whipered yelled finally causing the sleepy couple to go mute.

Nobody spoke a word for a solid minute, causing Meezan to wonder if they had dozed off again, but then his mother's angry voice echoed causing him to move his phone away from his ear flinching.

"Kaisi bewakoof aulaadein di hai allah ne humein. Aisi aulaadein hi aani thi mere naseeb mein. Ek to tumhara bada bhai tha, jisne ek hafte tak apni shakal gum kardi thi shaadi ke baad aur ek tum saabzaade ho, jisko aapni biwi ko sambhala bhi nahi jaa raha."

(What stupid kids God has given me. These dumb kids were only written in my fate. On one hand was your elder brother who didn't show his face for one whole week and then you are there who can't even handle his wife.)

"Ammi, chillaein to nahi." Meezan whipered pouting. His mother didn't reply but he could hear her heaving huge breathes.

"Console her, mere raja bete." His mother finally said, sarcastically almost.

"How do I do that?" Meezan questioned innocently, this caused his mother to scream her head off again.

"Meri jooti batayegi tumhe. It's one'o'clock Meezan Zardari! Don't make me come over there and slap some sense in your vacant mind."

(My slipper will tell you.)

Meezan's eyes widened like saucers as he weighed the intensity of his mother's threat. He had no doubt in his mind. She would do it.

"Huma, calm down. I'll handle this. Tum so jao" Meezan sighed as he heard his father's voice, trying to calm his mother down.

"Ask her what's bothering her. Assure her that you are there for her. Make her comfortable." His father began giving him pointers patiently after calming down his chaotic mother.

Meezan nodded obediently his eyes drifting towards her who had subsided her crying but her body was still shaking.

"Hug her if you must. Ask her consent before doing that, though. She has left everything behind to come and live with you, the least you could do is respect her."

"Do what?!" Meezan's traumatized voice rang loudly, but his father had already cut the call, knowing well enough that his son was a royal pain in the ass with his questions.

Meezan sighed softly, as he walked towards his bride, his steps cautious almost seeming like a lion walking towards its prey, when in reality it was quite the contrary. The room had fallen into a dead silence as the only sound that echoed was the sound of their bated breaths.

"Anabiya?" He whispered painfully slowly as he enunciated her name.

She didn't even move or flinch, just sat statued as she clutched the corners her beaded lehenga. Meezan sat by the foot of the bed facing her,well he could barely see her face as the huge veil covered it. Meezan wondered why hadn't she lifted it. It looked extremely heavy.

"Are you alright?"

Yet, again no reply. But, this time she sighed heavily as her shoulders slumped.

"Anabiya?" Meezan frowned, his hands itching to lift the heavy piece of cloth covering her face. How long was she going to sit like this?

"Do-do you want a hug?" He muttered, thinking about his father's advice. Heck, he didn't want to. But, anything to have her remove that veil and talk to him.

"Aap na pehle, mujhse seedhe mooh baat karlein. Then you'll hug me." The firecracker of a girl finally said smoothly from under the veil.

(First you talk to me face to face.)

"Huh?" Meezan spitted out, his ears turning red at her bluntness. Why was he shocked? He knew she was always this straight forward

"Offo. You are useless, Meezan Zardari. " The girl snarled, as she grabbed his hand blindly and put it on her veil before lifting it up revealing her face to him. Finally.

Meezan gasped, for two reasons because, firstly, she looked gorgeous. Her familiar fierce coffee mocha eyes sat unflinching as they glared right at him. Her long lashes touching her puffed up chubby cheeks and her velvety lips were coated with a rich lipshade. A nose ring, decorated her straight nose as it dangled. Something clenched in Meezan's heart as he realised that this beautiful woman was his wife. He always knew she was attractive but, never paid close attention since it was not permissible. But, right now he knew it was all halal.

Secondly, she had touched him and called him useless all in a moment's time. What in the fricking fracking hell?

"Masha'allah hi bol dein. Tareef to aap karne nahi waale." Anabiya said as a scowl grasped her flawless features.

(Say, masha'allah atleast. I know you won't compliment me.)

"M-masha'allah." Meezan muttered, smiling softly, his ears turning red again.

"Merherbani aapki. Oho, bus kitna sharmaoge aap. Now give me my mooh dikhayi gift." She said, eagerly forwarding her hand.

(Thank you. How much more are you going to blush?)

Meezan frowned, as he stared at her cluelessly. What is she saying?

A dramatic gasp left her salmon pink painted lips as she placed her henna decorated palms on her chest.

"Kis aadmi se karli hai maine shaadi. Meri to to zindagi hi barbaad hone waali hai."

(Who have I married? My life is going to get ruined.)

Embarrassment crawled under Meezan's skin as he nervously rubbed the back of his neck.

"I-i am sorry, it's my first time. So I don't know what to do." He remarked timidly.

"Haw to mera kaunsa fifth time hai. Aap kya dusri shaadi karne ke khwaab dekh rahe hai? Sun lein, maine aapke aankhon mein garam tel daalna hai agar aapne kisi aur ladki ki taraf dekha bhi to." Anabiya said possessively as she grabbed his hand in hers, locking their finger together. Meezan sat frozen as he felt her soft hand fit perfectly in his.

(It's not like it's my fifth time. Are you dreaming of marrying for a second time. Listen I will pour hot oil in your eyes even if you so much look at another girl)

"Tum soch samaj kar kabhi karti ho baat? Maine kyu karni hai dusri shaadi? This itself I am not able to manage." He said, whispering the last part to himself as he slowly withdrew his hand from her hold.

(Do you ever think before talking? Why will I marry for the second time?)

"Arrey mujhe pata hai, mere masoom se shohar behosh na hojayenge aese karne se pehle,but it's my duty to warn you."Anabiya giggled, as she removed her veil from her head completely, revealing her luscious brown tresses that were packed in a bun.

(I know, my innocent husband will faint before doing anything of that sorts.)

Meezan's eyes widened again as he drank in her full appearance. He had never seen her bareheaded, without a cloth covering her head. And here she sat in all her hidden glory, making his jaw drop.

"Chalein, aapko maaf kiya. I have gotten something for you though." She said as she took the box that was placed on his side time.

"Y-you didn't have to. I can't accept this when I have not given you anything." Meezan whispered, not able to take his eyes off the jannat ki hoor that sat on his bed.

"Uff itne nakhre karte hai aap. Bus rakh lein." She said thrusting the velvety black box in his hands.

(So much drama you do. Just accept it.)

"I am sorry" He said nodding thankfully. She gave him a full blown smile that caused his heart to melt a little before she waved him off dismissivaly.

"Ro kyu rahi thi ?" Meezan questioned after a few second, this caused her to lower her eyes as a blush coated her chubby cheeks. She abruptly got up struggling with her heavy lehenga and started to walk away, but something consumed Meezan as he boldy wrapped his long fingers on her wrist pulling her back causing her to fall on his chest.

"A-nabiya?" He whispered slowly, quivering at their proximity. Anabiya, placed her palms on his well defined chest and pushed back a little, creating a little space in between them.Her sweet strawberry fragrance mixed with his musky one. As their breath mingled against each other.

"I was hungry, okay? Maine theekh se biryani hi nahi kayi. Aur shaadi ke pehle maine strick dieting ki thi." She pouted, as she pulled away from him.

(I didn't eat biryani properly, and before the wedding I was on a strick diet)

A chuckle bubbled from deep within Meezan's throat as he shook his at her. She was ridiculous.

"Kisne kaha tha tume diet karne ko? Theek-thaak to ho tum."

(Who told you to diet? You look completely alright)

Anabiya glared at him, slapping his arm as she sat down back on the bed.

"Aapko pata hai, aapki wo chaval cousin, Iqra , keh rahi thi ke mein itni moti dikh rahi hoon aur meri height bhi apke saath suit nahi karti."

(You know you cousin Iqra was telling me that I look fat and even my height is not compatible with yours)

Meezan stiffened as he heard her complaint. His hands fisted as he found himself asking her "Tumne kya kaha?"

(What did you say?)

"Maine kuch nahi kaha. Aapki khala wahi khadi thi." She replied, fidgeting with her fingers.

(I didn't say anything, your aunty was standing there.)

Meezan made a mental note, to let his mother know about her sister's and niece's ridiculous behaviour. They needed to he put in their place.

"Abhi bhi bhook lagi hai?" Meezan questioned as he reluctantly took her hand in his and laced their fingers together.

(Are you still hungry?)

Anabiya nodded her head innocently as she grinned looking at their tangled hands.

"Chalo phir, tumhe bhooke pait to sone nahi de sakte ab." Meezan annouced as he grinned back right at her.

(Come on then, I can't let you sleep empty stomach.)

Anabiya got up quickly, picking up her lehenga as she walked inside the bathroom, tumbling half way throughout. After detaching herself from the heavy gown and accessories. She removed her make-up and got into the shower. That is when it struck her. She hadn't bought any clothes.

Biting down at her lips, Anabiya wrapped a towel around her body. She had no problem walking out half naked to get her clothes, but her husband would die of panic attack seeing her in such a condition. Her masoom shohar.

She slowly clicked the door open, cracking it the slightest and peeped out to see Meezan lounging on the bed in grey and black track pants his hair wet from the shower as he scrolled down his phone.

"Psstt" Anabiya called out from within the bathroom trying to gain his attention, but his gaze didn't from his phone.

"Meezan" She screeched this time causing him to raise his head in her direction. His eyes slowly widening like huge saucers behind his glasses as his cheeks started coating crimson.

Anabiya bit back a grin as she saw his reaction. The dude, could only see her face and this was his condition already.

"J- ee?" The flustered man stuttered as he stood up abruptly almost on the verge of fainting.

"I didn't take my clothes with me. Can you hand me the black bag that is near the bed?" Anabiya questioned as she pulled her lower lip between her teeth.

Meezan's eyes dashed towards her plump lips for a mili second before he abruptly lowered his head. His face undoubtedly the reddest to have existed since civilization. He quickly picked the bag and walked towards her, his eyes still lowered.

Anabiya had forwarded her hand as she eyed his every movement amused. Meezan dropped the bag on her arm quickly as he scurried outside the room not before meekly muttering.

"I am going down to the kitchen. Please, come after you change."

•••

Meezan was checking the refrigerator for leftovers when, she walked in all her mouth dropping glory. Dressed in black pajama set that had small ducks scattered all over it and her hair now covered with a black scarf.

Meezan blushed red once again as he remembered, how she had peeped from the bathroom asking for her clothes. Meezan could swear his heart had stopped beating for a solid second.

"Is there any biryani left from earlier?" Anabiya questioned as she propped herself on the chair behind the kitchen island.

"I don't think so----I believe Ammi packed the remaining Biryani for Zaviyar." Meezan answered, avoiding her eyes.

Zaviyar was Anabiya's elder brother and Meezan's best friend. Zaviyar was  also the only guardian to Anabiya. Their parents had tragically died when Zaviyar and Anabiya were 22 and 18, respectively.

A frown decorated Anabiya's face as she heard him speak.

"That means we must go out and get something. I can't cook to save a dying elephant's ass."

"I can." Meezan calmly replied as he grabbed a water bottle from the refrigerator.

"You can?!" Was Anabiya's flabbergasted reply as she pressed her palms down on the counter.

"Well, I don't see why it's that shocking. Zaviyar can cook too."Meezan said, taking a sip from the water bottle.

"Well yes, I just didn't think you would know how to cook. You... let me put this a little pleasantly--- don't seem like the type of person who would make efforts to learn a skill set as such when you have multiple people to assist you with exactly that."

"Aren't you a tad bit judgemental?" Meezan questioned as he raised a perfect brow.

"Touchè." She said shrugging as a lazy smile took over her lips.

Shaking his head at the woman in front of him, Meezan leaned against the fridge.

"What would you like to have?"

"You." The woman chirped all too quickly, her eyes twinkling with unspoken mischief. And if anyone saw her at the moment they would know she was going to bring Meezan to his knees, willingly enough.

"Ho-w are you s-so so..." Meezan stood flustered once again for the nth time this night, speechless as the bold woman made her move.

"Gorgeous, Immensely talented, Astoundingly smart?" Anabiya helped as she grinned in satisfaction seeing the after math of just uttering a mere word.

"A-aap itni to b-esharam nahi thi pehle, Mujhse to baat bhi sir jhookae bina nahi karti thein." Meezan bluttered as he rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

(You weren't so shameless before, you wouldn't even talk to me straight face, without lowering your gaze before.)

"Haan, Ab to meri shaadi ho gayi hai na aapse. Aap to abhi bhi sharmeele pandit bane phirte hai. Isme main kya karu? Shohar waale haq jatae. Maine kab mana kiya hai." She stated as a matter of factly as she twirled a hair that had escaped from her scarf.

(Yes, now I am married to you. You are still acting like a shy saint. What am I supposed to do with that? Exercise your husbandly rights. I haven't stopped you.)

"Tauba hai, ladki. Kuch bhi bol leti ho tum." Meezan screeched in horror. How could she talk like this so openly?

(God forbid, girl. You don't have a filter.)

"Kuch nayi baat bolein. Mein to Sati Savitri jaisi biwi nahi ban sakti, haan aap zaroor ban sakte hai Sati Savitri." She said waving her hand in the air almost dismissivaly.

(Say something new. I can't be a pious devoted wife. But, yes. You can be one.)

"Anabiya, Are you drunk or something?" Meezan questioned, rubbing a hand over his face.

"I am moderately functional." She replied narrowing her eyes at him.

"Ya khuda, I never imagined my wedding night to be this way." Meezan sighed brushing a hand through his hair.

"Nor did I, this is very unconventional."

"How did you imagine it to be then?" Meezan questioned out of curiosity but instantly regretted it the next second when his wife's tramp of a mouth dropped open.

"Well for starters I expected you to give me my mooh dikhayi gift and then I assumed we would just smush bodies like people nor---"Anabiya rattled but Meezan cut her off my putting his huge palm over her lips.

"Anabiya, aapne liye nahi to kamsakam mere baare mein hi soch lo esi baatein karne se pehle. I will die out of embarrassment."

(If not for yourself, atleast for my sake you think before speaking such things)

The next thing she did was something Meezan had never even dreamed about happening. She licked his palm. She fricking licked his palm.

Withdrawing his hand from her mouth Meezan wiped it on his pants agressively, a look of frustration casting over his face.

"Why would you do that?!"

"Get me some food or I might start eating you. You look and taste delectable anyways." Anabiya said bored as she casually blew over her nails.

That instantly got Meezan into action as he drew out pots and ingredients to whip up the fastest thing that could. Indomie Noodles.

Placing the bowl in front of his cannibalistic wife, Meezan took a seat opposite to her.

Anabiya let out a disappointed grunt as he eyed the bowl of noodles and then Meezan.

"I expected something better."

"Of course, you did." Meezan simply rolled his eyes seeing her already slurping down the noodles. Within minutes she was done was he was left wide mouthed once again.

"Do you want me make you another packet?" Meezan questioned, as he took the empty bowl.

"Nope, thank you. I am bloated." Anabiya said, cuddling her stomach.

Meezan chuckled as he chucked the dirty dishes in the sink.

"Let's go to the terrace." Anabiya announced, not willing to head his response as she dragged him towards the terrace.

And soon enough they were seated in plush lawn chairs adjacent to each other as the twinkling stars and moon stood witness to the couple.

"Alright, Meezan. Let's get talking. How many girlfriends have you had in the past?" Was her first question after they were comfortably seated.

"Wh-at? Do I look like someone who can even talk with girls without have a mid-life existencial crisis?"Meezan exclaimed frowning as he fixed his glasses.

Anabiya simply giggled as she gazed over at him under the twinkling sky.

"From what I have heard, Meezan Zardari is infamous for the oath he had taken towards the life of celibacy. A girl surely must have broken your heart for you to take such a drastic decision."

Meezan's breath halted at her statement as his memories glazed over with the face of the woman that had broken his heart unknowingly years ago. Dina Farooqi. He didn't regret anything so she definitely wasn't the reason he had oathed to celibacy.

"Your silence has spoken louder than the chimes of a wailing donkey, my boy." Anabiya grinned as she drew her knees to her chest.

Meezan remained mute, not meeting her gaze.

"Well, our nikkah today was done after a state of odd events. And I am positive both of us weren't ready for it." She stated as she looked over at Meezan intuitively.

It was true, Meezan's grandmother; Fareya Zardari, claimed that she was going to die this very week if Meezan didn't marry Anabiya, who was her personal nutritionist.

Fareya, suffers from a rare cardo vascular disease and refuses to be treated in a hospital claiming she wants to spend her last days in her own home and not some building that has corpses ever so often, since, all her medical treatment is being done at the convience of her home, her health also required for a nutritionist to be available at hand to take care of her nutritional needs.

So, they had hired Anabiya who was also Meezan's bestfriend's sister.

Anabiya had somehow unknowingly managed to win the cranky old lady's heart resulting into Meezan and Anabiya's marriage.

"I don't expect much from this relationship or you. But, I do want to give it a chance. I want to try and make it work." Anabiya said softly.

Meezan finally looked at her, his eyes locked with her intent ones.

"There is no girl. Or was. For the matter of fact."

Anabiya furrowed her brows squinting at him.

"It was just honest feelings and bad timing. I was young and my heart slipped for something that wasn't mine in the first place. " Meezan paused taking a breathe, "Because maybe you were written in my stars, my naseeb. And I am willing to give everything I can to make this work."

Anabiya gave him a full blown smile as she leaned forward linking their pinky fingers together.

"We will make it work, won't we?."

"We definitely will."

•••

a/n

Meree pyaare gobi ke phoolon!!

How did you find my mendak's first chapter?

Aren't they adorable?

I am trying to give quick updates, but you'll also have to do your part by voting and commenting, alright?

My mendak is such a blushing puppy, I am seriously worried for him.lol. Anabiya is going to kill him!

Alrighty! Do leave you precious feedback!

Until next time, see yaaa!

~ flawfully.