A Y E S H A : -
Grabbing the hem of my green frock, I stepped up on the stage where the bride and groom were seated glancing each other shyly after few people left the stage. With a smile, I approached the bride and groom.
Sania glanced at me and was about to say something but decided against it and turned to her now husband Affan and asked,
"Affan, who is standing here? Do you know this girl? I don't know her," She feign confusion, unknowingly making my heart clench, I try to mask my hurt expression and put on a smile which quite didn't felt like me.
"Come on sani, already forgetting me, now that you got your husband hm?" I tease her sitting on the couch beside her.
"Really? Maybe if you would've came early like it was planned, then I might've remembered you." sania tried very hard to sound stern but ended up twitching her lips in a smile.
Trying not to remember anything which happened earlier evening, I replied,
"I am really sorry sani, I really wanted to come according to plan, but something caught up," I grabbed her hand, "I am sorry,"
"Come on sania don't be so hard on her, I am sure Ayesha would've have something really important to do, that's why she is late, otherwise I am sure Ayesha would do anything for you." Affan said passing me a reassuring look, One of the reasons he is a gem.
"Of course sani, I would fight with the world to attend your wedding, how could I not?" I tease tapping her hand.
"Oh god you both, I was just joking, I am no hitler, and of course if you didn't came here, I would've never done my rukhsati." sania smiled kindly, tapping my hand.
"I am here just for a photo shot right?" Affan rolls his eyes playfully.
"You are not?" Sania chuckles,
"God, you guys have started quarrelling now." I chuckle, "Already passed several stages, I see."
"Congratulations, both of you. You look so beautiful Sania, Masha'Allah, even you too Affan, I will always pray for your Both's happiness. May Allah keep your love alive, Always." I wished them, my eyes watering seeing the happiness on Sania's face, she really deserves everything.
"Thank you." She whispers, giving me a hug.
"I am so happy for you, Sania." I whisper to Sania, who had tears in her eyes. "I love you arkadaÅım." We both chuckle with tears in our eyes.
Giving her a last hug, I smiled at Affan and climbed down the stage, walking towards Safa and Sakina's table.
Reaching the table, I took a seat where the two girls were seated, who were giggling and pointing at some boys.
"Enjoying ourselves, aren't we?" I muse sitting beside safa, making the girl slightly jump from her seat.
"Good god Ayesha, you scared me." Safa sighs dramatically.
Me and Sakina giggled at her.
"Oh Saf, look at him looks like he has some birds nest on his head, I mean who keeps a hairstyle like that." Sakina grimaced looking at a boy.
"Yeah, I mean look at those over there, they look like some business associates of sania's dad. Damn, those are some fine turkish men." safa gushed looking at the men few distance away from there table. Sakina agreed with her.
"Come on you two, stop with those staring of yours." I chuckle rolling my eyes.
"Yeah, you say that now because you got married, let us have the warm our eyes," Sakina says flipping her curly hairs.
"And souls." Safa whispers looking at a group of Affan's friends.
I look around where she was looking at, my eyes stopped on a particular boy, who kept pushing back his windswept hair over his eyes.
Imran.
"..the drunken call, it was him, I traced that number, only to know it was Imran awan, who studied in my wife's university,..."
I remember the days where we all used to sit together, on the table of our college's cafeteria, carefree, complain about lectures, making fun of the basketball team, those countless exam discussions, the notes exchange, the encouragement of each others to do better, all of it was good memories, even after the proposal incident, I would've cherished those memories, those moments forever.
But after knowing what he did, and unknowingly how Imran yet again, created misunderstandings in my life, I can't now.
Looking at his face now, all those memories don't click me, all it clicks me is the call he made, while drunk and how it caused a huge commotion between me and my husband.
Slowly Imran turned his head, and his eyes met mine, his eyes brightened, mine didn't.
I stare him for two seconds, and in those two seconds, I made sure that he notices the hate and loathe in my eyes for him.
"He's here too?" I mumble,
"Who?" Sakina asks looking over her shoulder, "That dry fish, Imran? Ignore him. We did too." She scoffs before turning back, "He's Affan's best friend, of course he's here."
"I kind of don't like him after that incident." Safa mutters beside me.
"I don't like him either." I mutter looking at him.
He waved his hand at me but I ignored him and swiftly turned my eyes away from him, I caught the sight of a curly haired woman, who had a toddler in her arms, who kept fussing and pulling his mother's hairs, he didn't stopped there, he fisted his mother's hairs now and it was comical how they both looked right now, the father I presume had to take away him from her arms and the little laughed along with his father.
I watched both of them as they sat on a table, on which...wait, is that Farhan?
I squint my eyes and lean forward, the man with the baby in his arms sat next to Farhan and said something before punching his arm, to which my husband rolled his eyes.
Farhan knows people here?
"So madame will you now tell us your lame excuse of coming so early?" I snap my head towards Sakina, who tapped her hands on the table.
"I got caught up with something." I clear my throat.
"Something? Something more important than Sania's wedding?" Safa questions,
I look down at my hands at the table and sighed, "You know I wouldn't miss it, her wedding is something we all have anticipated since forever, I really wanted to come early, but... guess you could say life is unpredictable." I tried to shrug it off,
Sakina squinted her eyes and leaned forward,
"What's with that tone? All good?"
Beside me, I felt Safa grab my hand, "Ayesha, are you okay?" Safa asked quietly.
My eyes almost filled with tears hearing that question, of course I wasn't okay, I just had the worse argument with my husband and I was guilty of not respecting my friendship.
"Yeah, why would you say that?" I chuckle, discreetly wiping the corner of my eye,
"The smile on your face perhaps, which looks naturally fake." Sakina guessed.
"No..i-its not, anyways safa do you have a chocolate with you?" I asked, in a desperate attempt of changing the topic. Safa looked at me skeptically, but nodded nonetheless and took out a kitkat from her clutch and passed me.
Chocolates are like a good therapy for sad people I never felt it but it sounds good. Plus I was hungry. Sugar is my coping mechanism after all.
Breaking one kitkat finger I started eating it, ignoring everything around me. As I was eating, my eyes magnetically slid towards my husband, I got a bit startle this time, because this time we locked our eyes together.
The curly haired woman and her husband kept talking, but his eyes were on me.
I did not wanted to slap him, I was never violent, and I hate those people who uses violence as an option. But the words he was saying, the accusations which he kept repeating really triggered something in me and I couldn't help it.
Back when we were getting out of the car, I caught the sight of his slightly swollen cheek and I felt guilty, he was wrong on many levels, but I shouldn't have slapped him, violence is never a answer, I know that, but I still did it.
If the roles were reversed, it would be so bad, so cruel, it is always cruel when someone physically attacks, I will definitely apologise him for that. Only for my violence, not my words.
"Um Ayesha why chocolate all of a sudden?" Sakina asks snapping me out of my thoughts,
"Felt like eating it, I felt chocolate is just right for me at the moment." I shrugged finishing off the last of the chocolate.
Sakina raised her eyebrows and nodded before taking out her phone, "Excuse me, it's my mum." She says before furiously typing something on her phone.
Beside me, Safa's phone lit up with a message, picking it up, she glanced at me and Sakina before muttering, "Why the heck..is my um..my mother texting me?"
"What is weird in that?" I ask,
"Yeah, what's weird?" Sakina asks smiling a little too big.
Safa types something before chuckling, "Yeah nothing weird, my bad."
"I think you have finally lost it." I averted my gaze from my husband's table when I heard Safa after a while.
I look back at safa who was looking in disbelief at Sakina, while Sakina had a hand on her forehead, like those disappointed moms.
"Who lost it?" I ask,
Safa was about to tell, when Sakina rushed to it,
"Ugh, nothing we were just having a bet about what sweet is going to be there in the dinner, I was hoping for a tulumba, while safa wanted a plain ice cream, so I suggested a bet, whoever wins, will delete a post from their social media, and you know how safa is possessive about her post, so yeah, this is where I have losted according to safa" Sakina finished off in a breath.
I raise an eyebrow at them, was I that lost in my thoughts that I didn't heard them talking?
"What sweet are you hoping for Ayesha?" Sakina asks curiously,
I think for a moment, "Anything, but I really wish there would be some kunafe, I am craving for one now, but don't include me in that stupid bet of yours." I warned, I could see Sakina's eyes sparking as she smiled, and Safa holding her head beside me.
"Tabii Tabii." Sakina muttered before picking up her phone, "Oh," she laughed slapping a hand on the table, "It's my mom again." [Of course, of course]
Shaking my head, I look at the stage to see Sania and Affan seated together and having a conversation, Affan muttered something in her ear, to which she covered her mouth and chuckled looking down. I smile at them, what a cuties.
"Ayesha what would you like to eat?" Safa asks out of nowhere, I look back at her, my smile slipping,
"Huh? Why do you ask?" I frowned,
"Oh nothing, generally asking." safa giggled continuously,
"Um nothing, I don't feel like eating anything particular." I answer, looking at Sakina who had her lips pressed tightly.
What's...going on?
"I understand, you must be feeling nauseating too, no?" Safa asks grabbing my shoulder.
I frown glancing at both of them,
"Why would I feel nauseated?"
"Safa..." Sakina chuckle nervously, "Let it be."
"Sakina, let me do the talking" Safa holds out her hand to Sakina. And she facepalms.
Safa looks back at me, now holding both of hands,
"Look Ayesha, it's okay to feel nauseated, it happens in early months."
I gave her a baffled look,
"Early months, what? But it's November now, the year is gonna end."
I wonder if she's alright.
Safa pouts and tapa my chin. "Aw poor baby, no need to hide, we are with you. Don't be afraid."
"Safa." Sakina warned.
I looked at her, and she had a panicked expression, she immediately hid her face behind her hands as I looked at both of them.
"Show me your feet." Safa says randomly, my eyes widened at her request.
"When did you got a foot fetishâ what are you doing? hey!" I yelped as Safa bend down and moved the table covers from my feet,
Safa gasped looking at my feet, "Why the hell are you wearing heels?"
"What?" I cry out, looking down at her,
"Why am I not supposed to wear heels?" I hissed.
"You could've fell Ayesha!" Safa exclaims horrifically getting up, catching attention of few people around us.
Sakina was still face palming herself.
"Why- oh god why are you so worried all of sudden? It's not like I am injured or..or pregnant." I exclaim, trying to move out of Safa's reach.
"See, I knew, I knew. Sakina we guessed right-" Safa stopped and looked back at me, Sakina peeked through her fingers.
"You-you are not pregnant?" Safa asks shocked.
"No! How even that idea came to your mind?" I asked bewildered glancing at my friends in shock,
Safa had a betrayed emotion on her face as she glared at Sakina,
Sakina opened and closed her mouth like a fish,
"Well..um you looked a bit emotional, and you ate chocolate and craved for sweet so I-I thought maybe you know?" Sakina stuttered embarrassed.
"Huh? Just because I craved for sweet, you both thought that I was-" I looked at both of them before clasping my hand over my mouth to control my laugh.
"Uff," I wheeze out silently, "My..," I clamp my hand harder on my mouth, to stop giggling again, I knew I was making quite an attention. "I can't,"
Sakina cracked a little smile while safa was still shocked and glaring at Sakina.
"You guys, definitely need to stop believing in those dramas." I wiped the small tears from corner of her eye, I took a breath to stop my laugh.
"God, safa even Sakina craves for anything and everything but it doesn't mean she is pregnant." I laughter slowing down a bit,
Sakina rolled her eyes, "Yeah yeah, I am carrying a dinosaur baby for years now."
"I am gonna have trust issues with you Sakina." Safa stomps her feet under the table.
"When did you both talked about it..?" I ask them, something clicked in my mind and I chuckle, "That wasn't your mother was it?"
"Whatever you're trying to say." Sakina shrugs and Safa was still in dilemma.
"Gosh, I am so embarrassed. I actually tried to look at your feet." Safa covers her face.
"Aw it's okay, Safa, I knew you had foot fetish." I tease her.
"What? Ew." Safa cringes.
"Okay enough of the embarrassment, let's click few pictures with Sania and then attack the food, they just opened the buffet." Sakina says getting up from her seat and straighten her floor length lavender coloured gown.
"Yeah, yeah." Safa nodded getting up with me.
"We also need to get our pictures in these matching gowns." Safa says twirling her beige, pearls encrusted gown.
"Uhm, after all you got a fan following to impress." Sakina mutters walking with us to the stage.
****
Affan's younger sister did a really good job to make the younger generation happy by setting up a free Photo Booth for everyone.
After the buffet dinner, Sakina and Safa spotted it and dragged me into it, after two photos with them, I called it quits and walked leaving both of them to take photos.
A relived sigh left me as I sit down on an empty chair, after picking up a water bottle.
I was already exhausted, and my new heels were killing me.
I can't walk in them, I feel I should just walk barefoot.
Gulping the water down my parch throat, I stood up and threw my now empty bottle in the dustbin.
I felt someone tapping on my shoulder, and when I turned around after throwing the bottle, I noticed it was the curly haired woman, whose kid was fussing with her.
"Hey, you must be Ayesha," She smiled,
"Yes I am, but sorry I don't recognise you." I ask returning her smile.
"Don't be sorry, of course you don't me, you are meeting me for the first time, I am Hajra." She smiled warmly.
"Oh nice to meet you Hajra," I extended my hand to shake, hajra eyed my hand, and with shake of her head she leaned forward and gave me a hug. I was caught quite of guard by her action, I just met her and she is just so kind.
"You might not know me, but I know you quite well actually," Hajra says breaking from the hug.
"How?" I chuckle,
"Farhan, I am his college friend actually, also Bilal's wife." she replies pointing back to her husband, who was seated beside Farhan.
Bilal.
He messaged Farhan this evening about someone being in some area.
Also I talked to him, when Farhan decided to vanish for a few hours.
"That's really nice, I actually don't know lot of Farhan's friends." I reply,
I don't know any of them.
Hajra rolled her eyes, "Of course you don't know, that idiot doesn't know how to behave. Sorry if you feel bad about me bitching about your husband but I have always seen him as a nutcase."
My eyes widened first but then I laughed shaking my head, "No I don't mind."
Her eyes sparkled as she laughed with me, "I like you. We are going to hit off great."
"I hope so," I reply, "By the way you here in this wedding? Which side are you from? I am here from the bride's side, The bride Sania is my best friend."
"Yeah, Farhan told me about it, I am from the groom's side, I am Affan's first cousin, from the maternal side." She replies looking at the bride and groom sitting on the dinner table.
"Ah, let me guess you are the Hajr baji, who have her own salon, Affan always talked about your achievements." I smile remembering,
"You know Affan too?" Hajra asks raising her brows,
"Yeah we had common friends, he was a super senior in our college." I say and she nods her head.
"That I knew that you were in the same college, but I didn't knew you are friends with Affan." Hajra chuckles, "So what are you majoring in?"
"I am doing my majors in pharmacy." I reply.
"Wow, super impressive." She whistles, but reluctantly she looks back at me and says, "Not to pry or anything but are you okay?" Hajra asks eyeing my face,
I falter a bit under her watchful gaze, she's a quick observer.
"I am, but what gave you away?" I ask playing with the skin around my nails,
"Your eyes looks a bit puffy, and your face looks a little dull, not judging you." Hajra raises her hands.
"No, I am fine, my allergies are just acting up." I say rubbing my palms together, Hajra nodded in understanding.
"You said you knew Farhan since college days, but I remember you didn't came to our wedding," I asked her, trying to change the topic from me.
"So sorry about that, I was visiting my mother in states," Hajra says tucking a curly strand behind her ear, I nodded and she smiles looking over her shoulder,
"Let me introduce you to my husband and my son, they are sitting over there," Hajra pointed back,
"I saw you with your son, he looked cute." I laugh quietly, walking with her.
"Yeah, that cutie can give me a pain sometimes." Hajra muttered and continued walking towards where her husband was seated.
"This is my husband, Bilal." She says stopping near her husband, who was seated beside Farhan.
"Salam bhabhi." He greets, a grin on his face. "We talked before, remember?"
I raise my eyebrows and chuckled, "Yes, I do, nice to finally meet you."
"Talked when?" Hajra asks,
"I told you, Hajr," Bilal wiggles his eyebrows, "Then...you get me then."
"Okay, I got it, don't exaggerate," Hajra says before bending to pick up her son from Bilal's arms,
"And this is my little sunshine, my world, my Daniyal," Hajra says kissing her son's cheek lovingly.
"Aww, Masha'Allah he such a cutie," I coo, poking the little boy's cheek playfully, he brought his finger in mouth and gnawed it between his tiny teeth, "Poor baby is teething." I tickle his palm and he gives me a wide smile,
I felt someone shove me from behind, I turn around to find a waiter, looking at me with wide eyes, "Apologise, madam."
"It's fine." I dismiss shaking my head, I look back to Farhan, his eyes were fixated on the waiter,
"Am I not your world Hajr?" I hear Bilal talking,
"Not more than my dani," Hajra sass, swaying her son in her arms,
Farhan abruptly got up from his chair, catching our attention, "We are leaving." He states grabbing my hand, catching me off guard.
I looked at him in shock, "What- but Farhan it's been just two hours- and-" He cuts me off,
"This is not the time to argue, there is no time, Quick, Bilal we need to leave," Wordlessly Bilal nodded and took Daniyal in his arms and grabbed Hajra's hand and walked towards the exit,
Before Farhan could drag me with them, I stopped him, "Atleast let me tell them that I-" he turned to look at me, with an alert expression on his face,
"Listen Ayesha, you met your friends, came to her wedding, I did what you asked. Now, please come with me, there is no time to argue." Farhan states firmly, his tone making me shiver.
He started dragging me along with him, making me grab my purse in a haste, Sakina saw me and looked at me with a confused face,
I made her a call gesture before being dragged by my husband to the exit door,
"There must be something important," I heard Hajra's voice saying as we all descended the stairs in haste, reaching the reception, Farhan quickly grabbed our coats, and made me wear mine quickly before we all walked- more like ran towards the exit.
Reaching our car, Farhan made me sit in, and walked towards the driver's side door, Bilal's car next to his, I could see Hajra and daniyal seated in their car,
"Farhan, what happened?" I heard him asking, through the open driver side door,
"It's Emir, I know for a fact it's him, that waiter had this three stars tattoo on his wrists, which I remember seeing every-time on one of Emir's men. And I looked closely at him, he had his moustache peeling off from his face." Farhan exhales pushing his hair back frustratedly,
What is even going on? Who is Emir? What waiter?
I opened my side of the door and stepped out,
"Shit, you have backup right? I guess I have some in my car," bilal said pointing at his car.
"What backup?" I ask walking towards them, "What's going on?"
"Why did you get out of the car?" Farhan grits out,
"Answer my question first, What backup are you talking about Farhan? Bilal bhai?" I asked both of them, a weird feeling churning in my stomach.
Only I did not get to know the answer, because what I noticed next was enough for the fear churning in me grip my heart.
The next moment, A scream resonated in the empty parking space.
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A/N
I am gonna edit this tomorrow
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