Eshal's excited shriek rang out the house the next morning. "Sachi?!" She yelled at what her mother was telling her. She had just heard the news,
Ayat was marrying Zaryab.
(Really?)
"My best friend is marrying my brother?! That's a dream come true."
"Hm," her mother hummed. "Ghar ki beti hogi," she said, smiling at the thought. She had always loved everything about Ayat, her simple and sweet demeanor, love for her family, her piousness.
(She'll be the daughter of the house)
"Aur nikkah kab hoga?" Eshal asked. She couldn't wait to dress up and see her best friend and brother getting married!
(And when is the wedding)
"Ab yeh tou muhjey nahi pata. They have not decided yet. And anyways, she must complete her iddat period first." Her mother replied.
(That I don't know)
"Oh haan. I'll go ask Ayat right now." Eshal skipped upstairs to the room where her best friend was staying. Ayat jumped at the sound of her door being slammed open. "Ayat." She shrieked and lept on her best friend. "We'll finally be sisters." Ayat laughed at her friends enthusiasm.
All of a sudden a gasp left Eshal's mouth. "And you can buy the dress that I was showing the other day to wear on your Nikkah."
"It'll most likely be a small thing though, Eshal and that dress is really fancy." Ayat said. Plus, it was insanely pricey.
"And? Ise koi farak nahi parta. All that matters is that you look good and feel happy." Ayat opened her mouth to reply before she was cut off again. "Main Zaryab Bhai's say abhi kehti kay order place karay. I'm sure Nikkah se pehlay aah sakta hai, jab bhi ho ga." Eshal muttered and ran out the room to her brothers, ignoring Ayat's calls.
(It does not matter. Let me tell Zaryab to place the order right now. I'm sure it'll arrive before the wedding day, whenever that is)
"Tou, bhai," Eshal trailed off. They were currently all sitting down together at the dining table eating dinner together. "Nikkah kab hai?" She asked him.
(So, when is the wedding)
Zaryab paused and looked up from his plate and at his sister. "Jab Ayat chahay." he said. "She herself was not sure, so I gave her time to let me know."
(Whenever Ayat wants)
"Uff, aap soch bhi nahi sakhtey main kitni excited hoon," Eshal sighed dreamily, already thinking about everything for her brothers wedding. It is every sisters dream to go all out for their brothers weddings. And parents can not say anything anyways, as they also want to rejoice in the happiness of their children.
(ugh you guys cant even imagine how excited i am)
"Ya Allah, is larki ko tou bus bhanay chaiye shopping ke liye." her mother muttered angrily. "Khabardar agar tumney shopping ka bhi socha. Dero kapray hain, sitting untouched in your closet. Uni se kaam chala ley nah."
(My god, this girl just needs an excuse to go shopping. don't even think of going shopping! you have many new outfits, wear those)
"Yeh kya baat hoi mama? Mere eik hi eik bhai hai, aur unki shaadi pay bhi pabandiya?" Eshal pouted.
(what do you mean? my only brother is getting married, and you're imposing restrictions?)
"Arey, jo meri beti ko lehna hai, buy it. Koi pabandi nahi hain," Her father, Farooq said while patting her head, to which Eshal excitedly went around the table to give her father a big hug at his response. Saima just glared at the duo while Zaryab shook his head at his sister.
(buy whatever you want. there are no restrictions)
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Zaryab lied on his bed a wide smile on his face. A smile that could get any wider. The day before kept repeating in his head over and over again.
Ayat's eyes widened as she stared into the dark ones. "What?" She whispered. He looked into her eyes and nodded his head.
"But...how?" She said.
"Jaise pehli ki thi," he whispered back, humor evident on his face.
(Like you did before)
Ayat's face heated up further. Well, her first one definitely did not turn out good at all.
"Ayat, I know what happened before, but I promise this will not turn out like the one before. I am nothing like him. You have known me since we were kids. You know what I am like."
"Bohot hi scary," Ayat muttered in her head.
(Very scary)
"Come, sit." He said and Ayat followed. "Take all the time you need. No one will pressure you for anything." He reassured her.
Deep down, Ayat knew he would never pressure her nor would his family. But still, was this the right decision?
"Mujhe..." she whispered out. The whole time she was looking down, unable to meet his gaze. Her heart was racing and a million thoughts ran through her head. When she finally looked up in his eyes, her heart stopped. They held so many emotions. Respect, concern, hope and a glimmer of something else. They held emotions she barely saw in the eyes of Omar. And without even realizing, the word tumbled out of her mouth.
"Okay."
Zaryab didn't think she would agree so easily, and hearing the yes made his heart leap out of his chest. He was finally getting what he had dreamed of. He wasn't sure when his little crush on his sisters best friend had turned into something more. But he couldn't be more happier. Now the only hurdles in their way was one, her iddat period and two, how Omar was going to react to the news. Ayat wanted to keep the wedding a small affair but even ten, he wasn't sure if he would somehow find out. He did not want any more trouble for her.
On the other hand, Ayat was pondering over her decision. Had she made the right descion? Ayat knew that she would always be safe with this family. She had grown up with them and was well aware of their nature. Still, after seeing Omars change so abruptly, she was scared of the unknown.
Was she being selfish in this situation? Is it selfish of her to have agreed so that she would always be in safe hands?
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Time flew by quickly, and there was only a week leading up to their wedding. The past few months was spent with Ayat completing her iddat. To make it easier for her, Zaryab took constant trips around the world, checking in on the restaurants.
Ayat spent her days at home, spending time with Eshal and Saima. In which she was content. It felt great for her to not have to constantly worry or have this looming fear. She daily prayed and expressed her gratitude to her Lord. Ayat wanted everything to be simple, not wanting to draw much attention. The family had opted for a mendhi and nikkah/walima.
Ayat was seated on the outside swing in the lawn, just enjoying the outside weather. Her in laws had been handling everything which she was grateful for, as she would not have been able to do much. Plus she trusted their choices. Her mother in law made her pick her outfits though, which she did with the help of Eshal.
She was so happy to have Eshal this time around to help her with whatever she needed. A true blessing. Once something is lost, it is often then cherished.
Lost in her thoughts, she did not notice the figure walking towards her. When he sat down, then only Ayat realized she was not alone in the lawn. She jumped in surprise. "Aap kab ai?" She questioned in surprise.
(when did you come)
"Nah koi salam, nah koi dua," he teasingly said.
Ayat sheepishly looked down and muttered her greeting. Zaryab had just gotten back from his most recent trip abroad. "Jab aap apnay kiyal loh mein ghoom thi."
(when you were lost in your thoughts)
They sat in a comfortable silence, enjoying each others presence. Between Ayat's iddat and Zaryabs traveling, the two had barely communicated with one another. Which caused anxiety in Ayat.
Ayats head snapped towards Zaryab when she felt him hold her hand. "Fikr mat karo," he whispered in the night, the moon shining on his face.
(Do not worry)
Ayat stared at him in silence then glancing down at their entwined hands, before a small smile graced her features. And she let out a sigh of relief.
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Not me updating exactly 3 years later ð
And tell me why I forgot the concept of iddat too. I tried to make the storyline make sense w out rewriting cus I genuinely did not have it in me to do that but yeah.
Also I'm thinking of maybe taking a few stories down or rewriting cus idk wtaf was wrong w me when I was writing tifl and maqaam ð 13/14 year old me was WACK. Constructive criticism is always welcome so lmk what yall think about this lol.
I'm gonna try my best to complete this book, but I do wanna go through and edit first. idk what I'm gonna do about Mohlik tbh cus I seriously have severe writers block when it comes to that book.