Safa's eyes fluttered open as the noise coming from downstairs grew stronger and louder. Adjusting to the bright sunlight, she sat up in her bed. She looked at the clock and found it close to nine. A sigh escaped her lips as she put her feet to the ground while tying her hair with a claw clip. A distant memory of her husband taking the claw clip out of her hair causing her hair to flow down her back replayed in her mind. She blushed at the memory but it turned into longing too soon as she was staying at her mother's home.
Why?
Well, her husband was true to his words. when he said he wanted to get married again. She thought of doing a small ceremony with family and friends, but its her husband she's talking about. He is not the one to set for bare minimum. He demanded functions. So today is thier Mehndi function. She was flabbergasted when he first announced about his intentions. She still remembered the way she felt seeing him come to her home with his father and grandmother. Of course, Mehreen tagged along to keep her company. Her mother and brother were a little suspicious as Narmeen didn't show up.
Safa knew her mother in law never liked her or maybe she never will. But she can't let her dislike get in the way of her happiness. She's happy with her husband. And many times, her husband proved to be the best for her. So, leaving him is definitely not an option.
Never has, never will be.
Plus, her father in law, he's a very generous and kind person. He assured her family that his wife will come around. She has hope too. After all, Narmeen Durrani might be a brick wall for the world outside, but for her children, she's just an ordinary mother. With a heart that beats solely for her kids. Right now, hope is enough.
Putting a stop to her thoughts, she went inside the washroom and came out dressed in a peach coloured kurti with white pants. Her peach dupatta lay on her shoulders as she took the stair to go down. The smell of her Ammi's cooking consumed her nostrils and her feet took her to the kitchen on their own accord. There stood her mother making her breakfast.
"Arey aou Safa. Nashta karlo".
(Come Safa, have your breakfast)
Plopping down on the sofa in the living room, Safa watched as her mother fussed over her. She was continuously asking if she was fine or feeling any kind of pain. It's been six days since she left the awful hospital room and she's getting along fine. She hasn't felt any pain in the last few days. But still her mother's heart wasn't at peace.
"I'm fine, Ammi. Come sit with me."
She put a stop to her mother's rapid fire questions and made her sit beside her. Taking a morsel of paratha, Safa moaned in delight. It's been so long since she's eaten her mother's hand cooked food. A distant memory washed over her and she suddenly felt sad.
"What happened?" Her mother's question laden with concern reached her eardrums. Shaking her head, she told her mother about the kind lady that's like a second mother to her
"I was thinking about Bua Ji. The one who gave me shelter after I....ran away. She's the most kindest person and treated me the same as her own biological daughter."
A stray tear flowed down her eyes making her utterly emotional. She hasn't talked to her Bua Ji in so long. She didn't even remember her number. It was saved in her previous phone, but now that's it broken, the number is lost too. She wanted her Bua Ji to be here with her. But maybe fate has other plans.
"You can meet her once you go back. Introduce her to me too. I want to thank that lady for taking care of my doll."
Rafiqa ran a hand through her daughter's hair as she ate her meal. She couldn't thank her Lord enough for returning her daughter back to her. She felt like she would never see her daughter again. Indeed, there are still good people in this world. And she's happy that Safa found them. Both of them then talked a lot about that night's function. Hamza joined them mid conversation and the family enjoyed some much needed precious time together.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"Finally, you remember you have a husband."
Subhan's gruff voice carried through the phone. Safa rolled her eyes at his evident whining. He's been acting like such a heartbroken man whose wife has left him.
"I've only been gone for three days." She chided into the phone.
"72 hours and endless minute's and seconds are anything but only."
She once again rolled her eyes, but this time a smile took rein over her lips.
"Are you excited for tonight?"
She heard his soft whisper. A giddy feeling settled in her stomach. She was feeling like a teenager talking to her lover for the very first time.
You love him, so technically he is your lover!
Shut up, brain!
Putting an abrupt halt to her brain's talking, she answered
"I'm good."
"Seriously, Pheonix you aren't even anything close to romantic." His words carried a wave of disappointment.
"Haww, I'm romantic." She said into the phone and heard his loud laughter. She blushed at her response and stayed quiet until he asked again
"What are you wearing tonight?"
"I'm not telling you that." She immediately refused and earned a groan from him.
"I'm your husband. You can tell me anything."
She stayed quiet as he waited. After a few minutes, a defeated sigh escaped his lips and she chuckled.
"Let's see if you'll be making fun of me when I come to you tonight. One and a half day. After that, it's you and I only."
A deep blush adorned her cheeks and she can bet she resembled a tomato.
"Stop bluffing."
She said and heard his laughter before he excused himself for some work and cut the call. She threw the phone over her bed and was about to read her book when her mother called her downstairs. Her feet took her to the living room where her steps halted. Because in front of her was standing, Narmeen Durrani. Her mother in law. Her stoic, the one who dislikes every inch of her, mother in law. Behind her stood, Zainab. As usual, her stare was stuck to the ground. She didn't appear to notice her surroundings. Like she was in her own world.
"Your mother in law wants to talk to you."
Safa's head snapped at her mother's voice and then to the stoic lady before her. She made out the baskets of sweets and bangles and other stuff related to today's function. She gave a nod to her mother and then heard Narmeen
"I want to talk to you alone."
A dull seed of anxiety grew in her stomach and she felt like vomiting. The woman before her intimidates her. She's never met someone so closed off. So practical. She passed a meek nod to her and the woman followed her to her room. Her room was small as compared to the one in her marital home. It was decent sized, nothing like the king sized room of the Durrani Mansion. Whether, Narmeen was disgusted by her or not, it was hidden perfectly well under her heated scrutiny.
"I hated you. A lot."
Her voice echoed in the room. The fan was off and no one else was home except them.
"I wanted my second daughter in law from our class. From our status. The one who knows how to carry herself with grace and elegance. The one who is compatible for my son."
Her expressionless eyes caught up to her. Safa only stayed quiet. Not uttering a word until she was supposed to.
"However, after seeing the state, the condition of my son when you were shot. I knew it's time for me to stop."
Safa's heart rate ragged and she heard her words loud and clear.
Is she saying what she thinks she is?
"I can't hate you forever. In my dictionary, holding grudges for long is utter stupidity. I can't say I like you. But I won't get in the way of my son's happiness. It's time he gets his happiness. Even if it's with you."
The hope that blossomed into her heart turned into an inferno. She never knew she would feel this happy to have her consent. No matter how much she told herself that's she's fine with her hating her. In her heart, she always wanted to have her consent. Her best wishes.
"I'll always keep your son happy."
She confessed her true intentions to her mother in law. She stayed rooted to her spot when a smile touched Narmeen's lips. Wrinkles forming around her cheeks causing the sight to appear even more magical to Safa's eyes. She saw as her mother in law dug into her bag and took out a jewelry box Walking towards her, she kept the box in her hand. Upon opening it, Safa found a very intricate piece of necklace. The designs looked antique. It's gold shine was in tact, though.
"I wore this piece on my nikkah. It's your's now."
Her shocked gaze collided with her soft ones. She muttered a delayed thanks and watched her mother in law leave her room. Glancing at the set again, she couldn't help but feel this great satisfaction.
Finally, now she'll enjoy her life with her son without feeling guilt of any sorts.
~~~~~~~~~~
Soft music was blasting through the speakers. Shouts of Hamza were resonating throughout the house. The entire house was adorned with flowers and garlands. Golden lights illuminated the entire house. The living room was decorated for the bride. The sofas were adjusted in a manner to form a stage while a carpet was spread out on the floor with a dhol kept to the side. Rafiqa was dressed up in a pale green suit. She was running here and there wanting everything to turn out perfect and splendid for her only daughter. The house was mess of muffled shouts and rushed footsteps.
A typical Desi function!
Upstairs in her room was Safa. She was adorned in a beautiful pink and white maxi suit. Her hairs were clutched in a mid partition and soft and gold jewelry adorned her ears and hands. She ran the brush one last time at her cheeks and voila, she was ready. Smiling at herself in the mirror, she ran a delicate finger over the necklace she was wearing. It blended in well with her outfit.
A knock sounded into the room and then poured in Mehreen, Natalia and Zainab. All three of them were dressed beautifully.
"My my my, you look gorgeous Bhabhi. Bhai's going to faint, I must say."
A laugh escaped her lips at Mehreen's joke.
"You look pretty." Zainab's hushed whisper reached her. Safa held her hand and squeezed it in gratitude.
"I'm glad you came."
She noticed how sad Zainab's eyes looked. They were losing their shine. She can't help but pray for her. Her eyes darted to her nand who stood quietly beside the two girls. She passed her a small smile and Safa knew they have reached a truce. Both the mother and sister doesn't like her yet, but they are too good to poison their son and brothers life. That's enough for now.
"Come let's take you downstairs."
She walked to the living room with all three of them where her eyes instantly searched for her husband. She found him soon enough. Dressed in a crisp white kurta with a coffee shawl draped over his shoulders, he was epitome of masculine gorgeousness. His unruly hair were gelled but enough messy to fell over his forehead. But the real bonus was the smile and gleam that ran in his eyes as his eyes washed over her figure. She walked toward him with slow and shy steps. He stood up and took her hand in his rough, warm ones. Bending down to her ear, he whispered
"We're matching, aren't we?"
She blushed as everyone's eyes were trained on them. A cough resonated before Mehreen's voice broke their love laden trance
"Let's start our function. I'm excited to sing all the songs."
Laughter boomed in the room before the bride and groom sat down and the function commenced.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The function finally ended around midnight. It won't be a lie if one say it wasn't the best day of everyone's lives. After a very long time, both the families rejoiced. The cloud of sadness that had loomed over the Durrani's heads ever since Hammad's death was lifted, leaving nothing but sunshine in it's wake. Everyone had come to terms with his death. Well, almost everyone. They can't mourn over him forever. It's truthful he'll be missed immensely, but their present shouldn't be dulled. That's why everyone enjoyed fully.
Safa's muscles ached as she sat straight for legit three hours before she was escorted to her room. Her back was like steel. Right now, as she was done with a bath and was wearing her comfortable clothes, she only wanted to lay in her bed and get a good night's sleep. But her idea came crashing down when her phone rang. Frowning, she glanced at the clock before sliding the call
"Come downstairs."
The line went dead and her brows drew closer together in confusion. Nevertheless, she skipped downstairs and watched from the window to see her husband leaning over the hood of his car. Covering herself with a shawl, she opened the door and walked to him. She was instantly wrapped in his warmth as he nuzzled her neck. His hold was tight. And from the way he was acting, she knew something was wrong.
"What happened?"
She asked, softly combing her fingers through his dark messy hair. She likes them that way. He pulled away reluctantly before moving her over and standing her between his legs. Wrapping his arms around her middle, he passed her a piece of paper. She looked at the paper with utter confusion. Not understanding anything, she asked him
"What's this?" He drew in a troubled breath before answering her question
"The last letter from my brother."
Her confusion turned into acknowledgment as she opened the folded paper. Cursive writing greeted her and she read through it
"My dear Brother. Of course, if you're reading this letter, it means I'm gone. Trust me, I wish that you never see this letter and one day I'll burn it. But if it doesn't happen, know that I'll always love you. I couldn't have asked for a better brother, not that I wanted to. You were more than enough for me. Even with your wild adventurous spirit, I know that if I'm gone one day, you'll take care of my responsibilities. I know it's a grave thing to do that. But I know you have the strength to overcome any hurdle or challenge. You were born that way. Unbeatable and Risky. I want you to know that you'll do your best. I have faith in you. Never doubt yourself. You're one true leader. I think even better than me. I know the company is in great hands.
If something happens to me, don't ever try to blame yourself. Nothing is your fault. If I die than that's how much I was supposed to live. It's all Allah's plan and I believe him wholly. Be that wild star boy that listens to no one and does what he deems right. Be happy.
Your Eldest Brother. "
Tears flowed easily down Safa's eyes as she folded the letter. She felt wetness touching her neck and she turned around to wrap her arms around her husband. He was crying for the first time. Letting his emotions out. She wiped her tears. Now's not the time to cry herself. She needs to be strong for her husband as he breaks down in his arms. The weight of never meeting his brother again finally falling on him. She held him tighter as his emotions spiralled. Never once letting go as he worked through his haywire emotions.
"Let it all out."
She whispered. She held him tight and secured in her arms and the time inched away slowly as they both stayed cocooned in each other's arms.
•••••••••••••••••
Asalamoaliukm everyone.
Here's a very long update. I've decided to add in one last chapter before the Epilogue. So you'll see their wedding in it's glory.
Enjoy today's update.
Until the next update, Allah Hafiz.