Happy one year to Sharar. 💃🥺

P.S stay tuned tomorrow at 4 p.m. To 5 p.m. Because I am gonna post a book based on the edits and fanfic of sharar some of you sent me. 💕

•••

Hanan was the guy who beat my brother. Kriti didn't stay for long, she left after spending some time here. According to her, she couldn't bear Hanan's presence without saying anything. And after she left, Ayat couldn't focus on any other things, but what she told her.

Has Hanan really done something like this, or it is Kriti's misunderstanding?

This was her heart, battling with her mind.

Hanan wouldn't do something like this. But he does get in fight a lot.

Many times in front of her when they were in school.

Like that one time, she was talking to one of her classmates, they were talking about some project. As a joke, the boy bumped his fist on her shoulder, which made her elbow him in his ribs. They both didn't realize when Hanan came there, neither they knew why he was yelling at the boy, when the fight happened between two boys, Ayat couldn't understand why.

The boy didn't come to school the other day because he was badly injured, Hanan was restricted from school for one week,

If a school-going boy can hit someone to this point, then what a grown-up boy can do?

Maybe Hanan did hit Mohit bhai. Ayat's eyes widened with this realization.

"Ayat!" Before she could think more of it, Rubab's voice broke her trance.

"Huh?" Ayat perplexingly looked up, and found Rubab looking at her worriedly.

"Kya hua, Ayat? Aap aise akele kyu baithi hain?" Rubab once again repeated her question.

(What happened? Why are you sitting alone?)

Ayat was sitting away from aangan, neither she was looking at the function. She was looking down, her face was red as if lacking breath, and her eyes filled with tears that didn't fall.

Ayat shook her. "Bas aise..." Even her voice came out hoarsely, which made Ayat clear her throat. "Waha bheed bohot thi..." She murmured.

(Nothing,)

(There were a lot of crowds that's why.)

Rubab wasn't convinced, but she didn't pursue the conversation.

"Achha chaliye, hum apko aur Ayla ko khana khila dein.." It is then Ayat noticed Rubab was holding a plate.

(Come with me, I will feed you and Ayla dinner.)

Ayat hasn't eaten anything since evening, but even just by looking at food, Ayat didn't feel any hunger, she felt sick by its smell, like she would vomit anytime.

Nevertheless, she followed her mother, not wanting to trouble her anymore.

Aangan was less crowded now, some of the guests have started leaving, some were having dinner, while few people were still there in aangan. Entertaining themselves with little chat, some kids were also running around aimlessly and giggling. Ayla was sitting alone now on the jhula, which made Ayat relief. The last thing Ayat wanted was to be surrounded by her cousins, who had no better work to do other than teasing her with Hanan's name.

Ayat sat beside Ayla, while Rubab pulled a chair for herself.

Ayla and Rubab were talking about the events which took place today, who wears what, Fouzia aunty said what, who attended the function, and who sent their good wishes, how some will attend the function of tomorrow only, what needs to be done tomorrow. Ayat was numbly sitting beside them, only nodding her head with a small smile when any of them looks at her.

"Mamma, Nida nahi ayi, aur na hi Nigaar aunty." Gulping down the food, Ayla asked her mother.

(Mamma, Nida didn't come, neither Nigaar aunty.)

"Woh toh kal subah ayengi," Rubab picked a morsel and feed Ayat, while telling Ayla why her favorite cousin didn't show up.

(She will come tomorrow.)

Nida wasn't her cousin exactly. She was Kaif's paternal aunt's daughter. But from childhood, Ayla and Nida were pretty close.

"Matlab kal hume free ka show milne wala hai..." Mischievously, Ayla asked.

(Which means, tomorrow we will have a show.)

Hinting toward her chachi,

Which made Rubab look at her with sharp eyes. "Bohot buri baat hai, Ayla, apko aisa nahi kehna chahiye." Ayat zoned out from what they were talking.

(Don't talk like this, Ayla.)

Some guys were misbehaving with a girl, my brother only tried to stop them. Hanan was one of those boys.

Rude, arrogant, brat, and irritating, Hanan could be anything, but he would never misbehave with a girl. Ayat's heart refuses to accept this fact.

But, in the back of her mind, there was a tiny but and if. Hanan has kissed her without her consent, not just once, but two times. No matter how many times she has told him to stay away from her, he would always invade her personal space, he touched her in inappropriate places.

If he can do this to me, even after how many times I have forbidden him, maybe he did misbehave with her. Ayat's mind concluded.

But I am his wife, he can kiss me. Something inside of her object.

No, he can't. Husband or not, he can not kiss me without my permission.

"Ab isme humari kya galti, Ayat toh khud ko bhi lagte hai ki... Ayat?" Rambling to her mother, Ayla turned to Ayat for some support, but found her lost in her thoughts. This made Ayla elbowed her.

(It isn't my fault. Ayat also thinks that... Ayat?)

Startled, Ayat looked up at her mother then at her sister, both were already looking at her, worriedly.

"Kaha khoi hui hain aap? Koi baat hui hai kya?" This was the third time when Ayat didn't say anything when Ayla asked, which now made Ayla worried for her health too.

(Where are you lost at?)

Ayat looked at her sister with a frozen stare, wondering, should she tell them everything she got to know. Or maybe they already know all of this.

Ayla knows almost all of Hanan's mischievous. Shahzain could never hide from his brothers that there was an arrest warrant for Hanan.

Did they all lie to her? Didn't they find it important to tell her this?

Rubab and Ayla were still looking at her, concern for her was written on their faces.

Ayat quickly shook her thoughts away, they definitely don't know all of this. If they had, they would never hide such a thing from Ayat.

"Kuch nahi.. bas woh... Thakan hai thori si." Ayat mumbled and looked down, afraid that her mother will catch her lie.

(Nothing, I was just... I am just tired...)

"Ayat, agar tabiyat theek nahi toh bataiye, hum apke baba se kehte hain apko doctor ke paas le jaye..." Rubab added while feeding Ayla.

(Ayat, should I tell your father to take to you the doctor if you are not feeling well.)

"Tabiyat theek nahi?" Ayla looked at Ayat with a raised eyebrow. Ayat shook her head negatively, telling them she is okay.

(You are not feeling well?)

"Theek hai tabiyat, Mamma." Ayat was tired of giving explanations and telling lies, she wanted to tell her mother and sister what Kriti told her. But was holding herself, she didn't want to ruin Ayla's marriage. That's why she was keeping mum. Although, she wanted to ask about everything they have hide from her.

(I am fine.)

"Ayat, aap hume kahi se bhi theek nahi lag rahi hain. Koi baat hai toh bataiye? Kisine kuch kaha kya?" Rubab asked her as she picked another morsel to feed Ayla.

(Ayat, you don't look fine to me. Tell me what's wrong? Did someone say anything to you?)

"Hanan ne kuch kaha kya?" Ayla asked in an undertone.

(Did Hanan say anything?)

Hanan's name once again made Ayat recalled what Kriti told her.

"Hanan?" But Rubab, who heard her, looked at Ayat and asked.

Ayat uncertainly looked at her mother and slowly shook her head.

"Kuch bhi nahi hua, sach mein." Ayat's words feeble as she once again told them. She felt, if someone will ask her what's wrong one more time, she would burst into tears.

(I am fine, honestly.)

"Mamma, thakk gayi hogi woh..." Ayla stopped her mother from asking any further questions to Ayat.

(Maybe she is tired.)

Rubab looked at Ayla with sharp eyes, on which Ayla reassuringly shook her head.

"Mamma, humse ab aur nahi khaya jayega." Rubab yet picked another morsel to feed Ayat when she put her hand forward to stop Rubab from feeding her more, and said.

(I can't eat anymore.)

Both Rubab and Ayla looked concerned, but couldn't persuade Ayat anymore.

"I.. I'll just come." Neither Ayat couldn't stay under their worried gaze anymore, excusing herself, Ayat left.

•••

Ayat has just left the Aangan and entered the lounge room when her eyes fall on Hanan.

Standing between the way from the kitchen to lounge with a glass of coke in his hand. Hanan wasn't there alone, he was with Shyra.

Ayat just stood beside the doorway, looking at them from afar.

Shyra's back was facing Ayat, but she could see Shyra was saying something, and Hanan was listening to her with keen attention.

Ayat couldn't hear a single word they said, she was standing a distance away from them, and the music coming from aangan was also putting down their voices. But from what she saw, both were busy with each other, unknown to their surroundings.

Oh re piya main to tere layi
Sau raatan jagun
Jithe jaave tu
Othe jaave dil
Dass ki main karun

He has just taken the glass to his lips when a loud laugh left his mouth because of something Shyra said. He added something to her sentence, making both of them burst into laughter.

Jo tu russ jaani ae
Dil yeh tutt janiye
Tere sang sang raah
Saari kat jaani ae

"Maine kaha bhi tha Maama ko zaroorat nahi, lekin pata nahi kyu woh itna possessive hain." Shyra irritatedly mumbled to Hanan.

(I refused Maama for this, but she is just so possessive.)

"Ek loute hone ka nuksan...." Hanan added, while remembering his own mother's possessiveness for him.

(Side effects of being an only kid.)

While Shyra was speaking, Hanan saw she was struggling with her hair. Her hair, which was sleekly parted from the middle and was opened on her back, but some of its tangled were, again and again, falling on her face, Shyra tried to put it back by shaking her head backward, but didn't succeed.

Main taan tere naal rehna
Maan enna mera kehna
Meri akhiyon se hona kadi door na
Tere bin, tere bin

Hanan took his free hand to her hand and put her hair behind her ear.

Ayat feels a pit in her stomach, as her body temperature decreases, turning it numb. She saw Hanan smilingly nodding his head to Shyra.

Ayat could never understand Hanan. He says he loves her, and here, he is flirting with Shyra.

Tere bin nai lagda dil mera dholna
Tere bin nai lagda dil mera dholna
Sab chadd jayein tu na mainu chhodna
Tere bin nai lagda dil mera dholna

Maybe whatever Kriti said was true.

Hanan felt someone's eyes on him, averting his eyes away from Shyra, he looked at where Ayat was standing.

A huge grin falls on his face when found her staring at him. He couldn't help, but wink at her.

Ayat was still staring at him, monotonously, she didn't react, she didn't get surprised by his wink, neither she looked away in coyness.

Hanan felt strange by her behavior as he raised his eyebrow at her, asking her what's wrong.

Shyra was looking at her mehndi, the design of her finger was now messed which disappointed her. Pouting, she looked up at Hanan and found him looking behind her, this made her turn too, and found Ayat there. Which had her rolling her eyes.

"I'll just come.." Without looking at Shyra, Hanan excused himself and took one step forward to Ayat.

"Ayat!" Before Hanan could approach her, Kabir did.

"Jaldi aao? Tumhe kuch dikhana hai?" Kabir was in hurry, he didn't notice anything. Neither Ayat's numb body, nor Hanan, who was only two feet away from them.

(Come, I have to show you something.)

Kabir was excited because he has seen a kitten in the backyard, and thought of taking Ayat there, she would be very happy. Holding her upper arm, he pulled her with him and dragged her out from the lounge.

Hanan's mouth got opened as he fisted his hand, his breath hitched when he looked at Kabir and Ayat, and their joined arms. He badly wanted to go to them and yanked Ayat's arm away from Kabir. Have Ayat in his arms so no one else could hold her hand.

"Hanan!" And he would have, if Shyra hadn't called him.

•••

Kabir was wrong, Ayat's mood didn't lift by seeing the kitten.

The backyard was decorated with dimmed fairy lights and white flowers. Pink and red leaves of eastern redbud tree were scattered on green grass, while the moon illuminates its beauty on her.

Even in such pleasant weather, Ayat felt suffocated. She was sitting on the swing and looking at the sky.

"What happened, Ayat? You look sick." Kabir, who was holding the kitten in his arms, asked her.

"Huh?" She jumped a little on his voice and looked at him.

"Kya hua?" Occupying the empty swing beside her, Kabir again asked.

(What happened?)

The black kitten laid silently in his arms.

"Kuch nahi." Mumbling, Ayat looked down at her hands, to the pattern of her mehndi.

(Nothing.)

"Ayat, kuch toh hua hai. Kafi derr se dekh raha hoon tum tense lag rahi ho. Batao mujhe kya hua hai? Hanan ne kuch kaha?"

(It can't be nothing. You look tense. Tell me what's wrong? Did Hanan say anything to you?)

"Aap sabne hume dhoka diya hai." Few tears fall on Ayat's cheeks, as she told him.

(You all have betrayed me.)

"Dhoka? Kiski baat kar rahi ho tum?" Kabir got confused by her words and tears. He didn't understand what to do first. Should he console her first, or ask her who betrayed her.

(Betrayed? Who betrayed you?)

"Kisiki nahi." Wiping her tears by the back of her hand, Ayat got up to leave.

(No one.)

"Ayat! Ayat!" Kabir also got up after her, forgetting the tiny thing in his arms, who mewl with sudden jerked.

"Sorry!" Rubbing her neck, he apologized.

•••

"Humara na, ab sar dard ho raha hai. Baithey baithey thakk gaye." Ayla stretch her arms out and sat on her bed.

(I have headache. And I am seriously tired of sitting in one place.)

Ayla was sent to her room for rest, sitting in jhula for hours and getting her hands adorned with mehndi was tiring, the worst was, she couldn't even lay properly because of her mehndi. Sitting on her bed, she leaned on the headset of the bed and complained to Nafeesa, who was the only person present there.

"Tumhe change karna hai?" Nafeesa asked

(You want to change your clothes?)

"Abhi kaha, abhi kuch guests haina, unhe see off karna hai. Ek baar yeh shaadi ho jaye, hum lehnge ki taraf dekhenge bhi nahi." Groaning, Ayla complained. The lehnge and heavy designed of mirror were itching her now.

(Not yet, some guests have yet to leave, I have to see them off. Once this wedding is done, I won't look at lehnge.)

Before Nafeesa could reply to her, Ayla's phone beeped from side table, as Kaif's phone flashes on the screen.

Glancing at Nafeesa, Ayla was about to pick her phone, totally forgetting about her mehndi, but Nafeesa leaped for it first.

"Oho, msg aya hai humare jiju ka. Ayla apni mehndi ki pic bhejo." Opening the msg which Kaif has sent, Nafeesa stood up on the bed and read the msg aloud.

(Kaif messaged you, Ayla send me the pic of your mehndi.)

"Nafeesa!" Ayla also tried to stand up, but her tired body didn't allow her as she warned her cousin.

"Sabr, kal apke sath hi honge, jitna marzi hoga dekh lijiyega mehndi. Aur yeh sent." Nafeesa wrote the msg, as well as read it aloud for Ayla to hear too.

(Have patience, I will be with you tomorrow, you can look at my mehndi as much as you want.)

"Nafeesa, humara phone wapas kariye." Ayla once again warned her.

(Give me my phone back, Nafeesa.)

"Nahi denge." Nafeesa was obstinate, as she stuck her tongue out at Ayla.

(I won't.)

Ayla's phone once again beeped.

"Kal tak sabr nahi hoga mujhse, kaho toh aaj hi akey dekh loon?" Nafeesa read his msg then looked at Ayla with wide eyes.

(I cannot wait till tomorrow. If yo allow, I will come to your room to see your mehndi.)

"Achha ji, toh baat yaha tak badh gayi hai ki kamre mein mulaqatein hoti hain." She didn't reply to Kaif, but looked at Ayla as if she has been caught bursting crackers on neighbor's door.

(So you two meets in your room?)

Ayla's face turned deep shade of red, "Humara phone wapas kariye. Warna yaad rakhiyega kal Badr bhai arahe hain, hum na..." Whatever Ayla will do to Nafeesa in front of Badr, she couldn't complete it, as Ayla's phone started ringing.

(Give me my phone back. Otherwise tomorrow, in front of Badr bhai, I will...)

It was Kaif's call.

This was enough for Ayla, as she also stood up on her bed, but Nafeesa was faster, maybe because she wasn't wearing a heavy dress, neither she has applied mehndi on her hands, because she was allergic to mehndi. She quickly ran away from the bed.

While Ayla was still getting down from the bed, she received Kaif's call.

"Hello!" Her voice was so low, anyone could mistake it as Ayla's voice.

From childhood, Nafeesa and Ayla's voice were similar, specially on calls. No one could detect the differences between them.

"Kya keh rahi thi tum?" Kaif asked from the other side of the phone, as he also didn't know Ayla isn't on the call.

(What were you saying?)

Ayla has opened her mouth to speak, but Nafeesa put her finger on her lips, asking her to be quiet with a pleading face.

"Huh?" Nafeesa meekly asked.

"Dekho mujhse kal tak wait nahi hoga. Mujhe tumhe dekhne ka mann kar raha hai. Tumhare hath mein apne naam ki mehndi dekhni hai."

(I cannot wait till tomorrow. I want to you see now, I want to see my name in yorr mehndi.)

"Hmm?" Nafeesa bit her lips to control her laugh, she wanted to say so many things, but because of her laughter, couldn't.

"Hmm kya hota hai? Ajau tumhare kamre mein?"

(What is hmm? Can I come to your room?)

At last, a loud laugh left Nafeesa's lips.

"Kaif Bhai, sabr kar lijiye kal tak. Kal Ayla puri ki puri apki. Phir apko yun chup chup ke nahi milna hoga?" Laughing, she told him, which earned her a push from Ayla.

(Kaif Bhai, patience, Ayla will be completely yours tomorrow. Then you won't have to meet her secretly.)

"Hello? Kon?" Kaif got startled with her voice, as he realized it is someone else on the call.

(Who?)

"Nafeesa! Aur apki dulhan bagal mein hi hain. Ab agar unhe call nahi diya toh meri shamat ajani hai. Waise ek baat kahe? Aap bade romantic hain, Kaif bhai?" Still laughing, Nafeesa put her hand on her waist and teased him.

(Nafeesa! Your bride is just beside me, quite impatient to talk to you. I must say you are very romantic, Kaif Bhai.)

Once again, Ayla hit her with her shoulder and point her to give her phone back.

On the other side, Kaif was too embarrassed to say anything.

"Achha de rahe hain phone," Nafeesa told Ayla and put the phone on her ear.

(Okay, here is your phone.)

Which made Ayla gave her a pointed look.

Innocently rambling, Nafeesa plugged the phone with headphone and give it to Ayla.

"Ja rahe hain. But remember, Don't do anything which I would do." Nafeesa excused herself and was about to leave, but stopped on doorway and warned Ayla.

(I am going.)

Before Ayla could ask her isn't it other way around, she already left.

•••

Hanan, who was going to the backyard after Kabir and Ayat, bumped into her.

"Ayat!" Holding her arms, he called her, shockingly. Her eyes were red while her face was completely white, even the makeup couldn't hide the fact of how tense and sick she was right now.

"Kya hua?" Holding her cheeks, he asked.

(What happened?)

Looking up at him, all the tears which she was holding, fall from her eyes to her cheeks, as hiccups started forming in her throat.

Seeing her in this state, Hanan couldn't ask anything but embrace her in his arms.

Softly running his finger in her hair, he mumbled soft words to her, telling her to stop crying, he is there, if someone said anything to her, he would handle them.

Whatever he said, didn't help her as she started crying even more.

"Ayat, you are scaring me now. Batao mujhe kya hua hai?" Braking the hug, Hanan wiped her tears and asked her. His face showed deep concern for her. But she didn't stop cry.

(Tell me what's wrong?)

"Hanan ki Jaan, rona band karo." Hanan couldn't think of something which made her cry, pulling her again in his arms, he murmured.

(Love, please, don't cry.)

They stayed in each other arms for some moments. Until Ayat stopped crying.

When her sob died down, it is when she realized she was hugging Hanan, pushing him away from herself, she looked at him with disbelief.

Her mehndi printed hands ruined his white kurta, and the design of her mehndi too.

"Ayat?" Hanan looked at his kurta, where her mehndi got printed, then again at her.

"Kya hogaya hai tumhe?" He softly asked, not understanding her behavior. She was normal just a few hours ago, then what happened that made her upset.

(What's wrong with you?)

Ayat didn't reply to him, instead, she ran away.

"Ayat!" Behind her, Hanan ran but his father called him.

Thinking he will talk to her later, he went where his father was.

•••

The sound of laughing and clapping was coming from far afar, everyone was chattering loudly, teasing the bride and groom while Ayat remained oblivious.

She didn't want to be here, but Samia and Nafeesa dragged her out from the comfort of her room to here.

The function has almost ended now, everyone has left for their respective houses, while some, who came from other cities and had no luck getting hotel rooms, stayed at Haveli. Elders have left for their room to have a little rest, tomorrow was baraat and they all will have a busy day tomorrow.

But the young generation decided to stay up late. Except for Rehnuma, who's one year tired her more than the marriage function, retrieved to her room.

They decided to call it a night on to dedicate it to Kaif and Ayla.

Although, Kaif and Ayla weren't supposed to meet before the baarat function, the cousins managed to sneak him out from the elders' eyes to the backyard, where they decided to spend their night.

They have spread mattresses on the chilly grass while the soothing wind of summer night was in their favor, the atmosphere was beautifully designed for their night as if.

Kaif and Ayla were sitting together with their hand entwined and hidden beneath Ayla's kirni dupatta. (As Ayla's mehndi was dry now, she could easily touch things without creating a mess.)

Ayat was sitting between her cousin sisters, and in the midst, she looked at Hanan, who was sitting beside Kabir and was laughing at something Burhan said.

For the first time, Ayat saw how the corner of his eyes crinkles when he smiles or laughs. Hanan and she didn't have any encounter after she ran away from him. Thinking, he doesn't want to talk to her, made Ayat relieved as well as upset.

She was glad he was not teasing her for hugging him, neither asking why she cried. But was upset that her cries don't matter to him.

Her Ammi Jaan and Aapi just feed her foolish words to coax her maybe.

Maybe he doesn't really care.

And Hanan kept silence because of the function and guests. He had planned to talk to her, but in alone, when no one would disturb them. Right now, he was being oblivious for the sake of Ayla.

Everyone was deciding what should they play. Some said antakshari, some musical chair, which were both put down by others.

Everyone was so busy in the quarrel that no one noticed Ayat's lost figure.

Ayat's mind still hasn't found peace, it was a complete mess that even when surrounded by her cousins, Ayat was lost in Hanan's thoughts.

His words, his actions, the way he treats her, everything he does, but in the last, what Kriti told her.

"Truth or Dare khele?" Burhan put forward his suggestion.

(Let's play truth or dare?)

Which everyone agreed on, this seems like the best friendly game to play tonight.

"I will get bottles." Kabir said, as he stood up to leave.

A soft rush of breeze brushed against Ayla, scattering her hair, she tried to put it behind her ear by the support of her back of the hand.

Kaif saw her struggle, without thinking twice, he took his finger to her hair and put it behind her ear. This made Ayla smile at him. They both seemed to forget they were in the center of the attention.

Shifa, who was this exchange of glance between them, nudged her sister to witness it too. Shafaq nudged Nafeesa who made others to look at Kaif and Ayla, while both Kaif and Ayla still seem to be lost in each other's eyes.

"Oho, Kaif bhai, mana aapi apki biwi hain, par aise nazar toh na lagaye unhe..." Shaaz teasingly remarked. This made Ayat aware of her surroundings too as she looked at her sister.

(Oho, Kaif Bhai, we know she is your wife, but don't ogle.)

The hooting and Shaaz's voice startled them as they both quickly sat up straight and looked at their cousins. Everyone's eyes were already on them with a gleeful smile.

Bashfully, Ayla looked down. Her face glow in a radiant hue of red with a shy smile.

While Kaif embarrassingly scratched his forehead.

"Arey, Pagal, pyar karne walo ki nazar thori lagti hai." Rida smacked Shaaz's arm and told him, as if talking to two years old.

(Of course, he can ogle her all he wants.)

"Mana nazar nahi lagti. Par aise toh na dekhe unhe. Kal ke baad toh unhi ke sath unhi ke kamre mein hongi." Shaaz rubbed his arm, Rida may look petite and fragile but hit really hard, he later turned to Kaif and told him. "Jitna marzi chahe dekhiyega..." He said with a smirk.

(Okay, fine he can. But at least not in front of us. She will be with him in his room tomorrow.)

(You can gaze at her as much as you want.)

"Kal ke baad dekhega kon? Kaif bhai toh..." Burhan started saying but his voice was put down by Hanan.

(Who will just gaze after tomorrow?)

"Bas karo sab log. Haq hai Kaif bhai ka. Bhai, apka jitna mann kare aap dekhiye aapi ko. Koi kuch nahi kahega..." He acted to scold everyone then turned to Kaif, and permits him to gaze at Ayla. As if this is what Kaif needed. In return, he got a mocking glare from Kaif.

(Enough all of you. It is his right. Bhai, you can stare at her as much you want, no one will say anything.)

All the while, Ayat's eyes were stuck on Hanan.

Ayla, who couldn't stay silent anymore looked up."Hanan!" She tried to scold him, but her undertone voice because of her shyness only made other laughs more.

"Haan bhai, ek Kaif bhai ka haq ki aapi ko dekhe, aur ek Ayat ka haq ki Hanan bhai ko dekhe. Hum single log kya kare? Hum chale jaye?" Shifa, who saw Ayat's stare on Hanan, fixed her specs properly on her eyes and told them with a pout.

(Of course, Kaif bhai has the right to stare at Aapi and Ayat has all rights to stare at Hanan bhai. We single should just leave from here?)

Her words made Ayat jumped, as she looked at Shifa then again at Hanan, who was already looking at her. She wasn't expecting to be caught like this. She didn't even notice that she was staring.

Hanan has also felt Ayat's eyes on him since the night started. He knew something happened about him which bothered her, but what? He couldn't think of anything he did which made her upset.

The incident in the kitchen? But she was normal in the evening, maybe what he said to her beside the staircase? But this can't be the reason.

Many thoughts came in his mind, but were put down by another voice from his mind. Realizing it is Ayat, and he could never guess anything about her behavior, he decided to be quiet and not coming to any conclusion before asking her.

"Ayat, tum ek kaam karo, tum mere paas hi akey baith jao." Hanan point at the empty space of Kabir and told her. His blunt invitation made Ayat's eyes expand, while others present there cheered for Ayat to sit beside him.

(Ayat, why don't you just come and sit beside me.)

"Jaiye, Ayat, waise bhi bechare Hanan bhai ko abhi kuch saal aur intezaar karna padhega rukhsati ke liye." Shifa bumped her shoulder to Ayat and told her.

(Go, Ayat, poor Hanan bhai have to wait for rukhsati for some more years.)

In return, Ayat only glare at her. Before anyone could say anything, Kabir came there with bottles.

Soon, their mind was driven off from the couples to the game.

Everyone sat in a circle as Kabir spin the bottle, which rotated for few times, then stopped on Ayla, who instantly groaned, making other whistle.

"So, what our bride will choose, truth or dare?" Nafeesa casually put her elbow on the pillow leaned toward Ayla, lovingly asked her.

"Yaar, hum dulhan hain.. humse kya karwayenge aap log? Aap log khele..." Ayla tried to make excuses to get out of it.

(I am the bride. You all play.)

But others instantly oppose, telling her she has to play, she can't back up now.

"Aapi, dare le lein." Hanan told her. "Hanan ki aapi hain aap. Apko aise nahi darna chahiye."

(Aapi, take dare.)

(You are Hanan's sister. You shouldn't be scared of dares.)

Hanan's words made her opted for dare. "Fine, dare. Lekin khabardar jo kisine kuch ulta seedha dare diya, hum bata rahe hain..." Ayla points her finger at her cousins and warned them.

(But if anyone gives me anything foolish then...)

"Nahi, koi kuch ulta seedha dare nahi dega Ayla ko..." Samia sided with her cousin and told others with a hint of mischievous.

(Okay, no one will give her anything foolish...)

"Ulta seedha nahi toh gana kyu nahi ga deti aap?" Asked Shifa, sweetly.

(Then why don't you sing a song?)

"Nahi, Ayla aapi, aap dance kariye.." Rida said with a glint.

(No, how about dance?)

And soon, they started quarreling about what Ayla should do. And Ayla, she kept sitting there and looking at her cousins with amusement.

"Kya dance aur gana? Aur koi dare nahi bacha kya?" Shaaz peeped in and scolded them.

(She won't dance or sing. Don't you all have any other dare?)

"Ayla aapi, aap na.. koi act karo..." He then turned to Ayla and winked at her.

(Ayla aapi will act.)

"Nahi nahi nahi..." Ayla quickly shook her head, so quickly that it felt her neck would snap.

(No no no..)

"Kya nahi nahi? Tum school mein drama club mein thi na?... Decide ho gaya, Ayla will act... woh, Mughal-e-Azam ki scene..." Nafeesa suggested.

(Yes, you were in drama club in school na? It is decided then, Ayla will act. That scene from Mughal-e-Azam.)

"Nahi, woh nahi... Sholay ki... Jab Veeru pani ki tank pe chadhte hain, woh wali scene..." Shafaq proposed the idea.

(No, not that. How about the scene of Sholay? Where Veeru tries to commit suicide.)

They decided of their own, while Ayla was appalled with their banter. When everything was decided, Ayla hesitantly asked. "Toh hum... Basanti?"

(So.. I am Basanti?)

"Aap Veeru hain." Shafaq shook her head and told her.

(You are Veeru.)

"Yaar, thori si sharam kar lijiye, Dulhan hain hum." Ayla's eyes widened on her dare as she whined.

(Have shame, I am bride and you are giving me this kind of dare.)

"Chaliye, chaliye.. Zyada dulhan wale nakhre nahi." Shaaz shook his head and told her.

(Please, don't show the attitude of the bride.)

Defeated, Ayla looked at Kaif, for his support, but he sided with others and nod his head at her, telling her to do the act of Veeru.

"Fine.." Taking an exasperated breath out, Ayla stood up.

Fixing her dupatta, taking off her khussas, she dragged a chair close to them and stood on it, the heavy lehenga got under her feet as she was about to fall but hold herself together.

"Aram se," Kaif was almost on the edge to get up and hold her. But Ayla waved her hand to him.

"Kud jaunga, mar jaunga..." Ayla only manages to say this when a laugh left her mouth. "Sorry." She told them then muster a serious face to act. 

(I'll jump, I'll kill myself...)

"Suicide, suicide, Gaov walo," She put her palm over her mouth and said. Her voice was undertone so it won't reach the walls of the haveli, but loud enough for them.

(Villagers!)

"Yeh Basanti haina..." Pointing at Kaif, she tried to mimic the legendary actor Dharmendra. She did perform well as a drunkard lover. "Issey mera lagan hone wala tha. Lekin inki buddhi mausi ne mana kar diya..." Buddhi mausi was Hanan, who got startled with this title and Ayla's glare.

(You know Basanti... I was about to marry her. But her old aunty didn't allow us to marry...)

"Ab hum iss duniye mein nahi rehna chahte. Goav walo, aap sabko humara akhiri salam. Good bye. Bhagwan, hum arahe hain." Saying her goodbye, Ayla looked up at the sky and shouted.

(I don't wanna live anymore. I bid you farewell, Villagers. God, I am coming.)

She again turned to her cousins. "Lekin ek baat yaad rakhna, jaha koi ashiq apni jaan deta hai, waha uppar wale ka qahar ata hai. Aur yeh sab sirf iss buddhiya ki wajah se."

(But remember one thing, when a lover takes his own life. Horrible calamities will follow. And that too, only because of this old had.)

"Dekhlena, gaov walo, when I death, police coming. Police coming and budhiya going jail. In jail, buddhiya chakki pising and pising and pising and pising." Mimicking the play, her feet falter a little which made other scared, thinking she would fall.

(You will see yourself, when I die, police will come and will take this old hag to jail. In jail, old had will do hard labor.)

"Be careful," Nafeesa told her. But Ayla was still confident that she won't fall.

"Mausi, haan kardo warna yeh apni jaan de dengi." Jokingly, Shaaz told Hanan.

(Aunty, say yes, otherwise she will kill herself.)

"Niche ajaiye, main shaadi ke liye taiyyar hoon." Hanan also took participate in the act and said to Ayla.

(Come down, I am ready for the marriage.)

But, instead of being happy, Ayla's nose scrunched. "Mausi se shaadi kissey karni hai? Hume toh Basanti se karni hai," Pointing at Kaif with a loopy smile, she said. All the movements of her on the chair made the chair a little loose as it quake, making her lose her balance.

(Who wants to marry this old hag? I want to marry Basanti.)

Kaif quickly got up and hold her, Ayla was still standing on the chair, put her hands on his shoulder so she won't fall.

"Niche ajao, main bhi shaadi ke liye taiyyar hoon." Looking into her eyes, he told her with a smile.

(Get down, I am also ready for the marriage.)

A huge grin falls on her face. "Gaov walo, mausi ne bhi haan kardi, aur Basanti ne bhi. Ab marna cancel." Ayla extended her arms in happiness and told them all. The chair wasn't able to carry her weight, before she could fall, Kaif picked her in his arms.

(Villagers, aunty said yes, Basanti said yes, suicide cancel.)

This act of his earned them hooting and wolf whistle from others. Which made Ayla hide her face in his chest.

•••

Later, when Kabir again spun the bottle, it stopped on Shifa, who opted for the truth.

Her truth was simple, has she ever sneaked out from home? Which was a yes, and it made her elder sister; Shafaq's eyes wide, who never thought her little sister has ever sneaked out.

Later, the bottle stopped on Burhan then on Nafeesa. From whom, Ayla took her revenge by making Nafeesa called her fiancee and ask him about the time.

Finally, after the fourth time, it stopped on Ayat. Like her elder sister, Ayat's first reaction was to groan.

"Truth!" Before anyone could ask her truth or dare, Ayat announced.

"Yaar, truth na lijiye, Ayat. Apse truth mein kya puche. Aap toh waise hi itni seedhi hain, na jhoot bola hoga kabhi, na kabhi chupke se ghar se bahar gayi hongi, na hi kabhi kisiko sataya hoga..." Nafeesa opposed then later added some of Ayat's traits. Which had Hanan coughing.

(Don't take truth. You are so innocent that you have never lied to anyone, never sneaked out, or have never bother anyone. What we are suppose to ask you?)

"Ayat, dare lelo. Don't worry, we won't give you a difficult dare." Shaaz tried to bargain with her.

(Take dare.)

"Nahi, I don't trust you all. I will have truth." Ayat told him off.

(No!)

"Truth hai toh phir tum apne crush ka naam bata do... aur please, koi celebrity ka naam na lena." Rida asked her, as she looked at Hanan from the corner of her eyes.

(If it's truth then.. tell us the name of your crush. And please, don't say any celebrity's name.)

Hanan, who was already looking at Ayat, paid keen attention to her now. Somewhere in his heart, he hoped for her to say his name. It was a naive wish, he knew, but still, he hoped.

"Koi nahi hai." Looking at Rida, Ayat shook her head and told her honestly.

(No one.)

Her answer wasn't what he was expecting, but it still made Hanan relieved. Chalo shukar hai, mera naam nahi liya toh kisi aur ka bhi nahi liya. This was his thought.

"Kaha tha yeh bohot seedhi." Nafeesa added.

(Told you she is too innocent.)

And other present there, except for Hanan, agreed.

•••

After Ayat, the bottle stopped on Kaif.

"Dulha bhai, apni dulhan ki tarah dare lein aap bhi." Shaaz was trying to give everyone a dare. But no one was listening to him.

(Take dare as your bride did.)

Kaif opted for truth.

"Truth!" Nafeesa murmured as everyone thought of what to ask him.

"Kaif Bhai, aap yeh bataiye... apki koi girlfriend thi?" Burhan asked.

(Tell us, Kaif Bhai, do you have any ex?)

"Yeh kya puch liya, bhai?" Asked Rida, jokingly.

(What have you asked?)

This question didn't seem suitable to ask a groom, whose bride is sitting just beside him.

"Thi koi?" Now, Ayla asked. Also wanted to know if there was anyone else in his life before her.

(Do you have any ex?)

"Thi ek.. bohot pehle. But it doesn't matter now." Kaif slowly told them, then turned to Ayla, assuring her. But his reply didn't please her at all.

(Yes.)

And suddenly, the atmosphere didn't feel as delightful as before. Anyone could see the thick tension between Ayla and Kaif.

"Ab na main spin karunga bottle." To divert everyone's attention from Kaif and Ayla, Hanan said and picked the bottle.

(Now I will spin the bottle.)

When Hanan spins the bottle, it stops on his own self.

But instead of getting scared or groaning like others, he was quite happy.

Rolling his sleeves up to his elbow, he said. "Dare."

"Yeh hui na baat." Shaaz slapped his back and said.

(That's the spirit.)

"Hanan ko kya dare dein?" He later turned to others and asked for suggestions.

(What should we give Hanan?)

"Hanan, aap koi song kyu nahi gate." Shyra spoke for the first time since the game started.

(Hanan, sing a song.)

Not only Ayat, but Kabir also looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

"Gana?" Shaaz didn't seem to like this suggestion, but others did. And cheered for Hanan to sing.

(Singing?)

Even Ayla forgot about her sulking, and told Hanan to sing.

Hanan was very good at singing, and very famous among his family and cousins. Guitar and he were inseparable.

But right now, his guitar wasn't there with him. He had to sing without it.

"Theek hai." He gladly accepts the dare.

(Fine.)

Clearing his throat, Hanan looked at Ayat and started singing.

"Dilbar mere, kab tak mujhe, aise hi tadpaoge,
Main aag dil mein laga dunga woh, ki pal mein pighal jaoge." Hanan didn't take his eyes off from her, while Ayat looked everywhere but at him.

"Ek din ayega, pyaar ho jayega,
Main aag dil mein laga dunga woh, ki pal mein pighal jaoge." As Hanan hit the last note, Ayat raised her eyes to look at him.

When he ended the song, everyone clapped for him. Ayat once again looked down, feeling the heat under his gaze.

"Waise yeh tha kiske liye?" Samia asked, mischievously.

(For whom you have sung this song?)

"Jiske liye tha woh janti hai." Hanan replied to her in the same tone as hers, as his eyes, once again, went on Ayat.

(She knows who she is.)

Nafeesa, who was sitting on Ayat's right side, pinched her arm.

"Banda flat hai aap pe." She whispered in Ayat's ear.

(This guy is whipped for you.)

•••

I am seriously very upset right now. I had planned so many things last month for sharar. Yeh bhi karungi, woh bhi karungi... matlab puri party sochi hui thi maine. But it all got ruined by college, assignments and upcoming exams 😭

This is all I could manage for the anniversary. Jissey main bilkul satisfied nahi hoon. I mean, yeh mujhe kaam chalau bhi nahi lag raha hai.

I know, y'all will be like, achha hai and all.. but main nahi hoon satisfied toh nahi hoon. But I had to post something on anniversary. So here it is.

Abhi ke liye maaf kar dijiye, baad mein I will make it up for you all 🙈

-Ufaq

P.S. sorry for disappearing from days, 😭