Yeh jo tum har baat dil se laga leti ho
Kabhi hume bhi dil se lagao toh baat bane...

~~~

"This is for you." Kabir passed Ayat a small box wrapped in silver wrapper and said.

Kabir has bought gifts for his sister and cousins, now was giving them.

"Lekin, Kabir, yeh sab kis liye?" Rehnuma asked while looking at the medium size box in her hands.

(But, Kabir, what's the occasion for this?)

"Aise hi." Kabir shrugged his shoulder. "Mera mann kiya aap log ke liye gifts lene ka."

(Just like that.)

(I wanted to buy gifts for you all.)

"Thank you so much." Ayla smiled at him and opened her presents. Ayat and Rehnuma soon followed her and unwrapped their respective gifts.

Kabir looked at the shopper in his hand. Now, only one gift was left to give, But Kabir wasn't sure.

He turned to look at Shyra. Who was sitting on a beanbag

"Shyra, this is for you." Going to her, Kabir bent down and said in undertone, passing her the shopper.

"Mere liye kis liye?" Shyra questioned. She understands him buying gifts for Ayla as she is his sister-in-law. Even Ayat because they both get along very well. But why her? They weren't close. Living in the same haveli, Kabir and Shyra have long distance between each other.

(For me?)

"Maine jab yeh dress dekha toh mujhe tumhara khayal aya, isliye le liya..." Kabir looked uncertain, thinking she will reject his present. But she didn't.

(I thought of you when I saw this dress, That's why I bought it for you...)

"Thank you." With a soft smile, she took it from him and placed it beside her. Thinking she would open it later.

Ayat's voice startled him as he stood up properly."Wow, yeh bohot pyara hai, Kabir Bhai." Beaming at him, Ayat showed her ring to others. The ring had huge crystal rose craved in it, which shines under the light.

(It is so beautiful.)

"Kabir, hume nahi maloom tha ki apki pasand itni achhi hai." Ayla, who loved the platinum reel anklet, praises his choice.

(I didn't know you have such a good taste.)

Kabir proudly bowed his head.

"Abse main tumhe hi leke jaungi shopping pe." Rehnuma added which instantly wiped away his smile.

(Fron now onwards, I'll go with you for the shopping.)

"Itni bhi achhi pasand nahi hai meri. Yeh sab toh maine Maha ki pasand se liya hai." He quickly said and instantly regretted when the four girls in the room freeze up.

(No, my taste isn't that good. I bought this with Maha's help.)

Having their questionable eyes on him, Kabir just wanted to disappear from there.

Both Rehnuma and Ayla crossed their arms over their chest and leaned toward him.

"Yeh... Maha kon hai?" Rehnuma asked while Ayla raised her eyebrow at him, trying to intimidate him.

(Maha?... Who is she?)

"Koi nahi hai." Kabir quickly shook his head negatively.

(No one.)

"Kahi yeh wahi ladki toh nahi jissey uss din humne dekha tha? Aap unke sath cafeteria mein the na." Ayat loudly asked. Kabir glare at her to shut up, but she already said everything. She could only give him a sheepish smile

(Is she the same girl with whom I have saw you in the cafeteria?)

Maha! Maha! Maha? Must be someone else. Shyra shook her thoughts away and did not take any interest in the conversation.

"Cafeteria mein?" Ayla dramatically gasped.

(In the cafeteria?)

"Kabir aur Maha ke beech mein Kuch nahi hai bas woh inke liye presents pasand karti hai aur yeh unhe cafeteria le jate hain." Rehnuma turned to Ayla and told her, as if talking to five years old.

(There is nothing between Kabir and Maha. She just helps him in shopping and he takes her for coffee.)

"Bilkul, kuch bhi nahi hai dono ke beech bas...." Ayla nodded her head and started saying but Kabir interrupted them.

(Of course, there is nothing between them, it is just.)

"Bas, waqai mein kuch bhi nahi hai. Usne meri help ki thi isliye maine ussey treat di. It's not a big deal." Kabir joined his hands together and pleaded

(It is just nothing, She helped me with shopping and this is why I gave her treat. It is not a big deal.)

"Of course, it is not a big deal." Rehnuma and Ayla said in unison while looking at each other. Like they are trying to make others understand this.

"Jo sochna hai sochiye, main ja raha hoon." Kabir groaned and turned to leave. He has just reached the doorway when Ayat called him.

(Think whatever you want to. I'm leaving.)

"Waise, Kabir Bhai, She was very beautiful, agar apne unhe apni girlfriend banaya toh I won't mind." She casually said while waving her hand in the air. This made Kabir smacked her head.

(She was very beautiful, I won't mind if she is your girlfriend.)

"Kabir bhai, hum maar denge apko." Ayat's hair got mess which made her whined. But Kabir already left before she could hit him back.

•••

Shyra's nose cringed when she saw what Kabir got for her. It was a yellow churidaar. The embroidery was sure beautifully designed but there is something about yellow which always makes Shyra cringe. She was never a fan of yellow colour, she thought it looked weird. That's why she bought beige colour shalwar kameez for today's function. She quickly picked the dress and thought of dumping it in the corner of the cupboard but then Kabir's words echoed in her ear.

Please, dekhiye agar ho sake toh shaadi mein aap sab yeh peheniyega. Kabir requested them, before giving them the presents.

A rush of guilt took over her body as she again looked at the dress in her hand.

I thought of you when I saw this. Groaning, Shyra clutched the clothes close to her.

•••

After changing her clothes, Ayat entered Ayla's room and sat on the bed silently.

Makeup artists were doing Ayla's make up while Ayla was seated on the chair motionless, as if someone made her a statue. This thought made Ayat laughed but she hold it by biting her lips.

"Ayat, tum ab tak aise hi kyu ghoom rahi ho?" Rehnuma asked when she saw Ayat's messy hair, clear face and unsuitable way of wearing dupatta.

(Ayat, you are not ready yet?)

"Rehnuma, Ayat ko humne yaha bulaya, inhe ab kaha ata hai make up karna ya taiyyar hona." Ayla raised her hand to stop the makeup artist and told Rehnuma.

(Rehnuma, I have called her here because Ayat doesn't know how to do makeup.)

Rehnuma nodded her head and again focuses on her appearance.

"Aapi," Hanan knocked on the door then put his head inside. "Mummy hain?"

(Is mummy here?)

"Chachi yaha nahi hain." Rehnuma shook her head.

(Chachi isn't here.)

"Kya hua, Hanan?" Ayla asked.

(What happened, Hanan?)

"Aapi, dekhiyena, Maids mein se koi seedhe munh baat hi nahi kar raha hai aur Mummy pata nahi kaha hain, Mera kurta iron nahi hai." Hanan showed the white kurta in his hand to Ayla and complained.

(My kurta isn't ironed and I don't know where mummy is.)

"Ayat, aap jaiye aur iron kar dijiye Hanan ka kapda." Ayla told her.

(Ayat, go and iron Hanan's kurta.)

"Hum?" Ayat's eyes expanded as she looked at Ayla.

(I?)

"Hum kyu?... I mean... Hum abhi taiyyar nahi hue." Ayat started stammering which made Ayla narrowed her eyes.

(Why Me? I mean... I have to get ready na...)

"Koi baat nahi, I'll manage." Hanan was about to leave.

(It's okay, I'll manage.)

"Ayat," Ayla called her, sternly.

Unwillingly, Ayat stood up to take Hanan's kurta.

"Rehne do, main kar lunga."

(Let it be, I'll manage.)

"Ab toh uth gaye haina. Laiye, Iron kardein." She extended her arms out and told him.

Hanan gave the kurta to her, when Ayat left, he soon followed her.

"Ayat ki zidd abhi tak kam nahi hui." Rehnuma looked at Ayla and said.

(Ayat is still obdurate?)

"Abhi bachhi hai woh." Ayla shrugged it off.

(She is just a kid.)

"Phir bhi. Ussey Hanan ke sath iss tarah behave nahi karna chahiye. Tum badi behen ho uski, tumhe usko samjhana chahiye."

(Still, she should not talk to Hanan like this. You should talk to her.)

"Pata nahi, waise bhi humara manna hai ki shaadi shuda behno ki zindagi mein zyada dakhal andazi nahi karni chahiye." Ayla jokingly said and again turned to face the mirror. While the assistant of makeup artist found something amusing in Ayla's words and giggles. Which was instantly shut down by her senior's glare.

(I don't know, I think we shouldn't interfere in marriage sister's life.)

Rehnuma's smile was wiped off.

•••

Ayat was clumsily ironing the kurta, while Hanan stood in the doorway, leaning his shoulder in its frame, arms crossed over his chest and eyes fixed on her. She didn't even glance at him, but could feel that his stare is hard, as if checking for a tiny mistake in iron. Licking her lips, Ayat tried to calm her pounding heart but her shivering hands didn't stop.

"Humare sar par kyu khade hain? Jaiye hum apka kurta bhejwa denge iron hone ke baad." When she couldn't handle it anymore, she snapped at him.

(Why are you standing here? Go to your room, I'll send your kurta when it will be ironed.)

"Mujhe tumpe bharosa nahi, jala diya toh." His tone was monotonous.

(I don't trust you. What if you burn it?)

Putting the iron beside the kurta, Ayat put her right hand over her hip and said. "Agar hume jalana hoga toh waise bhi jala denge. Lekin hum apki tarah nahi."

(If I want to burn it, I'll do it anyway. But I am not like you.)

Her words made Hanan confused

"Meri tarah nahi matlab?" Hanan took two steps in and asked.

(What do you mean you are not like me?)

Him, out of nowhere, entering the room made her nervy as she again picked the iron to ignore him.

"Meri tarah matlab?" Ayat didn't realise when Hanan stood behind her. The proximity between them made her jump.

(Tell me what do you mean by it?)

"Hanan, Humare sar pe na khade ho, waha jaiye." Ayat snarl at him.

(Don't stand here, go over there.)

"Pehle mujhe batao meri tarah nahi ho ka kya matlab hai." He put his hands on both sides of hers and whispered in her ear.

(First, tell me what do you mean by you are not like me.)

"Hu.... uh..." Ayat opened her mouth to reply, but the goosebumps erupted in her body, making her lose her sense.

"Hmm?" Hanan bent down to her level, his hot breath falling on her neck, which weakened Ayat's knees. Unknowingly, she put her hands over his to prevent herself from falling.

"Bolo, Aya....."

(Say it, Aya....)

"Safiya...." Khushnuma barged in, calling for the maid, but what she saw there made her stop on the doorway with goggled eyes.

Hanan quickly parted away from Ayat. Both of them were wide eyes looking at each other than at Khushnuma. Ayat's face turned the deep shade of red due to embarrassment while Hanan's face was as white as the sheet.

Khushnuma opened her mouth to say something, but no words came from her side. Only gasping came. Closing her mouth, Khushnuma left from there like the rush of wind. As if, she didn't see anything.

Ayat finally found her voice. With throaty voice, she tried to call Khushnuma. "Chachi!"

"Aap... Dekhiye apne kya kiya." She furiously turned to Hanan.

(You... look what you have done.)

"Maine kya kiya?"

(How it is my fault?)

"Apne.... aap humare...." Ayat tried to find the perfect words to describe what he did, no matter what she thought, the sentence would make her embarrassed.

(You... You I...)

"Hanan, aap bohot besharam hain. Apke andar zara si bhi sharm nahi hai."

(Hanan, you don't have an ounce of shame in you.)

"Main besharam, yeh sahi hai. Apni biwi ke sath tha main. Mummy ko iss tarah se nahi ana chahiye tha." His words again made her gasp in embarrassment.

(I'm shameless? Wow, I was with my wife. Mummy shouldn't have come like this.)

"Hanan, Aap...." Ayat raised her hands as if she wants to strangle him.

(You...)

"Chup raho. Yeh batao jalne ki smell kaha se arahi hai?" Hanan's words made Ayat sniff as she also smelt a bad smell of burn then a gasp left her mouth as she turned back to the iron table.

(Shut up, tell me from where this burning smell is coming.)

The iron was placed on Hanan's kurta, the left side of the chest got badly burned.

"Ya Allah!" Removing the iron box, Ayat picked his kurta.

"Zyada nahi jala waise." She mumbled as she looked at the stain.

(It is not that badly burned.)

"Matlab issey abhi aur jalna tha?" Hanan asked as he took his kurta from her, he could literally see through it and Ayat is saying it is not a bad burn.

(It was meant to burn more?)

"Sorry!" Ayat meekly whispers.

"Sorry? Ayat, tumhari wajah se humare nikkah mein bhi maine purana kapda pehna tha. Aaj bhi purana pehnu?" Hanan asked in disbelief.

(Sorry? Ayat, because of you, I wore old clothes in our nikkah. You want me to wear old clothes today too?)

"Purana na peheniye. Arey mehndi ke function ke liye jo kapde liye hain woh pehen lijiye." Ayat suggested.

(No, I don't want it. Why don't you wear the kurta which you bought for mehndi.)

"Aur phir mehndi wale din Barat wala kapda pehnu?" He sarcastically asked.

(And what I am supposed to wear on mehndi?)

"Mehndi ke liye hum apke liye dusra le ayenge."

(I'll buy you a suit fir mehndi.)

"Tum laogi?" Hanan raised his eyebrow, which startled her.

(You will?)

"Haan! Waise toh humari galti nahi hai isme lekin phir bhi," She slowly said.

(Yes, although it is not my fault but still....)

"Tumhari galti nahi toh kiski galti hai?"

(If it's not your fault then whose fault it is?)

"Apki! Aap humare kareeb akey khade hue toh hum ghabra gaye." Ayat point at him and said with a loud voice.

(Your! You cane closer to me which made me startled....)

"Mere kareeb aney se tumhe darr lagta hai?" Hanan took one step forward and stand just before her. An arrogant smirk was placed on his face.

(You get scared when I am close to you?)

"Dekhiye, aap... Aap apni hadd mein rahiye..." Ayat leaned away from him and pointed her finger at him. Trying to threaten him, but her confidence betrayed her.

(Look, you... You should be in your limit.)

"Warna?" Hanan joined his finger with her and asked with a raised eyebrow.

(Otherwise?)

"Warna phir... Phir hum... Hum bohot kuch kar legne."

(Otherwise... I'll... I'll do something.)

"Kya kar logi tum?"

(What will you do?)

"Sahi waqt aney dijiye, bata denge apko."

(I'll tell you when the right time will come.)

"Sahi waqt ka matlab... Agar maine aur hadd paar ki? Jaise agar abhi maine tumhe kiss kar liya toh?" Hanan pretended to think then leaned down to her ear and whispered.

(Right time... you mean when I'll cross the limit? Like if I kiss you then?)

All the nervousness and irritation left Ayat's body with a gasp as Ayat looked at Hanan with expanded eyes.

"Hanan, Aap..."

(Hanan, You....)

"Hanan!" Ayat's voice was put down by Shahzain's loud call for Hanan.

"Yaar!" Hanan irritatedly pulled away from Ayat.

"Aaj hi sabko kaam hai mujhse." Mumbling to him, he left. But Ayat also heard him saying. "Ek toh rukhsati nahi karwa rahe hain uppar se romance mein bhi disturb kar rahe hain."

(They all have to disturb me today.)

(First, they are not doing the rukhsati and now they are interrupting my romance.)

"Romance?" Ayat scoffed.

•••

Kaif was setting his hair when Rehnuma came to his room. Rukhsar was also there.

"Achha hua tum agayi. batao, dono mein se konsa loon?" Going to his bed, he picked two shawls of different colour and asked her.

(Here you are, tell me which one should I wear?)

Rehnuma glance at him then the stoles. One was a plain white colour while the other one was a light shade of gold.

"Koi bhi lelo. Ya phir jake Ayla se pucho." Rehnuma sully said and sat on the bed.

(Why don't you ask Ayla about it?)

"Rehnuma, yeh kaise baat kar rahi ho?" Rukhsar scolded her.

(Rehnuma, what are you saying?)

"Galat kya keh rahi hoon? Waise bhi Kaif ko ab sirf apni biwi ki sunni chahiye."

(What am I saying wrong? Anyway, Kaif should only listen to his wife now.)

Kaif couldn't understand the reason behind her sour mood, she was happy just moment ago then what happened. He confusingly asked. "Aisa kyu keh rahi ho?"

(What are you saying?)

"Aisa main nahi tumhari biwi keh rahi hai. Uska kehna hai ki shaadi shuda behno ko zyada nahi bolna chahiye."

(Your wife is saying this, she thinks that married sister should not speak much.)

"Ayla ne? Usne tumhe aisa kaha" Kaif asked with uncertainty.

(Ayla told this to you?)

"Tum dono bhi kya baatein leke baith gaye ho? Rehnuma, Ayla ne mazak kiya hai hoga, usme itna bura manne wali baat nahi hai. Aur, Kaif, tum jao taiyyar ho function start hone wala hai." Before Rehnuma could say anything, Rukhsar interrupted and scolded both of them.

(What you both are talking about? Rehnuma, Ayla must be joking, don't get upset over a little thing. Kaif, go and get ready, the function is about to start.)

"Ji, Mummy." Kaif took the waistcoat and stole from his mother and left from there.

(Yes, Mummy.)

"Kuch bhi kehne ka waqt aur jagah hoti hai, Rehnuma. Aaj uska mayoon hai aur tum uske samne aisi baatein kar rahi ho. Janti hona ki jaldi gussa ajata hai ussey." When Kaif was out of their sight, Rukhsar turned to Rehnuma and scolded her.

(There is a time and place to say something, Rehnuma. Today is his Mayoon and you are talking about Ayla like this. You know very well Kaif is short-tempered.)

"Aur jo Ayla ne mujhe kaha uska kya? Mujhe bura nahi lagata kya? Uske kehne ka matlab kya tha?"Rehumna complained.

(And what about Ayla? What she said to me?)

"Rehnuma, Tumne zaroor galat suna hoga. Ayla ne shayad mazak mein kaha hoga."

(You must have heard it wrong. Ayla must be joking.)

"Mazak mein insaan tanz hi bolta hai. Aur, Mummy, Aap kyu Ayla ko itna support kar rahi hain? Apko toh woh na pasand thi."

(People always taunt behind jokes. And, Mummy, Why are you supporting her? You used to dislike her.)

"Meri pasand na pasand se kya farq padhta hai? Kaif ki biwi hai woh aur ussey pasand hai. Waise bhi, jabse dono ka nikka hua hai maine Kaif mein kafi changes dekhe hain, Apni life ko seriously le raha hai, office ki responsibility sambhal raha hai aur na hi ab tumhare papa ko ussey koi complain rehti hai. Yeh sab changes uski shaadi ke baad se aye hain aur yeh sab Ayla ki wajah se hain."

(It doesn't matter if I like her or not. She is Kaif's wife and he loves her. And I'm noticing changes in Kaif after his marriage. He has become serious about his life, he takes care of his responsibility and your father doesn't have any complaints with him now. This all happened because of Ayla.)

"Ayla ki wajah se ya phir Ayla ne raqib kar liya hai Kaif ko." Rehumna rolled her eyes.

(Which means Ayla has made him henpeck.)

•••

Shyra wore the dress which Kabir gifted her. Although, yellow was still not her favourite. But she has to admit she looks beautiful in that dress.

Getting ready, Shyra left for her mother's room.

"Maama!" Shyra swirls the show the dress to her mother.

"Masha'ALLAH, bohot pyari lag rahi ho. Lekin dupatta kaha hai iska?" Hamna compliments her than her brows furrowed in disapproval.

(You are looking beautiful but where is your stole?)

"Yeh aisa hi hai. Aur dekhiye na, isme meri collarbone kitne achhe lag rahe hain." Shyra irritatedly said and went to the vanity to again check herself out in the mirror. She touched her collarbones and praises herself.

(It came without a stole. And look, my collarbones look so pretty in this dress.)

"Collarbone? Beemari kehte hain issey. Kitni patli ho gayi ho tum collarbone aur figure ke chakkar mein."

(Collarbones? They are called weakness.)

"Offo, Maama!"

"Aur yeh liya kab tumne? Tum toh shalwar kameez pehen wali thi na." Hamna again asked.

(And when did you bought this? Weren't you going to wear Shalwar Kameez?)

"Thi. Lekin phir Kabir sabko gift de rahe the... mere liye yeh laye toh maine socha yahi pehen loon." Shyra told her and picked her favourite shade of lipstick from her mother's collection and wore it.

(Suppose to, but Kabir gifted this to me, So I thought of wearing it.)

"Achha suno, filhal ke liye dupatta lelo, achha lagega."

(Listen, for now, take dupatta, it will suit the dress.)

"Maama, jab main jeans top pehenti hoon tab toh aap nahi kehti dupatta aur stole ka, ab kyu force kar rahi hain?" Shyra looked at her mother's reflection in the mirror and boredly said.

(Maama, when I wear jeans top then you don't bug me to take dupatta then why now?)

"Jeans top alag hai. Suit pe dupatta achha lagta hai."

(Jeans top is a different thing,)

"Maama," Shyra exasperatedly called her mother.

"Kya hua hai? Tum dono abhi tak yahi ho." Kazim entered the room and asked.

(What happened? You two are still here?)

"Maama keh rahi hain main dupatta loon par yeh aise hi achha lag raha hai." Shyra complained to her father.

(Maama is bugging me to take dupatta. But the dress looks more beautiful without it.)

"Toh mat lo, koi baat nahi." Kazim nodded his head approvingly and told her

(If you don't want then don't take dupatta.)

Shyra smugly looked at her mother. "Thank you, Papa."

When Shyra left, Hamna looked at her husband with the look of resentment.

"Bachhi hai, waise bhi ghar ka function hai koi zaroorat nahi dupatta lene ki agar ussey nahi pasand." Without her saying anything, Kazim understood what made her upset and told her.

(She is just a kid, don't force her for anything.)

Shyra was going to Huzaifa's portion when was about to bump into Kabir, they both stopped walking just nanometer away from each other.

Kabir turned to his left to cross the doorway, same time Shyra went to her ride side. Seeing this, They both changes the side to give other way but again blocked each other.

"Ek minute." Kabir showed his hand to her and stand aside to let her enter.

(One minute.)

"Thank you." Entering his house, Shyra thanked him.

"Koi baat nahi." He shook his head and was about to leave when again turned to her. He didn't look at her, but the dress she was wearing.

(It's okay.)

Shyra felt fidgety under his stare, as she waited for him to say something. But he did not utter a word, instead, he left with a smile. And this turned off her mood.

•••

Chitta kukkad banere te
Chitta kukkad banere te
Kasni dupatte waliye
Munda sadqe tere te

The Aangan was decorated with yellow garlands and red roses, fairy light was turned on. Ayla slowly stepped down from the stairs, Shyra and Ayat were both sides of hers. Ayla's canary yellow dupatta brushing down after her steps.

Kaif was already seated on the swing where both groom and bride are supposed to sit. Wearing white kurta-pyjama with olive green waistcoat, which had golden thread design, light shade of stole was carelessly thrown in his neck and his head perfectly messed. Which he always do just to make them look little curl to suit with his heavy stubble. He looked more dashing today.

Ayat and Shyra made her sit beside Kaif on the jhula. Sitting beside him, Ayla forgot about the numerous pairs of eyes on her, as she looked at him and smiles. Kaif did not smile back. Before she could think anything about it or ask him, Ayat took her hands and put garlands of Arabian jasmine.

Ayla's wrists were already adorned with red glass bangles, but this was traditional where bride's sister put garlands in bride's wrists

Ayla pat Ayat's cheek when she was done, Ayat's eyes were glistening, that's why she quickly stood up to leave before she could burst in tears.

Drying her eyes, Ayat stood a little away from jhula and the large crowd.

Hanan looked at his left side, where Ayat just stood beside him. Following her eyes, he found her attention only on Ayla, she stands next to him without knowing.

Smiling, he scoots closer to her.

Naziya Begum was the first one to perform the ritual, holding the green leaf in her wrinkled and shivering hands, she softly applied haldi on Ayla's cheek.

"Allah aap dono ko hamesha khush rakhe." She put her hand over Ayla's head and mumbled.

(May God bless you.)

Shahzain pulled her wheelchair away, in her old age, Naziya Begum gets suffocated in public.

"Ammi Jaan, Apke liye kuch khane ke liye le aye?" Ayat went to her and asked. Seeing Ayat is there, Shahzain left them and went to check on something.

(Should I get something for you to eat?)

Ayat was kneeled in front of her, as Naziya cupped her cheeks

"Nahi, beta, main theek hoon."

(No need for it, I'm fine.)

"Waise aap bohot pyari lag rahi hain lekin churiyan kyu nahi pehni?" She holds Ayat's hands and asked. The displeasure was plastered on her face because of Ayat's empty wrists.

(You are looking very beautiful but why are you not wearing bangles?)

"Sleeves full thi na... Aur waise bhi churiyon se bohot uljhan hoti hai hume." Ayat scrunched her face.

(I feel uncomfortable.)

"Bohot uljhan hoti hai tumhe. Abhi jao aur churiyan pehno. Tum sirf dulhan ki behen nahi iss ghar ki dusri bahu bhi ho. Chalo jao, dekho waha table pe churiyan rakhi hain."

(You won't be uncomfortable. Go and put some bangles. You are not only younger sister of the bride but you are second daughter-in-law of this house.)

"Ji, Ammi Jaan." Ayat stood up, grasping her dupatta, so it won't fall from her shoulder. Although, she has asked Ayla to pin them up but Ayla told her not to.

(Fine!)

Putting the dupatta on her right shoulder, Ayat went to the table where flower bracelets, colourful glass bangles, sweets and extra bowls of haldi were put, it was in the corner of the Aangan.

Looking around, she got confuses with so many colours. Pink glittery bangles caught her attention as her face light up.

Reaching for it, Ayat was about to wear them when Hanan came there.

Hanan was wearing a black kurta with white pyjama (The suit which he bought for mehndi function but.) The grey coloured waistcoat enhances with creamy thread. He has trimmed his beard in scruff style. Although he looked handsome, Ayat did not glance at him even for once.

"Main pehna doon?" Leaning his back on the table, he asked.

(Can I help?)

"Hum khudse pehen sakte hain." She narrowed her eyes at him and scoffed.

(I can put then by myself.)

Hanan shrugged his shoulder and looked in front of him, where the function was going on.

Bangles size were slightly smaller than hers, Ayat had trouble in wearing them. The bangles got stuck below her knuckles which made her hiss.

Hanan looked at her and saw her struggle. Smirking, he holds her hand.

"Aap...." Ayat's mouth got open on his behaviour.

(You...)

"Main... apni biwi ko churi pehna raha hoon." Softly pressing her hand, Hanan told her.

(I... am putting bangles in my wife's wrist.)

Ayat was about to snatch her hand away from his, but Hanan already started putting the bangles. One by one, twelve bangles were put in her wrist.

"Gajra bhi pehna doon?" When he was done, Hanan slowly asked.

(Do you want me to put garlands too?)

"Shukriya, par zaroorat nahi." Snatching her hand from him, Ayat left. She didn't bother to put bangles in her right hand.

(No thanks.)

•••

Kabir was standing in the entrance of the aangan.

According to Ayla's likeness, both Hanan and Kabir were supposed to do twinning in all the functions but Hanan decided to wear black kurta in last moment without telling Kabir. He was wearing white kurta-pyjama with the same waistcoat as Hanan's. Their beard style was also the same. Kabir was alone there, looking at the scene from afar but not wanting to be part of it.

Shyra was the only one who noticed this, or maybe the only one who was bothered by this.

"Aap yaha kyu khade hain?" Going to him, she also faces the crowd and asked.

(Why are you standing here?)

"Ladkiyon ka function hai yeh. Main aur kya karu?" His words made sense as Shyra looked around the aangan and found most of the females were there, the male company was also there but mostly because of their wives. Or mother in Kabir's case.

(What I am suppose to do in girl's function.)

"Aap Hanan ke sath bhi baith sakte hain." Shyra told him and points at Hanan, who was sitting on the chair beside Naziya Begum.

(You can sit with Hanan.)

"Huh! Ussey jaha apni biwi dikhegi mujhe akela chorhke chala jayega. Issey achha main yahi theek hoon." Kabir jokingly told her while looking at her. This joke didn't make Shyra laugh though.

(Huh? He will leave me as soon as he will see his wife. I'm fine here alone.)

"Marzi apki." She shrugged shoulder and was about to leave.

(As you wish.)

"Shyra!" Before she could leave, Kabir called her.

"Dupatta lelo. Sab tumhe hi ghoor rahe hain." He advised her in a gentle tone. A moment ago he has saw a boy (from the guest. checking her out.) Cousin or not, Kabir hated these kinds of boys, he has warned that boy to stay away from ladies section. But still, he thought of telling Shyra to take dupatta. So no one would look at her inappropriately.

(Wear dupatta. Everyone is looking at you.)

This made Shyra looked around to see who is looking at her. No one was.

"Mujhe toh koi ghoorta hua nahi dikh raha. Haan, kuch narrow minders ko problem hogi but that's not my problem. I'm here to enjoy the wedding, not to please everyone." Shyra said in a flat voice and left while throwing her hair on her back.

(I don't see anyone looking at me. Yes, some narrow minders have problems, but that's not my problem.)

<><><>

Hanan Bhai bawle ho gaye hain 🤣🤣

Anyways, how was it?

Do vote and comment 🤗

-Ufaq