30. An Invite
Multiple change in POV ahead; Do make sure to check while reading 👇👇👇
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Author's POV:
"Priya, call Ayesha and ask about their arrival."
"All right, ma'am, I will check with them." nodding her head, Priya went back to her chair to check with Ayesha and their team and inform Neha
"Ayesha Ma'am and her team said that they were going to arrive in half an hour to the boutique. We should probably head to the boutique as well." After checking with Ayesha, Priya again came back to Neha and informed her of the same. Both Neha and Ayesha started their journey towards the boutique.
As Neha, Priya, and Ayesha's team arrived at the boutique, they began discussing the morning and evening inaugural events, suggesting that it would be a busy and exciting day.
"These are the planned decorations and ideas for the evening party, which can be changed as per needed. Can you share the list of people to be arrived so based on that we can look after the hall and security." Sofia asked
"These are the individuals on the list; there are approximately 100 to 200 people, followed by families." Priya forwarded the file containing the list of invitees to Sofia.
"All right, so I suppose the banquet hall for the party would be sufficient. Would you like to increase security, or is standard security sufficient?"
"I guess tightening some security would be a nice idea to avoid unnecessary drama."
"Noted. Regarding the caterers, do you want our team to look after it or will you prefer some other person?" Sofia asked
"Let us look after it." Ayesha replied to Sofia before Neha could reply, giving Neha a break—at least one task was taken off her plate.
"Done. Would you like to invite the media and paparazzi to the morning virtual exhibition?"
The discussion continued in the meeting room.
Meanwhile, Sumaiyya and her team were working on the boutique's final touches, and Saniya was helping her chachi via video call, indicating that everyone was occupied with their own tasks that needed to be finished on time.
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Neha's POV:
My life, both personal and professional, has been filled with a lot of events over the past week, which has made it difficult for me to take a break even for a second.
'Tring' notification sound made me come back and I know who has sent the message and when I checked my phone, I was right
It was Adil
Adil:
'It's just half of the day and I'm done for the day. Having my lunch now 😢'
'How's your day going?'
Saying 'yes' to Adil right away is shocking, I know, but as soon as I started talking to him, an unseen connection made everything feel so natural and at ease, as though I already knew he was the one, and I eventually agreed to the marriage.
To be honest, I agreed to the marriage without giving it much thought. However, my family also liked Adil, so they must have seen something in him that convinced them to agree. I have also realised that it is better to marry someone you know than someone you don't.
I have known him for a long time, but we have not been in contact with each other since four years, but when we started to talk, those gaps felt insignificant. As the days went by, the daily texts he sent me made me realise that I might also have a chance to have a life partner, soul mate, or lifelong friend.
I feel like it's time to move on from past and focus on future. Heartbreak and betrayals are inevitable in life, but clinging to them and ignoring the present made my four years so miserable, so why not try to move on and give life another chance?
Me (Neha):
'Same thing here; it is really hard to catch anything, the upcoming boutique Inaugural has made me occupied.'
I clicked the send button and resumed working on the outfits for the exhibition. I want these to be my best shot because they will be on display for both the morning and evening events.
Four hours later
"Phew, half of the designs are finished, and I will finish the other half later." I checked my phone and saw that I had five missed calls—three from Ammi and two from Pappa—as well as a message notification.
Deciding to give Ammi a call—I called her. The phone was ringing, so I locked the creativity room, put the designs in the desk drawer, and went outside to discover that everyone had already left. I then checked the time and saw that it was past 7:00 p.m. and that I had been working since the afternoon.
"Where are you, Neha?"
"Ammi I am working on designs in the studio right now, but do not worry, I will be back soon." I assured her and disconnected the call and started to wind up everything to leave for home.
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As I walked through my house's gate, few voices were heard, meaning that there were visitors in my home.
Upon entering, I discovered that Afsha Bhabhi and Sumaiyya Aunty were present, and all of the women were casually chatting in the living room.
"Assalamualaikum" greeting everyone, I also entered the living room only to be met with Ammi's irate glares.
'What happened to her now?'
Giving a fake smile to everyone she got up from the couch, she came towards me and grabbed my elbow and took me away from the room. Ok now, I am doomed.
"What happened, Ammi?"
"Why did you walk right into the living room wearing your office clothes? Go to your room, change into nice clothes, and come."
"And do not come by wearing simple home clothes; your to be in-laws are here; wear some decent Indian clothes." Ammi pushed me a little.
Ughh, sometimes Ammi does behave so weird. I meet Sumaiyya Aunty in these work clothes every day, and with Afsha Bhabhi, I am so close now that I meet in my pyjamas also.
I could have said this all in front of Ammi, but her glare stopped me. I hurried to my room to find some 'decent Indian clothes' to wear.
After messing half the closet, I eventually found a decent, basic yellow georgette anarkali dress with a little mirror work and embroidery. I took the dress and went to the bathroom to freshen up.
Putting on some blush and nude lipstick, as well as chandbali earrings. I wrapped the dupatta on my head and went outside to greet my 'to be in laws' as termed by Ammi. It is strange to say, but I should start becoming accustomed to this from now on.
When I came downstairs, Ayesha was already there and deeply engaged in conversation with Bhabhi, so I went over and joined in.
"Oye, why are you so dressed up?" Ayesha eyed me from head to toe and asked me the question that I did not want to hear.
Not being able to speak, I looked at Ammi, then at Sumaiyya Aunty and Afsha Bhabhi to help her understand the situation. Based on the evil expression on her lips, I could tell she understood it well.
"Oh! This dress-up game is for your in-laws, I see." she gave an evil smirk, having no option to counter back I just sealed my lips and sat silently, making Ayesha laugh more.
"Neha Beta, make tea for everyone."
"Ji Ammi", Alhamdulillah, Ammi saved me today from getting more embarrassed infront of everyone else Ayesha was on a mission to tease me to the end.
I went to the kitchen to make tea. As I was doing so, I noticed that Pappa, Asif Uncle, and Danish Bhai had also arrived, so I put more milk in the pan.
Suddenly, I remembered something—"Oh no! I forgot Bhai doesn't drink tea."
Quickly, I added one cup of milk in another saucepan and took out coffee powder to make coffee.
"And this coffee is for you, Bhai." After serving everyone, I took my tea and sat down in my old spot, which was my mistake.
"Waah, impressing your in-laws already and making separate coffee and all." This is how I regret being seated next to Miss Ayesha, the annoyer.
"Before that, he is..." I was about to answer Ayesha but Sumaiyya aunty interrupted me
"Neha Beta, how is the Inaugural preparation going on?"
"Aunty, there are still a lot of things to get ready." I replied remembering everything, and even Ayesha nodded in agreement.
"Insha'Allah, everything will be on time; you still have a few days left before the event. My manager also gave me a call today to let me know that the invites had been received and that it was kind of you to invite the entire team."
"Obviously, Aunty, everything would not have been possible without you; I do not know who I would have been able to complete the boutique's construction in such a short period of time, and this is just a small gesture."
The Gulbahar team is incredibly talented; they grasped the theme and executed the boutique gracefully in a short amount of time.
With excitement, Bhabhi remarked, "I spoke with Saniya as well; I assume she will be attending the inaugural as well."
"Nice, finally we can meet her in Danish's marriage; I was unable to meet her properly." As Anjum Aunty was speaking, I noticed a change in Bhabhi's demeanour as she and Sumaiyya Aunty exchanged glances.
'What happened in her wedding?'
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Adil's POV:
Neha:
'Reached home.....
Bhabhi, Aunty, and Bhai arrived in the evening, so I did not message you'.
'By the way, are you coming for inaugural with Saniya?'
Me (Adil):
'Do you want me to come?'
Life has been extremely hectic lately. After we arrived in Bangalore, I was given a case to handle the following day, which kept me occupied for several days.
After a few days, I received the happiest news as well, when Mamma called to inform me that Neha had approved the marriage. I was ecstatic and instantly agreed to the marriage.
Everyone was happy when they learnt about it, with the exception of Saniya, who is quite disappointed but will be the happiest person alive once she finds out who Neha is.
Speaking of Saanu, is she really going to Hyderabad? have to check with her the first thing in the morning.
Neha:
'It is your decision; come if you are free.'
Me (Adil):
'But I want to know about you? Do you want me to come?'
Neha:
'Yes'
"Hayee, My wife wants to meet me", I put the hand on my heart and rolled over on my bed in excitement.
I mentally noted myself to to clear out my schedule for the next week, ofcourse I have to go to Hyderabad right.
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Next Day
Author's POV:
Since Sumaiyya is in Hyderabad, Raza and Adil were both dining at Khalid Mansion. The same thing happening today as well — Everyone arrived at breakfast at 8:30 a.m., as per Khalid's rule, which is rigorously adhered to without any minutes being left early or late.
"Bhabhi, I am leaving for the office. Can you please pack the lunch and send it to the office? and Bhabhi tell Bhaisaab (Brother) that his monthly checkup is due today, so he should go to the hospital." After finishing his breakfast, Raza got up and left.
Khalid Ibrahim is a strict person who always makes sure everything stays and works on time. He also constantly lectures everyone about discipline and punctuality. Raza Ibrahim, on the other hand, was relaxed and less strict. This caused them to argue, and the brothers, Khalid and Raza, barely spoke to one another when they argued, but they cared for each other a lot.
Everyone in the family is familiar with these small tom and jerry fights of both brothers so they simply ignore them and carry on with their work.
"Saanu, wait for me; I will drop you off at the office." After finishing his breakfast, Adil offered Saniya to drop.
"I will take my car, Bhai; you will be late as our offices are in different directions."
"Today I have a court hearing, and Gulbahar is on the way; I will drop you." While Adil got up and went to get ready for the hearing, Saniya finished her breakfast and went upstairs to grab her laptop. Since Sumaiyya is in Hyderabad, Saniya frequently travelled to Gulbahar to take care of the things there.
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"Are you going to Hyderabad?" As they were stuck in the traffic, Adil turned towards Saniya and asked her.
" Ye...yes I wa...was think... thinking to atten...attend the Inau...Inaugural." Saniya stammered despite her best efforts to sound casual.
"Saanu, why are you stuttering? Is everything alright?"
"Nothi...Nothing Bhai, Evr....Everything is fine, It's just that this traffic is choking me out," Saniya composed herself and replied as confidently as she could.
There was something wrong with Saniya's behaviour; she was making every effort to appear as casual as possible in order to convince her brother that she was okay and normal, but in reality, she was completely the opposite; something was cooking in her brain, which Adil also noticed.
Adil attempted to speak with her, but as soon as the light changed to green and the cars behind him started honking nonstop, he swiftly sped up and pulled out of the traffic.
Intensifying the thick tension in the car.
When the car reached Gulbahar, Saniya quickly unfastened her seat belt and was about to leave the car.
"Wait, Saniya," Adil called.
Saniya laid back on the seat again and turned towards her brother.
" Whatever the decision you take make sure to think twice and you know right your brother is always there to support and listen to you"
"Ji Bhai, I know that. Allahafiz." She hurried out of the car and headed to the office.
'I hope you got what I was trying to say, Saanu. Please do not make any mistakes now.'
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I know guys this chapter was a filler level but don't worry the next chapters are going to be a excited ones.
Coming back to the chapter,
What do you think Saniya is planning? Do let me know your thoughts about it
Don't forget to vote and comment
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