R. Ali Rahaman

"Chachu jaan! Chachu jaan!" The constant loud cries of Abraham vanish my peaceful sleep into thin air. 

"Let me sleep Aham." Covering my head with a pillow, I try to block his nagging calls out of my ears. He pulls away the pillow from my grip and start jumping like a rabbit. 

"Uthiye Chachu! (Wake up Chachu)" His small hands are in a try to jerk me. "We've to go. Get up!" 

"Jee hazoor bataye kiya zarurat pari mera jo ap mere sukun ki ind k pise par gaye. (Yes mister tell what's the fuss that you've ruined my peaceful sleep for)." Pulling him on my lap, I sit straight. His giggles pour happiness in my tired eyes. Kids are the best blessing  in the world. Their innocent laugh, their naive behavior, these make the cruelty of the world fades away and restore humanity that is dying everyday. 

"We've to go meet Chachi today." He yells and claps in joyously. "Get up now. Daddo is calling you." Jumping off my bed, he flees away from my bed. Taking a deep breath, I untangle myself from the blanket and steps in the washroom. 

Freshening up, I wear a simple t-shirt and a pair of trousers. I clutch the wrist-watch on my wrist and walk down to the breakfast table. Today is Sunday, so the whole Rahaman Family is available in the mansion to eat my mind with the "Maham Talk" again. After Ammi has threw Maham's name in the ears of the Rahamans' no one, I meant it no one has let me breathe in quietude, especially Aham and the twins.  

Shaadi mera hay aur planning shabki chal rahi hay o bhi jab hone wali dulhan ne haan tak nahi kaha. (The wedding is mine but everyone else is doing the planning, even when the would-be bride hasn't said yes.) I'd be the first groom who has nothing to say in his marriage. Seeing everyone's excitement and joyous faces, I'm worried if she gives any negative reply, all the hopes, wishes would be shattered of my family. I can't blame her though, it's her life and she has a say in it but which child could has ever bear his family's happiness to be ruined? 

"Oye kiski kheyalo meh khoye hai? (Hey in whose thought are you lost?)" Umair Bhai slaps my shoulder, bringing me out of the blankets of thoughts. I sightly shake my head in disagreement. 

"Bhai k khelyo meh toh ab ek hi naam basi hay (In brother's thought there is now only one's name.) " Hawwa teases.  

"Chachi ki." Aham cracks in as he takes mouthful of cornflakes. Hearing him, the breakfast table clicks with laughter. 

"Correct young man." Abba guffaws giving him a high-five. 

"Abba ap bhi. (Abba you too.)" I object. Taking my seat at the table, I serve myself with toasts and a cup of coffee. This is one of the rare Sunday when I wake up before 12 in the noon. "Ab bataye masla kiya hai jo mujhe shadeed israar say bulaye giya hai? (Now tell, what's matter that you've called me with great urgency?)" 

"We've been invited to Maham's place for lunch." Ammi drops the news on me, making me stop chewing morsel of the toast in my mouth. "You're coming with us." Forcefully gulping down the morsel, I stare dumbfounded at her. 

They are going today? Why?

Of course to talk about the marriage idiot! 

All the worries and negativity kick back in my sane consciousness. I'm having a feeling this arrangement won't end well. Hell, Maham's doesn't even know about me. No, I can't deceive them. I don't know what Ammi is thinking but I've to set everything right before it turns to destruction. The catastrophe which could dress up in the future if certain matters regarding me wouldn't be revealed before this wedding, the two families aren't going to end up well and especially Maham. I can't do this with her. 

"Ammi don't you think we should let those people know the issues that concern me before this proposal proceeds further?" My statement paints wrinkles on her face. She knows what I'm talking about. Abba puts his fork down and intently gaze at me. Jubilation that was buzzing in the environment is now over shadowed by the known fear and past memories. The perfect Rahaman family in the media isn't perfect at all. This family has a fair share of gloomy secrets that have been veiled from the public eyes. But when it comes to such vital matter like marriage, where not only two people but two families are concerned, those secrets should be let out, in order to save deceive to occur. 

"Younger citizens please leave the table for now." Abba's order is enough for everyone to comprehened what's coming next. Naargis Bhabi takes Aham to the garden while the others to their respective places. Only I, Ammi and Umair Bhai are left behind. Few moments later Babhi joins us too. "Beta, I know what you're worried about and you're justified at reasoning yourself. You're our child, beta." He sighs sadly. "We've lost a lot already but by Allah's grace we've also got what we never dreamt of. The revelation is yours to make."

"Look Ayan, we can't judge people basing on their pasts. Our present actions are what we're defined by because it reflects how much we've grown as a better. Please stop punishing yourself for your past." Umair Bhai says. 

Past. Yes I've a dreadful past. A past that any pure soul would be disgusted at. In life certain events occur which aren't in our control or it is but we're too ignorant to realize it. Those events tainted you forever and you got no way to rub it off because it is burnt deep inside your soul, turning it into a blackhole, where you can't even pretend to forget. It always stays with you. And no good soul is worth of tainted hearts. It can't never deliver affections, it only knows to wreck havoc in lives. 

"We'll have some pasts that we regret or mourn over but that doesn't mean we'd let it disturb our future. A person can recover from death with love of his beloved and we anticipate, she'll heal you too." Bhabi puts her her on my shoulder, consoling me. "Without you all, I'd be lying death under the earth but you all have shown me a path of life again. How much my former days haunted me, you know that right? You're the one who embraced me like a brother and dragged me to light of life. Let us help you now." Tears break out from her eyes. Bhai comes and gently rubs her back, calming her down.

"Bhabi don't bring those horrific days now. I'm sorry. And why don't you all understand, my past is my present and future. I can't escape from it even if I want to." I try my best to let them know my point of view. "And how can you all even think that Maham would accept me after knowing my past?" Anger is raising in me. Not on them but on myself. The harder I try to do good, the further my fate throws me to do wrongs. Marrying an innocent and bringing her into my hell of a life is wrong. No. This a sin. And I've done enough sins in my twenty-eight years of life. 

"Your honesty is what makes us believe in this proposal. Talk to her about yourself and see if she understands or not." The iron belief in Ammi's words frustrated me more. 

FUCK! 

This is what I can't. I can't face her with my reality which I've suppressed for so long. She'll despise me with her core.

As if she doesn't already!

"I've meeting with the clients from Nepal. Bhai you've to attend it too." Uttering my response, I leave the table, talking long strides to upstairs.

___________________________________________________________________

Neela Rahaman

"What shall we do about him now?" Naargis asks as Ayan disappears from the dinning hall. Convincing him isn't eating a cake. He has to convinced in one way or the other. I know what my son's heart yearns for even if he disagree to admit it. 

"Don't worry about him, your Ammi Jaan will handle it. Superwoman is she after all." Aabhaas winks at me. He and his flirty manners. Years passed but he didn't change at all. 

"Baas bhi ki jiye, bacche hain shamne. (Stop it now, there are kids present.)" I smack him forearm, hiding my blush. "Naargis beta, did you order the sweets yet?" Shifting my embarrassment to another topic. 

"Yes mama, everything is set. When we've to head to Maham's place?" 

"By 2 in the afternoon." I reply.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hafsa jaldi kar. Bhai ke nikkha ki baatayen karne ja rhe hain, teri nahi. (Hafsa hurry up. We're going for brother's proposal, not yours.)" Ibrahim shouts from downstairs. Hafsa always takes an extra hour to get ready that's why I told her to get ready two hours earlier but this girl never listens to me. I don't want to get late but can this be possible when you've a grown girl with attitudes like a baby? 

"Sorry, sorry I was searching my earrings." She huffs, descending down. "Wait, where are my other brothers?" She stops before hoping inside the car. 

"Your other brothers have gone to meeting. They will come later. Now hurry up." Pushing her inside the car, I finally get in too. The driver starts the engine when Ibrahim's phone rings. 

"WHAT!" He voice jerks us all. "How did it happened? O-okay I'm coming. Which hospital? Okay." He ends the call. "Ammi mujhe utarna parega. Ashish ka accident hoya hai. (Ammi I've to go. Ashish has met an accident). Driver stop the car now." Acting on his command, the driver pulls the brake and he gets out in one swift jump. 

"Beta lis.." 

"Ammi I'll elaborate everything later. Please." Before I could say anything further, he runs off. 

This boy! Actually I'm proud of all my children. The way they put others' needs before theirs, the morality they carry - never failed my head hung low. Remembering from children, I need to make call to my stupid son who is avoiding his own weeding. I dial his number but it's showing switched off. 

Khota! (Idiot) 

"Aabhaas please call Umair and tell him to arrive as soon as they can. Your second son has switched off his number." I say.  

He calls him immediately, instructing him my words. It takes us an hour to reach at Maham's apartment. As the car stops, we come out one by one carrying packets of sweets and some other gifts. Within a few minutes, we reach our destination. Among us, our chirag (lamp) of the house, Abraham is super excited to meet Maham. Hawwa rings the bell and Kiran ji opens the door, welcoming us inside. 

"Assalamu Alaikum. How are you?" I ask. 

"Walaikum Assalam. Allahamdulilah. I'm fine. How are you?" She replies, hugging me.  

Hafsa runs to Maham as soon she spots her and embrace her toughly. Seeing that poor girl's expression, I got the hint. Hafsa is suffocating her. This girl is too much. 

"Hafsa leave her. She can't breathe." I scolds her. She leaves her apologetically. 

Soon Maham's father comes out and greets us all. He is a very likable man. Just like his daughter. Now I know from where she got her qualities. Her father is great man and not only that he's a fantastic cook too. 

"Emad ji your cooking skills are finger licking good. After a very long time, I'm tasting such tasty Biriyani." Aabhaas appreciates every bite he takes. Biriyani is his one of the favorite dish and I feel guilty of not being such a  good cook when it comes Biriyani even though he always eats whatever I cook for him but I know I'm not too good at it. 

"Yes Bhai shaab (Brother) Ithink I'll have to take some cooking tips from you." I say.

"Oh na ji ab mein kaha itna accha chef hu. (Oh no, I'm not such a good chef). But thank you for liking my foods." He humbly replies. 

During the lunch, we all share small conversations among us. After the lunch, we sit in the living area and instructed the kids to go to some other rooms. Making sure no kids are around, Aabhaas clear his throat and speaks, "Emad ji it's not known on what purpose we've come here. So rather than beating around the bush I think we'd talk on it." 

"Bhai shaab Maham is one and only daughter and I love her more than anything else. As father of a daughter there are so many matters I've to consider. I'm sure you'd understand my dilemma." He mumbles maintaining a cool tone. "Bin maa ki bacchi hay. (She has no mother) and I've raised her on my own. I'll want the best for her." 

"We understand your point of view. We absolutely love her and  I would like to make your daughter my son's wife. I would like to make her my daughter-in-law." I try to persuade him.

"I came to know about this from Maham's chachi but I can't say anything without asking Maham, her wish comes first. I want her to be happy. I will ask her and then tell you the answer."

"Yes definitely her wish comes first. I've to tell you this our son is a very honest, faithful and pious young man he will always keep your daughter happy. I'm not saying this as a family but as a person." Naargis murmured smilingly. 

"But before proceeding further I want my son to talk to you personal. He'll be here very soon. Beta please call Umair." I say.

"It'll take another forty minutes for them to reach." Naargis cuts the call and ask Kiran ji to call Maham here. 

We are still talking when Maham comes. I ask her to sit beside me and ask her the same question and she becomes silent. Her face turns as pale as a corpse. Her hands are shaking and sweats forming on her forehead. Her raise her head and looks at her father's face for a second and then goes out without saying anything. I couldn't guess why she reacted this way.

"She must be shy. I'll go talk to her." says Kiran ji .

"No No you guys stay and talk I'll talk to my daughter myself." Emad Saheb follows his daughter and silence fall as tension flies in the air. 

What if she never agrees?

________________________________________________________________________________

R. Ali Rahaman 

The moment the meeting ends, Bhai drags me out of the office and throws me inside the car, driving off to Maham's place. With the speed he is driving, I'm afraid we get tickets. "Bhai slow down. Your bride isn't on the run that you need to catch him." I joke. 

"Shut up! Do you have any idea how many times everyone has rang me. You are chilling by switching off your cell. And they made me crazy." He yells. Allah, he is so irked. I let a loud laugh out. He is the most enjoyable person when he's irritated. But I chose not to irritated him more as he's driving and I've no wish to end at hospital today. 

After a long forty minutes of drive, we arrived. Hafsa opens the door for us. As we enter, I can sense the tension raising in the environment. The happiness that was on Ammi's face this morning is longer exists. Rather gloominess and worries sit on everyone's face. 

"What happened?" I whisper to Hawwa. 

She gives "bad news ahead" look.

Ya Raab this is what I was fearing. I knew it she'd say no. What will be done now? I've no clue.

A lady come carrying a tray of water. "Kiran ji this is my elder son Umair and he is Ayan my second." Ammi introduces us. "She's Maham's Chachi."

"Salam." We greet her.

"Beta will you have lunch?" She sweetly offers.

"No thank you Chachi. We're good." Bhai replies. 

A moment later Maham appear in the living area with her father, bowing her head down. Her head is covered with scarf. Her dress is complimenting her beauty as usual. Her presence makes my heart skips a beat and my eyes are refusing to be removed from her. I terribly fail, tearing my gawking at her. It's not my fault, is it? She is Mash Allah so beautiful just like a fairy. 

"Kuch toh sharam kar khotay. Gurna band kar. (Have some shame idiot. Stop gazing at her.)" Bhai mumbles into my ear, scolding me. I instantly lower my gaze. 

Damn it! Control yourself Mister.

"Emad ji meet my sons. Umair and Ayan." Abba  says.  

"How are you beta?" He asks. 

"I'm good uncle. How are you?" I mumble. While I'm talking to him, my eyes again land on her again. Her fingers are busy playing with her veil. 

Ek bar toh mere taraf bhi dekho. (Once at least look at me)

"Ahm." Hafsa clears her throat, to hit with reality. 

"Um uncle if you don't mind, could I've a few words with you personally." Here it goes nothing. Before taking any other steps, I want him to get a clear picture of the man, he'd be handing his daughter to. I don't want him to regret his decision nor I want her to suffer. 

Whatever the answer will be, I'll agree to it. 

"Sure beta. Come."

____________________________________________________________________________

Neela Rahaman

Allah! Now it's all in your hand. I don't know what will occur. My hands getting sweatier by time. The ticking sound of the clock is matching my heartbeat. Hafsa and others are trying to bring relaxation in the tensed surroundings and they are doing a great job. 

Maham on the other hand is still quite. After some solid minutes Ayan and Emad Saheb come out. Witnessing their faces, I can't guess anything. Their faces are expressionless, both lost in their own world of thoughts. 

"Mahru what's your decision?" He calmly asks. 

His words somehow surprises Ayan as if he never thought he'd utter that sentence.

She remains silent for another two or three minutes, increasing our blood rushes into the veins. "If you all are happy with this alliance, I've no objections." Her barely audible reply jolts relief to my restless nerves. But this is not the end, Emad Saheb has yet to say. 

"My answer is also yes." Each one of us is delighted hearing the consent from him. 

"Mubarak ho. (Congratulations)." kiran ji jumps on her seat, embracing me happily. We congratulates each other and feeds sweets to celebrates our happiness and new alliances. But Ayan is somehow not happy with this. The confusion is evident on his face. He never expected this to happened. He might have thought, he'd be kick out of the house as soon as he uttered about his past life. I know he has honestly revealed to him and any father would be furious hearing all of it. But why Emad Saheb is acting all normal is a mystery to me? 

Will this alliance end up well? 

"Mama, won't you give the and bracelet to Maham?" Naargis reminds me. 

"Oh yes." 

"Beta, please show me your hand." Taking her hand, I slid our ancestor bracelet to her wrist as a part of our family tradition. This hints that she is now sealed to Ayan's fate for forever. The bracelet fits her perfectly. This was made for her for sure. "This is our family heirloom. My mother-in-law gave me when she came to see me and her mother-in-law gave it to her. Keep it safe. From now on, you're my daughter too." I kiss her forehead and hug her. 

"Bhai go and seat beside Bhabi, I've to take photos." Hawwa demands. 

"Yes it's photo time." Abraham cheers. He hops on Ayan's lap, pulling him and Maham together as Hafsa clicks photographs. 

The evening goes on better than I've imagined.

May Allah keep my children merrier.

______________________________________________________________________________

The wedding has finally rung. 

Maham and Ayan is getting married!!

I'm so excited....!!!!!!!!!!!

Don;t forget to vote, comment and share....

Until then... loveliess... take care