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I know I don't deserve it, but comment challenge? 300 this time.

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Anabia

The sound of a gunshot made me jump and cry out in terror. "Rohaan!" 

At first I thought that it was a bad dream, but it wasn't. I sat up in bed, breathing hard. "Rohaan..." With shaky legs, I got out of bed and headed towards the door of my room. My hand trembled as I grabbed the door knob and opened it. 

I'd only descended a couple of stairs when my eyes widened in horror.

The front door was open, and two masked men stood there. I cried out, leaning back against the wall, eyes filling with tears. The masked men turned up their gazes to me, alerted by my shout of terror.

"That's the mother." One of them spoke. 

The other one raised a gun, aiming it at me.

"Mama, no!" Rohaan suddenly appeared out of nowhere and jumped in front of me...causing the bullet to pierce through him, rather than me.

"ROHAAN!" I screamed, as he fell back into my arms on the stairs.

*

It was a dream, a really terrible one. I woke up in bed, trembling.

The fear of losing my son was practically crippling me. The loss of a loved one was beyond bearable, and the worst loss was that of a parent or child. I'd lost Mama, and I suppose the loss had caused deep fear within me of losing any other loved one of mine. And with gunshots and dramas surrounding our family, not to mention Rohaan's career, I was constantly on edge.

"Mama?" 

I turned on the bedside table lamp. "Come in." 

The door opened and Arsal walked in, frowning with worry. "Assalam Alaikum. Are you okay?" 

I nodded. "Walaikum Assalam. I am, Arsu, don't worry." 

He seemed to have just returned from work, and he paused in the doorway, hesitating. 

"What's wrong? Come inside." I told him.

He came over and sat at the foot of the bed, facing me. "Nothing, Mama. Just work stress." 

"You should leave your work stress at the doorstep, Arsu." I moved forward and took his hand. "Home is to destress and relax, not to continue stressing." 

"I'd really wanted this promotion, Mama, and I didn't get it. Instead they gave it to a guy who just passed his probation period." He looked annoyed. "I have worked so hard for it and..." He shook his head. "Apparently, the company has a new CEO and she decided who got the promotion. Apparently this Miraal Hassan is a nasty woman." 

I blinked. Again Miraal? First she attempted to cause problems in my married life, then her nephew went after my daughter, and now she was targeting my son? Why couldn't she just leave us alone?

"Anyway," Arsal squeezed my hand and smiled at me. "You hungry? I picked up biryani as I really wanted some today." 

"You could have told me earlier. I would have made it for you." 

"Mama, you're done pampering us. Now it's our turn." He stood up.

I was relieved to once again see my Arsu again, the sweet and happy boy. The tension days were over, and I was catching glimpses of my sweet youngest son again. "Is Tahira back yet?"

"No, but she's on her way, as is Rohaan." He said. 

"Good. We'll all eat together." I smiled weakly.

"Of course." He leaned down and kissed my forehead.

"Just let me know when everyone is home safe, In Sha Allah." I told him.

He frowned once again. "Why are you talking like that, Mama?" 

"A mother just needs constant reassurances, Arsu." 

"Your duas are with us, Mama. Leave our protection and safety with Allah." 

I nodded. 

*

Yamna

It was the day of Ahmed Bhai's Nikah.

Initially, it was going to be a mehendi ceremony today, along with the Nikah, but Shay's mother had been a little unwell, so it was now solely Nikah.

For some reason, Rohaan seemed stressed, even as he got ready for the Nikah.

"What's wrong?" I asked him.

"Nothing..." He didn't seem to meet my gaze. 

At that time, I didn't press more as I had to focus on getting ready.

The lilac/lavender outfit that had been a part of my gifts from my parents-in-law post-wedding, fit me well, and I absolutely adored the colour. Anabia Mama had selected it herself. She knew me well, after all.

Rohaan, meanwhile, wore black shalwar kameez with a black jacket. 

Again, Tahira did my hair. I owe her a lot, seriously. She's a lifesaver. She had curled it all and pinned it back with a sparkling clip.

"Shall we go?" Rohaan turned to look at me, and although we had been in our walk-in wardrobe together till now, it was as if he was seeing me for the first time. His gaze ran over from my head to toe, then back. He stepped closer to me, and ran a finger lightly down my cheek. "Beautiful, Ma Sha Allah." 

I glanced down at my outfit, blushing a little. "Your mother has good taste." 

"I suppose it runs in the family then..." He smiled.

His phone started buzzing, indicating a phone call. Swearing under his breath, his reached for it in his pocket. "It's Bunny." He shook his head and answered it. "Shayaan, relax. We're just leaving now. Drive yourself if you're so impatient, bro. We're leaving now." 

We were going to pick Shayaan Bhai on the way, as he was also invited. 

He ended the call and sighed. "Let's go. Shayaan is so punctual that getting late terrifies him." 

"Being punctual is a good habit." I teased him. 

"Like anyone cares about punctuality at a desi wedding." He shrugged.

*

Rohaan

"You invited Asma to your Nikah?!" I asked Ahmed in disbelief. "What the f**k?" 

He didn't meet my gaze. "She..." He sighed. "She has been staying at a safehouse for the last few days. I've been in touch with her, and my mother has been sending over food for her." 

Where was Harris? Clearly this dude needed his professional help. "The police will take care of her, Ahmed. Why are you personally taking responsibility of her?" 

"Her life was in danger, Ro!" He snapped. "I'm just helping her out, that's all." 

"You're getting way too personally involved, man!"

"You're overthinking, Ro." 

We glanced towards where Asma sat by herself, her gaze in her lap.

"She'll go back to Pakistan in a couple of days, to her own family, anyway." Ahmed continued. "She doesn't want to be here anymore."

"Bro, I am confused by what you're thinking or what you want." I shook my head. "Just don't do anything stupid." 

He also shook his head. "Don't worry. I performed an Istikhara because I felt confused. And I know that I'm making the right decision. But I will help Asma as a police detective, as a human."

Before I could reply, some guests came to greet Ahmed.

If he had performed Istikhara, and he chose to follow that decision, I had to accept that. I couldn't argue with that. 

"One thing keeps bothering me." I said, almost to myself, when Ahmed and I were alone once again. "Her ex-fiancé claimed that she didn't know any English, but she said that she came to this country to study. If she came abroad for education, to an English-speaking country, how can she not know English? Something seems off." 

Ahmed looked thoughtful as well. "That's a good point, actually." He paused. "I don't know, mate. I have no idea what weirdness is going on, but I don't think that she's a bad person. I do think that she's a victim." 

*

Shayaan Saim

"Can I get you anything, Bia Phupho?" I leaned down to ask my paternal aunt.

"No, honey, I'm fine. Thank you." She smiled gratefully up at me. She was sitting at a table, while Rehan Uncle was chatting to Ahmed's father. 

I nodded and walked away towards the stage, where I could see a tensed Ro talking to Ahmed. What p***ed him off now? I chuckled under my breath as I kept my gaze on my hot-headed cousin and our friend.

Suddenly, someone pushed their chair back in my path, and I almost went tumbling over it, swearing loudly in the process.

"Sorry!" A soft, panicked voice quenched my irritation.

I glanced at the owner of the voice and my throat suddenly felt dry.

The girl had black curly hair and hazel eyes, and she was staring at me almost worriedly.

"It's fine. N-No issue." I cleared my throat, finally finding my voice.

Hugging herself, she walked away from me without another glance.

Like other South Asians, I'm not exempt from the parental and societal pressure of marriage. I had basically told Mama to look for a girl herself, and that I'd be happy with their choice for me. Mama had been busy contacting matchmakers, sending my profile around, and there had been a few rishtas, but things didn't work out for one reason or another. One particular family we met was one of those vloggers who seemed to film each of their daily life routines, and they had even been filming when we'd visited them. That was a deal-breaker for me. I was a shy person, generally speaking, and I'd rather not have a camera shoved in my face from the moment I woke up, to the moment that I went to bed.

But honestly, I enjoyed my life way too much as it was. Marriage hadn't really been a serious thought for me so far. 

"Shayaan?" 

I almost jumped as I turned. I hadn't even realised that my aunt had walked up behind me. "Bia Phupho? Everything okay?" 

"I was going to ask you that. You just froze up." Phupho was staring at me, concerned. "And you look a little pale. Are you unwell?" 

I grinned. "Phupho, I'm fine." I patted her shoulder. "You worry too much about your loved ones."

She pinched my cheek affectionately. "To me, you're still my baby bunny. Of course I worry about you." 

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a movement and I turned my head. 

It was the girl in the mint-green shalwar kameez, who had taken a seat on the other side of the table now.

It was now clear to me why there were so many songs about eyes in the South Asian diaspora.

The girl had beautiful eyes. 

"Shayaan?" Bia Phupho followed my gaze, and her eyebrows raised in surprise.

I composed myself quickly. "The girl almost killed me with a chair today." I joked.

"Um hmm..." She nodded, looking sceptical. "Because that's the look you give someone who tries to kill you." 

"I'm going to go and see Rohaan. I think he was calling me." I immediately rushed away. The last thing I needed was for my Phupho to catch me all heart-eyed over a girl.

*

Rohaan

"Who's that girl?" Shayaan leaned towards me and whispered.

"Who?" I followed his gaze and scoffed in disbelief. "You're kidding me."

"What?" He looked confused. "Do you know her? Is she an ex?" 

"Are you nuts? You know I've never had a girlfriend." I punched him in his arm, making him wince. "She's just someone that Ahmed has been helping, as a detective." 

"And he invited her to his Nikah?" He looked bewildered. "Does he always befriend people he helps in his career?" 

I detective a hint of envy in his voice, but I shook my head. This was all so ridiculous that it was almost hilarious. I glanced at my Mamu's son. "Why are you even asking?" 

He shrugged, bowing his head slightly. 

"Bunny boy has a crush?" I grinned.

"Rohaan, I'll kill you." He glared at me.

"I'd like to see you try, yaar." I patted his back.

The molvi sahab came into the hall then to perform Ahmed's Nikah. The bride's part had already been done. 

A part of me wondered if Ahmed would suddenly say no when the molvi sahab asked for his consent to this marriage. I pictured him getting up dramatically, rushing towards Asma, and dropping to his knee in front of her. I don't even watch dramas, so why is my thinking like this?

But my best friend said 'Qabool Hai' thrice without any hesitation, and the Nikah was complete.

But I couldn't help feeling a little doubt within myself. Yes, he had gone by the Istikhara, but I still vividly remembered the way he had seemed awed by Asma the other day.

On the other hand, my cousin Shayaan now seemed taken by her too.

I don't know why or how, but I sensed a major drama coming.

*

Yamna

"Shehnaz looks beautiful as a bride, Ma Sha Allah." I said, as I watched the bride step onto the stage, grabbing onto Ahmed Bhai's hand for support. The train of her red lehenga flowed behind her, and her jewellery shimmered in the lights. 

Anabia Mama nodded. "Ahmed is a wonderful boy. They make a gorgeous pair, Ma Sha Allah."

Shayaan Bhai came and sat down on a chair across the table from us. "Well, another one bites the dust." He grinned.

"You get ready now, Bunny. I can't wait for your wedding, In Sha Allah!" Anabia Mama smiled at him.

Shayaan Bhai glanced down at his hands on the table, seeming almost shy.

Rohaan came up to our table then, and leaned down next to me. "Come on, Yamna. Let's go greet the newlywed couple." 

I got up and he took my hand, leading me up towards the stage.

"Congratulations!" I smiled at both Ahmed Bhai and Shehnaz. 

"Thank you!" They both replied, warmly.

"At least I have one friend on this side." Shehnaz, a.k.a Shay, grinned at me. "We need the brightness of friendship, amongst the darkness of the detectives."

I laughed. "I couldn't agree more." 

Rohaan and Ahmed Bhai's whole team came up on the stage for a photoshoot, and Rohaan wrapped an arm around my shoulders, holding me close as the photos were taken. I smiled shyly, but I wrapped an arm around his waist. 

*

Amira

"Assalam Alaikum." I greeted softly.

Anabia Aunty looked at me, surprised. "Amira? Walaikum Assalam." 

We were in the dining area, and I had mustered up the courage to approach her. "Zaryab is friends with Ahmed Bhai. They all play football together."

"Oh, right. Of course." She gave me a weak smile. "How are you, beta?" 

At being called 'beta', I swallowed hard. It might have been just a natural word for her to use, but for me it was stronger than any other term of endearment. "I'm good, Alhumdulillah." 

She placed a hand on my upper arm. "Come and eat with me." 

"Sure, I'd like that." I nodded. "Is Uncle not here?"

"He is, but you know how they get when they start talking about politics and cricket!" She rolled her eyes. "It's Mohsin sahab's son's Nikah, and he is just as involved in the debate."   

I laughed. "The last time I checked, Zaryab was discussing football with a friend."

"So, you understand." She smiled again.

"More than you realise."

We took a seat at a table, and silently commenced eating.

She suddenly looked at me almost sadly. "Tell me about Fiza." 

My heart ached a little. "She was happily married to our father. She loved him deeply. She cherished me and Bhai. She kept reminding us of the importance of a happy family, because she believed that family can positively or negatively impact one's mental wellbeing. A good, loving and close-knit family is good for your mind." 

"I suppose she learnt a lot from...everything." 

"Look, Aunty, I'm sorry if she ever played a part in hurting you or your family." I whispered. "I'm not like that. After losing my entire family, I realise the true value of family. You all are my Naniyal, and therefore very important for me."

"Through Yusuf and Rohaan's friendship, we've known you long enough as well, Amira. There's no reason for us to mistrust you or dislike you. And I don't believe in punishing children for the past events, anyway." 

I felt relieved to hear that. "Thank you." I glanced towards the stage, where I saw Rohaan and Yamna. "Yamna looks good with Rohaan, Ma Sha Allah. More than she would have with my brother, I have to admit." 

"Oh, honey, I can understand that it must be hard for you..."

"No, Aunty. Allah knows best about who's best for whom. Yamna was meant to be only with Rohaan, and it would have happened one way or another."

She glanced at me silently for a few seconds, before speaking quietly. "You can call me Khalla, Amira. I'd like that." 

Unable to stop myself, I got up and leaned down to hug her. I didn't say a word, but words weren't necessary. 

*

Yamna

"I think I want to sleep in my room tonight." I teased Rohaan.

We had decided to stay the weekend at the Tariq family home, heading straight there after the Nikah. Our overnight bags were already in the boot of Rohaan's car.

"Where else would you sleep? Of course you'd be in our room."

"I meant my pre-marriage room." 

"Why?" 

"Because I want to sleep in my bed without worrying about kicking you in my sleep." I giggled.

"You can kick me all you want, just stay in the room. Wasn't the probation period enough?" 

"No, it was too much fun, actually." 

"Yamna, you are getting cheekier by the day." 

I sobered up and looked at him. "Actually, I was thinking of just being with Mama and talking with her long into the night. I miss her so much."

He looked understandingly at me. "See, that is a valid reason. You should have started with that."

"Why? The whole fun is in teasing you." I laughed harder.

"Don't make me get started, Yamna." 

For a while we drove in comfortable silence. 

"You seemed tensed earlier." I broke the silence.

"It was... it was about Ahmed. Not my thing to tell..." He looked at me almost apologetically.

I smiled reassuringly at him. "I don't expect you to tell me other people's secrets. Don't worry."

"It's okay now. I was tensed unnecessarily."

By the time we reached the Tariq family home, I was feeling sleepy. It had been a long day, and for me, the hair and make-up part was exhausting enough since I hated it. 

I stepped out of the car, pulling off the clip and letting my curls fall loosely around my shoulders. The curls had already started to open up, so now my hair was a mixture of straight and curly. A breeze ruffled through it, stroking the back of my neck.

Rohaan walked over to my side. "You really know how to torture a man."

"I'm a law-abiding citizen. I have no idea what you're talking about." I tilted my head back, staring up at him almost defiantly.

He grabbed my wrist, staring down at me. He had taken off the black jacket, and the top two buttons of his kameez were open. The wind ruffled through his hair as well, tossing it about in a way that made me reach out, eager to run my own fingers through his hair. I laughed internally at myself. It sounded almost poetic. I'm envious of the breeze that ruffles his hair, for that is only my right.

Someone cleared their throat and I jumped back, my back hitting the car. Rohaan, as always, looked unfazed as he turned. 

Papa had an amused look on his face as he walked towards us from the side of the house.

My cheeks burned, as Rohaan and I both said Salaam to him.

"Walaikum Assalam." My father replied.

I walked over and wrapped my arms around his waist, breathing in his familiar scent. "How are you, Papa?"

"How come you're coming from the side of the house, Chachu?" 

"We were having dinner on the patio deck since it was a beautiful night." Papa explained, caressing the back of my head.

"I told you that you all could come with us. Ahmed said that everyone was invited." 

Papa smiled. "Just because someone shows us generosity, doesn't mean that we take advantage of them, bachay. Besides, you know that your Dado and Dada Jaan don't even events anymore, so we had to be there with them."

The three of us walked down the side of the house, pausing just so that Papa could lock the gate. We then continued to the back garden, where the patio deck was brightly lit. Dada Jaan and Dado, as well as Mama, was sitting at the table. Feeling an unbelievable amount of happiness at seeing them all, I smiled brightly as we greeted them, before I hugged each of them in turn.

"Our Yamna is glowing, Ma Sha Allah! Our beautiful girl!" Dado praised me. "The colour looks lovely on you, my sweetheart."

"Our Rohaan looks no less than a handsome prince either, Ma Sha Allah." Papa wrapped his arm around his nephew's shoulders. "Chota Rehan." 

"No doubt. May Allah protect everyone from evil eyes. Ameen." Dado smiled proudly.

"Are Mama and Papa back yet?" Rohaan asked.

"Yes, they went to change. We're all going to have tea together after that. You two should join us as well." 

"Absolutely." Rohaan nodded. "We'll get changed too and join you all." 

*

"What's the date?" I asked. "I'll be starting work soon." 

We'd both individually showered and were ready to head downstairs to join our family for tea.

"The thirtieth." He replied, glancing at his phone.

I smiled. "I'll soon officially be an employee!" 

He chuckled. "And the end of the month is what all employees look forward to. We finally get paid for working our a**es off." 

I froze. The end of the month.

It meant that I had gone an entire month without my period. My last one had come on time, last month, but this month it never came. I gulped, swallowing hard. 

I was just about to start my first ever job, and to have such a realisation dawn on me was a confusing feeling. Should be terrified or happy? 

A good portion of our lives, we females complain about our periods, but when they don't come when they should, it's a terrifying thing. I've read that in a book before, but I was living the reality now.

Oh Allah, please, not yet. Not now. 

But there's a reason that we're warned about being careful about what we wish for. 

*

Rohaan

"Chachi, I had dinner. You shouldn't have." I smiled up at Saba Chachi.

"I made these chicken patties, and I saved them specially for you." She told me. 

"Thank you." I said, gratefully.

"What about me?" Yamna asked her mother, accusingly.

"You're not the beloved damad." I teased her.

"Rohaan." Papa immediately glared at me.

"But I suppose you're Tayan's chamchi..." I admitted begrudgingly.

"She's not a damad, but she's no less beloved." Mama shook her head at me. "Don't tease her, Rohaan." 

I just chuckled. But I suddenly realised that Yamna wasn't fighting back with the same energy as she always did. She seemed a little pale, a little quiet. I wanted to ask her, but we were currently surrounded by family.

My phone rang.

"Can you ever put your phone on silent?" Mama looked annoyed.

"I'll do it now, Boss Woman." I grinned. However, when I pulled the phone out of my pocket, I saw that it was Ahmed. Frowning I got up and walked away from my family and answered the call. "Groom Man, you just brought Bhabi home. What the heck are you doing calling me?" 

"Rohaan, Lucinda just messaged me. Asma is missing."

"Why the hell is Lucy messaging you on your wedding night?" I sighed. "I'll call her and we'll deal with it. You turn your phone off and forget about work."

"But..."

"Do I need to call your mother and complain about you?" I asked jokingly.

"Kaminay. Update me regarding her, please." 

"Sorry, bad connection. Can't hear you." I ended the call.

A part of me was thinking that Asma wasn't as innocent as she seemed. There was something off about the entire story, and I had to figure out what it was.

*

It was just turning one at night when I arrived at the police station.

Yamna had been in her former room with Chachi, and I'd told her that I'd be back as soon as possible.

When I got there, Lucinda was at her desk, staring grimly at the computer screen. "Hey, Lucy. Found anything?" 

She looked at me, nodding. "Her story checks out. She indeed came to the UK to study, and was living with her maternal uncle. But we have tried to contact her family, but no luck so far. She gave us the contact numbers, but each time we call, nobody answers."

"Does she speak to them?" 

"She hasn't spoken to them in weeks." She paused. "One more thing, Rohaan."

"What?" 

"One of the men who came to the station after her, claiming that Asma was his niece, wasn't the uncle that she had come to live with. In fact, her actual uncle passed away three weeks ago."

I stared at her in disbelief.

"Rohaan, the girl is in serious trouble. She's potentially the victim of forced marriage, kidnapping, and God knows what else. Ahmed was right to be worried about her. And now she's missing from the safehouse. The police is looking for her, but..."

"If they get their hands on her..." I muttered.

"The case had become bigger than we'd imagined..." 

*

Yamna

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, my eyes filled with tears, as I waited for the pregnancy test result. A part of me had wanted to wait for Rohaan, but a bigger part of me was too restless to wait.

I was scared beyond words, so much that I was shaking.

The timer beeped on my phone and I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath.

I then glanced at the test on the counter.

Positive.

*

Yamna's pregnant...

How do you think her reaction would be?

I know that some of you might not be happy with this, but trust me and keep reading! 

The main plot twist of the chapter was Shayaan's interest in Asma. 

Who is Asma? Is she a negative character?

Favourite part?

Thoughts and comments?

Thank you for reading and don't forget to vote!

*

The below is kind of a hint of the upcoming plot...