A chignon that kept her fiery, red hair out of sight and mind, with a lock of hair teased and curled resting against her left cheekbone — just the way she liked it. A cherry red lipstick, that went along with the smoked out wing and skillfully chiseled out cheekbones — like a sculptor would with wet clay. Cushioned diamonds, in her ears dangled form the platinum hold in the shape of teardrops, a necklace dangled from her swan like neck to the beginning of her blouse's sweetheart neckline. Chantilly lace, with flowers, a deep black the shade of midnight without the moon glowing, hugged her waist, the saree's drape dragged behind her. Christian Louboutin heels, the classic red bottoms with rhinestones on top of the otherwise clear heels —peaked out as she held the skirts.

Twirling in front of the full length mirror, and her laptop — placed on the marble vanity she looked at the man expectantly. Her eyes were brimming with confidence and stars as she waited for his reply, her fingers wrapped around her palms tightly. She spritzed the floral Chanel perfume, biting her lip in anticipation as Emir took a bit too long to reply. Sitting in Italy, he was missing out on the school reunion he was forcing her to attend. Emir had convinced her, it was about time she showed everyone the butterfly she had evolved into. Unfortunately, he had to fly out two days before the event to meet his parents and finalize the official move to England.

"Well?"

She drawled out, her l's crisp as always. The wait was killing, the longer she looked at herself the more flaws that Alayna could see. From the wrinkles on the end of her chiffon blouse — that would not straighten out to the way her lower belly pushed against the fabric of her skirts. It was unfair — all that food, and now she'd have to hit the gym more than three times a week to maintain the body she felt confident in.

"I think you look like éclairs."

"What does that even mean? I'm so confused Emir!"

She seethed in reply, sinking into the pink vanity chair. Her fingers drummed the top of her vanity, pouting softly, she felt like a child wronged. Did she deserve to be treated like this? Nope. She didn't believe it.

"It means Alayna — my dearest amore, that you look delectable. I wish I was there right now to accompany you, I'm sorry."

"Oh forget it Emir. No harm done, I know you wanted to be with me. Although, I've gotta say this to you — I do miss my arm candy."

Alayna winked in his direction, popping a handful of granola into her mouth — a wonderful addition to her ever growing snack cabinet by her husband. The honey coated nuts sweetened her mouths as she chewed in silence, allowing Emir to finally fall into a rant of how things had been going around the kitchens. Everyone had — and rightly so been shocked by the news of his relocation. His parents had been supportive though, respecting his requirements — a tiny sparrow can only so long be held back.

"Tsk—Emir, I think there's a problem." She whispered, widening her eyes.

"What? Is everything alright?"

"Yes, but not quite." She pouted.

"You're really testing my patience amore," he groaned.

"Well it's basically — I'm gaining weight and that's all your fault!"

"My fault?"

"'Course 'course yours. Ab itnay achay khabay meray saamnay hon gai aur mein khaun gi nahi tou acha thori na lagay ga?" She added in a 'duh' tone.
[If there will be such scrumptious feasts in front of me and I don't eat them that won't be good right?]

"Oh this generous heart of yours is why I love you." He chuckled.

"For sure! Hun nahi mein koi aisa waisa!"
[I'm not like others!]

The conversation came to an early demise as her phone buzzed, the driver had arrived. In silence she sat in the back seat of the car, looking out of the tinted windows as it rolled through the familiar gates. A private school — it was notorious for having students that were children from philanthropist, political and business families. Even more so, for being a south Asian centered population. Familiar faces were every where. She could see them all, some who had now gotten botox and lip fillers, others who had lost weight yet still they remained one and the same.

Walking through the crowded, overly cheery hallways Alayna felt lonely. Once again, she was alone even as everyone surrounded her. She kept a tight grip on her bedazzled clutch and the sleek invite card that they were to show at the entrance of the large auditorium. Painstakingly, she climbed the stairs to the first floor. Concentrated scents of manly colognes and sweet feminine perfumes trapped her into a bittersweet moment.

As she walked through the hallways, apologizing as she bumped through a few figures, she saw everything in slow motion. The army green walls, had been painted but still she could see the red marker and the words written in capitals about her — and her mother. Classrooms, one after the other she passed by, each one foreign to her but still she could see herself seated next to the window staring out at the papaya tree in the centre of the driveway. Her teachers reprimanding her for the lack of attention, her classmates passing snide comments on her appearance.

Time heals all. Time soothes the wounds. Time is the best epilogue of all, and yet — time is cruel. Time makes you forget the grievance but in the face of it all, it hits you like a truckload. Time passes, it ticks away — but does it really?

"Alayna Suleman?"

A familiar voice.
Amongst the very familiar hallways.
She had been dreading this. She wanted out, tears filled her vision and she wished Emir was by her side. Somehow, he gave her the strength to fight for herself, to stand up. Turning, she came face to face with a still youthful Karina Sharma — the sidekick to her bully.

"Ka-Karina Sharma?"

"It's Karina Kaleem now, wife of Kaleem Khanzada."

"The CEO of EnergeX?"

"Precisely."

"That's good, where — where is your best friend?"

"Who? Samiya? She's on her way, stuck in traffic ya'know?"

"Interesting." She smiled.

"So have you found yourself a husband?"

Behind the grin, Alayna could sense the venom still. Some people just never grow out of their mean girl teenage phase.

"I have, unfortunately, he will not be able to attend today."

"How upsetting! So old and yet still abandoned by her family." Samiya's voice was like hot coals on bare skin.

"You seem to be mistaken miss, considering you're clearly the one who arrived all alone."

Emir passed an arrogant smile to the two women who had, made his wife's life miserable both in her early years and since then in her nightmares. Dressed in a Tom Ford wool mhair jacket, he screamed rich elegance. His hair gelled back and the thick platinum band in his left ring finger sat with mighty pride, gleaming under the surprisingly bright sunlight that London had to offer.

"What— Emir weren't you in Italy?"

"Surprise! I've been in England since last night, I just decided to not tell you that."

He shrugged, their eyes exchanged soft smiles, his hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. She smiled softly at the two in front of her, peace and gentleness exuded her actions as she introduced the two to him. Despite her actions lacking the pride and arrogance theirs had a few moments prior, Alayna had set herself apart by leagues — an epitome of what they wanted to be, she had won, for the first time a battle against herself.

"How much did daddy dearest pay him?"

Samiya perked up, raising a brow. Though her being was filled with tiny tremors she had mastered the art of proving herself to be the most able in the room. Her mother had forced it into her dense malleable bones as a kid, it was important that she outshine the others, it was all a race and she needed to come out on top of each one.

"Nothing. Although, I've heard of your father paying a certain businessman a few million pounds to keep the scandals of your affairs under wraps."

Emir coughed out, glad that Taimoor had convinced him to do his research.

"Those are all lies."

"There were pictures of you in bed with Karina's husband so I don't know what you mean but — loose the attitude. We're grown up adults, not in a mean girls reboot Samiya."

The parting words seemed to have the effect Alayna had hoped for. The ceaseless fire that had burned for years was finally put out, she applauded herself mentally, following behind Emir into the auditorium for the reunion. Things were going well — she hoped they would continue to too, in the years to come.

📜

Five Years Later.

Crisp cotton sheets were an annoyance. They rustled with loudness on every small movement. They screamed for attention with the gentlest of problems. Stark white, laced with starch every few months to keep the life in them intact, it was perhaps not the brightest decision on her part — she knew. With a toddler, his age three, and his hands almost always smacking at things in his way, white was the perfect canvas to wreak havoc. Even more so when it was in your parents bedroom, after all, they deserved to be introduced to the fine skills their toddler possessed. In result, the white was not white for too long and instead, every color in God's green earth.

Alayna took her weekends strictly off. Even if there was an important envoy, she would refuse to attend work. It had been an art to master, to make sure her board members knew it was not something debatable. For years she had fought men with beer bellies and grey hair, for her own right. She would perhaps have lost all her energies had it not been for her husband, who replenished her spirits with the food waiting for her at home. Not a day had passed that she regretted their marriage, Emir was proving all her reservations wrong, after all.

Sunday mornings in the heart of London, were not always sunny, especially in the middle of a wet autumn. Alayna woke up to the sounds of harsh rain pelting against their window panes, the arm around her waist keeping her from freezing completely. Outside the skies were an angry shade of grey, the sun was being held captive and the people were lazier than ever, chilled to the bone — feeling dreary as the pavements turned into tiny oceans of their own.

"Sha-yan? Emir! Wake up!"

She shook the man by his arm, violently. Eyes still laced with sleep, her vision cloudy, as she felt her way around for the body of their three year old son, Shayan Emir Khan. The child had been born on a midsummer eve, and had cried up a storm as soon as the lights hit is sensitive retina. A win, Alayna cheered, another one to tease and ploy against her husband. His eyes were a shade of brown and his skin was an even mix of her pale and his father's tan. The curly hair on top of his head spiraled into soft curls and they were stealing the hearts of all her employees at work.

"What is it Alayna?" He groaned, his wife and son were out to test his patience.

"Shayan isn't here!"

Panic filled her being as she said the words out loud, as soon as he had learnt how to walk, he had began to gift her trauma on trauma. Vanishing from their sight he could seldom be found, for like his father he was patient enough to sit in silence for hours.

"You sure? He'll be here somewhere Alayna. The door's locked, he can not escape!" He groaned.

"Ap ko zara si fikar hai!" She whimpered, mixing her words in the muddle headedness.
[You are worried in the least!]

"You mean 'ap ko zara bhi fikr nahi hai', I am worried but he is your son amore. He's probably inside the closet again."
[You aren't worried in the least!]

Parting from her, he walked towards the giant cherry wood doors. They were opened slightly, and he knew instantly he had been correct. Behind the closet doors sat the chubby three year old, chewing on his orange teddy. Alayna joined him, sighing in relief as she lifted the child to her chest, laying kisses all over his face.

"All this stressed me out, I think we deserve to eat lambay donuts for breakfast. Don't you think so too Emir?"

Eid Mubarak guys🌸💕💕💕
I'm so sorry I keep forgetting to update.

Enjoy your eid 🥺❤️