PS : Total crap alert!

Bonne lecture!

[ mission love ]

Holding the water bottle, Roshnaq closed their bedroom door discreetly, done with the sangeet function and the cleaning downstairs. Meanwhile, Waseem was reading his book sitting on bed when he noticed the wide smile on her face. "Begum sahiba seems very happy tonight.", he asked with a curious smile.

"Just thinking of our little laadli. Dancing and having fun all night was not enough for her, that she is now continuing her little show. Not willing to let the others sleep.", said she with a laugh.

She walked to the night stand and, filling him a glass of water, forwarded his medicine as she continued. "It just doesn't matter how many times I shall feel it. Seeing our Zoya and Aditya finally happy and living their life in peace after all what had happened, as a mother, enchants me.", she smiled emotionally. "I wish and pray for our Kohinoor to find someone, who would love her as much as Aditya loves and cares for our Zoya and Diya."

Waseem was silently listening to his wife when he cleared his throat. "Speaking of which, I forgot to tell you, Roshnaq. Hussain sahab called me a few hours ago."

"Oh, acha? Anything serious happened? He called you at such a time.", she enquired confusedly. "It's all good news, Roshnaq begum."

She smiled in confusion when a knock at the door broke their chat. "Abbu, you called for me?", asked Zoya as she was standing at the door, her eyes looking for some answers on their faces.

Waseem smiled at his elder and nodded his head, calling her inside. "Yes, beta. Come in!"

Roshnaq turned back to her husband, confusion written all over her face before she hid it behind a welcoming smile for their daughter, who took a seat beside her father.

•••

"And when the prince rose his head up to get a glance of the beautiful princess walking to the altar, his lips stretched into a victorious smile... for the most beautiful woman was his to be.", a wide curve on his lips at the mention, Aditya paused his storytelling playing the memories in his mind. "She shyly smiled at the prince as she held onto his hand, taking her seat on his right, nervous yet excited for their days before them were promising."

He looked to the side and saw the toddler asleep, snuggling into her uncle who fell into slumber earlier, following the tiring evening they had had. Sighing in relief he managed to control the hyperactive baby, he dropped a soft peck on her temple and brushed her hair.

When he noticed his phone pinging, the text message reading,

—Sleeping?

—Not yet. Diya just fell asleep. What happened with your abbu?

She sighed as her hope to talk to him the soonest did not leave her side when she saw the 'typing...', and reading the message, she texted him again.

—Well... how about some coffee time to share the matter, in fifteen?

—Already waiting for you.

"Weeks that we haven't spent some 'we' time, hasn't it? Just you and me.", resting his palms behind on the terrace ground, he admired the stars in their thousands shimmering all over the dark sky.

"And, our special 'coffee with chips' to help.", before he could turn his head to her side, he saw the mug being held in front of his face, and he looked back at her. He accepted the drink as he stared at the hot steam evaporating in the cool air. "Right, so that we can stay up longer and stronger during our night time activities."

Holding her cup with both hands, she was about to take a first sip when his remark had her stop, blushing at the sudden blunt talks as she nudged his arm. "Have a little bit of shame, at least!", said she, unable to control the shy smile while he chuckled at her reaction. "I called you here for some serious talk, not your dirty lines."

"Well, we can do it both serious and dirty, I don't mind. In fact, the combo sounds to be double fun...", he again felt her elbow poking on his arm as he shook in laughter. "Fine, at least tell me what you wanted to talk about this urgently at... ten freaking late forty.", checking his phone screen, he munched the salt-and-spicy chips in his mouth.

Noting her silent mode, he sat straight and moved closer, his brows narrowed at her hesitant expressions. "Kya hua, begum jaan? Why so nervous? You know you can tell me anything without hesitation.", saying so, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and caressed her arm for some warmth, Zoya taking a deep sigh.

"Noor's nikkah? But abbu, she has still not finished her graduation. Why are you hurrying?", Zoya stared at her father in shock at the sudden confession, before taking a glance of her mother who left a sigh tiredly.

"Beta, Fawad is a well-grown young man who has recently joined his father's business. Their family stays among those of big name and great influence in Dubai. Educated, has a job, well-mannered, and a religious man. I don't think we could find someone better for our Kohinoor.", he proudly stated.

"Does... does Noor know about that?", she asked precautiously, to which he just smiled. "She is our little Noor, beta. I am sure she won't disagree with our choice. Moreover, she has met him once, and both seemed to get along well. They are staying in Mussoorie for business purposes, and so they will get to meet each other again. The more they get to know each other, the more they will feel more comfortable before anything is planned.", answered he, breaking the little spark of hope in her heart.

"Oh oh, Zoya! Your sister might get married, isn't that great news? Aren't you happy for her?", asked Aditya as he noticed his wife's worried face.

"There would be no happier person in the world than me if my little sister gets married and settled, trust me.", she quickly replied. "Then, what is the problem?"

"Maybe she shall find that perfect match, first.", she mumbled to herself, making him confused. "And you think Noor won't like the guy, because? As per what you have described, he seems to match the perfect gentleman picture."

"Well, because Noor is...", she was about to say something when she stopped, reminiscing the following. "

He took a deep breath looking at his daughter and continued, "Now, I have called you here to request you something.", both women looked up at him in confusion. "Um... Zoya beta, I want you to keep Arjun away from Noor, especially in front of the Hussains."

"What does it have to do with Arjun, now?", he raised his brow questioningly while she tucked the not-so-visible strand of hair behind her ear, making his eyes widen. "Don't tell me that... oh my!"

Arjun was walking away from his brother's room when the latter sneakily fished his phone out. "Yeah, right. Go, go! Whoever you are meeting, might have called you.", said he to chortle in a few seconds. "Bhai, no!"

"Chocomati? What kind of pet name did you give her? Like, chocomati, really?", asked he smilingly at his brother.

"Kya baat hai, chote? Caught someone's interest, it seems... Chocomati will be sad, though."

"Bhai, please. Someone might hear you, especially her.", Arjun warned him and the elder brother gasped. "Because she is here? Where? Where is she?"

"You... you really don't know?", he asked hesitantly and seeing his brother's confused expression, he mentally slapped his head for blurting out. "Why? Should I be aware of anything that Arjun sahab didn't tell me?"

"I am sorry, bhai. It was quite complicated... you fighting the hurdles to make bhaabhi accept your love, and then your marriage... her family not accepting you both... when everything had to split, we didn't even realize..."

"By the way, who is that poor girl?", Aditya suddenly asked, making him glare.

"It means... Noor... Arjun... oh, dear Lord, that's bad.", laying down on the ground, he dramatically held his heart when she slapped his hand. "And I thought you were smarter than this."

"Well, maybe I just had more important things to be preoccupied by at that time. I guess we should really catch up with some brothers' talks very soon. Anyways, what shall we do now?", asked he.

"I think we all need to have some elder siblings' time very soon. If it were about us, we could have thought of something. But it's not the case here, Aditya.", said she back lying down in his arms, feeling so much at ease hugging him.

"And I promise you, I won't let you, and them down.", with a convincing tone, he whispered in the air. "Don't worry much, stay tranquille.", he told dropping a soft peck in her hair while his fingers massaged her scalp, as she enjoyed his caring gestures she knew by heart.

As Zoya snuggled closer to his chest, Aditya sighed in contentment. "I am sad this small joyous trip is coming to an end so soon. I mean, when will we be able to spend some time together? Alone, and relaxed?"

"I know. I wish this moment lasted forever. But anyways, duties calling.", they chuckled at her stressing on the word, when they pressed against each other. "But at least, the eagerness makes these moments so much better and worth-the-wait."

To which he casually hummed. "Umm... do you remember our first night as husband and wife, that never happened? It took us almost two months wholly to get some actual privacy, after letting the wedding news melt into everyone's mind ; but man, was that wait truly worth it."

Turning red in embarrassment, the young woman pinched his waist making him hiss loud underneath. "Let me remind you that the first night might not have happened on time, but the baby still has. So you should stop behaving like a teen-still-experiencing but a responsible man, husband and father.", said she in her warning tone, though her smile deceived her wish to look angry.

"I am a man,", he rolled towards his wife, slowly towering her frame as he stared at her surprised expressions. "And I know the ways to show you."

Saying so, he nuzzled his nose in her neck, goosebumps and giggles increasing within her as she held on his shoulder. "Jan... jaan... don't, p... please...", she tried to stop him but in vain. His warmer breath hit her bare neckline as he trailed his slightly-parted-while-teasingly-caressing lips down her vulnerable skin. "Aditya... we shall... go to bed now... we have a wedding to manage and attend tomorrow, please get off me."

Before he could say anything, a loud wail bursted their little bubble and they turned their heads towards the babyphone Aditya consciously brought in case. They certainly knew their child.

He helped her stand up as they were set to go, Zoya holding the tray of mugs and jar, when he picked the baby accessory in his hand. "Just two days and we would be back home, then let me see what kind of 'excuse' you would throw to my face. That said, good night for now.", she rolled her eyes at the word-quoting.

And dropping a peck on her cheek, he quickly ran to check on the little lady in need of her papa. She shook her head with a chuckle at his antics, when their conversation resurged in mind. She left a deep sigh and, washing the dishes before filling a water bottle, she discreetly went back to her room, the trio of sisters already asleep. She pulled her hair to the side and loosely braided them, leaving strands to fall on her face, as she kept her phone on the night stand and sneaked into the duvet. She was about to close her eyes when a message pinged on her phone, making her crane her neck to her device, almost wondering who would message her at past midnight. Until reading the name displayed calmed her.

—Don't stress much, jaan. I promise you, everything will be fine when we are together. I am always there by you. Sleep well for now, we will meet in our dreams. Love you, A.

The scared kid who might have seen a nightmare, cuddled leaning on his chest as he sat against the headboard, her tiny fingers holding onto his shirt. He was rocking her to sleep humming sweet tunes when he saw his phone screen brightening, notifying a text message dropped in his inbox.

Guessing the sender's identity, he carefully picked it up and unlocked his phone.

—And I love you for being this soft papa bear always. Missing your cuddles in bed. Mumma Z giving lots of night kisses to her two babies.

He smiled wide reading the message and keeping the phone aside, he slowly put the baby to bed between the two men, before lying down staring at the little innocent being. An age when nothing in the world mattered but your own la-la land, filled with happiness, innocent behaviour, non-harmful desires, a heart to love and to be loved. At times, wondering why life was no more as easy as when you were a child. Times, you would wish for these innocent creatures not to face the harsh reality of life.

"Everything will be fine, right baby?", he whispered to the sleeping being as he brushed the sweaty hair away from her face. To which she rolled to the side showing her back to him, pushing his hand away. "Hey! What is... Come here, you!", and pulling her closer to him, he drifted to sleep in the softest and warm embrace.

•••

"Do you Afsal Ali Siddiqui, son of Aamir Siddiqui and Nadiya Aamir Siddiqui, accept Shahana Mansoor Abdul, daughter of Mansoor Abdul & Rasiya Mansoor, to be your lawfully wedded wife, for better, for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and health?", the imam asked as he was looking at the groom, when he gave his acceptance. "Humein yeh nikkah qubool hai."

The third attempt completed, the old man turned to the ladies' side, looking at the dulhan clad in a pretty baby pink sharara set, the veil on her head hiding her shy face as she was looking down while listening to the rituals recited. "Qubool hai!", she simply replied with a proud smile.

As they repeated the process, completing their vows, they were given the marriage contract to sign and officialise their union. Following, the mirror was left in between them to let the bridegroom have a glance of his lady's face, the hall filled with echoes of wishes, each other sharing hugs and laughter.

"Congratulations, Shahana appa, you have now officially become our bhabhi. Welcome to the Siddiqui tribe!", Noor exclaimed in excitement as the young women hugged the bride, Zoya chuckling at her sisters' antics. Meanwhile, the little girl was watching everything in awe as she was clapping her hands happily. "Looks like our little girl is also happy for her uncle and aunt.", they said as they picked her up for a groupie hug.

The young mother smiled at the ladies and went to talk to her sister-in-law. "I am really happy for Afsal and you, Shahana. May Allah grant the both of you all the happiness, and blessings.", she wished them, wholeheartedly.

"Thank you so much, chechi, for being here and making our day so beautiful.", holding her hand, an emotional Shahana smiled at her.

To which Zoya playfully replied. "You are considering me as your sister and you are thanking me, that is not right, now, is it?"

"Um, so! Dulhe raja must be happy now. Congratulations, and welcome to the group of trapped husbands.", Aditya embraced Afsal as he patted his back encouragingly. "All the best to you two, brother-in-law!", they smiled as they shared casual talks, when they heard the third voice.

"Afsal, I believe you to take good care of Shahana from now on. If ever I get any complaint, I will just come to your place and pull on both your ears.", they turned to see Zoya standing by their side, as she was holding the bride.

To which Afsal simply smiled. "Accha? Soch lo, you will have to take a flight to come to Chennai faster.", saying so, the men laughed at her, making her gasp. Until a mere glare at Aditya had him clear his throat hiding his smile.

"Laugh as much as you want, at the end you will have no escape from me back home.", muttering so, she walked away to check on her mother and aunt calling for her.

Afsal looked at Aditya and patted his shoulder. "All the best to you too, jeeju."

•••

The waalimah was a festive end to the whole marriage event, Zoya taking the evening to relax and meet her relatives considering their departure back to Mumbai the next morning, while her team took care of the arrangements.

"Kya, Zoya? You could stay a day more and go back home on Sunday evening, or the next day. What is the rush?", asked the woman in her early fifties, dolled up in a fancy golden sharara, as she was moving her tiny purse in her hand. Her husband's commentary on the guests earlier in the day internally making her laugh, as she looked at her relatives.

"I wish we could, Rasiya aunty, but Aditya needs to resume work and he will be flying the same plane, so we are all going back to Mumbai with him. Mah and papa are also alone back there, so much work pending as well.", replied she, already missing the family ambiance being here, though duty was calling them back home. "In the hopes, we will be back to celebrate any other family event all together soon."

"With our Zoya being a guest for the next function, so that she could only enjoy with us, and not work.", Nadiya walked to them, followed by a few other of their relatives. "Why not, taayi ammi jaan? I really enjoyed planning the marriage, especially because it was my own family. You can call me anytime."

"By the way, where is your daughter? Haven't seen her for a while.", they asked and she looked around for Aditya when she noticed him talking to a few people, the baby out of sight. "Umm, she might be with ammi or someone. I will go check on her, I will just be back."

Saying so, she walked away to her husband who smiled at her. "Aditya, did you..."

"Hey, jaan. Look, I have got us some new customers. Meet Mr. Menon, he is living by the outskirts of Mumbai. He was looking for some event planners for his son's birthday party, and got very impressed by the wedding planning.", he quickly cut her in excitement as he introduced the two men, assuming the second one to be his friend.

"Hello, Mr. Menon. We will be pleased to meet you in an official discussion as soon as possible. Let us get you our card...", she was to call Mona when he stopped her with a smile. "Mr. Hooda has already given us one, Mrs. Hooda. I shall soon contact you for further details. Thank you!"

Nodding her head in yes, she excused herself and took Aditya aside. "Zoya, what happened?"

"Aditya, where is Diya? Wasn't she with you?", she asked in a worried tone.

"Diya? She... she was with abbu as he was talking to your relatives.", he craned his neck to check on the familiar faces but she was nowhere. "Maybe they brought her to bed. Let's go and see."

Finding Waseem talking and laughing with the older men in the party, they neared him. "Abbu...", as he turned to look at his children and asked, "What happened, beta?"

Seeing his wife getting a little panicked, Aditya held her hand and spoke, "Abbu, nothing much. Did you see Diya, by the way?"

With a huge smile of relief, "Oh, yes! I just gave her to Roshnaq, she seemed a little low so she took the kid to feed her something."

With no second wasted, she rushed to look for her mother, the man at her feet. "Zoya, jaan wait! What happened to you?", being the most discrete possible but she left with no answer.

Roshnaq was taking care of the guests at the dinner area when she felt someone running to her. "Beta, shall I get your table r...?"

Seeing her daughter nowhere around, the unwanted worry on her face increased. "Ammi... ammi, where is she? Where is my baby?"

"Diya? I was giving her some of her biscuits to eat when Noor and Sana walked in, and they took her to play a little. But... why do you look a little nervous, though?", asked she back, not understanding her daughter's sudden state as she held her cheek.

Aditya held his hand on the mother's shoulder reassuringly, "Ammi, don't worry. She... she must be tired, and not seeing the baby made her worried. I will take her to rest, please don't worry. Zoya, come!", and holding her hand, he took her to the staircase trying to stay away from unwanted attention.

"Zoya, calm down. Diya must be somewhere here, you know she is quite a handful. She must be enjoying playing with her new found relatives, especially the kids. You need to relax. Ammi said she was with Noor, right?", saying so, he pulled her a chair and pushed her to sit, handing over a glass of water before he untangled the stress off her shoulders.

Sipping a little, she looked up at him and said, "Aditya, I don't know why I am getting such strange thoughts, as if... as if baby was in danger."

Aditya kneeled down to her and squeezed her hands in reassurance. "Don't feel so tensed, Zoya. What would happen to her, when there are so many people around to take care of..."

He was cut off in between when they heard the wailing sound nearing, recognizing it among hundreds of voices. "Diya?", she mumbled.

Patting a crying baby on her back, Noor appeared in front of them, as both stood up. Zoya picked her child, "Noor, what happened?", she started in a confused tone seeing the kid not wearing any dresses but her diaper when, the little one snuggling closer in her mother, she smelled something odd.

Noor sadly looked at her baby niece. "Uh, appi... I think Diya is not feeling... very well...", and her doubt confirmed, she gently rubbed her back and tilted her head to look at the tiny being slowly calming her tears.

"Aww, is my baby girl feeling sick? What did you eat in secret, now?", Aditya bent down to her face level and rubbed her tummy holding a childish pout, making Diya whine irritated. "Don't cry at me, you were the one who had... I guess some creamy cupcake.", he said, wiping the cake off her face.

"Jeeju, we are really sorry. I swear we didn't give it to her intentionally. We were just casually talking to each other in the kitchen when she saw the tray of desserts and started eating one on her own.", she summed up quickly.

"It's okay. Aditya, please check on the party, meanwhile I will go and change her.", saying so, she walked away leaving the both of them confused by her worried expressions.

He cleared his mind and held his sister-in-law by the shoulders. "That's alright, Noor, it happens. Come on, saali sahiba, this is our last day to party, until next time. Let's be happy and enjoy our evening with family fully.", and he pulled her to the group of young cousins who smiled at them.

Settling Diya down by the wash basin, Zoya cleaned her face and body while the toddler tried to grab the falling water in her fist. Her fingers failing to hold some at each attempt had her grumble in disapproval and move her hand everywhere, splashing the clear liquid all around. Before her little mouth curved into a grin as she continued the mischief.

"Diya! Baby, stop it!", the mother's attempt to calm the hyper child failed and she quickly turned the tap off, picking her up before she tried to shift it open again.

As soon as Diya was covered with her hooded towel, Zoya looked down at the moody daughter playing with her fingers, and sighed heavily.

"I am sorry, little bee. I was so busy with work, I didn't even look back at my baby girl who needed me, as well.", she lifted her up in her arms, making her tiny eyes roll up to face her mother, a tired pout as she tapped her bare tummy. "Don't worry, mumma will make this sad stomach of yours better soon."

She brought her to the changing and resting room where the baby bag was left and, letting her on her own, she looked for the medical kit. Seeing her mother holding up the small bottle of syrup, she crawled away and discreetly hid behind the curtains.

"Baby, where are you thinking of escaping to?", the mother-of-one internally chuckled at her drama queen daughter and moved to the windows.

Aditya continuously looked upstairs towards the rooms and Arjun noticed his brother's distracted mind, as he moved closer. "Scared for Diya? Don't worry, bhai. It might be some indigestion, she will get better with medicine."

He released a deep sigh. "I was thinking more of Zoya.", he blankly answered, confusing Arjun. "Did you see how she was, not seeing Diya even for a few minutes? As if she feared she would be in danger."

"Bhai, that's how all the mothers are, right? Even mom does worry.", he tried to reassure, holding his hand on his shoulder.

Turning to face his baby brother, he threw a thin smile as if convinced. "I guess you are right. Maybe I am just overthinking.", he sighed before they looked at the people around enjoying themselves.

"I will go get us something to drink. Anything in particular, bhai?", asked Arjun.

"Nah, I am fine. You carry on.", saying so, he sent him away, when the memories of a while ago came back to his mind.

"Although Arjun said so, the fear of something that could happen in her eyes was left unseen by everyone. Just like those dreams we faced months ago...", he stared into the void. "No, I can't let anything happen to my family. I won't.", he muttered to himself.

~•~•~•~

End of Our Little Bliss - Chapter Eighteen

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© a shrucreationsx' pen work

~•~•~•~

Hello, friends! How is everyone?

Hopefully you all are staying safe and healthy, although the numerous issues happening in the world, literally scary and atrocious. I mean, as if Covid-19 was not even enough... *facepalm*

On top of that, this update is ultimate blah, but since I needed to put a closure to this wedding track, I am quite reassured. I hope you still got through the story.

Fingers crossed I finish a shot tomorrow or the soonest possible so that I publish before college reopening next month.

That said, until next time,

With love,

Shuruthy.