INAAYAT
✨

'Are you really sure that you will be fine Inu?' Rehmat asked out of concern. Saira and Roshana were looking at me with a hooded gaze and although I was pretty nervous I didn't want it to screw up their moods. It's Dharini's marriage. We have never been able to enjoy each other's wedding affairs.

Saira and Roshana's wedding happened in a very serious atmosphere. Typical traditional wedding and all our plans to bachelorette party was been taken back when both my stupid brothers announced that they didn't like their brides getting engaged in such parties. Even my pleas were ignored. Rehmat was still single and had vowed to not fall into the trap till she found her Mister Perfect and my wedding....

Honestly... didn't even feel like a wedding.
I didn't even feel or know when I got married........to HIM!

Abeer Ahmed Sheikh!
It's like my life had changed overnight!

Flashback begins...

'Inu... come on...wear this chokar necklace. Come ...' saying she pulled me closer and hooked the necklace and covered me with a golden dupatta and finally looked at me.

'Masha Allah!!! You look beautiful meri Jaan (my life).' my mother warded off evil while I sat there like a stone.

'How I wish your Dad was here Inu...he would have been the happiest...he and Bhaijaan always wanted this! But look at the irony we are doing this after they are gone' my mother said when I heard Tai Ammi sob a little and wipe her tears. They both had lost their husbands in the dreaded accident weeks ago. Amongst mourning...they had planned this marriage.

Reason...my grandmother's last wish before she slipped into coma.

They both were over emotional seeing me dressed as a bride and I....was angry! upset... annoyed!!!

They took me to the living room. It was a big day for them...but for me yet another Jumma...a Friday! This marriage made no sense to me.

I had shouted, screamed and yelled for days but no one cared.

There were very few close relatives and friends who attended this Nikaah which happened at home. It was just our family, Tai Ammi's brother's family who lived in Mumbai who were our family's biggest support after my father and Taya Abbu (Father's brother)'s death.

Rehmat, Dharini were the ones who applied Henna on my hands.

Saira and Roshana were going to marry my brothers and hence their families were also invited.

Qazi (Priest) kept reading out the vows when nothing went into my thick head which was clouded with anger.

Reason...HE didn't protest! Forget protest! He did not even object!!!

He had simply said 'Qubool Hai' and my blood boiled.

He knew I never liked him. He was not the kind I liked. Damn I used to call him 'Bhai'. They were getting me married to my cousin. The cousin whom I never liked.

He would never talk much. He was the quiet one. He never liked playing with us. He behaved the matured one. He was a bore and even though we studied in the same school where he was my senior. I was in 6th and he was in 10th...he was a scholar. Topper!!! Still...I refrained from telling anyone he's my cousin.

Because he was a book worm.
I was although in sixth...I was one of the most popular girls in school.

I had just hit puberty but there were guys already sending me love letters and I would simply shrug off their advances but he... although was extremely handsome had no one who liked him. He was always into books and I hated reading.

The only time I opened books was during exams. And I would pass my exams with decent numbers for which I would listen a earful from my mother. My mother always gave me his example saying...

'He topped the class...topped the university...topped the state!!!'

Even my father was extremely proud to show him off and somehow I was always jealous of the extra love he was showered upon!!!

Honestly...I didn't like him...

Frankly!!!

Damnnnnn I hated him!

It was annoying being compared to him every single day...at every point in life...

He won this...

He achieved this...

He got a scholarship!

Allah Miyan!!! Why don't parents understand not everyone has same dreams. Why don't they see a rainbow has different colors and not everyone is a bright red!!! Some are a subtle yellow too...I was a yellow! An average yellow! Neither a bright red nor a dull violet...I was a subtle yellow! But looks like no one likes a yellow!!!

And now I was forced into this Nikaah with him!!!
Never would I accept him as my man. He was nothing of the kind I would prefer.

Even though I have said a yes...I will never give my 'Raza' to this!!!

I wont ever accept him!

NEVER!

Flashback ends...

And here I was... now with a tray full of orange and cola flavoured drinks... shivering... nervous...taking slow steps towards Pearl and HIM!

I'm asked to serve the guests by Dharini's mom!!! Rehmat offered me help but somehow I wanted to do this...

It was better if he knew I was here. I didn't want him to be surprised, embarassed...

I walked towards everyone and everyone took a glass each. He was busy with some of his old college mates. I walked towards him. His back was still facing me while looks like he was busy listening to his friends who suddenly stopped the conversation looking at me.

'Abu...!!!' they muttered softly something to him and I noticed his back stiffen. He took a pause but when he didn't turn around I cleared my throat and he turned around.

Our eyes met for a brief minute. His green eyes made my breath hitch but he averted his gaze saying 'Thank you...I don't drink!!!'

'These are cold drinks!!!' I said and he still didn't meet my gaze and said...

'I know! But I don't drink these!' and my eyes widened in shock.

He hates cold drinks? Is he on weed? In childhood we would fight for these. I still remember that incident at Zafhar Bhai's birthday

Flashback begins....

'I will kill him Ammi...I took it first!!!' I yelled

'She is lying Chachi (Aunt) I took it first and you know how much I love cold drinks!!!' he argued and complained to my mother. Dumbo bimbo!!!

'Leave it Zoya...If not I will tell Chachi about how you were talking to that stupid boy today' He argued and I scowled

'What boy???'

'Dont play innocent...I heard it too...Peter is planning to ask you out for a movie. I'm telling you Zoya. I will tell Chachi if you go with him!!! You are just in 8th STD!!!"

'And you are in 12th! Behave your age! Many propose to me doesn't mean I say yes!!' I screamed and for a minute his grip loosened on the cold drink glass and his eyes met mine as he asked softly

'So ummm you said no to Peter!!!"

'Obviously! But he brought a chocolate alongside Bhai so I politely denied him!!! But yes! Don't worry I won't go!!'

For a minute or so there was pin drop silence.

'Dont call me that!!!' he said and I narrowed my eyebrows

'What? Don't call what???' I asked and he looked around and said

'That...Ummm Bhai!!!'

'Why??? You are 4 years elder to me! What else should I call you? I asked!!!'

'Abeer!!!'

'But you are my Bhai!'

'Stop it Zoya! And give me the cold drink!!!"

'Ammiiiiii...Ahhhhh...I will call out loudly...leave the glass...it is mine! And anyways you are a milk baby! Go drink milk every night!!!' I argued

'Just because I don't drink that dirty alcohol like our other cousins doesn't make me the uncool one! Drinking milk is good for my bones and drinking alcohol is bad for their body! And I rather remain your uncool cousin!' he argued pulling the cold drink from my hand...

But I tightened my grip and a little cold drink spilled on my shirt and the floor.

'Chachiiiiii.... tell her...I love orange!!!'

I was shocked seeing him speak up against me. He was complaining against me.

Bagawat??? (Revolt???)

'Then ask him to pick one from the fruit table in dining halllll.Ammmiiii...' I screamed too.

It was first tell ever that he argued about something. But I didn't care. I knew nothing better than this. I bit his hand making him jump and there the cold drink was mine.

Flashback ends...

'Inu!!! Inuuuuu' I heard Rehmat and I was out of my thoughts but he wasn't around.

'Where did he go?' I asked

'Where did who go???' Rehmat asked

'Ummm Abeer!!!' I felt a chill down my own spine as I spelled his name.

'Ohhh he??? He left for dinner long ago.' and I was shocked.

✨

How can someone suddenly look so different to your eyes yet not being so different. He hasn't changed much. He just grew a little more muscular and now holds those glasses otherwise he hadn't changed much but I don't know why my eyes would wander back to staring at him.

And to my bad luck he had noticed me staring at him more than once throughout the dinner but had never returned the same. I...should have been uncomfortable but I was more of... disappointed when he didn't look at me again.

I even took a look at myself in the nearby mirror. I was dressed up in a white and silver salwar kameez with Chand Baali (Earrings of the shape of half moon), hair tied into a loose hair bun and I settled for a lot of glass bangles which I remember were his favorite. Everytime he had gone out for shopping he always bought bangles for me.

Flashback begins...

'Shhhh try these!!!'

'Yaaar Bhai...again bangles!!! What am I going to open a bangle showroom here is it?'

'Zoya! Don't ca-'

'Zoyaaaaa don't call me Bhaiiii!!! I know you will say that...well if you don't want me to call you that then you should stop bringing these for me... these are so boring and predictable now for every Eid! Do you know I now have a seperate cupboard of bangles! And you still make me wear these!!! Ahhhh... You know my friends Saira, Roshana and even Rehmat got PSU, xbox as their gifts from their brothers while mine brings me bangles again!!!'

And suddenly he pulled me closer than usual gripping my wrist and my breath hitched. He bored his green ones in my eyes and simply slipped the last bangle in without looking away. His hot breath hit my face making me feel wierd butterflies in stomach.

'I AM NOT YOUR BHAI!!! Don't call me that!' he said without looking away. His fingers slowly caressed my wrist and my heart shuddered.

What was this!!! Damnnn

'Tell me you won't call me that again! Not now not ever!' he dominantly spoke and I couldn't look away from him. I pressed my lips and his gaze shifted to my lips and my eyes widened as I exhaled.

He looked elsewhere and said.

'This is not very expensive I know but this is what I could buy for you from my first stipend! I got my first hard earned money today Zoya!!!' he whispered and I was shocked

'You mean first salary???' I asked and he smiled and nodded.

'So I bought small gifts for everyone and this one for you! I specially went to Sarojini to buy this for you!!! And...this one as well...' saying he showed me a pair of Chaand Bali. I gasped as I took a look at them.

'SubhanAllah (Glory be to God)!!! They are breathtakingly beautiful! You really went to Sarojini to buy them?' I asked and he smiled.

'As much I hate you troubling your ears with these heavy earrings...that much you are a fashionista Zoya! You love them!!! So here they are...your favourite Chand Bali!!!' he said and I jumped in excitement and in one go I hugged him tightly whispering a multiple 'thank you's' to him but he didn't meet my gaze and simply nodded looking elsewhere. He was blushing!

He is so cute!

Flashback ends...

'Inu!!! I think you must talk to him!!!' I heard Rehmat say and I looked at her.

'Calm down! We don't want your eyeballs falling into that icecream bowl!' Roshana said and I rolled my eyes.

'Inu...I think Rehmat is right! It's fine if you both had differences in the past and you want to move-'

'Saira!!!' I cut the conversation short and looked elsewhere.

'There is...There is nothing like that! I was just looking at him because he looked different with those spectacles nothing like I'm desperate!' I said firmly

'Inu!!! Shutup!!!' this time it was Rehmat

'Whattt?'

'I said Shutup! Since the minute you are here... your eyes are on him...ever since you met him today you look so uneasy! It's so many years! I think you guys must talk and sort it out! Like either do something out of it. You both won't get anything out of this. Neither him nor you. If you both want to give this Nikaah a chance then talk if not ..then...' Rehmat stuttered

'Then???' I asked curiously

'You aren't a kid anymore Inu! It's better you both divorce each other!!!' she said and I gasped at once. My heart raised at the mention of the word divorce.

✨

'Inu can you please get that bowl of Mehndi please...we will need to grind more...' Dharini's mom said and I smiled and nodded.

I was walking to the garden area when suddenly I was stopped by Peter. I was shocked.

'Inaayat!!! My goodness you look so pretty!!! Remember me?' he asked and I forced a smile against my lips.

'Hello Peter!!! I am in a little hurry can I catch up later...I need to get something urgently' I said and he smiled saying

'Ofcourse...do you mind if I join you?" He asked and I was uncomfortable. I didn't like Peter since my school days. He was that creepy guy who kept following me even after I had denied. I still remember how Abeer showed him his place.

Flashback begins...

'Inaayat I love you!'

'Shutup Peter! You are crazy! We are in 10th std! You gotto be kidding me!' I shouted trying to push him away. He had reached the summer camp I had gone to in Manali with my classmates and had caught my hand and pulled me away in the middle of trek.

Rehmat, Saira, Dharini and Roshana all four were infuriated seeing him here. This was our school camping and he was our senior. A passed out ex student, now in senior college. He was Abeer and Pearl's batchmate and I never understood what was he doing here. I was shit scared what if teachers saw me here with him. I didn't want to get suspended, expelled or even given names. My teachers already thought of me as a loose character because multiple guys proposed to me. Although I never said yes to anyone.

'Leave my hand Peter! This is wrong! Go away' I whisper yelled. My friends were all looking worried

'Inaayat mine is true love! I can wait for you!'

'You are nuts Peter! I don't love you! I have already told you. I am still in tenth.' I argued

'So what? We can date! And then maybe we can...you know marry!' he said almost making my eyes pop out

'I am practically a kid Peter and no I don't see you that way' I argued pushing his hand away

But he took a step closer and gripped my wrist saying 'When you were laughing at my love letters weren't you a kid then? And you even accepted my chocolate!'

I was scared. Suddenly Abeer's words ringed in my ears that I did wrong by taking the chocolate. Did he take it the wrong way?

I took out a 100 Rupee note from my bag and gave it to him saying
'Here...your money for chocolate. Now go away! I don't see you like that' and I tried walking away but in one go he pulled me and pushed me against a tree and captured me in his frame saying

'What the heck do you think of yourself! I said I love you! You can't pay me for putting off my emotions can you?' he said glaring into my eyes and I was sweating profusely. I was scared of the sudden shift in his behaviour.

And that's when I heard...

'She can't Peter! But I can definitely put off those emotions would you like a demo?' and I saw Abeer standing there with Pearl. I was shocked.

'This isn't your business Abeer! Leave!'

'Everything related to Zoya is mine and only my business to do! So Shutup and leave!' he said firmly and I was shocked at his declaration.

'She is my girlfriend!' Peter said

'He is lying Abeer! Inu never said yes to Peter!' Dharini shouted out.

'I know!!!' Abeer said looking into my eyes and I couldn't decode those emotions.

'What will you do if I don't leave her hand?' Peter asked Abeer while Abeer simply stared at Peter's grip on my hand.

'Will you hit me? Have you seen my muscles? I'm a college boxing champ! Go away if you want your face intact!' Peter said while Abeer stared at Peter.

Abeer huffed and smiled.

'This is not a bollywood movie that I hit you. I would simply show this video recording to our principal Sir happens to be your uncle too and that means it would reach your parents and which means you under house arrest or your pocket money being cut short or even worse you going back to Mumbai. Decide for yourself Peter!' Abeer said calmly ane Peter was shocked.

He left my hand and walked away not before glaring at Abeer one last time.

I looked at Abeer and he looked pissed.

'What are you doing here?' I asked

'College trip! When I knew Peter had escaped today's excursion I knew he would come to see you. And thankfully I came at the right time. Look what you did!!! This is why I say stay away from these stupid guys! They are cheap!' he shouted

'Dont try that tone with me ok! I didn't know Peter would behave like that!'

'But you gave him fake hopes!!!' he argued and I was beyond pissed.

'He admired me and I simply took it gracefully. Just because I took a chocolate doesn't prove that I'm inviting him. I had the maturity but he didn't. This is as stupid as the logic that girls shouldn't wear short skirts because boys will look at you! Why can't boys take a no? Why should girls always be preached?' I shouted

'Zoyaaaa!!!' he punched a tree angrily and I was shocked

'I told this for your good! If you don't understand it's upto you!' he shouted

'This is why we can never be friends...you are the most annoying cousin ever! You are still in the nineteenth century where you think it's a woman's mistake. Why can't they teach a boy to behave! Why can't a no be took gracefully. This is why I don't like you Abeer. You are so orthodox! A typical chauvinist! You disgust me! Just go away!!!' I said his eyes filled with angry tears which however softened as he saw tears rolling down my eyes.

He simply walked away from there. I burst into tears.

I hate ABEER AHMED SHEIKH!!! Hypocrite!!!

Flashback ends...

'Inaayat ...you are doing fabulous with the business yaar! Heard so much about you! You make us proud' Peter said and I smiled

'Its ummm Abeer! He is a great CEO. He gives us complete independence in running the Delhi site the way we prefer' I said and he smiled.

I carried the basket full of mehndi while Peter helped me carry the bottle of eucalyptus oil.

He kept cracking silly jokes and I was smiling. We reached the garden and I thanked him for his help

'Its a pleasure to help you beautiful lady!' he said and I rolled my eyes

'Stop it Peter!!! You really gotto stop! We aren't kids anymore' and he giggled.

I took a step back and tripped only for Peter to hold onto my waist and hold onto me.

I was about to thank him but before that something insane happened making my eyes pop out.

Peter was on the floor with a broken nose which was bleeding non stop and I closed my mouth with my hands.

Abeer had punched Peter in his face.

Allah!!!