We were sitting in the dining room it's Sunday so no college and most probably I'm going to spend my time at Alaya's place, she has some major explanations to give I mean she could've told me at least even though it was sudden she didn't even tell me when she called me earlier.

The weather today is so beautiful it is going to rain, the sky is filled with colors pink, orange and a bit metallic grey hues followed by clouds flowing in the sky looking like cotton. I'm craving for pakode and of course, with ginger tea would love to have some sitting outside on the balcony having a book maybe or writing in my diary the perfect time to spend.

"Laila, stop playing with food," Ammi says pulling me out of my thoughts I didn't realize I was fiddling with the spoon.
I give her a sheepish smile and start to eat Alaya giggle at my antics and I just roll my eyes at her we are not on talking terms since she didn't bother to tell me about the engagement.

We are having a party again this evening it's more like a dinner where only Ghazi's are invited things will be discussed like Alaya's and Afan's nikah, rukasti with all the other rituals and functions. I hope Abba Jaan was here he is missing out on all the fun.

Sometimes I miss him so much even though I'm surrounded by all my loved ones but Abba Jaan has a different place in my life Ammi and Danish Bhai has always done everything for me, they have been there for me always in all the situations but still my heart yearns for Abba Jaan.

"So what plans you all have for today?" Khaloo's deep voice brings me out of my thoughts.
"Uhh we were planning to go shopping and we need to start looking forward to the preparations of nikah, " Khala says, looking at Alaya and there goes she starts to blush again.

I will never understand why she keeps blushing whenever the wedding or Afan's topic is brought, I guess I will never understand why girls blush at all I don't see the need for it, it's stupid what proves by blushing that you are happy, in love, or what. These things are out of my area of expertise.

"I don't want to go I'll stay in," I say abruptly not realizing that everyone was already discussing everything.
"Why not, don't you like shopping?" Khaloo asks.
"It's not like that Khaloo I feel tired so I'll stay in," I tell hesitating who will dare to tell him I hate it, anyway it's going to rain so even they can not go shopping.
"What will you do alone at home, Danish, Amaan, and Shahzain will be going with me to Mr. Ghazi's house," he says and I knew I cannot deny this I have to go no one ever refuses to Khaloo he is the one who decides because he is eldest in our family.

I just nod at him and the rest of the breakfast was in silence.

After that, we went shopping for the coming events in Bashir Mansion I cannot believe Alaya is getting married I knew her alliance is fixed but didn't take it seriously till it happened "so what is bothering you so much?" Shahzain asks walking beside me, yeah he didn't go with Khaloo he is the one who drove us to the market.
"What makes you think something is?" I ask, walking a little hastily fixing my dupatta.
"I know that look, Laila, don't forget I'm your brother we have been friends since we were in nappies" he chuckles, he is stating a fact though there is nothing which Alaya and Shahzain cannot understand about me, this is a perk of being best friends but it can be annoying sometimes.

"I was just thinking that everything is moving so fast, all of a sudden engagement and now preparations for nikah," I tell him.

"And I miss Abba Jaan so much he should be here too enjoying his life I know he is fighting to keep us safe but still...I trailed off with the words and a lone tear slides down my cheek I quickly wipe it.
He keeps quiet smiling at me" I don't know what to say which will make you feel good but all I know is believe in Allah he is there listening to all your duas" he says.

"Come on let's go," I tell him walked over to Alaya.

"What you and Zain are cooking now?" She asks arching her brow.
"Nothing that you should know" I tease her.

*****

We were back home and started to get ready for dinner the whole Ghazi family will be coming, Khala has called in her stylist for Alaya to get dolled up and I'm the collateral damage in that "do you know what Danish Bhai and Khaloo had to talk yesterday?" I ask Alaya as she walks out of the bathroom.
"I don't know all I have heard is that Abbu is also planning to join Danish Bhai to give him the financial support his party needs," she says when this family will start telling me what is going on and what is not, why do I have to find everything from Alaya or Zain and how come they always know and not me.

Maybe because you aren't interested in such things my mind snaps at me yeah that is also a reason I never discuss such topics with Bhai Jaan or anyone else.

"Oh that's great and sweet of Khaloo," I tell her lying down on the bed.
"Didn't you know about this?" She asks and I just nod at her.

The stylist comes in with the dresses, and my eyes fall on a blue suit it was straight kurta with the work of resham, gotta, and mirror with embroidery on the front paired with a plain pant and the contrast green dupatta which also has embroidery and the work of mirror.

"This is what you are going to wear?" Alaya asks.
"Yes, why?" I ask in confusion.
"It looks perfect for you and I didn't know you have such good taste," she says, walking towards the rack the stylist brought in, she starts looking through and picked a baby pink suit which has laser cutwork, resham, and embroidery with hand-worked mirrors attached to it, enhanced with pleats and laces and plain pink dupatta with a work of lace on the corner.

"Perfect Alaya, Mr. Ghazi wouldn't be able to take his eyes off of you" I tease her, sitting down on the bed taking a bite of the apple.

Soon the makeup artist came in starts doing wonders on Alaya first so I thought of taking a nap for a while, "no you are not going to sleep, Laila please it's hard to wake you up" she says glaring, she's right l will not wake up easily.

"Fine" I sit up rolling my eyes at her.

"Okay, you get ready I'll roam a little," I tell her and left I'm not going to sit there and look at her getting ready. I was walking in the hallway until I stopped outside the Khaloo's study there was some kind of discussion going on I tried to eavesdrop yes I'm aware it's not good to do and a decent lady shouldn't be doing this but you see I don't care and my curiosity will kill me, after knowing they have been not telling me stuff this is the only way for me to find out stuff.

"So what do you think who can be behind this?" I heard Shahzain's voice I peeked inside a little his back was facing the door, Khaloo was sitting on the chair like some king, Amaan was standing by the window he was looking out and Danish Bhai was sitting opposite Khaloo.
"I don't know yet but the threats are increasing now, last week they said if I don't back out they know where Laila studies and where Ammi teaches," Danish Bhai says rubbing his temples.
Khaloo sighs "This is certainly not good Danish if they are threatening to hurt Laila and Kainaat Baji then this has cross limits I can provide you financial security and bodyguards too but Laila will start questioning," he says lighting a cigarette.

Amaan turns around " and we cannot have bodyguards around them twenty-four-seven," he says, taking a puff of a cigarette, what are they talking about who is threatening Bhai Jaan I knew this stupid politics is a problem I never wanted him to join he could've done something else. Why politics?

"Then what should we do?" Zain asks scratching his chin sitting down beside Danish Bhai.
"This is the reason I want her to marry soon, this is the reason I'm marrying off Alaya because we all know with success comes risk and enemies too," Khaloo says, putting out a cigarette.
"I'm waiting for Abba to come back I have already discussed this with Ammi and she is ready you know that Khaloo," Danish Bhai says, I can feel myself getting stiffened at their discussion tears starts to flow down why Allah, why this is happening with us I don't want to get married so soon there is so much to my life I want to help people getting better.

Just because we are getting threats they will marry me off, and what do they think of me that I'm some kid who will not understand if they try to explain to me the situation I will start to be more careful about my surroundings anyway it's not like I go anywhere, why would anyone want to hurt us we have never done anything to anyone, my Abba Jaan is serving the country he is staying away from his own family so he can keep safe other people's family.

I cannot listen anymore I start to leave but my destiny is not on my side today the flower vase which was on the table beside me fell on the floor before they could look I ran from there my heart starts to beat wildly against my chest tears flowing down my cheeks I didn't care if anyone was looking at me or not I ran out it was pouring heavily I stood there in the garden getting soaked my mind was still in that room at that discussion I try to control my breathing but it wasn't happening I was having a hard time breathing my panic attack was taking over me.

"Laila, Laila bahar kya kar rahi ho andar aa jaaye" I heard Khala's voice she was standing at the door with an umbrella.

(Laila, Laila what are you doing come inside)

I wipe my tears and walked towards the door"what were you doing out there in rain?" She asks giving me a towel.
"Nothing you know how much I love rain," I tell her giving a forced smile.
"Allah Laila what if you catch fever and cold," she says calling out Nargis Baji.

"Take her to Alaya's room and get her ready for dinner" she orders her and I went up to the room.

Alaya was ready and she was looking so beautiful in a pink suit, she had her hair in loose curls, she had done natural makeup with pink lipstick"haaye Allah what happened Laila?" She walks towards me she eyes Nargis Baji to go making me sit on the couch helping me dry off she rubs my hair as the water dripping, she orders the stylist and makeup girl to leave.

"What happened, I thought you went to roam not getting soaked?" She asks sitting in front of me.

My words seemed to be stuck at the tip of my tongue all I can think about what they were talking about "nothing you know how much I love rain" I tell her the same lie I told Khala.
"I know you are lying we will discuss this later, for now, get ready before Abba and Ammi gets angry okay," she says, I knew it I cannot lie in front of her.

I start to get ready" you can send them away you know I don't really like makeup," I tell Alaya as I came out of the bathroom.
"Okay, you get ready I'll be downstairs," she says locking the door behind her and I start to change into fresh clothes the one I decided to wear.

After I think fifteen minutes I was done giving myself one last look in the mirror I was looking fine, no one can tell I was crying only my nose was a bit red, the makeup stylist came in she started doing wonders to my face pairing my look with dangling earrings and nude heels.

I went downstairs and saw Ammi, Khala, Phupo, Alaya, and all the others except the men I wonder where they are now maybe discussing who will be the right choice for me to marry.

"Laila come sit with us" I heard Ammi she was sitting on the single couch, she was looking so beautiful in her red suit her brown hair covered with the dupatta people say I look like her dark brown hair, dark brown eyes, unlike Danish Bhai who is a split image of Abba Jaan.

I sat beside Alaya who was busy on her phone" who you are texting?" I whisper.
"No one" she quickly keeps it beside her, but the blush on her cheeks gave away.
"Oh, I know, " I tell her grinning.

"Laila I have a bone to pick with you," Phupo says glaring at me, I know what she is going to say.

"Mahira told me the way you insulted her son, I didn't expect such a thing from you, Laila," she says.
"Then you should...I was cut off by Khaloo's voice " Zara, where is everyone Ahmed and his family is here" he announces in his deep voice.

Everyone came in I noticed a new face today with Afan we all exchanged salam and some snacks were served we kids were sent to sit on the porch because they wanted to talk something "this is my brother Fahad" Afan introduces the other guy.

I glanced at Bhai Jaan who was on his phone with a frown on his forehead is he getting one of those threats again Allah what should I do? I wish Abba Jaan was here he would have done something about it. I need to talk to Danish Bhai about all these secrets I cannot live it will eat me alive.

"Chalo Bacho khana lag gya hai Aajao" Ammi came out.

(Come on kids dinner is served)

"Danish Bhai I need to talk to you," I tell him.
"Can we do it later?" He asks, trying to avoid my gaze.
"Fine, but we will, and whatever I ask you have to answer it honestly," I said looking at him expectantly. He nods at me and smiles.

******

Hola my loves, how is everyone doing?

Anyway so here was the new chapter I hope you guys enjoyed it.

What do you think about Laila?

What are your thoughts on the secrets everyone is been keeping from Laila?

What do you think about secrets, should anyone be doing it?

And a few unrelated to chapter questions for you guys-

Where are you from? I'm from Bangalore.

Does anyone have any siblings? I have one brother.

What are you guys doing currently I mean are you a student or working? For me, I'm working.

Please guys answer these questions I would love to know about my readers.❤

Until next time.

Keep Reading, Keep Smiling 🤗❤

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