Namaz - Prayer
Adhan - special call from mosque informing about namaz time.
Mahrib - Late Evening Namaz.
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Ayesha's PoV

"Noisy....stop there."I ran behind noisy and finally I got hold of him. I laughed like a kid.

"Dont wander here and there. Like before. Some of them here dont like cats. Another version of our mama. Dont be so innocent ok? They may insult you. Understand? Go and hide yourself until this marriage is over. I cant do anything if they hurt you. I will also cry with you."

"Plus new guests are coming from London today evening. Dont know what kinda people they are."

I thought for a while.

The childhood memories of my cousin suddenly occupied my mind. Zain was very naughty in our childhood. Especially with animals. Animals are like his toys. I still remember how he threw Bapu Ji's favourite kitten into our well. He used to harm almost all animals that came his way. I was afraid of animals during my childhood and he used to scare me with them. One day he put that same kitten inside my blanket and I ran away with my life through all our neighbour houses. At night Bapu ji and Baba came in search for me and finally found me at one of our neighbor's terrace. I got a fever with that and was not well for almost a week.

"Noisy, don't go near him. Ok?"

Noisy started licking my feet which I likes a lot. He is pampering me and showing his love for me. I smiled when I got tickled.

"Why can't people stop loving humans and start caring for pets? They are 100% better than those called fake ones" I said to myself.

I placed him safely under the staircase where he used to lay. Its his place.

"I will bring you food at correct time. Dont make  noise. They wont like it."I said and walked back. But I know that he will go from there soon. He loves to see people and explore new places. But at the end of the day, he will return back to me no matter wherever he goes.

I went to Zahra Aapa's room where the girls are checking the ornaments and dresses bought for the wedding. I suddenly remembered about the gown that had bought for me. Usually I don't like spending time at shops selecting dresses. I am not an expert in buying new fashioned dresses. Whenever I goes for shopping the output will be horrible. This time mama went to buy my dress. And it's beautiful I must say.

I moved towards the bed and took a seat beside Zahra Aapa. She smiled at me and I returned that smile.

"Everyone told their opinion about my wedding saree. But you didn't eventhough you are the first one who saw it. Tell me how it is?" Zahra Aapa asked me.

"It's very beautiful Aapa. You will be looking like a princess in your wedding."I said wanted to make her happy.

"Wow Ayesha. Exactly what I guess. Do you really expect anything else from her? Its beautiful, it's nice, it's good. Why do you even asking her?"Shahina said making me felt the urge to cry. It really hurted eventhough she was trying to make the atmosphere fun.

"No one can beat our Ayesha Aapa in buttering."It was Hiba who commented.

Can this girls just allow me to live?

I already lost the interest to attend this marriage. May be they didn't intend to hurt me. But they dont know how much hurted I am. With this word games. It's not fun. They can't shut their mouth. They talk without thinking about how it affect others. I hate talking.

"May be its buttering for you. What sensible people calls it is, having a good heart that finds beauty in everything. Not everyone will have that. But my Ayesha has." Zahra Aapa said making me surprised.

Do I need to tell how much happy I am? I suddenly felt to kiss Zahra Aapa. But stopped thinking about the possibility of happy tears that can again embarrass me.

I smiled from heart. I slowly got out of the room to meet Bapu ji. He was so happy since his daughter and her family is returning back after a long time. I talked with him a lot and he wanted my help in filling some forms which is required for his business purpose. Whenever I am here, I used to help him in doing all this. I like helping him.

Its 6 pm now. Finally I got released from all the works. Whether it is Bapu Ji's works, mama's house hold chores, maa Ji's medicines, my studying all. I like to be busy in works instead of torturing myself with large conversations.

I went to my room and all girls are there except Zahra Aapa. They are getting ready and I was confused.

"I guess marriage is not today. Then why are you guys getting ready for a late evening?" I asked completely confused.

"Because guests are arriving soon."Hiba said with a naughty smirk.

I suddenly remembered about Asiya aunty and her family's arrival. Now I got the reason.

"You guys are already looking like coming from heaven. I think Zain will have a tough time with his cousins."I said winking and they chuckled.

I smiled seeing them fighting for mirror. I threw a pillow at Shahina who glared back at me.

"When will your husband come back? I think I have something to inform him about my bestie." I winked at her and she chased me around the bed. The room filled with our laughter till we hear adhan (azan) from mosque. We covered our heads and waited till it completes. Then they returned back to their works.

"Ayesha Aapa, come here. I will make you look like a little princess. Asiya aunty will definitely search for her doctor niece. She should stun seeing you." Hiba told me.

"Dont worry about that. I know that I am already a princess. Let me pray my Mahrib first" I went to washroom and did wudu. When I came back, they were already left. I could hear loud voices from downstairs which means the guests have already arrived.

I spread the prayer mat and started my prayer. After finishing it, I folded the mat and placed it back. I came out of my room and went to downstairs. There was a huge crowd already present in the hall. I looked up to see the newly arrived people. But I couldn't. Someone were laughing, someone were sobbing, someone were talking. Group hugs. I couldn't see Asiya aunty or anyone. I was about to walk back when Mama suddenly appeared infront of me.

"Where were you Ayesha? I was searching for you."

Without waiting for me to answer she already dragged me into the crowd and now I am at the centre. Thanks to her. I can see everyone now.

"Asiya, see my daughter Ayesha."Mama introduced me to aunty, uncle and Hanah; my little cousin. I could identify them on the first sight. They didn't change much. All are smiling at me.

"Assalamu Alaikum"I greeted and they greeted me back. Asiya aunty hugged me.

"You have grown up Ayesha."she kissed my forehead.

"Ayesha Aapa we were waiting to see you. Congratulations" Hanah hugged me.

I looked at her in surprise.

"One of our family friend sent us the newspaper with Aapa's photo printed on it which was taken when you got the rank for national entrance test."Hanah said.

"Hanah was madly waiting to see you after that. "Aunty told making me smile.

"You have no idea how much I shined infront of my friends with that single newspaper piece. I was the star of the day. You are awesome Aapa. I am really proud that you are my cousin."Hanah kissed my cheek and that was the moment when I finally realized how much I missed such a wonderful cousin who can understand my calibre unlike others.

"Congratulations dear. I used to tell both my kids to study like you."Uncle said.

"Thank you."

I was very much happy. Mama was also smiling and that made me more happy.

I suddenly remembered about Zain. Didn't he come? Oh if that's the case so many hearts will break today. I looked around and finally heard loud voices from the court yard which includes my cousins' too. That means he is there. I was about to go there when Mama asked me to show rooms for aunty, uncle and Hanah. I showed them rooms and accommodate Hanah into my own room. Instead I thought Hiba to ask to sleep with Shahina and Hayaan. She will agree since she already don't like sleeping with me.

I was coming back after asking them to take rest when I collided with a figure. I didn't see the face but both of us fell down on floor.

"Oh sorry."I said looking up to see his face.

"I won't accept sorry from doctors. Will you ever wait to hear thanks from your patients?"he asked making me surprise.

He amazed me with the first impression itself.

"I am not a doctor. A student."I corrected him.

"But I heard that you are about to finish your course. That means you are half a doctor."he laughed.

Oh that laugh... and his way of talking. He is so.....so.... nothing.

"Who are you?"I asked without using my brain for once.

"Ayesha, didn't you understand me? Oh sorry my photo didn't appear on the newspaper so that my childhood friend plus cousin can easily identify me on the first sight."he said making me shock.

"Zain....."I muttered.

"You guessed it right. By the way I was a back bencher and not holding any ranks till now.  So better be careful while talking to me. I may spit out some foolishness and don't question my IQ level thereafter. You may regret for talking with me."he said and I couldn't stop myself from laughing.

He is so good at talking which I can't be in my entire life.

He stood up followed by me. He was trying to carry his luggage to his room.

"I will help."I held one of his bag and walked along with him.

"Thanks for that. But why didnt you come to meet me at the entrance? Our all cousins were there. But you weren't."he said and I didn't say anything. Just smiled.

I helped him to place the luggage on his room.
"Can you show me our grand mother's room? I didn't see her for a long time. Now heard that she is sick."he said.

"Grand mother? According to what I remember, you were calling her Mamu till you leave from here."I said and he looked at me stunned.

"Ayesha, your memory is amazing. The time onwards when we decided to come back, I was continuously thinking about what you told now. I was trying to recall what I was calling her. But nothing worked out. I felt embarrassed to ask my parents about the same. What if they make fun of me?"

I chuckled.

"I secretly asked all our cousins about it. But they also forgot like me."he added.

"Come I will show her room."I said and he followed me.

We entered into her room and he started talking with her about random things. She just smiled.

"Zain, she lost her memory. There is no use if you talk like this. She will forget it soon."

"Oh that means she is also like me. I can't shut my mouth for a minute. But I am very weak in memory. If you ask me after 5 minutes what I talked now, I won't remember." He confessed.

I helped Maa ji to sit with the help of a pillow. But I was nervous with his presence and his continous talking. He was not stopping and I was literally not opening my mouth. What would he think about me? Suddenly my hands slipped and Maa ji was about to fall back when he caught my hands and supported Maa ji to sit properly. I shivered under his touch and he looked at me strangely.

"What happened?"he asked.

I shook my head and ran away from the room. I couldn't stand there anymore.

"Hey Ayesha....."he called me but I didn't stop.
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It was dinner time when we again met. After the evening incident I tried maximum to not come into his way. On the other side he was busy talking with my cousins and other members of this house. So he didn't enquire for me. Elders had their dinner together reminiscing all the memories of their days together. And now it's us; grand childrens' turn to eat.

Shahina, Hanah and me occupied one side of the dining table with me in the middle while Hiba, Sana and Zain sat opposite to us with him at middle. Zahra Aapa and Harif; Hiba's elder brother occupied the corners. I had my dinner silently while the others were continously talking about every random things on earth. Mostly Zain is talking. Usually I used to finish my food before everyone. But today I was eating slowly listening to his way of talking. He is so perfect when comes to talking and making us laugh. I got interested in that aspect of him.

"Zain, what are you doing at London?"Hiba asked and I glared at her.

"Hiba, he is elder than you. You cant call him name."I warned her.

"It's ok Ayesha. Actually I am the one who told them to call me by my name. I dont want any unnecessary tails along with my beautiful name. It irks me." He smiled at me.

"Bhaee jaan (elder brother) don't like anyone respecting him with names. But I am not allowed to call him Zain. Mama will scold me."Hanah pouted and I chuckled. She is really cute.

"By the way you didn't tell about your job."Shahina reminded.

"Oh sorry."he said.

"We won't accept sorry from family members."I said without my knowledge and he looked at me with a naughty smile. I immediately averted my gaze from him and concentrated on my food.

"I am an architect. Started a company with my friend and now working there."he said.

We finished our dinner soon and washed our hands. I was about to go to kitchen to bring food for noisy when Asiya aunty and Ali uncle suddenly appeared infront of me.

"Where are you going? We have a gift for you."Aunty told making me surprise.

"Gift? But it's not my marriage. It's Zahra Aapa's...."before I complete they started laughing.

Zain and Hanah joined them while me along with my cousins stood there confused.

"Actually the idea of a gift popped up in our mind long back when we saw your picture on the newspaper. But we couldn't come back that time." Aunty said and I looked at Zain who is smiling now.

"Hanah is still keeping that paper with her. You dont know."Uncle said and I looked at Hanah. She nodded her head as yes. I was wondered. This is the first time someone making me so worth.

"Ofcourse, getting a merit seat in one of the top colleges in India is not something simple. I cant."she said hugging me.

"But still I didn't get why a gift for me. Is it really needed?"I stopped seeing mama at the door.

"Nothing. We are just proud to have such a brilliant and intelligent girl in our family. A token of appreciation. That's all." Aunty said taking a box out of the cover she is carrying.

"And your Bapu ji told us that you are the college topper and they are expecting a rank from you. We are so happy to hear that."Uncle said.

"Ayesha, don't believe them. This is not a gift. Actually bribing you to get free treatment from you in future."Zain shouted and Hanah smacked his head.

I smiled from my heart. Usually I dont like getting appreciated infront of all. But the jealous faces around me made me feel a strange happiness. Who dont like that? I used to stand with my head bent infront of them and today I am standing with all pride. And mama is also happy.

"Look what's the gift?"Hanah reminded me.

Whatever it is I already liked it. I opened the box and guess it's a tablet. My eyes widened. Such an expensive gift? I couldn't believe it.

"Thank you"I smiled widely and ran towards my room followed by my cousins who are eager to use the tablet on my hand.

It's a nice day. I felt overwhelmed.
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The story currently unfolds from Ayesha's POV. What Ayesha feels about them, that's each character is. We may be not important in someone else's story. I didn't intend to portray any category of people as bad through this story. Positive & Negative, both belongs to a person. It's all about who tells our story.