It was almost the time of Ruksati, I could feel the atmosphere turning to a sad-one. I wasn’t able to hold my emotions in check as Zoya cried in Uncle Qureshi’s arms. Those tears rolling out of Mr. Qureshi’s orbs were indicator of his love for his lovely-daughter. I was convinced with Farya di’s theory that she was his favorite.

“Be less stubborn and listen to the rest,” she was ordering him in-between her sobs. “I don’t want to hear any news that you have worsen your condition just because you couldn’t handle your temper.”

“Shouldn’t you be warning them to behave rather than asking me to control my temper.” Mr. Qureshi glared at her.

Zoya shook her head as she wiped her Ammi’s tears. “Take care,” she mumbled as Mumtaz pressed a kiss on her forehead.

“Stop ordering in front of your groom,” Mumtaz faked a glare at Zoya.

“Ammi, at least stop scolding me during my Ruksati.” Others laughed at her groaning.
Zoya was a sparkling star of Qureshi family. Everyone was going to miss her whether they accept it or not. She was the most adored one among the siblings, having more authority over Shoaib Qureshi.

“Ammi isn’t scolding but urging you to behave,” Farya shook her head at her younger sister. “It’s high time, you act like grown up.”

“She hadn’t ever grown up to behave like one,” Faizal commented.

Zoya glared at her siblings, “I had grow enough to know the only two people happy about my Ruksati are you two,” she pointed finger at them. “You always were jealous of the love I received.”

“Love? That was sympathy!” Faizal commented, “you weren’t as intelligent as us so they just showered you with sympathy which they labelled as love.”

“Stop troubling her,” Mr. Qureshi interrupted. “She was always loved the most,” Zoya hugged him tight on seeing him supporting her.

Though Faizal was happy for Zoya yet I could see the carving hidden behind the smile. It was their family moment so we were standing few distances away from them.

“Where is Nivi?” She asked as she broke the hug and her orbs started searching for me in the crowd.

I was taken aback as she remembered me even in such a moment. I passed a smile at her as she caught a sight of me. She shook her head as she walked towards me. “I would have walked out without meeting you,” she sounded so disappointed on herself. “And I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself later,” she passed me a smile.

“Thanks for attending the wedding, and I hope even after all the dramas you enjoyed it.” She hugged me as she whispered in my ears, “take care of bhai.” With that word she broke the hug and walked back towards the groom.

Their car drove off a minute later. My orbs glanced at Faizal and rest of the family. They were attempting hard not to end-up in tears. “They loved her,” Siddhi commented in conclusion.

“She was the most favorite of them,” Zara muttered. “Everyone is going to miss her,” she passed us a smile as she walked towards the rest of the family.

I and Siddhi decided to allow them to have their moment as we walked towards our room. “I never thought she would walk to say a bye to you,” Siddhi commented glancing at me for the response. “You should have seen some of her relatives faces,” she paused for a second. “They are very judgmental in nature,” she shook her head at the thought of it.

“That’s how relatives are!” I remarked back. “I was taken aback with her action but more stunned with those last words.”

“Which last words?” Siddhi inquired getting curious.

“She asked me to take care of Faizal, why would she?” I was staring at Siddhi with questioning gaze. “I mean… she could have said that to Aahana, she is going to be with him. I am going back to Kochi, tomorrow. How can I take care of him?”

“The way you have being taking care of us from more than three years. You need to accept that you have some remarkable skill in understanding and providing support. I am not sure about bhai but you had always been there in my hard times. I can count on you even through you live km away from me. Maybe Zoya have the same trust on you. She knows you don’t need to be in Meerut to take care of bhai.” I was speechless after her emotional speech. As I hugged her, “trust me Nivi, you’re the most precious gift I am rewarded with…”

“Same to you…” I mumbled as I pressed a kiss on her forehead. I was genuinely blessed to have her!

•••

“Why you didn’t tell me about this?” I glared at her.

“I got aware about the case just a few hours back,” Siddhi shrugged her shoulder. “If it wasn’t urgent, I wouldn’t have been rushing.” Siddhi was attempting to convince me.

“It’s nearly mid-night,” I argued.

“And that’s why I want you not to inform it to bhai… They need rest after the wedding…”

“I can’t allow you to travel alone…”

“It isn’t my first time, Nivi.” She shook her head, “I had travelled alone on various occasions.”

“But still…”

“I will manage it, please don’t trouble bhai with the change in event.”

“You aren’t planning to leave without meeting him.” I stared at her in disbelief as she was packing her stuff. “Siddhi,” I voiced my displeasure. “Faizal won’t appreciate it,” I was certain about it. He would go mad if she walked at such an hour without informing him. Even if Siddhi felt that Faizal wasn’t that close to him yet he cared and did treat her like her small sister.

“I can’t risk it,” she mumbled.

“But you need to at least…” There was a knock on our door as we both shared a look. “Who it might be?”

“I had asked Zain to drop me till bus station and from there I can get to Kullu.” I nodded at least she was acting little sensible. I walked towards the door as I pushed it open, Zain passed me a smile as he entered inside followed by stern Faizal. I sighed! I shook my head as I pushed the door wide open so they could enter.

“Have you packed your stuff?” Zain inquired; Siddhi raised her head from the stuff scattered on the bed.

“Bhai,” there was disappointment in her voice.

“I apologize,” Zain raised his hand in surrender. “But you can’t entirely blame me,” he clarified. “I was with him when you called…” he shrugged his shoulder. “I had to narrate him…”

“Bhai…” Siddhi opened her mouth to justify her action but Faizal interrupted.

“We are getting late,” he muttered walking towards her suitcase. His orbs averted towards me for a second, “I hope, you also don’t have an urgent meeting planned.”

“Bhai,” Siddhi felt guilty on hearing his mock.

“Faiz…” My orb glared at him, “she had her reason to hide.” I shook my head on seeing Siddhi’s sad face. “Don’t act as if you had never lied or kept things hidden from us.”

“You’re free to hide things from me,” he mumbled as he carried the suitcase.

“You don’t have to…” Siddhi argued, “Zain is going to drop me.”

“Yes, bhai…” Zain interrupted. “It would be better if I go, I have some work to finish. I can stay for the night and complete it.”

Faizal seemed slightly convinced as he nodded his head. “Drive safe,” he warned handling the suitcase to Zain.

“I didn’t want to upset you,” Siddhi muttered as Faizal passed her a smile.

“I am not upset, glad that you at least decided to inform Zain.” There was mock underlying in his voice. He was hugely disappointed with Siddhi’s decision to inform Zain over him. He pretended to show that he wasn’t of jealous type yet he was one of the most possessive persons, I had ever come across. He didn’t appreciate of discovering things from second person. He always used to scowl if he got to know things from Siddhi about my life. He wanted me to directly inform him.

Siddhi wasn’t that good in reading between the lines as she smiled at him and walked towards me and hugged me tight. “I am going to miss you.” She uttered as she broke the hug. “You better plan the next visit to Banaras,” she pouted. “Why don’t you joint me?” She pressed, “you can extend the holidays for just few days.”

“I can’t!” I mumbled. “If I could! I would have,” I sighed. “I had already tested my Boss limit by asking him for a week holiday,” I muttered.

“I am going to cry,” she muttered as she hugged me again. “I really met you and spent a week together. I am not sure when we are going to meet next but this would be some of the amazing memories I have of my life.”

“Me too…” I pressed a kiss on her forehead. “Take care of yourself, and don’t worry about the upcoming case, you will rock it.” She passed me a smile as she walked out of the room along with Zain. It felt like a dream as she walked away. We had met and it already was a time for us to depart our ways.

Silence prevailed around us as Zain and Siddhi had walked out. “You shouldn’t feel offended that she called Zain. She wished to allow you with some rest, it doesn’t mean that she trusts Zain over you.”

“I am not offended,” Faizal grumbled as I glanced at him. He and his denial!

“Yep, you’re not offended.” I imitated his tone.

•••

“She went at mid-night?” Mr. Qureshi stared at Faizal with a questioning orb as if asking him, how he could allow it? There was shift in Mr. Qureshi’s behavior or maybe I was slowly trying to understand him.

“Zain dropped her,” Faizal informed.

“Still,” Mumtaz argued. “She shouldn’t had travelled at such an hour. It’s not safe for girls.”

“She is used to it,” Faizal mumbled. “She had already reached home, why are we arguing over it?”

“Faizal, they aren’t arguing.” Aahana interrupted, “they are concerned about your friends.” She shook her head, “didn’t you made such a fuss about last time they acted cool?” She mocked, while I stared at her in surprise.

“Aahana…” Farya warned as she took sleeping Azia from my arms. “She had gotten used to you,” she shook her head. “She is going to have hard time to deal with your absence.” She glanced at her husband who was busy having his breakfast. “That was the reason, I was against them bonding up.”

“Don’t worry, Nivi has accepted my offer of video call.” Ahmed muttered, “Nivi has turned as our lucky charm.” He was staring at me with hope, “Azia had uttered more words in past few days than she had uttered in a year.” He glanced back at his wife, “I am sure she will soon start talking like the rest.”

“It’s not due to her,” Chachi argued. “It just coincidence,” she grumbled. “Don’t give Allah’s credit to her, it is the result of dua.”

“Who is saying it isn’t?” Ahmed mumbled, “Allah chose her the source of offering us with the good news. I am just happy about her arrival in our life.” He passed me a smile.

“You couldn’t allow those modern-thinking to corrupt your mind. There isn’t anything like, lucky charm.”

“Bread?” Faizal asked as he pushed a plate towards me, forcing my attention from the argument going on the table. I shook my head; he nodded as he glanced at his father. “I am going to drop Nivi to Railway Station.”

“You’re leaving as well?” Mumtaz sounded stern. “Aren’t you staying for the reception?”

“I have to join the office on Monday,” I smiled at her.

“You work?” Aahana sounded curious.

“She is an interior Designer,” Faizal answered on my behalf, a proud smile playing on her lips.

“Just completed my degree,” I felt the need to correct Faizal statement, “working as assistant of Interior Designer, Mr. Iyer.”

“Wow!” Ahmed exclaimed, “a working woman.” There was admiration in his orbs.