^^ blushing ^^

So on you guys insistence I'm  writing Rameez and Narmeen's story first. Just for you so don't be mad if I delay updates I wasnt granted time to think it up. It gonna be all on spot. Anyways its a month or so after the epilogue so the age and stuff still the same. Ok? Let's dive in😁

The Shah haveli was bustling with noises coming from here and there. The sound big pots being shifted from place to another clanked loudly in the already noisy household.

Arrangements for the next day were on their peak. It was chand raat of course. Ramzan had passed with the blessings of almighty and now tomorrow was the day of joy and celebration.

Bijaan instructed the maids to do whatever she wanted them to. Merzia ran here and there helping her bhabis with the feast that was to be served tomorrow. Laughter and jokes filled the living room where the cousins decided to crash for the night like every other time. Faris, Faiqa, Daneen, Arsalan and the baby twins all of them were present there except for two souls.

One was at his apartment and the other sitting near her window. He had no plans of going to the haveli to stay overnight while she had no other choice but to wait for him. It was the same since the past two years ever since he had moved he would always make an appearance on chand raat and she would wait for the sight of his car roll in the driveway.

"Narmeen kaha hai?" Faiqa asked cradling her one year old boy. She tried shushing him but he was wailing continuously making everyone worried.
(Where is Narmeen?)

"Me bola ke Lata ho" Arsalan almost flew out of his place and like lightning he strikes for the stairs. He loved his Narmeen api more than his twin sister Daneen. Maybe because she was the one who always had his back when Merzia found out about his mischief or sneek snacks for him. Narmeen and him shared  a true sibling bond. Narmeen's sweet nature allured almost everyone to her except for one. The one she actually yearned for.
(I'll go all her)

"Assalamualikum" the deep husky voice filled the room as all heads snapped towards him. Rameez made his way to the party his laptop bag in his hand. He placed the bag on the coffee table and hugged Faris who stood up to greet him. He kissed his sisters forehead lovingly taking his nephew in his arms.

"Khairiyat janab aap tu aane hi nahi waale the" Faris asked as they both settled down with wailing farhan in Rameez's lap.
(Everything alright you said you weren't coming)

"Aana tu nahi tha magar Abba ka tu tumhe pata hi hai" Rameez told him relaxing back after handing his noisy nephew back to his mother. He couldn't bother with coeing the baby to stop crying.
(I didn't want to but you know how Abba can be)

"Kia hai Arsalan? Aisi kia afat aaye hai?" A voice had all heads turning towards the other entrance of the living room the one that connects the living room to the inner house.
(What is it Arsalan? What happened?)

There she was being mercilessly dragged downstairs by a fast running Arsalan. He ran downstairs while holding her hand in a speed that had her almost twisting her ankel a few times but lucky her she was fine.

"Faiqa apa bola  rahi thi" he said taking her to the couch that on the right side of Rameez and tugged her down beside him.
(Faiqa apa was calling you)

Narmeen's eyes traveled through the room landing on a pair of blue eyes that stared at her intently. Her breath hitched as she stared back at him. His eyes trailed down to her wrist which was still in Arsalan's grasp. It was nothing new for the family. Arsalan and Narmeen were very comfortable with each other but that fact was recently not sitting well with Rameez.

She followed his gaze to her wrist and immediately freed it from Arsalan's grip ever so softly that Arsalan didn't even feel it. A sense of satisfaction roamed in Rameez's being confusing and irritating him to his core.

"Khala" little Farhan called immediately when his eyes landed on his favourite person in the world. She broke eye contact with Rameez and looked at the bubbly baby who had called her. Her features turning into a smile as she pulled the baby to her. His wailing died down replaced with a happy grin as he gazed at his Khala.
(Aunty)

"Jee Khala ki jaan" she made him stand on her lap with wobbly feet. He passed her a toothless smile as he wrapped his arms around her.
(Yes Aunty's life)

"Huh.. Dekho kitna makkar hai. Me ek ghante se chup karane hi koshish karrahi thi tab tu hua nahi." Faiqa said dramatically making a smile light up Narmeen's face which went unnoticed by the one who should've noticed. He busied himself with Faris and his work.
(Huh.. Look at him such a cheat.. I've been trying to shush him an hour and look at him now)

They talked and enjoyed. The kids dozed leaving the elders awake. It was late at night. Just nearing 10 pm. It was only Arsalan, Daneen, Faiqa, Faris and lastly Rameez and Narmeen.

"Let's go shopping" Faiqa had piped in enthusiastically.

"Yes" the twins butted in.

"Sounds good to me" Faris said

"No. You guys can go." Rameez said flatly.

"And what about you miss Narmeen?" Faris asked turning his attention to Narmeen.

"Ammi ijazat nahi dengi " and like always this was Narmeen's escape route. She knew her mother would never in her life allow Narmeen to go out with them. It was the same every year they would go out to shop to to get Faiqa's mehindi done while she stayed back for two obvious reasons. One either she'd not be allowed or two she would be broke and asking her parents for money other than her monthly allowance was huge crime.
(Mother won't allow)

"Koi zaroorat nahi hai unse poochne ki. Chachi humesha tumhe mana kardeti hain. Is saal tu chalna hoga." Faiqa said. Every chand raat when she wanted to have some girly time with Narmeen her Chachi wouldn't let her go and it irked her the most.
(No need to ask her. She always says no to you. You have to go with us this year)

"Sirf poochna hi tu hai shayad haan karden." Faiqa said knowing full well that from here she's going straight to her room and sending a text saying that her Ammi said no. Narmeen didn't want to hear a  long lecture on how they don't have enough money to keep her stupid expenses going and she had used her saving to buy herself a new dress for eid so she had little to no money left.
(Its only asking maybe she'll say yes thus time)

Narmeen made her way to her mother's room. She really wanted to go out with her cousins like normal cousins do but alas! She's not allowed to. She knocked on her mother's door and entered inside after she allowed her to.

"A.. Ammi mujhe aapse ijazat leni thi." She said in a small voice much lower than her normal voice. Her parents were not like her uncles and aunts. While her uncles and aunts cherished their kids especially daughters hers cherished only Moiz because obviously because he's a boy for her there were always restrictions.
(M.. Mom I wanted to take your permission)

"Agar tu yeh har saal ki tarah tumhare cousins ka shopping ka plan hai tu woh tumahre Abu Bethe hain khud unse pooch lo aur haan dene keliye mere pass koi faaltu paise nahi hain. Aur pichli baar ki tarha faqeeron ki tarah Faiqa se kuch maangne ki zaroorat nahi. Kia izzat reh gaye hogi humari ke apni beti ke kharche nahi poore karsakte." as always nausheen presented her lecture. she knew what was up and why her daughter would be here at this time.
(If it's one of your cousins plan like every year then there is your Abba ask me yourself. Also I don't have money to give it to you. And like last time don't you dare ask Faiqa for anything what dignity would've been left of ours that we can't even fulfill our daughters expenses)

"Mene unse kuch nahi manga tha Ammi unhon ne zabardasti khudhi dila diya tha" she tried explaining her point but only to be shut off by her mother.
(I didn't ask her for anything she insistently brought me the stuff)

"Zuban mat chalao mujhse larki." Nausheens voice raised an octave as she directed a murderous glare in her daughters direction.
(Don't talk back to me)

Disappointingly she didn't bother asking her father. With tears in her eyes she made her way to the door to leave and go to her but her father's words stopped her.

"Yeh lo paise. Ehtiatan rakhlo zayada kharcha karne ki zaroorat nahi hai tumahre bhai ke semester ki fees jama karani hai abhi" her father said nonchalantly. Her heart broke into a million pieces all over again. All her life all she had heard from her parents is Moiz, Moiz and Moiz. It was as if she didn't exist in their family. She was just a burden that her mother had oath to get rid off soon.
(Here take this money just in case. Don't spend too much. I have to pay Moiz's fees in a few days)

"Nahi its ok Abba mera waise bhi jaane ka dil nahi tha" she lied. She could only lie to her parents about her feelings not like if she said the truth they will care.
(No its ok father I didn't want to go anyway)

"Kia jatana chahti ho. Poori ghar me tamasha lagwao gi humara ke Atif shah apni beti pe zulm karta hai. Pakro yeh paise aur ab shakal gum karo apni." He said shoving the few thousand rupees in her hand. The notes crumbled as he forcefully handed the money to her.
(What are you trying to show. You trying to tell people that atif Shah can't afford his daughters expenses. That he's so harsh on her. Take this money and get lost)

Narmeen hurried out of her parents room. Checking the hallway to see if anyone was there she leaned her back against the wooden double doors and shut her eyes. Fat tears rolled down her cheeks. It made her feel pathetic that she felt like a beggar asking for anything from her parents. She once tried convincing them to let her do a small job just enough for her to have her own money but their conservative and narrow minded thinking only made things worse. Her mother didn't leave a single chance to doubt her character over and over again. To her Narmeen was a puppet who should be trained to perfection so that she could be handed out to her future in laws. Yes nausheen was one of those ladies who wanted her daughter to be the perfect daughter by nature since she found her unappealing with her dark skin tone and plain features compared to her cousins but that was only nausheen's way of thinking the whole family loved Narmeen from the dept of their hearts but her own parents.

"Arsalan mera dimag nahi kharab karo me nahi jaaraha tum logon ke saath" Rameez made his way up the stairs to his room. He had n plans to go out with them. He just wanted to work on his new project and get it done with.
(Arsalan don't trouble me I'm not going with you all)

Narmeen straightened in her place and hurriedly wiped her tears. She took a deep breath to calm her breathing.

"Arey Narmeen api aapne poocha nahi Tayi Ammi se poocha?" Arsalan asked diverting Rameez's attention to the small figure standing in the hallway. He eyed her up and down seeing her head ducked.
(Arey Narmeen api didn't you ask aunty)

"Haan.. Woh me... Abaya pehn kar aur apna bag lekar aati ho" she said and hurried away with her head ducked down. She didn't glance at any of them.
(Yes... I... I'll go wear my abaya and get my bag)

"Rameez bhai ab tu aapko chalna pare ga." Arsalan again started with his rambling but for some reason his gaze were fixed on the figure running in the hallway with her dupatta swishing in air.
(Rameez brother you'll have to go now)

Rameez sighed and made his way downstairs with Arsalan who would've eaten his brain if he didn't.

Narmeen went to her room and took deep breaths. She went inside her washroom to wash her face to reduce the redness. She put on her abaya it was simple blue chiffon abaya with pearls on it.

She hurriedly wrapped her scarf around her head and grabbed her bag. Taking her remaining few hundred rupees she kept them inside her bag along with the money her father gave her. She had no plans of spending them but she thought just to have something in her bag she'll keep them, taking her phone she went outside to find them all gone.

Chor ke hi jana tha tu bolaya kion. She thought about that if they had to leave then why did they call her. She about to go inside when someone called her.

"Suno" it was a voice that made her toes curl, her grip tightened around the black leather strap of her round bag. The deep voice made her stop dead in her tracks. She turned around and faced the blued eyed man who was standing by his car with a straight face.

"Faiqa ko jaldi thi is liye woh log chale gaye hain. Tum mere aur Arsalan ke saath chal rahi ho" he said and turned around to walk to the car not even waiting for her to respond. When she didn't once Arsalan popped his head out of the passenger seat window and beckoned her to hurry.
(Faiqa was in a hurry so they left. You're coming with me and Arsalan)

Her mind was in a daze but none the less she moved forward towards the car. She settled down in the back seat with her heart beating loudly. She could feel her hands shake with the sudden Burst of adrenaline in her veins.

The ride to the market was longer than usual since there was a rush on the roads of Karachi. Chand raat was an event in it self. Last minute mehindi sessions, shopping for bangles etc. The city was beaming with lights and stalls scattered around the side walks. Tariq road was bustling with shoppers and wanderers.

Rameez couldn't stop his gaze from travelling to the back seat. He found his eyes landing on the rear view mirror more than he would like them to during the time they stopped at any signal. Feeling someone's gaze on her Narmeen shifted her eyes from the window to the rear view mirror finding a pair of sinfully beautiful blue eyes staring back at her. To her his eyes were the most enchanting type of blue which resided somewhere perfectly in the middle of cobalt blue and light blue. The shade was just painfully perfect. The intense eye contact had her cheeks warmed up. She lowered her lashes and shyly turned her face away as she felt the car moving again.

Rameez felt something. Something about her shyness, her blush and her doe eyes had his heart skipping a beat. Why? was his major question. She was just his little cousin and that's it. Nothing more nothing less.

They arrived at the salon Faiqa had went. He dropped Narmeen there and parked the car near Faris who stood outside scrolling through his phone.

"How long had she been in there?" Rameez asked as he took the cigarette out of Faris hand and took a long drag. They both shared the poison while Arsalan munched on his gum.

"Daneen and Faiqa have been for quite some time. I see Narmeen is late. Why so?" he said sitting on the drivers seat with the door opened and his legs outside.

"I don't know maybe ijazat nahi mil rahi hogi" Rameez said not bothering about anything.
(She couldn't get permission)

The men talked among themselves leaving Arsalan out which pissed him off. He never liked going anywhere with them he just came as a brother for his Narmeen api and Daneen. The other two had their own sister to look after.

The ladies came out an hour or so later. Their hands filled with henna that was applied in the most beautiful design ever. Much to Narmeen's horror Faiqa had already paid for the girls making it close to impossible for her to refuse.

The dark mehindi looked beautiful against her brown skin. It was a beautiful intricate mandala that covered most of the back of her hand. The design was simple yet alluring.

After that they sat in their asigned cars but this time Narmeen went with Faris. Rameez couldn't put a finger to that nagging feeling in his chest, he somehow expected her to go with him but why he didn't know. His senses had burned when Faris opened the door for her and gathered her abaya in the car. He wanted her to smile at him the way she smiled at Arsalan and Faris, he ignored the nagging feeling and drove Daneen and Faiqa to where ever they wanted to go, like always Arsalan abandoned his sister because these two would start world war III if left alone so Narmeen dragged him with her not like Daneen complained she was more than happy.

They reached the main market but since it was very crowded they had to park a little away. They all walked together on the main streets of Tariq road. Faiqa dragged faris with herself since he always gave her suggestions on what suited her best Rameez was just there for show he was of no use he didn't know a thing.

Daneen as always went with her favourite brother Faris. They both shared a sibling like bond so like Arsalan her favourite was Faris.

"Tu Narmeen api batain aap kia lena pasand Karen gi. Churian ya makeup? Makeup ki tu aapko zaroorat nahi tu phir batain me shopping karwaon ga" Arsalan said walking backwards. So basically it was Arsalan in the front Narmeen in the middle and Rameez behind her. He looked at him amused as to where he would get the money to buy her anything but he chose to ignore him and watch where he was going.
(So Narmeen api tell me what do you want to buy. Bangles or makeup? You don't need makeup so tell me I'll pay for you)

"Aap shopping karwaen ge mujhe?" She asked him raising her eyebrows with a hint of a smile on her face. Though he was twelve years younger than her he still acted as if he was a fully grown man. She really sometimes wished he was her real brother instead of Moiz he was just a brother by name he never acted like one.
(You're going to pay for everything?)

"Haan tu baba ne paise diye the ke kuch lena ho tu lelena mujhe tu kuch lena nahi hai Daneen ke pass aone buhat paise hain socha aap pe kharch kardete hain after all I love soo much" he said looping an arm around her shoulder. He really loved her like a sister. He was her best friend. Though he was only eleven years old he still managed to bring a smile on her face when she would have an insult session with her mother. He hated that woman's guts but for his apis  sake he never said anything and just to piss nausheen more he would always bring something for Narmeen or randomly hug her and then enjoy the red faced woman's expressions.
(Yes.. Soo baba gave me the money to buy anything I wanted but I don't and  Daneen has her own money so I thought I'd pay for your shopping)

Rameez felt like ripping this boys arms away from her shoulder but he controlled that urge instead just quickly walked from in between then indirectly pulling them apart but to his dismay after he walked away Arsalan placed his hand against her shoulder again.

The little brush of shoulders had Narmeen's heart bursting into tiny butterflies that flew their way down to her stomach making her fell fuzy.

They arrived at a shop that had different types of bangles ranging from simple glass bangles to the ones with glitter, velvet bangles, metallic bangles. There was vast variety of things that attracted girls towards it.

Narmeen's eyes fell on the beautiful set of peach bangles paired with kundan bangles. It looked so royal and beautiful she couldn't move her eyes away from it.

"Yeh kitne ki hain?" She asked the price for it but the shopkeepers answer made her put it back.

"3500" the price almost had her chocking on her saliva.

"Itni mehingi?" She asked shocked. Never in her life she thought that bangles would be this expensive
(This expensive)

"Chand raat hai chalen aapke liye 3000" the shopkeeper said eyeing her up and down with a glint in his eyes that Narmeen chose to ignore. (Its the night before eid so just for you I'll give these to you for 3000)

"Rehne do bhai 3000 sirf churion ke" she said halfheartedly placing the bangles down and walking away from the counter. She didn't want to spend that much in just one go.
(Leave it brother 3000 just for bangles)

"Paise nahi hain tu me dila deta ho" Rameez said seeing the frown on her face. This single sentence shocked Narmeen and him both. He didn't mean to say it outloud but unlike Narmeen he masked his shock quickly.
(If you don't have the money then I'll buy them for you)

"N... Nahi I.. Is ki koi zaroorat nahi. Me tu sirf pooch rahi thi. M.. Mujhe nahi chahiye" she stuttered. Her voice refused to leave her throat. Her eyes refused to look up at him, while her cheeks refused to go back to their neutral tan tone. Her cheeks were looked like red apples, enticing and inviting. She walked away leaving him behind.
(N... No... T...there's no need for that. In was just asking. I... I don't want them)

Soon the shopping was done they all were set to go home. Narmeen bought a few makeup items such as a lipstick, she needed a new eyeliner from the money she had left behind she didn't even touch the money her parents gave. The jewellery section was as if on fire. She really wanted those bangles but she didn't have that much money neither did she want to spend the money her parents gave her, it was almost haram for she, she had declared it, who would want to use it after getting insulted like a beggar.

Everyone went home. Rameez silently followed behind their car. He was alone this time. Daneen was passed out on the passenger seat so he was alone.

I was almost 1am when they returned after having snacks in replacement for dinner. Faiqa and Narmeen has a gol gappa/pani puri challenge and Narmeen won. Their hands were dried so it was not much of a hustle.

************************************

Narmeen was about to retire to bed when her door was knocked. Thinking of who could've been up this late she took her dupatta and spread it on her shoulders. She opened the door but found no one. She eyed the hallway to see someone but a box on the floor caught her attention. She picked it up and opened it find the same set of bangles in it. The box was golden with an Eid Mubarak card tucked in the ribbon.

She looked in the direction of Rameez's room. Her heart beat accelerated thinking that he had gotten it for her. A grand smile spread on her face seeing it. The smile lit up her whole face but soon died don thinking of what her Ammi had said earlier. She has to return these back to him no matter what he does to then after wards she just couldn't keep them.

She made her way to his room. Her steps trembled, as her hands shook as she raised her hand to knock on the door. She almost walked away but decided to give these back to him. The hallway was dark like always. It was the system of this haveli at 2am precise all hallway lights would automatically shut down with a loud thud type of sound to inform the residing people that the system is shutting down.

The large windows cascaded the moonlight in the hallway enough for Narmeen to make her way around. She finally knocked on his door softly not to make a loud sound. She looked here and there to see if someone was out roaming and in her inspection she almost knocked on Rameez's chest since she didn't realize the door had opened.

"Kuch kaam tha tumhe?" His voice startled her making her jump in surprise. She looked at him with wide eyes and then at her hand that still raised.
(You want something?)

"Uhhh... Woh..." She couldn't form a sentence instead she looked down.
(Uhhh.. I..)

"I don't have all night" he said rudely.

"uh... Yeh aap rakh kar gaye the?" She asked looking down. She didn't have the courage to look up in his hypnotizing blue orbs.
(Uh... Did you leave these?)

"Haan tumhe achi lagi thi tu mene le di is me konsi bari baat hai?" He said crossing his arms across his chest making his muscles more prominent in his half sleeve t shirt he sported.
(Yes you liked then I got them for you no big deal)

His open confession had her heart doing stuff it shouldn't be. Her unwanted thoughts and feelings had made an appearance once again. In that moment she just wanted to hug him senseless but she refrained herself from doing so. She wanted to squeal and jump and celebrate but she knew he only brought it for her because he thought of her as his younger sister. The fact was not left hidden from his side, he would mention it again and again and again making her heart bleed but what can she do that's what cones your way for having a crush on your elder cousin.

"Me yeh nahi le sakti. Aap yeh wapis lelen please" she said for warding the box to him. He just kept on staring at her. His heated gaze made her feel lightheaded and dizzy.
(I can't take these. You have to take them back)

"Me yeh wapis nahi longa." He said with finality lacing his voice. He looked at her, he looked the way she tucked a strand behind her ear her fingers grazing her pink cheeks. His fingers itched to feel the warmth that must've spread on her cheeks but he held his illogical and unacceptable desires to himself. She was just like his little sister and that why he bought the bangles for her. That's it.
(I won't take these back)

"Lekin Rameez-" he shut the door at her face as she raised her hand to argue further. His name escaping her lips made his heart skip several beats at once, he ignored it and moved to the couch to complete his work when he heard shuffling from outside.
(But Rameez-)

"Ammi mujhe maar daalne gi. Rameez. Aapko pasand karke pehle hi unse unkahi dushmani mol le chuki ho me" she mumbled almost inaudibly staring at the closed door.
(My mom would kill me. Rameez. By liking you I've already declared war against her)

Narmeen left his door step and made her way to her room with the box still in her grasp. She decided to call it a night since a bug day awaited her tomorrow........

Haye re tera naseeb Hayat ke mehboob ko khabar hi nahi dil ki.

Zara yeh tu maloom kar torne ko aur kitne tukre baaqi hain.

(Oh your luck hayat the lover dienst have any idea of your heart

Atleast find out how many pieces are left to be broken)

^^ yeh thori si sasti(lame) shayari(poetry) by yours truly😂 if its cringy then tell I won't add such things in the upcoming chapters.

Assalamualikum guys how are you all doing?

Here is the first look of Narmeen and Rameez. I hope it was upto your expectations. I've been writing it since yesterday and now its completed.

Also the 'hayat' in the shayr(poetry) is my pen name or what you call a takhallus. Idk I just wanted to add a pen name to my shayrs.

If you find it cringy or AJEEB then let me know I won't add it again.

Thanks Norrulain123 and Nyctophile_03 for tagging me in the 30 days writing challenge. I'll see if I'm ready for that commitment or not but thanks for tagging me guys😁❤

Just wanted to quickly mention the aesthetic college is from Instagram. The page is called rozkayy. No I don't know her, neither did she tell me to, but I wanted to give out credit since she had just started her page so if you want you can go follow her. Most of the pictures I have  upload are from Instagram so I don't own any of them. Just a friendly disclaimer. 😂😂 mene kaha content chory karne ka ilzaam lag jaye us pehle bata don.

So back to the chapter. So this eud might not be the same as always so I just like you know wanted to add it here. Narmeen's eid dress will be revealed in the next chapter.

Comment how was it? Was it upto your expectations? Did I do justice to the beginning? This story was literally unplanned but since some blackmailer like to use their skills I started so whatever I will present that would be straight up unedited and pure😁❤❤

I'll wait for your comments. They just make my day aw whole lot better. 😘😘 until next time

Allah Hafiz

Love
Hafsa_tahir