33. The Inaugural
Author's POV:
"Good morning, everyone. I am Priya, manager at ARAYNA, and also Miss Neha Ali's P.A . Thanks for attending the inauguration of the ARAYNA fashion house. Let me give you all a quick tour of this fashion house." Priya greeted the guests, who included a few media representatives and influencers, and gave them a tour of the boutique.
There were two main events planned for the Inauguration:
In the first event, a few social media celebrities and paparazzi were invited to the boutique to showcase the theme and designs that aligned with the store. There were also some light-hearted activities and a virtual presentation of some mockup designs that Neha had created, and it was followed by lunch at the end. However, in the evening, a banquet hall was used to host a dinner party that included invitations to a few celebrities as well as the ARAYNA team and other few stakeholders involved.
Following the boutique tour, everyone is led to the meeting room, where the chairs are already set up in a U shape, with the open end facing the projector, where the show-stopping outfits and mockup designs of ARAYNA are continuously displayed.
"Let us start the event right away, and allow me to introduce Miss Neha Ali, the owner and designer herself."
Neha arrived at the meeting room wearing an off-white-printed grey cotton saree, a tailored white blazer, a black belt that was tightened at the waist, and a few simple accessories, including a delicate gold ring with a diamond accent, a gold watch, thin gold bracelets, and double-pearl stud earrings that were concealed beneath an off-white cream hijab and nude stilletos with transparent strips, which enhanced the overall look.
When she walked in, she exuded sophistication, a dash of originality, and authority.
(Neha's outfit)
Taking the mic from the speaker, "Good morning, everyone. I am honoured to welcome you all for the inauguration of my new chapter, ARAYNA—my dream fashion house." She greeted each person with a commanding presence while maintaining her composure and friendliness.
"Without further delay, I am handing the mic to my Event management team to start the event", Handing the mic to Ayesha, she slid to her assigned position.
"Let us get started. We have an exciting lineup planned for you today, and we hope you enjoy every moment." Ayesha and her team started the event, handing out the agenda handouts to everyone.
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Sameer's POV:
"Taarikh pe Taarikh, Taarikh par taarikh, tarikh par tarikh, tarikh par tarikh milti rahi hai ... lekin insaaf nahi mila my lord, insaaf nahi mila ... mili hai toh sirf yeh tarikh"
(Extension of date, extension of date, date, extension of date, extension of date...... But justice was not found my lord, justice was not found... Only this date was found.)
I should get a patience award for putting up with this cheap version of Sunny Deol, who is just yelling the lines from the Damini movie's 'Taarikh pe Taarikh' since he learnt that the case hearing has been extended.
"My ears are bleeding with this dialogue. Oh Majnu (love sick), please shut up and get out of bed." I shoved Adil, who was sitting on the edge of my bed, and Oops! He fell to the ground.
"Ahh! you donkey. Why did you push me?" He yelled fiercely, making me get up from the bed.
"My bed, my wish," I said, grinning at him, and hurried out of the room before he could get up and strike me.
"Oye wait. I won't leave you." He began to chase after me, but I am Sameer; I won't give up easily, so I picked up my pace and ran in the direction of the kitchen.
"Mamma, save me from this Majnu, I mean AA.....Adil." I ran towards Mamma, who was preparing something delicious in the kitchen.
"I am tired of you guys; you are not teenagers. One of you is getting married soon, and I do not know when the other one will get married.
No one pays attention to me in this house; both father and son are only in their world of business. At least I thought my daughter-in-law would be on my team and we would spend time together cooking, shopping, and visiting spas, but this person is not at all interested......."
Here come's another: my mother's favourite topic—my marriage. She always brings it up, regardless of the circumstances. Since she learnt about Adil's marriage alliance, she has been nagging me to get married and showing me pictures of the girls.
"Yes, Aunty, you are right—it is time. I would say let Sameer marry alongside mine; the Qazi (an Islamic scholar/judge who officiates the marriage) will already be there; simply find a bride for him and have him wed there."
This Majnu has been crying since yesterday that he could not travel to Hyderabad for his would-be wife's boutique inauguration, and now he is planning my wedding teaming with my mother. It is true that nobody is my friend.
"I think it is a good idea. Do you know any girls? Let me talk with Yousuf." Mamma now totally got invested in this topic and started to discuss with Adil, and I can easily see the hidden smirk of him.
If I do not stop them right away, they will actually get me married.
"Hey, stop it. I am not getting married anytime soon, and definitely not alongside that of Adil's marriage," I yelled and left the kitchen after giving Adil one last glare.
I only realised my feelings a few months ago, and my mother and Adil are plotting to ruin my love life before it even begins.
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Saniya's POV:
" Saanu, don't tell me you are wearing this outfit!" as I was ironing the dress for the evening, Afsha di asked.
"Yes, Di, this is the dress I am wearing."
"Don't tell me you are serious about wearing this one-year-old long gown to the event."
"Di, it is not the old even and I just wore it once so it is absolutely fine," Afsha Di got irritated when I protested, but I had no choice but to wear this dress now.
I have other plans to attend this event and meet my not-to-be Bhabhi, Neha, so I am not really interested in getting dressed and groomed. I came here to talk to her and tell her to back off from the marriage. I will do everything in my power to end this alliance because I will never be able to accept her as my Bhabhi. This is the least I can do for Bhai, who has always been there for me when I needed him.
"You are not going to wear this dress, especially to this party; wear another dress." Di grabbed the dress off the iron board and began removing everything from my closet in an attempt to find the "perfect dress," as she put it.
"Di," I say, "I do not have another dress, and it is not my event, so why should I get so groomed?" Di's pregnancy hormones are really erratic, and she does not listen to other people and demands that everything be done the way she wants.
"What model are you? "You do not have any backup clothes," she said, tossing all the clothes into a pile and relaxing on the bed.
"You have seen that I do not have any other clothes, so I will wear this gown itself," stating I went back to ironing my gown.
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"Saanu, Your Chachu and I are heading out for the event, and you can accompany Afsha and Danish a little later."
"Okay Chachi, do not worry; we will come as soon as possible." Sending them off at the door, I sat on the couch in the living room.
"How's Di now?" I asked Jiju who was coming out of his room.
"She is feeling better now and got up to get ready."
Affu Di, who is in her last trimester of pregnancy, suddenly started feeling down in the afternoon, making us to even cancel our plans to attend the event. However, an hour later, Di was feeling better and asked everyone to go, with the agreement that Jiju, Di, and I would arrive late.
"Did you receive your outfit? Jiju asked while cutting the apples for Di.
"Yeah, I got it an hour ago, and the measurements fit me well, like it was made for me." I replied truthfully
"Of course it would be," Di shouted from the room, "because it was designed by Neha after all, and I sent her your measurements."
Di apparently called Neha and sent her my measurements to see if there was any chance of getting me a dress at the last minute. She even mentioned that it would be advantageous for both of us because I would get a new dress and Neha would get a model for her event.
But it was a very awkward situation to ask the event host to send them an outfit on the day of the event. I should show Neha respect in this case because she not only agreed but also sent the outfit along with one of her employees.
I would have accepted this alliance without any problems if Bhai had not fallen in love with my Neha Bhabhi; she is truly sweet, talented, considerate, and hard-working.
"Saniya, you should also get ready because it is already 7:00pm," giving a nod to Jiju, I went to get ready.
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After an hour
Di and Jiju were already in the living room when I came outside after getting ready in ARAYNA's outfit, and Jiju was feeding Di, apples.
"MashaAllah, Saniya, you look stunning in this deep blue dress, and the fit is perfect as it was made to fit your size," Di said, enthralled with me when I returned from the kitchen to get some water so as not to interrupt their moment.
I agree with Di that the dress fits perfectly, as if I had ordered it beforehand as per my exact specifications. However, I will not say this out loud because she will start praising Neha, my not to be Bhabhi.
Determined to have a talk with my not-to-be Bhabhi, I started to wear my heels to go for the Inaugaral. Hoping after this talk, she will back off from this alliance.
"Stop the car." Jiju abruptly stopped the car as Di screamed out, causing us to lurch forward.
"Afsha, what happened? Are you ok?" Jiju asked in concern, and I felt the same way.
"Do not worry, I am all right." Di chuckled awkwardly, confusing us both.
"Then, why did you ask me to pull over the car?"
"Actually, I saw the flower shop at the corner so a thought came on. Let us get Neha some flowers as good luck. What do you think?"
"Seriously, Di, you stopped us because of this." I rolled my eyes at her and turned to face Jiju, who had a very perplexed expression.
"Jiju, let us go buy some flowers because Di said she would not stop nagging at you otherwise." Agreeing, we both got out of the car to get some lovely flowers.
"Saniya, what kind of flowers would be best to give Neha?" Jiju asked, so I stepped forward and began looking at every flower type.
As I got closer to the flower stand, the scent of the fresh flowers enchanted me with its lovely floral scent. There were a variety of flowers, including roses and orchids, but none of them seemed inviting until my hand touched white lilies. As I ran my hand over their smooth, velvety petals, a delightful, intoxicating feeling of freshness blossomed.
"Let us take this, Jiju; these lilies are perfect," I said, giving the florist instructions to make a bouquet of lilies and paying the florist. We headed to the event.
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After parking, Jiju arrived and said, "Come, let us go inside."
"MashaAllah, the venue is exquisitely decorated; excellent work from Ayesha." Di was examining the venue and complimenting Jiju's cousin, who is in charge of the event's management.
"Yes, Di, it is beautifully decorated, and they have even made sure to set up adequate security." As a model who frequently attends runways and events, I can attest that today's Inaugural evet is on par with one of the luxurious events.
"Assalamualaikum Bhabhi, Aunty said you were not well. How are you feeling now? Hold on; come inside first. Everyone is there. Let me take you." A girl in a teal dress and matching hijab, who I took to be Ayesha, greeted Afsha Di near the hall's entrance and led us to the table where Chachu and Chachi were seated.
Making Di sit on one of the chairs, "You have a seat here, and let me call someone to bring refreshments." She then used her walkie-talkie to call someone to bring some refreshments.
Jiju cleared his throat and said, "I guess I am invisible now," which caused Ayesha to turn to face him.
"Ahh! How can I forget you, Bhai? But I have to put my Bhabhi and my future niece/nephew first. Otherwise, how can I be the best phuphu (paternal aunt)?" Ayesha pointed her palms to her chin while raising her lips in a playful manner.
"Oh really, it seems there is some competition going on, on my baby," Jiju mocked her back, making us all laugh at their ridiculous antics.
"Oh, you must be Saniya right; nice to meet you," Ayesha said as she turned to face me. I could see she was examining every inch of me as though she were grasping something.
Greeting her back, I sat next to Chachi, ignoring her eye-catching glares.
As Jiju asked Ayesha, "By the way, where is Neha? I have not seen her?" She stopped eyeing me and turned towards Jiju.
Let me check, Bhai. She has been here till now. Ahh! there she is talking with those persons", Ayesha was about to turn but retreated and pointed towards her left. A woman in a maroon saree was speaking with some colleagues back facing us.
"Give me a minute, and I will call her over here." Ayesha went towards the woman.
Putting a hand on Neha's shoulder as Ayesha called her, she turned slightly towards us, causing me to freeze and open my mouth widely in shock.
Both Bhai's prospective wife and his love are the same person.
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Bonus part from the Author:
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Finally, Saniya met her to be Bhabhi or as she said not to be Bhabhi.
What do you think guys - Will the alliance be broken or will both Adil and Neha get married?
And why do you think Ayesha was eyeing Saniya...Any ideas🤔
How was the chapter?
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