"Khadija beti uth jao," (Khadija wake up,)

"Five more minutes," I mumbled into my pillow covering my body with the soft comforter.

"Khadija beta get up it's time for namaz!"

"Mhmm.."

"Let's call Wali, shall we?" I heard her say to someone and then heard a chuckle which made me groan.

First separate us and tease all you want.

Pushing the comforter away I pushed my body up and sat. Khala (maternal aunt) was sitting beside me while Kinza was standing near the edge of the bed with a smirk on her face. I stick my tongue out at her making her laugh and hugged khala hiding my face in her arms.

"I wanna sleep more," I whined like a child, my body was still feeling sore and I still had a headache.

"Jaani you can sleep later, let's pray namaz first? And it would be time for iftaar soon." she patted my arms kissing my forehead.

"And beside don't you wanna talk to Wali bhai? He may or may not have called." she shrugged her smirk still apparent.

"He called didn't he?" I exclaimed excitedly and then bit my tongue when Kinza and khala both laughed and I knew I have been tricked, again. Frowning I picked up my dupatta and jumped out of the bed. I was staying at Rafia's old room which holds memory of my childhood visits too.

"Stop teasing her!" Khala scolded Kinza who was still shaking from her laughter.

Pushing the attached bathroom's door I entered and locked the door behind me, how could it be possible to miss someone so much? I am turning into a wreck! Opening the tap I brought my hands under it but quickly removed away with a yelp,the water was burning hot. I stood there for good few minutes for the water temperature to get adjusted, splashing the water on my face I exhaled and looked at my reflection in the mirror, exhaustion was clear on my face and my eyes were showcasing annoyance of Allah knows what reason. It was totally irrational of me to be so irritated like I am but I can't help myself and feel alone even when I am among my loved ones. After getting married to Wali there hadn't been a night that I had spend without him and the nights I did due to his treatment they had been nothing but full of nightmares. Sighing I performed wuzu and reciting shahdah I walked out of the room to find Kinza sprawled on the bed laughing at something at her phone.

"What's so hilarious?"

"What?" she looked up at me and I shook my head.

Spreading the prayer mat I offered my namaz and then sat on the same place to complete the quran. I was almost done when the room to the door opened again with a bang and Rafia entered the room with some of our other cousins behind her carrying her bags.

"Ya Allah AC!" She jumped like a kid before throwing herself on the bed.

"She acts like she had never seen one."

"Grow up would ya?"

"Where is Ahyo?"

We all made our statements and she dismissively waved her hand at us, "There is something like salam!" she huffed.

"Well Asalam O Alikum, where is Ahyan?" I said getting up from the floor and walking towards the bed.

"Downstairs with Yahya and I want to sleep. I haven't good proper sleep since we have landed. Ahyan was up the whole night, he had been crying and Yahya slept like a baby. I am tired!" she cried closing her eyes again.

"You both are so dramatic!" Laraib rolled her eyes at us, "She just came and instead of sitting with us, is sleeping and Khadija aapi slept the whole day and is mopping around now." she rumbled sitting on the couch.

"Well I am mother of a two months old kid who hadn't let me sleep and every limb of my body is hurting and why are you being like your cat died?" she looked at me and I ignored her while combing my hair before going downstairs. "Oh my god! Your husband is no better believe me! Wali bhai had snapped on Yahya multiple times, he woke up at noon and went back to bed just before we were coming and he is practically ignoring everyone"

"Why?" Laraib asked now interested in the conversation but I didn't want to stay there a bit longer so I made my way out.

"Because he is missing aapi, duh!" I heard Kinza saying in a teasing tone but instead of replying I had a stupid smile on my face with which I descended the stairs.

The time went by pretty quickly with sitting together listening to everyone, iftaar was quite fun while being with everyone here and by the time the clock stroked 10, the house was buzzing with profound energy. As tomorrow is Eid so all of us were busy in work one way or another. Rafia left half an hour ago and now the rest of us were setting up our dresses and all the things for morning because Wali and the rest of the family would be having lunch with us tomorrow and for khala it wasn't only the in-laws of her one daughter but two, that's what khalu had been teasing her about the way she is ordering every person around and rushing from one place to another. She is adamant on ordering food and making around twenty dishes herself and no matter what I say, she just made me quiet by saying, 'When you'll be hosting a lunch for YOUR daughters' in-law then I'll ask you.'

It was after two in the morning when I went to bed, I was now feeling guilty on not trying to call Wali though he called just after iftaar but being stuck with family I had to quickly excused from the call, so now getting in bed finally, I covered my body with the comforter and dialed his number and unexpectedly he picked up the call after the third ring.

"Asalam O Alikum," I heard his rough voice and sighed, closing my eyes I rested my head on the headboard.

"Walikum as Salam," I whispered back.

"Farigh hogayi?" (You are free?)

"Mhmm," I smiled at his sarcastic tone.

"You seem tired," suddenly his tone changed to a worrying one.

"I am actually! just got back to bed. Khala had us running around the house, cleaning, cooking, arranging and repeat."

"Why?" he asked worriedly and I am sure if he was laying he must have sit or if he was sitting he was now walking around.

"Because you all would be coming tomorrow--"

"So? What's the big deal?"

"You'll know when you'll become parents of girls! Her words not mine." I said and then realized what I did, so quickly sat back waiting for him to catch on it and make me regret it. I sighed inwardly.

"When you become parents of a girl, huh?" I knew he was smirking.

"Yeah anyways! Did you buy the kurta? You haven't showed me." I quickly tried to change the subject.

"Nice try well you can see it tomorrow!" He teasingly replied and I rolled my eyes.

"You are hiding it like you are the bride and it's your wedding dress." I laughed.

"What if it is? And what if I am bringing you with me tomorrow?"

"Don't try something like that!"

"Oh are you daring me?"

"Wali!"

"Khadija?"

And the night proceeded while I was denying all his plans to make me run off with him.

***

Sacrificing your sleep the night before big events can never be a good idea. So now when I am in front of the mirror applying concealer under my eyes after having just an hour of sleep I look nothing less than a zombie. I sighed when satisfied with the covering up of the dark circles, I picked up the kohl. After another half an hour of picking cosmetics and deciding on what will make me look more human than a sleep deprived monster I was done with my make up. On the other corner of the room Kinza was straightening her hair, the men haven't got back from the masjid so we still have time to get ready. Picking up my dress from the couch I walked inside the washroom.

I was dressed in a silk blue shirt with small designs embroidered on it along with the borders, the coat was of chiffon and heavily embroidered. It was paired with the blue color pants. The dress was a gift from khala and it was perfect for Eid, so here I was now dressed in it while adjusting my hijab after placing my last pin I stood in front of Kinza to get her response and when she finally beamed I picked up my dupatta and walked out of the room, my glass bangles were jingling and I was not wearing any other extra jewelry except the set which was given by Wali on our nikkah. While my right hand had the gold bangles given to me by my mother. I was spending Eid in Pakistan after quite a long time so every little thing was exciting and what seem like eternities I was dressed in a way that it felt like Eid.

After meeting khala and Laraib and welcoming khalu and Jibran we all had the traditional breakfast which khala made and then the rest of us sat in the living room while sipping on our tea and coffee.

"So all of you better get everything ready we have mayon just day after tomorrow," khalu reminded us for the umpteenth time.

"Jee baba everything is already done! And the people will be here tomorrow for decoration and the mayon decoration will happen on the day!" Jibran said keeping his cup aside and taking out his cell phone.

"Khalu what's the need of special decoration! Please just let everything be simple!" I pleaded looking at khala for help but it was her who replied.

"Did we ask? We are having the decorations! It's the big day Khadija and you better agree to all what I am saying. If aapi would be here..." her voice broke down.

"Khala!" I got up to sit beside her, "I have a mother like you and I know mama would be really happy up there."

"She was the actual mother for us after amma died! And now when I have the opportunity to celebrate events of her daughter's life, I am not letting that go!" She wiped her tears and kissed my forehead.

We stayed like there for a while before khala stood up and rushed back to kitchen to finalize everything and soon we all were gathered in the lawn to welcome everyone. The ladies were taking the living room while the men were all filling up the drawing room. So when we were all in the living room I took my place beside mama and and after assuring her that I am fine and I can stay till the walima and promised that I'll also convince Wali to go with the plan we all were involved in conversation, which went from the extreme conditions of the weather to the wedding preparations, to booking my appointment in the salon.

After an hour Rafia decided that we all let elders take the drawing room where they will enjoy their tea while the rest of us would take the living room and decide some outings after the walima and soon the plan was messaged to Yahya who came out dressed in traditional salwar kameez like all others and with his jokes he convinced khala to move inside with mama and everyone else while all the boys came out. Wali was the last one to walk out dressed in rustic color kameez with white shalwar he made me gape at him more than usual, he was walking out with Khadija beside him listening to her intently and I was stupidly smiling at the pair.

"Ahem," I turned to Rumaisa who was smirking and I felt heat rising through my cheeks, "Take picture it last longer."She said drinking the coke.

"Don't you think that I have done that a lot?" I raised my eye brow and she broke in to the fits of laughter.

"Chaaacheee." I was surprised by the sudden embrace of Khadija who was hugging my legs.

"Chachi ki jaan!" I bent down to kiss her cheeks and hug her properly. "who taught you chachi though?"

"Wi!" she proudly looked at Wali who was standing behind her, his arms folded on his chest and a fond smile on his face.

I mouthed my salam and he replied. Taking Khadija's hand I walked towards him.

"Eid Mubarak."

"Eid Mubarak to you too."

"Wali bhai and Khadija aapi come here and sit with us now." The two of us turned to look at the army of both our cousins and we knew that today we aren't getting rest while are cheeks would be burning red and stomach would be hurting with laughter, and I was so ready for it.

"The last time you and I were gathered with these people was an year ago and you were visually killing me. Oh! how the time changes!"

"Aren't you lucky?" I smirked back on his remark which reminded me of Rafia and Yahya's walima.

Oh it seems like forever ago!

"I definitely am, ma'am!"

****

A.O.A

How are y'all?

Well I know the chapter wasn't so good because I was really struggling with this one and I was stuck in the worst writer's block... So I am not really happy with it but nevertheless it's here! Well a special thanks to silent_ninja_tfios for being my girl and making me work on this! Love ya babe! <3

Now signing off but please share your feedback with me, comment and vote you amazing peeps!

Till the next time...

TC,

Zehra :)