Mayoon

"Yaar where is that basket of glass bangles?"

"Did someone see the bowl of ubtan?"

"Yaar the dhol isn't here yet!"

"Where is the CD of songs I bought yesterday?"

"The decorator is asking for the basket of flowers!"

"Someone handle the kids! Please!"

"Has anyone seen Khadija if she's ready?"

The house was buzzing with energy, my every single cousin was busy one way or another, the house was being decorated with yellow and orange marigolds, from the walls to the stairs railing to the doors, there was faint smell of roses too. Many memories of my past were coming crashing back to me but I knew this was all different, this was better and I was happy about it.

I was currently sitting in khala and khalu's bedroom dressed in yellow color cotton anarkali dress with choridar, the shirt had silver pleats, the sleeves, borders and top had beautiful gota embroidery. The light pink color dupatta was covering my head with same gota embroidery on all its four borders. My hair were tied into side braid and decorated with flowers while I was wearing other flower jewelries too.

Getting up from the couch I went to sit on bed where Ahyan was peacefully sleeping while wearing a white color shalwar kameez, looking extremely adorable, his head was now covered with small hair after being bald for almost two months. Bending I kissed on his forehead when my cell phone buzzed, with a message from Abeer. Opening it I let out a light chuckle but quickly bit my tongue when Ahyan squirmed, patting his chest lightly I covered hi body with his light blue color blanket I got up to sit back on the couch, sitting back properly I opened the pictures again and found myself smiling, she had send me pictures of Wali, he was sitting in middle with phuppo, mama and every other aunts of the family surrounding him, dressed only in his old tank top and shalwar, his hands were covered with ubtan while all the boys were standing behind him laughing at something, Yahya was whispering something in his ear while he himself had a huge grin on his face. The next picture was him sitting in the same position but now all the men and boys were surrounding him. The next one was a group picture and the last one was a selfie or groupie as these people call it.

"What are you smiling at?" I looked up at Rafia who just entered the room with a plate of food. Dressed in the dress she wore at her mayoon she was looking beautiful, the surprise was she loose her weight to fit in it.

"Abeer send me some pictures." I grinned while she shook her head at me with an amused smile.

"Yahya had been updating me too!" She said placing the plate on the coffee table in front of me and my stomach growled at the sight of biryani and coke. "I'll send all the pictures to them too! I'll show them our side always has the best mayoon!" She grinned.

"Ubtan fight?" I asked with a sigh.

"Colors too!" She smirked.

"Please don't create such a mess, Rafi!"

"No one's asking you! Now eat it. We'll be calling you out soon. They are doing the seating arrangement." With that she walked towards Ahyan to check him and then went out.

By the time I was done eating Rafia and Laraib were back inside to get me out, quickly cleaning my face and drinking water, Rafia made me apply the lipstick and then she picked Ahyan who was now awake and together we all walked out, the lounge was completely transformed for the mayoon event to be held, all the sofa and tables were moved away, the floor was covered with white sheets, there were plane but different colored mats from dark blue to bright pink were spread, cushions were placed all around them, the large wooden swing was decorated with flowers and bright pink dupatta, and was placed in front of the mats where everyone was already seated, all my aunts and cousins. There was a coffee table placed in front of the swing which had bowls filled with ubtan and decorated with rose petals.

Taking slow steps I finally reached where I was supposed to sit, khala jani stood up and joined us, kissing my head she blew duas over me and the ceremony started. Turn by turn all my aunt and married cousins came, applying the ubtan on my hands and face and showering me with their blessings, all along I had a smile on my face, I was missing both my parents greatly, I wish they would be here finally seeing me happy, genuinely happy. I was not letting any memory of my past take ever my senses anymore. My heart was filled with gratitude and I was continuously whispering duas for His blessing on both Wali and I and our families.

Later in the day when the ceremony was at its end I decided to get back to my room and take some rest before the shenanigans could begin and also because of the lack of sleep the night before. Rafia was busy cleaning up Ahyan while others were cleaning the lounge, as much as I wanted to be a part of all the fun my aching back and heavy eyelids weren't allowing me and on top of it tomorrow we have to go at mama and baba's house for mehendi.

Walking towards the downstairs washroom I decided to clean the dried ubtan before going back to my room and changing, I was passing the guest room when I heard couple of voices from inside, it was Rafia's aunt and someone else.

"I don't know what the point of all this drama is?"

"Exactly! It's not like she is marrying for the first time,"

"Believe me! I know that it must be her fault with the divorce! Adnan was such a nice young man. I wish my Hira would have agreed to the marriage."

"Haye! Khadija had always been too independent not every man like these type of girls, it's solely on a woman either to build a house or ruin it! I heard this new boy already knew her through her university!"

"What? Then it must be..."

I was stoned to my place silently listening to the accusation, continuously clenching my fist; my heart was drumming inside my chest, I couldn't believe what I was listening.

Was it solely on me to build a life with him?

Till how long was I supposed to love someone who took me as nothing but a burden?

And when they got nothing they tore up my character. Is that what it's like to start your life again?

I was trying to calm my erratic heart beats while taking deep breathe when I heard Laraib calling me from behind, on her voice they stopped talking and before they could come out I turned and after making up some excuses to Laraib I rushed up stairs.

Once getting in the room I furiously removed the flower bangles and other glass bangles from my hand.

"It's my mistake entirely!" I heard myself saying.

I was pacing in the room while hot tears were burning my eyes.

"They are right I am too independent! I should live on the mercy of my husband!" A part of me was scowling on my own self defending that Wali doesn't think this way.

"What if he doesn't think like this now? He will! He soon will! He is a man after all!" I wanted to call him, I knew my anger would subside once I'll listen his voice but I did otherwise removing all my jewelry I went inside the bathroom and closed the door behind me.

Splashing the cold water on my face I exhaled and looked my reflection in the mirror, my eyes were red and the face which had been smiling lately was frowning back at me. Quickly cleaning up my face and ubtan, I decided on a quick shower. I had yet to pray isha.

An hour later when I was dressed in my old lawn kameez shalwar and had already prayed isha my mind had cool down a bit, so picking my cell phone from the dressing table I went to bed, getting under the covers I adjusted the temperature on the air conditioner and turned on my phone, the appearance of the ayah on the lock screen made me smile, It was set by Wali on both our cell phones, suddenly I was feeling much more better.

"And He found you lost and guided you." (93:7)

Putting my phone aside I closed my eyes and found myself comparing my past with my present and almost laughed at my stupidity of letting someone else's word cloud my thoughts, I felt guilty on comparing Wali with Adnan and ungrateful to Allah who had filled my life with happiness again.

My thoughts were interrupted by the vibration of my phone and with surety that it would be Wali I was surprised when I found an all too familiar number on my screen, but the reason behind my amusement was it had always been me dialing the caller rather than receiving one.

What if something is wrong?

"Asalam O Alimum," I picked up the call and met the same British accent I didn't know I was missing.

"Walikum as Salam, Dee?" I heard her worried reply.

"Zeenie is everything okay?" I quickly sat up and whispered some duas.

"Yes everything unless we are discussing Aunt Rukhsana because that would be just ironic!" I winced because I could clearly imagine the chaos.

"Oh! I got worried when I saw your name. Nauzubillah I thought something was wrong!"

"Now that is an offense I mean I call you like every...every...every month!" I heard her defeated sigh and smirked.

"Really? You know there is a special for liars in hell! The last time I heard from you was when some psycho was stalking you!" She winced at my reply.

"Okay you got me! But the reason I called you was... YOU GOT A KID AND I HAVEN'T EVEN HEARD ABOUT IT!" I choked and sat back.

"Wait! What kid?"

"The one with Wali bhai in your profiel!"

"That? Oh Allah! That's Ahyan, Rafia's son. Do you remember her?"

"Oh acha! Though I don't know who Rafia is! You have like tons of cousins!"

"You being one of them," I teased "Acha do you remember Asifa?" I smirked at my question.

"Okay that would be enough I clearly know who Asifa is!" I laughed at her raised voice.

"Any ways..." Suddenly silence took over us and my mind drifted back to the earlier incident.

"Is everything okay, Dija?" I heard her concerned voice again and a weakly smiled.

"Y..Yeah!" I gulped the lump, Zeeniya had been one of those people who have been their in my darkest days and cheered me up on my every success. She is one of the most reserved person but she is the sister I never had though Rafia was equally important but after Aunt Amal passed away Zeeniya and I formed a bond.

"Liar, liar pants on fire!" She chanted and I smiled at her sudden childish attitude, "Dee?" She whispered again.

I wanted to tell her but it would only make her restless so I quickly decided to change the topic.

"It's nothing Zeen! Khair tell me how's the wedding preparation coming up? How's Omar feeling and yeah ask Dani to send me all the pictures!"

"Sure boss!" She let the topic go and I mentally thanked Allah.

"Now tell me, how are you?" I adjusted myself back under the cover knowing that it's going to be a long call, the one I was in dire need of.

-----

Mehendi

There was a chaos at our house right now and every other minute Rafia was running in and out of the room I was getting ready in, a professional stylist was called in the late afternoon to help me get ready while a henna artist was brought by the crack of dawn, literally. My hands were decorated with the most beautiful and latest design of mehendi and right now the stylist was tucking my hair strands into a braid, leaving few strands in loose curls around my face.

I was dressed in a green color lehnga which was heavily embroidered and an orange chiffon duppata which also has light embroidery over it was draped on my right shoulder while it was pinned so that it would stay in the place, a purple color dupatta with similar embroidery all across it was used to cover my head and was pinned on my back.

The dress was brought by my mama, phuppo and Rumaisa a day before yesterday. The dress of walima was carefully placed in the closet along with the jewelry set and now I was dressed to head for the first official event. After hours of sitting patiently I was finally ready.

"Done!" Shumaila, the stylist beamed and took a step back. "Masha Allah!" she grinned at her work and moved her hands forward to give me a support with the heavy lehnga and high heels.

I turned to look at my reflection and an involuntary smile made it way to my face. I nervously bit my lower lip, my lips were colored with light peach lipstick, my eyelids were covered with brown and golden shade and the mascara was making my small eyes more prominent while the blusher was making my cheek bones more prominent.

"Shu-" we both turned to Rafia who was stopped at the door with her mouth wide open, she herself was dressed in orange and pink lehnga, her hair styled in a side braid and she did her own makeup looking extremely beautiful.

"So?" Shumaila asked her examining her looks.

"She looks haseen (beautiful)" Rafia whispered, her eyes were filling with tears and I sighed, gathering my dress in my hands I walked towards her, who had her mouth covered with her hands.

"You don't wanna ruin your art work by crying, you know!" I whispered taking her hands in mine.

"I am not crying it's just these stupid hormones!" she waved her hands and fanned herself while I smiled and soon we both had our arms wrapped around each other.

"I am so happy for you! Happier than I could ever be," I heard her whisper in my ears and I nodded. "Acha bus! Emotional kerdia!" (Okay enough! You made me emotional!) She laughed and step back, "It's time to leave," we both looked at each other and nodded.

The drive to the Ahmed's residence was short but exciting, I was accompanied by the girls while Jibran was our driver for the night, our car was decorated according to the mehendi event and despite my argument the traditional wedding songs were being played, we were being followed by multiple cars of our family members.

The closer we were getting the more excited I was getting; I was continuously fiddling with my mother's ring which I have been wearing after her death.

"Whoa!" I looked up on the amused voice of Jibran and looked up to see what he was amused by and surely my eyes went wide, the entire mansion we beautifully decorated with string lights.

"It definitely looks like Ahmed's wedding!" I heard Laraib's excited voice from beside me.

"It is an Ahmed wedding!" Rafia said as a matter-of-fact from the passenger seat.

Their bickering was interrupted by the knock on the window and we all turned to find entire Ahmed clan standing there with a wide grin while Sabih opened the door for us. Following Kinza I stepped out while Kinza and Rafia both were by my side, the excitement was filled in the atmosphere, laughter and welcoming words could be heard. Soon Jibran, Bilal, Jasim and Yahya were on my side carrying a red dupatta over my head while Rafia and Kinza were on my both side.

"Welcome bhabi," I looked up to find Abeer and Javeria standing in front of me with wide grins, after exchanging our greetings, my side of family was led inside while his side was standing on both our side showering flower petals. The entrance was beautifully decorated with lights, flowers, a carpet was spread and candles where kept on the side.

I looked up again when I heard a gasp from my right only to find that we were now in their lawn and stunning wouldn't even begin to describe the look, the entire area was decorated with vibrant colors for a perfect mehendi event.

I finally spotted Wali dressed in white kameez shalwar, meeting Abdullah chachu with a smile on his face before I could look away he turned and our eyes met and the smile he had turned into a grin and I couldn't help and hide my own smile. He was looking at me with amusement and before we both could be disturbed he mouthed praise at me making my cheeks turn completely red with his intense look.

Our silent exchange was shortly interrupted by all the ladies surrounding me and I was quickly led inside, though the ceremony will take place in the lawn but for the photo-shoot and for all the ladies the sitting arrangement was done inside the house, as I entered the lounge I heard all my cousins praising the decor and how traditionally a set up was done for me to sit.

The evening was proceeding with everyone enjoying themselves at their fullest, with a lot of pictures taken, a lot of playful banters and games, the traditional songs were continuously being played and all the guests were being served with drinks and refreshments before the actual dinner. So when almost all the guests had arrived I was call outside for all the rituals to take place.

Led by all my cousins I was brought into the lawn where Wali and I were supposed to sit, taking my place beside him with bolster pillows with maroon covers and golden embroidery separating the two of us. After the greetings and after Wali and I accepting all the wishes we both were surrounded by all our aunts and the main part of the ceremony started, one by one they all came and after feeding us all the gulab jamuns and applying a bit mehendi on the betel leaf which was placed on both our hands they start taking their places, after Haleema chachi and my youngest mami, the two of us were literally tired and agreed on not having any dessert for next couple months and obviously we were lying because being crazy about kulfi which was one of the deserts of the night we knew we'll be the first one to ask for it.

"When will I have you alone?" I heard Wali whispered and turned to see him smiling at phupo pretending to be listening to her but I knew him better.

"Not today I am sure," I whispered back with a smirk.

"Oh Mrs. Ahmed just wait." He was grinning now and I shook my head.

Before I could reply Sabih took all our attention as he took the microphone in his hands and came to stand in center.

"Hello, hello mic testing! Oh I have an amazing voice!" He captured all the attention and now all of us were looking at him.

"The thing which is happening next I promise you I tried to stop but they weren't listening and--"

But Wali was soon interrupted by Sabih again, "So as you all know we are all here, gathered to celebrate the mehendi of my most annoying brother and the favorite bhabi--"

"HEY!" Rafia and Rumaisa both shouted from the opposite side and everyone erupted into fits of laughter.

"So the newest bhabi? But Khadija bhabi you are my favorite let them yell!" He grinned widely and winked on which Wali showed him his fist, "You can keep that punch away, Waloo! I said "Bhabi", ANYWAYS... Coming back to the event, we have all the rasm done and before we all can enjoy dinner, which is I must tell you is mouth watering! I mean those kachoris and that seekh kabab!--"

"He won't shut up!" The mic was taken away from him by Jibran, "So what he wanted to say all along was all the boys present here had actually prepared a little performance for our dear sister and brother-in-law! We know Wali bhai, you and aapi opposed the idea of music and dance but it's just us guys presenting a little mehendi gift for you both!" He completed with a smile and then passed the mic back to Sabih, "Here, that's how you say it!"

"Buzz-kill!"

"What are we? Two?" Jibran snickered.

"BUZZ-KILL!" Sabih shrugged and then called for the music.

An a minute later all the lights dimmed and disco lights were turned on, the music was played and all the boys which were ten in total came in center.

"To Wali," Sabih yelled, "For our Dija!" Jibran called out and then they started.

------

A.O.A

First of all A VERY HAPPY EID TO ALL THOSE WHO CELEBRATED YESTERDAY AND TODAY! An eid gift for you all :D So how's everyone and how's the occasion going so far??

Coming on the update! I really hope you like it! It's along chapter isn't it? Took me days to come up with scenes and put them here! So comment and tell me did you like it? Give your feedback?

And don't forget to vote XD

Anywaysss... Did anyone know about Khadija's cousin Zeen and who is she? I bet most of you do! So did you guys like this little surprise?

Lastly we were on #71 on 27th of May! Thank you so much for all the support so far! You all are absolutely incredible! <3

Till the next time then...

AH

Zehra :)