#NotEdited

Eid Mubarak beauties! Give me Eidi in the form of VOTES AND COMMENTS!

5108 words! Longest I have ever written!

"The library is almost closing dear, I guess you have to pack up." Somehow I managed to look up to the old lady with a week old craned neck.

Bless you monkey bar!

"This early?" Squinting my eyes beneath the big, black rimmed glasses that were about to fall down my nose.

"It's about 6:55, sweetie." With that the old librarian walked off leaving me with the pile of mess to sort. Getting up from the chair with severely sore butt and a blasting headache, I started picking up my books and notebooks. Keeping my laptop in the tote bag along with all the other things that were sprawled on the table for the last seven hours. Compromising my stomach on an apple, an extra large Subway sandwich not to forget three large Frappé I asked the young boy to get me from Costa.

My poor stomach!

I will be bidding farewell to the semester exams in three days which meant freedom....at least for a few days. It's been a week since I had the encounter with Nayal and I still couldn't get it out of my head. The pressure of exams has somehow subsided those thoughts but my nights were a different story now. My blood had more amount of meds for migraine than it had haemoglobin.

"I like to move it move it,
He likes to move it move,
She likes to move it move it,
We like to move it!"

Just as I mounted Ninja my phone rang, after performing a virtual dance on the tune I picked up.

"President's office, who's speaking?" I pulled out the best but possibly the worst American accent.

"President's father." The calmness in his tone means that he has forgotten our last argument and was forcing me to do the same.

"I'm almost home Dad, you don't have worry over it." The borrowed books from the library were creating an inconvenience but I somehow managed to hang them on the handle.

"Don't go home! There that restaurant down the Dickson Road, the one just opened last Thursday. Meet us there." So there are more people, just great! That is exactly what I need after sacrificing my brain cells for education, the whole freaking day!

"The one you wanted me to get free samples when they opened?" I smirked.

Desi genes.

"Yes! But you didn't. Get your bum here now. Allah Hafiz." And that is how my father hung up on me. Placing my phone back in the leather jacket, I brought Ninja to life and roared it on the streets of London.

~*~

"Assalam o Alikum everyone!" Practically throwing my tote bag on the table where I saw three tall heads. Yanking off my black leather jacket I placed it on the back of my chair turning around and I noticed Dad studying the menu and Zayd along with Dani was trying the doggy face on Snapchat.

"Are we waiting for the Queen or something?" A few seconds later I regretted my words and was willing to pay a fortune to take them back as I watched the desi version of Aunt Marge walk in.

Aunty Rukhsana along with a guy with oily hair and a girl who could easily pass for Nikki Minaj's sister with the amount of makeup covering her face. Aunt Rukhsana looked exactly the same as in last Eid pictures except for the addition of twenty pounds.

New edition, eh?

The buttons of her purple sweater were screaming for help as they brutally kept it together. Her daughter who closely followed her had applied every piece of make up available in Pakistan and the guy, well the amount of oil in his hair could put the Middle Eastern countries to competition.

"Assalam o Alikum! Allah Allah! You kids have grown so muchhh! I told you to bring them to Pakistan but you never listened!" Her voice alone had made a few eyes turn and I sunk down in my chair.

"Why no one told me that she was coming?!?" I hissed at Dani who had mimicked my posture.

"Dad told us last week! And since then you have been in the library!" He whispered back as Omar came into view.

"Their flight was around the same time so offered to bring them." Seeing my surprised expression Dani spoke.

"Look at Omar and Zayd, MashaAllah! As handsome as my brother! We have the purest blood! Have a look at my children! MashaAllah!" She finished off with a horrendous laugh that made my insides puke.

"This will be the best Pakistani wedding this Angraiz (British) people have seen! Aunty Rukhsana will make sure of that!" She promised rather loudly, even for a desi restaurant.

"Arayyy.... Is that Hamdan? Allah Allah! I remember when you were an infant and poop your pants after every half an hour! Muahahaha!" It was quite entertaining to see Dani turn into a strawberry.

"And look it's Zeeniya....." Her nose scrunched up in what seemed like disgust in my direction but I shrugged it off.

"I promised my beautiful Momal that I will have a GRAND celebration for her 21st birthday even though she doesn't look a day over 16....." Listening to her ramble off about the purity of blood and other nonsense made my ear bleed so I quickly called the waiter.

I knew you we're trouble when you walked in....

~*~

"Asad is earning 24K per year MashaAllah! Nazar na lagay! Now I'll find him a khubsurat dulhan (beautiful bride) and I can die at ease." Was the first thing I heard as I ascended the stairs at 6 in the morning. My forehead was glistening from the hit shower I had earlier.

"Erm...MashaAllah Api. May Allah bless your kids." Dad sheepishly answered and placed his cup on the table.

"Oh you are here Zeeniya! You have the exam at 8:30, right? Let me put together a sandwich for you." And with that he rushed off to the kitchen leaving me with the devil herself.

Ain't I have the best Daddy?

It has been exactly 30 hours, 19 minutes and 47 seconds since Dad's so called sister has blessed her precious self here and it has been a complete nightmare. From our kitchen cabinets to my hair color everything has been under her critical, disapproving and watchful gaze. She was residing in the guest room with Momal and Asad was given Adam's old room, amidst my protest. Aunty Rukhsana has done every possible effort to make me inferior in from of her daughter.

'Momal can cook 101 dishes!'

'Momal can stitch as perfect as those designers'. (Why didn't she stitch your mouth?)

'More than 50 eligible bachelors have appeared on our doorsteps to ask for her hand.'

Our housekeeper had been dismissed four times in the last 30 hours, 20 minutes and 53 seconds and poor Dad had to offer her a pay raise to get her back.

Opening my Dynamics textbook I placed it on the floor, and as weird as it sounds, I started doing pushups. As a freshman in highschool I had learned the skill to cram up my brain while doing push ups. Though the piercing gaze of Aunty Rukhsana made the whole scenario quite awkward but it didn't last long as Dad came in with a sandwich and coffee in his hand.

"Thanks Dad." I mumbled before digging in.

"Allah Allah! You useless girl! At your age you should stay home and clean and cook for your Father and brothers! But look at you! You're such a disgrace to our family....just like that Mother of yours!" My grip on the mug tightened as my blood started boiling. I already had enough on my mind for past one week and now her...life couldn't get worse. My dark circles have literally swallowed my eyes leaving me like a zombie. The nightmares are still following me every freaking night making it impossible to get more than three hours sleep and since Dr Edward has warned me about taking sleeping pills, live has became a bit harder.

"Leave it Api... " Was the only thing Dad could manage in front of his sister.

"What did I say?" I was smart enough to feel the phoniness in her innocence so before I could murder her, I walked out of the house. Only after I got onto Ninja I realized that my phone was still lying on the table but it was too late now.

~*~

"Get over with it!" Jason half yelled as he walked past me and handed the paper to the Professor which I'm sure was only half filled.

The clock above my head indicated that only 20 minutes were left and my hands automatically scribbled faster and within the next ten minutes I was done. Handing over the paper I strolled out of the class with a blinding headache hammering against my head. Massaging my temples, I closed my eyes for a mere seconds but opening them was clearly a mistake.

"Shit guys!" My voice held more horror than shock seeing Jessica and Lieutenant Anderson wrapped around each other.

"Oh God! Fuck!" Both of them sprang apart with flustered look on their faces.

"Now that was what I call a good entertaining show." Jason said smugly standing beside me.

"Beghairat!" Poking him in the rib I cussed,"And what in the world are you two doing here?"

"Umm...w-we...I mean I...I mean we came here t-t-to get you." Jessica seemed to spellbound to speak so Sean stepped in.

"What do you mean ‘to get me' ?" Sometimes it becomes impossible to keep track of the stuff going on in my life.

"Come on! Come with me I'll explain everything." Jessica took me by hand dragging me to a white Audi parked a few feet away ignoring my questions.

"What the hell is going on guys?" Now it was getting creepy I thought as Jess sat shotgun and Sean started driving, "I'm going to jump off the car if you guys don't explain and I seriously will!" Warning made some sort of impact on them as Jessica started elaborating.

"You have to be at Equoxin Spa in fifteen minutes."

"What? Why?" I was completely frazzled.

"Nayal couldn't escort you so he sent us...I mean Sean. Abiha and I were going and she wanted you and that cousin of yours too." Jessica explained with her face still ahead.

"I'm supposed to be at the arcade with Jason and Sid. I don't want cucumber on my eyes while people deform my bones." I shrugged even at the thought of that.

"Deform your bones? God Zee! Grow up! That helps you relax and sooth. And by the way it's Abiha's big week so don't put up lame arguments. We should try to do everything that makes her feel happy." Her head was slightly turned around.

She isn't dying, blackmailer!

"I hate you. I seriously do."

"Aww... I love you too!" She blew a dozen kisses towards me making me cringe.

"And why in the name of Nutella marshmallows am I being escorted?"

"You are always followed around. We keep an eye on you always, everywhere even last night at 2:45 when you sneaked out to KFC." He smiled kindly.

Instead of answering, I laid back on the leather seat and closed my eyes. There was a little part of me that was ecstatic to spend a few hours away from the constant bickering of Aunty Rukhsana. She made me feel so small, so inferior and well, being me I just ignored them as if they never happened. The only thing bothered me was how she critics my mother, that wanted me to rip her head off.

"We are here." Stopping in front of the familiar building we quickly got off.

"Nayal will be here in a moment babe." He came forward and kissed Jess on the cheek hurriedly and drove away.

"Let's get this done!" She linked our hands looking happy as usual.

"And Zee can you please not mention this.... I mean the thing with Sean and me to Nayal? It's kinda complicated and well... Nayal has a lot on his plate right now. He bit off more than he can chew." At the last statement her eyes met mine for a second.

"Don't worry it's not my place to judge you or tell anything to Nayal."

"I'm just worried about him you know it's hard for me to watch him like that." There was sadness in her tone and I tried my level best not to pay any heed to it but the fact that he was working his butt of for something that too close to my heart made my heart thaw a bit.

"God! Leave it! It was my dream to take to a spa one day!" She exclaimed in joy.

~*~

"Zee! Open your eyes! It's okay everything is alright! God See wake up!" A rushed voice reached my ears and I took a series of deep breaths.

Just as I opened my eyes I found Jess and the masseuse lady standing in front of me with a worried expression painted on their faces.

"What happened?" I got up from the recliner removing the damn cucumbers from my eyes.

"You dozed off and I guess you had a nightmare. You were calling for your... Mum." Her voice delicate as if handling a broken glass, "I can take you up to the hospital they'll surely hook something up to make you feel better. You don't look well."

For once she was right. I stared at my reflection in the mirror just ahead of me, the hollow cheekbones and the dark circles we're clear give away. My clavicle was was popping out and my weight had reduced more than a quarter which made Dad fret over. The cream coloured silk robe hung loosely on my body that was now as smooth as a smoothie and my hair, well the poor thing went through a protein treatment that was meant to make it soft.

Good luck with that!

I felt as if everything I always keep inside me is building up a demon that seems to suck me. And well that could explain the sucked in cheekbones and clavicle; not medically, I'm sure. My past is haunting me in the way that is leaving me shattered and broken to pieces that can't be fixed.

"I'm as fit as a punch! Don't worry." Forcefully I beamed at her making sure she doesn't feel my broken voice.

Three hours later Abiha, Jessica, Momal and I we're sitting in the same ice cream parlor I came a week back with Nayal. Abiha was sipping on some DIY juice which according to her can glow up her skin, burn fat and brighten her skin. Who knew zucchini and bitter gourd juice has so much benefits.

"I'm heading home guys! Amma will kill me bye guys!" One by one she kissed our cheeks and swaying her hot pink poncho dress she walked to her bright purple mini Cooper.

Punching on my favorite vanilla ice cream with loads of MnM's my gaze occasionally wandered to the conversation I had with Nayal. I really need to talk to Adam about it, I wasn't planning on telling him the whole thing. But the fact that he has been disappearing without any notice alarms me. And if Mum knew Nayal then how come we never met him?

"Are you even listening?" Jessica hit my arm with the back of her hand.

"For once in all I DON'T CARE IF ARABIC OR INDIAN HENNA IS IN FASHION! I have no idea what's the difference between magenta and violet! Or if the lip color should be peach or pink! The flowers can be light yellow, orange, white even damn black! It doesn't matter!" Losing my temper was least worries right now.

"What crawled up your butt and died?" Jessica was clearly annoyed.

"I was supposed to stay home watching Eurocup not here discussing dress themes. I'm not into all of this, you know that Jess." Momal was a bit taken back at my tantrum but I didn't care.

"It's damn brother's wedding! Gimme a break!" I glared at her which was no use.

Sticking a tongue at me she continued talking to Momal.

~*~

I returned home finding Aunty Rukhsana sitting among a huge pile of gifts and a frown on her lips.

"Oh my dear Momal here you are! You look haseen! " She pecked her daughter on the cheek and glanced me sideways.

"What are you wearing Zeeniya? Should girls from respected family go out like this?" I hate her. I officially did but I didn't say anything even if I wanted to kill her.

"I told Nasir to keep a strict eye on you but he never listened to me but don't worry when you're left unmarried at thirty years you'll know that I was right."

Before I could answer her Momal took me with her to the staircase away from her mother's eyes.

"I'm sorry on her behalf please just let it go. She isn't usually like this...it's just. It's a long story. I'm sorry from her please.." She quickly hugged me which turned me into a statue.

"No worries." I spoke as she went back to the living room.

Entering my room I jumped on the bed unlocking my phone. Once I was completely bored with Snapchat's filters I opened WhatsApp. After answering a few messages on the football groups I did what very single person in the world do, even if they don't admit it.

You through the contacts peering at everyone's profile pictures and status.

Just below Dani's number I found an old contact that went unopened for a long time. Khadija

Assalam O Alikum." She picked up on the first ring.

"Walikum as Salam, Dee?" I made that it was her.

"Zeenie is everything okay?" Her voice was full of worry."

"Yes everything unless we are discussing Aunt Rukhsana, because that would be just ironic!" Dija must be aware of her thunder.

"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 month!" Which was a complete lie.

"Really? You know there is a very special place for liars in hell.

"The last time I heard from you was when psycho was stalking you." I slightly winced at her reply.

"Okay you got me!But the reason I called you was...YOU HAVE A KID AND DIDN'T TELL ME!?!" I screamed so loudly that my voice could have reached Pakistan with the phone.

"Wait! What kid?" She sounded frazzled.

"The one in your profile picture with Wali Bhai!" I remembered the cute kid with Dija's husband.
The one she married a few months back and was Pakistan for her Valimah. That is why only Aunty Rukhsana could make it here.

"That? Oh Allah! That’s Ahyan, Rafia’s son. Do you remember her?" The truth was that I have never been good with names.

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

"You being one of them!" She teased me. "Acha do you remember Asifa?"

Why is she doing this to me?

"Okay that would be enough. I clearly know who Asifa is!" She laughed at my silence.

"Anyways..." For a moment she got quiet that made me worried.

"Y..yeah." She stuttered, failing miserably to hide the truth.

"Liar liar pants on fire!" I chanted.

"Dee?"At her mute response, I whispered but instead of answering me she changed the subject.

I knew that Dija had a rough past with a grass hole of a husband whom she separated with. But not wanting to discuss it I went with the flow.

~*~

"For the last time Zeeniya sit straight! Or I'll chop off your ears!"

"Churail! Dimagh kha gai hai!" I mumbled under my breath.

"Same to you!" Pinning up the yellow dupatta with the last pin she got back.

A few hours ago I found a yellow and pink dress in a box on my bed which was bought by brothers I guess. The long shirt ended just a few inches above my ankle and the pink straight pant peaked from under it. The design was a bit more complicated for me to understand so let's leave that to it. I would've put up a great argument for not wearing it but with Jess in the house I would have been badly defeated.

Jessica came over an hour ago dressed in an orange frock ladies used to wear in Mughal Era. Seeing my vocabulary for clothes and make up I better not try to find what's it's called. As soon as she opened her vanity box, I ran a hundred miles away but when she threatened me using the Xbox Kinect I had no choice but to give in.

"Stop wiping your face! I just applied a stroke of liner and mascara along with a tint of blush and a very light lip color." Jess announced once she was finished and I kept cleaning it up.

With the help of Sheikh YouTube, she tied the yellow dupatta in an elegant hijab. For the first time in forever I wore something Pakistani dress this formal except for the occasional kurti.

"Omar, Zayd and Dani already left with Asad. Uncle will take Aunt Evil and Momal with the fruit baskets and gifts in his car." Jess gold heels clicked against the stairs as we turned off the light upstairs and made our way down.

"Don't worry sir everything is under control. I promise you."

"You make it sound so easy, son."

Looking up to the voice I was shocked in two ways:

A) Dad was patting Nayal on the shoulder.

B) Nayal was in a black kurta and white shalwar.

"Dad?" I called speaking my father's attention who looked completely sophisticated in a white kurta shalwar.

"Oh Zeeny you're here. You...my princess look breathtaking." He quickly came forward kissing my forehead.

"If by breathtaking beautiful you mean that I'm giving the image of a walking lemonade with pink sugar and mint leaves then thank you." I smiled sarcastically at him as both the siblings burst into laughter.

Nayal who was now a bit stable from laughing stole a few glances at me as I angrily glared at him.

"Who invited you?"

"Be nice Zeeny! He'll be taking you guys to the venue." Dad picked up the gifts but Nayal beat him to it.

"I'll carry them." He suppressed a smile.

"Api and Momal are waiting in the car and hurry up you kids. You are needed at the Nikkah!" He pointed at me walking out.

Omar and Abiha decided to have the Nikkah before the mehendi and then the reception following the Valima.

~*~

To say that the whole function was desi-er than the word desi would be absolutely true. Colors we're spread across everywhere, from the people to the decoration. The hall was adorned in yellow and orange flowers and the people did justice to it by wearing clothes to the theme.

Omar and Abiha sat like the King and Queen dressed in their best laughing at something Zayd said. Nikkah had gave them the right to all the flirting and other mushy stuff. I was sitting on one of the furthest sofa playing Quiz Up when someone called for me.

"You look absolutely amazing Zee." Adam stood there in a light blue kurta smiling down at me.

"I'm afraid the compliment is not mutual." He gave me a hand to get up but I dragged him down beside me. "Where have you been for last couple of weeks? Shaadi waaadi tou nhi karli chup k? (You didn't get married secretly, did you?)" I raised an eyebrow.

"Hahahaha! Pagal hai kia! (Are you crazy!) I've been busy with the garage. Clark is...he is....having heart issues and the work load is...well time-and-energy-sucking." The stuttering was a bit suspicious but I shrugged it off.

"Have a look there." Adam nudged me and I saw that made him laugh like a donkey.

Aunty Rukhsana made Momal stand beside Zayd that made both of them completely embarrassed. I watched as Zayd shifted on his feet scratching his neck as Momal turned crimson when her mother held her arm rather brutally making her stand arm to arm with him. Aunty Rukhsana then yelled at the photographer to snap a shot and the poor guy did as he was commanded.

"Is she...?"

"Yup! Trying to set them up." I finished for him.

What seemed like a hundred group photos, selfies, snapchats, candids and bridegroom's shoot dinner was served. I mostly lounged around with my brothers, Asad and Momal, Jessica and...Nayal. I ignored him and he was clearly bothered by it but just like always I didn't care. Forcefully Jess got a henna design on my hands whist the artist kept saying 'we have the perfect hands for henna. Long slender fingers!'.

A lot of people, I mean a lot of people complimented me and brushed them off every time.

It was weird!

Around 1 the hall emptied leaving behind just the immediate family. I just got out of the bridal room when I saw Aunty Rukhsana standing there with of of Abiha's Chachi talking rather quietly.

"She was such a b**ch you know. Trapping my innocent brother in her trap and then married him. Who knows that she converted or not." For a moment I didn't understand whom was Aunty Rukhsana referring too but soon I did.

"Oh acha? Her daughter seems just like her. I got confused you know I thought she was a gori but then Abiha told me that she was Nasir Bhai's only daughter."

"You are right behan! I don't know why my brother has spoiled her! You should see the way she flaunts around with boys and all. Allah Allah! The way she revolving around my precious Asad! That little bit**h! Like mother like daughter!"

I couldn't decide whether to burn them alive or slit their throats. How can they say things like this for someone's who's dead? And more importantly my mother. My body felt hot like never before as a ball sized lump appeared in my throat.

"I think her mother had an affair you know and my brother married his her bloody mistake; her daughter!"

This was it!

My nails dug deep into my palms and I didn't pay any heed to the dried henna. As soon as I was about to confront them a hand seized me from the back.

"Leave it Zee, it won't do any good." I turned around and found Nayal standing their with a furious face. His sleeves folded him and fists clenched.

"Did you hear what she said?" I spoke inaudibly.

"I did." His hand still rested on my arm. "Let's get out of here."

I waited till we we're at the back away from everyone, and then it erupted.

"I'm going out! Tell Dad." I needed to get my head clear or I'll kill the first person who pisses me off.

"It's one in the morning! You can't go out! It's not safe!" He tried stopping me.

"Stop. Being. My. Dad!" I removed his hand in anger.

He clasped my forearm with such a force that it stopped my blood circulation and due to my lack of strength I felt the pain ten times more. His normally calm and pleasant demeanor slowly changed and his face contorted in an all - consuming anger; his nostrils flaring, his eyes flashing and closing into slits, his mouth quivering, slurring words that were unintelligible came spewing into space like a volcano releasing its pent up emotions into the darkness. His other hand was closed into fists and he crouched forward towards me.

"You don't f**king understand, do you?!? You reckon that this is some kind of drama? This is damn real life, ,sweetheart! There are more than fifty people observing and calculating your every move, waiting to kill you! You can't quit just because a fat idiotic lady spat some shit that is not true. Grow out of your fantasy world, Princess!" The coldness of his voice sent shrills up my spin as his words embedded in my brain.

Defying my brain and body I removed his hand from my arm even though it seemed stuck to it, I bounced back from him.

"You think I don't understand? You think I don't have any idea what's going on? They killed my mother, you freak! I wanted them behind the bar more than you do!" After a long fine I felt tears at the back of my eyes and a sob clogging my throat, dying to come out.

There was so many emotions penetrating around us that I felt the air choking me. I took a deep gulp of air feeling the skin around my collar to contract.

"Why did you fucking got me out, huh?!? Tell me! I wanted to confront her! Tell her she was bloody wrong! She was bloody wrong about my mother! It's all your fault! Your damn fault! Everything was your fault!"

I had officially lost it. I started punching he just forcefully and I knew that because my knuckles started hurting. But I didn't stop. I couldn't. I kept chanting 'it was your fault' as he stood motionless bearing the torture.

(A/N, haram police scoot away)
I hit him till I couldn't. Till my dried henna was stuck on his kurta but he didn't say anything. I tried too hard to stop the tears and sobs and I was successful as I managed to keep them locked in their cage. My heart was frantic, beating without a rhythm, up and down.

If I hadn't stop then, I would've ended up with a fractured knuckle. My hands rested on his chest that heaved up and down as regained my breath with my eyes shut. Nayal took my defeated hands in his, brushing them with his lips as if mending them. I couldn't protest even if I wanted to. His hands caressed my bruised and henna-fied ones but I didn't say anything. I didn't say anything when he placed my head on his chest and I cocooned with the warmth.

"I'll make everything okay. I promise you Zeen." His soft gentle words echoed in my head as I lost myself into the oblivion.

Khadija Badar is from LetsBreatheWords_book! Check out her book to know more about her!

I think I will be entering the Watty2016....

What do you guys think?

DuniyaKiEkMusafir suggested it! Thanks larki! JazakAllah!

Guys please vote and comment on all the previous chapters! I know that there are some  amazing books entering this year but DuniyaKiEkMusafir told me that participating matters!

Signing off,
James Bond.