Salam folks!

I am so sorry to anyone who was waiting for an update. 

Never thought I would he saying this, but my exams were just taking toll on me and I couldn't get time for this. Now that they are finally over, here's a long chapter!

***

Maya wrinkled her forehead as someone stroked something on her lips.

"Stop it..." She groaned and pushed the offensive thing away, closed her eyes and drifted to sleep again.

"What did you do?!" A horrified voice shrieked and Maya flinched horribly, her eyes bursting open.

She blinked and glanced at her surroundings in confusion trying to adjust to the blinding light.

"You ruined the lipstick!" The same voice exclaimed and she looked around in confusion.

She blinked again, and her eyes finally adjusted to her surroundings. Where was she? What was happening?

The first thing her hazy brain registered was someone sitting in front of her. She blinked again. Was there something wrong with her eyes?  

The person in front of her looked a lot like her but ... but with makeup.

"You just ruined the lipstick!" A woman said to her with a glare. 

She glanced at the lady standing beside her with a deep frown on her face.

"What?" Maya yawned, still drowsy from sleep.

She raised her hand to rub the sleep out of her eyes, before the woman beside her slapped her hand away.

"Don't ruin the makeup, please. You have been sleeping for an hour and I worked very hard for this!" The woman said.

This woke her mind up and she realized she had been getting ready for the walima, only she didn't remember when she had fallen a sleep.

She glanced at the person in front of her, which was ironically the mirror. She stared at herself in the mirror awe struck. She looked so different. A good different. The makeup hid all the imperfections of her face. Fake eye lashes along with some eye popping makeup made her eyes the center of attention of her face. Her lips were painted a light pink color and her cheeks bones looked more defined with the blush.

"Sorry. Just very sleepy..." Maya yawned again.

"Let me just fix up your lipstick and then we are done." She said and stroked the lipstick on her lips.

"So tell me, your hubby didn't let you sleep on your wedding night?" The makeup artist asked with a smirk and Maya stared at her in confusion.

"Wha..." She stared before it dawned upon her what that woman was hinting. She turned red and she could almost feel the heat radiating from her cheeks.

The woman smirked at her knowingly and Maya blushed even more.

Wedding night... Zayan.... God! How embarrassing! 

Only she had spent her supposed wedding night reading a novel. The irony! 

She averted her gaze and tried to think about something else but those words kept ringing in her head and she felt her heart beating fast. Was this what everyone thought? Well they had just gotten married after all and not everyone knew that this was not a real relationship. She might not have accepted it yet but to everyone else it was a reality. Would she ever be able to accept it? Would she ever acknowledge the rights they had over each other as spouses? She shivered at the thought. She better not think of these things.

"How much more time do you need?" Maya asked after a while trying to get her emotions together.

"Almost done." She said, applying some blush on her cheeks.

She started packing her things while Maya was lost in her thoughts.

It was her walima today. Was she supposed to feel excited? If she was, she didn't. She just wanted all of this to be over. She wanted to run away from all of this. She wished she could go somewhere and never look back. She was not ready to pretend to be a happy bride.

When would all this end? Would she ever be able to forget everything that had happened that day or would it haunt her forever? She swallowed her emotions trying not to let the tears over take her. 

The makeup artist pinned the dupatta on the top of her head in a traditional bridal style, while she was lost in her thoughts. 

Decked out in tasteful makeup, she was a typical bride. Yet she wasn't at the sane time. 

Brides were supposed to be happy, she wasn't.

Brides looked forward to their new lives, she did not. She dreaded it.

"You look beautiful!" The makeup artist said, adding final touches to her get up. 

"Thanks." She said as if on autopilot.

"Your hubby won't be able to take his eyes off you." The makeup artist said her lips curling in a teasing smirk.

Maya resisted the urge to roll her eyes and snort.

She was donned in a white bridal dress dotted with champagne colored stones. A white gold sapphire studded necklace glittered on her clavicle. Her hair, twisted in a thick intricate french tail and adorned with beads, rested on the side of her shoulder while her heavy dupatta was draped over her head.

She stared at herself. Why did she have to get married? She wished she wasn't a burden on Zayan where he had to be her husband but still not have a real wife. It wasn't fair to him but it wasn't fair to her either. Life was just so unfair.

All the times as a teen ager when she used to hear horrifying things about marriage and she had promised herself never to get married. All that was stupid to think. Life is far more than these silly things. Whichever way you turn, fate sticks out its foot and trips you. 

She was snapped out of her thoughts when the door knocked and Zayan's mother popped in.

"Are you ready beta?" She inquired coming inside.

"Yeah, I am just packing my things." The makeup artist said.

"Mashallah! Maya, you look very pretty sweetheart." Her mother-in-law gushed.

"Thank you." Maya replied meekly, trying to appear happy.

"Wait let me whiff the four quls over you." She said and covered her head with the dupatta and stared reciting.

"May Allah keep you away from nazr." She muttered pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"Ameen." Maya mumbled. If anyone knew what was really happening in her life, no on would be jealous of her. God! She sounded like an ungrateful bitch.

"Okay now hurry up, we have some guest here, greet them and then we are leaving for the banquet hall." Her mother-in-law said.

Maya nodded and followed her outside. 

The house was bustling with energy. It was as if all the noise in the world had met for a reunion.

She politely greeted the extended family, some faces were familiar from yesterday, some weren't.

"Hurry up! We don't want to be late." A loud booming auntie said.

"Where's Zayan?" Someone asked.

"Zayan?" Her mother-in-law shouted for her son.

"Yeah?" Zayan asked coming out of the bedroom while buttoning his cuffs.

"Hurry up beta. You and Maya are coming in your car and I'll come with the guests." She told him. Zayan nodded and rushed back to the bedroom to get ready.

"Maya, why don't you get him to hurry up? We are getting late enough already." Her mother-in-law said hurriedly and she quickly complied, wanting to be away from the scrutinizing gazes of everyone. 

She had difficulty carrying herself to the bedroom with the heavy dupatta weighing her down.

She entered the room where Zayan was standing in front of the mirror fiddling with his tie.

She stared at him for a minute before she decided to offer help.

"Need help?" She asked a little amused at his hurry as he made a knot of the tie. 

Zayan turned towards her and raised an eyebrow.

"No. Almost done." 

She nodded, feeling awkward. What was she supposed to do? She remebered the many times she had helped her brother with his tie and nostalgia took over her. 

"I'm ready. Are you?" Zayan asked after a few minutes of awkward silence.

No. She wanted to say. She wasn't ready. 

She glanced at him and nodded slowly. He was wearing a black suit that showcased his shoulders perfectly and a black skinny tie around his neck glimmered on his immaculate white shirt.

His get up was simple, yet perfect for a groom whereas Maya felt that she would end up suffocated in this heavy bridal dress.

"Let's go before Mama actually kicks us out then." He said.

Maya smiled weakly. It was time.

Time to pretend to be the ever happy bride.

****

The banquet hall looked splendid. It was as if one had entered a world of neon. There was a pinwheel of color everywhere the eye rested.

Balloons and paper lanterns hung from the ceilings. The ceilings were draped with fabric and the chandeliers were dancing, as if celebrating the walima. The hall was decorated with white satin and fuchsia colored ribbons with flowers over them enhancing its beauty.

A far reaching, continuing fuchsia colored carpet ended at the feet of the throne of the king and queen on the podium.

Zayan and Maya sat on the elegant sofa in the middle of the stage as if holding court of flatterers, whom they hadn't met in years but were still eager to comment on the bride's complexion, length of gown, and jewelry. The stage, dripping in garlands of aromatic flowers, stood out the most with the bride and groom as the center of attention.

Guests came and congratulated them while Zayan and Maya expressed their gratitude for the generous presents they received.

In the middle of the round tables were table lamps, colored glass ware and matching flowers in vases. The chairs were drapped in fuchsia colored frills.

The adolescent children ran around the tables and chairs creating a risk for the delicious, scrumptious and delectable food to fall. Fingers were itching to be the first to grab aa plate of the mouthwatering nihari and biryani.

When the food was served everyone attacked the food. The cameramen came and requested for some pictures of the bride and groom.

Maya glanced at Zayan who nodded slowly. She had seen pictures being taken of couples as the bride blushed in her groom's arms but she had never thought that she would be a bride too one day. 

Several pictures were taken. A few relatives came and posed with them. They had family pictures as well.

When Fawad came, Maya tried to avoid him. She didn't look at him when he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and posed for the picture.

Fawad's eyes sought his sister's but she ignored him like plague.

He had missed her so much in this one day. The house seemed empty without her bubbly presence. 

"How are you Maya?" He asked when the crowd around them dwindled.

"Good." Maya answered in a clipped tone.

Zayan stood beside them awkwardly. Fawad had been painfully civil towards him all this time. No one would think they they had been good friends.

He glanced at Maya's rigid posture but decided not to intervene and distanced himself from them. He greeted another few guests but his eyes wandered towards Maya every few seconds.

All this wasn't fair to her. She was suffering but she wasn't letting anyone else share her suffering or help her. It was clear that she hadn't accepted their relationship yet. 

He had accepted it in his mind, but maybe not his heart. His heart was still stuck in the past. He didn't know if he would ever be able to move on. He didn't want to if he were to be honest to himself. The memories he had shared with Leya were so beautiful that he didn't have it in himself to let go of them. Those memories was his anchor to life and without them he would be nothing. Those memories pulled him back into the past but ironically urged him to move on as well. 

It was because of Leya he was giving himself another chance to happiness. She would want him to be happy. But the main question was that was he ready to make someone other than Leya his happiness? He wanted happiness but it was just so hard.

The atmosphere around him was of festivity. The clanking of the spoons with the plates, screeching of chairs against the marble, giggles of the kids, and loud gossiping voices of the ladies filled the hall. How would it have been if he had had these celebrations when he had married Leya? He was sure she would have enjoyed all these desi customs.

He shook away his thoughts. He should not be thinking of this standing at his walima with Maya. He noticed a cousin of his make his way towards him.

"Look who got married!" His cousin, Ahad teased him good naturedly.

"Its your turn next." Zayan smiled at the teasing, and slapped his back.

"No way." He snorted. "Mama drags me to her parties in hope of setting me up with a girl every other day."

"So do I look forward to an invitation?" Zayan asked in amusement as his cousin groaned.

"No such luck yet but you aren't getting an invitation. Who gets married like overnight? We were supposed to party before you got hitched."

"It was pretty fast." Zayan acknowledged.

 "Bhabhi!" His cousin called Maya who was making her way towards them.

"Is my cousin treating you right?" Ahad asked her.

Maya looked surprised. She didn't even know who this cousin was.

"Alhumdulilah." She said and attempted a small smile. Her mind went back to her brother.

Fawad had tried talking to her but she had ignored him. It was because of him she was married now. He might think that she liked Zayan or something but she wasn't that forgiving. She had not wanted to get married. If she could go in the past that's the first thing she would change.

She smiled at another guest who congratulated her. It was hard to smile outside when you were breaking down inside.

They ate the scrumptious dinner and then the deserts were served.

Maya's feet were aching in the high heels she was wearing. High heels were surely designed to kill people. She wondered how other women actually wore them and survived and managed to walk elegantly.

She shifted her weight on one foot and groaned. The soles of her feet ached so much.

"What's wrong?" Zayan asked in concern.

"I hate these heels." She said in agony. 

"I'll talk to Mama about leaving as soon as possible." He reassured her and looked around for his mother.

Maya glanced at him in surprise. That was very considerate of him.

After a while, when the guests had left they made their way towards the car. Maya had trouble walking. Not only were her clothes very heavy and hindered her movement but her feet felt squished in her shoes.

Zayan made her wait at the parking lot and drove the car towards her so that she wouldn't have to walk as much.

As she sat in the car, her head rested on the window pane and before she knew it she was asleep.

***

"Zayan beta, I'm going upstairs. You wake her up and come." Zayan's mother told him as he parked the car at their apartment complex.

He glanced at Maya in the rear view mirror to see her sleeping with a frown on her face. 

"Maya?" He called but she didn't move. 

He got out of the car himself. Sighing heavily, he pulled the handle of the back door. If he hadn't been standing right in front of the door Maya would have fallen out because he hadn't realized that she was leaning on the door.

"What?" She mumbled incoherently 

He grasped her shoulders to stable her and her eyes shot open.

"Sorry..." he mumbled, embarrassed and steoped back.

Maya was startled. She quickly regained her composure. She hadn't realized that she had fallen a sleep and why was he standing so close to her?

"We're home." Zayan said. 

Maya nodded and got out of the car, fixing her heavy dress.

Zayan closed the door behind her and started walking.

Maya stifled a yawn and followed him, trying to ignore the pain forming in her feet.

She dragged her feet behind him till they got to the elevator. Zayan glanced at her and motioned her to hurry up as there was someone already inside.

Maya followed him in and leaned against the wall, trying not to put her weight on her feet.

High heels could cause so many orthopedic problems: permanent damage to the anatomy of the feet, spondylolisthesis, increasing the risk of arthritis in the knee and so much more. The list was endless, she thought as her mind conjured up more alarming scenarios. She swore she would never wear them again. They were a killing machine in the name of fashion.

She blew out a sigh and glanced at the other person who was in there with them only to find that he was already staring at her. She averted her gaze quickly and turned away.

Zayan took out his phone and aimlessly scrolled down his messages. This was too awkward. She was standing right beside him but there was a tangible silence hanging over them. He didn't know how to break it so he just pretended to be busy to make things less awkward.

From the corner of her eyes, Maya felt the guy's stare on her and unconsciously she shifted herself towards Zayan and grasped onto his hand.

Zayan looked up from his phone in surprise at Maya and then at their entwined hands but she avoided his gaze.

His hand twitched in her grasp but he didn't pull it away. Maya thought about letting go but decided against it when the other person let out an exaggerated sigh. Her fearful eyes darted towards him and her she moved behind Zayan.

It clicked him suddenly and he realized that she must be feeling uncomfortable. She was in her wedding attire and the other guy was shamelessly checking her out. His jaw clenched in anger. Why did some people have no shame at all?

He moved Maya behind him and glared at the guy. Maya's nose almost touched Zayan's wide back and she could smell his enticing perfume. Her breath hitched and she swallowed at the close proximity. She tried to take a deep breath to calm herself but it didn't work. Her heart was beating too fast under her diaphragm. She wasn't used to such closeness with any man except for her brother and father. It brought those painful memories back when another unknown man had touched her.

But he's your husband.

He wouldn't hurt her. He wouldn't touch her in a bad way. She hoped he wouldn't.

She tried to focus on her shallow breathing. Breath in. Breath out. She told herself in panic. She was starting to hyperventilate again.

Suddenly, the elevator tinged and the doors opened and fresh air rushed in. 

Zayan waited for the guy to walk out and then walked out tugging Maya behind her. He still hadn't let go of her hand as he moved towards their apartment.

"Ah!" A moan involuntarily escaped from Maya's mouth as the heels dug in her ankle.

"What happened?" Zayan asked in concern as she halted in her step.

She shook her head and glanced at their entwined hands. Zayan dropped her hand quickly. He hadn't realized that they were still holding hands.

"Come on then." He said awkwardly. Maya followed him with a snail's speed.

Zayan opened the door to their apartment and waited for her to walk in.

"There you are. I was wondering where you two were lost." Mama's voice startled them.

"Sorry..." Maya said awkwardly.

"I was joking darling." Her mother-in-law said shaking her head in amusement. "Now tell me if you want anything to eat. You hardly had anything earlier."

"No I'm fine." Maya said quickly. Just the mention of food had her stomach churning horribly. 

"Are you sure?" She asked skeptically. "This is your home now, you don't need to hesitate about anything beta."

"I know Mama." She smiled politely.

The older woman smiled at her and patted her cheek affectionately.

"Okay, up to you. The food's in the fridge if you want anything later." She said taking off her tops.

"It was so tiring today." She huffed and collapsed on the sofa. "But it was good overall, alhumdulilah."

Maya nodded at any pause.

"You two must be very tired. Go get some rest, it's already very late." She advised.

Maya sighed in relief and hurried to their room.

She dropped on the bed and kicked of her heels and rubbed her aching feet. Her toes were red and there were red outlines of the heels straps. She rubbed them with her hands and squeezed her eyes shut.

She was so tired. But she was glad that the night was over. Finally.

***

Hope you all liked it! I hope it lived up to your expectations!

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Till next time,

Salam.