It was a bright sunny day of mid May and the sun was shining with all its glory. The scorching heat was making the passerbys seek shelter to catch their breaths and wipe their sweats under large trees and the large old trees were happy to serve the ones they were made to serve.
 
Setting my handbag down I slumped on the stone park bench and took out the juice bottle from my bag gulping its contents in one go. After the hot ten minutes walk that I did to come here this place seemed like heaven.

Maria had found this place few days ago. The park was a couple blocks away from our home and I often used to come here for a walk with Marium and Maria. The place was kind of secluded because of an old aging tree just beside the bench. It's heavy branches spread in all directions shielded anyone sitting on the bench as well as providing a cool shade to the occupant.

Looking at it instantly I knew I had found an ideal spot for myself! Secluded and calm! So today here I was with my books. My semester exams were just two weeks away and with four siblings at home I wasn't able to concentrate at all. So Marium had suggested me to go for a walk and I had taken my books with me to study here.

Time has a tendency to fly when we want it to be slow so that we can cherish our moments and it goes in snail pace when we want it to fly. I thought sadly. This semester has really flew by and it was the end of it already. Looking back it felt like just yesterday when I had taken admission.

In the first week of June my exams were starting till almost the third week and Ramadan Kareem was starting from 1st June. So all the exams in the blessed month which hadn't set well with me but what can I do!?

So I was trying to complete my reading before June so I don't have to spend much time in Ramadan but alas! Having many siblings has its own perks too! The vibration of my cellphone was there like always to bring me back to my surroundings. And a smile touched my lips seeing the caller.

"Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu Billi. How's my Billi?? What was my Billi doing?? What can I do for my Billi??" I greeted her happily.

"Whoa there! Calm down missy!! Someone is in a good mood in this really unromantic weather I see. Judging by the fact that my brother was in my eyesight since morning it couldn't be your darling fiance so what is it??" She said in one breath too making me groan.

"Oh come on it doesn't need to be always related to him. I have my own life too huh!"

"So you mean to say it is sometimes related to him huh. Oww Bhai!!" She teased and by the sound of it Zuhaib took revenge from my side and a laugh escaped my lips.

"Yeah laugh all you want! I don't know what will happen when you'll come here. I better find my better half before you come too or else poor my soul will always be tortured." She said dramatically making me stifle my laughter and roll my eyes.

"So?? What's the occasion?? Why did you call me on such a fine morning??" I inquired.

"I'm seriously doubting your mental condition right now Haya!! What has happened that has left you in such mood??" She asked suspiciously and I laughed again. Teasing this girl was such a fun.

"Okay okay I'm serious now. What's the matter?" I said raising one hand in mock surrender knowing full well she can't see me.

"So when are you gracing us with your presence lady?" She asked and I frowned. Was I supposed to go there today??

"Why?? Last I checked I was supposed to finish my two sections today rather than coming to your place."

"Oh but there was a change in plan. Mama had called aunty yesterday and invited you all on dinner tonight. Didn't she tell you??" She said in a sing song voice. My frown came back.

"Did she?? Mama didn't tell me!"

"Well maybe she forgot. So you are coming here by max 5 pm or you won't be granted entry! Understood??" She asked faking a bossy voice.

"Yeah okay I'll be there." I replied distractedly my mind still calculating the time.

"You better huh! Someone is eagerly waaiitiinngg!" She said cheekily and ended the call.

I frowned. it wasn't like mama to forget telling me something. Setting the thoughts aside I packed my bag unwillingly and set up for my home again knowing there's no use of me sitting here now.

That evening when I left for my in laws' house instead of Bilquis another person was on my mind. Last few months we hardly had any contact besides the run downs occasionally in their home. But still I had become used to the familiar softening of his eyes and the bright smile he would give whenever he would see me. And the greetings in slight teasing tone would give me weird butterflies in my stomach.

A pleasant smile touched my lips thinking about it. How time has the power to change your thoughts and feelings. Just half year ago I was worried that despite growing up together and listening his name with mine I havent developed any feelings towards him and then I wore the ring and here I am today equally nervous and looking forward to the evening.

Nothing serious had happened after that last Bilquis's call. Zuhaib actually had started going to his father's firm and everything had come back to routine and with time I had forgotten about it too.

I had reached their home and with sweaty hands I rang the doorbell. His strong masculine cologne greeted me even before he opened the door but I doubled back when I saw him all dressed ready to go out. Was he not joining my family for dinner? I thought incredulously. Greeting me like usual he walked past me to his Jeep and I gaped at his back. This man was so weird!

Huffing I came inside ready to forget the stupid guy. And enjoy an evening with my bestie as after it I was planning to go in hibernation.

"HAYA!!!!" Bilquis yelled from her room but ignoring her I went to aunty who was standing in the kitchen frying samosas.

"Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu aunty. How are you??" I greeted politely but in return she hugged me warmly kissing my forehead.

"Walaikum assalam beta jaani. I'm good alhamdulillah. See how beautiful my daughter is looking today. Allah bless you and May Allah save you from evil eyes chanda." She said tearing up a bit in the end and I looked at her dumbfounded.

Um What's the occasion today hey?!
First a family dinner and now this affection suddenly!

"Where are you lost missy?" Bilquis enquired after I came inside her room and sat at her bed.

"Huh! Oh nothing just thinking.." I said and she didn't ask me further. The evening was spent with helping aunty in cooking here and there and gossiping about all the recent stuff.

Aunty had prepared a lavish feast including the must mutton biryani, chicken tikka, reshmi kabab and Russian salad. I had hoped that maybe Zuhaib would come back for dinner  But he didn't and that left me a little bit disturbed. Why aunty had invited us all of a sudden without any occasion and then Zuhaib didn't even sat with my parents!! But I shook my head thinking I'm just being paranoid.

After dinner we all sat for a round of green tea and my doubts were confirmed when aunty cleared her throat and started,

"So Bhai Sahab what have you thought about our children's marriage? Zuhaib MashAllah has started working for his dad now and next year he's turning 25 too so I was thinking on this line now a days. You see it's every parents' dream to see their children happily settled." She said and I looked at her shocked.

"Yeah you are right Baji it's every parents dream to see our children settled but Haya has just turned 19 this month. I don't think she's old enough for marriage now and besides I want all my children to complete their studies first. Education is the most important jewel in today's era." Dad said picking up his tea cup again from where he had put it when aunty started.

"Arey Bhai Sahab I'm not talking about marriage this year. What do you think about next year after Ramadan?? And for studies don't worry about her education at all!! She'll study with my Bilquis na. Infact she'll have a study partner here. I won't let her stop her studies for marriage!"

"Haya beta go help Bilquis in cleaning kitchen yeah??" Baba said clearly indicating us to go out. I silently stood up to leave although every part of me wanted to stay there and argue.

Coming out I sent Marium and Maria back home with Asad and Aamir and came in the kitchen with Bilquis and Farah. But curiosity and anxiousness didn't let me stay there and I crept outside to eavesdrop.

"Where are you going Haya?? Listening their conversation?? Are you out of your mind?" Bilquis caught my arm to stop me and I shook her.

"It's my future they are discussing Billi without my consent. I atleast have a right to listen!" I justified.

"I know ammi can be a bit.. uncaring sometimes but you know uncle won't make a decision without your consent so calm down!!" But it went on deaf ears as I had come out and the voices were coming clear in living room.

"Oh Bhai Sahab you know how boys these days are. They have so much ego! He fought with a guy in his previous office and that's why they fired him but my kid can't be blamed. The other guy must have said something provoking and this youth makes you so emotional anyways." Aunty was saying. I don't know what led to this topic but baba must have enquired about his previous job.

"Shameem stop covering for your son always!" Uncle muttered

"You are saying like it's not your son!" Aunty fumed but then said rather calmly.

"Okay Bhai Sahab as you say. Let Zuhaib come back I'll ask him too and you ask Haya too though I'm sure both the kids won't deny."

"Baji till Haya is done with her exams I'm not bringing this topic again. So let's forget this marriage talk till after Ramadan." Baba said in a final tone and breathing a sigh of relief I tip toed back to Bilquis's room.

But it was delayed for now only. And I knew soon this will come again. Today's talk had given me so much to ponder over that I knew a sleepless night is awaiting me at home.

But oh well! That's life!!

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu lovelies. Finally! I know I take so long in updating 🙈🙈 but please please make my day and click that cute little orange star and do tell me your thoughts over it too as it's not edited as usual 😟.
One thing that I wanted to ask was I add some Urdu words here and there so if you don't understand it please tell me and I'll write the meanings with them too. 😘

Take care!