How many pennies in the slot? Giving us up didn't take a lot 

<<raqeeba's p.o.v"

His hand seized mine as he took me down the corridor, out the rear door, and straightinto the car.

My nose and cheeks turned the darkest shade of red, and my sniffs filled the automobile almost immediatly, as the tears I had worked so hard to stop eventually left my eyes like a broken dam.

"Nuraan-" I tried to speak through my hiccups, only to have him interrupted me with a clenched jaw.

"Not now."

I held my hands together on my lap, feeling them trembling. I was mistaken. I wasn't even close to being that brave. I simply could not be, not without him at my side! I'm sure he didn't hear anything I said to Rudra back then, but it doesn't change the fact that he did see us talking. I wonder what he is thinking of me right now for him to just drag me away like that. A choked sob escaped my lips, and this time I didn't even try to stop it.

"Nuraan, please, baby... just list-"

"For fuck's sake, Raqeeba! Shut the fuck up!" His voice burst through the small space, making me jump, but before I know what was happening, we had already reached home. Home. Our home.

I looked at those white walls which had been my shelter for the past months. How long till this is all snatched away from me, again? 

And by the looks of things, and the way he's behaving...Not long, I guess.

He got out almost immediately, slamming the car door behind him and barging to my side as his palm wrapped around my arm, sacklessly pulling me out and marching towards the gates, throwing them open and pushing me forward, making me gasp as he shut the door behind him.

His red eyes were almost filled with angry tears as he breathed hard, not once looking away from my greys.

"He was telling the truth, wasn't he?"

________

"Thank God you guys are here; I was about to lose hope." As soon as our car entered the farmhouse grounds, I overheard Nushra say.

I simply smiled at her before exiting and hugging her tightly.

"You wish my to-be-bride," I joked, causing her to roll her eyes before hastily pulling away and punching me in the arm, causing me to jump. "What was that for?!?" I said.

"Really!? You dare to say that after the way you two and virtually the entire group disappeared from my big day?" I felt my smile fade as she spoke until I realized she was obviously entirely unaware of everything that had happened at her 'big day.' 

In reality, no one knew what had transpired the other day except for the two of us, T, Zee, Laksh, and J, who were right there to see it. Obviously, I told J.

"Oh, it's simply that my head hurt too much. I'm sorry..." I responded with a chuckle, immediately feeling awful about seeing the worry in her eyes.

"Excuse me, are you feeling better now?" She enquired.

"Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm feeling a lot better now." I smiled, reassuring her, and she smiled back until the loud thud of the automobile door cut us off.

I observed Nuraan as he removed his sunglasses, walked towards his sister pecking her temple before straight away heading towards the house without a word. 

"What's up with him, now?" Nushra inquired, her brows wrinkled as she watched his every move until he vanished through the doors. I chuckled nervously. "I think he's having the headache this time."

She simply sighed and shook her head.

"Well, on behalf of my brother, Beeba, I apologize; I know he can be a real pain in the arse, I swear." Waving at her anxiety, I laughed.

"It's all fine. By now, I've grown rather accustomed to my husband's man-child." She returned my smile with a contented expression on her face before softly laying her hands on my shoulders. "I hope you're well aware that you've always been the ideal match for my brother. And I'm so glad that you people sorted your differences out. Not only because he now has a lovely wife, but also because we can now call you family. Our family."

I'm not sure why, but something about her remarks had all of our wedding memories rush before my eyes, almost causing me to tear up from the inside.

However,  I just grinned and drew her into an embrace. "Stop making us feel like sentinels; we have a wedding to attend, after all. Gotta keep up the glow, princess!"

When her smile brightened, she appeared to be pushing back and blushing at my words.

"Oh, by the way..." She jutted, clearing her throat. As she softly grabbed my hands in hers, I could sense the unease in her tone. "Anusha may have simply asked if she could bring her new partner to my wedding functions, and I... may have said a yes." She let out a sigh. "I know I'm being a bad sister, but she's my best friend, and I can't say no to her, so... Basically, she's here with her boyfriend right now. I didn't think that will be an issue for any of you. I mean, I figured you'd all gone past the 'ex' stage, so but! If it is then I can definitely ask him to leave.... I'm sorry."

If I'm being honest, I suppose I'm well aware that Nuraan is no longer interested in her, but I couldn't help but wonder.

Was it really her attempting to get over him or was it simply her trying to get back at him with some jealousy trick or something?

With a shake of my head, I expressed my disinterest in the situation. "Ah, chuck it. Honestly, neither of us care about it, and... I'm actually glad she's making an effort to move on." I responded. 

Nushra exhaled deeply, relieved. "Thank God, Beeba, you have no idea how much that information bothered me. All throughout the night I kept thinking of these fake scenarios where either You or she won't be attending the wedding together, it's just I- I just... I just want everything to go smoothly, with my complete family and friends present." 

I reassured her by tightening my grip on her hand.

"Hey, c'mon now, I see where all this anxiety is coming from, but I swear you wouldn't have to worry about any of these nonsense dramas from my end." So don't get too worked up over it, okay? You're the bride, you've got to shine, Babee!"

Narrowing her eyes at me, she just laughed beaming at my comments.

"I honestly believe you married the wrong Khan."

"Ya well, I've heard that before," I said, rolling my eyes and flipping my hair.

We both began strolling into the dining room, my eyes immediately landing on mom and dad and the huge ass red velvety square box-like thing in their hands. 

"Hola Amigos!" I sang greeting them both making their heads snap in my direction before I bent forward kissing them both on the cheek. 

"There she is...our little bundle of joy!" I heard Dad say making me laugh as I placed my hands on my chest dramatically, pretending to cry at his touching words. Making them shake their heads. Dad opened his arms welcoming me for a hug before making me sit on his right. 

"Wassup babies? What's that?" I asked curiosity getting the best of me as I finally saw mom open the red thing in her hand. 

"Just some embarrassing memories of my 3 minions."  Mom replied, giggling while I saw Nush whining as she poured me a glass of mango juice, passing it on and sitting beside me.

"I swear to god NONE of those pictures are gonna be there in absolutely any of my functions, I mean Nuraan got away with them!" Nushra said almost glaring at what I now figured out to be an album.

Dad let out a burst of booming laughter while mom just rolled her eyes with a smirk on her lips before starting to show me all the pictures of their childhood making my eyes go wide.

"That's Nuraan!?" I couldn't help but ask, my voice raising a few octaves as I looked at those cute chubby cheeks of the 11-year-old. "oh my gawdd" I breathed with all heart eyes in my mind while mom and dad just laughed at my reaction.

"That is indeed your husband, hon." Mom said giggling.

"How??" Those words almost immediately escaping my mouth. I had seen him in middle school, he was nowhere near to being THAT cute back then, to be honest. This time it was Nushra's laughter that filled the room, "Well, my brother has always been this way it's like one day he's all chubby, and then boom! All of a sudden he starts looking so gross that girls start running after him." 

I couldn't help but chuckle my eyes not once leaving those innocent baby blue orbs as I softly traced my hands on the picture. 

Such innocence had already seen so much at such a delicate age.

"Look at this!" This time it was dad. I smiled looking at all of their memories, It's true everything indeed happens for a reason. Nuraan looked so content in most of the pictures, his smile meeting his eyes, be it in the ones where he made absolutely dislocated and uneven ponytails for Nush or when he held T upside down or when they all were lying on top of mom and dad at the beach. My heart fluttered at the cute memories of their happiness, a feeling of contentment and strength spreading through my veins when all of a sudden I felt everything around me stop. 

My mind completely coming to a halt as my eyes zoomed towards a certain tiny figure, with a white polo shirt, black shorts, and a flat cap placed neatly on the head. 

Have you ever been in a position when everything around you starts moving but for you, the world has come to a halt, as your heart beats loud? Loud and Clear like a drum being played right beside your ears and your eyes tear up even without any of your knowledge. When your tears betray you. 

"Mom," I said my voice coming out almost inaudibly. "Hmm?" She hummed, eyes fixed on the group photo and a broad smile on her face. 

"Who's that?" I finally asked, my fingers slowly pointing towards the little kid, without whom I wouldn't have been where I am. Everyone around just let out a chuckle.

"Couldn't figure out, could you? She loved dressing like a guy." Mom replied making my eyes slightly go wide as I stammered. "Sh-she?"

She nodded chuckling, "Yeah, that's ___"

----------

Splashing the water right on my face for what seemed like the hundredth time, I looked at the reflection in front of me.

My breath heavy, mouth open, heart thumping, and my mind? Overjoyed.

"Oh my god." I chanted. "Oh my god," "Oh my god!" "OH MY GOD!" I didn't even realize how loud I was screaming as I jumped with excitement and almost uncontrollable laughter escaping my lips while fresh and happy tears escaped my eyes.

After all these years, after all these fuckin years. Finally. Finally, I get to thank that one person.

That one Angel without whom I would've been absolutely nothing.

"Ohkay now woman! You're freaking me out!" I heard Nushra say as she banged on the washroom door for what seemed like the hundredth time. Giggling I hopped my way to the washroom door, throwing it open before grabbing Nursh by her arms and turning us in circles.

"I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you sooo so muchhh, Nush!! Muah!!!" I chimmed kissing her cheeks, while she laughed with me however her eyes shining with curiosity. 

"Ok but what's i--"

"I'll tell you everything but before that I need to find her." I said cutting her off making her huff.

"She's not here yet, Beeba. Although she said she's on her way so calm down." I just nodded thanking her before strolling down the garden with my soft drink in my hand when my eyes met those blue ones making my smile drop, he just looked back at me with a clenched jaw before turning away and leaving.

Such an important day of my life and I couldn't share it with the most important member in it.

 I was only halfway through my drink when someone nudged me on the side of my stomach. "What?" I yelled at Nush in a hushed tones,

She didn't say anything at first, simply nodding in the opposite direction. "He's the one. Anusha's new guy a.k.a that hot, sexy, low-key oldie."

My brows furrowed in response to the description, and I just turned my head, following her gaze, only to see an all-too familiar face, which made my fury boil almost instantly. Completely eradicating my previous thoughts of her.

No...

Anusha clung to the arms of the filthy man she probably had no freakin' idea about, her eyes meeting mine almost instantly. There was no way she could have done this on purpose, and I'm not saying this to appear noble, but because I know I'm very good at reading people's minds. Yes, Anusha is a psychotic woman, but I have no doubt that she would never endanger her life to exact vengeance on someone she doesn't even care about. She would never do such a thing. She would never put herself in the hands of a murderer. 

Rudra was not even the last set of hands that would be safe for the world, for fuck's sake.

That just clarifies one point.

He was right.

There was no way that they could possibly be on their own.

There has to be another pair of helping hand with this oblivious duo. 

But, no matter what, I was not going to allow anyone ruin the happiness of my family. And I had to buckle up from the start if I wanted it to stop.

Without giving my actions a second thought, I immediately stormed my foot, causing a few pairs of eyes to move towards me and Nushra to almost freak out as I marched straight in front of my husband's so called dumb ex.

"We need to talk." I said, my gaze fixed on her's. She only chuckled and clung even tighter to that disgusting man, almost making me gag.

"Please accept my apologies. Don't you see I'm busy? I'm occupied with my lover at the moment." 

What is it with her and her fucking thick skull? I couldn't help myself this time, as I grabbed her by her arm and pulled her free from his clutch before repeating myself. 

"I told you we. need. to. talk," I said.

At that moment I couldn't help but be satisfied with my intimidating skills as I saw her eyes widening and she immediately pulled herself away from him, gulping and whispered an 'excuse me' to her lover.

Rudra didn't particularly seem too elated by the fact that his "lover" had just agreed to ditch him for me. And you know what they say? A person's action can be modified to some extent, but their nature can never be changed.

After all, once a tormentor is always a tormentor.

But I guess our little Barbie here had never had the taste of dominance. Well, good for her, but considering she almost jumped at the tightness of his hold on her waist, it was clear that none of them dealt well with that situation.

"No." Came his tight lip gritted reply. I didn't miss the way Anusha frowned before subtly trying to take his hands of her. "David... honey, just give me a minute, okay." She tried convincing.

"I said NO." This time I couldn't help but clench my jaw. Who does this man even think he is?

"Hands off her. NOW. " Firm and collected, that was the aura I was aiming to go with as of now. Rudra's eyes snapped towards mine the moment those words escaped my mouth. The corner of his lips curving into a smirk as he almost instantly let her go, raising his hands in surrender.

"Your wish is my command, Doll." Yeah and you are not my Christian. I couldn't help but scoff at his face. "You're getting old, Mr. David;  I suggest taking classes on different figures of speech. Anyway, just to make it easier for you, that wasn't a wish, it was meant to be a command and if not followed..." I walked closer to his face, monotonously smiling before gritting my teeth.

"A potential threat." I didn't bother to wait for his answer, as I grabbed Anusha's arm and pulled her down the corridor with me, eventually coming to a halt at the end of it.

"What the hell?!?" Anusha cried out as she yanked her hand away from mine. Her steely eyes staring right at me causing me to roll mine.

"Oh, I'm sorry for protecting your pitiful ass from that pedophile; you can go back to your lunatic of a fake ass lover if you want." Her breath stuck in her throat before she scoffed looking at me.

"For someone who was foolish enough to date that oldie for years, you're a fuckin hypocrite. I mean, I hope you finally get how painful it is to see your ex in someone else's arms. I hope that now that you've seen me with your 'David,' you can understand what I've been going through whenever I see you with MY MAN!"

Wait what? Ex?? 

Am I really hearing myself right?

"What did you just say?"

I couldn't help myself but ask again. She sighed, rolling her eyes at me.

"I said, now that I'm with your ex do you finall--"

"--Did he bless you with that information?" I couldn't help but inquire. How dare he-

"No..." She answered almost immediately. "Well then who told you that?" My voice rising with every passing second. "Jeez woman, I don't know okay now. Lemme go!"

"Look Anusha, this is serious ok, this is different, it's not as simple as you throwing plates around, it's about your goddamned life so just tell me the fucking truth or else--"

"Fine! God fine m-my frien--"

"Anusha!" Her words stopped the moment a loud shrill voice interrupted her's from the other side making us both look behind.

Ayman smiled at us before hurrying to our direction. And almost all of a sudden a certain nervousness hit me by force while my heart started beating wild and my lips spread into a wide smile.

"There you guys are, we've been searching for the two of you since ages, c'mon now let's go the hena girl is here for that function from Josh's side."

I bleamed at her. "Umm hi Aym..." I said she just smiled back, nodding before turning around ready to leave when all of a sudden she stopped, gently slapping on her forehead as she turned around. 

"Hold this." She said handling me her clutch and phone, not before taking out a hot pink shade of nail paint from her clutch as she took Anusha's hand applying some amount of it on her pinky.  

"This totally goes with your outfit for the day doesn't it?" She said to which Anu let out an obsessive girly scream. "Omg Aym, where'd you get this shade I had been searching for it since ages."

"Ikr, come with me I got way more shades."

I didn't realise how soon as their topic started I felt a vibration in my hand. 

UNKNOWN NUMBER - It said,

"Um Aym, you got a call--" Before the words could leave my mouth I felt her hurriedly grab her stuffs away from my hand, nervously as she whispered a quick thank you and left, dragging Anusha behind her.

I softly smiled looking at their retreating backs when all of a sudden something clicked in my mind.

No...

Was all I thought as I quickly took my phone out of my jean's pocket, my eyes skimming through the call logs only for it to stop at a very familiar one.

A knot tied at my throat as the clear understanding of everything going on around me registered in my brain, my grasp on my phone loosened and my knees became weak, while I could feel my heart quicken before stopping entirely.

A single second. That's when I realised that a single second in life was enough to make you feel thrilled while also making you feel like you'd been pushed off a cliff.

That's when I realised that...

It's only a matter of time before everything falls into place.

Or everything falls apart.

___________

I had always been fascinated by the Indian culture and tradition, ever since I was a kid. A part of is was because when I was little and mom and dad used to be busy they had Sania bi come over to take care of me and Re-re. A late 40 year old with the wisest of mind, ever posssible.

Sania bi, as she liked to be called was my nanny, even though at the age of seven I was pretty to too much pampered but I enjoyed every bit of it.

She, was probably the biggest reason for my ever so positive outlook towards life, she always wanted to be a children's book writer, but when her husband dumped her in an absolutely unknown country, she had no other option than to do the bare minimum to sustain her living and survive. She wanted to be an author.

That's probably the biggest reasons why all my years of being under her watch my days started end ended with her indianized versions of fairytales.

Years later when I had finally graduated high school, I spent all my saving in publishing her book 'What Beauty Does'. She was elated when she saw my present for her 60th birthday, said her dream had finally been fulfilled and that now she could rest in peace. Little did I know how much she meant every word she said.

I had cried rivers, when one day I heard the news of her demise, it broke me to see an important part of my life leave my hands just when I had started to stand on my own feet. However, the only thing keeping me go was the note she left for me along with some of our pictures, specifically the first time we met.

It takes one thought, one second, one moment or one positive memory to act as a catalyst for the light to gradually seep in again.

Hold on to the positivity and the beauty of the world Jaani

This book of life is yours to write. Make it a bestseller! 

Love, Bi!

"Remember when you always used to ask me to dress in something traditional, Bi. Then here I am, dressed in an all too ethnic outfit, thanks to josh." I said chuckling as I looked into the mirror.

Taking the set of golden bangles from the table, I gently slid them down my hands. I was wearing a pastel green colored ankle length embroidered skirt also known as lehenga with a plain pastel green blouse and an embroidered dupatta, which I threw on one side of my shoulder. I was looking at my reflection when my eyes shifted to the figure standing behind me. Dressed in a white kurta with sleeves folded all the way till his forearms, he looked the epitome of a breath taking human who managed to slay in absolutely anything. My lips curling into a small smile as I looked at his pants. That's right, pastel green it is.

I mean someone had to scream that we were a couple right??

His eyes met mine, as he slowly came closer, his front slightly pressing against my back, as he raised his hands in front of me, making my eyes snap at the white thing placed on his hand. 

I looked at him my eyes instantly hardening while his remained void.

How did I ever manage to love this man?

There was a knock on the door, breaking our eye contact as we both looked at the direction of the intruder. "Come in, darling" He said to her making her eyes go wide while mine to glare at the both.

Why are you doing this to me Nuraan?

_______

"Now," I murmured as tucking my hair out from behind my ears, making them cover the sides of my face. The Sangeet had started off with a bang, with the celebration kicking off almost immediately with a Bollywood playlist and bright attire, as well as a dash of Indian cuisine. This was destined to be a hit.

My eyes scanned the room filled with dancing relatives and laughing faces when they finally landed on a very, very familiar pair of green orbs, only to find them making their way towards me. Gulping I could feel my heart take up its pace the closer I could feel him come towards me, making me move back and immediately grab the hands of the man I loved.

His blue eyes stared back at me with concern at first until they shifted to the ones from whom I was running away. I could see the way his jaw clenched before he did what was probably the most unexpected thing of my life. Jerking his hand away from my touch, his eyes glared at mine as he grabbed my jaw in a hard grip pulling me closer while he gritted his words out in a low voice.

"Stop pretending to be someone you're not. Why don't you go back to your dreaded lover boy? Just wait until the wedding is over, and then we're done."

Tears tickled my eyes at his words as I saw him rush out of the hall, making my insides break.

Shutting my eyes I let the memories of that night flush through my eyes before I opened them, my eyes almost instantly landing on a pair of hazel orbs as they looked at me with concern before immediately looking away.

I could still feel those green eyes following my every move, making my insides tremble as I sped through the crowd, exiting the hall and rushing my way down the halls, halting right at the end of the corridor and turning right to the least occupied room.No one ever comes into this part of the house anyway...

I jumped when I heard the loud sound of the door being thrown open, which caused my eyes to bulge.

"C'mon, Doll, how could you still be so naïve after all these years? What made you believe I wouldn't follow you just because you decided to flee?"

He said, his sickening voice churning my insides.

"G-go away from here, Rudra." I stammered only to have a burst of booming laughter escape his mouth.

"That's exactly what I was thinking; not much has changed. Isn't it true that he believed me? My brother, your idiotic spouse. Huh. What a knucklehead." He mumbled with a low chuckle that made me frown.

"Wh-what do you mean?"

He just shook his head, his steps coming closer to me as he replied. "Let's just say your marriage is a fucking sham, and it was high time you guys got over it. Don't you fuckin see it Ora, he doesn't love you, because if he did, he wouldn't have left your hand just because his mother's murder told him that he was the love of your life, that you love me and that we were together." I just looked at him with shock.

"Why? Why would you do that to me?" Tears stung in my eyes as those words escaped my mouth. "Why Rudra!? Why?!""

"Because I love you!"

"You don't!"

"I do! Why else do you think would I come running all the way to you leaving my 3-year-old and the dead corpse of my fucking wife!? Huh!" 

I froze the moment those words escaped his lips. My mind became a blur as I breathed out,

"Y-you what?" The horror glistening clear at my words, which for some reason provided him the satisfaction he was searching for, that sickening broad smile spreading across his face as stormed forward cupping my cheeks making me immediately step back.

"That's right baby. That's right, now you know. I could bloody kill for you. Just to have you. Now, do you believe me? He doesn't love you as much as I do, Orvana."  

Slapping his hand away I tried pulling away from his grip only to have him hold on to my wrist tighter.

"Let me go, Rudra. Let me go!" I screamed, trying my hardest to pull away.

"I said I love you Ora! Kabir doesn't even deserve you!" I didn't care about anything anymore, my mind trying it's hardest to not let past memories and terrors to flood my brain

"Let me go I said---" 

My words immediately came to a halt the moment two very familiar voices caught my attention. Both mine and Rudra's eyes shifting towards the direction of the door untill the corner of his mouth turned into a smirk.

"Told you he doesn't love you." Was all he said and before I know his hand grabbed mine as he dragged me away and out of the room pushing me through the opposite doors, switching on the lights.

And just like that my world came crashing down as I looked at the duo in front of me, theirs arms wrapped around eachother's.

"I love you, Anu." He said, "I love you too, Nuraan." She replied.

This couldn't have been better.

____________

The end is an inevitable phenomenon.

And that's how I'd like to finally give you the heads up my loves!

TWO MORE UPDATES TO GO UNTILL MY SIGN OFF

and an end to this journey of Raqeeba and Nuraan

AAAAAAAAHHHHHH It's finally happening.

Just to let you know, happy endings are kinda overrated but hey! Do read the next two too. Coming up super soon.

Till then byeeee!

and I love you allll!!!

_____________