CHAPTER 17
AHAD POV:
I was at my parents' place today, lying on my mother's lap while she was caressing my hair. I closed my eyes, trying not to wonder about the whole of last night's event. I sent Hayat some voice notes, and she replied instantly.
Noticing how she texted back, just immediately, I could guess she had started to get close to her phone... or she had started to give me the importance... I'll let my mind stick to the latter one.
"Ahad beta," I heard Baba calling me, to which I stood up from Mother's lap and sat straight in front of him, who sat on the sofa near us, "Jee, Baba." (Translation: Yes, Father)
"Beta, we wanted to talk to you about something" there was a long pause before he continued further, "Beta we think you should get married soon since you are going to turn 30 in some months, if you're okay with the arrangements then we would like to talk to Hayat's family about it too," his voice calm yet held the authoritativeness.
Thinking about all the near-present events, I do want to marry her soon and make her my wife. She is the one I was looking for all these years. I felt it within myself, wondering about her.
"Baba, let's ask Hayat first about her thoughts regarding this. Then we can move ahead with everything." Baba nodded and phoned Hayat's Chachu to talk about a meet-up...
I took out my phone and texted her, "Hayat, what do you think about marriage within some months?"
Her response came instantly, "I don't have any problem, though I need time to settle down with you."
As I tried to understand her main concern, I realized we needed to discuss it more carefully and understand the boundaries. "Okay then, this time you are coming to our place, and we'll talk about the dates right there. Is that okay with you?"
"I'm all okay with arrangements. Ahad, don't worry." I smiled and put down my phone...
"They are going to come tomorrow at noon to meet us, we will fix the date right there and then, and start preparations," Baba said, standing up, moving towards his room.
Ammi gave me a gentle smile as I said goodbye, then I went to my room, carefully chose an outfit after much thought. Stepped out wearing black jeans and a white t-shirt, examined myself, took some photos, and shared the best one in our group chat with my friends, asking, "What do you think about this? I'm meeting your Bhabi (sister-in-law) for the first time tomorrow at our own place to finalize the marriage date."
Thinking for a while, I forward the picture to Ashar too, wanting to know his opinion, even though his comments are always out of place.
I heard my phone notification, just as I lay down after changing the fit, I clicked on my phone screen to find Hayat's message, just as I opened the text and read it, it says…
"I think a black t-shirt with half sleeves will look more decent on you instead of white, and it will also go well with my outfit, too."
I read the text twice, and the third time it made me change my position to sit up I tried to understand what she meant, and my eyes went wide when I saw the picture I sent Hayat instead of Ashar.
You stupid idiot, I scolded myself when another message popped up, "And yeah, wear a silver watch with a coat in hand since it's cold outside."
I read her text, a smile broke on my lips, she is actually the most adorable girl I have ever seen in my life. I shook my head, replied with two eye emojis, and went to sleep.
"Your wish is my command, Mrs. Ahad Mir." I kept repeating and chanting that to myself until I drifted off.
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The next day, as I got ready in the afternoon, I couldn't help but feel a wave a nervousness, I called Hammad, hoping he could be here for me, I've met her before but today feels different, might be because our wedding date is getting fixed… or might be because they're coming to our house or I don't know, I feel too anxious, I need Ashar and Hammad here right now.
I dialed Ashar's number, as I said in a rush, "You mannerless man, where are you? I told you to be here in the morning! Why haven't you reached home yet? Come fast, bro, I'm really nervous." I told him about the meeting, yet he claimed he won't be here because he has some work.
"YOU, MY BROTHER CALLED ME MANNERLESS MAN. WHY?? I'M YOUR BROTHER BHAI, DON'T SAY THIS IN FRONT OF THAT CRAZY STUPID GIRL NOW PLEASE!" He sounds like he is pleading with me, but whatever, I need him here, doesn't matter if he gets offended right now.
"Asalam Mualaikum," I heard them coming in after greeting each other. We all soon sat down. Hayat wore a white Anarkali, looking amazing as always. "Masha Allah" was the only word that came out of my mouth, like always, after seeing her standing in the lounge with her family.
We sat there; she was right in front of me, our eyes met again, and I could sense her nervousness mirroring mine. When I looked up at her, she subtly indicated towards the phone. I took it out and saw her message pop up on the screen…
"What date do you want to finalize for our wedding?"
Her question was simple, yet it felt so good seeing her say, "Our wedding." I tried to hide my smile.
"Whenever you say," She looked up at me, too done with my text.
I shook my head and glanced towards Ammi, giving her my best pleading eyes and asking her to arrange a meeting with Hayat alone to finalize our wedding date. She nodded her head and suggested Baba.
"The couple should decide the date, I think. We can make time for our children as they want," Baba suggested, making me want to hug him in pure gleam.
"You both can look around and select the date yourself, and join us here afterwards. Until then, we will discuss other matters." I nodded my head and looked at Hayat, gesturing for her to walk ahead.
Scratching the back of my head, "I you—you, I mean you look pretty, Masha Allah," I tried to say and turned towards my room.
She looked down and didn't reply, "Ahad, where are we going?" she questioned.
"To my room to sit and talk about the date," my steps halt at her question; maybe she doesn't want to be in a room alone. She nodded her head, and stepped inside the room, her eyes scanned the whole surrounding, and sat on the bed while I took a seat on the couch. She pointed her index finger towards the table in the right corner.
"You play guitar too?" She asked, her voice held a hint of excitement, "I used to… It's been a long time since I last played it," I replied, and looked at her expression, which had changed to dull instantly.
I mentally took a note to start my practice again so I could play guitar for her someday soon...