~ The worst feeling is when you don't want to give up on someone, but you know you have to.

Amyrah

Zameer and I, followed by our families and friends, entered the simple yet lavishly decorated hall. The Waleema ceremony. The hall was divided into two, separating the females and the males. YET there were some males in the female section. Seriously, guys?

Just as the hall door opened, the Qaseedah- Barakallahu lakuma wa baraka alaikuma- by Maher Zain began playing. A smile graced my lips.
We're here on this special day.
Our hearts are full of pleasure...

Zameer and I walked-- more like crawled-- so slowly towards the entrance, through a couple of stairs. Step by step. Our hands enterwined. The heavy maroon lehenga, the flowing silk dupatta and the gold sandal made my steps falter-- almost-- against the tip of the stairs, resulting in Zameer's hand encircling around my waist. A tingle through my spine made me look above-- at his eyes-- locking them in a furious battle while his danced with a playful chuckle.

Someone cleared their throat.

I well know who that-- that guy was. Shehzad. Of course. Of course. Of course.

The moment was ruined.

Get me a slipper. And a---- forget it, Amyrah.

I so wanted to embarrass the two of them, but luckily I was in no mood for that. I was exhausted smiling. Smiling and smiling.

Maybe some time later. Surely.

***

Zameer

Letting out a huge sigh, I sat heavily on the chair, the smile never leaving my face. Why? Because of my beau----

"Hey."

Why the hell is Shehzad so bent on ruining my thoughts?

"Y man!?" I glared at him.

"You look so un-handsome with that look, Zammy."

"When did you become so... so sassy?"

In reply he gave an exasperated sigh. What's with him?

"Yo man! You look so hot! I mean look at that!" The nosy, noisy, lazy Aahil made his appearance known, by screaming.

I rolled my eyes.

"Woah man. You're so cool. That slight beard... wow. I can't wait to be a groom myself. I am going to gel my hair just like yours. Wear a red-golden shervani, then give all the people that look of yours. Yaar... your my new hero. Also I so like your---"

Aahil was cut off by Shehzad who almost killed him with his stare and said, "You. Are. So. Gross. Stop talking. Right now. And get lost."

Eh.

"I see the groom has two lovers fighting for him."

Speak of the devil, here he is. Ammar, Amyrah's brother slapped his hand on my shoulder.

Hard.

Is his hand lead or something?

He grits his teeth, I am not sure either in seriousness or playfulness and says, "Aahil go find a bride for yourself. Shehzad you already have a wife waiting for you. Don't disturb my sister's husband. Got it?" Then looking at me he threatened, with a playful slap-- hard-- really hard-- on my shoulder. "Hurt her once, I'll---"

I cut him off, my shoulder almost cracking with his playful slap. "I know that line. Cut it off bro. Dramatic lines dosen't suit you."

"W...w...what? He's your brother in law. You can't speak to him like that!" Shehzad murmured shocked.

"Man! I said you, you're so cool," Aahil says excitedly.

"Did you just offend me!?" Ammar glares.

I stood up. "I am hungry."

***

People from all over the world came and gave me handshakes, smiles and greetings. I don't even know half of them. Mom went overboard as usual.

Once I stuffed my stomach with food, I let out a satisfied smile.

Only to be met with an oh-my-god Shehzad, an awwing Aahil and a is-he-seriously-my-brother-in-law Ammar.

I shrugged nonchalantly and went towards my bride, who seemed to be getting teased by her friends. While Shehzad, Ammar and Aahil bluntly followed me to the female section.

"Hey love. How's it going? Missing ya already."

She coloured red, while her friends giggled.

"You look stunning." I grinned. I am so evil. I know.

She furiously looked at me. Then taking a deep breath said, batting her eyelashes, "Hubby honey, you look just as handsome. Come closer. Come, come. Let me pinch your cheeks."

I think she meant slap me?

"Love, love, relax. We have more time for that. Relax. Just relax," I smirked devilishly.

Her eyes squinted and she burst out, "Like hell will I relax! Why the hell did you come here? And didn't I tell you to stop calling me love!? Why am I calling hell again!?"

She lost her cool. Bipolar.

Oh gosh! There are more people here!

Oh well... "Relax, love."

***

While Ammar and Aahil went somewhere to speak with people, Shehzad and I just kept staring at space.

Just then Bushra, Shehzad's wifey, comes with an excited Hania, Shehzad's neice, who rushes to me saying, "Groom Zam!"

I bent down and gave her a huge smile. "How do you do, buddy?"

"Nah, nah, call me baby!" Hania pouts. "And baby was reeely excited to see you. You look like hayee!" She says keeping her hand on her heart. I giggled childishly and replied, keeping my hands on my chest and closing my eyes, "You look like awww! So pretttyyy!"

She grins, almost shyly and said, "Mashalla."

I pinch her cheeks.
"Ma Sha Allah."

Just then Shehzad speaks, after Hania runs away, "Hey, do you remember, that time you called me and said something like how's the baby?"

I shrugged. "I guess. Why?"

"Um... actually what baby were you talking about? Do you know anyone who's expecting a child? Hehe... I... well... just---" Shehzad said, nervously.

Eh? This guy is nuts.

"Shehzad, who else do I call baby other than Hania? I guess I was speaking about her. What's up with you!? I am the groom, for God's sake. You shouldn't be conversing with me like this. Like you know---"

I was cut off by an excited Shehzad's rambling. "Oh Allah! Alhamdulillah! I was so surprised. I thought you were asking about my baby... I meant my future child. But the point is that Bushra isn't pregnant, and so I wondered how in the world did you get to know about it---!!"

"Wait! What? Oh my God! What the hell are you talking about? You mean to say you're gona be a dad!? I mean, like an actual father!? ARE YOU SERIOUS!?"

"Shush!" Shehzad silences me. "NOOO maan! This is all a big misunderstanding. I am so stupid. Thank God, I am so stupid." And then Shehzad begins laughing hysterically.

I blinked, "Did you just thank God for being stupid?"

***

3rd Person's POV

The function was in full swing. The guests were enjoying gossiping and finding future-partners for their respective children.

The bride seemed to be unfazed with all the smiles, but inside only she knew the extent of her anger. Why? Because Zameer; her hubby-hunny-bunny, Ammar; her big-shot brother, Shehzad; her "innocent" cousin and Aahil; her sister in law's unmanly brother had come to the female section!

Ammar goes to speak with his five month pregnant wife, Rayzah. Yep, they were expecting and Ammar's happiness knew no bounds. Amyrah too had been ecstatic, but for the past couple of weeks she hadn't had time for her sister-in-law and she felt a bit upset. Rayzah had assured her that she should give first preference to her husband!

Rayzah unconsciously touches her stomach with a smile. Ammar quickly pecks her on the cheek, looking right and left, hoping no one saw them. Then went over to the food table and served a plate of a few sweet and spicy dishes. He pulls out a chair for his wife and gives her the plate, to which she smiled and began devouring the sweets.

Amyrah's aunt and uncle went towards their neice. Shabnam hugs Amyrah and places a kiss on her forehead. Her uncle for the first time looks at her, and smiles. Then he very quietly says, "You make us proud."

Amyrah's eyes lit up. For the first time she stands up and hugs her uncle. After all, they had raised her. Her heart forgives them all. She smiles. The smile eliminating the hall, filling it with love and forgiveness, a silent promise heals up all their wounds of hatred, just as the sun rises from its horizon.

It's just a new begining.

***

Meanwhile, Bushra had led Hania near Shehzad as she wanted to speak with "groom Zam". Shehzad gave Bushra a thumbs up and a huge smile. In return she gave him a flying kiss and a wink. She stood there a little while longer staring at Shehzad, only to which he reciprocated the flying kiss, which made her blush glisten with cute dimples.

Waiting there for some good minutes, she blantly heard Zameer's and Shehzad's conversation. She thinks, what is actually happening in this world? Bushra shakes her head. Then she bursts out laughing.

She admits, it was kinda funny.

***

Aahil walks through the hall, after congratulating the bride. His eyes clash with a certain brown one.

He jogs near her. Humaira. For the past few months they'd been crossing paths almost everywhere.

Humaira sees him and quickly moves away. Like a plague she'd been avoiding him for a couple of days. Aahil didn't understand her logic. Is she playing the hard to get type?

Oh if only he knew.

"Humaira!" He almost shouts.

Humaira reacts almost fast, and as if she couldn't hear him she walks near her glaring mother.

She didn't understand why her parents had to be so protective of her. And that too suddenly. Suddenly they start paying attention to her, ask her about her future plans, ask her about her well being. Why now after all these years, she thought.

Being the only girl in the family didn't make it easy. Her parents always treated her like an "outsider". Why? Because she was a girl. And her dad didn't want a female child. Why? Because he thinks they are a burden.

From young, she never got the attention. It was always her brothers. And that was why they had put her into boarding school as well.

Her parents had found out that she speaks, and texts Aahil. Her dad had spat at her saying, "This is why I never wanted you."

She was hurt.

Scared.

She didn't know what to do. She knew it was wrong.

But she loved him. She loved Aahil. It was wrong. But she couldn't help it.

She was so afraid of her dad. So very afraid.

Humaira bit her lip. Somehow she felt anger surging through her, thinking of her parents. She didn't like them one bit. She despised them. 

Oh, if only Aahil understood.

***

Zehra watches the exchange between Aahil and Humaira. Her friend had recently turned quiet and she had a hunch of what the problem is.

She wished Aahil spoke to her like he did with Humaira, but she shrugged it away. Aahil was well off with Humaira. It didn't matter if it hurt seeing them together. She'll make sure they don't do anything stupid.

Zehra yawns.

It was then something caught her eye.

Her heart beats fast.

And she quickly averts her eyes. Heat creeping her neck and cheeks.

***

Amidst of all chaos, there was someone, standing at the exit of the hall.

He touches the frame hanging. Zameer & Amyrah.

He brushes his hand on the letters Amyrah.

Was it her? He thought. No. No way. He had promised her to wait for him.

He wanted to be cured. He wanted to be accepted by her, Amyrah.

Rumaan looks at himself. He was so ugly. So useless. He was a sick man. Will he ever get cured? He covers his face with his hands.

He felt like grabbing his hair. He felt like smashing his face. He felt like jumping off.

Rumaan sobs.

He dosen't know what to do.

He hates himself.

Rumaan sobs again and again, quietly.

The sky darkens, thunder bolts and lightening strucks. Rumaan stood there, rain pouring on himself. He didn't care.

He just wanted to be cured.

Rumaan wanted to live, like a normal person.

And he wanted Amyrah, to be his wife.

☆☆☆

A/N

Assalamu Alaikum/ Hey everyone. I hope you all are safe and sound?

How was the chapter?

See you all tomorrow! Take care!❤