The Flying Dreams

CHAPTER TWENTY- NINE

Wahab smiled widely and once again, I wondered if it was for me or his cousin. Still in a little doubt, I tried to force my lips into a similar gesture, easy enough work since I could not stop reliving that one small touch of Shifa's fingers on my face but by the look of the situation, she had no idea of the effect her small mindless act had on me. Without washing my hands, I took the seat beside her, she instantly scooped away, and only came closer when Wahab complained that he couldn't see me. We both ignored the little awkward air brushing past our shoulders. Shifa greeted her brothers first and I followed the suit, Jihan bhai nodded and Wahab overlooked me, turning his attention on Shifa right away after giving me the coldest walaikum salam. The smile wasn't for me, then. It felt better to know this since mine was not meant for him either. The notion made me want to laugh- we both were supposedly happy over the same person but for different reasons, while knowing Shifa, she was just joyous for seeing her own brother. Her carefree disclose earlier remained in my mind and I wondered if Jihan hadn't done anything to contradict his mother's order.

But the most important thing was Wahab's lukewarm behaviour with me. Sure, he couldn't exactly blow kisses, not that I wanted him to in front of Shifa and Jihan, but the least he could do was meet my eyes. He pretended as if I wasn't even there as the trio discussed the latest events happening within their family. Why did he insist on my presence then? Had I done something wrong? Maybe he was mad that I didn't call him as much? But my mother and Zoya both agreed that he was not really upset with my absence from the engagement.

"How are you, Adia?"

My eyes skirted to Shifa for a second in slight surprise, before inclining my head, "I am fine, bhai. How are you? And congratulations!"

He laughed and aggressively lolled his neck to sides, a rosy colour settled on his cheeks and before he could say a word, Shifa made a yowl and jumped on the sofa, sending me in the abrupt shock, "He is blushing! Wahab, send me her picture now! She already has him wrapped around her pinky! Just look at him!", she furrowed her brows and in a fake high-pitched voice, added, "Not cool."

She didn't have a picture of her own future sister-in-law. Even I had two on my phone. I glanced at her face and perhaps it was because I sat so close to her to fit in the screen of the phone, but her smile didn't seem real. I had seen her happy before and at that moment, she was not. Just how withdrawn she was with her family? I heard Wahab's loud chuckle, and his eyes closed in the process, the scene sent a shrill, sharp pain down my chest. And suddenly, sitting there became too much of a task. Perhaps that was the reason he acted so aloof with me in front of his cousins—he saw right through me in one second. Saw my eyes at Shifa and not him. I was going crazy. I was definitely going crazy. There was no way he could sense it. I hoped the call would end soon and I could rest my mind but Jihan bhai didn't seem to be done, his eyes didn't waver for a second before he asked me another question, "And how is college?"

This time, I noticed Wahab looking at me with his lower lip tucked in between his teeth. I had truly made errors and just failed to realize it. Why would he ask about my college? Did Wahab tell him about my outing? Did he not like me? There had to be a reason and I wished, so desperately and fervently that I could read minds.

"Good."

I didn't even have to marvel, I knew my voice broke.

And just like that, I began to wonder if I was going through some sort of test. They were very basic questions one would ask to be polite but when the elder brothers of our fiancé showed even the tiniest spark of interest in your wellbeing and studies, then there had to be something wrong. I just had to find out what, and who better than my mother? I made a mental note to call her as soon as I could. With great horror, I watched as Jihan bhai opened his mouth again and his eyes were still on me. But instead of hearing his voice, I heard Shifa speak.

"Bhai! I need to study for my test, I'll call you later, okay?"

Jihan bhai snorted and exchanged a look with Wahab before nodding and the cut the call.

"You alright? I sensed that he was making you uncomfortable, so..."

"Not uncomfortable. He was making me afraid for my life."

Shifa chuckled and I turned to face her. "Thank you. I could have ended up fainting."

"You didn't have to worry, though. My brother is harmless and extremely nice."

I didn't reply. Sure, he was all that for her but to me, he was my fiancé's older cousin who, apparently ran the whole household. I could not be so sure of myself in front of him. My mother would chew me alive if she heard that I talked to him without any surveillance. And then, a realization dawned on me. My hands flew to cover my mouth and screamed.

"Oh my god! Shifa!"

She sounded equally horrified, "What? What happened?"

I was sure the tears were coming, and I faced her, my palms still pressing against my mouth and the words were being difficult to pronounce out of my throat. "I didn't cover my face!"

"But Adia, you don't cover your face. Your head was concealed. So, it's fine. Calm down."

Right. Oh, right. Of course. I forgot that. I needed to rest my mind and when my stare set on Shifa, my heart felt a bit lighter upon seeing her smile. She appeared to be holding her laugh at my expression and I wanted to hear her laughter, sighing, I dramatically shook my head and moved my hands, "You can laugh. I was a little shocked."

Instead of doing the said deed, she exhaled through her nose. "It's Sunday. Do you have anything important to do?"

"Is laundry counted in important works?"

She tilted her head and pretended to think, the act lasted for less than five seconds, and she shook her head and said a simple, 'no'.

"What we need right now is a movie."

I couldn't hold back my amusement. A movie? I ran through my to-do list for the day and found nothing special. Laundry, talking to Zoya, calling Ummi and revising the last lectures' notes, and going to do some grocery shopping with Shifa. It was still early in the afternoon; sure, we could watch a movie and the invitation sounded a lot like her forgiveness for my insulting and harsh comment on her choice for the entertainment. However, I still had an official apology to make. But that was not the perfect time, I decided.

"Alright. I am in."

With a clap of her palms, she stood up and went to pick up the empty utensils from the table, I too took the plates and washed my hands in the sink. I was trying to come up with good enough and sincere words to express my regrets for what I said the previous night. I watched her turn on the TV and she turned back to ask me if I had any preference.

"Something light. Disney?"

I took my time and she had already averted her focus from me, I said, in a clear and loud voice, forcing my heart to beat less violently, "Sure, and Shifa?"

"Yes?"

"If you put another movie where two women kiss, I promise I won't repeat the history."

Shifa tilted her head and the grin on her face directed at me was the reward I got. She didn't say anything, silently taking her seat on the floor, her fingers lightly brushed my leg and I assumed she wouldn't reply but after a few minutes, I heard her, a smile clear in her voice.

"Okay, I'll keep that in mind."