Mannat

11 | Guarding her

ZAYAAN

“You shouldn’t lose your calm like that Zayaan, that’s not going to help…” Dad said shaking his head.

“He threatened to hurt Shiza dad. How can I keep my calm?” I rake finger through my hair in frustration.

There was a knock at the door. I straighten myself and mumbled come in.

Two of my trusted bodyguard walked inside.

Opening the gallery of my phone, I clicked on Shiza's picture and placed in on the table for them to take a look at it.

“From today onwards you’ll be guarding her — Shiza Irani. Do not allow any unknown person anywhere near her… You’ll be starting from today itself. I’ll ask my secretary to send details of Shiza and I have also informed her that you’ll be reporting in another hour.” I stated loud and clear. I didn’t want to compromise in her safety. It was hard to convince Shiza in having a bodyguard around her. After a lot of nagging she finally agreed.

Both my bodyguard nodded their head and turned around to leave but before they could go out I stopped them.

“Wait…” I said, they halted in their track and walked back to stand close to my desk.
Loosening my tie I clear my throat, “I want you to guard one more person.” I said making my dad raise his brow with a questioning look.

Closing my eyes for a second I shifted in my chair. I wouldn’t be able to sleep without an assurance that even she was safe.

“Qulsum Irani — I want you guard her too…” I pronounced and glanced at my dad. His face was devoid of emotions but he was keenly observing me.
Picking up the phone from the desk and scroll through the picture and tapped on picture of Qulsum and Shiza together. Zooming in to Qulsum I stare at her smiling for a second and then handed my phone to the guard.
“You will receive details of her work place. I want you to guard her in secret. You find anyone suspicious do not hesitate to corner them. Just make sure she doesn’t get to know that you are guarding her.”

When they left I turned my attention towards dad and before he could ask I started speaking, “That was — I don’t want — It’s just —”
And fuck I was stammering like hell.

Dad stood up buttoning up his tuxedo, “You are grown up now Zayaan. You are not answerable to me. Just be sure whatever you are doing is right for you and for everyone.” With that dad walked out.

♡♡

QULSUM

“Mom please. I am not ready yet…” I pout at my mom. She was hell bent on marrying me as well.

“What are you both discussing?” Shiza asked walking inside with Zayaan following her carrying shopping bags.

“I want to see my elder daughter getting married too now.” Mom answered making me stiff. Shiza was grinning while Zayaan blinked his eyes staring at me.

Giving a light smile I stood up, “And like I said — I am not ready yet.”

“Yeah she isn’t ready yet mom. She hasn’t met someone like Zayaan. I am sure when she will find a perfect person she will be eager to get married.” Shiza answered wrapping her hand around my arm.

“Leave all this… Ready for Mehndi party?” I ask cheerily.
One month had passed in buzz and it was Shiza's mehndi party tonight. She will be getting married tomorrow.

[ Mehndi Party — The bride would have intricate henna patterns applied to their hands and feet during the event. It’s a fun night with lots of music and dance.]

Everyone was dressed in yellow and Shiza was looking like an angel with bright smile not leaving her face.
She sat on the stage which was decorated with garlands in the middle of our huge garden. Surrounding her were henna artists who were applying patterns on her hands.
The music started playing with Zoya in the centre of the dance floor. Everyone cheered while Zoya was performing. She eventually pulled Shiza to the dance floor too. I smile in content looking at my sister. Soon, I along with Aqsa were also pulled in the centre. For once I dribbled all my worries to side and danced. We were dancing without any worry, it was only ladies who were present at the function so many of our cousins also joined the dance.

After the dance, Shiza went back to applying henna on her hands.
Mom called me and asked the artist to put henna on my hand as well.

“Mom not now… I still have to check on food arrangements.”

“No, you girls —” she pointed at Aqsa, Zoya and I. “All three of you sit here and put henna on your hands. We elders will look after arrangements.” Saying this she walked inside the house.

“I am damn hungry.” Shiza huffed making all of us laugh.
“I’ll ask someone to get you food.”

Soon one of our cousin came with food. Since Shiza’s hands were filled with henna she was feeding her.

“What initial should I engrave.?” The Henna artist asked and I looked at Shiza who had her mouth filled with food not only that she was so busy devouring the food that she didn’t listen to henna artist.

“Z — that’s the initial…” I said smiling at Shiza's henna artist. I looked at my hand, it was half filled.
Usually Grooms initial is engraved somewhere in brides hand. And on the wedding day groom is asked to find his initial on her hand.

“What about you ma'am?” The girl who was applying henna to Zoya asked.
“You can write Zoya. I’m not married yet…” Zoya replied blushing.
Then after some time even Aqsa henna artist asked her for initial, I waited for my henna artist to ask but she never did. I looked down at both my hands which were filled with henna patterns. I pout gazing at it. I wanted to engrave my name as well but she never asked.

“Thank you” I mumble getting up, my back was paining from sitting in the same position for about an hour.

♡♡

I looked around in the garden and couldn’t find mom anywhere. I was walking inside house whilst looking at the beautiful pattern drawn on my hand when I bumped into someone.

❤...