If Only Adults Knew How To Behave

Chapter 16

Zainab was exhausted. Finally, the night is over. She sat on the couch in the hotel room where she was staying. A tear rolled down her rosy cheeks. They were not falling because she was sad instead they marked her freedom. She was happy. She removed her hijab and went into the washroom. The door was open when she heard the beep of her phone. She had received a text message. The water was cold so she turned to the hot side. Until the tub was filled she checked her cell phone. There was only one message from a person who she was thinking about. It said:

He is way too nice. She thought but she didn't know how to reply to him. She took a bath covered herself and went to sleep. These words felt familiar. After all that had happened today the Aunty, she met today had told her one thing in the end "You didn't have to thank me. You deserve a happy life like everyone else. Before I came here I had the same views about divorced women until I heard your story. Go live the way you wish to. Do what makes you happy. Even if you don't get married again it doesn't matter. Just be happy. Until the next time we meet, Fi AmanAllah! Stay safe and take care."

At the wedding:

The theme was off-white but Zainab wore a maroon dress. This was the first time in her life that she willingly wore a heavy dress in a dark shade (though she always loved these dresses but as her mother made her wear these dresses for attracting men she never wished to wear them ever again).

While she was headed here on the train she gave it a thought and she concluded that in the end she actually cared for her family and had a soft spot for her brother too. She was a realist but she was also aware of the reason why her brother was like this. The problem was in his upbringing and not him. The fault was in the roots. Whatever they give the flower it will bloom that way. According to them what was growing was a daisy but in reality, it was a wolf's-bane (extremely poisonous flower).

Zainab always wanted to confront them publicly if she got the chance but she was not going to ruin his brother's wedding. And she had changed her mind too.

As far as her dress was concerned she didn't care because everyone knew she was different and they all always isolated her so yeah another reason to wear this attire was to interact less.

She entered the hall and everyone's eyes were on her.

This time their looks were different. This time her cousins and her Aunts were not looking at her with pity, disgust, or annoyance but it was more like they were waiting for her. They were welcoming. They were praising her and none of them mentioned her divorce not even once. Zainab was happy. It was weird but she felt great.

The male guests were there as it was a mixed gathering. Her cousin brothers looked awestruck. But why? What was the reason? Why were they looking at her with admiration? She was confused. She was missing something so to keep up with the situation she decided to ask about it but before she could she found her mother coming towards her. This was a tough moment. She had to face her.

"Thought you were not going to come." said her mother.

"Even I didn't know I was attending until I sat in the train and yeah Assalamoalaikum," she replied.

"Walaikumssalam." her mother replied while making a concerned look. "May I ask what caused the change of heart? This is not like you at all." she raised an eyebrow.

"Ummm it's just that I think if I want to start a new life I need to first do something about my past one. For a new beginning, I might give an end to the previous one," Zainab replied.

"So you are here to cut your ties with us?" her mother frowned.

"Nope. More like a patch-up."

"We are still not welcoming you back."

"Nor am I coming back."

"Then why bother attending the wedding?"

"Because cutting ties (Qata Taluq) is not favored in Islam. Ps, it's my brother's wedding. He invited me"

"Huh. So predictable of you. You would never care about us. It's always about Islam when you do something like this. Glad it made you come otherwise after all that happened earlier people would have thought we didn't even invite you."

"Happened earlier? What are you talking about?"

"Hmmm, you don't have to know. Go and meet your brother's in-laws and remember to behave. I request you, don't mess up his big day. I don't know for sure what brought you here but if you dare to do something wrong I might have to kill you here and now."

"You don't have to worry about that if I wished to do that I would've done that the moment I entered."

"Oh really?" she said with a mocking tone. "Then what's up with your dress? You didn't mean to match it with your sister-in-law, did you? Thank God she is wearing off-white. If you were trying to take her spotlight then I'm here to gladly tell you that you failed."

"You still doubt me? Really? Well, let me tell you one thing. The theme was mentioned on the card and almost everyone here is wearing off-white. It is so stupid that you think I was trying to gain all the attention when y'all told all the guests to wear the same shade to keep it monotone. Well, it's just not me who is wearing a different shade. If you keep me outside and look at others there are other women also wearing similar shades like mine. Not everyone has an off-white dress worthy of wearing at a wedding."

"Whatever. Come once you have cleared your mind. And yeah your sister-in-law wished to have a confession session. When she calls you please don't start pointing out our flaws or talk ill about your brother. Just say a few good words for him and his wife and leave as soon as you can. After all the humiliation we faced today I don't want to see you here ever again." her mother walked away quickly avoiding eye contact with people.

Why is she acting so weird? What is she referring to? What the hell happened here before I came here? You need to find out Zainy. She told herself.

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The drawing of the girl is made by me please do not reuse it. If you like this chapter make sure to vote and feel free to share your opinions in the comments section :)
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(Do remember English is not my first language 😊.)