Mehrem- The Confidant

07

Illiyeen

After handling Rohan's little tantrum, we went to Chacho Ali's family room. As soon as I stepped inside, my eyes found Umair. It wasn't intentional—he just seemed to draw my attention, even in a room full of people. Despite this being a dinner for both of us, I hadn't seen him all night. Dressed in a simple black kurta, he still managed to look effortlessly handsome. A beige-brown chaddar draped over his shoulders added an air of understated elegance.

I sat semi-across from him, feeling his gaze settle on me. I glanced in his direction, but when we met, he looked away. And so began our silent game of hide-and-seek—stolen glances, quiet smiles—each moment thick with unspoken tension. A small laugh escaped my lips, which he returned with a soft, fleeting smile, a connection shared between us in a room filled with noise and conversation.

"Humna Baji, my friend said he saw you at the hospital a few days ago," Ahmed Jiju's voice cut through our quiet exchange, drawing everyone's attention.

"Is everything okay, Api?" Umair's voice followed quickly, concern clouding his features as he looked at his sister.

Humna Api smiled gently, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Ahmed's friend needs to mind his own business. I was planning on telling everyone after Umair's wedding."

"Api, what's going on?" I asked, echoing Umair's concern.

And then, with a grin, she announced, "I'm pregnant!"

Joy surged through me, and I jumped up, wrapping my arms around her. "Api, I can't believe it! After all these years!"

Tears welled in my eyes as I hugged her tighter, feeling the weight of her emotions. Mawaa and Rehana Baji joined us and thanked us. Even Rani Baji, whom I didn't know well before she moved to Pakistan, came over, her warmth unmistakable.

The room buzzed with laughter and well-wishes. I saw Umair hugging his sister, a mix of joy and relief on his face. For a fleeting moment, my mind wandered to Rohan. I imagined him hugging me with the same intensity, but when I glanced at him, I saw he was still sulking. I made a mental note to buy him food later as a peace offering.

I drifted over to Ahsan Bhai, giving him a side hug. Mawaa joined us, and I couldn't resist teasing, "So, Papa Ji, how does it feel?"

He groaned in mock annoyance, pushing me away playfully. "Come on, I'll be the cool dad, not Papa Ji," he joked, making us both laugh.

Just then, Umair walked over and hugged Ahsan Bhai. Instinctively, I stepped back, giving them space. Watching Umair interact with his family, the way he easily fit into these intimate moments, stirred something in me: comfort, longing, and something deeper that I wasn't ready to name yet.

***

Back home, my mother was in full panic mode. She rushed around, inspecting every corner of the house, determined to rid the place of any speck of dust before Umair's family arrived. Meanwhile, I sat on the lounge sofa, casually munching on Domino's pizza and texting Neha.

Just as I sent a text, my phone rang—of course, it was her. The moment I picked up, she didn't hold back.

"You bitch!" Neha yelled into the phone. "How dare you! I had to hear everything from Mawaa, Marion, and Rohan!"

I winced, knowing I deserved her tirade. After she finished calling me every name under the sun, she abruptly switched gears. "Okay, rant over. How are you?"

I laughed despite myself. "Better. I'm sorry, Nehu. I should have called you earlier."

"Yeah, you should have," she agreed, her tone softening. "Mawaa told me everything. The wedding, the accident, the company... You're my best friend, Illiyeen. You should've told me."