YOU BELONG TO ME

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: IN-LAWS

Draped in a stunning burgundy Super Delight Wax Asoebi, tailored into a breathtaking mermaid gown, Roohina exuded an air of elegance. She complemented her attire with matching jewelry that gleamed under the room’s soft lighting and a regal alkyabba draped gracefully over her shoulders. Emerging from the opulent bathroom with an effortless saunter, she carried herself with a blend of poise and charm. The only other people in the spacious, luxurious room were Rubina and Rumana, her two closest companions. Their mission today was to escort Roohina to her matrimonial home once they landed in Nigeria.

"Wow, omo! Amarya, you look absolutely divine, wallahi. Gosh, I’m really going to miss you," Rubina exclaimed, her voice tinged with both admiration and a hint of sadness, as Roohina perched delicately on the plush sofa.

"Same here," Rumana chimed in with a playful smile. "I’ll miss your endless bullying, wallah."

Roohina’s lips curved into a soft smile, though her eyes shimmered faintly with unshed tears. "You two are just trying to make me cry, but you should know by now—better give it up because I’m not going to break down," she declared, feigning a light-hearted tone to mask her emotions.

Rubina’s expression shifted, a flicker of melancholy passing over her face. "I wish Paapa was here to witness your wedding, Roohi," she said quietly, her voice carrying the weight of unspoken grief.

Rumana nodded solemnly. "He would’ve moved heaven and earth to make you feel like the most special bride in the world."

A heavy silence fell over the room, the atmosphere thick with shared sorrow. Roohina took a deep breath, willing her tears to remain unshed. "Well," she said softly, her voice steady but tinged with pain, "we can’t change what’s happened. All we can do now is pray for him—and we’ve been doing that. Still, sometimes I feel like it was my fault. I was there with him, yet I couldn’t do anything to save the one person who lifted me from nothing and gave me everything."

Her voice quivered slightly, and she blinked rapidly, fighting to maintain her composure. Swallowing hard, she straightened her back and quickly decided to change the subject before her emotions betrayed her.

"Anyway, when are we leaving? I can’t wait to get to my new home," she said, her tone deliberately bright as she brushed away the lingering sadness.

Rubina, picking up on her sister’s attempt to shift gears, teased, "Toh tum hume miss nahi karogi kya? (So, you won’t miss us?)"

"Ek chis toh miss karungi," Roohina replied cheekily, switching to Hindi with a mischievous grin. "Aur vohi ap dono ko parishan karna (I’ll only miss one thing—disturbing you two!)"

Rumana rolled her eyes, unable to suppress her laughter, while Rubina clapped her hands in mock frustration. "Alright, alright! Since you’re so eager to leave, let’s get moving. I’m sure everyone’s already waiting for us," Rubina declared with a laugh, rising to her feet.

Roohina stood as well, her heart swelling with a mixture of anticipation and bittersweet nostalgia. With her two sisters by her side, she walked out of the room, ready to embrace the future that awaited her.

°•○●□■♤♡◇♧☆▪︎¤

Nigeria,  Abuja ,
Makhtoum estate,
Main villa.

The bride's convoy soon pulled into the grand Makhtoum estate, its arrival heralded by the soft hum of luxury engines. After a brief ten-minute drive through the expansive property, they reached the imposing golden electric gates that guarded the main villa. The convoy’s speed reduced as they cruised past a magnificent golden water fountain, the cascading water glinting under the soft afternoon sunlight. The fleet of vehicles finally came to a halt in the elegant asphalt drive-thru, a pathway framed by meticulously trimmed hedges and vibrant blooms.