Forever His

Chapter 14: THE Wedding day

Shahmeer's POV:

It was our wedding day today. I can't tell if I was happy or pissed. Even I don't understand how I feel. No one could.

I was in the office working on the some paperwork for the opening of a new branch in Faisalabad. Everything was done but formalities were left to do. I had to be home by 4pm and the wedding started at 6pm. Since it's a Pakistani wedding, I knew guests would arrive at 7pm and later.

"Shahmeer, you still have that load of papers to sign."

"I think I can tell Farjaad. You can go, I'll deal with it."

"Nuh uh. You're gonna get late if you don't start now."

"Me? Late? Never. I'm telling you to go, so go."

"Alright mate, no need to get so pressed."

"I'm not getting pressed, I'm just trying to find myself some peace."

"Okay fineee. I'll go but I'll be waiting in the staff room and then we can go together."

"I'm not going with you Farjaad."

"Why not?"

"You're going to take ages to reverse the car let alone drive to the hall."

"Fine. You can drive."

"Good. Now go."

He leaves, leaving me in my office alone. I looked at the load of paperwork but couldn't find the energy to sign them. My eyes kept interlocking with the picture frame standing on my desk. I wish he was here today. To see me get married, even if it's a marriage of covenience. He'd waited so long for this day to come but, the day came too late.

I realised five minutes had passed and I was still staring at the picture. I got up and pulled the paperwork to me and got to work. After 13 minutes and 39 seconds of signing I was finally done. I took one last look at the picture and grabbed my blazer as I left.

I walked through the empty halls of offices as everyone was given a day off as they were invited to the wedding. A paid day off, of course.

"Congratulations on your wedding Sir."

I looked to see Safa. She was a cleaner at the Jafri hotels ever since it opened. She was hard working and a sincere woman. She was in her late 60s probably but had the energy of a 30 year old.

"Aap yaha kya karee hain?" (Translation: What are you doing here?)

"Saab bas ye jaldi sai safai karee thee pir ghar jana hai." (Translation: Sir, I was quickly cleaning as I have to go home after.)

"You should be getting ready for the wedding." I invited everyone and had sent invitations as well as a day off.

"I thought that it doesn't take long so I should still come to work."

"No no no. You go home and get ready and don't worry I'll send a driver for you if your son isn't at home."

"No don't worry I will get a lift."

"You know how dangerous it is these days. I'll send a driver and you'll come with him, okay?"

"Yes Sir. As you say."

"See you. Allah Hafiz."

"Allah Hafiz."

I turn to the staff room where I see Farjaad on his own, engrossed in his phone with his legs up on he table.

"So first, you stick your legs in my business and now you're putting them on my tables."

He quickly takes his legs off the table and stands up.

"Uhhh let's go?"

I walk out the room making my way to the elevator. He quickly rushes behind and makes it just before the elevator closes.

I was in the front seat with the driver as Farjaad sat at the back in the middle peeking his head out of the two front seats.

"How's things with you and your wife now?"

"Much better actually. I made it up to her."

"How so? Did you fuck the brains out of her?"

"OMG SHAHMEER! Sex is not the solution to EVERYTHING! Well yes...we did have some fun at night but to achieve that, I took her out on a date to her favourite restaurant and surprised her with a suit that looked quite similar to the one I burnt and also got her some flowers. I saw that smile again finally."

"All that for just one smile. Ridiculous."

"You'll understand one day, trust me."

"Yeah sure." I say looking out the window.

___________

Guests had started arriving and I had already made my entrance. Crowds of paparazzi gathered around me but they made sure to keep a distance after what happened yesterday. It was 7.35pm and for some reason Mahnoor still wasn't ready. Sometimes I wondered why women took so long to get ready.

Everyone was finding their assigned tables and settling down whilst kids screamed playing with balloons and experimenting odd combinations with the chocolate fountain and getting their clothes and faces dirty.

I was wearing a white shirvani with a dark maroon shawl draped on my shoulders to co-ordinate with the theme and Mahnoor's dress.

"You look great dulha." (Translation: Groom)

"Thanks." I say whilst scrolling on my phone.

"Where's your bride? It's getting late and everyone's waiting."

"I don't know, she's probably running late like always."

"Okay... anyways I'm going to the chocolate fountain. You want anything?"

"You're going to the chocolate fountain?"

"I don't see a 'kids only' sign on it."

"Even if I did put it up you'd still be fit to go."

"Wow. I'm gonna go have marshmallows, oreos, strawberries doused in gallons of chocolate then."

"See you."

He climbed off the stage leaving me in peace.

________

"Where the hell is she?" I look around to see her friend but she wasn't there either.

I'd had enough. Guests were getting restless and I wanted to get this over and done with since I have a hundred different things I could be doing right now but guess what I'm doing? I'm getting married. What a joke.

After a few more minutes of waiting, I decide to call her.

Phone turned off?

Why on earth is her phone turned off? She's always on her phone and anytime I'm with her, it's constantly being raided with notifications.

I don't know why or how, but I felt a wave of uneasiness wash over me. As if something was wrong.

I looked down to see Farjaad looking at me, giving me the 'where is she?' look. I ignore him and hurry down the stairs to make my way to the bridal room.

I open the door but to my surprise, something else was happening here.