Kahani Hamari Fasana Hamara

Chapter 6

Faraj Ayad

Her eyes had imprisoned me in their depths. I loved the way she threw her sarcastic words at me. It didn’t feel like we had met just few days ago; I couldn't seem to let her go.

The moment she laughed, I held my breath. She was captivating, with her sharp wit, stubbornness, and clear annoyance with me.
I need to stop

She had missed my smile, while I stood there like a fool, grinning like an idiot as the song Oh Meri Laila played in the background.

Ahad had called to inform me that he had scheduled my meeting; I had to get back to Abu Dhabi. I hadn’t planned to stay here for more than two days, but once I discovered that Mariya was my cousin Kainat’s friend, I felt like I should attend the wedding.

Ya Allah, what was she doing to me?

I had exited the theatre, wiping away my smile. Everyone was waiting for me. Shams and I had shaken hands; it was nearly evening. Kainat mentioned she needed to pick up some jewelry from the gold shop.

I had pulled my phone out of my suit jacket and was carefully reading my email when I looked up. Mariya was roaming around, talking to a staff member who was showing her something I could barely see from a distance.

Why was she smiling so much at the staff?

Both Ayesha Appi and Kainat were engrossed in conversation with the manager. Khalid Bhai had been called back to the house by Uncle Bilal.

"Got the jewelleries" Ayesha Appi said, as Kainat held up the bag.

"Shall we go?" I asked, slipping my phone back into the pocket of my suit jacket.

Kainat looked around, her gaze searching. "Mariya kahan hai?"

"Here I am," Mariya said, approaching us with a smile.

"I'll be right back; you all stay in the car," 

Ayesha Appi gave me a curious glance. They had left the store, so I made my way towards the staff member with whom Mariya had been talking just a moment ago.

"Sir, what would you like to buy?" he asked with a polite smile.

“What was the lady looking at?”

“Oh, she was admiring this bracelet,” the staff said, revealing a star-themed bracelet. The chain was made of gold, with small diamonds set into the stars.

"I’ll take it,”

I had brought it, but I didn't know how I would give it to her. Even though I tried, she wouldn't take it from me.

                                       _

"Appi, you didn't talk to Mama about Sehar?" I asked, pulling Maryam onto my lap.

After Ammi, Ayesha Appi was my only family. She lived with her husband Khalid. I usually visited India to see her. I had already told Ayesha Appi that I was not willing to marry, but Mama had pressured me a lot, so I had agreed, We hadn’t had any formal engagement ceremony.

"Sehar likes you, Faraj," Ayesha appi said softly.

"But I don't like her."

I stared off into the distance, lost in thought. "So, who do you like?" A hint of a smile playing on her lips.

Maryam sat on my lap, watching a cartoon. "I don't like anyone, and I certainly have no plans of getting married," I lied.

I hadn’t planned on getting married just yet, but she changed my mind. I knew I needed some time before sharing this with Ayesha Appi.