In Love with Neighbour

Chapter 27

When they were folding the prayer mats, Sara came knocking and told Zain that he was called downstairs. The guests had started to come. Zain said Allahhafiz to his wife and went down, while Sara and Ayesha helped Samaira with her touch ups with teasings here and there.

"Hey, do know where Sahil is? He didn't even meet me after Nikkah. Is he running away from me?", Samaira asked.

"You know better than us di," Sara replied with a sad smile.
Samaira sighed.

Yes, okay she admits that she knows why Sahil is avoiding her. He has been attached to her the most since his birth. Of course he's sad that she's married.

No, she knows he's happy for her, but the thought of her leaving is what makes him sad. Of course he doesn't want to cry in front of everyone. But he could've at least congratulated her alone. Yes, she's married now, but she isn't going anywhere right away. She's married, but that doesn't mean he has become any less important to her.

Samaira was determined to confront him, so she said,
"Tell Sahil that he'll have to escort me to the garden, or else I won't go down."

Sara and Ayesha sighed at her demand but decided that it was for good. Sahil has to meet her, he's her only brother, he can't avoid her like this.

Some time after Ayesha and Sara left the room, Samaira heard a knock and told the person to come in. She was sitting in front of the mirror. She looked up and saw Sahil standing at the door, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

"Uhm, Assalamualaikum," he said meekly.

"Walaikumassalam. Finally got the time to meet me?", Samaira smiled at him sarcastically.

"Sam, it's nothi-," he was cut by her,

"Do you even remember that you have another sister who's gotten married today?", she asked mockingly.

"Di....", he sighed defeatedly and looked down.

He knew he messed up big time. But he was just running away from facing his own emotions. He knew he had no excuse to give.

She stood up and came to him.

"Kamse kam gale hi lag jao," she spread her hands with teary eyes and he couldn't control anymore. He hugged her tightly, letting his tears fall freely.

(At least give me a hug.)

She tried to calm him down by rubbing his back, with tearful eyes herself.

"Why are crying? Are you that unhappy with the marriage?" , she asked after breaking the hug.

"You know it's not that di," he whined like a child,"I'll just...miss you," he said while sniffing.

"But I'm not going anywhere! So, stop crying now, hmm?", she made him understood like a child, wiping his tears.

He nodded and kissed her forhead,
"Congratulations Sam. I'm really happy for you. May Allah bless your marriage to infinity and beyond!", they both laughed and mumbled Ameen.

"Now let's go down, or else everyone will hunt me down and kill me!", Sahil wiped Samaira's tears and exclaimed dramatically.

Samaira was happy that the old Sahil was back. She wrapped her hands around Sahil's arm and both went down.

When they both entered the lawn, all eyes turned towards them. Samaira felt shy, being the center of attention. She was looking down the whole time, feeling everyones gazes, specially someone's intense gaze.

Zain was talking to Yazan when Samaira entered and everyone's gaze turned to her. He couldn't avert his gaze from her.
Heck, he didn't even have to! She was looking ethereal under the soft lights. With simple make up and jewelleries. Everyone was whispering MaShaAllahs and he felt proud.