ishq lost & found

21; Introductions

Saad and Ranya were not the only couple amongst the community getting married, just the only peculiar pairing compared to the others. Wedding season was upon them, with invitations racking up since so many of their peers had found their soulmates, Ranya wished she had been as lucky.

Although, the past couple of days had been better, she still yearned for something more. Something real. After Saads surprise dinner and their long conversation, they were eventually interrupted by Saads incessant phone, ringing like he was an on call doctor. Then they both got busier and busier with work, both of them working overtime, sometimes even seeing each other for fleeting minutes a day, if they were lucky.

Still, something in the air had changed. There was a shift. Maybe it was because of the extra step Saad took, or maybe it was because Ranya found herself reverting back to her old ways, easily wooed, her heart fluttering upon seeing him. It snuck up on her.

"Are you ready?" Saad asked, his voice booming through the halls of their home as his wife was busy adorning herself with all the jewelry she had been gifted.

"Almost" she shouted back, hoping her answer would reach him. Staring into the mirror, she let out a wavering breath, terrified at the thought of their first real entrance into society as a couple. Technically, yes, their wedding was the first time, but it was okay that they were nervous. If they seemed off, everyone would've chalked it up to nerves. But not anymore.

It had been a couple of weeks since they got married, somehow dodging the inevitable events they would have had to attended. They had some weeks booked off for a "honeymoon", a time they spent separately, following those weeks the two were engulfed in work to their elbows, so there was always an excuse. Not this time.

Taking one final look at herself, she ran her fingers through her hair, unsatisfied with the way she looked in general. But knowing, or having known Saad, she was aware he wouldn't be happy if the two were late.

"I'm ready." she shouted, grabbing the sides of her anarkali so as not to trip over it, since it hadn't been tailored because she couldn't find the time. And when she did have the time, those days that were supposed to be spent in a foreign land for her honeymoon, she was too busy trying to avoid Saad and keep herself from running into him.

Trotting down the large stairs as well as she could, she pressed her lips into a tight smile, knowing that if she could fool Saad into thinking she was okay, she could fool anyone. She wasn't a great actress, but even if she was, Saad could read her like a book.

As she descended down the stairs, Saad felt his heart rate spike, his throat getting dry at the sight of her. He had been admiring her, sneaking glances any chance he got. Then he'd feel guilty, ashamed to be attracted to who would've been his sister in law. But, today he got a good look. His eyes trailed from the her hair, dark locks decorated with flowers cascading down her shoulder. The beautiful navy blue anarkali shimmering under the chandelier above them, it fit just like a glove. But, it wasn't really the outfit that left him entranced. It was her.

As she made it to the last few steps, he broke himself out of his trance, quickly hiding the smile that might've been creeping up on his lips. Yes, Saad had noticed the shift too. There was a comfortable silence between them now, a big contrast from the first few weeks, but he knew better than to mistake Ranya's kindness for anything else. Not again. He had learnt his lesson.

Stretching out his hand to help her down, Saad cleared his throat, catching her attention, her eyes locking with his for a second, a spark sending a shiver through her body, her posture straightening out like a ruler when their hands touched.

"You look..." Saad paused searching for the right word, surprised at himself for impulsively speaking when he should've thought it out before, "Great." he gave her a tight lipped smile.