No Conditions, Whatsoever

Shopping

Author's PoV:

Hania groaned out of frustration when she heard Feiha asking, “Is this okay?” for the thirteenth time.

“Ya Allah! Just go out already, will you?”

“He isn't here yet,” Feiha shrugged and tried to be nonchalant but her heart refused to beat at a normal pace. “Hanu, please be truthful.”

“Why would I lie to you, Fei? You're looking stunning,” Hania assured.

Feiha exhaled, relieved at last. She was wearing a royal blue chikankari kurta set with a rose pink scarf tied loosely around her head. She was going out with Mariam and Ayan for their jewellery shopping.

“You know, yesterday I talked to Ayan Bhai,” Hania said, flipping through the pages of her notebook. She was sitting on the bed and trying to study on her own since it was a Saturday.

“What did you guys talk about?” Feiha asked casually and put an analogue watch around her left wrist.

“Nothing much. He inquired after my studies and what snacks I like,” Hania answered. “He told me that he loves playing video games and he's also into animation and stuff.”

“Acha,” Feiha nodded.

Hania tilted her and regarded her sister for a moment before adding, “I like him. He is the perfect match for you.”

Feiha looked up to find Hania staring at her. “How can you be so sure? You have only met him twice.”

“I don't know, it's his vibe, I guess. You two are very different from each other but his vibe is similar to yours,” Hania still hadn't stopped staring.

Feiha, out of curiosity, took a seat on the bed and questioned, “And how is my vibe?”

Hania smiled. “Soothing,” she murmured, “comforting.”

The sisters looked lovingly at each other and would have hugged but they soon heard the honking of a car notifying them of Ayan's arrival.

Feiha stood up immediately and hurried outside but not before ruffling Hania's hair and earning a smack on her own back.

Once settled inside, Ayan turned the keys and the engine came to life. Mariam sat in the front while Feiha took the backseat. Zaara too, along with her son, had decided to join since she wanted to buy something for herself at the jewellery store, so she sat with Feiha giving her company.

The ladies talked about the kind of outfits they wished to buy, and stressed over how they were going to manage to get everything, that is, their clothes altered, their parlour appointments fixed, and their weights reduced, in such a short time. Feiha didn't speak much. How could she when Ayan kept stealing glances at her through the rearview. He felt amused at how much effect his gaze had on her. She didn't sit unmoved even for a minute, always fidgeting with her fingers, moving her hands nervously, and touching her clothes for no reason whatsoever.

When they reached the store, all four of them, five including Zaim who was busy sucking his thumb and clinging onto the warmth of his mother's chest, headed inside and began looking at the pieces on display.

Except for Ayan.

The man refused to let his attention waver from his fiancee.

His eyes followed her, the way she tilted her head upward to read the name of the store written on the shelves, how she scanned the section of golden earrings and then moved forward to examine the silver ones, and the expression of bewilderment on her face as she studied a particularly peculiar piece- a large necklace put around the neck of a mannequin at the centre of the store.