Make Me Your Villain | ✓

Chapter Thirty Eight

Hayat Azhar

My mehndi ceremony had flowed effortlessly, like a well-rehearsed play.

Our house gleamed with colorful decorations and our neighbors had offered their lawn to accommodate the extra guests.

I looked at the mehndi designs on my hands and arms, feeling a strange emotion swirling inside me.

A temporary stage had been set up in our veranda. The traditions and customs of a Pakistani mehndi function unfolded, with familiar and new faces mingling, smiling, and laughing. But I felt alienated, for some reason.

I kept reminding myself that it was normal to feel this way. I was getting married, about to start a new chapter of my life. Yet the feeling of something being off lingered.

Standing on the roof, I watched my mother and our neighbors bustling around downstairs to ensure everything was perfect for my wedding tomorrow.

A pang of guilt hit me. I should be more grateful for everything they were doing for my sake, not sulk and complain about my personal feelings.

A deep sigh slipped past my lips.

Earlier today, I had spoken to Zohaib. His family was set to arrive tomorrow morning for the main wedding ceremony, the Barat, where the Nikkah ceremony would take place.

The Baraat was going to take place in my city while the Walima function was scheduled to happen in his city, after tomorrow.

Our families had agreed that Zohaib would take me and Sania to the beauty parlor to get ready before dropping us at the wedding marquee and joining his own family for the Baraat function.

Ammi hadn't mentioned anything about the finances, and I suspected that money wasn't an issue at the moment. So I had considered changing the salon, but Sania insisted we should go to the place Asra recommended.

I didn't want to burden my mother with additional expenses, so I agreed and decided to stick with that salon despite its distance and the bitter memories of the Malik family.

It was on the outskirts of town, hours away from home, but I hoped it would be worth it, one way or another.

"What's on your mind?"

Sania's voice broke through my thoughts, and I turned to face her with a small smile.

"Just thinking."

She stopped beside me and her eyes followed mine to the scene below. "I can't believe how quickly time has passed. Tomorrow, you'll be Zohaib bhai's wife. I won't see you every morning anymore."

The wedding lights adorning our house shimmered against the side of her face, and I smiled, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"It's part of life, Sania. We can't stay together forever. But that doesn't mean I'll forget you."

"Promise?" she asked in a small voice.

I squeezed her shoulder. "I promise, silly. You'll always be in my heart."

"I miss Dad."

Her words made me pull her into a hug. "I miss him too. Let's pray to Allah to have mercy on him and forgive his shortcomings."

"Hmm." she hummed and then, looked up at me, her expression turning serious.

"Are you happy? I know it's normal for brides to feel a tad bit sad about leaving their families and all, but... is there something else bothering you?"

I was touched by how much she had grown up. "Don't worry, Sania. It's just the usual pre-wedding jitters. Now, go get some rest. We have to leave early for the salon."