Along The Lines of Love

Chapter 9. The Walima.

Ankhiyan, teri, mere dil pe vaar karein,

Teri yeh adaa janiye, hai aisa nasha janiye,

Mere dil ko paar karein.

~~~~~~~~~~

Minahil's POV:

Aleena has come again to visit us. It's 7 pm right now and in exactly 24 hours the Walima is going to take place. So, Aleena decided to stop at our house after picking her dress for the walima.

"Mama iske saath yeh jwellery achhi jaayegi ya yeh." She holds 2 sets of jewellery in her hand beside her dress. After a lot of discussion and debates she finalises everything and packs everything in a suitcase. Nameera aunty goes into the kitchen to make some tea.

"Toh, how is the house without me?" She asks turning towards Adam bhai.

"It feels like something is missing. Very silent. But of course now we don't have things shattering and breaking every few minutes." He teases her playfully highlighting Aleena's clumsy nature. Aleena gasps dramatically, keeping a hand on her heart. Just then Aliyan descends the stairs dressed elegantly in a formal white shirt and black pants.

"Ohoo Aleena aayi hai aur mujhe kisi ne bataya bhi nahi." Aliyan comes over and envelopes Aleena in a hug.

"Are you going somewhere Aliyan?" Nameera aunty asks from the kitchen.

"Ji mama. Meeting hai. I will be back before dinner, don't worry." He greets everyone and leaves.

~~~~~~~~~

Today is the Walima and I am leaving tomorrow. I don't know why but there is this uneasy feeling. I will miss Aliyan. I know it. Of course I will. But I don't know if I should feel this way. I can't bear the fact that I wont see him again for...I don't even know how long. He confessed his feelings to me but what about me? How will I tell him how I really feel? How much I like him. How much he makes my heart flutter. I should tell him but I am scared. I don't know if it will go right.

"Minahil beta, Aliyan intezaar kar raha hai neeche. He will drop you at the salon." Nameera aunty brings me back from my thoughts. I nod and put my abaya on and grab my bag full of clothes and jewelry and leave.

"Assalamualaikum." Aliyans greets me near the door. He takes the bags from my hand and walks towards the car. Tears threaten to fall from my eyes but I swallow down.

"Walekum Salam." He opens the door for me and I sit inside. It's a 20 min drive and I don't think I can keep my tears from falling if he keeps doing gentleman stuff like this.

"Waise kal kitne baje hai flight?" He asks, starting the car.

"3pm." Can he stop talking about this?

"Hmm, I will drop you at the airport."

"Nahi, i will book a cab, it's okay." I reply almost immediately.

"I don't have a problem dropping you. Itna toh karne do mujhe tumhare liye aakhri baar." I can't counter that with anything so I stay silent.

"Can I ask you for a favor?" I break the silence after a few moments. Aliyan nods.

"Can you please eat your food on time, take care of yourself, stop spending so many extra hours in your office, take care of Aria bhabi and Nameera aunty and take medicines if you ever get sick? And of course, not let anyone make you eat things you are allergic to." I choke on the last word and a lone tear escapes my eyes.

"I will, and why are you crying Mina?" he gently asks. He stops the car on the roadside and turns towards me.

"Why are you crying?" His voice, soft and gentle.