Secluded

Pre-wedding stress

Flashbacks:

Noor was so pissed with shopping as her feet hurt and she requested her Didi and Mom to stop by somewhere so they can get something to eat. She was exhausted as the summer heat and pollution was making her crazy though they had intentionally missed lunch. Her stomach was growling.

"Beta, we will go around the corner and get the matching lining for the dresses." Mom suggested as Noor was not ready to budge. Finally, they gave in as they headed for a small cafe in Abids and ordered some snacks with cool drinks. Noor ordered a bowl full of Manchurian Noodles to calm her growling hunger.

"Why does it have to be so crowded always?" Noor muttered as she hated the bazaar's of Hyderabad. She enjoyed Qatar and the malls which are usually crowded in weekends whereas rest of the days they are empty and free for shopping but Hyderabad is always crowded no matter where you go. She wondered why everyone is shopping around though India is supposed to be developing country.

"Beta! Stop complaining! Get over with your food so we can leave." Her Mother scolded Noor as they discussed something about the dresses and decoration. Noor was grateful that her parent's arrived within a week after Yazaan left and they had rented the same room to her cousin sisters from outskirts of Hyderabad who will be staying there for few weeks until they get an admission and accommodation. Their arrival had made her move on from Yazaan and his thoughts and as time went by, he was history for Noor though at times she did remember him and missed him. Especially whenever somebody complimented her cooking and tea, whenever they had Ice-cream or hired a cab reminding the heated argument and his treat which went horribly wrong for both of them calling of the friendship they developed.

Noor got busy in Subhaan's costume selection and fashion show at College in vengeance to herself but returning home and seeing the lock on Yazaan's room everyday made a tinge of regret surge in. She was annoyed at the idea that he left her with guilt at her part as she wasn't used to it. At time she just wished things haven't turned sour between them and she did regret her decision of getting over hyped about Subhaan doesn't goes well with others too. Even her family didn't approve it and she hoped that maybe someday Yazaan would understand and reconnect back but her insides knew him better with big ego. She was going to wallow in self-pity but Alhumdulillah they finally rented out the room to girls and Yazaan was fading away from her day by day.

She had hard time falling asleep too though it had nothing to do with Yazaan anymore and his torturous memories as Anfal was always on late night secret calls with Zaid as she had no idea what they talked and planned so much about for hours. Her Didi was so mushy, blushing and smiling on the phone which left Noor feeling irritated or envious of her sister.

Noor was dragged into planning, shopping and arranging as soon as her parents arrived and everything was finalized as all of them were so excited about Anfal's wedding. Noor brought an abrupt end to Anfal's phone calls by informing her parents as her Didi's mobile was snatched away and she was asked to stay out of touch as she was soon to be his bride.

Anfal was seriously mad at Noor's childishness as Noor wanted her sister for herself for few available days. She climbed on her angry Didi's bed and wrapped her arms around her lovingly.

"Why did you tell Mamma?!" Didi said horrified. "It's all because of you and you don't know how annoyed Zaid will be. I didn't even tell him what's going on and we..."

"Didi. Very soon you will end up being Mrs. Zaid and you can dedicate your every second for your loving your husband but right now you are my Di who will soon leave us." Noor said innocently. "And I want to spend each moment with you and make it memorable for both of us.'