FROM DARE TO LOVE (Editing)✔

CHAPTER 39

Throughout the Haldi function I kept thinking about the conversation. Riad has gone to Rizwan's farm house as the gent's Haldi function is there. Ruchi is so relaxed and is dancing with everyone. Here too I noticed Urooj is dressed in simple white and yellow saree and minimal jewelry. Urooj was such a lively girl, she loved make-up and jewelry and looking at her now I feel bad.

Hanan held her hand and dragged her to the center and insisted her to dance, she kept smiling and shaking her head refusing to dance. Watching Urooj I realized that I haven't seen her husband, every one seem to be have come (including Hanan's parents, her father being in the gent's section) but not her husband.

To my horror Ruchi held my hand and takes me to dance too.

'Aleesa, dances really well' she announces, Hanan then starts insisting me to dance too and soon Liqa joined in demanding a dance. I kept refusing but much to their insistence I shook my hips and waved my arms little. And then take my place back into the crowd. I looked up and see Urooj watching me suspiciously. She is seated next to Liqa and her mother, but her gaze is fixed on me. I feel like a criminal being watched.

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The function goes on smoothly. Anil is clicking photos here while his assistant Faiz is clicking photos in the gent's section. I take excuse and go to the backyard where the caters are, I checked on them and thankfully there was no shortage of food. I ask them to send half of the waiters and food to the gent's in Rizwan's farm house (its walking distance).

They agreed, Ruchi stands at the door and when the waiters come she takes them to the neighboring farm house.

Ruchi was too excited and so I send her to the Gent's section, she will be inspecting there while I will be seeing everything here.

I was at the dining table guiding the waiters when I get a message, it's Ruchi's message. I hope everything is fine there. I smile when I see few photos of Riad she had send.

He looks like a sunflower in the yellow Kurtha, there is a bright smile on his face, in one picture he is sitting with Rizwan, there is little Haldi on his cheek and I feel jealous of it. In one he is standing next to Rizwan and some other guys, his head slightly tilted towards Rizwan and a smile on his lips.

Gosh! He is looking so cute.

'Is everything alright?' Urooj says from behind me and my smile fades, I quickly closed the message and look at her. I nod, she looks at me suspiciously.

Ever since she has come to know my identity, she has started to keep a very close eye on me. Seeing her insecurity one can't blame her, she is a sister caring for her brother after all. My phone rings, I am panicking in presence of Urooj and so I picked up the call without even bothering to look at the caller.

'Hello!' I hear a familiar voice and reflexively I answered 'Adan!'

As soon as I say this name I felt Urooj stiffen, I turn around and find Urooj has already started walking away.

'Who else, pagli?' Adnan chuckles. I take few seconds to compose myself and reply to him that everything is alright and give little details. We continue to speak for few minutes, I assured him once again that I am alright and also promised to send him pictures (Minus pic of Urooj and Riad) and call him in the night. One day has almost passed, two more remaining.

The function was over by 9, the guests were served evening snacks, tea and also dinner. Once all the guests left, Riad and the other men, Liqa and Hanan's father, return. I see Hanan rush towards them, she greets her father and uncle. I frown when I see Hanan hold Riad's arm, he smiles at her. She tugs his arm and take him with her to the backyard. I wanted to follow but I get surrounded my Liqa's parents and Hanan's parents. They start to congratulate me but I couldn't focus I kept looking towards the backyard.

I see Urooj come towards me and Ruchi, I looked away. Man! She is watching me like a hawk.

After everyone had left, I decided to have a look in the backyard, Hanan and Riad haven't come back yet. There is a pool back there, they must be there.

Seeing no one around I sneaked into the backyard.

My lehengha was thankfully not heavy and I can easily lift it and walk around, also I am not wearing any anklets and hence I can easily tiptoe. Just as I expected I saw them sitting by the pool. I can see their backs, Hanan has her head resting on Riad's shoulder and her arms around his, her legs folded. They are looking front; no matter how much I strain my ears I am not able to hear them. Perhaps they aren't talking. I take a step towards them when someone held my hand. The grip is hard; I turn my head and find Urooj standing next to me. Shit, I am a goner!

I wince I felt her grip tightening around my forearm, the deadly glare scared me. She dragged me back inside and left my hand with a jerk, I stumble few steps front.

'Didn't I tell you to stay away from my brother...what wrong has he done to you that you are hell bent to destroy his life and happiness.... you already killed him that night, what more you want?' she says sternly

I have had enough of accusations; I agree what happened that night was unfortunate but it was just a prank that took a drastic turn.

'Urooj, look I am sorry for that night but it was not on purpose I didn't meant it to happen the way it happened. And trust me, I have nothing to do with Riad...I just came here for some air...Riad means nothing to me' I explained and hoped she understands my POV. She looks at me, 'I don't want to trust you but still... (she takes a step closer to me) Riad is going to get engaged to Hanan. He is finally getting the happiness he deserves... so stay away...else...'Urooj warns me.

She leaves. Watching her go I felt bad, Riad is going to get engaged to Hanan? I did say Riad means nothing to me, then why is this piece of news affecting me? Why the thought of Riad being with someone else affecting me? Surely in these fifteen years he might have had girls, after his transformation of course, but then him permanently settling with someone is affecting me so much? Why?

That night I couldn't sleep, I was restless. I kept drinking water, kept pacing or trying to distract my mind but nothing was working.

I kept thinking what Urooj had said, with a sinking feeling I wondered if Hanan will hire me too.

Next morning, I wake up again same time. I take a long bath and dress myself in noodle strapped cold shoulder floral knee length dress. I tied my hair in loose pony and come out from my room, then I see Riad coming from his. I look at him for few seconds and then look away, I start climbing down stairs hurriedly. After thinking over what Urooj had said to me I have decided to keep my distance from Riad. It is best for everyone.

I left the farm house and spend most of the day running around the place supervising everything, this time I didn't let myself get distracted.