Put the wedding of the year, a surly army major and an upcoming election into a blender, what do you get?
Chaos.
Ultimate and utter, CHAOS.
===========================================
Highest rankings:
No 1: Pakistani 🥰
No 1: Representation
No 1: H...
"Oh, are we going to ignore the fact that miss perfect here ran away with Feroze?"
Lightning flashed illuminating the dining hall. I summoned up the courage to not throw the glass at Farishtas head. My face burned with shame and embarrassment. I had made the mistake of criticizing Farishta's husband and Izzy had asked him to leave. Now, she was on a death march.
"Come on Farishta are you going to dig up lies against Elena to support Rameez? You know he's in the wrong" Hania added.
"You know that's not true. It was a story, made by the tabloids, they even apologized about it and said they were wrong" Rania said calmly.
"How could you say that Farishta, you know that's not true," Izzy said, his hands moving in a placating gesture.
"It's wrong to sling such accusations darling", Aunt Laila said giving Farishta a pitying look.
Anyone who would have walked into our dining hall would have run for the hills. It was a snake pit. Everyone was riled up and ready to bite. Izzy, Farishta and I were standing, our bodies poised for a fight.
"You don't know these people Hania, they will do anything to protect their own. Look at them protecting her, even now" Hania opened her mouth to protest but Farishta continued. "When his wedding was being arranged to Naila, Elena trapped Feroze and they ran away... Feroze should thank the stars that Naila loved him enough to not let people like Elena stand in her way" That Naila loved him enough. I squeezed my eyes to banish that image from my head.
Rain pounded on the windows and thunder and lightning flashed outside.
"Uh, the rain. I hope it doesn't rain on Friday... what about your wedding! Hania darling, you look tired, you shouldn't stress yourself so close to the wedding, you should rest, get some sleep, have a spa day..."Aunt Laila began, hesitantly, trying to break the tension.
"I told you to stay away from this family Hania but you didn't listen to me" Farishta interrupted Aunt Laila. Hania stiffened and I groaned inwardly.
"That's enough Farishta... you're being rude," Izzy said, his voice hard. "Just because you're not happy in your marriage does not mean all of us to have to suffer from your snide comments"
Aunt Laila cleared her throat and gestured to Ammi Jaan's arm. "How long will the fracture last Noor?"
"Just a few weeks" Ammi Jaan answered her fingers reaching for the knife. I bit back my annoyance. Ammi would never admit it, but Aunt Laila really did test our patience and with everything that was going on, with the three of us staring daggers at one another, she had to engage in the chatter.
"She didn't think it was rude when it was her and Feroze" another pin drop silence. Aunt Laila looked at Farishta in shock and I took the moment to compose myself. Uncle EJ had his head in his hands, Rania was standing next to me, her hand on my arm and Hania just stared at all of us in shock.
Taking a deep breath, I glared at Farishta. "If you are to believe such lies Farishta, then you should not be here. Make sure your husband or you, do not encounter me in the castle. I will not stand for such slander in my own house. You are to leave the castle as soon as Izzy's wedding is over or I will have someone escort you out. Enjoy your dinner" My measured tone was a sharp contrast to the blood rising on my face. I gave her a scathing glance and then strode out of the room not sparing the glance at any of my family members.
My mouth twisted with bitterness and I prayed the floor would open up to swallow me. My hands shook as my mind replayed every memory from that night. Tears clogged my throat and burned in the back of my eyes at this humiliation.
Taking long strides I almost ran towards the west wing and collapsed in one of the corners. I did not dare look at any of the people I encountered in the castle. This had been my hiding spot since I was a kid. Abba had found me here when I had accidentally broken a two-hundred-year-old vase. He had held me close and had made fun of me making an issue of such a small thing. The next morning all the antiques in the house were moved to a safer place.
I had come here after I had fought with Izzy and he had refused to talk to me for a month.
I had come here when Feroze had chosen Naila over me. No one had come for me then. No one had looked for me. Hurt and ashamed, I had gotten up to ask my uncle to call a lawyer so I could file for a divorce.
