When love is not accepted move on;
when love is not appreciated walk away;
hopefully time will teach what real, true love is.

~ Rumi

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Zakriya what is my name

''Shaa''

No baby say ''AAA REE SHAA''

''Ieeeeha''

Well that's close I have been teaching zakriya my name from past two days and finally he is close enough

I kissed him and picked him so I can show my hard work to my cousins . I was eager because he has learnt almost everyones name and he easily repeats after them but I don't know what was in my name that he goes in silent mode when ever anyone says it

. i went in to the siting room where all the girls were setted ..

''Hina api finally your son learnt my name'' I said while putting zakriya on the middle of the table..

''Our areesha was very eager that's great he learnt it''..

'' but according to me I think he loves you too much to say your names and often calls you beautifull names in his babay mind.''. sana said.

''Its your beautifull imagination sana''.. I said

''Ok baby what is my name ''..

he went silent

I groaned while all chuckled .. not again

''Baby zaki ''.. I was intrupted in the middle due to the entry of the cousins in the room

''What are you all doing'' .. asad bhai asked

I glared at sana to keep her mouth shut because I didn't wanted to get embaraced infront of all

''Well api was telling that zaki has finally learnt her name and was just showing us'' .. amira said

Wow what a great sis I have got I thought ..

When I looked in her way not so nicely she just stared at me innocentlylike a 5 year old

''Is that so we would love to hear''.. umar bhai said.

''Amm no he is still in the process to learn''..i said

''Try once again areesha'' ..hina api said ..

Please baby don't embarace me this time say something I said in my mind

''Zaki baby what is my name'' ..

he was silent

''zaki my name''

''MAAAHII (darling) ''he said in his baby voice making every one laugh..

''No baby ARREE SHA''

''MAAAHI'' he repeated again..

''I think my son has a crush on you'' ..hina api said giggling

I worked so hard on it api I said while handing the baby to api

''Well I was right he does have you beautifull names for you in his mind didnt i'' .. sana said while giggling

''Sana he was looking in your direction while saying it'' i said

''Oh I am his first love'' ,she replied making me giggle at her behavior.

Two days have gone by and i was really enjoying my holidays .

Today at night we will be going to the hills nearby to look at the amazing view of the city at night .. there were many famous hilly places.. but as we were waiting for someone .. everybody settled for the closer one saying we will all go together for seeing that..

''sana our news reporter any news of the upcoming family till now who they are and why they are late and why we are supposed to wait to start our adventures for them'' ..zari api asked

''hmhm hmh'' she cleared her throat..

''ASSALAM O ALIKUM THIS IS YOUR NEWS REPORTER SANA JAVED . ON COUSIN NETWORK NEWS ''

''TILL NOW BY MY SNEAKY WAYS AND DETECTIVE MIND I HAVE CONCLUDED THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING HAVE A HIGH IMPORTANCE IN DADIS HEART ..AS, SHE IS DELAYING OUR ADVENTURES BECAUSE OF THEM. WHICH I STRONGLY OPPOSE BUT, HAVE TO KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT FOR MY SELF RESPECT IN FRONT OF THE FAMILY..''

''AND THEY ARE ALSO KNOWS AS THE CHILDHOOD FRIEND OF AREESHA'S DAD..''

This made be confused

''THREE BEDROOMS HAS BEEN UNLOCKED , CLEANED AND PERFUMED FOR THEM..''

''PAIRS OF GIRLS AND MENS CLOTHES WERE SPOTED IN SERVANTS HAND BY ME IN THE EARLY MORNING AFTER FAJR..''

''THEY SEEM TO REACH TOMORROW NIGHT OR EVENING DEPENDING ON THEIR SLOWNESS..''

''ASTAGHFERULLAH...CUT THE ABOVE LINE INVISIBLE CAMERA MAN ''

''THANK YOU..''.

''AND FURTHER .. THANKS TO UMAR WE WILL BE GOING TO EAT ICE CREAM AT A VERY FAMOUS CANDLE LIGHT RESTURANT..'' she said

To which we all cheered

''I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD THE STRUGGLE HE HAD TO GO THROUGH TO MAKE DADIS MIND..''

''here it is'' ..she played the video n her i pad

UMAR: "DADI WE ALL COUSINS WOULD LIKE TO GO OUT TODAY BY OURSELVES AND ENJOY''

DADI: ''WHERE BETA''

UMAR: ''AT THE CANDLE LIGHT RESTURANT NEAR THE FAMOUS PARK''

DADI:''BETA YOU KNOW THAT I CANT REFUSE YOU BUT WHAT'S THE POINT IN GOING TO THAT RESTURANT LIKE BACK IN TIMES AT NIGHT WE USE TO HAVE CANDLE LIGHT DINNERS BECAUSE OF NO LIGHT.''.
WAIT FOR A DAY TILL THE OTHER GUESTS COME AND THAN YOU CAN ALL GO

UMAR: ''DADDII Don't RUIN THE WHOLE HING .. ITS NOT LIKE THAT YOU WILL NOT UNDERSTAND WE have to
I DONT KNOW, TELL others THAT ALL HE YOUNG GROUP WILL BE GOING''..

DADI: ''WHILE CHUKLING YOU SOUND DESPERATE BETA TO Take them ''.. OK I WILL TELL EVERYONE YOU ENJOY NOW HAPPY MY MOON..''

UMAR: ''THANKS DADI YUP VERY HAPPY..''

''SO MY HUMBLE AND CUTE VIEWERS THANK YOU FOR COPING WITH M you know Y BANTER,, SANA JAVED IS OUT..''

''sana you could be really good host you know''.. i said

''i know i know i am pretty awesome..she said while waving her hands in the air''
***********

By now we all girls were disscussing in hushed tones about the dress code of the ice cream adventure.. tonight ..

i was pretty excited because i didn't ever had an candle light ice cream before .. i have been to candle light dinners with mom and dad once or twice but i was'nt a good experience because of the elders talking about politics at the dinner.

Me and hina api went inside .

While all of them were chatting and waiting for others to join

**********
I was getting ready in the room while thinking of the trip waiting ahead I was excited yet nervous to go alone with cousins but my nervousness was overpowered by excitement .

I was wearing a black long dress with beautiful pink flowered boarders. With it a heavy beautiful shawl with the mixture of golden and maroon colours filled with light shimmer as It was quite cold here especially at nights the weather would turn out to be freezing. And shawl serves to be a the best heater .

A slight knock on the door was enough for me to hurry and give the last touches to myself

I hurriedly wore the Hijab and set the shawl around me and went to open the door.

A beautiful looking hina api with a cute baby zaki welcomed me as I opened the door

''MA SHAA ALLAH ur looking beautiful huda api'' I orated while looking at her

"And you are looking like a doll" she said while smiling

"Ready lets go than everyone is already out waiting for us."

Looking down from the railings upstairs the whole view of the dinning could be seen

I could see all of them gathered there chatting and teasing each other while waiting for us

I guess me and huda api were the only once who were left . I started ascending down the stairs slowly due to ,my heels

I could sense someone was staring and when I turned my head towards the source it was umar bhai I averted my eyes suddenly as huda api said something making baby zaki giggle while we got down.

"Finally the most awaited people are here" sana said bringing all of their attention towards us

"Don't even try to say we are late as its all your fault that me and areesha wasn't available while you all decided the time and gave us the last minute notice "hina api smugly threatened before daniyal or anyone else could complain

It was true me and huda api were busy decorating cookies and some deserts for the elders to have wih tea while they all decided the time . thanks to umar bhai that he had called hina api asking about us and telling about the changed timings.

"What we? and say you anything no no api ! how could we I am sure no one likes to promote violence here daniyal said in mock surrender."

Making hina api glare while all snickered .

"Areesha and api this style really suits you a lot MA SHAA ALLAH" sana said while taking in my appearance

"Yes ur looking beautifu"l kiran api joined

We all were wearing long frocks and above it a shimmery shawl to compliment it and a protection from cold to.

As we all started complimenting eachother huffing and puffing sounds could be heard around us of the boys making me amuze .

"Sana you look stunn

"All you guys are done or you need compliment from us to umar bhai said smirking towards me "

Cutting me in the middle

"Lets go" Sana said as she rolled her eyes towards him.

Three jeeps and two heavy bikes were ready at the front door

All were settling in to their desired cars while I was standing there confused as what to choose

Until I saw amira arguing with daniyal and rayyan.

"What's the problem amira "I said moving towards her

"Api look rayyan is going on a bike and not taking me "

"Tell him to take me to amira whined"

"Tell her to listen to me and sit in the car she cant go with me" rayyan chided

"Yes amira is better you go in the car" daniyal added

"Amira go sit in the car you can't go with rayyan it isn't safe"

"Api but "she started again but a glare from rayyan was enough to stop her wining

While huffuing she went and sat into ASAD bhai;s car

"Areesha what are you doing here standing come on with me we will go in Asad bhais car".sana said as she pulled me towards it

"She is coming with me" came a voice halting me and sana

" Areesha go and sit in that black jeep"

It didn't sounded like a request rather an order which he gave

I politely denied and was going towards asad bhai's car when huda api came and said "there is no space here areesha you me and zari will go in umars car"

"And sana" I asked

"I will go in bilal bhais car" she said excitedly

"Am ok than"

Umar bhai motioned me towards the car while having an attitude of look who won

Not at all thrilled I sat in the car hoping that the journey will not be boring .

I sat at the back with huda and zari api and the passenger seat was empty

As we were setteled and ready to go

Umar bhai sat in the car starting the ignition of the car he spoke looking at the mirror

"Hey! I am not the driver someone has to sit in the front."

"Umar for once if you become our driver promise I wont mind "zari api said amuzed

Making me laugh internally

"Ha ha funny if you want to go one has to come in the front"

"I am quite comfortable on my side I wil not move zari api" orated

"With zaki I will not take a risk of sitting in the front" hina api voiced

Whie looking on the mirror he raised his eyebrow for me to say something

I was quiet as I didn't wanted to sit in the front with him nor I had any excuse

"Areesha go and sit in the front otherwise we will be stuck here "zari api said

"Me api no I don't want to sit in the front " I panicked

"Areesha why not go dear otherwise he wont be satisfied "

"Apii please "I whispered

"Areesha he wont eat I promise" hina api said while giggling " come on" she said while opeing the door and getting down for me to go in the front

I dejectedly got down and sat on the passenger seat which wasnt amusing at all as zari api and hina api were reacting rather it was really uncomfortable situation for me and I didn't miss the smirk he had which did make me ponder and quizzical

He started driving the car while honking twice to indicate the others to move and follow while playing a loud song which made me a bit more uncomfortable but I couldn't do anything rather than to pray that the journey ends soon.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Thankfully it wasn't that far from home 20minutes drive I wouldn't lie I did enjoyed it due to the beautifull views and travelling on the mountains did felt dreamy .

The restaurant was marvelous situated on the mountain top with fire fly lightrning all around and the roof filled with fake snow . we entered inside the beautifully lit doors only to be more amazed by the interior which had candle lit bulbs of different colours ,shapes and sizes all around and each table had a different themed candle bulbs . everything looked faboulous

"Its amazing isn't it" umar bhai said standing beside me

"Yes it is "I replied shortly while I went to join the girls.

We all settled taking our seats and started chatting while admiring the place

As our order was already taken ,

"Areesha look at the rose fountain in the middle It is said whoever lights the candle there and flows it there the particular wish he or she wishes comes true" . ahmad bhai said

"Oh really bhai"

"Yes! yes its true "he said proudly

"Ahmad not again please its just a fountain and its just for fun they allow us too to do it" Annie said

"No it isn't "daniyal said joining

"Not you to dani" annie groaned

"What it's the truth "

"Than prove it" kiran api said

"Make a wish and and flow the candle it will come true see by yourself"

"Very funny "

"I want to try it please can I go amira" said excitedly

"Amira dear they are just fooling around" it isn't true

"You cant say that" ahmad bhai grunted

"Oh please I really want to try it can I go "rayyan bhai

"Yeah sure why not you wouldn't sit quietly anyways until you try it"

we all watched as she went and lit the candle than slowly kep it in the water We couldn't see her face properly due to dim lighs

we all shook her head at her while ahmad bhai was amuzed at her excitement

she came back and with that our orders too

we were all sitting opposite to each other umar bhai was sitting exactly in the front me which I pretty much remember was daniyals place

our orders came and each one of them took there desired ice cream which they ordered

what confused me was that I ordered chocolate ice cream not strawberry mixed with vanilla and I am sure of what I ordered ,
I looked up to see everyone enjoying their ice cream except umar bhai who looked at me while smiling and said

" I ordered for you "

and seeing his ice cream it was sure because it was same

"but bhai I don't like strawberry ice cream "

"try It you will like it" he said with the raised eyebrow

our conversation wasn't very loud and due to the rest of the groups banter no one paid attention

it did made me angry as why he ordered for me atleast he could ask
and that to after he knew what I ordered it wasn't fair but I would not want to make a big deal out of it

"what happened areesha why aren't you eating "sana asked

"am I am "

"would you like to try the mango ice cream I haven't started yet" she said

I guess she got the hint of the situation but I am not sure

"Why would she" umar bhai intrupted "its her order "

"Umar I want her to try this flavor"

"Here areesha "

I gladly exchanged it wih her but I didn't missed the way way umar bhai looked at her and the look wasn't pleasant at all

The ice cream was beyond delicious pure mango ice cream sprinkled with golden rock sugar I loved and enjoyed every bite of it .

As we were exiting the restaurant amira came beside ahmad bhai and said

"Bhai u were wrong about the wishing thing because what I wished for didn't come true "

"What you wished for amira" annie api asked curiously

"Am just that ahmad bha'is ice cream may fall on daniyal" she said giggling

Making us all laugh while they groaned ,

"Stop laughing please "dani said irritated.

Teasing him along the way.We headed towards the mountain site near by ..

It was beautiful MA SHAA ALLAH all the lights beneath the mountains appeared to look like scattered jewels or beautiful stars glistening in the dark.

"I have always loved coming here it frees my mind from the burdens for a while."Kiran api said

"The free atmosphere around here is very refreshing and at the same time beautiful" I said looking towards her.

"Hmm indeed."
"Areesha look at the opposite side the view is amazing there I will come after handing sonia to ahmad its a more open view there so it will be.more chilly over there."

I nodded and headed towards the other side and indeed she was right it was an amazing site here with all the decorated high trees and an open view .

SubhanAllah all of this is amazing

The cold breeze was swirling around me slightly swaying my frock on the mountain and my shawl shimmering in the dark like the lit fireflies while I was enjoying the welcoming view that the site offered

'It's beautiful isn't it'' someone said coming and standing beside me.
I looked at the side to find it was umarr bhai.
''Yes indeed its mesmerizing'' SubhanAllah.

''Come I will take you more higher the view will me.more vast and beautiful from there ''HE said pointing towards the peak of the mountain

"Am m bhai I am fine here "

''Come on Areesha don't be afraid''

"No !bhai I am not afraid but I don't want to go higher than this"

''Don't be stubborn and take my hand we will go together''

Those words were like ice cold water on me which shook me from head to toe.

"Am bhai I am wearing heels and I can't go further please understand"

"You can call me Umar you know I am not thrilled by the fact that you call be bhai it makes me feel uncomfortablly old "

I looked at him and replied
" but I feel comfortable calling you bhai."

"I dont"
"I would appreciate it if you call me by my name."

I had nothing to say I looked down while tightening the shawl around me due to the cold .

So he tilted his head towards me for my answer

"What is happening here Hina api" chirped from beside me while putting her arm on my shoulder.

"I am telling her to call me Umar just Umar ! not bhai ."

"Is that so" she responded

"Yes ,"

"Seriously bhabhi do I look that old ."

Chuckling she responded "why not I can see your gray hairs from here itself."

"it isn't funny" he grunted

"Ok okay I apologize. Areesha call him by His name he is kind of sensitive about his appearance" api said amused

"Bhabhi ur helping a lot thank you he replied sarcastically" not having the slightest hint of amusement

"Acha na!..Areesha don't take it seriously.
And it would be nice if you call him by His name would you do the owner princess" api orated.

"Hmm" I nodded by head in positive as I gave my response to her appeal.not once looking at him.

"Api api see that side it looks amazing"amira called
I excused myself and went towards her to the other side where all of them were gathered irritating each other or.faking to jump.from the mountain side

And we enjoyed further returning only after the threatening call from dadi to return home.

*********
Laying on my bed while holding amira's hand as she peacefully slept .I reviewed all the events of today
No doubt it was a great day filled with fun but I wasn't naive to ignore the hints that I got from Umar bhai's behavior or the small.encouters that occured it isn't my imagination nor betrayal of my senses.
What scaring me is that what would be the outcome of all this.

Mom has already warned me and I really don't think I did anything wrong or did I?

What will she say if she comes to know about what happened.

Should I share
No I don't think so
maybe it's only me who is taking things the other way can't cousins do that for one another afterall they are like siblings.

Tangled in those thoughts I went into a deep slumber without knowing what to do ahead

"Assalam o alikum wa RAHMATU lahi wa barakatuhu."

"Hey! lovely readers a long chapter for you all. "

"Do comment your thoughts I would love to know."

"Take care and keep smiling :-)

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