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*

Jasmina

"Fariha!" I was so glad to see her after such a long time. We'd always been close, and she had always been like the big sister that I'd never had. Tall, with a beauty mark at the corner of her left eye and with long black hair, Fariha was naturally beautiful. Ma Sha Allah. I gave her a hug and she hugged me back just as warmly to my happiness. I then pulled back and nodded at Fawad's and Fariha's parents. "Assalam Alaikum."

"Walaikum Assalam." They both replied. Ali Uncle ran a hand over my head, giving me blessings, but Fatima Aunty barely looked at me.

Fortunately, my parents came to greet the Ali family then, and I could see that Ammi and Papa looked genuinely pleased- and surprised- at the arrival of their old family friends. I suppose they had almost expected them not to attend, especially Fatima Aunty.

Ammi had been from Islamabad and Fatima Aunty had been from Rawalpindi, and they both had studied at a university in Islamabad. They were interns, and once a group of their seniors had travelled from Lahore to provide them with some guidance. This group happened to include Papa and Ali Uncle, and this was where history was made.

I was happy to see that Fariha was behaving as normally as ever with me, greeting me just as warmly as she always had. Despite having a relatively hard life after marriage, she was a cheerful, bubbly girl, and she was as nice as her brother was.

As my parents led the Ali family to the table, I looked around the hall. It looked even more beautiful than it had yesterday. The light of the chandelier created an almost magical atmosphere, and the fairy lights decorating the stage made it seem like an image from a fairy tale film. The colourful mehndi outfits of the ladies, the sparkle of the jewellery and the scent of jasmine flowers and roses blended together to create a dream mehndi ceremony.

It wasn't long before Sadia Bhabi made her entrance into the hall, with her sisters and cousins holding up a colourful dupatta over her head. Her dress was a traditional mehndi outfit, with pink chudidar trousers with golden tear-drop patterns over it, and a long mustard-yellow kameez with gentle golden embroidery, as well as small colourful floral patterns along the neckline. Her dupatta was the same colour as her kameez, with a pink border that matched her slim-fit trousers. Her hair was in a braid, with a paranda woven through it, which is a Punjabi hair adornment typically woven through a braid. In her wrists were jasmine gajray bracelets, and she only wore small golden studs in her ears, with natural make-up. On the mehndi invitation cards, we had made a rule where nobody else was allowed to wear the colour yellow, as to not upstage the bride.

My own outfit was a long lime-green Anarkali dress, with a coral-coloured dupatta with heavy coral and silver embroidery over the bodice. The hem of the dress was lined with a strip of embroidery that matched the upper part of the dress. I wore a coral chudidar underneath with colourful khusas on my feet.

I had gone to the parlour with Mars and my cousins earlier in the day, and my hair was done up in an up-do, adorned with beads, as I wanted to keep my hair off my face. It was hot enough with the camera lights, without having to deal with strands of your hair in your face.

The males from our side were all dressed in emerald-green shalwar kameez, apart from Arhaan Bhai, who wore a white shalwar kameez suit with an emerald green waistcoat.

I brought the mehndi baskets into the hall, along with my other female cousins who were also representing the groom's sisters. Filled with bangles, henna cones and various items for the bride, they looked even more stunning under the glimmering lights of the wedding hall. I smiled as I saw my eldest brother and his bride on stage, both looking shy. I hadn't had much interaction with Sadia Bhabi yet, as I hadn't been here. I had been introduced to her over a video call a few weeks ago, when her family had been visiting my family. She seemed like a sweet, friendly personality.

As we paused for the photographer to take our photo, and for the videographer to capture us for the wedding video, I saw Fawad standing by the stage with his other friends. The dark green colour was complimenting him greatly, emphasising his handsome looks even more. Ma Sha Allah. As I looked at him, he turned and saw me. For a few brief moments, he looked stunned before a heart-stopping smile appeared on his face. My cheeks felt warm almost instantaneously, and I dropped my gaze. 

I continued walking with my cousins, and we set the baskets on a table at the side which was designated especially for them. Then, holding up my dress to avoid tripping, I stepped onto the stage to finally greet my Bhabiin person. "Assalam Alaikum, Sadia Bhabi."

"Walaikum Assalam, Jasmina." She stood up and gave me a hug. "It's so nice to finally meet you in person. You look gorgeous, Ma Sha Allah." 

"Thank you, but nobody looks better than you, also Ma Sha Allah!" I smiled at her.

"Not even me?" Arhaan Bhai joked as he stood up behind her.

"Especially not you." I replied as Sadia Bhabi laughed lightly.

"Photo, please." The photographer called out to us, and I stepped back to have a photo taken with Arhaan Bhai and Sadia Bhabi. For the next photo, A rhaan Bhai called Ahad Bhai to join us as well.

Honestly, the whole atmosphere, the colours, the familiar traditional songs, the playing of the dholki was greatly reminding me of my almost-Mehndi, and my heart ached slightly at the thought. I tried to keep my expressions neutral, tried to retain that smile on my face, for my brother's sake.

It didn't take long for us to begin the function, as there's that ten 'o' clock deadline when the hall management starts turning off the lights to end the function, as per a national rule or something. 

Ammi and I, in turns, applied the henna on the betel leaf that was placed on the hands of the bride and the groom, before feeding the couple some mithai. A line of other people formed behind us, ready to do the same.

"I should have kept the Duty-Free chocolates instead, the ones I bought for you." I teased my eldest brother, as I sat beside Bhabi for yet another photo. Each person applying the henna got to have a photo taken with the couple.

"Right?" Arhaan Bhai agreed, even as Bhabi shook her head with a smile.

As the function continued in full swing, I noticed my parents talking to the parents of Zafar Bhai. Papa looked thoughtful as he listened, and Ammi looked a little uncertain. I looked around for Mars, feeling panic build up inside me, but she was busy talking to some ladies that I didn't recognise.

Allah! This is not what I want! My chest began to feel tight, and I wanted to run away into a quiet and dark place and just scream at the top of my lungs. My arms felt cold and as I lifted my hands, I could see that they were shaking. It was a sign of a panic attack, from my experience. As I watched my parents' conversation with Mr & Mrs Farukh, Ammi looked over at me, and I bent down, pretending to smooth out my dress as if the embroidery had gotten stuck together in that annoying way.

Only I knew how I managed to enjoy the remainder of the function with the heavy feeling in my heart.

*

The heaviness in my chest still hadn't disappeared by the time we returned home. The function in the hall might be over, but the afterparty was continuing in our home, and the only place I could get away to clear my head was the terrace. My room was currently being used as a gossip room for middle aged aunties.

I leaned against the railing, staring up at the starry sky. My hands clutched onto the iron railing, tightening around it as if I was clinging on for dear life. As my gaze dropped in the direction of the pool in the garden below, a tear escaped my eye. I'm being selfish. I should be thinking about Arhaan Bhai and Sadia Bhabi, instead of myself. But it hurts...what could have been.

My happiness had been destroyed by that one twist of events.

"Mina?"

I turned and saw Fawad walking up to me, looking concerned. In the dim terrace lights, I could tell how well the kameez fit him, fit against his toned built. He had rolled up his sleeves, as it was getting unusually hot with all the people in the house.

"You okay?" His voice was soft, filled with concern for me.

I turned away, silently crying harder although I wasn't sure why.

He stepped closer, wiping away my tears using his thumbs, then dropping his arms to his side as if he had suddenly realised what he had been doing.

"A-Ammi and Papa..." I gasped out. "They were talking to Zafar Bhai's parents! How can I refuse again? I'm already considered a disgrace in society!"

"You have right to refuse if you're not happy." He still spoke quietly, his gaze on me tender. "And it doesn't matter what society things, Mina. You know yourself that you haven't done anything to deserve this harsh treatment."

"I..." I was trapped in the intensity of his gaze, unable to free myself no matter how hard I tried. Without even laying a finger on me, he had me under his control. And I didn't want to be free if it meant being away from him.

"What would make you genuinely happy, Jasmina Sheikh?" He asked the question that I hadn't been asked in a very long time.

You.

"I don't know." I muttered, resisting the urge to touch his stubble-covered cheek. I had no right to do so, no matter how much I craved to have that right.

"Theoretically speaking," He walked past me and leaned against the railing, staring up at the night sky. "What would you say if my parents spoke to your parents again about us?"

My heart could have exploded from beating uncontrollably. My brain questioned the listening abilities of my ears, because those words seemed too good to be anything but a dream.

"Well," I cleared my throat, not allowing myself to feel unnecessarily excited. "Theoretically speaking, I would say yes." I paused, unable to believe that I was 'theoretically' accepting his theoretical proposal. "But we're just speaking theoretically, right? Because there's no way that anyone would accept this again."

"Well, if I'm ready, and you're ready, then..." He raised an eyebrow, a small smile appearing on his ridiculously handsome face.

"Why?" I asked. "I humiliated you, indirectly. I unintentionally hurt you." 

He straightened up and turned to face me. "Have I not been obvious enough?"

I twisted my dupatta around my fingers, feeling genuinely confused about what he was saying, and yet the intense way he was gazing at me made sparks run up and down my body.

"I'm in love with you, Jasmina Sheikh." His gaze did not leave my face as he spoke. "I don't expect anything in return from you, but you should know that if we ever get married, I'll do my best to always keep that gorgeous smile on your face."

I smiled. "And you really want to marry me?" 

"Only if you're happy to accept this unusual proposal." He grinned.

Yes! Yes! Yes! The inner Jasmina was screaming in excitement. "I don't know about love yet, but I do have strong feelings for you." I whispered. "And I've had them longer than I've realised. Now that I think back to everything, I realise that I've been crushing on you for as long as I can remember. That's why I never called you, 'Bhai'." I paused. "I want to be your wife, Fawad Ali. And I know that I will fall in love with you."

A breeze ruffled through the tree nearby, causing a gentle and soothing sound as the leaves brushed against each other. A scent of jasmine heavily filled the air, as almost all ladies wore something with jasmine, either a hair adornment or a bracelet. But nothing attracted my attention as much as this wonderful, compassionate man standing in front of me, basically proposing to me despite awkwardness of the past.

"I'll speak to my parents." He nodded, breaking the mesmerising spell that we both had been under, one that had forced us to remain locked in each other's gazes.

"They'll never agree." I was worried. "Especially not Aunty."

"Leave it to me." He smiled at me, reassuringly. "But if you change your mind, don't hesitate to tell me." 

"I'm not letting you go this time." I met his gaze with full determination.

*

"I don't want to marry Zafar Bhai." I announced.

Ammi and Papa were in the kitchen later that night, making coffee and tea for the various guests who probably had no intentions of sleeping tonight due to the wedding excitement and all. Ammi had asked the house staff to go home as it was late and seemed to be having no problem with making the hot beverages and snacks herself, with the help of Papa.

I had figured that even if they were intending to discuss my marriage with Zafar Bhai, they wouldn't do it until after Arhaan Bhai's wedding, and I wanted to clear their misconceptions before they started to make plans in their minds. I had to take a stand for myself, especially after knowing that Fawad wanted to marry me.

Fawad Ali wants to marry me.

Me.

My parents were both startled by my announcement, as made clear by their expressions.

"Who said you were going to?" Papa asked, bewildered, narrowing his eyes from behind his glasses.

"Didn't his parents come here to ask for my hand in marriage for him?" I asked. "Weren't you both discussing this subject with them earlier today?"

They exchanged a puzzled look.

"No." Ammi said slowly, as if speaking to a child who didn't understand. "Jasmina, sometimes you let your imagination run away with you. The Farukh family was here because they are the parents of Zafar, who happens to be Ahad's best friend. Just like Hafsa and her family were invited to Arhaan's wedding, so was the family of Ahad's best friend."

"But..." I felt confused.

"I'll explain..." Mars appeared behind me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Consider this a gentle nudge."

"Marrium, what did you do?" Ammi asked her, wearily.

"I told her and Fawad the same thing." Mars shrugged. "Because clearly, they need the help."

"You made this all up?!" I frowned. "Why would you do that?"

"Call me Cupid. I always had an insight that the two of you were meant to be. Jibril was just a minor hurdle in your path." My aunt replied. "Even when he came to the mehndi and attempted to stop the wedding like a B-grade villain, there just wasn't the right chemistry between the two of you. You and Fawad, on the other hand, I can almost literally see the sparks between the two of you, as if Tinkerbell is constantly dropping fairy dust between you two."

"Marrium!" Ammi rushed over and closed the kitchen door. "Have you completely lost your mind?" 

"Afreen Appi, what's the problem?" Mars asked. "The kids like each other, they're genuinely compatible, and you all did initially arrange their marriage."

"Marrium, you're not being very logical right now." Papa sounded irritated. "It's not as simple as us going to the Ali family home again and discussing this again. This can never happen again."

My heart started to sink.

"Tell me Asad Bhai," Mars continued her fight for me. "Let's set the incident aside for a few moments. Tell me one other reason why you think that Fawad isn't right for Jasmina? He prays five times a day, he has settled in his career- with plenty of potential for progress, Ma Sha Allah-he is a good, compassionate guy. You've both known him his whole life, so you know that I'm right."

Papa looked thoughtful.

"Fatima will never allow it." Ammi replied. "And we can't blame her for that."

And my heart had completely drowned in a lake of misery. Fatima Aunty was the one person I'd genuinely feared regarding our marriage talks. ALii Uncle was coolheaded and calm, and would think practically, but she would think like the mother of the guy who had unintentionally been hurt by me...which she was.

"This isn't about Fatima Bhabi's wedding though, is it?" Mars pointed out. "This is about Jasmina and Fawad, and clearly they want to get married."

Ammi looked at me. "Jasmina, I know you regret everything that had happened, but how can we reconsider this possibility? That was a major humiliation that both our families endured, and if I was in Fatima's place, I would be in constant fear that there would be a repetition of that day, with her son being hurt again."

I understood what she was saying, but how was I supposed to explain to her that I wanted this second chance, and I would do everything to not let anything mess it up again?

My parents exchanged a look, before Ammi grabbed my hands. "Jasmina, do you honestly. without any further doubts, want to marry Fawad?" 

I nodded, my cheeks warming up again.

Ammi and Papa suddenly looked much older than they were and I felt guilty. Wedding responsibilities weren't easy, and now I'd burdened them with this, right when they were in the middle of Arhaan Bhai's wedding.

"We'll discuss this after Arhaan's Valima." Papa concluded this conversation for the time being.

I felt like I was witnessing someone else's life. The excitement had made everything seem like it was happening in a blur. I hoped that everything worked out. Despite feeling like I didn't deserve this, I desperately wanted this second chance. I wanted to marry Fawad genuinely because of what an amazing person he was.

Allah! Fatima Aunty is going to kill me. She will never, ever accept me as her daughter-in-law. I wonder if Fawad is going to be able to convince them.

*

Fawad

I returned home shortly after my conversation with Jasmina on the terrace of the Sheikh family home.

After my proposal.

After a tiring event, it was a relief that our home was located just a seven minutes' drive from the Sheikh mansion, still a part of Lahore DHA.

Ammi and Papa had just sat down in the living room, exhausted. Ammi asked the maid to make us all some tea. 

"I'll do it." Fariha offered. She and her sons had returned home with my parents, with no sign of her husband Umair today. I just knew that my parents would be questioning his absence, but they were just waiting for the morning after we all had some decent sleep.

"No, Fari." I stopped her. "Have a seat. I need to talk to you all." 

Ammi's eyes widened with excitement, even as she started to remove the pins from her hijab, setting them onto the small table by the sofa where she sat. "I know you met Aisha's daughter today! I knew that you would like her!"

"What and who are you talking about?" I asked, genuinely puzzled.

"The girl in the orange shalwar-kameez?" Ammi spoked pointedly.

"It was a mehndi ceremony. At least fifteen people wore orange, if not more." I sat back on the sofa, yawning.

"Ooh, he likes someone else!" My sister seemed to have figured it out somehow, and she seemed too excited about it.

"Fariha, behave yourself." Ammi warned her. "That's your big brother you're talking about." She narrowed her eyes at me. "Is it true? Who is she?"

"Ammi, Papa, I want to marry Jasmina." I announced quietly.

A pin drop silence fell over the room, and I was afraid to look at the reactions of my family. Finally, I lifted my gaze and looked around. Fariha looked surprised, but slowly a smile began to make its way across her face. Papa simply smiled, looking happy about this announcement.

Ammi blinked in surprise, as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Jasmina Sheikh?" She looked at Papa, as if for affirmation, before turning her gaze back to me. "Arhaan's sister? Afreen and Asad Bhai's daughter?" 

"Do we know any other Jasmina?" I tried to lighten the atmosphere, knowing very well that there was a storm brewing even as we spoke.

"This is fantastic!" Fariha said, excitedly. "You and Jasmina look amazing together, Ma Sha Allah!" 

"Absolutely not." Ammi stood up, folding her hijab neatly over one arm. "After everything that she has done?!"

"At university, she was between the ages of nineteen and maximum twenty-two. It's not unusual to develop crushes." I tried to remain calm. "She was not responsible for whatever happened. She didn't invite Jibril to the wedding. In her innocence, she admitted to him in a letter, but she didn't expect this to happen. He is the one who..."

"How do you know?" She asked. "How can we trust her? She spent three years in London, living on her own. I feel like things didn't work out with that boy, and now she wants to come back to you!"

"Ammi, you're being unfair." I spoke calmly and respectfully. "Initially when we got engaged, I knew that she looked at me as a friend, as someone she really got along with. But now I can tell that there are genuine feelings between us, and that she really wants to get married to me."

"I have no problem." Papa said, almost casually. "We've known the family for decades; we've known Jasmina all her life. She's a good girl at heart, Fatima. When people are young, especially at that age, innocent mistakes happen, but from what we have gathered, Jasmina wasn't at fault. You know her, Fatima. She spent hours at our home. She is on the outside what she's on the inside. There's no deception, no dishonesty." 

Ammi looked unfazed. "Fawad is my only son, and I haven't forgiven her for the humiliation that he, and all of us, faced because of her so-called 'innocence'."

"Fatima, but Fawad and Jasmina both want to marry each other. They are willing to overlook the past. And since this marriage is about them, we should let them decide what they want. We don't even have to do any background checks, Fatima. You won't find a better bride for Fawad."

Ammi scoffed before glaring at me. "Did she suggest this? Did she plan this, knowing that you like her?" 

"I suggested it." I felt irritated, but I didn't raise my voice. At the end of the day, she was my mother, and this was her way of showing her concern for me. "She's okay to go ahead with the marriage."

"Why now?" Ammi wouldn't let it go. "How did she suddenly develop feelings for you?" 

"She always liked Bhai. She just didn't realise it at first..." Fariha spoke up. "She..."

"You don't have a say in this, Fariha!" Ammi turned on her. "We all know how your love marriage turned out!"

 Fariha blinked as if Ammi had slapped her sharply across the cheek, the sting of which could be felt by all of us around the room.

"Let her have a say in this, Fatima." Papa said, firmly. "What were you saying, Fari?" 

"I spoke to Jasmina when they initially got engaged." My sister explained. "She was clearly happy to be engaged to Bhai. But we all must remember that she was only nineteen when she left for university. She was confused about her feelings, and she developed a small crush on another boy. Ammi, it was beyond her control. But she was always honest and open with Bhai. She told him everything. That makes me think how deep her feelings for Bhai were that she trusted him enough with all this."

Ammi shook her head. "She liked him, and that's why she told him that she liked someone else? You're not making any sense, Fariha!" 

"It's all about trust, Ammi." Fariha said. "Speaking from a girl's point of view, I would never have had the guts to tell my fiancé that I liked someone else, even in a message. She liked Bhai, Ammi. She just lost her way a little."

Ammi looked thoughtful.

"She's the same Jasmina who baked cakes with you when you were looking after her and her brothers when their parents were at work." Fari added. "The sweet, innocent girl. Ammi, Papa's right. You won't find a better life partner for Bhai."

Ammi looked at Papa. "And you're absolutely satisfied with this?"

He nodded. "I am."

Ammi looked at me. "Can you at least wait until after Arhaan's Valima? We'll talk to Afreen and Asad Bhai then. And I'll also perform Istikhara." I knew that although she had agreed for the first step, but she wasn't happy with it. This wasn't a Disney film where everything will suddenly work out with a snap of our fingers. Things took time, and I knew that with time, Ammi will remember that Jasmina was still the girl she had always considered her own daughter.

I grinned. "I guess I can wait that long."

"Besharam!" Ammi shook her head smiling, as Papa and Fariha laughed. Then my mother composed her expression and pointed at me, as if giving me a warning. "But one thing, Fawad: she must promise that the boy would be completely cut out from her life and must not even be mentioned again."

*Besharam: shameless.

"Ammi, I doubt that she even wants to think about him again." I told her.

"Good." She nodded. "That's the only condition I have to proceed with this."

*

**The Wedding day of Arhaan & Sadia**

Jasmina

It was pure chaos on the morning of Arhaan Bhai's wedding. I was awoken by the sound of loud chattering and the occasional laughter ringing through the house.

"Can you all shut up?" I muttered, sleepily. I had been too excited about my brother's wedding, and about my own proposal, to sleep last night. And that's when I remembered that it was the big day! I jumped out of bed, performed the morning routine in the bathroom, and changed into a plain shalwar-kameez suit.

"Arhaan Bhai! You're getting married!" I shouted, racing out of my room and towards my eldest brother's room. I pounded hard on the door, an excited grin on my face.

As the door opened, I threw my arms around him, squealing like a kid. "I can't believe you're getting married today!" 

Wait a minute. That cologne.

I pulled back, wide-eyed and saw Fawad grinning in amusement. And suddenly, all the blood of my body seemed to be having a conference in my face, as it all gathered there making my face feel like a heater.

"Am I?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Allah!" Blushing hard, I ran off and headed down the stairs.

I thought he had gone home last night! He must have come early in the morning to help with the wedding errands. God, I'm such an embarrassment!

I rushed straight into the kitchen, feeling starved. I made myself some toast and flicked on the electric kettle for tea.

"Jasmina," Ammi walked into the kitchen. "Have you tried on your dress?" 

"It will fit, don't worry." I reassured her. She had been telling me to try on the dress ever since the day I'd bought it, but I hadn't made the effort to do so. I really hoped that I didn't end up regretting not listening to her, as I often did.

"Go and try it on as soon you've had your breakfast." She walked over to the counter and tasted the kheer. "I don't want you moaning at the last minute that it doesn't fit, otherwise you'll have to wear one of your old Eid outfits. Your Phupho will fix any issue with the outfit if you try it on soon." 

"Okay."

This was a typical day in a desi wedding home. And I was enjoying every minute of it!

*

I took a final look at myself in the mirror in the foyer of my parents' house before heading out to the car to join my family. My dress was something out of a desi fairy tale. It was a rose-gold gown with a heavily embroidered maxi over the plain skirt. The golden embroidery was hand-woven and delicate, and it gave a regal appearance to the outfit. The dupatta was net, with golden floral embroidery spaced out across it. My hair was pinned to one side of my head, curled and resting over my shoulder, with golden glittering pins creating a sparkling effect on my head. My shoes were high heel golden stilettos that made walking almost impossible, especially with the combination of the heavy skirt of the gown.

Allah! I love this dress! I smiled, glancing down at the skirt. "I'm going with the groom!" Waving to my parents, I headed towards the white Mercedes that was decorated with floral decorations. I slid into the backseat beside Ahad Bhai, while Arhaan Bhai sat in the front passenger seat as Fawad drove.

I caught Fawad's eyes in the rear-view mirror and he smiled at me, causing me to blush.

"You actually look decent for once." Ahad Bhai commented, looking at me with a teasing grin.

"Shut up. I'm gorgeous and I always look gorgeous, Ma Sha Allah!" I wrinkled my nose at him.

"Leave her alone, Ahad!" Arhaan Bhai warned him. "You look beautiful, Jazzy. Ma Sha Allah!"

"Ma Sha Allah." Fawad repeated quietly, once again glancing in the mirror.

We kept glancing at each other sneakily in the mirror until we got to the wedding venue.

The Nikah had already been performed before the Mehndi yesterday, and today was just the main ceremony. We got out of the car and the wedding procession from the groom's side (the baraat) gathered outside the wedding hall. Arhaan Bhai was led to the front, looking elegant in his white sherwani, Ma Sha Allah, and Ahad Bhai and I stood on either side of him.

Spread out in front of the entrance door was a red carpet, with the females from the bridal party lining up on each side of the carpet, holding trays of rose petals. As we entered, they started showering the rose petals on us, as per usual tradition in weddings. The bride's family greeted us warmly, and Arhaan Bhai's father-in-law, Ishtiaq Uncle led him to the stage.

Since the Nikah was already done, we waited around inside, having some photos taken with the family until the arrival of the bride.

Bhabi was then brought out into the hall, and she looked breathtakingly beautiful, Ma Sha Allah.

She wore a red bridal lehenga, which had a purple and golden border. The blouse itself was long and had golden embroidery over it, with a heavily adorned neckline. The dupatta was mainly plain, but with a stunning heavy golden border and was placed over her up-do. She had a golden necklace with red rubies around her neck, which was a gift from our side. She had shed her glasses today, choosing to wear contact lenses instead.

Due to the curfew, dinner was immediately served without a further delay.

"God, I'm hungry." I muttered as I watched the people gathering around the buffet tables.

My parents were talking to my new Bhabi's parents, and Ahad Bhai was busy with his friends. I blushed as I saw that Zafar Bhai was also a part of that group, and I once again felt embarrassed at how Mars had tricked me and Fawad.

I glanced back at the buffet table. Technically, this function is hosted by the bridal side, and they expect the groom's side to eat first, so would it be so bad if I went over and got something to eat?

"I can sneak you some?" Fawad appeared at my side. "Technically, I'm a guest from the groom's side, so nobody would mind." 

"You're not a guest!" I spoke way too quickly before blushing. "I mean... I mean, you're like a brother to Arhaan Bhai..."

He smiled at me. "Maybe by the time it's Ahad's wedding, I will be family?" 

I glanced at him, my heart skipping a beat. Today he, like Ahad Bhai, wore a black sherwani with golden buttons. Ma Sha Allah, desi Prince Charming.

"I spoke to my family, and they will speak to your family after Arhaan's Valima." He said only loud enough for me to hear. He stood close enough for our arms to almost brush, and I couldn't help thinking how his arm would feel wrapped around my shoulders.

I smiled shyly, dropping my gaze.

"You know, speaking of Valima..." He said, glancing around the hall. "You look like you're at your own Valima. You look stunning, Ma Sha Allah."

"Thank you." I couldn't even look at him, as I played with the golden and rose-gold bangles on my wrists.

"Mina, there's no pressure. Only agree to this marriage if this is what you truly want."

"Agreeing under pressure would be agreeing to marry Zafar Bhai, not you." I blurted out. "I'm more than happy to marry you." I looked towards the buffet table. "Actually, can you sneak me some food? I really am starved, and I feel too awkward getting something myself."

He chuckled. "No problem. What would you like?" 

*

"Excuse me, what was that?" Hafsa flopped down onto a seat beside me.

I was sitting at a table at the back of the hall by the air-conditioning. The food was seriously delicious, chicken biryani, my favourite.

"What was what?" I looked at her, confused.

She was wearing a gorgeous dark blue abaya with silver floral patterns at the lapels, and a silver hijab. "That filmy moment where you were having a secret conversation with the male lead of your life."

"Hafsa!" I glared at her.

"What?" She shrugged. "I know you, Jas. And I know that he's The One for you." She grinned. "What's the plan?"

"There's no plan." I pretended that I had no idea what she was talking about.

"Lying is a sin. Lying to your best friend is a betrayal." She narrowed her eyes at me. "Spill, Jas."

I looked at her, and I could no longer keep the smile off my face.

"Okay. Seriously. What?" Her eyes sparkled with the excitement that was probably reflected in my own eyes.

"Well, actually..."

Before I could open my mouth, I saw Nailah walking over to me in her pink and silver sari. Slamming her silver clutch onto the table, she sat down on the chair on my other side. "Listen. Stop it."

"What?" I was genuinely confused.

"I saw how you were flirting with Fawad!" She hissed, practically breathing fire. "You had your chance with him, and you ruined it! I've noticed your behaviour since you arrived here. You're after him now that you're done with Jibril."

"Do not cross your limits, Nailah." I glared at her.

"You do not cross your limits!" She snapped. "Leave him alone!" 

"Nailah, hon, I think you need to learn about a little thing called a 'free will'. They're both grown adults, and it's their choice about who they want to be with and who they don't want to be with." Hafsa interrupted. "So, instead of standing here like a cliché third-class villain, go and ask Fawad Bhai directly how he feels, and clear this little drama once and for all."

"My mother is going to speak to Fatima Aunty for my marriage to him." Nailah ignored her and kept her icy gaze on me. "Don't ruin it for me."

"Good for you." Hafsa turned back to me. "Anyway, what were we discussing before we were so rudely interrupted?" 

"Girls, it's time for the joota churai." Ammi's voice halted any further converation.

The Joota Churai (shoe stealing) is a tradition where the bride's sisters and friends steal the groom's shoe(s) and demand money in return. It's like they're holding the shoe ransom, and only would return it if they are satisfied with the amount they're receiving. It's weird but truly fun. The groom's side of the family is meant to bargain with the bride's side.

"Come on." I grabbed Hafsa's hand and dragged her towards the stage. She chose to stand of the stage, while I went and stood beside Ahad Bhai.

It was all fun and games, with Ahad Bhai refusing to give the girls' side the amount they demanded. And then Nailah got really nasty, really quickly. "If I were on the bride's side, I would demand a lot of money, based on the bride's weight." 

I'm telling you, a deadly silence fell over the hall, which is one of the rarest occurrences at a desi wedding.

"Nailah!" Her mother, Rubina Khalla scolded her.

"That's it!" I was already furious with her, and now she had crossed all limits. "You and me, outside, now!" 

"Easy, tiger." Ahad Bhai grabbed my elbow. "Let the adults deal with it."

Rubina Khalla grabbed Nailah by the arm and led her out of the hall.

"We're so sorry." Ammi spoke to Bhabi's family. "That girl is just purely insolent. We have no excuse."

After the ceremony, as everyone started taking photos from the bride's side, I headed out to get some fresh air. It was getting hot and suffocating inside with all the people.

I stepped out of the air-conditioned hall and into the warm air of Lahore. The traffic continued as normal outside, with the occasional honking of the cars and rattling sounds of rickshaws. I caught the unmistakable whiff of cigarette smoke and looked over my shoulder to see Nailah standing just behind a pillar nearby, puffing from a cigarette. As I saw her, she turned her head and caught my eye.

"What?" She snapped at me.

"Why ae you so rude to everyone?" I couldn't help asking. "Why are you so hell-bent on ruining important moments for other people? Is your life really that sad and pathetic?" 

"Says the bride who never got a wedding." She rolled her eyes. "Since when do you care about other people's feelings? Jasmina only cares about Jasmina." 

"You're rude and intolerable!" I almost yelled, furious at the way she had humiliated Sadia Bhabi in front of everyone, on her wedding day! "You have no right to treat others like that!"

"Oh yeah?" She took a menacing step towards me. "What are you going to do about it?" She grabbed my upper arm roughly. "And since we're out here, I'm warning you again: stay the hell away from him! Am I bloody clear?" Her breath reeked of cigarette smoke as she breathed in my face, making me almost gag. Suddenly, she shoved me hard. We were just at the edge of the three steps leading up to the hall, and I lost my balance as she pushed me, partially thanks to my dress and shoes.

I screamed as I fell.

*

Nasty Nailah is a good nickname for her isn't it?

Will Jasmina and Fawad get married without a hitch (in this version)?

Thoughts and comments?

Thank you for reading and don't forget to vote!