Light Upon Light

#68 Of Small Babies and Big Babies and Baes

"Arey hush... You must really be teasing my bahu to death all the time. Give her a break!" Aunty said.

This time I didn't try to stop the smug smirk I had for bhabhi.

"Aye hayee... Look at that, she's not even your bahu yet and you're favouring her!"

"Of course... She's going to be married to my only son!"

Iqra Bhabhi's look of indignation was so funny. Just then Chachi and Dadi came to the room. Bhabhi told Chachi what her mother said and both my aunt and grandma were smiling wide.

"Well, lucky for you, you're my only daughter in law too," Chachi pointed out laughing.

As the ladies sat chatting, I placed the baby in Haseena Aunty's arms and slowly made my way out of the room. Only to find the mister seated in the courtyard with his father and my Dad and Samir and Shoaib. I thought he wasn't allowed to come here?

While I was having my deer in the headlights moment, Samar had slowly crept up to me. "He is here to see the baby not you Juju" he whispered.

Clutching my heart, I bit into my lips so I wouldn't squeal at his sneak attack. It's been a while since he pulled one of his tricks. I turned to glare at him as, unfortunately for me, he laughed out loud and drew everyone's attention. 

"Why does it look like you just saw a ghost Juni?" Samir called out from the courtyard.

Can this day get anymore embarrassing?

"Nah it wasn't a ghost she saw, just Zaid," Mr Samra called out in response drawing more laughter.

Apparently sky's not the limit for embarrassment.

I ran away to the kitchen before they pair of them could tease me anymore. Of course I didn't miss the smile that he sported before I made my escape. Traitor heart of mine was happily beating away.

The week didn't take too long to get over with though. Soon enough it was time for our little one's Aqeeqah. As was custom, us cousins got together and helped decorate the house, make seating arrangements and set the table for breakfast. Abrar Jiju's family had come to our home with the exception of Alia bhabhi who was at her place. She was due to deliver soon too. The Hashims were invited as well because they were Shoaib bhai's in laws and also our closest neighbors.

And someone was throwing a tantrum because we were sidelining his in laws. Well future ones anyway.

"Mom should have called Najwa's family too," he said, like the little baby he was slowly growing to become.

"Samir are you sure it's not your Aqeeqah today?" Samar asked him and I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Are you implying that I'm being a baby?"

"Of course not. Why are you putting words into my mouth... Unless... "

"Poor Najwa... Girl has no idea what she has signed up for," I laughed as Samir punched Samar in the arm and I ran out of his range before he could chuck a cushion at me. We were down in the hall changing cushion covers and bantering as usual.

"As if Zaid has hit a jackpot," Samar rolled his eyes.

"Of course he has!" I said shaking my head.

"Of course he has what? Of course who has?"

Guess who.

Tall, dark, possibly handsome and probably my future husband. Standing behind me at the threshold of the hall.

"Junaina don't tell me you're talking about other men," he said as he stepped into my line of sight because I refused to turn around.

Need I mention that my dear brothers were having the time of their lives laughing at me and were not at all bothered to correct him?

"So what if I am? It's none of your business," I huffed crossing my arms.

"Yet," he said smirking.

Ugh. This man. I felt like wiping that smirk off his face and blushing at the same time.

Samir stepped in just then.

"Ahem. You guys are not even engaged yet, forget married. So Juni my darling sister, I suggest you scoot from here right this minute."

Behind the crossed arms and pseudo stern raised brows, he was biting down his laughter. I could see it in my brother's eyes.

"Careful Samir. Green is so not your colour. It might just slip from my tongue when I call Najwa later... What a baby you were being..." I trailed off as I slowly backtracked out of the hall.

"Juni!"

And then I ran.

"Junaina Javed Ali, you come right back here," he called out.

"Nah ah... You told me to scoot. Enjoy your bro time!"

Ahh the joys of being the annoying little sister whose best friend he was going to marry. Which brought me to the epiphany, what is it with us Ali kids and marrying best friends of our cousins or siblings!

After Di's in laws came, the barber showed up and the baby's hair was shaved off. She was named Asiya Abrar by her grandfather. Once breakfast was over the boys went out to distribute the slaughtered meat while us girls helped Annu and the ayahs clean up.

Baby Asiya looked like a princess and she was dressed in the daintiest white frock. Jiju, Di and Abid were all dressed in white to match her and we clicked a family picture of them. They looked so lovely together, I whispered a silent prayer for their protection from the evil eye.

And a small prayer for me to have a moment like this in future.

Once all the everything was over and everybody was just lounging in the halls and courtyard, Mohammed uncle brought up the talk about our engagement. The men and women were sitting separate, but we could hear him from the ladies sitting area.

"Alhamdulillah, this has been a wonderful morning, Jazakum Allahu Khairan katheeran for inviting us Irfan and Abrar, may Allah bless your family.

I know that it might be strenuous for you to have two functions back to back, but I was hoping to get my son's engagement over with and his Nikah dates fixed as soon as possible. Javed are you okay with tomorrow? Or should we wait for another two days? What is your opinion?"

Needless to say my heart was racing a mile a minute.

"Why should there be a delay in what's khair? In sha Allah we will come over to Baithun Noor tomorrow," Dad said.

Smiles and hugs and cheers were shared.

As were suggestive looks and teasing and jokes at my expense.

Let's just say,

I was on cloud nine.

***

Tell me what you think.

I'm not supremely pleased, but I love some of the moments in there. What about you guys?

In sha Allah, just one or two chapters left.

Much love,

fmf