Sumayya smiled softly as she ate her breakfast along with her family. She started coming out of her room more these days. And pretended everything was fine. Her family too has let go of the anger and started behaving normally with her. Or so it seemed.
It felt good to be like this again though.
All the silent treatment has impacted her way too negatively.
"Inara has invited us all to her house today," Sohaib announced looking at everyone.
Inara was her lovely pupho, who also happens to be the mother of Irtaza. They were both polar opposites. Sumayya sometimes wondered how can Irtaza ever be a son to such an awesome lady. She loved her aunt.
But the thought of visiting her home made her feel uncomfortable and anxious. Things weren't quite normal yet.
Shahveer and Shehryaar smiled at each other knowingly and then nodded to their father.
"It's Irtaza's official engagement today. I hope you'll behave yourself, Sumi." Sanaya, her mother spoke to her a little coldly.
Apparently not everything is forgotten. It's almost impossible in the desi family that they let go of your mistake easily without taunting you at every given chance.
Sumayya sighed inwardly, faking a smile. Hearing about Irtaza's engagement again made heart almost squeeze in pain. Why the hell was it hurting like that? It's been a week since he texted her that morning, rubbing it in her face that he is capable of getting any girl he wants. Why did that bother her so much anyway.
"I'm not attending it if you're so concerned, ammi."
Her mother was still bothered that Irtaza has broken off their engagement. He was such a good boy according to them. Maybe he was. But never to her. She had all the valid reasons to say no. But the thought of him marrying someone else twisted her heart painfully nevertheless.
She couldn't understand why though.
"Well, we are going. You're welcome to join us. Or if you don't want to come, no one is forcing you either." Her father added softly and they resumed their breakfast after an uncomfortable silence.
The rest of the day wasn't the same anymore. Sumayya felt restless and annoyed throughout the day. Feeling quite bored, she decided to go on a shopping spree. She has saved up some money with her internship and all those eidi money can finally come to use.
They did have plenty of money actually. But it was her fathers. And she has sworn to not waste her dad's money just because she can.
"Where are you going?" Sanaya asked her curiously, while the whole Mirza family was ready to go to the Riaz mansion.
She looked at them all with a fake smile and muttered, "I'm going shopping with Maham. She will be picking me up in two minutes."
"Oh, okay. Take care of yourself then. Don't stay out too late. You should be back before ten-thirty." Sanaya's voice softened a little and she smiled a real smile for the first time that day whilst nodding her head.
Even in anger, mothers always cared about us.
"Do you need any money?" Her father's sudden voice from behind startled her but she shook her head in negative as the smile remained constantly on her face.
"Keep this with you anyway. What if there was an emergency." Sohaib gave her his card. She felt touched by their love and concern for her. Being the only daughter had its charm sometimes.
The twins have always envied her for that. She got away from so many things just because it was her.
"Okay then. I'll leave now."
"If there is anything, call me okay?" Aadil said with concern making her smile widen. Her brother was such a pure soul, but too bad life was very cruel with him.
"I will, bhai." She smiled at him before turning towards the doorway as they heard a loud car honk.
"Wait, I'll come with you." Aadil wanted to walk her to the gate and she nodded with a shrug.
Sumayya smiled widely at her best friend, who waved at her from inside the car. She walked at a fast pace due to excitement. It's been so long since they both met.
"Does she know how to drive?" Aadil asked her with worry to which she rolled her eyes mentally.
"Of course she does, Bhai." She grumbled whilst holding the car handle.
"Drive safely, Maham." He looked inside the car and said to her friend, their eyes locked for a second before he walked back into their porch. Not before nodding at her. She looked at the little moment with amusement before getting into the car.
"Did he just say my name? Ohmigod. I'm going to faint." Maham muttered dramatically like a fangirl making Sumayya roll her eyes.
"He's nine years older than you. Shut up."
"So what? Did you see him? He's so hot." Maham was crazy.
"Gross. He's my older brother. Get going now." Sumayya smacked her friends arm and looked at the road.
"Your fiance is also nine years older than you," Maham added teasingly whilst starting the car.
"Eight actually." She corrected her friend subconsciously but bit her lips when realisation dawned upon her, "he's not my fiance anymore though."
"You wish he was, don't you?" Maham was clearly joking but her words did something to her.
"I don't know." She whispered uncertainly and looked out of the window, trying to lose herself in the busy roads.
"Awe babe. Don't worry. What's meant to happen will happen." Maham muttered, trying to cheer her up. She smiled but it didn't reach her eyes.
It was true anyway.
***
"We're twenty-one. I definitely want a photo in front of this huge forever twenty-one frame." Maham demanded her dramatically.
"Go and stand there. I can't believe I missed you." Sumayya grumbled annoyedly yet an amused smile played on her lips.
They had a lot of fun. But Sumayya's mind was always off somewhere. Shopping didn't help her either.
In the middle of their shopping, Maham received an important call which made her go back home immediately.
"Are you sure you want to stay back? Let me just drop you." Her friend added worriedly.
"No. I want to stay back. You can go. I'll be fine. Really. " Sumayya reassured her. The thought of going back home and realising that Irtaza is no longer single was something that she didn't want to deal with right now. She could use some distraction and shopping alone seemed like a good idea.
"I'm sorry for going like this. I'll make it up later. Allah Hafiz." Giving her a quick hug, Maham disappeared into the crowd of people and Sumayya felt so alone all of a sudden.
Sighing, she walked along aimlessly in the huge mall. Her feet stopped near a ring store unknowingly. Feeling curious, she walked inside. There was no one here. It was almost empty except for a few staff.
"How can I help you, ma'am?" A salesman was already there to help her. She smiled politely and muttered, "I'm just seeing."
He nodded and left her alone. While she eyed every ring with utmost interest and curiosity. Sumayya has always been a fan of jewellery and rings in particular.
A certain ring caught her eyes and she couldn't help but stare at it in awe. It was so pretty and eye-catching.
"Do you want to try it, ma'am?" The same sales guy asked her and she nodded in a daze. He removed the ring from the showcase and took her hand in his, nearly making her jump.
"I can wear it on my own." She muttered hesitantly and the guy wasn't leaving her hand yet.
"I think she asked you to leave her alone." A familiar voice muttered almost possessively taking her off guard.
"Irtaza?" She couldn't believe her eyes.
"I'm sorry. Here you go." The salesman apologized and handed her the ring. His whole persona changed as soon as he realised she wasn't alone.
Men!
"What are you doing here?" She asked her cousin with surprise.
" I don't think I'm answerable to you anyway." He smiled slyly making her roll her eyes.
"This looks beautiful, isn't it? I think my fiance will love it." He took the ring from her hand in the blink of an eye and smiled smugly. She gasped at his actions.
"What the hell, Irtaza?" She tried taking the ring back but he didn't make it easy for her. The thought of him giving this ring to some other woman made her blood boil in frustration. What was wrong with her? She had no idea.
"Give it back to me." She gritted her teeth.
"Why should I?" He eyed the ring with a smile before glancing at her face. God! Why did he have such a charming smile? She was almost lost in his dreamy hazel brown eyes once again.
"I chose it. You can't buy it." Her voice was barely a whisper as she snapped back to reality.
"And why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be at your engagement?" She asked a little too bitterly and his smile just widened.
"I don't think I'm answerable to you." He was sounding too smug for her liking.
"Your fingers are the almost same size as my fiance. Should we try it and see if it fits?" Irtaza asked making her seeth with rage.
"Absolutely not." Sumayya hid her hands behind her waist making him throw his head back and laugh at her.
"Let's just see. Come on. Don't be like that." He managed to hold her hand in his and slid the ring efficiently. Did he just do that?
Shivers ran down her spine as he didn't let go of her hand. The ring fit so damn perfectly for her liking.
"Perfect." He muttered looking into her tensed grey eyes. She blinked back her tears, suddenly feeling very overwhelmed.
"My future wife is going to love this." He said with a chuckle while her heart broke a little as he uttered the word wife.
Why does she care?
"Give it back now." He tried removing it, but she snatched her hand with force while giving him a nasty glare.
"Absolutely not. I chose it first. So I'm buying this." She muttered challengingly.
"But I'm buying it." He already gave his card to the salesman while she fumed in anger.
"Irtaza!"
"Sumayya." He mimicked her tone making her want to stomp on his legs and she did just that.
"Stop annoying me, Irtaza!"
"Ouch woman!" He hissed in pain.
"You can't buy this. It's mine." She whispered almost brokenly.
"But I am."
"What the hell is your problem, Irtaza?" She hits on his chest, feeling frustrated and annoyed. While he lets her do whatever she wanted. He looked just as broken as her.
"Why are you bothering me?" Sumayya mumbled incoherently whilst leaning against his chest. She was done fighting her emotions against him. Her heart has fallen in love with him apparantly, which was such a stupid thing to do.
He wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly as if fearing she'd disappear. Sumayya felt goosebumps all over her body as they hugged for the first time. It felt so wrong yet so right.
"Sumayya!" He called her name gently and feebly. It almost felt like a dream.
"Irtaza." She mumbled his name in disbelief. What the hell they are doing? She had no idea but she liked being in his warm embrace. She wished she could stay forever.
They were putting on a show for the staff here to see. But they didn't seem to care anyway.
"Marry me, please. I know I wasn't very likeable. I can definitely change that. But the thought of not having you in my life hurts like crazy. Please marry me, Sumayya!" He clasped her hands whilst breaking the hug.
She blinked at him.
It wasn't a dream, was it?
"What about your future wife?" Her voice came out a little too bitterly making him chuckle.
"She is standing right in front of me." He whispered huskily whilst tucking her hair strands behind her ears.
A tint of pink spread across her cheeks as she stared in him in confusion.
"So that engagement was a lie?" She couldn't help but ask. He nodded his head sheepishly making her gasp. So she was sulking over a lie all these days? A cute frown appeared on her face as she stomped on his feet once again.
"How dare you lie to me like that?" She fisted his shirt angrily and gazed into his eyes.
"Marry me, Sumayya." He sounded so damn vulnerable that she gulped. She blinked a few tears before smiling bashfully.
"Promise me you won't lie to me ever again?" She asked him in all seriousness.
"I promise." He smiled heartily and emotionally.
"Promise me you'll stop being an annoying jerk?"
"I think I regret nothing more than that. So yes. I promise to not get on your nerves." He replied sincerely making her heartbeats increase its pace.
Sumayya was left speechless and stunned. She did not expect her day to turn out like this when she came out of her home today.
"Marry me, Sumayya." He asked once again and she couldn't stop herself from saying yes.
"I think I will."