"As you all know," Yusuf Othman was making an announcement at the table, "Aariz and Laiba's reception is set to take place with Areesha and Rehaan's in the Othman House two days from now."
Laiba gave an awkward tight-lipped smile to anyone who glanced her way at the mention of her reception whereas Aariz's back was being rubbed, head was being patted and hair was being ruffled while he sat there looking annoyed at all the unwanted attention and uncalled physical touch.
"Hopefully, this will end the endless speculations going around in the society regarding their relationship." He was saying.
Everyone nodded.
"Some important guests are expected to make an appearance at the event along with our close family and friends. For ours and their safety measures, no external media would be allowed. We will make an official statement regarding Aariz and Laiba's marriage through the media house we have appointed for the day. And all your social media will be managed by our security team."
This earned a series of groans from the youngsters across the table.
"I'm aware of your objections but you all left me with no choice. You've been too careless at the wedding and have leaked some of our family photos and videos to the public." He tried justifying why he was doing it.
"There were zero security measures taken at the wedding from the groom's side. It wasn't us." Aariz remarked, making heads turn towards him, "Ours was well taken care of."
The youngsters bobbed their heads in his favour.
"During our visit to Rehaan's mansion for the pre-wedding ceremony, not only were we swarmed by the paparazzi but also by their guests which honestly was disappointing. I blame the groom's side for whatever media got leaked from the wedding." He finished his statement by balling a tissue paper and throwing it on the plate.
"Yes. Yes"
"It was them."
"It was crazy."
"I blame them too."
"I second that."
Some of his cousins backed his claims.
"Disappointing, indeed." Yusuf Othman held his chin high and continued, "Well, we can't go back and change what's done but we can surely not make the same mistake."
"Exactly." Aariz placed his arms on the table and intertwined his fingers in front of him, "Instead of managing our socials why don't you take precautions and cover their cameras at the gates? You know, 'No cameras allowed'." He made an 'X' mark with his arms.
Laiba looked between Aariz and Yusuf Othman who were staring at each other challengingly.
This was the clash Habeeba had told her about.
How had she not noticed this until now?
"He's right."
"Why should we hand over our socials when they are the problem?" Said Burhaan, boldly.
He was following his brother's footsteps. Laiba thought but couldn't help smiling.
"That makes sense," Habeeba called out next to her.
Aariz leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms victoriously while Yusuf Othman studied all of their faces, one after the other.
With a sharp intake of breath, he spoke up again, "Alright! We will discuss this later. Let's get back home for now." He dismissed them.
★★★
Habeeba and Laiba didn't talk about Aariz on their way back home.
And Laiba was grateful to Habeeba for pretending like she didn't just share the heartwrenching story of his cousin just an hour ago.
It made things less awkward between them.
Aariz was blessed with a good family. Laiba thought as she watched Habeeba and Maha rest their heads on each other's shoulders and sleep.
They reached the Othman House around 2 in the noon. The familiar gothic iron gates were pulled wide open for them by two guards in uniform, revealing the beautiful lawn spread before them. Their cars manoeuvred over the cobblestone pathways towards the marvellous-looking building standing sturdily at the centre of the lawn.
The rich aroma of fresh greenery and the sweet scent of flowers mixed with the petrichor greeted Laiba as soon as she stepped out of the car. A lazy breeze kissed her skin and the grey clouds hovered overhead.
The car doors were popped open and shut with a thud. One by one, they all gathered in front of the building. They stood with a huge grin plastered on their face, watching the Othman House in all its glory.
"We are home!!!" Burhaan, Maha and Essa exclaimed before racing towards the entrance.
The elders guffawed.
"Slow down, Essa. You will fall." Habeeba ran behind her younger brother.
Zara Othman and Umme-Zeeshan chuckled, falling behind them.
Yusuf Othman and Zeeshan kept their distance as they walked silently inside the house, followed by Urooba, her husband and Mehek.
The husband and wife lost in their world with their child.
The ones left on the lawn were Shah and Aariz, Faheem Othman and Zainab Othman, and Laiba.
Aariz threw his keys at Shah who caught it effortlessly.
"In the garage." He ordered and was about to leave when Faheem Othman stopped him.
"Aariz! Laiba!" He called out, "Come here." He summoned.
Zainab Othman was also with him.
Laiba gulped as she felt her mother-in-law's sharp gaze on her.
Aariz and Laiba went and stood side by side, before them.
The former chewing gum with zero care and the other nervously fidgeting in her place.
"What's up?" Aariz took off his glasses and pocketed them.
"Haider Ahmed is unwell. You both should visit him." Faheem Othman suggested while Zainab Othman only stared.
"She can go if she wants." Came his reply.
"That's not how it works. You both are newlyweds. You didn't have the chance to spend time with Haider Ahmed. He's Laiba's family. He took care of her like a father and was the one who trusted you with her."
Aariz rolled his eyes, "You know I don't like visiting people."
"As I said, he's not some 'people'. He's your family now. You should visit him with her."
"I'm busy today. I have work." He came up with an excuse next.
"I checked with Shah. Your schedule is clear for the day." Knowing his son, Faheem Othman was fully prepared.
"Dad!" Aariz made a face, "I don't want to." He bluntly confessed, without caring that Laiba was standing right there.
"It's okay. He doesn't have to if he doesn't want to." Laiba spoke up for the first time.
"No!" Zainab Othman objected, "He will go with you." She moved her gaze to her son.
Aariz glared back, "Excuse me?" He didn't like the tone his mother was using on him as if he was a little boy and she was 'the mother' making final decisions for him.
"Stop being difficult, Aariz. It's just for a few hours. Get over yourself. Take her and visit him this mogrib." Faheem Othman intervened, preventing him from getting into an argument with his mother.
Aariz paused and glowered at both of his parents before turning on his heels and stomping his way towards the house without giving them any answer.
"Don't worry about him." Faheem Othman said, noticing Laiba watching his treating back, "He will come around. He just has to fuss and sulk first." He sighed exasperatedly and patted her head before leaving her with his wife.
Laiba slowly turned to her mother-in-law, "I'll just..." She pointed her thumb towards the house, "...go and rest." She awkwardly excused herself and hurriedly got away from her.
She intimidated her as much as Areesha did in the beginning.
★★★
Laiba didn't see Aariz for the rest of the day. She had no idea where he had disappeared to. He didn't join them for lunch or the evening tea. She thought of texting him a few times and disregarded it out of fear that he might not reply to her. She wasn't an initiator. She had never initiated a conversation or made a move until it was absolutely necessary.
Even though there was a high possibility that he might not show up at all, Laiba still decided to get ready to go to the Ahmed Residence.
She had texted Sarah and informed her about their visit. She had also mentioned that Aariz might not come and had lied to her about him being caught up with something. She had bought her story and was just happy that she would get to spend time with her.
It was her first visit to Ahmed Residence after Aariz and Faheem Othman had come to pick her up that night.
A week after their Nikâh.
Thinking back to that time, Laiba shuddered at the dark place she was in. Unsure of her future. Scared. Numbed out of her mind. Uncertain. Hopeless. And in a lot of pain.
That week surely was one of the worst days of her life.
But now, she was in a better place.
And Laiba was grateful for everything Allah had blessed her with, through her marriage with Aariz.
She lived in a mansion with a family that loved, cared and respected her.
She had a husband and although their relationship was a little bizarre and complicated, she still was grateful for having him in her life. He might be rude, arrogant, a bit difficult and most of the time, indifferent towards her, yet she felt the most protected around him.
A human couldn't have everything in life. There will always, always be something they can't have. Otherwise, they would not have anything to pray for.
For Laiba, she couldn't have her husband's love and as much as she told herself that she could survive without it, it pricked her more than she liked.
A knock came on the door.
Aariz.
Laiba faced the door and waited for him to come inside.
But no one did.
When the person on the other side knocked off the second time, she understood it wasn't him.
Her shoulders slacked, "You can come in." She voiced, permitting whoever it was to enter the room.
A girl in a housekeeping uniform peeked her head inside. She first surveyed the room and when she found there was no one but Laiba in there, she slid in and closed the door behind her.
"Yes?" Laiba prompted.
"Do you not remember me, Ma'am?" The girl questioned, looking expectantly.
She frowned at the girl, wondering where she had seen her because she definitely looked familiar.
And then it downed on her, "Hey! You are Nadia, right?" She recognised, her eyes widening. She was one of the maids she wanted to have lunch with before...Zara Othman's husband interrupted them.
Laiba felt her throat going dry at the thought of him what he had tried to do and the words he had said that night.
"Yes. I'm Nadia. I'm glad you remember me." The girl was saying, happy and relieved.
Laiba quickly pushed the thoughts away and tried to smile again, "Hi. How are you?" She gathered herself, "How's your mother." She did her best to sound as normal as she could.
"Alhamdulillah! We are good. Actually," she slipped her hands inside her apron's pocket and retrieved a glistening diamond ring, "I was waiting to return this to you." She held it between them.
Laiba gasped.
It was her wedding ring.
She lunged forward and took it from her, "Oh my god! Where did you find it?" She held the ring close to her chest.
"I was cleaning the patio...and here's where I found it. I thought of turning this to someone but I held onto it because I thought you might get scolded for losing it." Nadia explained.
Laiba had no words to describe how relieved she was to have her ring back. Back in the Haveli, when she had realised she had lost her ring, she was devastated. She hadn't told this to anyone and nobody had questioned it. But it was always there at the back of her head, a sense of despair and regret attached to it.
And now having lost and found the ring, it felt more precious than it was before.
"Thank you. Thank you so much." Laiba couldn't help but hug Nadia, "You have no idea how important it is to me." She shut her eyes and a treacherous tear escaped.
Nadia patted her back, "You are most welcome. Sorry for holding onto it for so long. I didn't know how to contact you without letting anybody know why." She said.
"Thanks a lot." She wiped her tears before stepping away from her, "I want to reward you. Please, tell me what you want. Please," She requested.
Nadia smiled at her, "Thank you but I don't want anything. It is yours. I found it so...I returned it." She shrugged.
Laiba opened her mouth to argue but was cut off by the sound of incessant honks coming from outside.
Aariz...
"I gotta go. But, you have to tell me what you want, okay?" She grabbed her shoulders and ordered her this time.
"There's noth-"
"Okay. Fine. I'll get you something myself. Bye." She hugged her one last time and ran out of the room.
Descending the stairs, she slipped the ring on her ring finger and kissed it, a smile making its way on her face.
She vowed to never take it off again.
★★★
Aariz pulled the car just outside the Ahmed Residence and turned on his seat to face Laiba.
"Alright. Here's what you are going to do." He began telling her with his hands joined in front of him, "You are gonna go in and spend as much time as you want with your 'fairy godfather' and your 'fairy godmother'." He air-quoted the nicknames she assumed were for Sarah and Haider Ahmed, "If they ask you about me, you are gonna tell them I had to go somewhere to take care of some urgent business, got it?"
Laiba had half-expected it. Yet, it was disappointing to hear he wasn't coming in.
However, She didn't complain and simply nodded her head.
Aariz cocked his head and squinted his eyes as if he couldn't believe she was not fighting him on it.
"And what are we going to tell Dad if he inquires?"
She opened her mouth and closed it twice, contemplating her answer before giving him one.
"That you were with me," She speculated he would want her to lie for him, "All evening." She sighed as she added.
He smirked at her response.
"Good." He bobbed his head apprehensively, "I see you are a quick learner." He sounded impressed.
Of all things, he was impressed by her willingness to lie for him.
Talk about bad influence.
He then leaned back on the seat and remarked, "If you continue to cooperate with me, we could actually make this work." He flicked his finger between them.
Laiba studied him for a while before asking, "You are not going to bail on me, are you?" She lifted a brow, suspiciously.
"As tempting as it sounds. I can't." He clicked his tongue.
She shook her head at his words and unlocked the door, "Thanks for dropping me."
With that, she turned away from him and was about to get out of the car when he caught her hand.
Laiba whirled her head and looked back at him, alarmed at the contact.
He turned her hand in his and ran his thumb over the ring, "I didn't see this on you, until today?" He spoke in that low, manly voice, switching his personality from playful to solemn within seconds.
Laiba's mind was somewhere stuck on the warmth of his hands against hers.
"Did you leave it at home?" He was questioning.
"I lost it." She didn't have it in her to lie to him about it, "Nadia found it and gave it to me, today." She confessed with all honesty, her gaze glued to their hands.
Aariz loosened his grip on her hand and didn't comment anything further.
She hesitantly glanced up at him to find him already looking at her.
"10 PM. Sharp. I don't like waiting." He bore his eyes into hers and spoke in an authoritative tone.
She gave him a nod, retrieved her hand from his and stepped out of the car while he sat, one hand in the steering wheel, and watched her walk towards the iron gates. She glanced back at him once or twice before disappearing behind the iron gates.
Aariz roared the Lambo to life and drove out of there.
★★★
"Enough about me. Tell me about Othmans. I want to know everything."
Haider Ahmed was fed up with Laiba's queries regarding his health and so, he switched the topic to her.
"How's Aariz? How are your in-laws with you? Did you get along with them?" He interrogated, sitting upright on the bed while Sarah placed a pillow behind him to support his back.
Laiba sighed, "They are all good." She thought of stopping there but then she remembered the amount of times they were kind to her and decided to give them the due credit.
"Actually, Abi, Sarah," She braced herself, "They are amazing!!" She decided not to hold back. They deserved it. Every member of that house deserved all the kind words that existed in the world.
Haider Ahmed and Sarah smiled at her.
"You know, I lovvve the Othman House. It's the most beautiful house I've ever seen. And the people who live there? Abi, even though they are rich, they all are so down-to-earth and simple and nice. Habeeba and Maha are my friends. Burhaan has my back. Essa and Mehek are so cute and smart. Zara Othman and Umme-Zeeshan are always looking out for me. My father-in-law is easygoing and always pats my head like I'm some child. I like it. No one has patted my head like that. It gives me fatherly vibes. Although Yusuf Othman is a bit strict with everyone in the house, he has neverrr said anything to me. In fact, he always compliments my Qur'an recitation and talks about me with pride. Like he's actually proud of having me as their daughter-in-law. Urooba is so friendly and welcoming. Areesha was a bit distant in the beginning but turns out she's actually a softie. I'm so happy for her and Rehaan. They are so cute together. He loves her so much and she loves him so much. They are a match made in heaven! Abi, do you know Shah? Aariz's personal assistant? Abi, he's the most loyal person I've ever seen. Abi, I've seen him work for Aariz and it's not something you see every day. He is so dedicated to working for him that he would literally die for him. I'm not kidding. He would legit take a bullet for him. Even the maids of the Othman House are such good people. You see this ring. I actually lost it. One of the maids, Nadia, she found it and kept it safely with her because she was afraid I'd get scolded for losing it so when we returned home today, she came to my room when I was alone and gave it back to me. Isn't that considerate of her? And and and..."
"Yes. Yes. Tell us about Aariz." Sarah urged, grinning ear to ear.
Laiba opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. She couldn't possibly tell them what she thought of him.
"Wait " Haider Ahmed held up his hands, "Am I hallucinating or did she just blush??" He asked, shocked.
"Oh, yessss! She's totally blushing!" Sarah agreed.
"Nooo..." Laiba protested, looking offended.
But Sarah was having none of it, she was going to tell her father everything she had noticed during the wedding.
"Oh Abi, you know nothing of what has become of our innocent Laiba." She dramatically began apprising him, "You should see her around Aariz. She's so smitten."
"What! No! I'm not!" Laiba was on her feet, going for Sarah but she escaped and slipped out of her reach.
"The moment he texts or calls her, she's on her feet and on her way to him," Sarah shouted, running away from Laiba who was chasing her across the room.
"No matter who she is with or what she's doing or if she's eaten or not, she's on her way to him. The guy goes like, 'Laiba, come here.' And this woman is like, 'Yes, sir. Right here.'" She sang.
"Shut up, Sarah! It's nothing like that."
"And this guy comes to me and goes like 'I'll give you anything you want, just be with her'." She mimicked a man's voice and stance. "You know, trying to protect his lady and all."
"Shut up, I said!!!! I'll kill you if you don't!!"
"It's a love story, baby just say yessss!!!"
Haider Ahmed was laughing seeing Sarah getting chased by Laiba across the room.
★★★
The night was windy, rattling the windows, swaying the trees and rustling the leaves outside while they three had dinner together in the warmth of the Ahmed Residence. Just like old times. Sarah, Laiba and Haider Ahmed were talking about everything and nothing while having a meal. She was so engrossed in the conversation and so happy with them that she had almost forgotten about Aariz. And it was only when the familiar honks came from outside that she realised she had also forgotten to keep track of the time.
"Oh no! It's 10:15???" She checked her phone and chewed the last bite quickly before galloping down a glass full of water.
She choked and began coughing.
"Sheesh, Laiba! Slow down!" Sarah ran a hand down her back as she continued to cough, "It's not a train you'd miss. Tell him you are eating. He can wait."
She sobered up real quick, "No, no, no." She stood up, "He doesn't like waiting. I have to go." She announced, breathless.
Haider Ahmed and Sarah got on their feet too, looking baffled at her sudden rush.
"Laiba, sit down and finish your dinner." He ordered, "I'll go talk to him."
"No, no, no..." Laiba stopped Haider Ahmed, "It's okay. I'm done. I'm full. Thanks for the meal. I have to go now." She told him, creases forming on her forehead as she hoped he would let her go.
Haider Ahmed looked at Laiba and then, at Sarah.
"What's going on? Why is she being this way?" Haider Ahmed asked his daughter.
"I don't know." She shook her head, "Laiba, what's wrong?" She asked her, all concerned.
"Oh god!" Laiba held her head, "You both are taking this the wrong way. He just wanted me to be ready when he came to pick me up and I totally lost track of time." She explained.
"Okay, but that doesn't mean you will leave your dinner unfinished just because he's here to pick you up." Haider Ahmed argued.
"Told you, Abi. This is what she does. When he calls, she leaves everything and goes running to him." She didn't miss the chance to prove her point.
The honks came again and silenced them, followed by a series of pings on her cell phone.
Aariz was spamming her inbox with 'come out' messages.
She glanced up from her cellphone screen, frowning at both of them, "I need to go." She pouted.
"No! You don't! Not yet!" Haider Ahmed gestured for her to sit back.
"But Abi-"
"Laiba, sit back! That's an order!" He firmly commanded before sauntering out of the dining hall, not before muttering, "I'll teach this man how to wait."
Laiba fell back on her seat, "Oh no!" She put her head on the table, "This is bad!" She cried, knowing well Aariz was going to be pissed.
Minutes later, Haider Ahmed returned to the dining hall, dragging Aariz along with him.
Laiba, who was slouching, jerked up in her seat at the sight of Aariz walking behind Haider Ahmed, looking like he could be anywhere but there right then.
She met his eyes and made a pleading face at him, trying to convey to him that it wasn't her idea.
"Look who agreed to join us for the dessert, girls." He put an arm around Aariz's shoulders and gave a squeeze, "This young lad right here!" He cheered.
Sarah began clapping but when neither Laiba nor Aariz joined her, she dropped it.
Laiba couldn't take her eyes off Aariz's face which displayed different shades of annoyance.
"Please, have a seat." Haider Ahmed pulled a seat and made him sit next to him.
And opposite to Laiba.
"What would you like to have?" He asked, "You order, we serve."
Aariz was seated like a robot, "Nothing." He gave his reply, "I'm good."
"Oh wait! Looking at your physique, I'm assuming you are on some kind of a strict diet. No sugar. No carb. Right?"
He sighed, "No. I'm not on any diet." He told him.
"That's not possible. How pray tell you have such good physique. Do you work out?"
"I run."
"And?"
"Box."
"Any sport?"
"Tennis."
"And?"
"Football."
"Gym?"
"Thrice a week."
"How many push-ups?"
"A hundred."
"Bench press?"
"A hundred."
"No wonder." Haider Ahmed punched his toned arms playfully.
Aariz glared at Laiba, silently asking her to save him from this torture.
Laiba licked the ice cream off the spoon, seemingly scared for him whereas Sarah was amused by the whole thing. She sat back and enjoyed her ice cream all the while watching Laiba and Aariz communicate through their eyes as Haider Ahmed resumed torturing him.
"How many packs do you have?"
"I didn't count."
"Let me count it for you." Haider Ahmed was about to touch Aariz's abs when both husband and wife jumped back from their seats.
"NO!" Exclaimed Laiba and Aariz, in unison, their faces horror-stricken.
Sarah couldn't hold back any longer and laughed out loud without a care.
Laiba was the first one to recover. She hurriedly went around the table and stood between Haider Ahmed and her rather shaken-up husband.
"You know what? I'm gonna go show Aariz around, yeah? You guys continue." Without waiting for his response, she grabbed Aariz's arms and got him out of there.
Leaving the sound of their guffaw behind them.
"He's crazy." Aariz hissed as soon as they were alone in an empty hallway, out of their ears' reach.
"Aariz!" Laiba could overlook almost anything he did but she drew a line when it came to Haider Ahmed and Sarah, she wanted him to respect them as much as she did.
"What?" Aariz halted on his track and yanked her hand, so that she was facing him, "Did you not see? He was harassing me." He whispered.
"Now you are exaggerating." She rolled her eyes.
"Are you serious? He volunteered to count my abs. Who does that?" He sounded horrified.
"Okay." Laiba held up her hands in his defence, "He's normally not like this. Maybe he saw you getting all ticked off and was probably playing with you." She presumed.
"I don't wanna get played by anybody. You see? This is exactly why I don't like people. They are crazy and unpredictable." He ran a hand through his hair.
"Okay." She decided not to argue, "I'm sorry you had to go through that." She apologized, "Let's go back home now." She added in the end.
However, the universe seemed to have other plans for them.
Outside, the weather had turned violent with thunderstorms; and heavy downpours, cascading down from the electric sky and onto the ground, making it impossible for any vehicle to survive on the water-gushing streets.
"I just spoke to your father and your Uncle. Even they feel it ain't safe for you two to travel in this weather."
Haider Ahmed got off the call and faced Laiba and Aariz who were adamantly standing in the foyer for half an hour, arguing with him to let them go but he was against it.
"So, it's decided then. You both are staying here for the night." He declared.
Laiba and Aariz exchanged a look, neither of them liking the idea.
★★★
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Jo March🥰
P.S, don't get your hopes high for the next chapter.