FF - A Rude Awakening COMPLETE STORY PG 145 - Page 49

Thank you for the invite...I will be there...but will be a little late 😉

Omg Suvika di! This is so creative and unique! 👏
Can't wait for what's next 😃😃

But we will be served food right? Aise dinner bina nikaah ke liye mai nahi aaungi 😉😆

Thanks for the invite, and I'm attending.

*rushes off to spa, then shopping spree* 😳

Thanks for the invitation and all the best for the couple.

Thank thank u suvi I will attend nikah on one condition u will serve kheer ...

I love kheer in Muslim marriages ...lololol so if that's there am there... Mujhe kheer se matlab hai... Hooo look at me how besharmi I ve bcme... Lolol

Chapter Eight

"Arzoo, please think sensibly. This is going to be his second marriage?" Nausheen pleaded for the tenth time since that morning. Then she looked at the calm face of her mother-in-law. "And Ammi? You're OK with all this? What is happening in this house?"

Daadi and Myra had reached home in the wee hours of the morning and daadi had had a long conversation with Arzoo. Like always, she didn't pass any judgments or jump to any conclusions and after their talk, she had calmly accepted Arzoo's decision and blessed her with a long, happy life. Myra and Zara had exchanged the details in excited whispers. Arzoo didn't know what they had talked but Myra had given her a knowing look before grinning and kissing her cheek loudly.

Now, as Nausheen continued her teary rant, Zara looked a little impatient while Myra continued to read her book, seemingly tuning out the conversation. Finally daadi intervened in a soothing voice. "Nausheen, don't get so agitated. I spoke to Arzoo and I think she is doing the right thing. You have brought up your daughter to be a strong, capable girl. Now if she has taken a decision, you need to trust her and respect that decision."

"But ammi.."

Arzoo, who had been getting ready to go to work, came and sat beside her mother. "What do you want me to do ammi? You don't want me to marry Sahir sir? Fine. I won't. We'll all sit here and put up with Farah and her insults. We'll let people comment and talk. About me, then about Zara and then Myra. We'll let Farah go and file a complaint against you saying that you took the money but didn't return it."

"Arzoo.." Nausheen said helplessly.

"You lied to me ammi." This time Arzoo didn't bother to keep the anger out of her voice. "You said you sold the jewels that you got after your marriage and that's where you got the money from. You lied to us all including daadi."

Daadi nodded. "Had I known you were going to go down on your knees in front of that useless guy, I would NEVER have allowed it."

Tears rolled down her cheeks. "But why should you suffer for my crimes Arzoo? You're my daughter. I can't allow something like this to happen."

"Right now we don't have a choice ammi and who said I would suffer with this nikah? Your daughter is not a pessimist. Nor is she the kind who can't take care of herself." Arzoo softened her tone. "Don't think so much and take rest."

"But Arzoo.."

"You really want to do something for me ammi? Really want to see me with a smile on my face?" Nausheen nodded with tear filled eyes. "Then promise me that you will never go to that man again. Or ask for anything from him. You have three daughters. Two of them are already up on their feet. Myra will join soon once her studies are done. We'll take care of you." Arzoo looked straight at her ammi as she asked the next question. "Are you ashamed of us ammi? Ashamed that we're your daughters and not your sons?"

Nausheen looked horrified as the question hit her. Was that how it had looked to her daughters? "Arzoo! No beta! Please don't ever think that. I'm proud of you. All three of you. I never ever thought of any of you as a disappointment."

Daadi stood beside her granddaughter. "Then promise your daughters today that you will never go back to that spineless idiot again. You have hurt your daughters enough with that attitude of yours. You want them to have self-respect while you have none. That has to stop Nausheen."

Nausheen looked torn for a few tense moments and then resolved. She wiped her cheeks and hugged Arzoo. "I promise." All of them shared a group hug. "You'll take care of yourself?" Arzoo nodded, teary eyed.

Their interlude broke as the doorbell rang. Myra ran into the hall and opened the door and shrieked excitedly. "Jeeju!" In a louder voice she shouted, "Appi, jeeju is here!" Then turned back to a stunned, very awkward looking Sahir with an impish grin adorning her round cherub face. "So early in the morning jeej! Can't stay away from my appi already?"

Zara ran into the hall. "Myra chup! Let him come inside na." She tried to pull her sister away, stumbled and grinned. "Please come in jeejaji. Appi will be out in a minute. Umm..have a seat."

Sahir tried to smile and both the girls giggled at the slight flush adorning his beard roughened cheeks. "How cute!" Myra said in a loud whisper. Zara closed her mouth and pulled her away. "Jeejaji, don't mind her. Come inside and have a seat."

Nausheen and daadi joined. "Sahir beta, please come in. Sit."

Sahir gave another awkward smile, trying to look at ease with the sudden shift in relationships. "Ji, it's OK. I'm..fine. I just.."

Arzoo came into the hall, looking equally awkward, but like him, trying not to show. "Assalamualaikum sir."

Myra giggled. "Appi, he is not your sir anymore. He is going to be your shauhar now na."

Daadi tried to glare but her eyes were laughing. "Myra, chup."

Sahir extended a leather pouch to Arzoo. "There's five lakhs in this." She didn't like taking it. He could see her mentally cringing in shame. But there was nothing he could say to reassure her except, "take it and close that chapter."

Arzoo swallowed and nodded before taking it. "I'll go and.."

"No," Daadi said vehemently. "I won't allow you in front of that female again."

"Appi, I'll go." Arzoo opened her mouth to protest. "Don't worry. I have no intention of creating a scene there. I'll just return the money and come back." Her eyes said she was going to relish every second of that. No one would dare to look down or talk down to her anymore.

Sahir turned to Zara. He had always known and recognized the innate toughness and that little bit of meanness in Zara. "You can do it?" Zara nodded firmly. "Then give it back and there is a document inside this pouch stating that he has received the amount. Make sure he signs it. Don't go alone. Take Zaki with you. He knows how to handle creeps like this guy." Zara nodded and took the pouch. "You have your phone?"

She showed it to him and stuffed it in her trouser pocket. "Don't worry jeejaji. I can do this. I'll be back before you know it. Bye appi. Ammi, remember your promise."

And she was off. Arzoo swallowed down the sudden feeling of desertion. It was obvious that both her sisters adored their jeejaji. Zara especially. In the last few days, Sahir had become her big brother and hero rolled into one. She had been the first to overrule her ammi's objections regarding the nikah. The hero worship had just reached a new level now and she was leading Myra along the same path. Well, she told herself staunchly, as long as he didn't hurt her sisters, she was fine with it.

"Sahir beta, I don't know what to say except..thank you and please..take care of my daughter. She always comes across as tough and strong..always had to be that way.."

"Ammi.." Arzoo cut in. "It's getting late for the office. I..we need to go."

Sahir nodded and after giving Nausheen and daadi a reassuring look, he walked out of the outhouse along with Arzoo. "The documents are ready for you to sign. The lawyer is waiting in my office."

Wordlessly Arzoo followed him into the still deserted office and his cabin where the lawyer was going through the document thoroughly once again. She had been expecting it. After all it was a business deal yet it felt like another lash to her wounded heart. That he wanted to make sure she didn't take advantage of his generosity. Well, it would protect her interests too, she consoled herself and stiffened her spine before taking the papers from the lawyer and reading them. The amount that was owed to Sarfaraz, her ammi's treatment expenses, Myra's college expenses..the agreement covered it all.. she frowned at the next sentence in the document.

"I don't want you to bear the living expenses of my family. You want to give them the apartment that's under Alvira aunty's name, that's fine. But only on a rental basis and Zara and I will share and pay the rent for that." Sahir looked like he wanted to argue but stopped himself and nodded. The lawyer noted the change. She started reading once again. And stopped once again. He should've known this wouldn't be a case of simple sign and move on. She had to pinpoint every single damn thing. Jaw ticking, he waited for her to speak.

"What is this no right to sell shares of Saiyyara? Why would I want to do that and I don't even have any shares to begin with."

"As my wife, you will.."

She got up and faced him head-on. "I don't want any shares. Keep them to yourself. You are hell-bent on making feel like a.." she swallowed the rest of her words. "I don't want Saiyyara shares. I will work here as a designer and that's it."

"This is non-negotiable." Neither noticed the lawyer who was trying his level best to look as if he was hearing every single word of their heated exchange.

Arzoo thought for a moment before replying, "According to you, everything is negotiable. If you want me to have shares, fine. Then I want those shares in my husband's name. Lawyer saab, is that possible?"

The lawyer cleared his throat. "Yes but.."

"Then do it please."

"You're being ridiculous and stubborn."

"And you're not?"

Neither moved or shifted their eyes away from the other. Until with a growl he turned away. "Fine. Have it your way." He will work around her clause later. Damn if he would let the world think Sahir Azim Chaudhary didn't give a penny on his wife's name.

Lawyer hastily noted the second amendment. Arzoo turned the page, read and frowned. "I don't understand this. I'm to be your wife in every sense of the word? Meaning?" Her confused gaze met his dark intent one. Her cheeks caught fire as realization dawned. His eyes caught that fire and kissed it. Allah knows! He actually wrote it in the contract that she should..that he would..that they would..

She desperately tried to regroup and willed her blush to die down. "I-I want another clause added." He waited. She inhaled deep before meeting his eyes. Daring him. "If we separate for any reason after having children, then the children will stay with me."

He looked stunned for a moment and in the next enraged. "No way! I will NEVER leave my children."

"You think I will? Allah knows, my kids will stay with me."

The lawyer cleared his throat loudly. "Sir, ma'am, please calm down. The situation you're talking about is entirely hypothetical. If you are already discussing the after separation scenario then I suggest you don't get married."

Neither retreated from their visual battle as he growled out. "Fine. Add the clause because Sahir Azim Chaudhary never deserts what's his and that includes you too, soon-to-be Mrs Sahir Azim Chaudhary. Make those changes and take her signature."

Signatures taken care of, the lawyer shook hands with Sahir, nodded respectfully to Arzoo and left. Arzoo got up to follow.

"Suno?" But he didn't get a chance to continue as his phone beeped in his pocket. "Yes?"

"Mr Chaudhary, this is Stevens from Singapore."

Sahir straightened, his face wiped clean of all expression. Arzoo wanted to leave but some of his tension communicated itself to her, rooting her to the spot. "Yes Mr Stevens. I trust you have everything in order now?"

"Yes. And we're ready to sign."

Arzoo watched in amazed wonder as a bright smile dawned. Triumph. His entire face was stamped with it. "Great! I'll send the documents right away."

"That would be good. And sooner the better."

"Definitely, definitely. Thank you Mr Stevens." He threw the phone on the table, caught Arzoo's hand and dragged her into his arms for a tight hug. "I did it Arzoo. I did it." Her heart thundered in her chest. She was back in his arms once again and this time she hadn't been the one to instigate it. And ironically it was her arms which fisted in hesitation before losing the fight with her heart and wrapping themselves around his waist. She did not know who had called and why he looked so happy. But her silly heart rejoiced at the joy she saw on his face. That he didn't think before sharing it with her.

Tum nikli bewakoof. Tumne soch bhi kaise liya ki mein Sahir Azim Chaudhary tumse pyaar karsakta hoon!

With a small cry, she pushed him away and stumbled back. And saw. Saw his smile slowly fade, eyes lose their bright joyful light until the only thing in them was what she had been seeing all along. Pain. "I-I need to go. Ammi will be w-waiting." He nodded and stepped back, allowing her to flee.

Beqarar hain baat karne ko Kehne do inko zara.. haa..
Khamoshiyan.. teri meri khamoshiyan
Khamoshiyan.. lipti hui khamoshiyan

****

"Bhai, I got the ticket confirmed for this afternoon flight to Singapore. Will call you when I land." Zaki entered Sahir's cabin. "Any last minute instructions?"

Sahir pulled out the pendrive from his laptop and handed it over. "Everything you need, all the documents and details are in this. Be careful."

Zaki took it. "I still remember the day I crashed the fashion show dead drunk. Trust me. That Zaki no longer exists. I won't mess this up."

Sahir nodded. "Where will you stay?"

"I have a friend there. For now, I'll crash with him and later on will look for proper accommodation. Meet Mr Stevens, wrap that up, set up Saiyyara branch in Singapore and then my living arrangements in that order. See you."

Sahir came around his table and opened his arms. Both brothers hugged and patted each other's backs. "Take care, OK? Any issue, call me."

Zaki nodded. "I'll only say that Allah has given you this chance. I'm stepping aside to make sure you get that chance. I will use this time to reflect on my life and what I want from it. Khuda hafiz."

Sahir patted his shoulder. "Khuda hafiz. Let us know once you reach safely."

"Don't hurt her again bhai." With those last words, Zaki left.

****

Anam paced restlessly. "Kurti apa what the hell is happening in this house? I thought Farah would create enough ruckus that Sahir won't have any choice but to order the whole family out of this house but.."

Kurti apa, who had been sitting in the huge chair with feet pulled up and head in her hands muttered, "But the reverse has happened. Khuda jaane what is Sahir thinking..marrying that bakri while my Zeenat.."

"And on top of it Zaki is leaving for Singapore for God knows how long."

"I tried choti begum. I tried to stop him. But he didn't listen. All he said was he can't stay and watch that bakri marry his brother so he is leaving."

"I never thought these brothers were so close to each other that Zaki would go into sacrifice mode." Anam sounded genuinely bewildered.

"That's because you don't know them Anam."Alvira calmly declared. "Bonds of blood are not so easy to break." Anam rolled her eyes.

Kurti apa glared. "Begum, what you're doing is wrong. That bakri will ruin Sahir."

Alvira smiled. "On the contrary Kurti apa, she is his lucky mascot. She said yes to the nikah and Sahir got the confirmation call from the Singapore guys. If they had hesitated or delayed, we would've lost everything despite Rahman signing the deal."

Anam tried to reason. "But ammi, nikah tonight? What's the hurry? We don't even have time to make the arrangements.."

Alvira halted Anam's tirade. "Everything will be done. We have money and manpower. Zaki booked the hall before leaving for his trip. I want the nikah to happen before all that nonsense gets out and smears our family name."

"All this is because of that bakri. I tell you.."

"Kurti apa, enough! Nikah will happen. Tonight. That's it." Alvira's tone rang with finality. Just then she saw Sahir coming from outside and called out, "Sahir beta?"

"Ji ammi?" His fingers were already loosening the black tie. All he wanted now was to go to his room and plunge into his pool.

"All the arrangements have been made for the nikah this evening. I have sent your dress to your room. The haldi and mehendi has started at Arzoo's place. We need to put haldi to you too beta."

Sahir's eyes turned turbulent for a moment before shutters came down. "Ammi, I don't.."

Before he could say more, Zara and Myra ran into the house with bright excited faces. "Aunty, aunty, appi's haldi rasam is done. They have started applying the mehendi for appi now." Myra looked at the bowl in Alvira's hands. "You're going to apply haldi to our jeeju now? Can I too? Please aunty?"

Kurti apa scowled. "Not required. Our Sahir already had it all do.." She stumbled at the glare from Sahir and hastily amended her sentence. "He doesn't like all that."

Myra's face fell. Even Zara looked disappointed although she tried to smile and pull Myra away. "It-it's OK jeejaji. Myra was just.." and her eyes went round with wonder as she saw Sahir take a seat on the diwan that had been placed for the occasion of haldi rasam. Myra and Zara squealed in joy while Alvira beamed in approval. Both the girls waited, excited and giggling, as Alvira applied haldi to their jeeja's cheeks and the back of his hands before taking turns and smearing his cheeks and hands yellow.

"Bahut bahut Mubarak jeeju," Myra's eyes behind her glasses shone with genuine delight. "And best of luck too. You're going to need it with our appi" She grinned.

"Shukriya Myra." Sahir couldn't help but smile at her impish nature.

"Congratulations jeejaji," Zara smiled.

"Thank you Zara."

"Jeej, you know something? I told that lady to write Saaz on appi's hand. You know what Saaz means?" Myra looked ready to settle down for a long chat.

"Myra chal. Ammi will scold us for coming here in the first place. Come, come. We need to see to those flower decorations, right?" Zara hurried Myra and both girls ran.

Sahir waited until they disappeared before getting up. His fingers were already removing his tie as he said to no one in particular and included everyone in his gaze. "Unless you have no desire to live in this house anymore, I suggest you don't mention my past in front of her family." And walked away.

****

Zara give the finishing touches to Arzoo's make-up and with a wide smile, put a kala tika behind her ear. "Truly appi, you are looking gorgeous. Fit to catwalk in Manish's bridal wear fashion show." Arzoo tried to hide the jitters setting in with a smile. "Nervous?" Arzoo nodded jerkily. "Appi, take a deep breath." Zara caught her shoulders in a firm grip. "You're doing the right thing. Not just for your family but for yourself too. Always remember that."

Arzoo caught her sister's hand tightly in hers. "Zara, once I leave, you'll be taking care of ammi, dadi and Myra. You do realize that, don't you? I'll come as and when I can but.."

"Don't worry appi. Now we don't have the financial issues dragging us down so things will fall into place. You just concentrate on your relationship. And appi, be careful with Kurti apa and Anamji. Neither of them likes you." Her eyes turned a little hard. "They will try to hurt you with words. Don't let them see your pain appi. In this world, the more you show your hurt, the more people will feel like poking and raking it up." And just like that she got her smile back. "And jeejaji is there anyway. He will take real good care of you. I know it."

Myra hurried into the dressing room. "Appi, come come. It's time. Quasi sahib is already here." Then she lowered her tone. "I peeped into jeeju's room. Wow appi! He is looking gorgeous. Masha Allah!" and she took her sister's hands, palm up. The intricate mehendi design had been applied on both sides almost till the elbows as per Myra's instructions, the word SaAz had been blended into the pattern seamlessly. Both sisters sighed in awed pleasure. "And your mehendi has darkened so beautifully appi. Jeeju is going to love you forever and ever."

Forever and ever, Arzoo couldn't help the thought. Did he love her at all? Or was she so desperate that she was seeing something that was not even there?

Zara grinned and adjusted Arzoo's dupatta to cover her face and with both her sisters flaking her on both sides, Arzoo stepped into the brightly lit wedding hall. Sparkling chandeliers and strings of lights were entwined to the huge round pillars. The fragrance from the colorful flowers and incense sticks permeated every corner of the hall. A red carpet had been laid out, welcoming the guests, only a few selective close friends of the family. A huge red and gold transparent curtain separated one section of the hall while the rest was filled with chairs for the guests and arrangements for a lavish dinner were well underway in the lawn attached to the venue. Daadi was the first to hug and bless her with teary eyes. Nausheen and Alvira followed suit. Only Kurti apa and Anam stood to a side, glowering at the proceedings. If the guests were surprised at this sudden nikah, they kept their speculations among themselves. No one wanted an open rift with either the Chaudhary family or Saiyyara. And they couldn't help but ooh and aah over the bridal attire. An elegant double layered abaya style kameez in attractive louts pink with jade green border embellished with silver zari polka dots all over. The heavy resham and silver zari embroidery with antique cut diamonds and crystal stones extended all around from the neck to the navel. The border pattern was elaborate and deep and extended to both layers of the kameez with a matching silk churidar. The georgette dupatta that covered her face was in the same lotus pink with a patch work embroidered border in jade green to match the kameez.

The slight buzz increased, indicating that Sahir had also entered the venue. Dressed in a deep maroon colored silk sherwani with a diamond brocade pattern and cream colored churidaar bottom. It had a high collar around the back with a graceful descent to the front and was decorated in a beautiful embroidered pattern with rows of pearls and antique cut stones around the neck and sleeves with an elaborate unsymmetrical pattern around the chest. The overall effect was that of an understated elegance. A cream, gold pagdi with thin oval shaped red and gold beads sehra covering his face, His gait was like that of an emperor and the regal way in which he took his seat masked his turmoil as effectively as the sehra concealed his roiling emotions. Memories of a similar event more than a decade ago intruded despite his resolve to erase them from his mind. His fingers fisted until his knuckles turned white.

Quasi sahib waited until both of them were seated before beginning the prayer that would begin the nikah. Zara and Myra sat on either side of Arzoo along with Linda and couple of others from the Saiyyara office while Sahir had the lawyer and a couple of major clients of Saiyyara beside him.

Linda gave a one-armed hug to Arzoo. "You're looking beautiful Arzoo," she whispered, cautious of the presence of guests and the Quasi sahib who was about to begin the nikah. "No wonder Sahir sir wanted the green with the pink. I suggested red and gold but he had been adamant."

Zara's eyes went round. "What are you saying? This is Jeejaji's creation?"

Myra cooed. "Awww, that's so romantic." Hope fluttered its wings in Arzoo's heart.

"Of course," Zara gave a knowing grin. "What better occasion to showcase Saiyyara's another fabulous creation!" Was that all it was? Arzoo closed her eyes. Daadi glared, hushing everyone up.

Quasi sahib who stood in the middle closed the prayer book saying, "Allah ke naam se shuru, jo nihayat meherbaan aur rehemwala hain." He turned towards Arzoo. "Arzoo Nausheen Khan aapka nikah Sahir Azim Chaudhary ke saath meher ke talat paanch laakh ek rupaya, mehez do gawahon ki maujoodigi mein tai paya. Kya aapko yeh nikah qubool hain?"

Sahir clenched his jaw tight. Never had a moment seemed so long. Why doesn't she speak? What is taking a so long?

Arzoo's heart thundered loudly in her chest that it was a wonder she could hear quasi sahib's question. She closed her eyes. Mein tumhari bahut izzt karta hoon. I-I respect you. Drawing courage and belief from those words, she replied in a tremulous voice. "Qubool hain."

The sounds of the past receded as her words reached and wrapped around his heart.

Quasi sahib repeated the question for the second time. "Arzoo Nausheen Khan aapka nikah Sahir Azim Chaudhary ke saath meher ke talat paanch laakh ek rupaya, mehez do gawahon ki maujoodigi mein tai paya. Kya aapko yeh nikah qubool hain?"

Tum mere saath rahogi na toh hamesha hasta rahunga. Dogi mera saath? "Qubool hain." Tremors subsided and her voice gained strength.

"Arzoo Nausheen Khan aapka nikah Sahir Azim Chaudhary ke saath meher ke talat paanch laakh ek rupaya, mehez do gawahon ki maujoodigi mein tai paya. Kya aapko yeh nikah qubool hain?"

Arzoo Nausheen Khan mein tumse pyaar karta hoon. Tum meri humsafar ho. "Qubool hain." Her voice rang with confidence. Alvira hugged her friend tightly.

He turned to Sahir. "Sahir Azim Chaudhary aapka nikah Arzoo Nausheen Khan ke saath tai paya. Kya aapko yeh nikah qubool hain?"

Hum aapse pyaar karte hain. I love you. "Qubool hain." The deep rumble of his voice resonated in her ears.

"Sahir Azim Chaudhary aapka nikah Arzoo Nausheen Khan ke saath tai paya. Kya aapko yeh nikah qubool hain?"

Humara jawab haan hain. Hum aapse nikah keliye raazi hain. "Qubool hain."

"Sahir Azim Chaudhary aapka nikah Arzoo Nausheen Khan ke saath tai paya. Kya aapko yeh nikah qubool hain?"

Yeh humara wada hain..khud se, aap se aur Allah se..ki hum aapse aur aaphi se mohabbat karenge. "Qubool hain."

"Toh aaj se, isi pal se tum dono ek doosre ke humsafar ho. Allah aapdono ki Jodi ko salamat rakhe."

Aur baaki ki rasme aur kasme next update. Ummeed hain aapko yaha tak ka safar pasand aaya. Aapke jawab ka intezaar rahega. Allah Hafiz.

nice,waiting for next chapter👍🏼

Suvi...screens flashed infront of my eyes... Sahira expressions arzoos reactions everything I lived in my vision through your words here... No wonder I envy opl who update in timely manner... Allah knows when will i do the updates of my OS... Lololz ...

But yes kheer bhooki is eagerly waiting for the kheer in ur next update... Desi champagne nahi chalegi...
amazingly u u sucker the beauty elegance of the dresses for both ... Mashallah no words... Thumbs up darling waiting for kheer update ...