Kneeling down by her bed, with her laptop resting on her pillow, Humeira was typing away, when a pair of hands covered her eyes, interrupting her rhythm.
"Ayaan, I'm busy." Humeira scolded, prying the hands away from her eyes.
"How do you always know it's me?" Ayaan frowned. He sat down beside her, resting his back against the bed frame.
"You're the only one who does silly things like that." Humeira resumed her typing without sparing Ayaan a glance.
"So why are you so keen on attacking the keys of your laptop? Last time I checked classes ended a week ago."
"I'm working on something." Humeira responded dismissively.
Ayaan reached across the keyboard and randomly struck the keys to mess with Humeira.
"Ayaan!" She swatted his hands away. "Don't you have someone else to bother?"
"Why would I bother anyone else when I have you?" Ayaan tugged Humeira's sleeves.
Humeira sighed and closed her laptop, turning her attention to the source of all her troubles. She turned around getting off her knees and took a seat next to Ayaan.
"What do you need?"
"Who said I need something? I just want to spend time with you." Ayaan bumped her shoulders with his.
Humeira looked at Ayaan, suspicious. "Now I definitely know that you want something? What did you do?"
"I didn't do anything. I'm just..." Ayaan paused. "Okay I haven't really done anything, but I do need your help."
"I knew it." Humeira narrowed her eyes at him, shaking her head.
"It's for a good cause."
"What do you need?"
"That...uh...we have to help at a wedding." Ayaan stuttered nervously trying to gauge Humeira's reaction.
"A wedding? Who is getting married?"
"You know that Shabnam from college? She's getting married tomorrow."
Humeira knew of the girl only in passing. She hadn't known Ayaan knew Shabnam well enough to help out at the wedding. Then again, she didn't really keep a track of all the girls Ayaan flirted with.
"What does she need help with?" Humeira asked.
Ayaan laughed nervously, "That's uh...she needs help running away from her wedding."
"What?" Humeira's eyes widened as Ayaan's words registered. "Let me get this straight, you want me to help you steal a bride from her wedding?"
"I'm not really stealing her. She was willing to run away with me. In fact this was her idea."
Humeira just stared, words failing to form at her lips. She didn't know if she was shocked more or hurt. She didn't know if she should cry or laugh.
"She doesn't love the person her family chose for her. Her parents aren't willing to listen. This is the only way. Think about it as uniting two people who love each other."
Humeira shook her head. "I can't...I..."
"Please Humeira. It will be easy for you to sneak in. You're a girl. No one will question you. You can go in and out without any trouble unlike me. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't so important. Do it for me, as your friend? Please?" Ayaan pleaded.
How could she explain to Ayaan what he was truly asking of her?
She bit her lip. "I'm sorry, Ayaan. I can't help you. I'm sorry." She left before he could argue any further or before she began to cry.
Ayaan watched helplessly. He'd really thought Humeira would be able to help him. He couldn't think of anyone else and he didn't really want to ask his sisters, or he ran the risk of his parents finding out. He sighed. He hadn't really thought of an alternative plan.
Humeira managed to avoid Ayaan for the rest of the evening. She'd told her mom she was feeling a little ill and had ordered her dinner in her room. She hadn't really felt like eating but it was the only way to appease her mom.
She wondered how she'd missed Ayaan falling in love. He usually was very open about the girls he chased after so how had she missed something so important. He always teased her about being the only girl in his heart. She knew he didn't mean it but it hadn't kept her from hoping that maybe just maybe behind all that teasing there some grain of truth. She ran their past few conversations in her mind for something that indicated the change in Ayaan's heart.
She couldn't remember any mention of Shabnam in their conversations, then again it struck her that Ayaan hadn't really mentioned any other girls either. The more she thought of it the more she realized that lately, he'd been slightly distant. He still teased her but things had been a little different. She hadn't really been able to place it before but now it all made sense.
She sighed, and grabbed her pillow. She squeezed it tight, hoping to transfer some of her pain into it, unfortunately it didn't work. He'd asked for her help as a friend. It was all she would ever be to him, now. She buried her face in her pillow, but her thoughts refused to let her seek comfort in slumber.
Ayaan hadn't slept much the past night. Humeira had been avoiding him and now he was nervous about the whole situation. He'd been confident to have Humeira by his side, but she'd not only refused to help him but had even stopped talking to him.
Ayaan sat in his car staring at the steering wheel and felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He answered it. "I'll be there, I promise. Everything will be fine." He quickly responded not letting his nervousness creep into his. He hung up and slipped his phone back into his pocket. He took a deep breath. He had to do this.
Just as he put the key in the ignition, the passenger door opened and Humeira got into the seat next to him. He stared at her in surprise. She was dressed in a dark pink lengha, her hair left loose, around her shoulders. She returned his look with raised eyebrows.
"You're staring. I didn't have much time to get dressed, or do any make up but I figured, I'm not the bride so it's okay. Will you please stop staring, though; it's making me a little self conscious."
Ayaan shook his head. "You look beautiful. I'm just...you came?" He smiled, noticing the slight turn of color on her cheeks. She really did look beautiful.
Humeira cleared her throat, "Of course I came. You've always been horrible at executing plans. Remember that time you got us both in trouble, when you tried to sneak out in the middle of the night. Or that time..."
"Hey, those weren't my fault." Ayaan interrupted. "I have fool proof plan, okay." He lied.
"Yes, and how were you planning to sneak into the festive occasion?"
"I have a black burqah."
"Oh great! Because a lady dressed in a black burqah, during a wedding, doesn't look suspicious at all." Humeira shook her head. "Like you said I'm a girl. I can easily get in and out before anyone questioning anything. Besides I'm better at pretending than you are."
Ayaan smiled. He would have argued, but he was just glad that Humeira had decided to help. He grabbed her palm in his. "Thank You, Humeira."
Humeira stared at her hand in his and had the sudden urge to cry but she swallowed and pasted a smile on her face, pulling her hand away. "Just remember, you owe me big time for this."
"I...Humeira...I..." Humeira watched Ayaan, seeing a different expression flit across his face, one she'd never seen on him before. This girl must be really special to him.
"Aren't we going to be late?" She spoke up before he could say anything. She was afraid that she would really cry if he said anything to her.
The expression faded as Ayaan composed himself and nodded. He started the car, feeling truly happy to have Humeira by his side.
Ayaan had explained the plan to Humeira in the car and it was simple enough. She had to sneak Shabnam out of the house and Ayaan would take care of the rest. He didn't elaborate on his plan after that part except that he would drive Shabnam to a safe place, till they could sort things out. She meant to ask him when he intended to tell his parents or how, but she figured those questions could come later.
"So you're good?" Ayaan asked as they arrived outside Shabnam's house.
"I think so. You did go over the plan about fifteen times on the ride over. I think I can recite it in my sleep."
Ayaan laughed. "Okay I'll see you in about fifteen or twenty minutes."
Humeira nodded before she got out of the car. Ayaan drove out of sight to their meeting point about a block away from the back of the house, and Humeira made her way into the house.
The house was a mad rush of people scrambling to get all the last minute arrangements in order. There were a couple of girls sitting in a circle in the living room, while one girl danced in the center. Humeira smiled taking in the scene. Any other day she would have joined in. She loved the atmosphere a wedding created. Even when there was a nervous energy there was a sense of happiness that filled the air.
She sighed, not lingering too long and asked one of the elder ladies where the bride's room was. She was directed upstairs, after which she walked down the hall to the room at the end of the hall as directed.
The bride's room strangely seemed to be isolated from the all the noise and hustle. Humeira knocked hesitantly. As soon as the door opened, Humeira felt herself being tugged in and enveloped in a hug. Then as quickly as the hug was initiated, it ended, and Humeira was greeted by who she assumed was the bride, Shabnam.
The first thought that struck Humeira was that Shabnam was beautiful. She stood a head taller than Humeira, about the height Ayaan was. Her mind snapped a quick picture of Ayaan and Shabnam together, and even Humeira had to admit that they would make a striking couple. Her emotions threatened to overwhelm her. She exhaled through her mouth as she made an attempt to smile.
"You must be Humeira. Just as Ayaan described you. Are you okay?"
"Just a little startled." Humeira smiled, trying to quell a sense of betrayal and envy.
"Sorry, I got excited. I can't even begin to tell you how grateful I am that you're doing this for us. Ayaan said he trusts you and he reassured me that you'd be on our side. If my family wasn't being so strict about this whole matter, I wouldn't have to do this, but they are being so stubborn. They are very traditional so they are not comfortable with my relationship. They think I'm just being defiant, but I love him. I don't think I should marry someone I don't love, and Ayaan feels the same way. I'm so lucky to have him. And now, you."
Humeira felt her face getting tired of holding on to her smile, but she kept it in place and nodded.
"I'm rambling...sorry. We should get out of here. We can -"
"Shabnam, beta? Are you ready?" A woman's voice called out from the other side of the door, interrupting Shabnam.
"Ammi, just a few minutes more." Shabnam called out before turning her eyes to Humeira in panic.
"Your Abbu said that the Masoods are here already, and the qazi is here as well so you have another five minutes."
"I'll be done soon."
"Okay I'm going to send your friends to come and get you in a few minutes then."
After her mother left, Shabnam turned to Humeira. "They are here early. My father must have..." She paused closing her eyes, worry setting on her features. "What am I going to do? If we leave now, they'll know and come after us."
Humeira bit her lips, trying to figure out a way out. It was just a few minutes before a group of girls flooded the room and then it would be too late to get Shabnam out. She looked at the room and then an idea struck her.
"I know how to buy you some time." She took Shabnam's hand in her own and squeezed it, reassuringly.
Ayaan had stopped counting how many times he'd consulted his watch for the time. It had been more than fifteen minutes and yet there was no sign of Humeira or Shabnam and he was getting worried as the minutes ticked away.
He was about to start the car and head back to Shabnam's place when he saw a glimpse of a girl dressed in a pink lengha. He smiled, relieved to see Humeira. His relief lasted for only a few seconds, quickly turning to worry when he saw that Humeira was alone. His worry quickly turned to panic when he realized that it wasn't Humeira heading his way, but Shabnam.
"I'm so glad to see you." Shabnam called out as soon as she saw Ayaan.
"Where's Humeira?" Ayaan kept watching past Shabnam hoping Humeira would appear any minute. "She's coming, right?"
Shabnam looked guilty. "She stayed back to go in my place to buy us some time. The family was already there so Humeira said she would go sit in my place. She said she could delay them enough to buy us some time. I'm sorry, Ayaan. I tried to convince her, but she said it was the only way."
"She's crazy. I have to go back for her, Shabnam. You can take my car. You have to get out of here." He grabbed a bag from the back seat of his car, before handing her keys to his car.
"How are you going to get in?" Shabnam looked worried.
Ayaan just smiled and winked, waving the bag in front of her. "I have a burqa. Now go, your groom is waiting for you." He urged Shabnam to hurry.
"Thank You, Ayaan Bhaijaan."
Humeira didn't think she'd felt so scared in her life. She walked slowly alongside the other girls as they led her downstairs. Her feet felt like jelly but that was probably due to the high heels that Shabnam had lent her to compensate for her height. Shabnam's Mom joined her at the bottom of the stairs.
"This is for your own good, Shabnam. Please don't give your Abbu and me anymore trouble. He was worried you would run away but I'm glad you didn't. Please try not to create a scene."
Humeira wanted to tell Shabnam's Mom that she couldn't even if she wanted to. Her flight response was in full gear but she was afraid that any running would only result in her falling flat on her face, and then Shabnam's family won't be the only one's embarrassed. Besides she was here to buy time for Shabnam and Ayaan to get away. She hoped and prayed that they were already miles from here.
Shabnam's Mom tugged Humeira to walk faster and she nearly tripped, stepping on the end of her lengha.
"Careful." Strong hands found themselves around her right arm, steadying her, and keeping her from falling.
Humeira turned her head in the direction of the voice. It had been more like a whisper but it felt familiar to her. She found that the voice belonged to a lady wearing a black veil. For a minute she thought it was Ayaan but then her gaze lowered and she noticed the visible bump by her belly.
Humeira nearly cried out. Ayaan and Shabnam were probably far away from here; at least she hoped they were, even though her heart wished that Ayaan was here. She wondered if it would shock everyone if she just burst out crying or would everyone just think that the bride was having the wedding blues.
Shabnam's Mom asked Humeira to take a seat, and then took a sear herself next to Humeira. The pregnant lady's arms fell away from Humeira, but then too took a seat next to her, and her hands found Humeira's again. For some reason it felt like the lady understood Humeira's plight.
Humeira saw the men, and the groom taking a seat across from her. A thin veil separated them, and Humeira's nervousness grew. What would they do when they found out that it wasn't Shabnam who sat as the bride but rather Humeira?
Everyone grew silent for a moment and Humeira felt her heart stop but the silence didn't last long. The lady sitting next to her rose, crying out loudly, crossing the veiled barrier and shocking all the people gathered.
Between her high pitched wail, she yelled traitor' or at least that's what it sounded like to Humeira. She then proceeded to walk up to the groom and beat her fists against his chest.
"How could you do this to me?" The woman yelled and pointed to her belly. "You said you loved me and now you're marrying someone else."
Humeira felt Shabnam's mom slump against the other ladies, and then saw who she assumed was Shabnam's father, reach for the groom's collar. Another man seemed to step in front of the groom to defend him and Humeira figured he was probably the groom's father.
Shabnam's father asked the groom in an accusatory manner who the lady was, while the groom's father defended his son. The groom just stuttered, saying that he didn't know she was pregnant. In all the commotion everyone seemed to have moved to the groom's side.
Humeira felt her arm being grabbed again and found the pregnant lady by her side. "Let's get out of here, before they figure out that I'm not the groom's lover."
"Ayaan!" Humeira exclaimed, just before his hands covered her mouth.
"Not so loudly or we'll both be caught."
Humeira nodded and Ayaan's hands moved away from her face and went back to holding her hands. She had so many questions but for now she was just relieved to see him. She quickly stepped out of her heels and followed Ayaan as he maneuvered his way through the people.
Once outside they quickly broke into a run and didn't stop till they were at least a few blocks away from the house. Humeira tried to catch her breath, leaning against the wall. Ayaan pulled his veil off, and slipped the black robe off of him. He'd lost his bump in their run somewhere.
"How..." Humeira whispered in between breaths, "How did you know that the groom was seeing someone else?"
"I didn't know, actually." Ayaan shrugged. "That was pure luck." He looked at Humeira and then they both burst out laughing.
After their laughter subsided, Humeira asked Ayaan the question that had been niggling since he had grabbed her. "Where's Shabnam? How come you didn't go with her? Though now that they know that the groom has someone else, I'm sure that they won't have a problem with you and Shabnam being together."
"I got a text just a few"" Ayaan paused as Humeira's words registered. "Wait a minute. What do you mean by you and Shabnam'?"
"Well you love her and I understand you don't want her to get married to some stranger she doesn't love, but under these circumstances you both don't have to run away anymore, right?"
Ayaan held out his palms in the air trying to process what Humeira was telling him. "You...Shabnam and I?" Ayaan pointed to himself then shook his head. "I don't love Shabnam, and Shabnam doesn't love me either. Why would you think that?"
"Well you said that it was a matter of love and she'd agreed to run away with you so I assumed that you both were in love."
Ayaan shook his head. "No I meant she'd agreed to the plan. Shabnam loves a friend of mine, Eshaan. He's an orphan and Shabnam's family doesn't think much of his background so they didn't want them to get married. All this while you thought I was in love with Shabnam?"
Humeira nodded and smiled. Her heart flooded with relief, and the tears she'd kept so long at bay fell unrestrained.
"Are you okay?" Ayaan moved towards Humeira, concerned. He caught her face in between his palms.
"I'm just glad. Haven't you heard of tears of joy?"
Ayaan smiled. He still couldn't believe Humeira had thought he loved Shabnam. The only person he loved was the one standing in front of him, crying because she was happy. He'd meant to tell her many times but every time he'd tried to tell her, he lost his courage.
He had even tried to tell her earlier in the afternoon when she'd gotten into his car. He'd told her teasingly many times that she was the only one for him, that he didn't know if she'd believe him if he told her that in all his teasing his feelings for her had become true.
Looking at her, he smiled, holding out his palm for her. Humeira took it, as they continued to make their way down the street, holding hands. He definitely had to find a way to tell her soon.
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