Chapter 30

Saad's pov:

The next day arrived earlier than usual. Or so it seemed like that to me. Yawning, I rubbed my eyes as I sat up and turned off the alarm. My gaze travelled to check the time and it was around 9 in the morning. Even though no guests had arrived yet, I could still feel the excitement buzzing around in the house as I noticed a message from my brother. Furrowing my eyebrows, I wondered what it might be about while opening the chat. My eyes widened in surprise at what I saw. I quickly replied to him before replying to others messages. Getting down from the bed, I went to freshen up.

I wasn't expecting a quick reply but when I returned, I was surprised to see his reply. Sending him the location, I sat down on the bed, thinking how to inform aunty. Bhai was coming here today. And he was on his way. He would be here in around two hours and I didn't know if it was a good thing or a bad thing. I didn't even know what would happen when he would arrive here.

Before I could start over thinking, I was startled by the kids running in the room. "Bhaiii!" They squealed as they ran towards me. Jumping up on the bed, they sat on either side of me.

"You are up!" Alayna stated excitedly.

"Yeah he is up, can't you see that. Leave her bhai, tell me, did you sleep well?" Before I could say something, anything, Amira facepalmed and told her before asking me her own question.

"He can't leave me, he is my bhai!" Alayna pouted, glaring at Amira.

"Yeah I know he is your bhai, but you shouldn't be asking these obvious questions. So he can ignore your question for now." Amira replied in an obvious tone as she turned her attention back to me.

"I can ask him anything and he won't ignore me." Alayna whined, the pout still on her lips.

"Okay okay, no arguments here. I will answer both of your questions. Now happy?" Looking at them, and raising my brow, I asked them both questioningly.

"Okay bhai!" They chorused together happily.

"Yes, I woke up and alhamdulillah I slept well." I replied to their previous questions as I played with my phone, turning it up and down in my hands.

"Umm... Bhai? Can we ask you something?" Alayna hesitated, looking away.

"Yeah sure, go ahead, what is it?" I replied gently as I passed them both a warm smile.

She looked at Amira and they seemed to communicate through their eyes. Glancing at me, Amira started playing with her fingers. I quirked my brow, wondering what the matter was. But I didn't have to think much as Amira's voice brought me out of my thoughts. "Are you happy bhai?"

My body stiffened at their question. No doubt I was caught off guard. Was I happy with this? Did I really wanted for this to happen? This time my chain of thought was broken by my phone vibrating in my hand. I looked up at them and they were both looking at me expectantly. Their gaze hopeful for a positive response. I gave them a small smile, not knowing what and how to answer them.

I was rescued from answering their question when a knock resounded in the room and the door creaked open a bit. Aunty's head popped in the room, "Sorry for disturbing you guys and coming in without permission, but breakfast is ready. Come and join." And before any of us could reply, she was out of the door.

I stared at the door, wondering if we were supposed to go now. Sighing, I turned to both of them. "Let's have breakfast first, I think your ammi is quite busy and if we get late, we might have to skip breakfast. And I'm sure we don't want to do that when we have a big day ahead."

Giggling, they nodded their heads and got down. Shaking my head, I stood up and followed them out of the door, a small smile playing on my lips.

The sweet aroma of pancakes and coffee filled our nostrils as we made our way to the dining room. The breakfast was laid out on the table, ready for us to devour it. The kids squealed as they ran and sat on their seats quickly. Chuckling, I went and sat on one of the chairs.

"Okay kids, start your breakfast, it's getting late and I still have so much work to do." Aunty buzzed in and told us hurriedly before disappearing in the kitchen again.

I was wondering if others wouldn't join us today and was about to ask her but Amira beat me to it. "Won't you and api's join us today?" With knitted eyebrows, she looked in the direction of the kitchen.

"No Mira, they won't be joining us today. But I can join if you both want." Aunty replied, coming out of the kitchen with chocolate syrup in her hands and beamed at us.

"Okay, but why won't they come?" Alayna smiled before asking curiously.

"You see, the bride and groom can't meet or see each other until after the nikkah, so she won't be coming downstairs." Aunty clarified as she sat down on her seat and started serving us breakfast.

Their lips formed an o shape as they nodded their head and started having pancakes. I sipped my coffee silently as my thoughts once again started drifting off to what was going to happen in a few hours.

Suddenly realising I hadn't told her about my brother's arrival yet, I cleared my throat while glancing at her. She looked at me with a raised brow, waiting for me to continue. "Uh... If you don't mind, my brother is coming today. He would like to join us." My eyes flickered to watch her and I saw her smiling.

"Okay that's great! At what time will he arrive?" She inquired, happiness radiating off of her.

"In about two hours, I guess." I replied, glancing at the clock on the wall.

"Okay, send him the location and if he still doesn't understand then give him my number, I will tell him the directions." Beaming at us, she continued sipping her coffee.

"Okay." I replied while starting my own breakfast, the thoughts of the upcoming events still lingering in my mind.

._._._.

"I can't believe this!" Bhai exclaimed as he paced around the room, a frown adorning his face.

"Neither can I, bhai." I replied in a monotonous voice, staring at my own reflection in the mirror.

"God! This can't be happening right now!" He added, running his hand through his hair in frustration.

"But it is happening. This is reality." I stated, still in daze.

"Shut up guys! It's actually his nikkah today so you both better get ready quickly before I call his soon to be mother-in-law. And also, you both are getting late for Jummah prayer." Bhabi interjected with a warning while looking at us pointedly.

"Bhabiii! Help me please!" I begged helplessly while coming out of my dazed state and looking at her pleadingly.

(Sister-in-law/brother's wife)

"But I actually can't believe it Zara!" Bhai once again started, earning a sharp glare from her which made him shut his mouth. "Okay, I won't say anything anymore." He added in a defeated tone as he raised his hands in defence.

"You better not. We don't want him to have an anxiety attack during his nikkah." She warned him sternly. "Yes Saad, what happened?" Turning her attention to me, she started adjusting her hijab while looking in the mirror. She was already ready in her pink dress, which aunty had forced her to accept and wear.

I looked at her, trying to form words, my mind had turned blank and I couldn't comprehend what to tell her. I blinked my eyes, my gaze flickering to her face. She passed me a warm smile, encouraging me to tell her what's wrong. "I don't know what to do! This is all too much! This is so overwhelming and... And..." I suddenly exploded, my voice going quiet by the end. "Mama and baba are also not here today." I whispered quietly as my gaze flickered from her to bhai. I could feel tears gathering in my eyes, ready to roll down my face, just waiting for a moment of weakness from either of them.

Their gazes softened and bhabi gave me a small smile. "I know it must be hard for you. And maybe I can never understand what you are going through, but maybe, this is what Allah planned. Maybe this is how it is meant to be." She said softly as she sat on her knees in front of me, looking directly in my eyes, trying to comfort me. Bhai came and sat beside me, giving me a side hug.

"But this was supposed to be a special day for all of us. And they aren't even here with us. They don't even know that I'm getting married today! They will be so hurt when they get to know that I took this step without their consultation or knowledge. I'm sure they would have wanted to join us." I told them, my voice breaking the slightest bit as I covered my face in my hands and tried to take deep breaths to calm myself down. I didn't want to break down in front of them and show them my weak side. Not now. And not ever.

"Yes we know. But you have your reasons for not telling them now. And you aren't married yet. You still have the chance to say no. And none of us will judge you or say anything to you if you disagree. In fact, we will be supporting your decision chote." Bhai replied gently.

(Younger one)

There was silence after that, none of us saying anything. All of us pondering, deep in our own thoughts. I never imagined getting married this early or under these kinds of circumstances. Life had its own way of taking its turns and bringing us to unexpected places.

._._._.

GLOSSARY:

- Jummah prayer - Friday prayer.

- Bhabi - Sister-in-law/brother's wife.

- Chote - Younger one.

._._._.