another small update, actually i was feeling too bored so started writing.... its a small chapy again ;) hope u all will like it :) 

happy reading <3

            33. WAQAS’S WORST IDEA

“Bro this is Tension okay!” Waqas said raising his hands in the air.

“hmm I know but don’t say this in front of Mom, she is already much worried about all that” I said and Waqas nodded.

“but Aunty bhi na kamal kerti hen….. I mean itni bari bat itne mazey se keh di, no wonder Shehry kis per gaya hea” Atif joked and I smacked his head.

“khotey wergi shakal hea teri or khotey se vi ziada…. khotiiii baten” I showed him my palm and they laughed.

“Did you talk to Hussain?”Waqas asked and I nodded.

“yup! Right after Mom told me, I called him… thankfully he was free and we could talk” I rolled my eyes, hussain has become hell busy, his first movie was ending up and he was wrapping up things before coming to my wedding. In fact the trailor was about to launch in a few days. Excited!!!

“He didn’t even want to talk on this matter, and after what happened between him and Mannat, ub to usey or chirrh ho gai ho gi lerkiyon k nam per” I told them and they nodded.

“to phir kia koi lerka dhoonden us k liye?” Waqas said  rolling his eyes.

“dhoondne ki ki lorr hea…. Sada gabroo jawan hea ga, ghar jamaaiii!” I put an arm around Atif’s neck and he jerked it off.

“control bro!” he said popping his eyes out and I chuckled.

“oye naraz ho gaya…. Mera jamaiii” I pinched his cheek and he holding up the ketchup’s pop up…. Threatened me and I backed off, didn’t want my shirt to be messed up.

“Alright you two! Stop it… you people are still 16, really” Waqas said shaking his head.

“yeah! we are…. we are 16 at heart” Atif put his hand over his heart.

“Wah wah! Love you man, khush ker diya” I bloew a kiss at Atif who touched his collars in a gesture of receiving appreciation.

“Are you people going to find out a way for Hussain?” Waqas said forcefully.

“yeah! so I think…. We should.. I mean Aunty and uncle should talk to your phuppo and they should try to convince them” Atif said.

“but this was possible if Mom had not said that engagement thing, Atif” I reminded him and he nodded.

“okay then lets talk to Hussain … and convince him to say a yes for Samra” Atif again said and we both shot glares at him.

“okay okay! No Samara and Hussain!” Atif said defensively.

“Then there is only one solution………….” Waqas said and I looked at his face closely.

“Are you thinking what I am thinking?” I asked and Waqas smirked, nodding his head. Waqas gave me a high five while Atif looked at us in confusion and we let him be in it.

We were doing some window shopping with the ladies, I mean Mom, Maria bhabi (waqas’s bhabi) and Mannat. Minahil didn’t come as her dadi ma was there at her place and she strictly forbade her to meet me now, as only a couple a month was left in our wedding.. so unfortunately I couldn’t see her…. After wandering here and there we were now having some nachos in the food court of the mall and the ladies were pretty busy in their zanana kind of khareedari.

MANNAT’S POV

“Aunty this would look good on her” Maria handed Aunty a delicate bracelet and Aunty looked closely at it nodding in appreciation.

“Mannat beta dekho! What do you think?” she asked showing it to me and I looked down in her palm.

“yeah! this is beautiful” I said and she smiled.

“hey look! This is so damn pretty!... Aww I wish Kamran was here, sari jeib khali kara deti un ki aj” Maria pointed towards a pretty necklace and I chuckled at her expressions.

“you like it bhabi?” we heard Waqas’s voice and turning back, we saw them all entering into the shop.

“yup… very much Waqas” she said beaming.

“hmmm its good… in fact really good” Waqas looked at the necklace.

“so?” Maria raised her eyebrows.

“so?” Waqas did the same.

“so…I wont mind it if you give it to me as my birthday present” Maria said casually and Waqas rolled his eyes.

“Birthday? Teen maheene pehle guzra hea ap ka birthday, phir aa gaya? kia episodes mein paida hui then ap?” Waqas asked seriously and Maria slapped his arm.

“I think you should buy it Maria, this is looking too good on you” Maria tried the necklace and it looked awesome.

“le lo beta! its looking good” Aunty said and Maria jumped in excitement.

“am gonna wear it on your wedding…. It is so going with my dress” She said looking at Shehry.

“yeah yeah! buy it… pese Kamran se nikalwaoon ga mein” Shehry said popping his eyes out and Aunty laughed, slapping his arm lightly.

“Bhabi you had to buy kamran’s suit?” Waqas reminded her and Maria smacked her head.

“han han apni tayyariyon mein pati dev ko bhool he gaeen na?” Atif said and I chuckled… pati dev, God!

“Mannat beta zara ye pehen k dekho…..” Aunty extended a pair of bangles towards me and I took them…. “I guess Samra ko bhi poori he hon gi” Aunty added looking at my hands after I wore the bangles, which were extremely elegant, all embellished with diamonties and pretty gems.

“MashaAllah!” she mouthed looking at my hand and I think I blushed, taking them out I handed them back to her and she smiled sweetly at me.

“Mannat, you stay here with Aunty coz I guess she has to buy the whole of the shop and we just check these shops for Kamran’s suit” Maria said and I nodded while Aunty chuckled.

“yeah! and Mom if you need some bargaining tips please do call me, you know am the best at it” Shehry said very seriously and we laughed.

“this is Malabaar dude! Yahan tera kamli wala step nai kam ana” atif said and Shehry rolled his eyes…. “yeah okay!”

Maria along with the boys left us in the shop and Aunty started showing me some other stuff.

“Aunty so much you have bought, I guess a lot many guests are coming on Shehry’s wedding” I said looking at the things she has ordered to get packed and she smiled nodding her head.

“Show us those…. Those dull silver earrings” she pointed towards the earrings and the salesman turned to pick them out…. “beta they are coming here for the first time actually, I don’t want that they get offended k bhabi ne theek se khatir bhi nai ki, and then again its Shehry’s wedding mera bus chale to malls k malls khareed loon” Aunty replied and I chuckled, she really looked extremely excited about the occasion, or q nai hon barey bête ki shadi thi.

We bought the jewellery and after paying the bill, me and aunty headed out of the shop.

“Oh! I forgot… Hussain k liye kuch kapre lene thy Maria ko he keh deti” Aunty suddenly said… hussain k liye kapre? Oh! I wish I could buy them for him myself…. “chalo lets see if we could find something good for him” Aunty added making me jump out of my hopeless fantasy and I smiled.

We entered into some lavish kind of outlet and aunty started looking for some kurtas and three piece, while I just kept on following her… absent-mindedly. Actually in my mind I was imagining Hussain in almost every dress draped on the dummies…

“nops! This is too bad”

“thissss one issss…… umm no! so so hea bus”

“this is good…actuallyyyy too good hea yea! he will look awesome in this one, yup!”

“are you sure?” Aunty suddenly asked, oh my God! Mannat! You are an idiot! I was talking it aloud? Embarrassing embarrassing hell embarrassing, I couldn’t turn to look at her so I pretended as if… mein ne suna he nai… per aunty ne sun liya thaaa! Shittt!

“are you sure this one is good for Hussain?” she asked again all very casually, coming near me and started looking at the suit.

“ummm yeah! yeah! may be” I stammered a bit and she definitely felt my discomfort.

“oh! Definitely… it will look good on him… nice choice Mannat!” she smiled at me and I smiled back, not at all looking at her face.

She turned to ask the salesman if they had Hussain’s measurements in that suit and I literally smacked my head… for being all so nonsense and idiot in front of his Mom.

“chalo acha hua you were with me… werna in dono ki shopping kerne ki adat he khatam ho gai hea meri, mein ne ghanton ghoomna tha or pasand kuch na aata mujhe, thanks beta!” Aunty said smiling and patted my back… I smiled back

“its okay aunty… my pleasure”

Aunty payed the bill, after buying some more stuff from the same outlet, I guess for Shehry’s cousins. We came out and there was still no sign of Maria and the gang….. well, we roamed around doing some window shopping when suddenly Aunty pointed towards a shop… and asked me to follow. Ufff! Brown aunties shop a lot! I giggled and followed her, holding the shopping bags in my hands.

It was a bridal collection… and pretty lengas and ghararas and don’t know what other dresses were draped on the dummies and placed in the racks.

“Mannat beta… I need to buy a dress, and am not at all good at today’s trends and as you have been too helpful so ub bhi tum he choose ker lo” aunty said looking at the dresses and I smiled.

“g aunty,” I said and we headed towards some racks… “aunty kis k liye lena hea?” I asked looking at the dresses

“Apni bahu k liye” Aunty replied casually and I nodded.

“Alright… ummm Aunty that one is good, that blue one, Minahil would love that I think” I pointed towards the dress.

“hmmm… nai per wo nai koi or batao” Aunty said and I nodded.

“okay! Thennnn yeah! that white and pink? What about that?” I asked and she shook her head…. Aunty is too difficult in selecting dresses.

“okay! Lets suppose… you had to buy a suit, which would you choose then?” Aunty asked casually and I looked at her….

“umm mein?” I said and aunty smiled nodding her head.

I started looking at the dresses and suddenly my gaze stopped at a green and blue dress, Wow…. This was too good.

“That blue and green one aunty, isn’t it pretty?” I pointed towards the dress and aunty asked the salesman to take it out.

it was definitely too good, a short waist length blue shirt and a long elegant green skirt kind of a lenhga. Aunty looked at the dress and nodded her head.

“Why don’t you try it?” Aunty extended the dress towards me and I was like… okay! What?... “lo! Try it…” aunty handed me the dress and turned to look at the other dresses, for a couple of seconds I couldn’t decide I should do it or not…

“Madam! This way….” The salesman pointed towards the try room and I shook my head.

“Come on Mannat! Aunty keh rai hen to pehn lo, kon sa tumhen lene ko keh rai hen” I thought and headed towards the dressing room, holding the gorgeous dress in my hand.

I wore the dress and looking in the mirror I gasped at my reflection, it was damn pretty… I was looking something else, well, I never ever wore such kind of eastern dresses so yeah! I was looking different…. Good different! The only catch was the length of the shirt… it was actually a bit too short so I covered it with the duppatta coz there were too many salesmen around there.

I came out of the try room and saw aunty waiting there, she turned towards me and stopped in her tracks for a couple of seconds she kept on looking at me, then slowly came near me and I could see praise in her eyes.

“MashaAllah! Buhat piyri lag rai ho” she said touching my face then looked up and down the dress, it was truly a master piece.

“tumhen pasand hea na?” she asked softly and I smiled.

“theek hea bus… done!” she said and before I could say anything he asked the sales man to pack this one.

“but aunty! Minahil is taller then me…. Measurements ka issue ho sakta hea” I said and she smiled.

“han per tumhen to poora hea na… so bus” she said and I frown in confusion, NO! this wasn’t happening.

“Aunty mein samjhi nai” I said and even the salesman was smiling.

“oho! Na-samajh bachi…. Tumhare liye hea” she patted my cheek which was getting hotter and hotter the heat was just too much, why did she bought it for me? And previously she said that she had to buy it for her…. For her bahu! What is happening? …” pack it” she asked the salesman who nodded his head.

“but aunty!... I cant take it” I said trying not to be rude.

“why?” she simply asked and I went speechless, didn’t have a reason.

“mein ne apne bachon k liye bhi to liya hea na…. tum bhi to meri beti ki tarah ho” She said politely and I melt literally.

“But Aunty! Its… its too expensive” I said and she chuckled.

“Don’t worry….. aa jane do Hussain se nikalwa loon gi sara bill” she said into a whisper and I knew… I so knew I was hell blushing. Embarrassing myself to death in front of her.

I couldn’t say another word, I turned to change and for so many moments I just stood there inside the try room in front of the mirror, looking at myself…. Unable to move.

What was she trying to imply? I couldn’t understand, may be she knew that Hussain likes me… but, but may be she still didn’t know what the hell happened between me and him on Shehry’s engagement. Oh! I so didn’t want to hurt her feelings. I slowly changed and came out of the room, handing the salesman my dress… My dress? Seriously! Oh God!

“wear it on Shehry’s wedding, you will look amazing in it, MashaAllah” Aunty said coming out of the shop and I smiled.

“thanks aunty… it was too much but” I said looking down and she smiled shaking her head.

“pata nai kahan chale gaye hen ye sab k sab?” Aunty looked around.

“chalo lets wait in the food court… and Mannat beta! Shehry ya kisi ko un mein se message ker k bata do that we are done and waiting in the food court” Aunty said and I nodded, we went up and sat on the table.

“Manant beta! ek bat poochoon?” I was texting Shehry when Aunty asked and I looked ta her, she looked all too serious.

“g aunty… poochiye na” I said.

“pata nai… pata nai I have the right of asking such a question or not? But I have to” she said and I put a hand on her’s, she smiled looking up at my face.

“beti kaha tha abhi do minute pehle ap ne aunty…. And my Mama, she never needs permission for asking me anything, so you can ask whatever you want to… please” I said and she smiled patting my hand.

“beta! Are you happy with your engagement?” she asked and I jumped inside, wasn’t expecting this one.

“g…? g aunty, I am” I said trying to contain myself.

“hmm so is it a love marriage?” she asked again making me squirm inside.

“nai aunty… in my family people don’t go for love marriages, actually I was just a couple of months old when I got committed with my cousin Shehroz, and he was 4 years old back then” I stopped and looked at her face, don’t know why but she looked relaxed, her expressions not at all grim or sympathetic for me.

“hmmm so you are happy with all this?” she again asked, in fact I felt it wasn’t a question any more, rather she was confirming something. I nodded weakly looking down.

Suddenly I felt her hand on mine and I looked up at her face, she was looking at me closely and I felt ziada der chupa nai paoon gi…..

“beta! tumhen pata hea? Hussain likes you a lot” she said looking into my eyes and I blinked mine in discomfort.

“g…” I simply replied looking down at our hands.

“and do you know… that I like you a lot as well?” she said casually and I looked at her face atonce she was smiling warmly at me… but I couldn’t smile back.

“beta! tum pasand nai kerteen Hussain ko? She asked softly and I couldn’t reply, I felt my eyes were about to pool up.

I kept silent, I knew kuch bhi kaha to ro doon gi mein and I didn’t want to embarrass myself any more in front of her, aj bus itni he does kafi thi.

“Mannat beta! I know you like him…. or mujhe ye Hussain ya kisi or se nai pata chala. Khud tum se pata chala” she said and I looked at her in confusion.

“bhala kabhi kisi ko road accident mein bhi nervous breakdown hua hea? You are a medical student but I am a mother. I know what I feel” she said and I looked into her eyes, shinning just like Hussain’s… powerful and engaging.

“aunty mein…. Am” I didn’t know how to reply… what to say.

“Mannat! Tum Hussain ko pasand kerti ho… or wo tumhen, I don’t think so k tum dono k beech kisi teesre ko ana chahiye” aunty said and I looked at her face as if I don’t have words to answer, I know this fact but mein kia karoon? Koi kia ker sakta tha…. “ beta I could see it in your eyes…. I saw it back in the hospital and I could see it even today” Aunty added.

“Aunty… am engaged and this is a fact that I can not change” I finally spoke.

“ookay! Then let me talk to your parents, shall I?” she said then asked.

“about what?” I asked and she shook her head

“tumhare or Hussain k rishtey ki” She said all casually and inside deep down my heart started throbbing, I couldn’t believe what she just said.

“aunty… its not my parents, they would never go against my will. Its about the family and family traditions, hamare khandan mein lerkyion ki shadi bahir khandan mein nai ki jati…. Dushmaniyan ho jati hen is bat per… log apne sagey bachon se taluq tor dete hen” I said and she suddenly looked worried.

“these things are not more important then the happiness of our children, Mannat! Let me talk to your parents I know they will understand” she said, trying to convince me and I kept quiet.

“okay! Lets do this… you talk to them first and if you feel it right… then I will talk to them personally,  okay?” she proposed understanding my worry and I nodded…. “in fact bat kia kerni hea… phir to ja ker milna pare ga un se” she smiled and I couldn’t stop smiling back.

“Mannat beta! I just want Hussain’s happiness, in my whole life if I have prayed and asked for anything from Allah… it is the happiness of my kids, Shehry is happy MashaAllah… and I want Hussain to be equally happy. I know his happiness lies in you, Mannat!” she said and I smiled at her, a tear skipped the corner of my eye and I hurriedly rubbed it… trying not to show here.

I couldn’t believe what she said and what I heard… it was all too sudden for me… and the fact that she was Hussain’s mother…was making things even more surprising. Han to ker di thi… mager Mama Baba se bat kese karoon gi? They had already asked me for my opinion and mein han ker chuki hoon… ub kese kahoon k nai kerni Shehroz se shadi….

I was thinking all that when we heard them coming towards us…. Aunty glared at them angrily and I hide my grin.

“suit lene gaye thy? Ya banana?” Aunty shot a glare at them all and Maria pointed her fingers at the boys defensively.

“in sab ki waja se aunty… they are seriously too much. Meri madad k bajae apni oot pataang herkaton mein lage hue thy… kabhi videos to kabhi selfies to kabhi nachna shuroo ker dete thy” Maria was about to cry and Aunty shot another glare at them who were making hell innocent faces.

“Mom jhoot bol rai hen bhabi…. Bhabiiiii sharam kejiye! Had hea wese”Shehry said to aunty then looked at Maira who hit him with her hand bag.

“chale ub kuch khila den aunty… bari bhook lag rai hea” Waqas said sitting down, while aunty got up.

“ghar chalo… moong ki daal tayyar hea” Aunty said quite seriously and they all whined making faces.

“moong ki daaaal? No way” Atif groaned and aunty twisted his ear… like a 4 year old.

“beta! chup chap woi khani pare gi ub….. itni der laga di, mein to Mannat to pareshan he ho gaye thy” she said looking at me, I was still under the trance of our conversation, couldn’t participate in the talks anymore. I wasn’t mentally present their any more.

“yeah! good… yei hona chaiye tum logo k sath. Jahan dekho nachna shuroo ker dete ho” Maria said and they rolled their eyes.

“people die on our moves… bhabi! You know nothing! Simply nothing!” Waqas said exagrating and she ignored him rolling her eyes.

We stood up and headed out of the mall, the boys held all the shopping bags and finally I was feeling light. But not mentally, mentally I was on a rollercoaster…. Unable to control my thoughts and to gallop my heart which was racing now.

“hey Mom did you buy suit for Hussain?” Shehry asked once we sat down in the car.

“yeah! and a pretty good one, I must say… Mannat ne pasand kiya” Aunty said then looked at my face, I hurriedly looked away trying to hide my blush.

“wah! Kia bat hea…..” Waqas said smirking and I eyed him to shut up.

“When is he coming?” Maria asked, why were they talking about him….? Ahhh

“In a couple of weeks inn shaa Allah!” Shehry replied and my heart beat quickened.

“Shehry… did you find out a way? Only a month is left beta! at least Hussain k aane se pehle koi rasta nikal aaye to acha hea.” Aunty said and I wonder what were they talking about.

“yeah! Mom actually Waqas has an idea” Shehry said while looking at her in the backview mirror, and I found Waqas smirking a little.

“Really? Whats that?” Aunty asked.

“Ummm well, Mannat I hope you are not waering any high heals today” Waqas was about to say something when suddenly Atif asked popping his head from the back seat and I shook my head, all confused.

“Well, you are safe Waqas” Atif patted his back and he rolled his eyes.

“Mannat! Yar ek chota sa favor chaiye humein” Waqas slightly moved forward and said, I looked at the back to face him and raised my eyebrows.

“what favor?” I asked.

“keh doon?” he looked questioningly at Atif and Shehry.

“Abey! Bhonk bhi de” Shehry said got irritated and I got even more curious.

“tumhen Hussain ki mangeter banna hea…..” Waqas said getting slowly backwards as if he was afraid of getting beaten up… and my eyes went all wide in shock, what the hell did I just hear? 

alright! anyone who can guess what is gonna happen next? ;) 

hope u all have enjoyed it :)

love you all pretty readers out there who vote, comment and like what i write.

stay blessed :) and good night :)