CHAPTER 25- THE ENGAGEMENT


Engagement night, 


'Bhaiya, get up from your lazy bum.' Amreen fumed. It's been fifteen minutes since she is trying to find a perfect attire for her elder brother, who seemed least bit interested. 'It's our best friend's engagement and you are still in your boxers.' Mehran sat leisurely in his bed wearing his checked Bermuda shorts and yellow Tee, a bored expression on his face.


He turned his gaze from the TV and towards his little sister. Amreen is dressed in blue blouse, pink and golden saree, her hair open and resting on one side. She has done her make-up and seemed ready to go. It is then Mehran realized he had not even started getting dressed.


'Only Siham can handle you.' Amreen further nagged as Mehran leaped from the bed.


After taking a quick bath, Mehran dressed into black kurtha and grey closed neck waist coat. He combed and gelled his hair leaving some strands across his forehead, he applied his cologne and wore his wrist watch. He slipped into grey Jhutis and he was done. He looked at his reflection in the mirror and smiled.


Amreen whistled and a clicked a picture of her brother. 'Siham will come running.' She joked. Mehran laughed with his younger sister. Then he clicked a couple's photo of his sister and Junaid, who looked stunning in cream and golden shervani.


***************************


The engagement function was being in the backyard of Huma's ancestral bungalow. The engagement is to start around 7pm but Umaira and her parents arrived around 5 itself. Umaira felt emotional meeting her maternal aunt and uncle. Umaira's Nani also stayed with them. Over the years, Umaira had gotten disconnected with her Nani as well.


Her Nani was wheeled into the hall by Huma and her mother. Umaira hugged her Nani, she couldn't stop her tears nor that she wanted to. Umaira also made tea for everyone, they all sipped it happily, complimenting her.


'Ibrahim is very lucky man. Your hand has magic in your hands.' Umaira's Mamu complimented. Umaira felt awkward as everyone else laughed.


'I want to meet this young man.' Nani interrupted. Umaira happily showed her Ibrahim's photo. Nani saw the photo closely, 'Good young man but you can get better.' Umaira simply smiled politely on Nani's comment.


After tea and snacks, Huma was taken into the room. Umaira and two beauticians were to dress her up and do her make-up. Huma picked a beautiful off white and maroon lehenga, with deep cut back and full sleeved blouse. It had many embroidery and beads. Beauticians did her make-up and hair while Umaira went into the attached bathroom to dress up. For the evening Umaira wore a peach and white lacy neck, full sleeve backless evening gown. She wore glittering silver stilettos. She tied her hair in a braided side bun (she had learnt it in Milan from one British model), she then wore silver studs and applied her make-up – face powder, blush, kohl, and red glossy lipstick. She applied her perfume, wore her delicate girl's watch in one hand and few silver bangles in the other. She clicked a selfie and texted it to Ibrahim. She gets an instant response.


Ibrahim: Wow! Gorgeous.


She blushed.


Huma is almost done, her make-up wasn't too loud nor little, just perfect. Her long hair tied in a French twist and her heavy dupatta pinned on both shoulder and perfectly resting on her hair. 'Someone is looking killer tonight.' Umaira winked and nudged Huma who blushed. Umaira did some touch up when she noticed Huma looking lost. At first, she wondered if Huma is nervous but then decided to ask anyway.


Huma sighed 'I am wondering about that gorgeous young man we met on the road.' Umaira froze adjusting her earring. Huma looked at Umaira from corner of her eyes. 'Do you...you know him?' Huma asked, her eyebrows raised.


Umaira looked shocked at the question but quickly recovered and shook her head.


'But the way you both were looking at each other...stealing glances...I thought....' Huma said. Umaira glared at her 'Stop watching so many Bollywood movies, it's affecting you.' Umaira said bitterly.


****************************


'Wow, awesome decorations.' Amreen gushed looking around. The backyard is decorated with white and blue lights, flowers, roses and marigolds. There are many people chattering amongst each other with waiters serving them starters. At the main gate, an elderly man and a young man welcomed the guests. Mehran is among the groom side, he walked with Shadab, the groom to be, along with his parents. The groom side is welcomed with garlands of white and red rose. Mehran felt like a royalty. He smiled lowering his head as the young man put the garland around his neck. Amreen looked at the garland with her eyes twinkling. Shadab and his parents were greeted by many relatives and led to stand on stage.


Umaira rushed from the room leaving behind a whining Huma with her mother and other ladies. She heard the groom side has come, Umaira was send to attend to the guest. Umaira was more than happy to leave the chaotic ladies room. She ran around ordering the waiters to serve the groom side, they are the priority.


As she hurriedly walked, she slipped and fell forward. Luckily, she didn't fall on the ground instead on something soft.


'Sorry...Sorry...' she said sitting up straight on the ground.


'It's oka...' Mehran stopped speaking as his gaze met Umaira's.


SHIT!


'Oh My God! are you both fine?' Huma's father came to the scene. Umaira and Mehran looked away. Umaira felt embarrassed with everyone looking at them, some wide-eyed and some giggling. Mehran stood up and adjusted his waist coat, he extended his hand. Umaira took few seconds before placing her palm over his. He pulled her up. Once again their gaze locked.


'Umaira beta, go check the guests there.' Huma's father suggested. To escape the awkwardness Umaira nodded and disappeared. Mehran watched her run clumsily and smiled to himself, Umaira had always been clumsy.


Next fifteen minutes Mehran spent searching for Umaira among the crowd while Umaira busied herself hiding from him. Umaira hid in the crowd and watched Mehran climbing up the stage, she smiled looking at him posing for the camera. She realized he looked so much handsome than before. All rational thinking left her mind as she adored him albeit from far.


Huma was brought up the stage with Umaira on one side and Huma's mother on the other side. As Umaira climbed up stairs her gaze fell on Mehran who too was looking at her. Amreen stood beside her brother didn't even take a second to realize the woman her brother is looking at, is Umaira.


Huma looked at Shadab who smiled at her, she blushed and looked away. Both were made to stand beside each other, both glowing. Umaira held Huma's hand and forwarded it towards Shadab. He held her hand and slipped a gold diamond ring. Huma blushed harder. Umaira along with others clapped. Then Huma slipped a silver ring into Shadab fingers. Everyone clapped. Umaira slowly looked up and saw Mehran looking at her from behind Shadab. As they looked at each other, old memories flooded their mind.




It is a Valentine's day, instead of shopping for Roses Mehran wanted to do something special. 'WHAT?' Shadab gasped when Mehran confessed he wants to propose Umaira. He claimed they have dated for too long now, he wants to take their relationship to next level. From being just boyfriend- girlfriends to being fiancé.


Mehran used all his pocket money to buy a solitaire for her. Umaira got a rose and an elegant watch for him, though her best friend Jasmine was dead against it.


Mehran held the small velvet box in his hand, he trembled with nervousness. He looked around, all happy and romantic couples wishing each other, hugging. He then noticed Umaira standing with her friends, talking something. Mehran gulped. Shadab nudged him and urged him to go for it.


'Why are you over acting man, it is not like she will reject you.' Shadab rolled his eyes as Mehran kept taking a step back and front. Shadab finally gave a kick to Mehran's back side and only then he moved forward.


'Um...Umaira...' Umaira turned around and found Mehran standing behind her. She smiled while her friends giggled eyeing Mehran. He felt conscious. Umaira blinked confusingly at Mehran. He licked his lips looking away for split seconds before looking back at Umaira. Taking a deep breath, he kneeled on his one knee. Umaira's eyes widened, the girls stopped giggling and gasped. Mehran's heart jumped to his mouth as he took out the red velvet box from his pocket and forwarded it towards Umaira. She felt her heart flutter.


'Miss Umaira Siddiqui, will you be my valentine? Will you marry me?' Mehran asked looking directly into her eyes. Umaira's eyes instantly filled with tears.


Without wasting any time, she nodded her head, tears fell from her eyes. Mehran smiled, relieved. One of her friend nudged her arm and Umaira extended her hand. Umaira blushed as Mehran slipped the ring into her finger. Everyone around them clapped. Mehran kissed the back of her palm, Umaira blushed tugging few random strands behind her ear. Mehran stood up


'I got only this.' Umaira said sadly as she forwarded him the roses and watch.


'By accepting my proposal, you have given me everything.' Mehran said sincerely. Umaira smiled through her tears and hugged Mehran, he hugged her back. This was their best Valentine's day, they were the happiest.......

Comment