CHAPTER 40- MRS. ALI


'Babes, what is the use of having a Photographer in the wedding and not have her shoot your wedding? So, you are going to click photos and Be careful with mine, I shouldn't look like a bhains.' Huma advised Umaira, who is standing at the window and focusing her camera on the scenery at front -the pool side.


'I am a fashion photographer. I will not make you look like a bhains.' Umaira giggled.


'Better.' Huma huffed, she then turned her attention towards the jewellery and their matching wedding dresses spread all over her bed. Umaira got back to shooting the pool. As she zoomed, Umaira recollected the incidents from the night. To be exact, Mehran's words echoed in her head. She shook her head attempting to block the thoughts, yet again she failed.


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


'Mehran....wake-up, honey!' Mehran heard Siham's soft voice. He stirred on the sofa. His eyes flickered feeling the sunrays on his face. He opened his eyes, a strong aroma of coffee hit his nostrils. He looked up. Siham stood in front of him still dressed in his shirt from last night. She held two coffee mugs. She smiled at him. Mehran sat up, 'Uff...'he winced feeling cramp in his neck.


'Oh, my God! are you fine?' Siham said and hurriedly placed the coffee mug on the table beside, she sat next to him.


'Who asked you to sleep here? idiot.' Siham glared at him as she gently massaged his nape. Mehran smiled looking at her concerned.


'I am fine.' He said and took her hands in his. 'I thought you will be still mad at me for last night.' he said clasping her palms in his. Siham smiled shaking her head


'Why?' Mehran asked curiously She smiled and leaned forward, and slightly hit his forehead with hers before coming back to her older position.


'Because I love you.' she said.


Mehran placed his palm on her cheek, 'But to love me doesn't mean you should bear any crap from me and forgive me so easily.' Mehran said seriously. Siham shifted closer resting her head on his shoulder, she looked at their joined hands.


'You are too precious to me, Mehran.' She said the sincerity in her voice made Mehran guilty.


'There is something I want to talk to you, after the wedding.' Mehran said shifting little. He must harden his heart, Siham will have a heart break now but that will save her from a major heart break or a sad life in the future. Siham held his cheek, and stared into his eyes, 'If it's something bad, I don't want to know.' She said, her other palm gripped his tightly. Mehran said nothing but simply blinked at her, he patted their joined palms and stood up. Siham watched him go, she has gotten a hint of what he wanted to tell. She forced a smile, 'Don't think negative, Mehran loves you. He is just tensed.' She said to herself.


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


Breakfast has been arranged for every guest, Huma ordered Umaira to get food for her as well. Umaira had called the room service hours ago, but hasn't come with their order yet.


'Babes, go and check else I will die of hunger.' Huma said massaging her rumbling stomach. Umaira looked sadly at her stomach as well, she too is hungry.


'I will check.' She said to Huma, who sighed in relief. Umaira left.


At the bouffe area, Mehran had taken his and Siham's plate. Siham is sitting with Amreen and chatting something. She seemed to have returned to normalcy a little. As Mehran walked towards his table he nearly dashed into Umaira. They paused looking at each other.


'Beta!' Mehran and Umaira looked to their side and found a middle-aged woman frowning at them. She is clad in off white and orange saree with triple layered pearl necklace and pearl huge earring. Her hair tied in a perfect French twist. Her gaze fixed on Umaira, who smiled politely back at her.


'What happened, Mom?' Mehran said emphasizing the word, Mom. Umaira got conscious knowing the woman beside her is Mehran's mother. Umaira remembers clearly their first and last meeting, when Mehran's mother had called her and had insulted and taunted her. She had menacingly asked her to, "Get lost" from Mehran's life.


'I know the tricks of "your" type of middle-class girls. First act innocent and trap a rich guy, seduce him, play with his feelings...all for the money.' She had said back then. 'A girl like yourself will readily sleep with anyone for money. And I am sure you must have tricked my son but the moment you get a better and richer man who will toss him and I will not let that happen.' She had pointed her index finger threatening her. Umaira could have stopped her but since she is Mehran's mother, she hadn't interrupt her. But that day, Umaira had cried a lot. She had never been humiliated so much in her whole life. Her love for Mehran was questioned, her character was questioned. Luckily, Mehran wasn't there when the meeting had happened. His mother had arranged the meeting for his sake but cunningly kept him away knowing well he wouldn't have let her have her way. Mehran's mother had attempted to humiliate Umaira so much that she breaks-up with Mehran. Unfortunately, Umaira didn't break up with Mehran. Luckily for her, even after Mehran asked million times Umaira didn't say anything about the meeting to him.


'Excuse me.' Umaira said and went past Mehran, he watched her go. Mehran's mother looked at him with a scowl on her face. She then looked at Umaira and frowned harder.


'Need something?' Umaira heard a sharp tone, she turned her head and found Mehran's mother standing inches away from her. Umaira looked puzzled, Mehran's mother ignored her look and leaned forward grabbing a plate.


'Clearly, you need something. That is why have come back in my son's life.' She said. Umaira pressed her lips in anger, 'Excuse me!' her tone firm.


Mehran's mother is taken aback with the tone as clearly no one has spoken to her this way. She looked at Umaira.


'You are no one to say this to me. I didn't say anything before respecting your age and the fact that you are Mehran's mother. But that doesn't give you liberty to say whatever you please. Keep your opinion and attitude in your pocket.' By the time Umaira finished Mrs. Ali had her jaw dropped and eyes widened in shock. She didn't know a timid looking Umaira back then has now grown a tongue. Umaira raised her chin little in air and walked to get her and Huma's breakfast. Mehran who had come to get curd heard their conversation. He frowned.

Comment