Mayi Ri

Chapter 12

Fakhir and Ainy have never envisioned a life where Ainy would become his wife. Yet, here they are, having said 'Qubool hai.'

As Ainy approaches the stage with Sameena and Aisha by her side, her heart feels like it's about to leap out of her chest. She takes tentative steps, the weight of her ornate lehenga making every movement feel cumbersome. Her eyes flit nervously around the room, scanning the faces of the guests who've gathered to witness this momentous occasion. Ainy locks eyes with Fakhir, who sits in his black sherwani. His familiar mischievous grin is absent, replaced by a mix of emotions mirrored in her own apprehensive gaze.

Ainy takes a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment settling over her like a heavy veil. As she nears the stage, she can feel Fakhir's eyes following her every step. She climbs the stage, her eyes never leaving his, each second stretching into an eternity.

As Ainy walks toward Fakhir, his breath catches in his throat as he beholds Ainy's beauty. He's taken aback, realizing he's never truly noticed the depth of Ainy's beauty before. She has always been his cousin, and it has never occurred to him to see her beyond that.

Ainy gazes around, feeling the weight of all the eyes focused on her and Fakhir. Seeking reassurance, she looks towards her mother, finding comfort in the reassuring smile she receives. As her nerves manifest through the unconscious rubbing of her fingers, Fakhir notices her gesture and instinctively places his hand over hers.

Startled by Fakhir's unexpected gesture, Ainy turns to look at him, finding a smile. Before they could react further, Aiman arrives behind them, ushering them for pictures. The camera flashes, but both Ainy and Fakhir appear somewhat stiff, their movements constrained by the weight of the moment.

Fakhir is finally alone in his room after all the commotion of the nikkah. With the guests gone, only family members remain. Ainy has been escorted to her room by their mothers, while Fakhir takes a refreshing shower and changes into his comfortable t-shirt and pajamas. Arsal enters the room; he still shares the space with Fakhir.

"Man, Ainy looked stunning today. I never realized she was this beautiful," Arsal remarks.

Fakhir glances at him, feeling a slight twinge of jealousy, though he's unsure where that feeling originated from.

"I don't care," Fakhir responds dismissively, shrugging his shoulders as he settles onto his bed, engrossed in his phone. But deep inside, Fakhir did care. He couldn't shake off the memory of how beautiful Ainy looked today. Her big, captivating grey eyes and those soft, plum-hued lips lingered in his mind, imprinting an image he found difficult to dismiss.

"Come on, bro. You can fool somebody else, but not me. I've seen you drooling over her today. You couldn't take your eyes off of her, man," Arsal teases Fakhir.

"I wasn't!" Fakhir protests, trying to hide his embarrassment.

"It's okay, man. She's your wife. You can look at her any way you want," Arsal teases, winking mischievously at Fakhir, who throws a pillow at Arsal in return. "Shut up."

"Ye kya ho raha hai?" Zaheer enters the room with a smile. Fakhir stands up promptly, acknowledging his father's presence. Zaheer gestures for him to sit back down, taking a seat beside him on the bed.

"I am here to tell you something."

"I already married Ainy."

Zaheer chuckles lightly at his son's reply and playfully waves his hand in front of his face. "It's about our business. I want you to start coming to the office from tomorrow."

"What? Baba, I have school."

"You can come after school. Education is important, but understanding our business is crucial too. Aage jaake tumhe hi sab handle karna hai."

"So jao. Kal school jana hai na," Zaheer pats Fakhir's shoulder and leaves the room. Fakhir throws his phone and everything else onto the floor. Items scatter everywhere. Arsal startles at his action. Fakhir sits on his bed, head in his hands, a whimper escaping his mouth as tears run down his cheeks.

Aiman and Faiza are helping Ainy to remove her ornaments and lehenga. The girls are trying to chill Ainy but she is in deep thoughts. She fears that what if Fakhir changes? What if Fakhir becomes like her father? What if...

"Ainy, Go and change the clothes." Faiza shakes ainy from her thoughts.

"Fakhir kya soch raha hoga?" Ainy asks suddenly. Both Aiman and Faiza look at each other.

"Fakhir kya sochega?" Aiman asks.

"Nikkah ke bare main"

"Pata nahi. Jake puchu?" Faiza asks. Aiman slaps on her shoulder.

A knock on the door grabs the attention of the girls.

"Must be Amma," Faiza says, getting up to open the door, only to find their aunt Saiqa standing there.

""Arrey, you haven't changed yet?" Saiqa asks Ainy.

"I was going to take a shower," Ainy says.

Saiqa holds Ainy's face in her palms. "I know, beta, you are still confused about your nikkah and your future with Fakhir. I know your fear."

"Phupho, I can't help but think about Fakhir turning into abbu or bare abbu."

"I apologize for both of my brothers' attitudes towards their women and kids. But I can somehow assure you that Fakhir will not be the same as Habeeb or Zaheer bhai."

Ainy, uncertain about whether she could trust her aunt, simply nods at Saiqa before excusing herself to take a shower.

Arsal, uncertain of how to handle the situation with Fakhir, knocks on Ainy's door. He feels lost in a scenario where his uncle has forced Fakhir into a marriage and business partnership. Arsal contrasts this with his own experiences; his father, Faraz, has never compelled him to do anything he doesn't want to do, and the same goes for his mother. His parents have always been supportive of their children's choices. But witnessing the marital life of his uncles has left Arsal confused.

"What's wrong, Arsal?" Ainy asks as she finds Arsal at her door, wearing a worried expression.

""Something's up with Fakhir," Arsal explains, gripping Ainy's hand and guiding her towards Fakhir's room.

"What's going on with Fakhir?" Ainy asks, concern etched on her face.

Arsal leads her to Fakhir's room and opens the door, revealing the disarray inside. Flower vases lie shattered on the floor, their contents strewn across the room. Papers are scattered everywhere, mixed with clothes thrown carelessly about. The phone, or rather pieces of it, is scattered across the floor. The room is chaotic.

Ainy's heart skips a beat as she enters Fakhir's room, immediately noting the chaos that surrounds him. The sight of the scattered items and the disarray sends a pang of concern through her. Yet, it's seeing Fakhir in the midst of it all, his demeanor mirroring the disarray around him, that truly unsettles her. Without a moment's hesitation, she rushes to him, her concern overpowering any thoughts about the disorder in the room. Her need to comfort him, to be there for him in this moment of distress, takes precedence over everything else.

Fakhir is seated on his bed, hunched over with his head buried in his hands, his shoulders trembling ever so slightly. His usual vibrant energy seems drained, replaced by a palpable sense of sadness and distress. She observes him quietly, sensing the turmoil that consumes him. It's evident that something is deeply troubling him, leaving him in a state of vulnerability she hasn't witnessed before.

Ainy hesitates for a moment before gently placing a hand on his back, offering a sense of comfort and solace. His distress seems to momentarily lessen as he feels her touch, though the sadness remains etched in his posture.

"Fakhir," she speaks softly, her voice carrying a soothing tone, "What happened?"

Fakhir lifts his head slightly, his eyes reflecting a mixture of despair and uncertainty. He doesn't utter a word, but his eyes convey the storm of emotions raging within him. In that moment, Ainy realizes that she needs to be his solace, his source of calm in the midst of his distress. Without hesitation, she envelops him in her embrace, allowing him to find refuge in her arms.

Fakhir, overcome with the weight of his emotions, leans into Ainy's warmth, seeking solace in her presence. His arms encircle her hips, drawing her closer as he buries his face against her chest. Ainy reciprocates, gently wrapping her arms around his neck, tenderly running her fingers through his hair, offering a sense of reassurance and calmness.

Arsal, noticing the intimate moment between Fakhir and Ainy, understands that their privacy is crucial in this moment of vulnerability. Sensing their need for each other, he quietly closes the door, leaving them in the comforting cocoon.

Fakhir and Ainy have never been this close to each other before. While they have held hands on occasions, their current proximity is different. The restrictions and boundaries that once defined their interactions as non-mahram individuals seem to fade away with the union of their nikkah. Now, being in such proximity feels natural, unencumbered by the previous barriers that separated them.

"Kya hua, Fakhir?" Ainy asks gently. Fakhir pulls his face away from Ainy's chest and looks up, his eyes welling up with tears. She holds his face in her palm. "Bolo."

"Baba wants me to go to the office from tomorrow," Fakhir sniffs. "I hate him, Ainy. I hate him for making me do things I don't want to do. I hate him for this unwanted nikkah and the responsibility he is putting over my head."

Ainy gazes at Fakhir, observing the turmoil in his eyes. She can sense his frustration and the overwhelming weight placed upon his shoulders. Her heart aches seeing him in such distress.

"I understand what you're facing, Fakhir. I may not be able to assist with all the responsibilities, but I'm here to support you," Ainy reassures him.

Fakhir feels a mix of emotions swirling within him. Ainy's words offer a sense of comfort he hasn't felt in a while, yet their close proximity sends a jolt through him. He tries to pull away slightly, sensing the intensity of the moment, but he finds himself caught between Ainy's gentle hold and her reassuring words.

Fakhir's thoughts race as he tries to navigate this newfound closeness with Ainy. He grapples with conflicting emotions, unsure of what this sudden intimacy might mean between them. His gaze alternates between Ainy's eyes and her lips, a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions clouding his mind.

The atmosphere is heavy with unspoken emotions as Ainy withdraws her touch from Fakhir's face, feeling the gravity of their closeness. As she attempts to move away, she becomes aware of Fakhir's arms around her, securing her in a gentle hold. Sensing her unease, Fakhir loosens his embrace, creating a space between them. He gestures towards the bed, inviting Ainy to sit, his voice carrying a soft, comforting tone.

They settle down in silence, the weight of their unspoken words filling the room. Each second feels filled with emotions yet unexpressed sentiments.