Mayi Ri

Chapter 11

Ainy walks out of her school, and as she reaches the gate, she spots Hamza waiting for her. He flashes a friendly smile and says, "Socha, ek hi raste jaa rahe to sath me chale."

Ainy's face lights up with a smile of her own, and she nods in agreement.

As Ainy and Hamza walk together, Hamza begins to express his concern, "Ainy, I heard about your uncle's health. I hope he's doing okay. It must be tough for your family."

Ainy nods and reassures Hamza, "Thankfully, Bare Abbu is doing better now. We were all quite worried, but things are looking up."

She decides not to mention her nikkah with Fakhir, keeping that piece of information to herself for now.

"Can I ask you something?" Hamza suddenly speaks up. Ainy nods in response.

"Is there... someone you like?" Hamza's question catches Ainy by surprise. She has observed Hamza's subtle affection for her, but she never expected him to have the courage to bring it up.

Ainy raises an eyebrow and responds, "N...no. Why do you ask?" Her curiosity is piqued.

"Please don't hate me or stop talking to me if I say this," Hamza requests, anxiety evident in his tone.

Ainy takes a moment, then continues, "Maybe I know what you're going to say, Hamza."

Hamza is taken aback by her response, waiting for her to finish her thought.

Ainy stops in her tracks and looks at Hamza with an inquisitive expression, "Do you like me?"

Hamza clears his throat, trying to find the right words. "Yes, Ainy, I do like you. I've liked you for a while now, but I was afraid to say anything because I didn't want to ruin our friendship."

Ainy smiles, a mixture of emotions on her face. "Hamza, I appreciate your honesty. You're a good friend, and I don't want this to change anything between us. Let's continue being friends, okay?"

Hamza nods, relieved that Ainy is handling the situation well. "Of course, Ainy. Friends it is. I'm just glad I told you."

As they continue their walk, Hamza can't help but feel a bit disheartened, but he appreciates Ainy's honesty. Ainy, on the other hand, carries a sense of guilt with her. She knows that Hamza is a genuinely good person, and perhaps in different circumstances, she might have said yes. However, her heart is bound by family decisions and responsibilities beyond her control. The two friends continue walking, each carrying their own thoughts and emotions.

Fakhir quietly enters Ainy's room, making sure not to wake anyone in the house. Faiza, who has been sitting with Ainy, excuses herself and leaves the room, closing the door behind her. Once alone, Fakhir locks the door and takes a seat opposite Ainy. The room is dimly lit, with a soft, warm glow emanating from a nearby lamp.

He looks at Ainy, a mixture of emotions in his eyes. Tomorrow is the day of their nikkah, a life-altering event that they're both unsure about. The weight of the impending commitment and the uncertainty of what the future holds hangs heavy in the room.

"Fakhir, I don't know what's going to happen after tomorrow," Ainy starts, her voice filled with a sense of vulnerability. "But I want you to know that I'm not going into this blindly. I've seen the consequences of a wrong marriage, and I don't want to repeat history."

Fakhir listens attentively, his gaze fixed on Ainy. He reaches out and holds her hand, reassuringly. "Ainy, I understand your concerns. I have my own reservations too. But one thing I promise is that we'll face whatever comes together. We won't be strangers; we've grown up together."

Ainy nods, tears welling up in her eyes. "I hope so, Fakhir. I hope we can make this work. I just don't want to repeat our parents' mistakes."

Fakhir gently wipes away her tears. "We won't, Ainy. We'll make our own path, and we'll do it our way. I don't want you to ever feel trapped or powerless. We're in this together."

They sit there, holding each other's hands, finding solace in each other. Tomorrow may be uncertain, but in this moment, they draw strength from each other's presence.

Ainy gazes at her reflection in the mirror, taking in the ornate jewelry, the vibrant red lehenga, and the carefully applied makeup. But as she looks at herself, she doesn't see her own image; instead, she sees her mother's reflection, as if the mirror is a portal to the past.

Her eyes well up with tears, and she struggles to hold them back. Faiza stands beside her, taking Ainy's hand, she squeezes it gently.

"Have hope, Ainy. Pray for the best. Maybe Fakhir won't turn out like our father," Faiza reassures her.

Ainy, despite Fakhir's assurances, still harbors uncertainty. Her eyes remain fixed on the mirror as she confides in Faiza, "I wish I could trust him, Faiza, but our family's history casts a long shadow. I can't help but have doubts. I'm not sure if I can entrust my life to Fakhir, even though we've shared the same roof all our lives."

Faiza places a reassuring hand on her sister's shoulder. "Ainy, I understand your concerns," Faiza says gently. "But remember, Fakhir is not our father, and you are not our mother. Have faith in your friendship with him, and maybe, just maybe, you can break the cycle that has plagued our family for generations."

Ainy sighs, still grappling with her apprehensions. "I hope you're right, Faiza. I hope Fakhir can be the husband I need and not another source of hardship."

Faiza offers a comforting smile. "I have faith in both of you. You're strong individuals, and together, you can face any challenges. Take it one step at a time. Today marks the start of a new chapter. Don't let the past dictate your future."

Ainy wipes away a stray tear and takes a deep breath. She looks at herself one more time in the mirror, as if seeking strength from within. Faiza continues to stand by her side.

Ainy nods, appreciating her sister's words of encouragement. "You're right, Faiza. I won't let the past define my future. I'll hold on to the hope that things can be different for us."

With a renewed determination, Ainy takes a final look in the mirror, her reflection now reflecting a sense of inner strength and resolve. She knows that she and Fakhir have a journey ahead of them, one filled with challenges and uncertainties, but she's willing to face it, holding onto the possibility of a brighter and happier future.

"Are you ready, Ainy?" Aisha looks at her daughter, her eyes filled with sorrow and regret. "Sorry, beta. I couldn't do anything to stop this wedding. Sorry that I am so powerless that I can't even decide for my daughters."

Ainy reaches out to her mother, placing a comforting hand on Aisha's shoulder. "Amma, please don't blame yourself. It is written in my fate. Allah knows best."

Aisha kisses Ainy's forehead and speaks with a sense of resignation, "Allah has given us the right, guriya, to choose our life partners, to choose the time to marry, but the men in our house don't follow His rules."

"Don't worry, Amma. Your daughter is not going to let anyone walk over her."Ainy embraces her mother. Aisha holds her daughter tightly. Faiza joins them.

Just then, Aiman walks into the room and sees the mother and daughters having a heartfelt moment. Ainy signals for her to come join the hug, and Aiman happily complies.

Aisha finally breaks the hug, holding Ainy's hand. Ainy's grip on her mother's hand tightens.

Fakhir stands alone in his room, fully dressed in his wedding attire. Uncertainty clouds his face, and his thoughts race as he contemplates the life-altering step he's about to take. Ainy, who has always been a cousin and a friend, will soon become his wife. The realization that she will be a significant part of his future, his responsibility, and he will have rights and obligations towards her, dawns on him.

He lets out a deep sigh, the weight of the moment pressing down on him, making everything feel like it's happening in the blink of an eye. Fakhir is torn between tradition, family, and his own desires, and the future feels like a vast, uncharted territory he's about to enter.

Sameena enters Fakhir's room and finds him sitting on his bed, gazing at his phone. She addresses him gently, "Fakhir?"

He looks up and offers her a faint smile. She sits down beside him, concerned.

"Are you okay, Fakhir?" Sameena asks, her worry evident in her eyes as she looks at her son. Fakhir takes a deep breath before he responds, "I'm just trying to process everything, Amma. This is all happening so fast."

Sameena places a reassuring hand on his shoulder and says, "I know it's overwhelming, Fakhir. But remember, I am always here for you, and you have the strength to face whatever comes your way."

Fakhir looks at Sameena and admits, "I don't know, Amma. I'm not even ready for marriage. And now I have to take care of Ainy."

Sameena responds with understanding, "I get it, Fakhir. It may seem challenging, but Ainy is not a stranger to you."

As Sameena continues to offer her support, she says, "It's a new chapter in your life, and it might be intimidating at first. But remember, you've grown up together, and you have a foundation of trust and familiarity. Just be the kind, considerate person you've always been, and everything will fall into place."

"I hope so, Amma." Fakhir appreciates his mother's comforting words, even though his concerns remain.

The stage is adorned with vibrant, fragrant flowers, creating a beautiful and enchanting atmosphere. The delicate petals of roses, jasmine, and marigolds cascade in elegant arrangements, while fairy lights twinkle like stars in the evening sky, casting a warm, magical glow over the stage.

Habeeb and Zaheer sit side by side, dressed in traditional attire, their expressions reflecting both solemnity and joy. The Qazi sits with grace.

As they wait for Fakhir, the air is filled with anticipation, the soft music of a qawwali begins to play.

The combination of flowers, lights, and music sets the stage for a truly beautiful and unforgettable nikkah ceremony, but for Fakhir and Ainy, it is a path they didn't choose.