Cause darling I'm a nightmare dressed like a day dream.

Ruhee opens the car door and hops in happily. She looks at the driver seat to look at Aayan and frownsl. Aayan was facing straight ahead and not even looking at her, 'Aayan, are you okay?' she asks and he just nods his head.

If I look at her I might want to speak to her and I am not allowed to speak to her.

'Are you mad at me that I am going to your brothers house?' she asks him.

Yes, very.

Aayan doesn't reply and starts the car engine, 'Fine, be mad. But I am not going to change my decision.' she says looking ahead.

Of course you won't.

Aayan starts driving and all along, only Ruhee kept on speaking. Aayan would either nod his head or would keep silent. Ruhee was actually enjoying this, why? Because she already knew that Aayan's mother had asked him to not speak to her. Sahma had texted her saying that, and also added to keep on speaking to him to tease him, and Ruhee was doing it well.

Ruhee understands that Aayan has a very rough relation with his brother and his mother, but not inviting them to his wedding, it might feel right to him but it wasn't right to Ruhee. No matter how annoying, hateful, resentful a relative might be, they are still our relatives and we should keep a good bind with every relative. And Ruhee was planning to do just that.

Mahir and Hydari might not like Aayan and Sahma, but maybe they will like Ruhee. And if they do like her, they might start to look past their hate and start knowing the true Aayan and Sahma. Ruhee was really hoping this meet to go well. She wanted to make these two families one. But right now, it was time to tease her husband.

Ruhee looks towards Aayan to see him have a serious expression on his face as he looks ahead. She clears her throat and begins, 'Did Ammi tell you about the jewelries?' she asks him. He nods his head, 'I was having a really tough time selecting the right ones, as you know I am not good in choosing stuff for myself. But, my Ammi helped me and the set is so beautiful.' she looks at Aayan from the corner of her eye to see him clenching the stirring wheel tightly.

Ruhee pursed her lips to maintain the growing smile and soon continued, 'Everyone said I looked beautiful, don't you wanna see a picture Zainab took that day?' Aayan eagerly turned to look at Ruhee but gazed his eyes back onto the road. Ruhee held in the laugh at his sudden movement, 'Since you are not saying anything, I guess you don't want to see, never mind.' Ruhee says and notices Aayan's knuckles growing white as he held the steering well. His expression was priceless. Ruhee looked out the window as she pursed her growing smile.

Is she doing this on purpose? Of course, I want to see her wearing the jewelry. I remember how Zainab said Ruhee looked beautiful. Ya Allah, Ammi is really going to kill me before the wedding like this.

The car comes to a halt in front of a big mansion. Seeing Aayan get out, Ruhee joins him. Aayan stared at the building before him with such fire in his eyes that Ruhee thought it would actually burn any moment now. And it also gave away that this was their stop. Aayan walked forward and spoke to the watchman. The watchman dialled inside the mansion and after sometime, let them in.

As soon as Ruhee entered the mansion, she was shook. This place was like a Palace. It was far more grander and had a royalty kind of feel to it. The inside was painted all peach which looked almost like gold, the furniture was mostly in red. In conclusion, Ruhee hated it. No, not because it was her husband's rivals house, but because it was too much. Ruhee was a simple girl who liked simple stuff and this place was far from simple, it was Royal.

Ruhee heard footsteps and turned around to see Mahir and his mother walking down the stairs in all glory, like the owned this place, which they actually did. Mahir was dressed in a grey suit while Hydari in a gown? Ruhee's eyes popped seeing Hydari all dolled up like a queen. If she dressed like that everyday, Ruhee was glad she didn't have to share a house with them.

Mahir and Hyadri now stood before Aayan and Ruhee, and stared at them. Aayan and Mahir were having a staring competition while Hydari was assessing Ruhee from top to bottom. Ruhee was wearing her usual black Abaya and a light blue floral printed hijab along with her pink sling bag. Ignoring the judging eyes, she took a step forward from beside Aayan. She gave them her natural smile as spoke, which grabbed Mahir's attention to look at her.

'Hello, My name is Ruhee Shariff.' she began. She looked at them for any response but they just stared at her. She nodded her head awkwardly and continued, 'You must be wondering who I am and what brings me here and why am I with, Aayan?' they still didn't say a word, 'Actually, we are here to invite you to our wedding which is next month.' she opened her sling bag and pulled out a navy blue wedding card and showed it to them.

Ruhee had her hand outstretched before them holding the wedding card. After a moment of silence, they took it from her hand and read it. Ruhee pulled back her hand and waited patiently. It was a beautiful navy blue wedding card with the invitation printed on it in a lighter blue. Ruhee's and Aayan's name was written in big gold calligraphy. In short, it was simple and beautiful.

You are cordially invited to the wedding of

Ruhee Shariff

&

Aayan Ibrahim

Save the date

20/10/2020

At Senior Marriage hall

Your presence will be appreciated.

Mahir soon started laughing and Hydari accompanied. Ruhee frowned at them and turned to look at Aayan, who was ready to pounce at them any minute. Ruhee turned to look back at them, 'I was really shocked when you said "Our wedding." but wow, you really are getting married to him.' Mahir says looking at Ruhee. Ruhee just stared at him, 'Do you know that your so called would be is illegitimate?' Aayan clenched his fists. Mahir looked at Aayan's rigid stance and smirked at him.

Mahir moved closer to Ruhee, close enough to make Aayan uncomfortable and Ruhee aswell, 'Tell me, why you marrying him? Is it for the money, then I also have that, maybe more. So leave him and come to me, I promise you won't regret it.' Mahir says and winked at Ruhee. That's it, Aayan had enough, he was about to open his mouth and say something when Hydari added, 'Also, you both are still non - mehram's to each other. Why are you roaming together? This shows that not just his mother is shameless, so is he and they found another shameless to add to the family.' she smirks at Ruhee.

Aayan was about to speak up when he heard Ruhee sign heavily. He looks at her to see her massaging her forehead. Ruhee looks up at the mother - son duo and says, 'I really wanted to be nice to you people and have all the misunderstandings sorted but you people, you are making it really hard.' Aayan takes a step forward but Ruhee stops him, 'Wait Aayan, I am not done speaking.' she turns to look at Mahir as she folds her hand. Her entire stance had changed and she was radiating a sassy attitude.

'You had asked me few questions, right? Let me answer them for you.' Ruhee began as Mahir and Hydari stared at her, 'Before answering your first question, tell me the meaning of illegitimate.' Ruhee stared at a clueless Mahir. He frowned not knowing how to reply to that, cause he didn't really know what it meant, 'It means illegal and who are you to ask us questions?' Hydari replies. Ruhee nods her head and speaks, 'Yes, you are right, it means illegal. But who said Aayan was illegal?' 'He is the son of my husband's second wife!' Hydari yelled, 'Yes, he is the son of your husband's second wife, not mistress.' Ruhee corrected.

'What's the difference?' Hydari asked irritated, 'I would gladly explain...' Ruhee began, 'Wife is someone you are married to while a mistress is someone you are not married to. And Ammi was legally married to Aayan's father before having him which is legal to the law aswell thus, makes Aayan legal which means, Aayan is not illegitimate at all. So, I think you should know, that he is not illegitimate. He is as legitimate as you and me.' Hydari glared at Ruhee while Ruhee just winked at her. She heard Hydari gasp but she turned to look at the clueless Mahir.

'Your second question, am I marrying him for money? Then, No. Why? Cause I just don't see money in Aayan....' she turns to look at a surprised Aayan and says with a smile, '.... I see Aayan as mature man with a childish heart. I see a man who trusts his friend with his life. I see a man who loves and care for his mother, who keeps his mother on the top of his priority list. I see a man who is hard working. I see a man who is as hot as the sun and as cool as the moon. I see Aayan and only Aayan.' Aayan's features soften as he looks at Ruhee with so much admiration. Ruhee smiles at him and turns to look at Mahir.

'And as for marrying you, no thank you, I am booked, by the best man I could ask for.' Mahir just stares at her, 'And regarding your father loving you the most and giving you his big company and giving Aayan a startup, I think you got it all wrong.' Mahir frowns at Ruhee's words, 'I would say, Rasheed Ibrahim loved both of his sons' and knew them well. He knew that you would be able to maintain the business while Aayan will be able to build it.' Ruhee says, softly.

'And you bullying Aayan, I don't blame you for that..' Ruhee says and smiles at Mahir. Mahir stared at her confused. Ruhee turned to Hydari with an annoyed look and says, 'I blame your mother. She raised you to hate Aayan and Ammi. Why? Because she thought what happened to her was unfair, okay, it was unfair, but holding on to it for over 20 years, that is unfair not to just Aayan and Ammi, but also your son.' Ruhee scolds Hydari, who was shocked, 'You resented them, okay, but you should have not passed on the resentment to your son. You made him learn the meaning of hate at such a young age when the kids know only to love. You are the cause of Mahir's hate, only you.'

Ruhee let's out a bitter laugh from between her teeth, 'He doesn't even know the meaning of illegitimate till this date. What kind of a mother are you? Mothers teach their kids to live and respect others but you taught him to hate and despise someone he was blood related to. How?' Hydari just stared at Ruhee with fury, 'And who am I to say all this? well, I am your future step daughter-in-law.' Ruhee says with a cocky smile, 'And Shameless?...' Ruhee says and walks to Aayan. She stands on her tiptoes and gives a big smooch on Aayan's cheek. Aayan's eyes go wide and his heart beat rockets. Mahir and Hydari's eyes also go wide but due to shock. Ruhee puts her arm around Aayan's and looks at the mother-son duo, '...Yes, I am shameless. I am shamelessly in love with my husband.'

'I have given you the invitation, and we will be more than happy if you would come. But for now, it's goodbye.' Ruhee says and drags a stunned Aayan out the door.

What on earth just happened?