Z A I D A A N

"Hey, Kainaat?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

And like everytime, she turned pink,

before shoving me away and whsipering,

"I love you too, now get lost before bhaiya sees us."

I chuckled and made my way out the kitchen doors, leaving her behind to bring the juice glasses.

We were currently at my in-laws, and contrary to my home, everyone here were extremely joyful.

Today was also to be the official mini celebration of Sahar Bhabi's second pregnancy, and we had just had lunch.

I couldn't catch more of Kainaat that day, she was mostly with Sahifa or Husna, and was almost seen in laughter all the time.

It was good to see her so relaxed after everything, and once the celebrations had subsided, we headed back home in a better mood, although I knew she was worried about Fariyal.

Time flew by faster everytime I was with her, or everytime I'd even thought of her. What I thought would be a long time, went by so fast that it just felt like I'd blinked and now seven months were just gone.

Kainaat and I were now married for nine months, and Asma baaji had given birth to a baby boy just three months back.

She was now back in Dubai with her husband, but in the short time baby Wahed spent with us, Kainaat was extremely attached to him, and video called him almost everyday.

Fariyal was seven months pregnant and Sahar Bhabhi was eight and a half months pregnant, and Fariyal's pregnancy was no longer a secret.

The only one who still didn't know, was my mum. And everyone agreed it was better like that.

I'd managed to delay Abaan's return for another year, which raised a lot of questions, but eventually, Dad understood.

"Hello," Kainaat snapped her fingers infront of my eyes.

I snapped back to reality and shot her a smile, but then frowned when I saw her dressed for work,

"Oh c'mon. I have the day off, I thought we could spend the entire time together!"

Kainaat pouted, and adjusted her scarf as she glanced at the mirror behind me,

"I'm sorry, but Miss Wadiya called in for an emergency."

I nodded and sighed,"How long?"

She shot me anither apologetic look, "Probably a seven hour shift this time."

When I groaned, she laughed and said,

"I'll be back as soon as I can, promise! Dinner will be together."

She waved at me and I muttered an 'Allah hafiz' back.

Kainaat had continued her third year in nursing and Alhamdulillah was now in full-time practice.

I was proud of her dedication, but her work schedule was so sudden and hectic that I still wasn't used to not having her around me at random times of day and night.

Fariyal too had continued her final year, and completed her final exams just in time as she hit the third trimester.

Her results were yet to come out, but the last time Kainaat talked to her, she was just satisfied with having completed her Bachelors.

I got up from the bean bag and made my way out to find Tayajaan, Mamma and Inaya in the living room.

Dad wasn't seen around, and I presumed he'd be in his study, as usual.

I joined the three and sat beside Tayajaan, as he read a book in urdu.

Inaya was on her phone, her hair a mess and was rapidly typing away to someone.

I shot her a smirk when she spared me a glance, and she rolled her eyes.

I threw a pillow at her and she ducked, sticking her tongue out.

I saw my mother shake her head, and then passed me an envelope.

At my questioning gaze, she explained,

"Your Khala has sent a rishta for Inaya. But your sister here, refuses to even let the guy's side come and see her!"

I raised my eyebrows and unfolded the neatly typed bio-data and glanced up to find a nonchalant Inaya.

Clearing my throat, I turned to my mother,

"Mamma, I think we should begin the hunt when she isn't busy with her masters."

My mother frowned, "You don't understand! She'll be twenty-five next month and there's still an year for her to complete her masters! What will people say?"

Inaya piped in, "What they say all the time, 'haw, Rubina, get your daughter married fast or she might run away'. Like yes, if that was the case I'd have done that by now."

Tayajaan chuckled and shook his head as my mother gasped and turned to me,

"See! This is what she has come to. What words! Zaidaan, tell her to atleast let them see her."

I sighed and turned to Inaya, amused,

"Say, Inaya, what's the problem with them seeing you?"

Before she could reply, dad joined us as he said,

"See my daughter? MashaAllah they can hardly reject a gem like her. What if they end up liking her and she doesn't want to marry the guy? You know what'll follow next? Nazar lagjayegi meri beti ko!"

My mother rolled he reyes, "This father-daughter duo will be the death of me one day! Inaya, what is the problem?!"

Inaya sighed, "I want to study first, then do a job, then wait an year to find the right guy, then marry. But of course, according to you Ammi,the right guy would be dead by then, right?"

I leaned back in my seat, enjoying the entire exchange as mum threw her hands up in the air,

"Exactly!" She said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, "exactly! By the time you get a job you'll be twenty-seven, and by the time you pick a guy, you'll be 30! Who marries at that age?"

"Girls of twenty-first century, mamma." Inaya deadpanned.

My mother wasn't one to give up either,

"Okay, fine. But you can study and do a job after marriage too! Look at Kainaat and Fariyal, mashaAllah, my daughter-in-laws are so good."

Inaya slammed her face in the pillow that rested on her legs,

"I give up! Mom, not now, please!"

"But why?!"

"Dad! Help me!"

"Okay, kids!" My dad piped in, but slumped away when mom shot him a glare, "and uh, mother of the kids. Calm down. Let's not go so far. If Inaya says no for this guy, then so be it."

"But-"

"No, Rubina. Let this topic rest."

Tayajaan, who was silent the whole time, now said,

"As for her age, it's okay. What people say, should not and will not matter to us."

My mother settled back in her seat, lips a straight line.

That's when something hit me, and I let out a breath, and once Inaya was out of earshot, I turned to my dad,

"Baba, if I choose a guy, and Inaya agrees, will it be good?"

The elders shot me a wierd look and dad cleared his throat,

"Uhm, sure, I mean..."

"Okay, then! You guys can rest. If something happens, I'll let you know."

Mom shot up in her seat,

"If something happens? If what happens? Who is the guy? Why will she agree? What's going on?!"

I threw my hands up in surrender,

"Woah, woah, woah woman! If you shoot me like that I might just not do what I have in my mind."

"Are you blackmailing your mother?"

And at my big age of twenty-six, I was hit by my mother.

Well, mothers. Nothing will probably ever change them.

A while later, I looked at Tayajaan and he gave me a weary smile,

"Setting up your sister?"

I gave him a sheepish look as he shook his head and recited a verse from the book he was reading,

"Mohabbat na samajh hoti hai samjhana zaruri hai,"

I sighed and got up, running a hand through my hair as I gave him a lopsided smile as I completed the shair,

"Jo dil mei hai ussey aankhon se kehlana zaruri hai."

***

Way after everyone had dinner, I stayed back in the kitchen, playing on my phone.

Glancing up at the time, a yawn escaped me when I realised it was quarter to ten.

Sighing, I was just about to go back up and give Kainaat a call, when I heard approaching footsteps.

I looked up just in time to see an extremely tired Kainaat entering the kitchen, a hand on her head, another typing away on her phone.

She looked at me, surprised,

"Zaidaan!"

I gave a short smile, "Hey, darling."

Getting up to greet her, I encircled my arms around her waist and kissed her forehead, her scent filling me up wuth content as she relaxed against me,

"Did you eat?"

"No," I mumbled.

She frowned and stepped back, before sighing and motioning with her hand to wait for two minutes so that she can freshen up and we could eat together.

It was amazing how I coudl understand her without her even having to utter a word, and how someone could understand me before I could understand myself.

A sort of unsatisfied feeling filled me up when a thought of not having her in my life even accidentally crossed my mind, and every passing second, I couldn't wait to pray to rakahs of shukrana to Thank Allah for granting me more than I could have asked for, for blessing me with Kainaat.

A few minutes later, she was back with her hair up in a pony tail, her dupatta hanging loosely over her shoulders.

I dished out the left over food and spooned some in one plate, before making her sit beside me.

She looked at me quizically,

"Just one plate?"

I nodded, spooning in some fried rice,

"With enough food for two people."

She smiled but thankfully, unlike usual, didn't protest when I fed her.

"How was your day?"

She leaned in her seat, "Hectic. As much as I love my work, it tired me up today."

I chuckled, "I get you."

She swallowed before saying, "What did you do today?"

I shrugged before remembering Mom and Inaya's quarell.

Once I'd filled her up with the day's events, I asked,

"So that's what happened. Do you know a time we can invite Sami over and let Inaya join us?"

A frown settled across her features, her eyes deep in thought,

"I don't know, maybe we coukd go out or- oh, oh,OHH ZAIDAAN!"

I hushed her up as her eyes brightened abd she excitedky gripped my arm,

"Tomorrow."

I raised an eyebrow, "Tomorrow?"

"Ammi's going to her friend's son's wedding tomorrow. Dad will definitely go with her. And as far as I'm aware, Tayajaan usually spends his Saturdays with his in-laws, doesn't he?"

I nodded as I bit into the chicken, "Mhmm."

It still blew me over how she knew the routine of everyone in my family, while I barely knew when Inaya wakes up or sleeps.

I shot her a grin, "So tomorrow, will be the match-makers for Inaya and Sami?"

She gave a low laugh, "InShaAllah!"

***

"Inaya, darling, please do dress properly tonight."

I watched as Inaya shot Kainaat a look that totally said she knew something was up, but since it was Kainaat asking her, she merely nodded,

"Okay, bhabs. Hey also, can I help you?"

Kainaat's smile broadened, "Sure! Let's make fruit custard for dessert, shall we?"

An knowing smirk grazed my lips as I realised that Sami loves fruit custard.

I watched Inaya lead the way, asking who exactly was coming, and while Kainaat lied saying it was just a friend of hers, I texted Sami, confirming that he has to come tonight.

Hours passed by quick, and before we even knew it, the house was filled with delicious aromas.

As Kainaat set the dinner table, Inaya placed the plates around, fixing the flowers in between,

"Bhabhi, why're we doing so much for just one person?"

Kainaat smiled, "You'll know when you meet them soon, inshaAllah."

Inaya huffed, "Why do we keep talking about the person in nuetral gender terms? What's going on-"

"Hello, is anyone living here anymore?!"

As Sami's voice boomed from the front porch, I shot Kainaat a look and she nodded, a silent agreement passing between us that we had to make Inaya sit.

I watched as realisation dawned on Inaya and she was just about to dash up to her room, when I held her by her shoulders, a strict look in my eyes.

"Inaya, please. Stay."

At Kainaat's voice, she slumped her shoulders, and stepped back,her jaw ticking.

I went out and greeted Sami, we did our manly hug before he asked,

"To what do I owe this special dinner?"

I scoffed, "To man up."

He raised an eyebrow, "excuse me?"

I smirked, "Nothing. Just be smart."

His gaze asked me a billion questions,but I dragged him to where Kainaat and Inaya were seated.

He stopped as soon as we entered the dining area, his lips parting slightly and when Inaya glared at him, realization dawned on him.

"Oh," he muttered.

Clearing his throat, he took a seat beside me, which co-incidentally, and thankfully, was right across Inaya.

Inaya shamelessly face-palmed herself and shook her head, heaving a breath.

Me Kainaat and Sami kept a steady chatter up, and aside from snide and sassy comments, Inaya refrained from speaking.

Halfway through dinner, I kicked her underneath the table and all she said was,

"Bhabhi, I think Sami is full, zyada khilaane ki zarurat nahi hai, khaake hi aaye honge."

Sami narrowed his eyes, "I usually eat less, par jab meri behen itni mohabbat se kuch banati hai toh mai manaa nahi karta."

I piped in to cut off the awkwardness,

"It wasn't only Kainaat,Inaya helped in preparing for dinner too."

I watched as my sister glanced down,

"I wouldn't have if I knew he was coming."

At her comment, he let down of his fork and asked in an all bussiness tone,

"What's your problem?"

Before they could begin, Kainaat spooned another plateful of food infront of Sami and fed Inaya a huge piece of chicken,

"No rude talks while dinner, please."

I chuckled and shot her a wink as the two of them complied.

Once done with dinner, Sami leaned back in his seat,

"Alhamdulillah, MashaAllah, Kainaat, I never expected you to become a master chef. Now, I hope you made my favourite fruit custard for dessert?"

I chuckled and slapped his back as Inaya choked on her glass of water.

Kainaat smirked and patted Inaya's back,

"Yes, obviously. In fact, since I was so busy with the main course, it was entirely Inaya who made it!"

Sami leaned ahead in his seat,

"Or rather, you made sure she made it, didn't you?"

Inaya regained her composure and threw the napkin on the table,

"Well, since the two of us have guessed that two very smart people have tried to set us up, let's get done with this faster, yeah?"

I scoffed, "You wish."

She groaned and covered her face,

"This sucks!"

It was Sami who took the reigns in his hand this time,

"No seriously, what is the problem, Inaya? Why are you so repulsed by me?"

"Because you love me!"

I leaned back in my seat and Kainaat shifted to sitting beside me, hands folded, a tray of fruit custard ready infront of us.

Finally.

We said nothing as Sami glowered over her,

"And? You speak as if you don't even like me back."

Inaya pinched the bridge of her nose and I spooned a bowl of custard. They looked at me at the sound of the spoon against the celeric bowl, and I shrugged,

"Carry on, I'm watching."

Smai rolled his eyes, before his gaze softened at Inaya.

Her silence was speaking volumes, and he shifted until he was seated at a safe distance from her,

"I've known you since my childhood. Heck I even remember playing with you until we reached a certain age and we stopped mingling with each other. I remember the one time I pranked you saying I liked you, but actually, I was confessing. We were seventeen back then.

I didn't intend for this to happen. We were alright, I didn't care about you. But it just...it just happened Inaya. There are so many things that lead to this and it would take me a billion days and nights to tell your how our destiny crossed paths without you ever knowing.

So just give me those billion days and nights. Do me a favor and atleast tell me why are you so against this?"

Inaya fidgeted before sighing,

"I-I'm...scared, Sami. I don't do love. Love is a disease without any cure and I don't want to be infected. I have many, many dreams for myself. Dreams I only have for myself, without a partner. I want to fulfill them before I commit myself to someone else. This is all."

Sami paused for a moment, and total silence descended over us.

It seemed as if Sami was at a loss of words, but he didn't want to give up.

Kainaat gripped my hand tightly in hers as we heard Sami say,

"You being scared is valid. You say love is the disease without any cure, but did you know that love is the cure to every disease in this world? It has no cure because no one wants it to end. And at some point, every single person in this person expereinces a taste of love in one way or another, so running away from it will only leave you breathless. And if you want to breath normally again, you'll only have to embrace love again.

As for your dreams, your dreams are my dreams. And I never said I'm gonna run away. I will be right here. If that is the only problem Inaya, then I will wait for you to fulfill every wish you have for yourself, however long it is. My love isn't to cage you, my love is to set you free."

"And if you move on by the time I fulfill each of those dreams?"

"What love will it be if I can't wait for you to come to me?"

And finally, a moment later, my sister gave him a short smile,

"And how can you be sure that I will come to you?"

He shrugged, pink coating his cheeks, confidence surging through him,

"Because I know we're meant to be."

A full blown smile erupted on Inaya's face, and she threw her head back in a low laugh.

Sami's eyes twinkled, before they turned serious as Inaya said,

"Just don't give up on me."

"Never."

As Sami's voice slightly echoed in the empty halls of my home,I glanced down at mine and Kainaat's entertwined hands.

I looked up to find her looking at me,

"Ever." I whispered, and Kainaat smiled,

"Well, it really is time for some dessert!"

***

The night had darkened and the moon was full again, the stars shone bright but there was still no sight of the star that owned my heart.

"Kainaat?"

I called out into the darkness, the dimly lit room impatiently halting the air.

"Just a minute!"

She walked back to our bed, her hair on one side and leaned against my arm, her fingers entertwining with mine.

Her fingers traced my arms and I let out a satisfied breath, pulling her closer if that was even possible.

"Zaid?"

"Mhmm?"

She lifted her head and faced, her palm caressing my cheek and I leaned my forehead against her,

"I-"

She was cut off as her phone's ringtone blared from the bedside and she sighed, but I hekd her tighter, not letting go,

"Tell me what you wanted to say,"

I said once the ringing had stopped.

Before she could begin, her phone rang again, and this time, mine rang too.

Confused, I unwillingly let go of her and checked mine to find a missed call from Kainaat's dad.

I turned back to find her hanging up on Husna, she looked at me with excitement and worry evident in her eyes,

"It's Sahar Bhabhi,"