By author ______________________________________

I was wearing a yellow lehanga with a shimmering blouse. The blouse was full but the neckline was too deep. It showed my shoulders and a way to much cleavage. It came just today and nothing could be done so my yellow duppata was draped on my one shoulder and my hair on another one. In this way, I was a bit covered. I was not wearing any flower jewellery. A choker and only a nose pin.

At the moment, I was sitting alone on a large swing enough for four people to sit. The swing was covered with marigold flower. There was a dance stage at centre of veranda in front of my swing. A marigold flower chandeliers was hanging from top at centre. The walls and whole veranda with our spiral staircase were covered with marigolds and white flowers.

Everything was ready and even guest were here but the groom was missing. I wasn't complaining. I knew Jahan won't like the way I am dressed. I tried to make mummy understand that so that I could wear something else but she wasn't budging. She said something like Shah's daughter in law wearing anything but a designer dress was a big no.

It wasn't just papa who had a large name in business but Agha jan himself was a well known politician and then taya abu took his place in the party. They were feudal politicians. I didn't like feudalism but I never voiced out my thoughts. Even papa didn't like it. I have heard that Agha jan wanted papa to join the party too but he paved his own way in business world. You could say that they pretty much owned Lahore. They never lost any election.

My eyes were downcast the whole time. Some one sat beside me on my right on the swing. I expected it to be Jahan but when I looked up. A shock expression took place on my face which I composed by plastering a fake smile.

"Ibad ap." He looked almost the same with his curly black hair, hazel eyes and light stubble.

The last time, I saw him and talked to him was four days after Abba's death. It was almost three years ago. The shock was totally uncalled for as he was Jahan's friend. He was supposed be here.

"Mubarak ho." (Congratulations.)

"Thank you."

It was awkward talking to him after everything. I didn't know what to say.

"Kasi ho?" (How are you?)

"Fine. Aur ap." (And you)

I turned to him for first time since our conversation and there was the same affection with a shimmer of guilt.

"I want to apologize for that day."

"Its alright. Purane bat hai. (Its old talk.)"

"Ni, Noor (No). You don't know I-----"

He was interrupted by a clearing of throat. I looked at my side to find Jahan standing. His black hair were ruffled. He was wearing white kurta and shalwar with golden embroidery. The neckline had lot of small cloth made buttons starting from collar. The first five or six were undone. His sleeves were rolled up. It looked like he just came and got dressed in a haste.

"Salam Jahan." He stood up and outstretched his hand for him to shake.

He didn't even shook his hand and just gave him a stiff nod. His honey brown eyes then landed on me and he did a quick survey of my outfit. His already clenched jaw clenched more if it could be possible.

Ibad awkwardly took his awaiting hand back toward his chest.

"Enjoy the function." Jahan said before sitting beside me.

Ibad was just about to leave when he called him again. "Aur hai Ibad (and yes) stay away from my wife."

My already fast beating heart started beating more fastly. My hands started trembling. Did Jahan know? I could feel his constant glare at my side. The fear flowed in my veins as I kept looking down.

I felt him as he got close to me. His warm breath blew on my neck as he hissed.

"Ye tum ne kiya pehna howa hai. (What are you wearing?)"

My already trembling body shook more. I clutched the lehanga tightly in my hand.

"Wo main_____ (I actually_____. )"

I was saved by mummy as she came toward us. She must have noticed his anger.

"Jahan beta."

She was about to say something but Jahan started speaking.

"What is she wearing, ami. Apko pata hai k itna liberal ni ho main. (You know I am not that liberal.)"

"The dress was delivered last minute. Ab relax karo designer se thore mistake hogaye. (Just relax now, it was a mistake by designer.)"

Mummy tried her best to cool him down but Jahan just started seething angrily.

"Ap ache tarha se jante hai k taya abu aur agha jan k janane wale bhe hai yaha pe aur wo is kisim k log hai ye bhe apko pata hai. (You know better that there are people who are known by taya abu and agha jan and you know what kind of people they are) then how can I really relax, when they are fucking eye raping her."

"Jahan, you are scaring Noor. Beta, please."

He glanced at me for once then looked back.

"Make them leave as soon as possible. Is se pehle k mera dimag ghoom jaye. (Before I loose my mind.)"

"Acha theak hai." (Okay, all right.) Mummy left and talked to papa. Everyone could tell his agitation.

I remained sitting as people came placing mehndi on the leaf on my palm and rubbing some oil on my hair. Every now and then, I would take a bite of methai from their hand. Every single one would circles money around my head before placing it in basket. The same was happening to Jahan.

At last. Now there were only family members as food was already served before Jahan's arrival.

I was tense. I didn't want to endure sitting here with him. It felt like even a single breath of mine could just make him explode. I didn't need to look at him to feel the angry and tense aura that was radiating from him.

Dadu and Agha jan came and set beside us. They did the rasm and dadu whispered something to him. It got him to relax a bit. Next came phuppo with phuppa. Phuppa was youngest in three siblings. She and pappa had bit of age difference. She kissed my cheek and assured me that Jahan anger will dissipate soon but I felt anything but assured.

Taya abu, tayai ami, mama and papa, they all performed the rasm before came the turn of young generation. The second elder daughter of taya abu and other distant cousin. Apy Zarish didn't come. I guess she was taking care of her kids.

I was tired and itching to stand up and just leave. I kept looking pleadingly at mummy through this all to have some mercy at me and let me go.

At the end came Sana and Hassam came. Sana was the youngest daughter of taya abu and she was of my age of twenty two year while Hassam was eldest son of phuppo and he was an year older then us. It didn't stop us three from becoming friends. We used to be partner in crimes and studied at same school. Hassam left for canada after his O levels with phuppo and phuppa.

Hassam set beside me while Sana set beside Jahan. They did rasam while they kept bickering about random things until they came to a point where they started bickering over me.

"Ye to meri noori hai." (She is my noori.) Hassam used this nick name since our childhood.

His comment did nothing but raise his anger. I looked at his hands which were in a tight fist. I looked at his face to notice that his jaw ticked.

"Ni ye to Noor-e-Jahan hai." (No, she is Noor-e-Jahan) Right, Jahan bhai.)

Sana tried to handle the matter but Jahan was already angry. I know nothing could help it and I was proved right when he stood up and left.

"You are so stupid Hassam." Sana reprimanded him.

"I didn't know that he would hate my comment this much."

"Sana. Can you take me to your room?" I wanted to cry and break in tears but some how I managed to compose myself.

She helped me with the stairs and I managed further. I was staying in her room since yesterday and she was staying with girls. My room wasn't repaired yet. Mummy gave me a room for myself so that I could have a good sleep.

I walked in and set at the bed. Jahan wasn't actually angry with Hassam. It was Ibad. Ibad Faisal Ahmad. Jahan and Ibad were friends since long. I used to remember him visiting Shah villa whenever I was there. Jahan and Ibad both left to London to study Business at eighteen. They even did their internship there. Jahan got internship in a very famous international company. Mummy used to always gloat about her son.

Jahan and Ibad remained in London for six years. When Jahan came back, he took care of business. Under his leadership. The company soared. Many investment were made and new projects were started. Jahan would visit different countries signing deals and all. Papa was really happy and proud.

I was sixteen at that moment when Ibad came back with Jahan. He starred his own business ventures here. He would have dinner with us on most days. His family wasn't like Shah's. They were modern and his parents didn't get along much. He kind of found a warm place at our dinners. Jahan was always strict and intimidating ating on the other hand Ibad was sweet and laid back.

At the age of sixteen, I actually grew out a lot. Me and Ibad used to have occasional talks but they didn't grew much until I turned seventeen. People always told me I was mature for my age. After my seventeens, Ibad I formed an unlikely friendship due to our mutual like of english literature. We would talk about books and different philosophies.

We both were very found of Paulo Coelho and Elif Shafak. We would have long debates about them. He would occasionally gift me a book with a small note that had a beautiful quotation written by him.

The long debates over ice cream and tea grew in to something more. Which girl won't love someone like him. It happened the same with me. We nevers confessed but there were always accidental eye contact and touch of fingers.

I remembered that when I was eighteen that once Jahan got angry at me for calling Ibad by his name. I used to call Jahan as bhai Jahan but not him. Now that I think about it. How could Jahan have not know. He got a scholarship for God sake in one of top universities of UK.

He know. Of course, he knew. I gripped my head in my hands feeling a headache building. Maybe he left due to it but why did it take him three years to come back. Now I didn't know what to do. How can I make Jahan understand that it was years ago and that after coming in his nikkah. I stripped my heart of the love that I felt for Ibad. After that there was no Ibad. There was just Jahan.

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