After breakfast, I was busy receiving guest who were close relatives and friends or friends family because they were invited to attend all the rituals as well.

I was exhausted exchanging pleasantries and accepting congratulations.

I sighed when Anwar said that I was called by dada jaan and Amma in dada jaan's room.

I entered after knocking.

I was confused to see the serious faces of Umar's parents, Amma and dada jaan.

What happened now?!!!

"Is everything alright here?" I asked them taking seat beside Uncle(Umar's father).

"Haroon, Chacha jaan wants to ask you something." Amma said looking at Dada jaan.

I was confused.

"Your Usman Uncle and Shaheen Aunty asked for Zara's hand for Umar, What do you think?" Dada jaan's word took time to register in my mind.

" What am I supposed to say?I guess it's Zara and Umar you guys should ask anything about. "I said when it finally registered in my mind.

" We will ask them as well, but you and Umar has always been together. How did you find him as a person?"Dada jaan asked me.

" He has been my best friend for so long. To be honest it would be hard for me to find anyone better than him for my sister but it doesn't matter unless and until they both are ready."I said the matter of fact.

Umar never said anything about Zara to me. He treats her like his little sister.

" So, if they will agree, you will have nothing to object right?"Amma asked me as if she knows they are ready.

" Why would I?"I asked her back, since I'm not any conservative type of a person.

They were smiling whilst looking at each other.

I was completely out of the place there.

" You can go, and don't break the news yet."Dada jaan said dismissing me.

What they are up to?!!!

I was then busy again attending guest.

It was almost the time for lunch when I went to my room for freshening up.

After freshening up when I went to call my friends to have lunch along, I saw Amma and Aunty Shaheen there.

Amir, Rashid and Anas were standing while Umar was sitting in front of Amma and Aunty Shaheen looking puzzled.

"Is everything alright here?" I asked them whilst folding my sleeve.

"Yeah, everything is fine but these ladies want to inform something to us, specifically to Umar."Rashid said to me shrugging his shoulder.

" We wanted to tell you all that, Hafsa has fixed Zara's nikah just after Haroon's walima.So,you guys needed to extend your vacation."Aunty Shaheen informed smilingly.

What are they doing?

I was confused but knew very well that these elders are very clever and our well wisher as well so I don't need to bother but these all things were like unsolved puzzle for me.

"But Amma(Haroon's mother) and Ammi(Umar's mother) she is still kid."I heard Umar's shocked question.

"Come on Umar, she is at suitable age for marriage." Aunty Shaheen said ruffling his hair.

"But Ammi, she is still studying." He reasoned.

"Her to be husband said she can pursue her education after her marriage as well."Saying Amma and Aunty Shaheen got up from the couches and existed the room.

I looked at Umar, he was busy thinking something.

" Haroon, who she is gonna marry?"Umar suddenly asked me.

" What? Why?!! "I was taken aback by his sad tone.

" What do you mean why? Can't I know?"He glared me.

I can't tell you bro.

" Umm, ah, Amma said she will disclose it herself."I told him the truth.

" Are you in your senses? You are suppose to inspect the to be groom properly as a good brother."He was lecturing me.

I know you my whole life, so I didn't need to inspect you my dear best friend.

" Dada jaan has done every kind of inspection."I said patting his back.

" And come on guys, I'm hungry let's have lunch before I die out of hunger."I said in whining tone.

They all nodded and followed me.

Umar was all the time in some another world.

The news of Zara's nikah was constantly poking my brain and heart. It wasn't comfortable. I tried to divert my mind from that subject but was unable.

After lunch when I was going to the lawn for some alone time, I saw Zara. She was plucking roses.

"What are you doing?" I asked approaching her.

She turned and looked at me for a instance.

Then resumed her work answering me shortly "Plucking roses."

Of course, I can see that.

She has always been a kid for me till now but now suddenly she seemed looking all grown up to me........ and beautiful as well.

Is it because I came to know that she is gonna get married soon?

The thought of her getting married felt unusual inside my heart. Something like poking thorn creating a sense of pain which I was unaware of till now.

"You need help."I said overcoming my feelings.

It was bound to happen. She was supposed to get marry someday. So why this feeling. Maybe I'm attached to her that's why.

She nodded and I started to pluck roses with her. When she was done she collected all the flower in basket and disappeared inside the haweli after thanking me.

I suddenly felt void creating inside my heart. This news is bit overwhelming for me I guess.

I shook my head to get away from all these mind wrecking thoughts and moved towards my friends gathering.

I can't afford to live alone this time and over ponder over some unnecessary things and lose my sanity.

I was enjoying my only friend's wedding ceremony to the fullest. At least here I wasn't crying myself to sleep used to take me under it's peaceful arms. I wasn't having nightmares here. I was happy.

I was tired of pretending to be strong and uncaring. I have only my grandmother in the name of family.

Every time I see her, I feel like it isn't long when she will also be taken away from me as my parents and I will be left alone to fight in this world till I die.

Grandma was always forcing me to find a guy and get married. I tried but never found one who can accept me with my grandmother. After trying a lot I gave up. I can't let her live on her own.

"Ayat appi, we need to decorate the mehndi thaal(henna tray)."I heard Zara's chirpy voice.

" Yeah, but Hafsa Aunty said that those rose petals were to decorate Haroon bhai's room. We need to pluck fresh roses from the garden."I conveyed her Hafsa Aunty's message.

She nodded.

" Ok you wait here, I will bring them as fast as possible." Saying she snapped her finger.

I smiled at her. She is really very cute and bubbly girl.

I was going to the kitchen when one of Haroon bhai's friend.... What was his name? ...... Ummmm..... Yeah, Anas as Aunty Hafsa introduced us blocked my way.

I glared him.

"Sorry miss, but can you please help us to decorate Haroon's room? "He asked feigning innocence.

" But Haroon bhai's room is supposed to be decorated tomorrow."I asked him arching my brows.

" Yeah, but I thought to ask you beforehand."He said smiling at me.

" Yes or no. "He continued when I said nothing.

" Ok, no problem. Now please if you excuse me? " He gave me way and I moved inside the kitchen.

When Hafsa Aunty introduced me to that angel as Bhabhi's friend, I was awestruck by her beauty. After that I asked my assistant to dig out her history.

I wanted to know whether she is engaged or not. But to my luck she was absolutely single but other details about her hurt me a lot. I wasn't able to make out from her appearance that she is hiding a huge storm of pain and loneliness inside her this feeble form.

Suddenly after that I thought to be her healer, protector, lover and everything she ever wanted in her life.

I called Mom and told her everything about her. She was very happy. She and dad was coming before Haroon's mehndi ceremony. She was about to ask for her hand as fast as she could.

I didn't confess anything to my friends. I thought, I will tell them when the right time comes.

And I was eagerly waiting for that right time when she will me mine and only mine.

The whole day was like punishment for me. Zara and Ayat were busy with work. I was alone here in my room sleeping, over thinking and sulking.

I wasn't allowed to step out of this room.

Mumma came only to feed me in time. Zara and Ayat occasionally visited me for a second or millisecond and they were called by Amma or either Mumma to accomplish their infinite amount of work.

It was almost 3 pm when finally Zara and Ayat showed their faces. They were loaded with packets of clothes and flower's jewelleries.

"Come on, freshen up. We are here to make you ready for your mehndi function dear bride."Ayat said and pulled me out of my bed.

I glared them.

"I pray, you both will be soon in my condition."I prayed raising my hand and they dramatically clutched their chest saying 'Nooooo'.

" Girls, what happened? Why are you shouting?"Amma was present with pale face.

" Oh, nothing Amma. You go, we are going to make her ready."Zara said to Amma and she sighed in relief.

" Make it fast."Saying Amma exited the room and Zara bolted the door from inside.

After almost two hours of obeying their irritating, annoying and patience wrecking instructions I was ready.

I was looking beautiful.

I was adorned with a autumn green lehenga with golden three quarter blouse and autumn green dupatta with golden border and golden hijab loosely done,not forgetting those flowers jewelleries completing my look.

"Don't praise yourself dear. Let Haroon bhai do this work for you."Ayat teased me and winked.

" Shut up, I wasn't praising or something. Ok leave it, and be ready."I said trying to control my over pounding heart.

" Oh my goodness!! Zara be ready fast, I'm sure your cousins will be here anytime soon to take her to the stage."Ayat shrieked and took her clothes from the bed and locked herself in the washroom.

Zara slumped down her shoulder and looked at me.

"I guess I have to use another one."She took her clothes and went out in search for another free washroom.

Being alone is sometime nerve wrecking. I was literally trembling to go out in front of Haroon like this...... Being all dolled up.

I hope to be in my right senses when I will be their with him attending my own mehndi ceremony.

So many relatives present here for Haroon's wedding asked for Zara's hand.

I was finding it hard to answer them. Then all of a sudden Shaheen (Umar's mother) literally begged for Zara's hand for Umar.

I have seen Umar almost all of his life. He has been like Haroon for me. Even Zara was very attached to him.Being a mother I can sense her interest in him as well.

It was difficult for me so I discussed all this with chacha jaan.He was very happy and said Umar would be perfect for Zara.

So we called Shaheen and Usman bhai to chacha jaan's room. Chacha jaan said that he has no objection with this proposal.

Shaheen was very happy but suddenly brought another topic that they haven't asked Umar about this. According to her he thinks Zara as a kid. So she planned to make him realize that Zara has grown up.

Chacha jaan was first unsure about it but gave up when Shaheen said that she knows her son very well , he will not be able to live without her.

Her plan was to blast Zara's marriage news in Umar's ear and note his reaction. His reaction will unfold whether he like Zara or not.

And to my surprise he reacted just like what Shaheen had assumed it to be.

Now we just needed him to accept it and reveal his feelings for Zara. And we were patiently waiting for that, noticing his every little move from our trusted sources.

We elder had to play many role for our children's sake.