"Mahir is my sister, Atish, and now she is your wife. I know everything that's in your heart. Take care of her."
Zaryab said, stepping away and giving Atish a particular warning with his eyes.
Atish glared at his brother-in-law and brother-in-law's sister-in-law in anger.
"Mashal is my sister, and now your wife. If a single tear falls from her eye because of you, remember this… I won't hesitate to make my sister a widow."
Atish wasn't one to back down, so he threatened Zaryab and leveled the score. Then he slapped his shoulder and walked toward his mother.
Zaryab gritted his teeth as he watched Atish walk away, then shook his head and sat beside his wife, Hayat. For now, he wanted to fully embrace the "joy" they shared.
"What is this behavior, Atish?"
Tehmina Begum looked at him with annoyance as he approached.
"What behavior?"
Atish asked in confusion, thinking he might have done something wrong.
"Why didn't you go to Mahir? Have you seen Zaryab? How he's going around Mashal like a shadow? And here you are, refusing to even look at your wife!"
Atish patiently listened to her, then scanned the room to ensure no one was overhearing. Satisfied, he turned to Tehmina Begum.
"You know that I married this woman for you and Mashal. Then why are you expecting me to forcefully go to Mahir? I don't like her… and I have no intention of indulging her. Zaryab and Mashal's marriage happened by their own happiness, while Mahir was thrust upon me. So don't expect me to follow her around."
His tone clearly showed his distaste.
"Remember, Atish, whatever you're doing to Mahir, if Zaryab does the same with Mashal, will you be okay with it? Don't you want your sister to be happy in her home?"
Tehmina Begum's voice carried pain.
"Look at your daughter… who's giving you so much worry."
Atish gestured toward Zaryab and Mashal, where Zaryab was talking and Mashal was laughing.
Tehmina Begum glanced at Mahir, who was sitting at a distance, staring at them with vacant eyes. She lowered her gaze. A sharp pain rose in her chest.
"Do you think Zaryab will even let a thorn prick her? Don't worry, your daughter will always be happy, wherever she is. Stop worrying about other people's daughters."
Tehmina Begum barely held herself together.
"Mahir is not 'someone else's' daughter; she is my daughter! If she suffers because of you, remember, I will throw you out of this house. And you know I can do that!"
Atish looked at her in disbelief, "You'll throw me out of my own house?"
"Yes, because this house was given to me by my husband!"
She warned him as she walked toward Tayba, while Atish still stood in disbelief, watching her leave.
Then he looked at Chachu Raza, who was talking to the guests but also watching him. The next moment... and Atish, with quick steps, headed straight to Mahir.
Mahir, with her head down, was tracing the lines on her hands, when suddenly she looked up in surprise as someone appeared in front of her. Atish stood there, and it felt like her breath caught in her throat.
Atish bent down, gently held her hand in his, and slowly lifted her up. His hands were warm, while Mahir's were cold as ice. A shiver ran through Mahir's entire body from their touch.
For the first time after the marriage, she stood like this before Atish. Atish gently lifted her veil. Mahir lowered her gaze.
In her white embroidered dress, light makeup, and deep red lipstick, she seemed to captivate Atish's eyes.
Atish softly touched her cheek.
"You're so beautiful… Mahir Atish."
Mahir looked up at him in surprise, her eyes wide, as she met his brown ones. Atish smiled charmingly. That smile?
Mahir felt like her heart would burst out of her chest.
Atish slowly pressed her hand to his lips and then pulled her into his embrace.
"Abu... Abu is watching."
Mahir whispered, swallowing hard.
Atish looked toward Chachu Raza, who was still watching them. Atish smiled and waved his hand, as if saying, "Did I do something wrong?"
Chachu Raza smiled back and shook his head in denial.
Then Atish held Mahir a little away from him and looked at her. Her lipstick mark was on his chest.
Mahir wanted to say something, but Atish stopped her,
"Not a word, Mahir. My mood is very bad right now. If you want me to do nothing, then just stay quiet."
Saying this, he brought her to the center of the stage.
Everyone was stunned, all silent, and then...
Atish threw a bundle of five-thousand rupee notes over Mahir's head, sending them floating in the air.
☆☆☆
"I cannot find space within myself,
You are so present within me."
He took off his watch and placed it on the dressing table, then took out the cufflinks and neatly placed them in the box. He was about to step towards the wardrobe when he suddenly paused, seeing his reflection in the mirror. His gaze fixated on his white shirt, right at the spot on his chest where the clear mark of lipstick was visible.
Quickly, he took off his shirt and looked at it, feeling the intensity of the glances that had been on him just moments ago.
"Ugh... Meher, ugh!"
Frustrated, he looked at the shirt again, then rushed towards the wardrobe. Two minutes later, after changing clothes, he lay half-reclined on the bed. But now, there was neither frustration nor restlessness on his face—only a silent storm brewing inside him.
As soon as his eyes closed, Meher's face appeared on the canvas of his mind. He quickly opened his eyes.
"What is happening to me?"
He sat up, resting his back against the pillow. Again and again, the moment when Meher had rested against his chest replayed in his mind, as though he were still trapped in that moment.
"Get a grip, Atish... get a grip."
He massaged his temple with two fingers, trying in vain to calm himself.
"Why did I even need to do all of this?"
Frustrated, he lay back again. Tomorrow was the departure, the day after was the wedding reception, and then the Qawwali night. But tonight, it was only Meher.
Thinking of Meher, feeling her in his breaths, he didn't even realize when sleep overtook him.
☆☆☆
The wedding procession had arrived.
The entire hall was glittering with lights. At the entrance of the hall, the three girls had blocked the entry of the wedding guests. Zaryab and Amaan were standing silently together, listening to the three of them talk without stopping. Atish wasn't there yet—his entrance would be later.
"We've heard your speech, now please let us in."
As soon as Aini fell silent, Amaan spoke.
Aini glared at him angrily.
"I didn't make any speech, got it?"
Then her gaze shifted to Zaryab.
"Get ten lakh, or we aren't moving from here!"
She stretched out her henna-painted hand in front of him.
Amaan struggled to avoid looking at her hand.
"What did you say? Ten lakh?!"
Zaryab jumped.
"Alright, fine, give nine lakh. Not a single penny less. Am I right?"
At the same time, he sought confirmation from Momina and Aimal.
They immediately nodded in agreement.
"Yes, yes, exactly!"
"You don't need to play the role of Hatem Tai. Just give ten thousand and get over with it."
Amaan said, snapping his fingers.
"Then you can take your wedding procession and leave."
Aini flicked her eyes.
Zaryab felt like he'd been punched in the chest.
"Yes, yes, we're leaving. As if Zaryab doesn't have enough girls!"
"Shut up, you fool! Don't spoil my wedding!"
Zaryab gritted his teeth.
Then he turned back to Aini.
"You want ten lakh? You three, just wait one minute..."
Aini, Momina, and Aimal's faces lit up.
Zaryab signaled Amaan.
Amaan took a deep breath, pulled out a bundle of notes from his pocket, and waved five thousand rupees in front of them.
"One... two... three... four..."
Aini's face darkened with frustration.
"Now tell me, how much is this?"
"One lakh."
Aini said, bored.
Amaan suppressed a laugh.
"Mm, okay, just a second..."
Then he took out ten rupees from his pocket.
"How much is this?"
"Ten."
"Good. And this?"
"A lakh."
"Then these ten and this lakh, how much is that?"
Aini swallowed her spit.
"Ten lakh...?"
"Very well! Here you go, ten lakh in total!"
He handed her the notes.
"Zaryab!!"
Aini called out angrily.
"You fool! Stop with these cheap tricks and bring out the rest of the money!"
Zaryab gave up.
"Okay, I was just joking... I'm giving it, I'm giving it!"
He took out the remaining money, and Aini received it with a victorious smile.
"Are you still outside? Come in!"
Aini and the others immediately moved aside.
Zaryab and Amaan were left staring at each other.
"I can't believe this..."
Aini said, staring at the notes.
"Five lakh of this is from Atish."
Nayab Phuphi came closer.
"Mom? How is that possible? He...?"
"Why not? Razza bhai, Tameena bhabhi, and Taiba bhabhi had told me. I just forgot to tell you all. Now, don't bother Atish when he comes, understood?"
She said and walked away.
Behind her, Aimal and Momina quickly approached.
"Give us five lakh, Aini Aapi!"
They said in unison.
"Five lakh? What will you do with all this money? If there's something..."
"Not something, we just need the money. Anyway, the whole five lakh belongs to me, but I'm not that bad—I'll share it with Momina!"
Aimal said eagerly.
Aini gritted her teeth.
"Here you go!"
The two of them happily took the money and ran off.
As soon as Aini turned, Ali appeared like a wall in front of her.
"My share?"
"Boys don't get a share, got it?"
She snapped, but deep down, she felt a little emotional.
"I don't know if there's a share or not, but this money came to you because of my only sister, so now tell me..."
He paused and then said in a meaningful tone:
"Should I take it? Or will you give it to me like a decent person?"
Aini snapped and reluctantly handed him a few notes.
"They're less, but it'll do."
He pocketed the money and disappeared.
As soon as she turned, Amaan was standing in front of her.
"Ahhh!"
Her scream escaped.
"Quiet, man! You'll tear my ears off!"
Amaan put a finger to her ear.
"I don't have anything left!"
She said and ran off in the opposite direction, while Amaan kept shouting, "Hey hey!" behind her.
☆☆☆
When love comes before you as a confidant, the joy it brings becomes a boundary, beyond which all the world's happiness fades. She entered through the main door of the hall, surrounded by girls, but none reached out to hold her — she walked alone, confidently, with a slight smile, heading towards Zaryab.
Zaryab stood up involuntarily, feeling like his heartbeat had gone wild. She stopped right in front of him, near the stage. Their eyes met, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze. Mashal lowered her gaze, but she could still feel the touch of Zaryab's gaze on her face.
Zaryab extended his hand towards her, and Mashal took it with a slight smile, climbing the stage.
"Where have you been hiding all this beauty? Did you come here to kill me?" he whispered as he sat down beside her on the sofa. She blushed deeply.
"I've just spoken, and you're already blushing so much. What will happen next?" Zaryab teased her, making her blush even more.
"Zaryab, stop it now!" she said, annoyed.
"What? I haven't even done anything yet!" he responded with playful teasing, making her cheeks glow even more. Zaryab's teasing became even more amusing.
He gently held her trembling hand, as if to say, "Don't worry... I'm your husband, not some movie villain."
Then, he smiled softly and began talking to her about random things. She relaxed a bit more.
☆☆☆
"Where has Atish gone?" Tameena Begum stopped Aman as he passed by.
"I just spoke to him, he's on his way... oh, look, he's here!" Aman pointed towards the door, where Atish was entering with his full composure and an emotionless face. There was no expression, no smile.
"Where were you, Atish? Everyone's been asking about you!" Tameena Begum's earlier concern now turned into relief.
"This is where I was, Mom. Where else could I be?" he said nonchalantly and walked away.
A while later, Atish noticed her — her face covered with a veil up to her chin, walking with Aini. Unlike Mashal, she had hidden her face. Atish turned his face with bitterness.
He neither stood to welcome her nor extended his hand. Aini looked at him with surprise, then, sensing something, placed Meher next to Atish. Atish involuntarily moved slightly away. And that distance, Meher felt it deeply in her heart.
Her heartbeat seemed to stop. Struggling to keep her composure, she exhaled a cold breath.
"You don't need to stay in any illusion, I've said it before, and I'll remind you again… I will turn your life into hell. Don't expect anything from me. And if you do… the only outcome will be pain. Now I'll make you understand not with words, but with actions!"
Atish's fiery tone scorched her heart. A tear involuntarily escaped her eye and rolled down her cheek.
"Go to hell, Meher!" he snapped, turning away — little did he know, by filling Meher's heart with venom, he had caused a huge loss.
After the meal, the time for departure arrived. Both brides, without making anyone cry, silently left for their new homes.
Continue.....