When Azlan stepped out of the shower, drying his wet hair with a towel, he walked over to the window. The sunlight was pleasant, and he stood there enjoying the warmth of the winter sun. His gaze fell on a group of four or five girls in the lawn. He was about to move away when his eyes caught sight of one girl in particular - Rubab. Unconsciously, Azlan's steps halted at the window, unable to look away.

Azlan's room was on the ground floor, allowing him to hear the voices of the girls outside clearly.

"Ab itna bhi kya gussa, Rubab?" One of the girls addressed her.

(Why are you so angry, Rubab?)

"Gussa na kare toh kya mithai batwaye? Aap bas Chintu ko sambhal lijiye warna hum tabiyat durust karne pe aye toh...." Rubab was complaining to a woman, who looked a few years older than her.

(Should I distribute sweets instead? You just take care of Chintu, or else if I set out to fix the situation...)

"Hua kya yeh toh batao?" That woman asked.

(What happened? Tell me!)

"Humara aaj ka joda kharab kar diya unhone. Bataye bhala, unhe puri kothi mein humara hi kapra mila tha kharab karne ko."

(He ruined my outfit for today. Tell me, out of the entire mansion, he only found my clothes to ruin?)

Azlan couldn't help but find amusement in her frustration, wondering who this Chintu could be, maybe tailor who didn't stitches her clothes properly?

Before Azlan could think more, Chintu made an appearance, and Rubab's demeanour changed instantly.

"Allah!" Panic washed over Rubab's face, and she prepared to make a hasty escape. She, who was claiming to reprimand Chintu, was now very scared.

Azlan furrowed his brows, trying to understand the source of Rubab's distress.

To his surprise, Chintu wasn't a person but a fluffy ginger cat, the same one who slept in his room.

"Api, hataiye inhe." Rubab almost screamed for help while the other girls burst into laughter, thoroughly entertained by Rubab's predicament.

(Api, get him out of here.)

"Lagta hai tumhari tabiyat durust ho rahi hai." Another girl teased Rubab.

(Looks like he's reprimanding you.)

"Hataye inhe. Chintu, Chintu, Bad Chintu, hato!" When other girls didn't come for her help, Rubab attempted to scold Chintu, who was unaffected, and started licking her foot.

(Get him away. Chintu, Chintu, bad Chintu, move!)

"Amma!" Rubab took a step back, but Chintu ran toward her again. Rubab had never been particularly fond of animals since childhood, especially cats. For some reason, seeing a cat always scared her.

A little boy came there and picked Chintu in his arms,

"Hassam, sambhal ke rakhiye inhe, warna hum wahi chorh ayenge inhe jaha se aye hain." Rubab couldn't threaten Chintu. All her anger was taken out on the little boy.

(Hassam, handle him properly, or else I'll leave him right where we found him.)

"Khala, Pakarh ke toh dikhaiye pehle Chintu ko." Hassam put Chintu forward, and it made Rubab more scared.

(Khala, try catching Chintu first.)

"Durr durr." Saying this, Rubab almost ran off.

(Go away!)

A knock on the door interrupted Azlan's thoughts. Stepping away from the window, he walked over to open it. Standing before him was a young, attractive girl. It was Noor; just last night, Naziya Khan had introduced her to Azlan.

"Khala keh rahi thi apko iss waqt chai peene ki adat hai," Noor said in a shy tone, extending the tray she was holding. She didn't look at Azlan; her head was bowed so low that she was likely staring at her sandals.

(Khala said you usually drink tea at this time.)

"Ji, shukriya," Azlan replied, taking the tray from her. He turned to go back inside when he heard her speak softly. Not understanding, he turned back around. "Ji?"

(Yes, thank you.)

(Yes?)

"Woh shaam ke function ke liye agar koi kapre istri karne hain toh mujhe de dijiye, kar dungi." she said, still staring at the floor, her voice so faint that if Azlan wasn't standing right in front of her, he would have never understood what she was saying.

(If you have any clothes that need to be ironed for the evening function, just give them to me. I'll do it.)

"Nahi, uski zaroorat nahi." Azlan declined politely. She nodded and walked away, and Azlan closed the door behind her.

(No, that's not necessary.)

This was his third cup of tea since morning, and Azlan very unintentionally felt that the sweetness from last night was missing in all three cups.

•••

Rubab stormed into the room, her frustration evident as she complained to Anisa about Chintu.

"Bataye bhala, billi bhi koi palne ki cheez hoti hai?" Rubab's face was flushed with anger, while Anisa was enjoying her sister's frustration.

(Tell me, is a cat really something to keep as a pet?)

"Nahi toh kya dinosaur pale?" Anisa joked, but Rubab wasn't listening.

(Then should we keep a dinosaur?)

"Hume toh samajh nahi ata insan se zyada kutte billi se kaise koi pyar kar sakta hai? Chalo Hassam toh bachha hai, lekin Aruba api, unhe toh hosh karna chahiye na, mana kar deti billi lane se."

(I just don't understand how someone can love cats and dogs more than humans. Sure, Hassam is a kid, but Aruba api should know better. She should have refused to bring the cat.)

Rubab had always had a strong aversion to animals. If she saw a stray dog on the street, she would run so fast that she could outrun even Milkha Singh. And cats? She had a particular disdain for them. This was why her siblings used to teasingly call her "Billi" (cat) when they were children, and the nickname had stuck. Though Rubab had gotten used to the nickname, she could never get used to real cats.

"Bachha hai woh, bachhe ki zidd toh maa baap hi puri karenge na. Ab kalko apke bachhe ne mang liya billi toh kya aap mana kar dengi." Anisa teased.

(He's a kid, and parents fulfill their children's wishes. Now, if your child asked for a cat, would you say no?)

"Tauba karein, apa, humara bachha kyu karne laga aisi ulti seedhi zidd. Aur agar unhone aisa kuch kaha bhi toh hum unhe bhi ghar se nikal denge." Rubab retorted, making Anisa burst into laughter.

(God forbid! Why would my child make such absurd demands? And if they did, I'd throw them out of the house too.)

"Apka kuch nahi ho sakta, Billi."

(There's no hope for you, Billi.)

"Aap yeh bataye hum kya karein, humara toh pura joda kharab ho gaya. Kitne shauq se banwaya tha." Sitting beside Anisa, Rubab whined.

(Now tell me what to do. My whole outfit is ruined. I had it made with so much excitement.")

"Humara yellow gharara apko achha laga tha na? Aap woh pehenlo." Anisa suggested.

(You liked my yellow gharara, didn't you? You should wear that,)

"Pakka?"

(Are you sure?)

"Haan, waise bhi hum toh humare sasural se jo aya hai woh pehen rahe hain. Aap woh wala pehenlo. Zubaida ke paas se kisi mangwa lo." Anisa, being the eldest sister, always took special care of everyone's moods, and Rubab's mood could get spoiled over the smallest things.

(Yes, besides, I'm wearing what I got from my in-laws anyway. You should wear that one. Get someone to bring it from Zubaida's place.)

A spark of happiness lit up Rubab's eyes. "Theek hai!"

(Alright.)

Excitement replaced her frustration as she turned to Anisa, sharing her plan. "Hum abhi jake unke yaha se kapra le atey hain. Aur pata hai, hum bahar se batashe bhi khake ayenge."

(I'll go and get the clothes from her right now. And guess what, I'll also eat pani puri.)

"Humare begair batashe khayengi aap?" Anisa looked at her longingly.

(You'll eat pani puri without me?)

"Aap ke liye pack karwa layenge." Rubab reassured her.

(I'll get some pack for you.)

"Usme kaha maza hai." But Anisa didn't like the idea. "Batashe khane ka asli maza toh stall pe hi hai."

(There's no fun in that.)

(The real joy of eating pani puri is at the stall itself.)

Rubab rolled her eyes, "ab aap upset na ho. Aap mayoon baith chuki hain toh bahar jane ka sawal hi nahi. Hum le ayenge na, pakka wada."

(Don't be upset. Since you've already sat for the Mayoon, there's no question of going out. I'll bring them, promise.)

Anisa, however, grinned mischievously, her eyes sparkling with a playful glint.

"Kya chal raha hai apke dimagh mein?" Rubab senses something in Anisa's eyes and asks.

(What are you thinking?)

"Aap humari pyari behen hain."

(You are my dear sister.)

"Bilkul nahi," Whatever Anisa is thinking, Rubab didn't want to be the part of and refuses.

(Absolutely not.)

•••

Rubab descended the stairs, putting her dupatta neatly on her head. Anisa, now veiled in a burqa, was walking behind her. Ready for their secret pani puri mission.

Rubab shot Anisa a warning look. "Agar pakrhe gaye toh hum bata denge apka plan tha."

(If we get caught, I'll tell them it was your plan.)

Anisa chuckled beneath her burqa, her eyes gleaming mischievously. "Relax, billi. Kisi ko kuch nahi pata chalega. Konsa koi humare burqe ke niche dekhega."

(Relax, Billi. No one will know. Who's going to look under my burqa?)

"Ruby..." As Rubab and Anisa were about to make their daring escape, Anwar, their eldest brother, called Rubab.

"Kaha ja rahi ho?" Anwar raised an eyebrow, questioning Rubab about her sudden departure.

(Where are you going?)

Nervously, Rubab tightened her grip on Anisa's hand, seeking support. However, Anisa pulled her hand away and nudged Rubab forward, prompting her to take the lead in the explanation.

"Woh... woh, bhai, hum Zubaida ke yaha ja rahe the apna kapra lene." Stumbling over her words, Rubab nervously explained,

(Uh... um... Bhai, I was going to Zubaida's place to get my clothes.)

"Achha..." Anwar scrutinized Anisa, suspicion evident in his gaze. Rubab, sensing the tension, quickly positioned herself in front of Anisa.

(Okay...)

"Yeh humari dost hain, humare sath ja rahi hain."

(She's my friend. She's coming with me.)

Anwar nodded, his gaze lingering on Anisa for a moment longer. "Theek hai, lekin jaldi ana. Driver ke sath jao."

(Alright, but come back quickly. Go with the driver.)

As Rubab and Anisa hurriedly made their way to the waiting car, Rubab shot an angry glance at Anisa, who simply winked in response, their secret mission still intact.

•••

Azlan was familiar with the hustle and bustle of wedding houses, but the commotion in the Shahana Imarath surpassed even that of Khan Haveli. It was probably because it was a girl's wedding. Sitting idle didn't appeal to Azlan, so he went to the market with Raza.

And besides, Azlan was feeling quite overwhelmed in the house. There was always someone attending to him. Whenever he stepped out of his room, someone would immediately appear to ask if he needed anything or if he was comfortable. The people here were very hospitable.

"Chacha, aap 15 20 gadde aur bhejwa dijiyega ghar pe. Aaj aur mehman ayenge toh zaroorat parhegi." Raza was discussing the order with the shopkeeper, while Azlan's attention drifted to the shop.

(Uncle, please send 15-20 more mattresses to the house. We’ll need them with more guests coming today.)

"Abba kitna apka puch rahe the, aap aye nahi..." Raza continued his conversation with the shopkeeper, but his gaze inadvertently looked outside of the shop through the glass door.

(Father was asking about you so much. You didn't come...)

"Anisa," Azlan glanced at Raza, confused – Raza's eyes were fixed on the road with simmering anger. Alzan followed his gaze, and to his surprise, he found Rubab and a girl eating gol gappe.

"Chacha, main abhi aya." Feeling the urgency, Raza excused himself from the shopkeeper and strode toward Anisa and Rubab.

(Uncle, I’ll be right there.)

Azlan, attempting to follow Raza's hurried steps, found himself halted by the persistent shopkeeper. "Tumhe pehle toh kabhi nahi dekha. Kon ho tum?"

(I’ve never seen you before. Who are you?)

"Azlan Khan." With a polite smile, Azlan introduced himself.

"Azlan? Fahim ke bete?"

(Fahim's son?)

"Ji, nahi... mere abbu Behroz Khan hain." Gazing discreetly at Raza, who was now angrily talking to Rubab, Azlan maintained his composure and replied.

(No... my father is Behroz Khan.)

The shopkeeper's eyes narrowed as if trying to recall who that was. "Behroz Khan?" Then his eyes widened, a smile spreading across his face. "Dilli wale Behroz Khan? Abdul ke bhanje ho? Arey tumhare mamu se toh meri bohot gehri dosti thi. Jab woh yaha rehte the toh main, woh, aur Riyaz yaha meri shop pe hi toh college ke baad atey the. Masha'Allah, tum toh nain naqsh mein bilkul apne nana pe gaye ho." Holding Azlan's arms tightly, he proudly said.

(Behroz Khan from Delhi? Are you Abdul's nephew? Oh, I was very close friends with your uncle. When he lived here, after college, he, Riyaz, and I used to come to my shop all the time. You’ve taken after your grandfather in looks, Masha'Allah.)

Azlan responded with a restrained smile. Among the three brothers, Azlan was the only one who resembled their maternal side. Huzaifa and Shahzain were spitting images of Behroz Khan. This was why whenever Azlan returned from college or on a business trip, Naziya Khan would immediately perform a ritual to ward off the evil eye, as he looked so much like her late father.

•••

In the confines of the car, Azlan occupied the passenger seat while Raza, behind the wheel, directed stern words at Anisa. The soft hum of the engine barely masked the tension in the air. "Anisa, tumhe thora sa hosh karna chahiye tha. Mayoon baith chuki ho tum, iss tarah se market mein ghoomna jachta hai?" His voice was sharp, slicing through the stillness.

(Anisa, you should have been more careful. You've already sat for the Mayoon. Does it suit you to be roaming around in the market like this?)

Azlan silently gazed out of the car window. He was feeling very strange being in the car at that moment.

"Bhai, Billi ka idea tha." Anisa swiftly shifted the blame to Rubab, her voice tinged with a hint of defensiveness.

(Bhai, it was Billi's idea.)

Rubab's expression from surprise to a sense of betrayal. The gentle afternoon light streaming through the windows cast a golden glow on her face, highlighting the subtle changes in her demeanour.

"Tumhari shikayat toh main abba se karunga. Parhai likhai mein tumhara zara bhi dil nahi lagta, bas din bhar ulti seedhi harkat karni rehti hai tumhe." Raza's focus shifted entirely to Rubab, his tone laced with frustration.

(I’m going to complain about you to father. You have no interest in studying. You spend all day doing silly things.)

Rubab, feeling the weight of the reprimand, grew visibly upset. Her shoulders slumped, and she looked down at her hands, clasped tightly in her lap.

Azlan felt bad for Rubab; he could understand how humiliating it must have been for her to be scolded in front of a stranger at that moment. This was the reason why, unintentionally, he looked at Rubab sitting in the back through the rearview mirror. At the same time, Rubab also looked up. Then she looked down again, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"Tumhara banega kya, Ruby? Mayoon baithi dulhan ko iss tarah se koi batashe ke liye bahar leke ata hai?"

(What will become of you, Ruby? Who takes a bride sitting for the Mayoon out for pani puri?)

"Bhai, aise gussa kyu kar rahe hain jaise apne hume batashe nahi cigarette peete hue pakarh liya." Rubab's voice, though soft, broke the tense atmosphere.

(Bhai, why are you so angry as if you caught us smoking instead of eating pani puri.)

This comment brought a subtle smile to Azlan's face.

However, Raza, far from being amused, grew even angrier at Rubab's defiance. "Bas, yahi kaam ata hai tumhe, zuban darazi." His grip on the steering wheel tightened, knuckles turning white. "Tuesday se tumhare papers haina? Ek din bhi kitaab ke sath nahi dikhi ho tum." Now he has started about her studying.

(All you do is talk back.)

(Your exams start on Tuesday, don't they? I haven’t seen you with a book even for a day.)

"Lekin hum..." Anisa pinched Rubab's arm and asked her to be quiet.

(But I...)

•••

Main sasural nahi jaungi

Doli rakh do kahaaron

Saal do saal nahi jaungi

Doli rakh do kahaaron

In the centre of the lively aangan, girls were gathered in a circle, their voices harmonizing as they teased Anisa, who sat on a beautifully decorated jhula (swing). Her cheeks flushed with happiness and a hint of embarrassment. Children darted around, their giggles and playful shouts adding to the joyous atmosphere. Until yesterday, the girls didn't want to get out of their blankets because of the cold. Now they were ready without sweaters and shawls, as if it were August or September instead of December.

Elderly ladies were huddled together, engrossed in their conversations, occasionally glancing at the bride with fondness.

In the middle of the aangan, a few girls were performing an enchanting dance, and among them was Rubab, clad in a yellow gharara and same color short kurti with mirror work and thread embroidery, and pink gota patti dupatta on her right shoulder. Her hair in a french braid, adorned with white flowers. Her wrists were also full of pink churiyan she was amongst those girls dancing in the middle of the aangan. Laughing and expressing every word of the song through her hands and face, she was enjoying a lot when her someone called her.

“Billi,” Ayesha called out to her from a distance and gestured for her to come over. Without hesitation, Rubab left the dance midway and went to her.

“Mehmano ko bhi dekhlo,” Ayesha said, handing her a tray. Rubab obediently took the tray and began serving the guests.

(Take care of the guests too.)

Rubab moved from one group to another, her dupatta trailing behind her, her bangles jingling with every step.

"Larki, idhar ana," Abeera called out to Rubab from where she sat with Nighat and Naziya.

(Girl, come here.)

Rubab approached them with a smile, "Ji, dadi jaan? Kuch chahiye tha?"

(Yes, Grandma? Do you need something?)

Abeera's eyes narrowed as she gestured towards Rubab's outfit, "Yeh kya pehna hai tumne?"

(What are you wearing?)

Rubab beamed, spreading her dupatta to give them a better view. "Achha lag raha haina?"

(Doesn't it look good?)

Abeera frowned, unimpressed. "Itna kaamdaar? Aisa toh dulhane pehenti hain."

(It's so elaborate! Brides wear such things.)

Rubab's smile faltered, but then she again smiled big, mischievously. "Fikar na karein, dadi jaan, koi hume dulhan nahi samjhega kyuki dulhan apne hi mayoon pe idhar udhar guests ko serve karti nahi phirti."

(Don't worry, Grandma. No one will mistake me for the bride because brides don't serve guests at their own Mayoon.)

Abeera and Nighat exchanged looks of disapproval, while Naziya listened with interest.

"Buri baat, Rubab," Nighat chided gently, "waise bhi phuppo galat nahi keh rahi. Kam se kam yeh phoolo ke gehne toh na pehenti aap."

(That's not nice, Rubab.)

(Phuppo isn't wrong either. At least don't wear these flower jewelries.)

"Kyu? Shireen api aur bhabhi ne bhi toh pehna hai." Confusion clouded Rubab's eyes, as she asked.

(Why not? Shireen api and bhabhi are also wearing them.)

"Woh shadi shuda hain, kawari larkiyan itna taiyyar hue achhi nahi lagti," Nighat tried to explain. "Ab Noor ko hi dekhlo, tumhari hum umr hai par kya usne ki hai itni taiyyari?"

(They're married. Unmarried girls don't look good dressed up like this.)

(Just look at Noor. She's your age, and she's not dressed up like this.)

"Noor api toh khud humse puch rahi thi humare paas extra mang teeka hai." Rubab blurted out, this made Nighat glare at her.

(Noor api was just asking me if I have an extra mang teeka.)

"Kya hua? Sab theek?" Mahajbeen, who had just noticed the tension, approached them swiftly. Nighat's expression made it clear that Rubab's comments were making her angry.

(Is everything alright?)

"Mahajbeen, yeh larki abhi se itna bol rahi hai shadi ke baad toh pata nahi kya banega iska," Nighat complained.

(Mahajbeen, this girl is already talking so much; imagine what she'll be like after marriage.)

"Wakai, kuwari larkiyon ko itna nahi bolna chahiye," Abeera agreed, making Mahajbeen feel embarrassed.

(Indeed, unmarried girls shouldn't talk this much.)

"Kyu unki zuban nahi hoti?" Rubab asked, confused what wrong she has said, but Mahajbeen quickly grabbed her arm, trying to silence her.

(Why, don't they have tongues?)

"Sambhal lijiye inhe, Mahajbeen, warna koi khandani maa apne bete ka rishta nahi layengi inke liye."

(Control her, Mahajbeen, or no respectable family will bring a proposal for her.)

"Phuppo, inki taraf se hum maafi mangte hain... Ruby, aap jaye, Anisa ke sath baithe," Mahajbeen apologized and sent Rubab away before she could say more. Rubab, with a pout, walked away from the group.

(Phuppo, I apologize on her behalf... Ruby, go sit with Anisa.)

Naziya Khan saw her leaving, then focus on the on going conversation.

"Itna bhari joda kyu pehenne diya Rubab ko apne? Kawari larkiyan itna taiyyar hue achhi lagti hain?" Abeera expressed her displeasure.

(Why did you let Rubab wear such a heavy outfit? Unmarried girls don’t look good dressed up like this.)

"Phuppo, unhone toh puri khareedari Nawab Sahab ke sath jake khud ki. Darasal, woh unki bohot ladli hai..."

(Phuppo, she went shopping herself with Nawab Sahab. She's his favorite...)

"Laad pyar apni jagah, lekin larkiyon ko itna nahi bolna chahiye, warna achhe rishte nahi milte," Nighat warned.

(Pampering is fine, but girls shouldn't talk so much, or they won’t get good proposals.)

"Aisa kuch nahi hai, apa, betiyon ki baaton se hi toh ghar mein rounak hoti hai." Naziya Khan finally spoke up, sensing Mahajbeen's embarrassment and wanting to present her own perspective.

(That's not true, apa. It's the girls' conversations that bring life to the house.)

"Meri Hamna bhi toh aisi hi hai. Aur unhe bhi taiyyar hone ka bohot shauq hai. Huzaifa ki shadi ke har function mein unhone lehenga pehna tha. Yahi toh mouke hote hain larkiyon ke liye taiyyar hone ka."

(My Hamna is just like that. She loves dressing up too. For every event at Huzaifa’s wedding, she wore a lehenga. These are the occasions for girls to dress up.)

"Aap shayad yaha ke tor tareeqe bhool gayi hain, yaha aisa nahi hota," Naziya Khan's words silenced Nighat, but Abeera phuppo seemed even more irked.

(You’ve probably forgotten the customs here. This doesn't happen here.)

•••

The vibrant mayoon function was still in full swing in the aangan of shahana amarat. Colourful decorations adorned the space, and the air was filled with laughter and music.

But now, Rubab's radiant smile had faded as she sat with her friends. The echo of Abeera and Nighat's comment lingered in her mind.

Rubab had a habit since childhood of taking small things to heart and then sitting in a corner sulking. Even now, she was sitting away from the gathering, arms crossed over her chest, and her face turned in a grumpy expression. Her friends, Kinza and Saleha, had been trying to cheer her up for a while, but Rubab Khan’s stubborn anger wasn’t going to fade that easily.

"Rubab, mood na off karo ab," Kinza pleaded in a soft tone.

(Rubab, don’t be upset now.)

Meanwhile, Lubna arrived with a tray of tea in her hands. "Ab tak mood theek nahi hua?" She placed the tray between the four of them and sat down.

(Still not in a good mood?)

Lubna was Rubab’s childhood friend as well as her neighbour, which is why she was helping out with small tasks at the wedding, like bringing tea. They had met Kinza and Saleha in school, and since then, the four of them had developed a strong bond of friendship.

Saleha and Kinza immediately grabbed a cup each, feeling the bite of the cold, even though none of them had bothered to wear a sweater or shawl.

"Shadi mein itni baatein toh hoti rehti hain," Lubna tried to console her.

(At weddings, things like this always happen.)

"Achha ab bas kardo, tumhe shadi enjoy nahi karna theek hai, lekin kam se kam humare sath toh theek se baat karo, hum yaha tumhari wajah se hain." Saleha said, getting annoyed. Among the four of them, Saleha was the one who got angry the fastest after Rubab.

(Alright, now stop it. You may not want to enjoy the wedding, but at least talk nicely to us. We're here for you.)

"Humare mood theek hai, tum log enjoy karo," Rubab adjusted her expression a bit and said.

(My mood is fine. You all enjoy.)

"Dikh raha hai kitna theek hai," Lubna muttered under her breath.

(Yeah, we can see how fine it is.)

Silence had settled among the four friends. While Kinza, Lubna, and Saleha sipped their tea, Rubab didn’t even touch her cup, lost in her thoughts as she absentmindedly traced patterns on her dupatta.

“Waise, Saleha, tumne kabhi Rubab ki palm reading nahi ki,” Kinza’s comment caught Rubab’s attention. Where had that come from?

(By the way, Saleha, you’ve never read Rubab’s palm.)

“Arey haan,” Saleha responded, placing her empty cup back on the tray.

(Oh yes!)

“Hum inn sab mein yakeen nahi karte.” Rubab quickly dismissed the idea, cutting off Saleha’s intentions before they could go further.

(I don't believe in all this.)

No one knew where Saleha found that palm reading book this year, but ever since she got it, she’d been making random predictions by reading from it. None of them really believed her, especially not the three of them, but it still provided them with plenty of entertainment. Saleha had already read Kinza’s and Lubna’s palms, but not Rubab’s.

"Aise kaise yakeen nahi? Meri prediction hamesha sahi hoti hai. Dekho, maine kaha tha Nisha bhabhi ke beti hogi, aur unke beti hi hui, aur maine Rida api se bhi kaha tha unki shadi eid se pehle hogi, dekho, ho gayi na unki shadi."

(How can you not? My predictions are always accurate. Look, I said Nisha bhabhi would have a daughter, and she did. I also told Rida api that her wedding would happen before Eid, and look, it did.)

"Kyuki Rida api hamesha se Faizan bhai se mansoob thi, sab jante the jab bhai Dubai se ayenge toh dono ki shadi hogi." Lubna burst Saleha's bubble.

(That's because Rida api was always engaged to Faizan bhai. Everyone knew they'd marry when he came back from Dubai.)

"Aur yeh haram bhi hai." Rubab told them why she won't give her hand to Saleha for reading.

(And it's forbidden too.)

"Agar tum manti nahi ho inn sab mein to de do na ussey hath, ussey bhi khush hone do." Kinza wanted to hear what Saleha would say about Rubab, and told her.

(If you don’t believe in it, at least let her read your palm. Let her be happy too.)

"Chalo, na yaar, Rubab, nakhre nahi." Saleha pleaded.

(Come on, Rubab, stop being so difficult.)

Lubna didn't say anything in this matter, but both Kinza and Saleha were adamant and insisted, that Rubab had to give her hands to Saleha.

Excitedly, but gently, Saleha takes Rubab's hand and starts looking at it keenly. while the other three girls looked at Saleha.

Saleha began examining her palm dramatically, her eyes narrowing as if deciphering ancient secrets. The other friends leaned in, eagerly awaiting the prediction.

"Oh hoo," Saleha, after a moment of dramatic silence, chuckled mischievously

"Kaha dadi keh rahi thi achha larka nahi milega, aur yaha dekho, mohtarma ki shadi agle saal hogi."

(Grandma was saying you won't get a good match, and here it says you'll get married next year.)

Rubab's eyes widened on this.

"Agle saal? Kissey?" Now, Lubna was interested in it and asked.

(Next year? To whom?)

"Dekhne toh do..." Saleha hushed her.

(Let me see...)

"Ahem, khandani larka hoga, izzatdaar gharane ka, aur bohot handsome..." Saleha emphasises the word bohot. She paused for effect,

(Ahem, it’ll be a guy from a respectable family, very handsome...)

Rubab knew Saleha was just saying this to distract Rubab's mind from Abeera and Nighat's word. She managed a weak smile. Both Kinza and Lubna leaned in.

"Haan lekin... thora sa flirty hoga..." she looked at Rubab and said, then lowered her gaze again.

(But... he’ll be a bit flirty...)

"Kya bakwas kar rahi ho." Rubab's smile vanished instantly. Even as a joke, she didn't want to imagine her husband straying.

(What nonsense are you talking?)

"Main toh wahi keh rahi hoon jo dikh raha hai." Saleha said with innocent sincerity. "Unki ek do girlfriends hongi. Par fikar na karo, tumse bohot mohabbat karega."

(I'm just saying what I see.)

(He’ll have one or two girlfriends. But don't worry, he’ll love you a lot.)

Rubab knew Saleha was only joking, none of the four really believed in such things, but still, Rubab's heart sank.

Saleha continued without noticing. "Aur unka naam A se hoga..." That was the last straw for Rubab. She pulled her hand away from Saleha's grip.

(And his name will start with A...)

"Apko bohot ilm hai jaise gaib ka." Rubab said in a tone that immediately made the other three serious.

(You seem to know a lot, as if you have divine knowledge.)

"Kya hogaya, Rubab, woh sirf mazak kar rahi thi." Kinza interrupted.

(What’s wrong, Rubab? She was just joking.)

"Mazak ki ek hadd hoti hai." Rubab gave Saleha a sharp look, then she looked at Lubna, who was now looking down. The playful demeanour faded.

(There's a limit to joking.)

"Billi, idhar ana." Shireen called her.

(Billi, come here.)

"Arahe hain!" Rubab got up and left without sparing Lubna a second glance.

(Coming!)

"Main bhi abhi ayi," Lubna told the other two girls and got up to leave.

(I'll be right back too.)

"Hadd hoti hai, Saleha," Now that Kinza and Saleha were alone, Kinza scolded her.

(There's a limit, Saleha.)

"Main toh Amit ji kehne wali thi." Saleha explained,

(I was going to say Amit ji.)

Kinza smacked her forehead. Rubab has a huge crush on Amitabh Bachchan. But no one could guess that's how Saleha would tease Rubab. They thought Saleha was talking about Anas. Lubna's older brother,

Anas have shown an interest in Rubab. He made numerous attempts to engage Rubab in conversation, but she consistently rebuffed his advances. Once, Lubna attempted to discuss her brother with Rubab, but Rubab firmly expressed that Anas didn't align with her ideals. It was no secret that Anas had past relationships, and despite Lubna's defence that they were inconsequential to him, Rubab remained resolute. She stated her desire for a husband devoted solely to her, just as she intended to be the only woman in her future husband's life. This caused a rift between Rubab and Lubna, leading to months of silence between them until Saleha and Kinza mediated a conversation, saying that such matters shouldn't jeopardize their friendship. Following that conversation, Lubna refrained from advocating for her brother, and his name had remained unspoken until now.

"Ji, api?" Rubab approached her sister and asked.

(Yes, api?)

Shireen hurriedly told her, "Billi, storeroom se phoolo ki thal le aiye."

(Billi, go bring the flower tray from the storeroom.)

"Theek hai," nodding her head, Rubab went toward the store room,

(Okay,)

•••

Holding a tray of flowers in one hand and lightly lifting her gharara with the other, Rubab walked slowly, struggling with each step as her outfit made it difficult to move. Her eyes were more focused on the ground than ahead. Just as she reached the stairs, someone ascending blocked her path. Rubab took a step back and looked up to see Anas standing right in front of her, deliberately obstructing her way.

For a few moments, Rubab waited, expecting him to move aside, but when he didn’t, she decided to step around him. However, Anas shifted to the same side, blocking her again. Without raising her gaze or saying a word, Rubab tried to move to the other side, only for Anas to block her yet again. All she wanted was to quietly get past him and head downstairs, but it seemed Anas had other plans.

“Bhai, raste se hatiye,” Rubab said firmly, trying to maintain her patience.

(Move aside, bhai.)

“Tum mujhe bhai mat bulaya karo,” Anas interjected, his tone sharp. Rubab’s temper flared at his comment.

(Should I call you uncle then?)

She lifted her gaze to meet his, noticing how stubbornly he stared back at her.

“Mamu bulaye apko?” Rubab retorted in a low, but clearly irritated tone. Her remark brought a smile to Anas’s face, which only irritated Rubab more.

(Should I call you uncle then?)

Without another word, Anas finally moved aside, and Rubab walked past him without looking back. But as she moved ahead, she faintly heard Anas murmur behind her, “Tumhari yeh bebaki hi tumhe sabse alag banati hain.”

(It's your boldness that sets you apart.)

For a brief moment, Rubab paused. She felt the urge to turn around and give him a piece of her mind, but instead, she kept walking forward.

Today seemed like a test of her patience, from Nighat and Abeera’s taunts to Saleha’s teasing and now Anas’s behavior.

“Allah, ab agey kuch na ho,” Rubab prayed in her heart, knowing that if anything more did, she wouldn’t hold back this time.

(Oh God, let's hope nothing happens next.)

•••