Chapter 9
Author's POV:
It had been a two weeks since the grand wedding. The Malik household had slowly settled into a new rhythm. The air that once echoed with the sounds of wedding preparations now resonated with laughter, teasing, and the gentle comfort of family life.
Aayat had adjusted more quickly than she thought she would. Every morning, she would wake up in the grand bedroom she now shared with Rayyan. Every day felt like stepping into a new life.
That night, after dinner, Aayat was in the balcony, staring at the moon. The cool breeze played with her dupatta, her heart still shy at the thought of being Rayyan's wife.
She didn't hear him at first when he entered. Rayyan leaned quietly against the doorway, watching her. His deep gaze softened, something in it he rarely showed to anyone.
"Tum abhi tak jag rahi ho?" he asked softly.
Aayat turned, startled, then smiled faintly. "Neend hi nahi aa rahi..."
Rayyan walked closer, his voice lower now. "Aayat, mujhe tumse ek baat kehni hai jo main bachpan se dil mein daba ke baitha tha."
She looked up at him, eyes wide.
He took a slow breath. "I have loved you since the very beginning. Har waqt, har saans mein sirf tum thi. Lekin kabhi keh nahi paaya... until now."
Aayat's heart raced. Her lips trembled as tears filled her eyes-not of sadness, but of overwhelming joy.
"Ray..." she whispered, "mere dil mein bhi sirf aap hi hain. Har dhadkan sirf aapke liye hai. Ab meri har saans... sirf aapki hai."
Rayyan gently cupped her face, his thumb brushing her cheek. For a moment, the world outside ceased to exist. He leaned forward, their foreheads touching, breathing in the same rhythm.
That night became the first time both hearts truly confessed what had always been hidden.
~
The next afternoon, the Malik mansion was once again full of relatives.
Aayat's family had come to visit-her parents Hayaat and Sameer, and her brothers Saad and Huzaif. Children ran around, filling the living room with shouts and giggles.
Rayyan's mother and father (Aayat ke tayi aur taya), along with Aleena, were busy hosting. The entire hall buzzed with chatter and laughter. Trays of tea and snacks were passed around, while uncles discussed business and aunts shared stories.
It felt like a festival.
Aayat sat near Aleena, laughing as the kids pulled her dupatta, asking her to join their games. Her brothers teased her.
"Dekho, ye dulhan abhi bhi kitni sharmati hai." Huzaif said, chuckling.
Saad added with a grin, "sharam isey? Waise Ab toh biwi bhi hai... Rayyan ka dhyaan rakhti hogi na?.... Aur waise aayat ab naye dulhan wale character se nikal ao..."
Everyone laughed, and Aayat's cheeks turned red with shyness. Rayyan, seated across the room, stole quick glances at her, his lips tugging upward in the faintest smile.
But not everyone laughed. From the corner, Ramsha watched. Each time Rayyan's eyes softened at Aayat, it pierced her like a blade. She clenched her jaw, her mind desperate for a chance to tarnish Aayat's image.
The opportunity came when the chatter lulled.
In a deceptively casual tone, Ramsha said aloud:
"Aayat... kal college ke baad tumhare saath jo ladka tha, tum uske saath restaurant kyu gaye thi...aur wo kon tha. Actually mein ne pehli bar dekha toh kya wo koi rishtedar hain."
The room fell silent. Heads turned toward Aayat.
Aayat blinked, startled. "Kya? Tum kis bare mein baat kar rahi ho?"
Ramsha's eyes narrowed. "college k bahir jis k saath tum thi ... wo handsome aur jawan sa ladka tha."
Gasps rose around the room. Rashid (Aayat ke father) frowned deeply.
"Beta, ye kya keh rahi hai? Kaun tha?"
Aayat's heart dropped. Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Abu, yeh jhoot bol rahi hai. Main kahin nahi gayi thi. Mujhe samajh hi nahi aa raha yeh kya keh rahi hai."
Ramsha folded her arms, her voice sharpening. "Main jhoot kyun bolungi? Maine khud dekha tha apni aankhon se."
Her mother, Naziya, added fuel softly, "Ramsha kabhi jhoot nahi bolti..."
Tears pricked at Aayat's eyes. She shook her head desperately. "Nahi! Wallah, main sach keh rahi hoon. Yeh jhoot hai."
Saad leaned forward, brows furrowed. "Aayat, tumhare bhai se jhoot mat bolo. Bas sach bata do. Agar koi masla tha toh hum tumhara saath denge."
Huzaif added, "Haan, beta... hum sab tumhare saath hain. Magar chup rehna theek nahi. Batao."
Aayat choked, her voice trembling. "Main... main ne kuch nahi kiya. Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha ye kya keh rahi hain? yeh mujhe kyun fasana chahti hai."
Rayyan, who had been silent, finally spoke, his tone calm but carrying steel.
"Aayat." His eyes locked on hers. "Tell me clearly. Was she lying?"
Tears slipped down her cheeks. "Ji... jhoot hai. Yeh sab jhoot hai."
Ramsha smirked faintly, pretending to be hurt. "Mujhe samajh nahi aata, main jhoot kyun bolungi... shayad tum sab ko mujh pe yaqeen hi nahi hai." She let her voice tremble, eyes moist as though she were the victim.
The room buzzed with murmurs. Doubts lingered in the air like poison.
Rayyan stood up suddenly, the authority in his presence silencing the whispers.
"Enough." His voice was sharp. He turned to Ramsha, his gaze unyielding. "Agar tumne kuch dekha tha, toh saboot lao. Bas ilzaam lagana aasaan hai."
He then looked at Aayat, his tone softening only for her. "Aur tum... mujhe tumhari baat par yaqeen hai, toh ye ansu saaf Karo apne."
Aayat's knees almost gave way in relief. Her brothers looked unsettled, still unsure, but the way Rayyan had spoken left no room for further argument.
As the relatives began murmuring among themselves again, Ramsha sat fuming silently. Her plan hadn't worked completely-but she had planted a dangerous seed of doubt in some hearts.
And though Rayyan had defended Aayat, but Aayat's own eyes revealed her fear: What if these whispers never stopped?