Chapter 47
Author's Pov
The next morning, by eleven o'clock, the mehendi artists arrived with their entire team. The house, which had been buzzing with silence for days, slowly transformed into a celebration of laughter, music snd the earthy fragrance of fresh henna.
Since Rabiya had always adored mehendi, every woman from the neighborhood and extended family had been invited to celebrate with her. They came bearing gifts, blessings and endless excitement, filling the house with warmth as they surrounded Rabiya
Watching everyone fuss over her mother, Safiya couldn't help but smile sadly. She knew better than anyone how many dreams Rabiya had quietly buried over the years.
The grand wedding she had once wished for had never become a reality, but today, at least, Safiya had managed to fulfill one of her mother's deepest wishes. Seeing that happiness reflected in her mother's eyes made every ounce of exhaustion worthwhile.
" Achche se baba ka naam likhiyega... ", Safiya reminded the mehendi artist with a smile, earning a warm nod in return.
[ Please make sure you write Baba's name beautifully. ]
" Mujhe touh sharam hee aarahi hain. ", Rabiya mumbled under her breath as the women around her erupted into another round of teasing.
[ I'm feeling so shy. ]
" Aunty, isme kaisi sharam? Aap touh bas mehendi lagwayi. Tab tak hum aapki beti ke haath bhi peele karke aate hain. " Adira declared dramatically before grabbing Safiya's wrist and dragging her toward the artists.
[ Aunty, what's there to be shy about? You just enjoy your mehendi. Meanwhile, we'll get your daughter's hands decorated too.]
" Mein nahi kar rahi yaar. Itne saare kaam hain. Mujhe dekhne hain sab. " Safiya protested, trying to free herself while glancing around at the endless partyu arrangements that still demanded her attention.
[ I'm not doing it. There are so many things left to manage. I have to look after everything.]
" Kyu? Kiski mayyat mein jaana hain tereko? " Adira snapped her fingers dramatically. " Badi aayi. Chal mere saath. "
[ Why? Are you going to someone's funeral? Come on, stop acting important and come with me.]
Despite her protests, Safiya was once again pulled down onto the cushion beside the mehendi artist. Adira, completely ignoring every excuse she came up with, made her sit beside the mehendi artist.
" Iske haathon par bohot achcha sa design kariye. Coincidentally, aaj iski bhi six-month anniversary hai. Isse touh jeeju ke saath hona chahiye tha. Lekin woh mujh par chhod do. Yahin se aag lagaungi, chingari Azamgarh tak giregi. Yun aa jayenge jeeju ise lene, dekh lena. "
[ Make her design extra beautiful. Coincidentally, today is also her six-month anniversary. She should've been with her husband, but leave that to me. I'll create such a spark from here that it'll reach Azamgarh, and brother-in-law will come running to take her away. ]
" Aap mehendi lagaiye. Aur design itna sundar hona chahiye ki jeeju mehendi dekhte hi flat ho jaaye ekdum. " Adira instructed confidently. The artist smiled politely before gently taking Safiya's hand into hers.
[.Make the design so beautiful that brother-in-law completely becomes flat the moment he sees it.]
" Aadu, yeh kaisi baat kar rahi ho tum? ", Ahaan's amused voice came from behind them as he walked over carrying two glasses of juice.
He handed one to each girl but deliberately took a sip from Adira's before passing it to her, earning an instant glare.
Be
[ Aadu, what kind of things are you saying? ]
" Arey maine kya galat kaha? " Adira asked, immediately snatching the glass back from him.
[ What did I say wrong? ]
" Anniversary ke din kaunsi biwi chahegi ki uska pati flat ho? " he replied with a perfectly straight face. Safiya nearly choked on her laughter while the mehendi artist stared at him in utter disbelief.
[ On their anniversary, which wife would want her husband to become flat? ]
Adira blinked in confusion for a second before his words finally registered. Her face twisted into horror as she smacked him on the head without hesitation.
" Cheee... Gande, tharki aadmi. " she exclaimed. " Hey Bhagwan, mere solah Somvaar ke vrat mein kaunsi kami reh gayi thi jo yeh paagal aadmi meri jholi mein daal diya? " she complained dramatically while Ahaan simply stood there wearing the most unapologetic grin imaginable.
[Eww... You shameless, dirty-minded man. Dear God, what mistake did I make in my sixteen Monday fasts that you gave me this crazy man? ]
" Baby, tumne vrat kab rakhe? " Ahaan asked with genuine confusion. He distinctly remembered accompanying her to the puchka stall every single Monday instead.
[ Baby, when did you ever keep those fasts? ]
" Arey, rakhe the na... apne sapne mein. " she replied proudly, tossing her hair as though she'd made the most logical statement in the world.
[ I did... in my dreams. ]
Safiya couldn't stop herself from laughing.
" Haan touh ab yahi hai tere sapno ke vrat ka phal. Isse sweekar karein. " safiya teased.
[ Well, this is the reward for all those dream fasts. Accept it gracefully. ]
" Chal, tu bhi baith ja mehendi lagwane. " Safiya insisted and after a little playful resistance, Adira finally gave in and extended her hands as well.
[ Come on, you sit down too and get your mehendi done.]
As the artist carefully adjusted the cone in her hand, she looked up at Safiya with a professional smile.
" What is your husband's name? ", the simple question caught Safiya completely off guard.
Her fingers instinctively curled into her lap as unexpected shyness crept over her.
Why did merely saying his name suddenly feel so difficult?
It was such an ordinary question, yet her cheeks warmed with embarrassment, making her feel like a newly married bride all over again.
" Z-Zaviyar... " Safiya murmured so softly that it was barely audible.
The very next second, panic flickered across her face.
" Nahi, ek second... Zaviyar nahi, avi likhe. " she quickly improvised, looking anywhere but at the artist. The last thing she wanted was to meet Adira's eyes, especially when she could already feel the girl's mischievous grin boring into her.
" So your husband's name is Zaviyar? " one of the ladies nearby asked curiously.
" Naam kitna shahi lagta hai na? " another woman admired.
( His name sounds so good. )
" Mujhe toh lagta hai inke shohar inse bohot mohabbat karte honge. Dekho na kitni khush lag rahi hai. Chehra bhi chamak raha hai. " another chimed in warmly.
(I think her husband must love her very much. Just look at how happy she seems. Even her face is glowing.)
The innocent compliments only made Safiya's cheeks burn even more. Just as the artist prepared to continue, Safiya suddenly remembered something.
" Aur ek naam likhna hai... " she whispered, leaning closer before quietly telling the artist the second name.
(There's one more name to write...)
The mehendi artist paused for a brief second before a knowing giggle escaped her lips. Without asking any questions, she simply nodded and got to work.
" Tum nahi likhwa rahi mera naam? " Ahaan complained dramatically as he leaned down, resting his head comfortably against Adira's shoulder.
(You're not having my name written?)
" Likhwaya hai na. " Adira replied casually with a shrug.
(I already did.)
" Sachchi? Kahan? Kahan? " he asked excitedly, instantly searching her hands.
(Really? Where? Where?)
" Woh raha... dekho. ", Ahaan narrowed his eyes until he finally spotted it.
(There it is... look.)
" A? Sirf A? A ka matlab toh bohot kuch ho sakta hai. Tumhara naam bhi A se shuru hota hai. " he whined like an offended child.
(A? Just A? A could stand for so many things. Even your name starts with A.)
" Abhi ke liye A hi theek hai. " Adira replied, refusing to entertain his complaints.
(For now, A is enough.)
Instead of arguing further, Ahaan suddenly stood up and walked straight toward another mehendi artist who was refilling her cones nearby. Adira frowned.
" Yeh kya kar rahe ho? ", she called out.
(What are you doing?)
When he calmly settled onto the cushion in front of the artist, her eyes widened.
" Tum bhi mehendi lagwa rahe ho? "
(You're getting mehendi applied too?)
" Kyun? ", he frowned, " Nahi lagwa sakta? " he shot back, sounding almost offended.
(Why? Can't I get it applied?)
" No... I mean... " she stammered, immediately realizing she'd annoyed him.
" Bhaiya, aapko kya likhwana hai? " the artist asked politely.
(Sir, what would you like me to write?)
Without the slightest hesitation, Ahaan answered with complete seriousness.
" Meri hone wali wife ka naam. Adira likhiye. ", hus unwavering confidence made Adira freeze, while the corners of Safiya's lips curled into a teasing smile.
(My future wife's name. Write Adira.)
" Ohooo... Dekho toh koi sharma raha hai. " she laughed as Adira's face turned a deep shade of pink.
(Ohooo... Look, someone's blushing.)
" Paagal aadmi... " Adira muttered under her breath, refusing to look at him.
(Crazy man...)
Then she looked at Safiya with renewed determination.
" Tu tension mat le. Jeeju ke haath mein bhi tera naam likhwa hi denge. ", Safiya let out a small laugh before shaking her head.
(Don't worry. We'll make Jeeju get your name written on his hand too.)
" Uske liye tumhare jeeju ko yahan hona bhi toh padega na. ",
(For that, your Jeeju would have to be here too, wouldn't he?)
" Kya matlab? " Adira frowned.
(What do you mean?)
" Mera matlab hai, apni biwi ka naam haath par likhwane ke liye pati bhi toh hona chahiye. " Safiya replied with a casual shrug, though there was the faintest trace of longing hidden beneath her words.
(I mean, for a husband to get his wife's name written on his hand, he has to be here too.)
Before anyone could respond, a loud, overly enthusiastic voice echoed through the house.
" Assalamualaikum... Assalamualaikum... Mere bina hi mehfil jam gayi! "
(Peace be upon you... Peace be upon you... The gathering has already come alive without me!)
Every head instinctively turned toward the entrance.
Neelo had arrived.
Draped in an emerald-green heavily embroidered salwar suit dripping with jewelry, she carried herself as though the celebration had been waiting for her grand entrance.
Her chin was lifted high, her smile was practiced and every exaggerated movement screamed for attention.
Rather than blending into the gathering, she made sure all eyes landed on her first.
" Safiya, tumne abhi tak apne shohar se meri mulaqat hi nahi karwayi. " she said as she approached, her smile appearing sweet enough to fool strangers but carrying the unmistakable sting of someone who enjoyed making others uncomfortable.
(Safiya, you still haven't introduced me to your husband.)
" Neelo aunty, aap finally aa hi gayi. " Safiya greeted politely, offering the older woman a courteous smile despite the uneasiness settling inside her.
(Neelo Aunty, you finally made it.)
Neelo smiled back, though there wasn't an ounce of warmth in it.
" Haan. Sach bolun toh tumhari shaadi ki khabar sunkar mujhe bohot afsos hua tha. Mera toh bohot mann tha ki tumhara nikah mere Nosherwan ke saath ho. Maazi mein tumne jo bhi kiya tha, usse nazarandaz karne ke liye bhi main tayyar thi. "
(Yes. To tell you the truth, I was deeply disappointed when I heard about your marriage. I had truly wanted you to marry my Nosherwan. I was even willing to overlook whatever you had done in the past.)
She spoke as though she were reminiscing over a missed opportunity, but every word was carefully sharpened.
Her tone carried the smug arrogance of someone convinced she had once been offering Safiya a privilege, as if marrying her son would have been an act of charity.
It wasn't sympathy she was expressing. It was a calculated insult wrapped in fake generosity, designed to remind everyone that she still believed Safiya should have been grateful for a proposal that had never deserved her in the first place.
The fake smile on Safiya's face grew tighter with every word that left Neelo's mouth.
"Par Rabiya bhabi ne vapis aane ke baad bataya ki tumhara nikah ho gaya. Bara ajeeb laga mujhe sunke. Aas paas ke logon ko bhanak bhi na lagi. Na mithayi, na koi dawat. Chat mangni pat byaah karwa diya."
The woman's lips curled with poorly concealed disdain, her eyes sweeping over Safiya from head to toe as though searching for flaws. It wasn't curiosity. It was the sort of nosiness that thrived on gossip and the misfortune of others.
[ But after Rabiya bhabi returned, she told me you got married. I was quite shocked to hear it. Not even the neighbours got a hint. No sweets, no celebration. They got you married off in the blink of an eye. ]
Safiya inhaled slowly, forcing herself to smile despite the irritation simmering beneath her skin.
"Jee... sab kuch jaldi jaldi mein ho gaya."
[ Yes... everything happened rather quickly.]
Instead of letting the matter rest, Neelo clicked her tongue dramatically.
"Mujhe hairaani hui ki kaise tum kuch din pehle shaadi hi nahi karna chahti thi aur wahan jaake achanak se nikah kar liya?
Aur woh bhi ek gaon ke ladke se. Tum jaisi padhi likhi ladki kahan aur woh gaon ka aadm...
", her words dripped with contempt, as if marrying someone from a village was beneath Safiya and as if she had every right to judge a man she had never even met.
[ I was surprised. Just a few days ago you didn't even want to get married, and then suddenly you went there and got married? And that too to a village boy. An educated girl like you, and a village ma... ]
She never got to finish. Safiya's patience snapped.
"Neelo aunty, shaadi maine meri marzi se ki thi kyunki ladka achha tha aur mere Baba bhi yahi chahte the.", her voice remained respectful but the firmness in it left no room for further insults.
[Neelo aunty, I married by my own choice because he is a good man, and it's what my Baba wanted too.]
"Aur mere shohar...", She straightened her shoulders.
[ And my husband... ]
Before another word could leave her lips, Rabiya appeared beside them, one hand covered in intricate mehendi while the other was only half finished.
"Arre Neelo, chalo yahan mehendi lagwao."
Without waiting for an answer, she gently nudged the older woman away, perfectly aware she had interrupted an unpleasant conversation. Neelo huffed before immediately finding a new target.
[ Come on, Neelo. Come get your mehendi done here.]
"Rabiya bhabi, aap bhi na. Iss umar mein bhi ladkiyon wale shauk hain... Anniversary aapki hai aur dulhan bani baithi hain.", the jab was wrapped inside a laugh but its intention was anything but harmless.
[ Rabiya bhabi, honestly. At this age you still have the hobbies of young girls... It's your anniversary and you're sitting here dressed like a bride. ]
Rabiya only laughed, refusing to give Neelo the satisfaction she wanted.
"Anniversary meri hai toh dulhan bhi main hi banungi."
Even Neelo forced out one of her shrill laughs before walking away to join the circle of women.
[ It's my anniversary, so of course I'll be the bride. ]
Safiya watched her leave before muttering beneath her breath,
"Chudail kahin ki."
[ What a witch. ]
Hours slipped by in laughter, songs, teasing and endless chatter. By the time the mehendi on the women's hands had begun to dry into a deep brown, the men returned from the garden where they had been gathered separately.
Soon, large platters of food were laid across the dining area and husbands naturally settled beside their wives.
The atmosphere softened into something warm and intimate. Some husbands carefully fed their wives with spoons so they wouldn't ruin their mehendi, while others simply used their hands, ignoring the amused whistles from the younger ones.
Across the room, Safiya watched her father patiently feeding her mother. Rabiya's cheeks had turned a rosy pink despite being married for years and her father looked at her with the same quiet affection he always had. The sight made Safiya smile.
It wasn't just her parents. Everywhere she looked there were little moments of love. Newlyweds stealing shy glances, elderly couples teasing each other over tiny bites of food, and new couples giggling between them. The hall felt overflowing with happiness.
"Safiya bibi, aapka khana?" Mansi asked softly. Safiya shook her head.
[ Miss Safiya, your food? ]
"I'll eat later."
Her smile faded the moment Mansi walked away.
Without meaning to, her eyes wandered around the hall again. She wished... just once... Zaviyar had been here.
She wished he could have sat beside her, admired the mehendi staining her hands the way every other husband was admiring his wife's. She wished he had fed her a bite with that quiet tenderness everyone else seemed to have. He had promised he would come today.
But promises meant very little when work always came first.
A tiny ache settled inside her chest. She tried to ignore it, convincing herself she wasn't disappointed.
Before those thoughts could consume her completely, Ahaan suddenly appeared between her and Adira.
"Chalo, aao. Main hi khila deta hoon."
Without giving either of them a choice, he dragged both of them onto the sofa, picked up a spoon and held it towards Adira first.
[ Come on. I'll feed you both myself.]
The moment Adira greedily opened her mouth around the spoon, Ahaan narrowed his eyes dramatically.
"Aye, saath janmon ki bhooki. Khana khao, spoon nahi."
[Hey, you hungry soul from seven lifetimes. Eat the food, not the spoon.]
Both of them burst into laughter.
After changing the spoon, he turned towards Safiya and gently fed her the next bite. She smiled gratefully before eating, her heart feeling just a little lighter because of Ahaan's ridiculous antics.
At that very moment, Mansi came hurrying through the crowd with Safiya's phone clutched carefully in her hands.
"Sahab ka phone hai..."