2
[ Sir is calling... ]
Safiya gave Mansi a small nod, silently asking her to answer the call. Mansi carefully swiped across the screen before holding the phone up in front of her.
The screen lit up to reveal Zaviyar sitting inside his office, dressed in his usual crisp attire. Files lay scattered across his desk. His gaze instinctively searched for Safiya.
The moment he saw her, he froze.
Her hair had been pinned into an elegant hairstyle, a few soft strands framing her face.
The warm lights of the hall kissed her features, making the subtle makeup glow against her skin.
Fresh mehendi adorned both her hands and for a brief moment, everything behind the screen seemed to blur. All he could see was her.
"Assalamualaikum... kya kar rahi ho?" he asked quietly, his voice softer than usual.
[ Peace be upon you... What are you doing? ]
"Wa Alaikum Assalam... bas mehendi lagayi hui hai."
[ Peace be upon you too... I've just gotten my mehendi done. ]
Since both her hands were occupied, Mansi held the phone while Safiya lifted her palms, showing him the intricate henna.
His brows drew together. She was smiling. She was talking.
Yet something felt... off.
She wasn't bubbling with excitement the way she usually did whenever she spoke to him. There was an unusual restraint in her voice, as though she were carefully hiding something behind that smile.
"Kaisi lag rahi hain?" she asked softly, her eyes remaining fixed on the mehendi instead of the screen.
[ How does it look? ]
His gaze never left her face.
" Behad hee Khoobsurat..."
[" Very Beautiful..."]
The single word escaped before he could think. Safiya instinctively looked up. For the briefest second, he saw her eyes glisten.
As though tears had threatened to spill before she swallowed them back. He blinked once.
Then again. Surely he had imagined it.
Safiya wasn't crying..She never cried that easily.
Before he could dwell on it, she dramatically narrowed her eyes.
"Bas sundar? Aur compliment karein. Chaar ghante baithi hoon, kamar takhta ho gayi hai meri. Agar iss mehendi ka rang nahi aaya toh tumhari khair nahi.", She tried to sound playful and she mostly succeeded.
Almost.
But Zaviyar still caught the tiny crack in her voice, so faint that no one else would've noticed. It sounded like someone desperately pretending everything was perfectly fine.
[ That's it? Just beautiful? Compliment me properly. I've been sitting here for four hours, my back has practically turned into wood. And if this mehendi doesn't turn dark, you're in trouble. ]
"Arre main kaise..."
[ Hey, how am I supposed to... ]
He barely got two words out before Adira loudly interrupted from somewhere behind Safiya.
"Yeh toh kuch bhi nahi, Jeeju. Apna naam bhi dhoondhna padega aapko iski mehendi mein."
[ That's nothing, brother-in-law. You'll also have to find your name hidden in her mehendi. ]
Zaviyar's eyebrows rose with genuine curiosity.
"Tumne likhvaya hai?", he asked turning to Safiya. He remembered how she got his name written during their reception party and she did everything to make the mehendi stain fade away faster.
[ You had my name written? ]
Safiya's ears instantly turned crimson. Without meeting his eyes, she gave a shy little nod. That single gesture made the corner of Zaviyar's lips lift.
Trying to hide her embarrassment, Safiya muttered under her breath,
"Obviously. Agar nahi dhoondh paaye toh ek hafte tak mere saath sone ki permission nahi milegi.", She shot an accusing glare towards Ahaan and Adira, who immediately burst into loud whistles and laughter.
[ Obviously. And if you can't find it, you won't be allowed to sleep beside me for an entire week. ]
"Nahi nahi... ab chup kyun ho gayi? Aur discuss karo. Yahin sab discuss kar lo. Bachchon ki planning bhi aaj hi kar lo.", Adira laughed shamelessly, refusing to spare her best friend.
[ Why did you suddenly go quiet? Keep discussing. You might as well plan your children today too. ]
Not wanting to be left behind, Ahaan folded his arms dramatically.
"Main aap logon ke bachchon ka eklauta Mamu Jaan banunga, toh family planning mein meri bhi rai leni padegi. Kam se kam paanch bachche toh chahiye.", He declared it with the confidence of a man whose opinion absolutely nobody had asked for.
[ I'm going to be the only maternal uncle to your children, so my opinion should matter in the family planning too. At least five children are necessary. ]
Safiya stared at him in utter disbelief.
"Chaate khayega tu. Hrithik Roshan nahi hai saale.", She barked back so quickly that everyone nearby struggled to suppress their laughter.
[ You'll get slapped. You're not Hrithik Roshan, you idiot. ]
"Safiya... language. Aas paas log hain tumhare.", Zaviyar's voice dropped into the calm, firm tone he rarely used.
[ Safiya... watch your language. There are people around you. ]
Instantly, Safiya pressed her lips together.
She frowned. But she obediently nodded.
Ahaan and Adira slowly turned towards the phone with identical expressions of disbelief.
Their eyes widened. Their jaws nearly dropped.
Safiya...
Actually listened?
Neither of them had seen that happen in years.
They exchanged stunned glances before looking back at Zaviyar as though he'd just performed a miracle.
A mischievous smirk spread across Zaviyar's face.
"Waise... main Ahaan ki baat se sehmat hoon."
[ By the way... I agree with Ahaan. ]
Safiya's head snapped towards the screen so fast she nearly gave herself whiplash.
"Aap chup rahein toh behtar hoga.", She pointed an accusing finger at the phone despite not being able to lift her mehendi-covered hands properly.
[ It would be better if you stayed quiet. ]
Ahaan and Adira exchanged another glance before breaking into relieved laughter.
There she was.
Their Safiya.
Sulking, arguing and snapping exactly the way she always did. Rolling her eyes dramatically, she let out an exaggerated sigh.
"Paanch? Ek karne mein hi khauf aata hai."
[ Five? One is terrifying enough. ]
" Ek kaam kar Ahaan tu karle 10 bachche paanch mujhe dediyo... ", Safiya said in a business tone. Ahaan face lit up as he gave her a thumbs up.
" Haan haan kyu nhi hum touh football team bna rahe hain nhi? ", Adira said with a sarcastic smile.
" Wese jeeju aap agar iss baar aaye touh gate rokne ka paisa alag aur joote chhupane ka paisa alag se lungi...", Adira said, remembering how she was deprived of her rights at her bestfriends marriage.
" jouh chahiye lelena, mujhe bas meri biwi louta dena...", Zaviyar said making Safiya's face turn into a red tomato.
" Areh bejhijak le jaiye... ", Adira said with a sheepish smile earning a glare.
" Iss 2 rupees people ke liye ", Ahaan pointed at Safiya, " aap iss world class gareeb ko paise Dene ke liye tayyar hogaye? ", then he pointed at Adira.
" Oh excuse me... It's called bizzness... ", Adira said kicking him in the knee.
" Aur aaj subah jouh mere batwe se paise harpe tum dono neh... ", Ahaan accused both of them.
" Touh? Mera haq hain, mein hone vaali biwi hu tumhari... ", Adira said.
" Chalo dikhati hu tumhe haq jatana kise kehte hain... ", Ahaan said pulling her along.
" Abeh hawasi aadmi, tu shaadi ke pehle mujhe maasi mat banadena. ", Safiya said making Ahaan give her a cheeky grin.
" Maasi kyu? Phuppo kyu nhi? ", Ahaan then questioned.
" Nhi woh maasi hogi... ", Adira argued.
" Phuppo... ", Ahaan said pulling her along.
" Nhi maasi ", Safiya chuckled as both of them disappeared while arguing about what she would be, maasi or phuppo.
[ Maasi - mother's sister]
[ Phuppho - father's sister ]
Safiya saw her mehendi had almost dried so she took the phone from mansi. She got up waking to a secluded area.
" Maasi phuppo toh thik hain lekin... ", Zaviyar said catching her attention.
" Hamare bachcho ki mama kab banengi aap... ", His sudden question made her eyes widened as words got stuck in her tone.
Before she could say anything, a woman who went to the yoga centre with Rabiya peeked in, " Is this your husband, Safiya? ", she asked curious.
" Yes. ", she nodded.
" Ask him to come today. It's your parents' anniversary and we can meet him too. ", the lady said with a sweet smile.
" I will aunty. ", the lady smiled at Zaviyar before walking away.
" Tum nhi aarahe ho? ", she finally asked.
" Nhi aasakunga... Itni short notice peh. Par tum enjoy karo safiya.... ", he said.
" Hm.... ", she tried not to show him that it affected her but her face turned gloomy.
" Are you angry? ", he asked, concerned laced in his voice.
" N-no why should I be angry. That too for something like this. ", she said, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. She tried her best not to let him see how deeply his words had affected her, unwilling to give away the disappointment quietly settling inside her heart.
[ N-no, why should I be angry? That too for something like this. ]
" Ammi, told me that you want to stay there for a few days so whenever you want to come back, tell me. I'll send the car to get you."
[.Mom told me that you want to stay there for a few days, so whenever you want to come back, let me know. I'll send the car to pick you up..]
Safiya simply nodded, her fingers tightening around the edge of her phone. His words echoed in her mind, making something inside her sink. How could he become so formal... so rigid? He could have easily said that he would come to take her home himself.
Was that really so difficult? If he couldn't make even that little effort, then perhaps she didn't want to go back either.
" No need. ", she snapped. " I can go back myself. " The sharpness in her voice caught even her by surprise.
" So when are you coming back. ", a faint smile threatened to appear on Zaviyar's face as he watched her pout in annoyance through the screen. She looked unbelievably adorable when she was upset but beneath his amusement was a quiet guilt. He hadn't intended to hurt her feelings.
" Jab man karega chali jaungi. ", she shrugged.
(I'll come back whenever I feel like it)
" Aur yeh man kab karega aapka. ", his voice carried a hint of teasing that completely flew over her head. She was far too irritated to notice the mischief hidden beneath his calm expression.
( And when will you feel like it? )
" Tumhe touh farak nhi parta na mere waha hone ya na honeh ka, touh jab bhi jau, usse tumhe koi matlab nhi ... Bye "
(You don't care whether I'm there or not anyway, so it doesn't matter to you whenever I return... Bye.)
Without waiting for his reply, she disconnected the call.
Barely a second later, her phone lit up with his name again.
Safiya rolled her eyes and rejected the call without a moment's hesitation. When it rang yet again, she blocked his number, switched her phone to silent, and slipped it into her pocket with an annoyed huff.
If he didn't care enough to come and take her back himself, then she didn't care enough to return.
She lifted her chin and walked back toward the living room, determined not to think about him anymore.
The hall was once again filled with cheerful chatter. Women sat together in little circles, sipping tea, exchanging stories, and laughing over old memories. The comforting aroma of freshly brewed tea mixed with the sweet scent of drying mehendi still lingered in the air.
Just then, one of the elderly women clapped her hands together.
" Chalo chalo sab haath dhou lou cheeni paani se. "
[ Come on everyone, wash your hands with sugar water. ]
Everyone obediently made their way to wash the dried henna using sugar water. A little while later, they returned to the living room, balancing cups of tea and plates of biscuits as conversations resumed as though they had never paused.
As everyone admired the rich stains blooming across their palms, one of the women suddenly smiled at Rabiya.
" Rabiya your mehendi stain is so dark, Wajahat bhai still loves you the same. "
[ Rabiya, your mehendi stain is so dark. Wajahat bhai still loves you just as much. ]
The teasing immediately drew everyone's attention toward the intricate henna designs decorating each other's hands. Neelo then looked at both Safiya and Adira with a smile.
" Even Safiya's friends mehendi has turned out quite dark. But Safiya's... "
She pressed her lips together before finishing her sentence, her expression saying everything she hadn't voiced aloud.
" It's not that dark... ", Safiya lowered her gaze to her palm.
Neelo wasn't wrong. Fresh henna naturally deepened over time but compared to everyone else's deep orange stains, hers remained noticeably lighter.
It wasn't pale enough to look faded, yet it certainly lacked the richness the others proudly displayed.
For reasons she couldn't explain, the sight left an unpleasant ache in her chest.
" Mehendi ke rang se hee pta chal jaata hain ki pati tumse kitna pyaar karta hain. ", one of the women remarked with complete confidence.
(The colour of the mehendi tells you how much your husband loves you.)
Safiya absentmindedly traced her thumb over the place where Zaviyar's name was hidden within the intricate design. She quietly folded her fingers into a fist before looking up.
" And what about those women who aren't married. What would their henna staining dark or light mean? "
The question left the woman momentarily speechless.
" yeh sab bas kehne ki baatein hain, asal mein it all depends on body temperature. "
Embarrassed laughter spread through the room.
(These are just sayings. In reality, it all depends on body temperature)
Several women quickly nodded in agreement, while a few admitted that the old beliefs surrounding mehendi were simply harmless traditions that made the celebration more enjoyable than anything else.
The conversation gradually drifted to lighter topics, and time slipped away unnoticed.
By the time the wall clock struck half past four, the afternoon had begun melting into evening.
One by one, the women gathered their purses and dupattas, exchanged warm goodbyes and started leaving for their homes, carrying the lingering fragrance of mehendi and laughter with them.
_____________________________________
At the party
The moment the music changed, the chatter filling the hall softened into eager whispers. Every pair of eyes turned toward the entrance as the doors slowly opened.
Rabiya and Wajahat stepped inside together, walking side by side beneath a canopy of warm fairy lights while flower petals rained gently over them. The room burst into applause and cheerful whistles.
Someone from the family jokingly called them the bride and groom of the evening, earning shy smiles from the couple. After thirty years of marriage, they still looked at one another with a quiet familiarity that only time could create, and the sight alone was enough to make several guests smile.
Safiya stood right at the front, clapping harder than anyone else. The excitement on her face was impossible to miss as she cheered loudly for her parents, determined to make them feel celebrated in every possible way.
A few minutes later, once the excitement had settled and the guests had returned to mingling, Rabiya walked over to Safiya, still looking adorably flustered from all the attention she had received.
" Safiya beta entry ki kya zarurat thi. Mujhe itni sharam aayi na ", Rabiya muttered feeling shy.
(Safiya dear, what was the need for that grand entry? I felt so shy)
" Hamari touh umar guzar gayi, loug pta nhi kya kya keh rahe honge, ki budhape mein jawani ka shouk charha hain humein. ", rabiya chidded.
(We've grown old. Who knows what people must be saying, that we've suddenly developed youthful hobbies in old age.)
Safiya couldn't help laughing at her mother's embarrassment.
" Areh aunty it was necessary. You and uncle have been together for 30 years. It should be celebrated properly. ", Adira chimed in.
(Oh aunty, it was necessary. You and uncle have been together for thirty years. It should be celebrated properly)
Safiya stepped closer and gently adjusted the pleats of Rabiya's saree that had shifted during the entrance.
" Aapne achcha kiya. Aur kya aap baar baar ek hee baat keh rahi hain ammi. Loug ky kahenge woh sochte sochte kya hum ab enjoy na karein? "
(You looked great. And why do you keep saying the same thing, Mom? If we keep worrying about what people will say, should we stop enjoying life altogether?)
There was a quiet sincerity in her voice that made Rabiya look at her with softened eyes.
" All these years you all celebrated your anniversary normally. I know you always wanted to experience a wedding, this was the closest to what i could give you. "
For a brief second, Rabiya simply stared at her daughter. She had never expected Safiya to remember something she had once mentioned so casually years ago.
" So ammi stop thinking about others and enjoy it like it's your wedding. "
Emotion shimmered in Rabiya's eyes as she wrapped Safiya in a bone-crushing hug, holding her just a little tighter than usual.
Safiya laughed from within the embrace before teasing her mother.
" But don't end up getting me a small brother or sister okay. ", Rabiya immediately smacked her lightly on the arm.
" Shaitaan. "
(You little devil)
The playful exchange dissolved into laughter before a group of women from Rabiya's kitty party swept her away, eager to steal the guest of honour for more photographs and conversations.
" Safiya ji, hello. "
The unfamiliar male voice made Safiya turn around.
To her surprise, Nosherwan, Neelo's son, stood a few feet away from her. He shifted his weight awkwardly before forcing a polite smile as he stepped closer.
" Hello. ", His nervousness was almost visible, but he tried his best not to let it show.
"This party is wonderful. You've organized everything so beautifully."
A polite smile curved Safiya's lips.
"I'm glad you're enjoying it."
Silence briefly settled between them, making Nosherwan clear his throat in search of another conversation starter.
"The décor, the music... everything feels very elegant. You must have put in a lot of effort."
Safiya nodded modestly.
"It was a team effort."
Although her answer was courteous, it was short enough to make him realize she wasn't interested in prolonging the conversation.
His smile flickered for only a moment before returning.
"Still, the credit should go to you. You have excellent taste."
She offered another restrained smile.
"That's kind of you to say."
There was another brief pause before Nosherwan gathered enough courage to say what had clearly been on his mind from the beginning.
"And, if you don't mind me saying... you're looking very beautiful tonight."
Safiya responded with nothing more than a tight-lipped smile.
"Thank you."
Her eyes instinctively wandered across the hall, already searching for an escape from the increasingly uncomfortable conversation.
"Please excuse me. There are a few guests I must attend to."
She inclined her head politely and turned to leave before he could think of another reason to stop her.
" Nosherwan... ", Neelo's voice rang through the hall just in time.
" What are you doing... "
She walked straight toward them, unknowingly blocking Safiya's path before turning to her with an expression of pleasant surprise.
" Oh Safiya. I was looking for you. "
Without giving Safiya the chance to object, Neelo gently caught hold of her wrist and began leading her away.
" Rabiya bhabi, everyone. "
Safiya glanced back once, offering Nosherwan a small apologetic nod before reluctantly allowing herself to be pulled along, silently wondering what Neelo wanted now.
Neelo suddenly clapped her hands together, drawing the attention of every woman gathered in the hall. A proud smile spread across her face as she looked toward the entrance.
" You all wanted to know who my daughter's fiance was right. Look they are here. "
Almost instinctively, every head turned toward the doors.
Safiya followed their gaze, only for her breath to catch in her throat.
Adeel walked into the venue with Natasha by his side.
Natasha looked nothing like the confident woman Safiya remembered.
Heavy makeup concealed the exhaustion on her face, but it couldn't hide the puffiness around her eyes or the uncertainty in her uneven steps.
Adeel, on the other hand, looked composed on the outside, though there was an unmistakable tension in his expression.
The sight alone was enough for Safiya to understand what had happened. He hadn't come because Neelo had invited him, or because he was Natasha's fiancee. He was here because it was the only way he could meet her.
He had reconciled with Natasha simply because she was the only bridge left that could lead him back to Safiya after she had completely cut him out of her life.
Neelo beamed with pride as though she had accomplished something remarkable.
" This is Adeel Ansari, my son in law. "
Safiya resisted the urge to sigh.
There had been absolutely no need to invite him tonight, but Neelo had always loved displaying her wealth and connections before others, even when everyone knew she was drowning in debt herself.
" Rabiya bhabi you asked him to come so sweetly, so he couldn't deny her. ", Neelo chirped. Rabiya smiled apologetically at Safiya. Rabiya had never invited Adeel, she just told Neelo to attend along with her family.
One after another, she introduced the Shah family to Adeel. The introductions were awkward considering almost everyone present already knew one another.
Finally, Neelo gestured toward Safiya.
" And this is Safiya, their daughter and the one who organized the event today. "
" Assalamualaikum Safiya. ", Adeel extended his hand toward her.
" Waleikum salam, enjoy the party. "
Safiya had no desire to shake his hand. The mere thought of touching him made her uncomfortable. Yet refusing him in front of so many guests would only create an unnecessary scene.
She reluctantly began lifting her hand.
Before their hands could meet, another hand reached out first.
Larger.
Stronger.
" Hello, Ahaan here. ", Adeel's hand froze for the briefest second before he reluctantly accepted the handshake.
" Hello. ", his greeting was curt, but his eyes never left Safiya, who now stood partially hidden behind Ahaan.
Whispers immediately began spreading across the room.
" Isn't this the same man who was Safiya's fiance? "
" Yes who cheated on her with his secretary. "
" I heard he cheated on her with his secretary. That is neelo's daughter herself. "
" didn't you hear that neelo's daughter got her job through Safiya. It was neelo's daughter who went with that man. "
Several women exchanged shocked glances before looking openly at Natasha.
" chee chee kya begairat ladki hain. "
(Shame, what a shameless girl)
Another woman shook her head in disapproval.
" aur neelo ko touh dekho itraa kese rahi hain. Jesi maa wesi beti. Kirdaar hee kharab hain inka. "
( And look at Neelo showing off. Like mother, like daughter. Their character is questionable )
" haan lamba haath jouh maara hain usne iss bar. "
(Yes, she's grabbed quite a prize this time)
The whispers grew louder with every passing second until they were impossible to ignore.
Every single word reached Neelo's ears.
The smile on her face stiffened.
She could feel herself becoming the subject of ridicule, and she had no intention of bearing the humiliation alone.
Almost instinctively, she turned toward Safiya.
" Safiya, tumhara shohar kha hain? "
(Safiya, where is your husband?)
Her question carried a subtle edge, one carefully wrapped beneath an innocent smile.
" Tumne apne mama aur baba ki anniversary ki party touh dedi, par apni shaadi ki party kab dogi? "
(You organized such a lovely anniversary celebration for your parents, but when will you give us your wedding reception?)
The attention that had been fixed on Neelo shifted to Safiya within seconds.
" Haan Safiya tumne touh achanak se shaadi karli, humein bhi apne shohar se milwao. "
(Yes, Safiya. You got married so suddenly. Introduce us to your husband too)
Dozens of curious eyes settled on her, all waiting for an answer.
Safiya forced herself to remain composed despite the sudden knot forming in her stomach.
" Jee woh aaj thora busy hain, so probably nhi aapayega. "
( He's a little busy so he might not be able toake it )
Before anyone could ask another question, Rabiya stepped beside her daughter and gently slipped an arm around her.
" Zaviyar touh aaj na aa paye, par jald hee aaplog usse mil sakenge. "
( Zaviyar couldn't make it today, but you'll all meet him very soon)
Her reassuring smile managed to ease some of the curiosity in the room.
But Neelo wasn't ready to let the matter go.
A knowing smile tugged at her lips.
" Nhi aapayega ya fir woh milwana hee nhi chahti. "
(He won't come... or is it that she doesn't want to introduce him at all?)
Her words hung heavily in the air, carrying just enough poison to make the atmosphere tense once again.
" Kese milwayegi, akhir uska pati gaon ka jouh hain. " This time, another woman chimed in, loud enough for the entire circle to hear. A few suppressed giggles followed, their eyes gleaming with the kind of curiosity that thrived on humiliation.
(How will she introduce him? After all, her husband is from a village)
" Areh woh chhoro mene toub suna hain yeh waha jaake uss ladke ke saath gulchhare udaaye, fir jab dulhan ne shaadi karne se mna kardiya tab jaakar inn dono ki shaadi hui.
" One of the ladies leaned close to Neelo and whispered dramatically into her ear.
Neelo gasped with exaggerated disbelief before covering her lips, as though she had just heard the scandal of the decade.