Chapter 36 - chapter 35 : Wedding Festivities!

Aaliya was standing inside her walk-in closet struggling to resolve what to wear for Sofiya's Haldi, as Aaban being a boy won't be having this ceremony, She has agreed to support this ceremony as Sofiya's best friend from her side. Her scrutinising gaze was sauntering over the whole receptacle of her heavy dresses which she hasn't wear even for once and specially designed by herself to don at her brother's wedding.



Rukaiyya knocked on the door and she glanced at her with a smile.

"Aaliya appi Arslan Bhai aa gae he!" (Aaliya sister, Arslan brother has come!) She notified her and the next second Aaliya was out of her room marching towards Arslan's room.



Their bond was gone back to the way it prevailed two years ago, of course, things weren't that smooth the way it was in past but it was still okay.


Aaliya knocked on the door once, out of manners as she didn't want to just barge in. After that knock when she heeded his voice come in then only she barged into his room. It looked like he has just reached as his duffel bag was resting near the foot of his bed and he was slumped on it looking worn out.


Upon earshot of her footsteps, he smiled a little and rolled to stare at her, there she was standing with her arms folded on her chest and cute angry representations on her face. He anticipated this will come about, he huffed out and veered around entirely to look at her. Her eyes for a fraction of a second appeared troubled but she salvaged her stance ever so naturally.


She tapped her right foot on the floor illustrating her impatience, her henna clad hands were exhibiting stark contrast with her milky white skin. Her dark maroon henna was looking exquisite on her. Arslan got lost in her henna clad hands that he neglected the first place why Aaliya was here and glaring at him with stern expressions on her face! When Aaliya looked him lost somewhere, she huffed out and clicked the fingers in front of his eyes.



"Back to the earth!" She asserted and he fluttered rapidly and peeked at her face.


"Where were you?" She put forward a question without modification in her expressions, she lifted her eyebrows.

"I got some important work..." before he could terminate his sentence he was shortened by her voice.


"Four days before your cousin's marriage you received some valuable work?" She asked again exasperatedly.



"That needed my presence, I couldn't impel anyone else in my place, if I could I would certainly have!" He made an effort to elucidate to her, she was near to discuss again but somnolence his face demonstrated effectively shut off her mouth.


She closed her eyes and strived to drink up her anger, she opened her eyes and saw him who was looking at her with soft expressions on his face.


"Take rest, I will meet you tomorrow!" Saying she swivelled on her heels but was halted by his voice.


"Why tomorrow?" He inquired with inquisitiveness in his voice.


"I am leaving for Sofiya's Haldi." She answered peeking over her shoulder, not entirely turning towards him.



"Take security with you, Media people are lurking around the whole mansion!" He said to her, she nodded and went away.


She had quit addressing him as Arsh Bhai as now somewhere it senses wrong to call him that and she can't call him by his name so she has begun avoiding addressing him at all. She would just converse to him with 'you' so she wouldn't have to address him.




Aaliya wore yellow Anarkali and braided her hairs letting some strands lose, with that she wore a ring on her right hand's middle finger. Jhumkas in her ears and silver stilettoes with that she was ready to go.



Somehow the news that Aaban Siddique is getting married was sprayed like a wildfire in media, After all, it's not every day that one of the Siddique is getting married so the media was constantly surrounding the Siddique Mansion. Aaliya settled in the car and with considerable complication made her way to Sofiya's house. Sofiya's house was draped with fairy lights and flowers all over, just like her mansion which was also scuttling with guests and kids.



Aaliya was procured with an outstanding welcome which made her giggle, Sofiya was also endowed in Yellow gharara and flower jewellery but devoid of any makeup. Her cousins and friends made her soaking in the Haldi (turmeric paste) by the end of the function proclaiming the more the paste she would apply, the more the glow she would have!



But even her friends were not skimped on as they were also soaked in yellow paste by announcing of the elders that Unke Bhi hath jaldi Peele ho Jayenge (this would cause even their marriages soon!) And even Aaliya was yellow by the end.


Arslan was loitering for her return, he was moving around the corridor of his room when he saw her entering inside the house looking like a yellow bird, he couldn't help but let out a small chuckle discerning her but she didn't listen to him and straightaway took off to her room which was in the opposite direction of his.


He slept that night with a small smile carved on his lips, after a long period that was an advancement.



~*~


The next day Aaban's Nikah was held, Everyone got ready in their dresses and assembled to depart for the Sofiya's house, Men directly went to the Mosque and women to the house.




(Aaban's Outfit)




(Sofiya's Outfit)


Sofiya and Aaban were matching their colour code as both of them donned Ivory colour.



(Arslan's Outfit)





(Aaliya's Outfit)

Aaliya wore long ankle length Anarkali which was biscuit coloured with full sleeves and with that she maintained her accessories minimal with a ring in her right middle finger and a biscuit watch in her left hand.




(Rehan's Outfit)


After the Nikah was performed and men were greeted in Sofiya's house and soon the lunch was administered after consuming to their heart's fill, the rituals of Rukhsati begun.



Aaliya was standing in the car whereas Sofiya was away from her meeting everyone, Arslan was standing beside Aaliya. Catching a glimpse of Sofiya cry Aaliya too felt sympathetic as her own eyes fill up with tears. Arslan bumped his shoulder to her inquiring why she was weeping!



"How unfair it is that always girls have to relinquish and leave their house!" Aaliya complained to him on which he smirked a little.


"But you wouldn't have to!" He mumbled to himself but she was standing beside him and she listened to it. Her cheeks flushed hearing it coming from him, it was the first time she heard something like this from him and she moved away the next moment but not before shoving her elbow in his stomach. He stared shocked at her action and she giggled detecting his expressions, his own lips turned upwards seeing her laugh in glee, Rehaan was the one who glanced at everything and smiled sadly at the duo.


The likelihoods of his love to bloom were getting thinner and he was assembling himself mentally to let her go even before holding her!



After Aaliya assisted Sofiya sitting in her car, She scurried towards Arslan who has fetched one of his sports cars and squatted down in the passenger's seat.



"Come on, we have to reach before them. I have to prevent him from entering inside the house!" She exclaimed at him and he roared the engine to life as he moved the car and carried it to the road in no time. Detecting the speed made him feel exhilaration and Aaliya's excitement was no less as she squealed like a child when they surpass Aaban's car. Both of them laughed willingly at their stupidity, just like old times, no drifts, no heartbreaks, no misunderstandings, no issues between them.



Aaliya arrived at the mansion before Aaban and halted him from immigrating to the Mansion along with Raziya.



"What now?" Aaban asked her staring at her who was being an obstruction to him from entering the house.


"Come on, give money!" Aaliya commanded forwarding her hand towards him.



"Ab kis liye? (now for what?)" He asked her as from the time his wedding functions has commenced, Aaliya was demanding money from him in the name of one or another ritual.


"Agar aap ko ghar me aana he to paise to dene padenge na! Bhul gaye ye rasm? (If you want to enter inside the house then you have to give money! Forgot about this custom?)" Aaliya asked formulating fake innocent expressions.



"De do Aaban meri Shaadi par bhi mujhe kam nahi luta tha isne! (Give her Aaban even on my Wedding she didn't raided me less!)" Ayan said giving rise to all the elders laugh and Aaliya stuck her tongue in retort.


Aaban eliminated the money from his wallet and bestowed her the demanded amount without any bargaining. No matter how rich you are the main pleasure of looting off the groom is always fun.


When everyone moved inside while Aaliya was summing up the money she received, Arslan leaned a little down and whispered in her ear.


"Aap mujhe bhi meri shaadi par lootengi? (Will you even raid me off on my wedding?)" He asked as mirth dancing in his eyes as well as voice, her cheeks flared up a second time in the day hearing him but she collected herself.


"Bilkul, Sabse zyada aap ko hi lootungi! (Surely, i will raid you the most!)" Saying she went away from there leaving a grinning Arslan behind.


~*~


The next day only Aaban has announced that he will officially disclose his wedding as he didn't wish to obscure the fact of getting hitched from the world and because of that, they held the Reception tomorrow only in which all the business partners and associates would be invited.


And as it is the high profile reception Paparazzi will definitely be there and they were competent to provide pictures and perhaps answers to some of their questions? They have held the reception in the evening.



The next day morning when Sofiya came for the breakfast Aaliya didn't abandon any probability to tease the bride and groom rendering her blush but Aaban was nonetheless attempting to act oblivious but the red tips of his ears were confiding a different story of their own and All the elders were laughing seeing her act so childish and funny.


"Bas Aalu ab baksh do becharo ko! (Stop Aalu now leave them!)" Raziya said to Aaliya and that effectively shut up the Aaliya as she couldn't deny her Raziya Appi.


Finishing off with the breakfast, they all got occupied with the evening's preparations. Aaban and Sofiya went back to their room to take much-needed comfort and the others got active surveying all the preparations.



In the evening whole Siddique family got prepared to move towards the venue which was a seven-star most extraordinary hotel in the city. They have agreed that Aaban and Sofiya would appear later, first other Siddique's would leave.



As per the last time, Aaliya drove with Arslan in one of his best sports cars. Aaliya was wearing a heavily embellished gown of sky blue colour, it had long sleeves and ankle-length. With that, she wore a delicate necklace on her neck. And with that, she wore a ring on her middle finger and a blue dialled watch in her left hand.



Knowingly or unknowingly Arslan too was wearing a blue suit without a tie with a white shirt underneath. He was wearing his Rolex watch and matching shoes with his suit.





On entering the venue, they both glanced at each other and expelled a sigh, their car was completely encircled by paparazzi. He created his way towards the parking lot of the hotel with much trouble and put his head on the steering wheel. They both came out of the car and Aaliya was stepping behind deliberately clasping her gown in her both hands. Arslan assisted her in walking while grabbing her hand in his.



When he held her delicate hand in his big ones, a shot of electricity ran straight to the spine and they both felt it. Aaliya felt a warm, fuzzy emotion in the pit of her stomach as well as in her heart glimpsing her hand in his. Her hand seemed so fragile in his grip but yet locked perfectly as if it was created for his hands only. She blushed at that thinking and peeked at him who was moving forward, while he was attempting his best to penetrate inside without appearing in any cameras.



They both moved inside and inspected all the preparations, everything looked perfect and in its place then only Aaliya called Aaban to make an appearance.




Aaban then made his significant entry with Sofiya by his side, He wore an icy blue coloured three-piece suit matching with his wife's dress.



On the other hand, Sofiya wore an icy blue-coloured gown. Which was completely embedded with pearls and other embroidery and stones. She wore an emerald and diamond necklace with the dress and some earrings to go with it. She put the dupatta of the dress on her head giving the look of complete Muslim bride that she was.







Aaban comforted her to come out of the car by giving her his hand which she grabbed with a smile on her face, she appeared out and he propelled her steady on her legs by lending her his full support.



The 'clicks' of the cameras were the only thing they could listen to, all the paparazzi went crazy discovering the power couple. They didn't halt to provide the pictures as it was supposed they would allow them after the ceremony would be over. Security guards insulate them as they made their entrance holding hand in hand.


The reception looked like what a high society function would look like from the adornments to the variation of buffets. Every kind of cuisine was existing in the food department and the slow music was playing behind in the background offering a peaceful environment.


Door hoke bhi paas mere ho
Sapno se aage ab tum
Haqikat ban chuke ho

Arslan was speaking to one of the business partners and then he excused himself, savouring the cold exotic fruit punch that was in his hand, he looked around to locate the most beautiful person in this world which was for him was none other than his liya.


His gaze fell on her who was conversing with one of the women present in the function. She was smiling while chatting to her.

Yeh dard hai jo tere
Tu kar de unko mere
Meri har duaa me tu
Par haqikat me kahaan

Arslan recalled the words Raziya has notified him hearing the lyrics of the song, the suffering which she went across when he fled. He had felt pathetic hearing this from Raziya. In his selfishness, he overlooked her, her pain, her happiness.


Saari ki saari meri hai tu
Tujhko kabhi na mai batoon
Haara dil haara tujhpe mai aise
Behoshi ke aalam ho jaise

He was gazing at her, who was now chatting to Rehaan. He felt irritated at Rehaan because she was chatting to him and not him but then he soothed himself glimpsing at her smile which she was offering to Rehaan. If it would have been in his hands then he would never let her chat with any male but then again he would never cage her.



Yaadein meri aayen jab bhi
Soch lena kareeb hun mai
Khwaab mere aayein jab bhi
Palkon ke neeche hi hun mai

She was just a few steps away from him but in reality miles away from him. She was like a moon for him, he can watch the moon, the radiance which the moon distances but can't touch her or possess her.




Yeh dard hain jo tere
Tu kar de unko mere
Meri har duaa me tu
Par haqikat me kahaan

He has already created harmony with the certainty that his love for her would eternally be one-sided, would persist unrequited. He solicited for her prosperity always may it be with someone else. He can't be selfish again. It would be for her betterment only if she would be away from him, he inferred this fact but the heart doesn't appreciate what the mind says.


Saari ki saari teri hun mai
Kabhi door tujhse na jaaun
Chahe lage arson aane me mujhe
Phir door tujhse na jaaun

Aaliya's gaze drop on him, who was staring at her with some indistinct expressions on his face, she took strides towards him. Eliminating the distance they had in between them.


Saari ki saari meri hai tu
Tujhko kabhi na main batoon
Haara dil haara tujhpe mai aise
Behoshi ke aalam ho jaise


She reached where he was standing and put on a gorgeous smile to him which could get anyone on their knees in front of her. She lifted her eyebrows in a questioning manner on which he shook his head with a sheepish smile on his face.



They were conversing among themselves when Rehaan stared at them. He was wearing a navy blue three-piece suit with a grey waistcoat underneath. He was looking handsome in his suit with a brown watch and shoes.






He had an unfortunate smile on his face, he was looking at them who were laughing and Aaliya slapped his arm and he laughed additionally on that. Discovering that Rehaan felt something burning in his chest. They looked like they were so much in love or is it his emotions that were giving rise to him believe like this?


Later that night, the Whole Siddique family provided a pose to Paparazzi compelling them to go frenzy over that. And Siddique couple's also gave individual couple pictures. But Aaliya and Arslan felt left behind as they both were singles and taking that as a chance few paparazzi took off to implore them few questions about their personal lives snatching it as an opportunity.


"Mr Arslan Siddique Aaban has got married when are we going to hear news of your marriage?"


"Mr Siddique when are you getting married?"


"Mr Siddique, is there anyone in your life?"


"No, you are not getting on to learn the news soon!" He retorted not wishing to avoid them at his Cousin's function.


The same questions were tossed at Aaliya and she smiled the first time at the cameras.


"Let's see what the future holds" She responded and moved away before any other questions would be implored from her.


And that was it for the Paparazzi to establish the gossip of the mountain over nothing. Giving up everything behind they reached inside again to go towards their mansion as exhaustion of wedding was ultimately taking a toll on them.


~*~

Aaliya arrived at the office after a day of rest as their motto that never let 'Yesterday's happiness should not stop you from today's work!' She was stepping through the cubicles and reached the cabin, but she glanced at her phone where her Assistant has messaged her stating that she came across a small accident so she would be delayed.



Not having any other option she went to the small pantry by herself to make her cappuccino. Cappuccino yes, Arslan has reprimanded her for taking such strong Caffeine and held a promise from her that she won't take Black coffee more than three times a week. She smiled and shook her head at that thought, he was so adorable.


She was making coffee when she heard some feminine voices.


"Look at this picture, They look like a perfect couple." One of the feminine voice was heard but she carried with her work.


"Now even Aaban Siddique has left the title of Eligible Bachelor! Only Arslan is left!" Another voice said.


"Arslan has said that he won't be getting hitched any time soon!" The first voice said.


"Once only once if he would glance at me then I can die in peace! He is so hot and handsome, and rich is just an additional for him! He is a complete package." Another voice said again.


"Why would he look at you? He would have so many beautiful girls at his feet!" The first voice said again.


"Any girl can be at his feet over his one glimpse! He is that intimidating and powerful." Another voice said.


Hearing about this kind of conversations from some other girls made Aaliya angry, no furious. How dare they talk about him like this? She reckoned but the next moment got confused. Why was it was annoying her if they talked about him like this! But she ignored the second voice as she was too angry to pay heed to it and taking her mug she emerged out from the pantry.



She glared at the female employees making them gulp their own saliva and went away. Her head started bursting with different thoughts, that was the time when her phone rang indicating 'Rehaan Bhai' on the screen.



She took some deep breaths to calm herself and received the call. After greeting she commenced talking to him, who sounded awfully troubled over something.


"No" She replied to something he implored her while scowling.


"What happened? Tell me!" She urged from Rehaan.


"Okay, I am coming." Was her abrupt reply.


That was when she heard the knock on the door of her office. She revolved and permitted the person. Her assistant entered and before she could apologize for being late, she was cut off by the next command of her boss.


"Clear my schedule for now and notify the Pilot to prepare the jet!" Aaliya announced with a Professional voice concealing all her concerns behind that fake facade.


"But Ma'm where are you going?" Her Assistant asked her.


"New York" Was her answer.


~*~

Hey Guys!

Cliffhanger?

With this, I officially end Phase two of this story.