Arsalan

"Arsalan, go give your measurements, the tailor is here."Ammi said as I slumped down on the sofa besides her.

I nodded silently as Zarah offered me a glass of water.Gulping down the liquid, I noticed the women work their way on the red dupatta, sewing the tiny beads on it.Aunty Neelum seemed to know it well as her hands didn't stop for once even when she wasn't looking down at the dupatta.Ammi too was an expert because on Hira and Asiya's wedding she had done half of the embroidery herself.

I got up to give my measurement to the tailor but first I asked Zarah,

"Where is Shahwar?"

"Aunty Meena and Ahya have taken her for shoe shopping."She informed.

I nodded making my way to the front room knowing that the tailor was there.

The room was scattered with all types of fashion magazines for gents as Salah rolled through the pages looking very uninterested.I fell down on the seat besides Salah as he glanced at me.He showed me a black sherwani raising his eyebrows at me.

"Ain't it too simple for a groom?"I asked.

"Its for you and Imraan, stupid."He whispered back.I hummed as Uncle Yousuf came besides us.

"I am done, go Arsalan, your turn now."He said looking down at me.I glanced at the man behind him with a measurement tape in his hands.

Great.Just Great.

Getting over with the measurements and colour selection, I pulled out my phone to check the emails as I climbed up the stairs.

"Laala..."A voice screamed from behind me making me stop in my steps, the emails long forgotten.

Bilal-

I turned around carefully seeing the joyous three-year old boy run towards me.A grin stretched my lips as I too half ran towards him, swinging him in my arms.A toothy giggle escaped the little boy's lips as he tightened his hold around my neck.

I kissed his chubby pink cheeks as he jumped in my embrace.

"Laala.."He kept saying, excited to see me as much as I was to see him.I tickled his tummy as he giggle, his cheeks reddening more.

Making my way to the main hall, I heard the buzzing of noises and laughter from there.My tired eyes widened to see my two sisters with their families laugh and greet everyone.

Asiya was the first to notice me as she moved away from Ammi's embrace.

"Arsalan-"She said making her way towards me.With Bilal still in my arms, I side hugged my sisters kissing her head as she asked,

"How are you?"

"I am good what about you?"I asked her as her girls made their way grinning towards me.

"Laala"They greeted in unison as I passed Bilal to his Khala, ruffling Samara and Amara's hair as they giggled kissing my cheeks.

"How are my princessess?"I asked hugging them tightly.

"Fine."Samara, the eldest said as they dragged me to everyone else.Iqbal bhai hugged me tightly and so did Shahaab bhai.Although they were the son-in-laws of this house but they always proved themselves to be the real sons of this house.Hira was next in line as she hit my shoulder making embracing me,

"You never get time for your sister, huh?"She said clearly annoyed that I haven't talked to her in four days.

Soon everyone was gathered around the hall as we chatted and laughed.Aunty Meena and Shahwar had also come back from their shopping spree and joined us.Talia mingled easily among the new family members.The children ran around the house playing and enjoying chocolates from Ahya.

"This was the important work you had to do when you left office?"I whispered to Imraan sitting besides me.

"Yes bro."He stated smiling.I smiled back because he had apparently picked Hira and Asiya's family without even informing me.

Bilal was still in my arms as he refused to get down when his mother asked him to.Hira had slumped down besides Aunty Meena defeated, as her son enjoyed playing with his Laala's collar button.

Samara and Amara had started to call me Laala when they were of Bilal's age and now Bilal says it too.I remember Zarah also calling me this but soon it turned into bhai.But for our niece and nephew, Salah, I and Imraan were their Laala's instead of mamu.

I sighed looking up at my reflection.Bright light illuminated the bathroom as I stripped off my shirt.Leaning my palms on the counter I stared at the man before me.My eyes suddenly darting to the scar that ran down the length of left arm's bicep, it curved just above my elbow.My fingers traced it as I closed my eyes tightly.

Screaming.

Broken glass.

Rain.

Ambulances.

Crying.

I breathed out opening my eyes but it seemed all breath had been knocked out of me as I remained stuck in the horrible nightmare.The reflection before me was killing me.It occured that it no longer desired to live.To not see a new morning.

My face twisted into pain as I bit back a groan.My insides turned as I tried really hard not to think about that night.My muscular arms leaned forward as I pressed my hands to the counter once again, heaving.

My eyes were wide as they watered but I didn't cry.

I just wouldn't.

Pulling up the tap I allowed the cool water to splash across my face.Pressing onto the scar that remained across my hair line but it seemed hidden now as my grown hair fell easily on my forehead.

Wiping off my face I walked out from the suffocating room, ready to plaster a new smile on my face.Ready to attend the mehndi function.

An hour later I stood under the bright crystal chandelier in the main hall with Uncle Nawaz as he admired the decorating faculty and my supervision for the beautifully decorated home.

Salah mehndi was to be done in the garden while the arrangement for Shahwar's was done in the veranda.The guests were already piling in and soon enough the function started.Imraan and I had the same kurtas on unlike Salah, who had a darker shade than us.

Loud traditional wedding songs played that didn't stop the men from dancing on the beats.Imraan and I too danced because damn it was our brother's wedding.

In our own crazy dance we didn't leave Salah behind making him loosen a bit too as he danced among us and our friends.

The night passed by enjoying and dancing and eating and teasing.And I somehow suppressed my emotion from a few hours before, under the heavy weigh of happiness that flooded around us.

Something just urged us to enjoy in the glisters of happiness before it all disappeared•

***

Hi !!

So how was the chapter Darlings..??

Any suggestion??

I do not want to repeat the events Of ShahLahs wedding so I am gonna cut them short … :)

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And I forgot to tell you , I am just loving your lucky guesses on the last update .. :D :D Although none of then are correct, I am sorry to disappoint but still , I just LOVED THEM..

Keep commenting, it lets me know how much your thinking about the story .. :)

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Until Next Time,

_Hafsa