"Zubiya have you decided tum kya pehno gi raat ko" Gaiti walked into Zubiya's room. Zubiya was sitting in front of a book shelf cleaning and organizing it. They were in Islamabad for a few days and the family had been invited to an engagement party for one of Usman's old colleague's son. Mr & Mrs. Usman along with Gaiti, Zubiya and Saim had reached a couple of day ago, Asfand had stayed back due to being busy at the hospital and was supposed to arrive today to spend the weekend with his family however there was still no sign of him
Z: Bhabi do I have to go? Asfand abhi hospital sey niklay bhi nahi hain, mujhe nahi lagta woh engagement sey pehlay ayengey. Main ghar per ruk jaon please...Zubiya begged her sister-in-law/bff. She always hated attending social events and was more than happy to confine herself to her home and hospital. In her parents' home in Karachi, she had the excuse of studying or looking after Abbi but here, her husband's family had a full social calendar since they were very influential in Islamabad and socialized with who's-who of the Islamabad elite. She tried to avoid as many parties and events as possible because she never felt fully comfortable is those settings, having Gaiti and her husband around helped but still, Zubiya just felt like she didn't fit in. Her in-laws were accommodating and understanding. They didn't expect her or Asfand to attend every event since they were still considered the young newly-wed couple with busy careers and barely had enough time for each other.
"Bilkul jana hai, main or mama tumhein ghar par akelay chor kar nahi jaye gey, pata nahi Asfi kab aye raat ko" Gaiti declined her request in an instant.
Z: Ughh bhabi jab tak main safayi kar longi, dekhiye kitna mess hain yahan per.
G: Zubiya ki bachi no more excuses. Chalo na please main to tum mil kar guess karein gey kon si aunty kon sa facial expression dena cha rahi hain with her botoxed face.
Z: Now that you say that I am tempted, don't forget the over-the-top tacky fresh off the runway clothes. Zubiya said as both of the girls burst into laughter
G: K let's find you an outfit. Phir main ney appointment banaya hain meray, tumhare or Mama ke liye. We are going to a stylist to get our hair and makeup done.
Z: Nooo wayyy, iski deal nahi howi thi. Sirf janey ke liye agree howi hon main.
G: I am not asking you, main bata rahi hon so can you hurry up and not make us late. Gaiti said as she walked into Zubiya's closet.
G: Zubiya I think tumhein sari pehna chahiye, main or mama bhi sari pehnay gey. Gaiti called out from inside the closet.
Z: No please last time main ney pehni thi remember how uncomfortable I was. I feel so naked in a sari jaisey sab mujhe dekh rahey hain.
G: Sab to apko dekhain gey kyunki ap itni pyari lagne wali hain. Sari it is! Gaiti said with finality as she walked out holding a gold tissue sari with a black and gold border and a black embroided blouse with 3/4 sleeves.
Z: Yeh see through hai is liye main ney abhi tak nahi pehni.
G: Zubiya tum bahut tang karti ho, yeh blouse lamba hai or sleeves bhi lambi hain. Kuch nazar nahi ayega sab chupa rahey ga tumhare Asfi ke liye don't worry. Gaiti teased her again and Zubiya just rolled her eyes. She knew she couldn't win with Gaiti. Her husband was probably not going to be there tonight, might as well have fun getting dressed and enjoy the party, Zubiya thought to herself.
"I have told mama you are not allowed to leave the house looking like that" Zubiya's phone beeped as it flashed the message from her husband. She had just finished getting her hair and makeup done. Her hair was sitting in loose low bun and she had subtle eye makeup and bold burgundy lips, the makeup brought out her natural doll like features. She wore gold kundan earrings and her neck was bare. Her mother's antique kangans and some plain black chooris adorned her wrists.
Z: How do you know what I look like? Zubiya texted back
A: We have only been away from each other a few days and you have already forgotten about our telepathic connection. I am so hurt. Zubiya looked at her phone and smiled at his response.
Lubna: Asfi hai beta? Main ney abhi tumhari picture bheji hai usko hopefully that will make him come faster. She winked and walked gracefully to the counter to pay for their services.
Z: Aap arahe hain? Are you on your way? She texted him
A: Not yet but I wish I was. You look gorgeous!
Z: Thanks! I think we are leaving now; will I see you later?
A: I think so! bye, don't have too much fun without me.
Z: Not making any promises
The engagement venue was an indoor/outdoor setting. The outside tent was beige and was set up in beige and taupe with hot pink and dark green accents. The indoor hall also matched the outside colours. The event was being attended by 400-500 of "close" friends and family. Zubiya and Gaiti had laughed at the notion of having 500 close friends and family. They spotted many celebrities, politicians and sports personalities. Lubna and Usman socialized with their old friends and colleagues while Zubiya and Gaiti hung out with the younger lot and kept an eye on Saim.
G: Zubiya tum chai lekar ana main Saim ko pakar kar lati hon woh shayad bahar bhag gaya hai. Gaiti said as they finished eating dinner. The rest of the friends they were sitting with also started getting up to greet people, get dessert etc. Zubiya walked over to one of the stations serving chai when she felt someone behind her.
Man: Hello. Zubiya turned around startled at the unfamiliar voice and saw a tall man in a white kurta shalwar. He was probably 28-29 years old and had long thick hair that was gelled back. She felt uneasy with the way his eyes looked at her. She tried to walk away but he took another step and blocked her way.
Man: Hi Apney shayad mujhe nahi pehchana main Kamran Malik hon remember
Z: Nahi I don't think I know you, ap shayad kisi or ko dhond rahe hain.
K: Nahi hum to kab se ap ko he dekh rahe hain, Ap Bahria college ki hain? Hum to yahan key maalik hain sab ko jaantey hain. He said as he tried to get friendly and flashed a lewd smile.
Z: No I am not from here. She said as she tried to look over his shoulder to see if she can spot Gaiti or Usman. She was feeling disgusted by the way he kept staring at her.
K: Wohi main sochon, itni piyari larki hamare yahan or main aj mila. Ap larki walon ki taraf sey ayi hain?
Z: Nahi actually mujhe apni bhabi ko dhondna hai if you will excuse me...Zubiya tried to walk around him and get away politely without creating a scene.
K: Rukiye main bhi apke saath chalta hon hum log milkar apki bhabi ko dhondtey hain, don't want a pretty girl like you to get lost in the crowd, he said as he took a step with her.
Z: No I am fine, she said sternly this time as she looked him right in the eye. Just then she felt a hand on her lower back and jumped out of surprise.
Asfand: Woahhh heyyy you okay? Zubiya was relieved to hear her husband's familiar voice as she turned around. She grabbed his left arm to balance herself and nearly hid behind him, clutching his upper arm tightly. Asfand looked at her and looked back at the man standing in front him
A: Hello Kami, I see you have met my wife. Zubiya, you met Kami? He's an old family friend, him and I went to the same school. He said as he extended his right hand to shake his hand. The shock and disappointment on Kamran's face was obvious but he quickly recovered.
K: Asfi my man! Good to see you. Didn't realize this is your wife. Main inki help kar raha tha yeh shayad kisi ko dhond rahi hain. Asfand looked at Zubiya and raised an eyebrow before turning back to Kamran.
A: Thanks man, I think yeh mama or bhabi ko dhond rahi hogi. Tum sunao how is everything?
K: All good man, you know how us Maliks do he laughed a loud boisterous laughter. Tu bata, kab aya? hospital main sab kaisa chal raha ha doctor saab? Humein bhi batao hum bhi koi naiki karein Allah ney itna paisa diya hai.
A: Bus abhi abhi aya hon straight to the party from the airport, yeh log pehlay agaye thay. Hospital is good, come visit us sometime.
Z: Asfand chalein, does mama know you're here? Zubiya pulled his arm.
A: Alright Kamran, et me go find mama and dad and say hi to some other people, good to see you!
K: How long are you guys here for? I was out of town when you got married, shadi ki dawat due hai let's get together for dinner? Kamran asked and Zubiya just shuddered at the thought of eating dinner with him
A: I am just here for the weekend; these guys are here a bit longer. Asfand felt another tug at his arm.
K: Ok, let me tell dad to plan something with Usman uncle. Kamran said as the guys did another quick handshake/hug thing and walked away.
Z: There is no way in hell that I am attending a dinner with this guy. Asfand laughed at hearing that.
A: He is harmless Zubiya.
Z: He is gross! Kaise friends hain apkey?
A: Woh typical waderay ka beta hai but he is okay he is a nice guy.
Z: Apka nice guy maar khaaney wala tha meray hathon agar thora or free hota. Asfand laughed at his wife again.
A: Yeah poor guy had no idea what fire cracker he was messing with. He entwined their fingers and held her hand firmly as they walked outside to meet his family.
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