RG 20
20 Chaotically Bonded
Durrani Manzil, Multan
The house was in utter chaos with people running around frantically to get ready for the main event in the evening. Pieces of jewellery and mismatched clothing lined the rooms with lines to iron clothes and get a place to shower. This chaos was rather external and for the guests who had stayed over, who Manal did not pay any heed to.
She had gotten ready in a beautiful Golden dress, an antique jewellery set adorning her with the prettiest makeup making her look even more ethereal
She looked at her reflection in the mirror and fixed her jhoomar when her eyes caught wind of someone entering the room. Her father, Rashid, stepped inside with a velvet box in his hand, a solemn smile gracing his face. Manal stood up and turned around to greet him with a bright smile but tears were threatening to slip out of her eyes.
“You look beautiful, my dearest daughter.”, Rashid gently said, patting her head gently, as if afraid of ruining her look.
“I’m always pretty, I know.” Manal tried lightening the mood with the comment and Rashid couldn’t help but break into a hushed laughter at that.
“I just wanted to say…” He took a deep breath because speaking about feelings as a Pakistan father is probably the most difficult thing known to him but he powered through and continued, “I know I wasn’t always there, sometimes even when you really needed me. I know that I could have done more for you in my capacity but I hope that I have given you some fond memories to take along with you.”
“You have. Do you remember when you used to take us to get ice cream after exams ended every summer even if we exceeded Mama’s weekly sugar quota?” Manal smiled and her father opened the velvet box to reveal gold bangles.
“I remember. And you always ate your ice cream quickly and then eyed Zuhayr’s and even mine.” He pushed the box to Manal, “These bangles were selected by Zuhayr for you all those years ago. Back then he wanted to give them to you on your graduation but we both told him to save it for the wedding because of its bridal design. I wanted to hand these over to you personally.”
Manal stared at the box in disbelief, a lone tear slipping past her eye as she traced the bangles inside with her free hand. Rashid patted her shoulder in support as he nodded, affirming her once again. Manal put the box down on her dresser and reached to put the bangles on but her father signalled towards the box indicating he wanted to help her with the bangles.
He divided them equally and took half for her left hand, slipping them on her wrist as he gently reassured her, “You always have your home to come back to. If anything happens, remember that your father is still alive to support you and will back you up in your decisions.”
“I thought you didn’t like Nameer.” Manal blurted and her father smiled as he shook his head.
He took the remaining bangles to help her put them on her right hand as he responded,
“Nameer is a great kid, I don’t have any reservations with him. My reservations were for a different reason but if you’re happy, I’m happy.”
Manal was seconds away from sobbing uncontrollably, and Rashid gauged that so he pulled his only daughter into a warm hug full of reassurance and love. Manal hugged back tightly, because when did he ever shower her with affection like this before.
“Thank you for being my daughter.” Rashid mumbled as he broke the hug, tears threatening to break from his eyes. Rashid nodded and so did Manal as he took his leave and left the room murmuring something about checking on the guests. Manal’s eyes looked towards her father’s receding figure as he wiped his tears while leaving.
Manal’s hands traced the gold bangles once more and she saw another face next to her reflection in the mirror, smiling radiantly at her, forcing her to swallow her choked sobs.
It was him, her brother, Zuhayr, smiling at his brightest like he was about to make fun of her for crying and ruining her makeup.
She stared a bit longer and smiled back, moving her wrists forward and shaking them so the gold bangles made noise, at which he shook his head endearingly. He looked crisp in his offwhite waistcoat over a white Pakistani suit, looking at the silver watch he always wore as if he had somewhere to rush to.
Manal wanted to call out to him desperately, ask him why he hadn’t made it to her in time, complain about everything she could think of and fight with him for not buying her snacks. But, before Manal could call out to him, he had disappeared, like always, leaving her alone yet again. Because he was simply a hallucination, a remnant from her past who no longer existed in reality and she hadn’t seen him in ten years.
Manal opened the drawer of her dresser and pulled out the box she seldom looked at but always kept in the back of her mind. It opened to show a silver watch, the exact one Zuhayr had worn in her hallucination, a blue dial and a broken glass. Her fingers grabbed onto it and she held it close to her heart, hoping to feel the presence of her beloved brother again, in a hope to calm the storm inside her heart.
The void loved ones leave in your heart is eternal.
The yearning for their presence has no real end.
Khattak Mansion, Multan
“Where is Nameer?” Fajar shouted from downstairs and Awaiz walked to the railing with his unironed suit on one shoulder and a towel on the other.
“Sleeping beauty Ghore gadhe bech kar soya hua hai.” Awaiz began, “Ammi my suit needs to be ironed.”
“I told you last night to give me your clothes so I can get these ironed but would it end you if you listened for once.” Fajar fumed at him.
“Acha Na. I’m sorry Mama.” Awaiz pleaded with her and she nodded as he threw the clothes down and she caught them.
“Wake your brother up. This man has no sense of responsibility. Its his wedding today and he’s asleep, Manal ke samne naak katwaye ga meri.” Fajr muttered walking away angrily to the laundry room.
Awaiz laughed as he made way to Nameer’s room. Nameer was sprawled face first on his bed and Awaiz called out to him, “Nameer! Nameeeeeeerrrr.”
His eyes caught wind of the water jug on the side table and Awaiz almost physically fought his inner demon but eventually lost as he emptied it all onto his elder brother’s head.
Nameer woke up drenched and coughing, immediately cursing out Awaiz in all the languages he could speak, “You are so done today.”
“Says the one who’s signing away his freedom today. You should’ve thought about the consequences before sleeping like a damn log.” Awaiz slipped out as Nameer rubbed his face and Zaman stood at the door as he walked over hearing the altercation
“You’re done showering, I guess.” Zaman remarked, trying to hold back his laughter and Nameer glared at him before grabbing a towel to dry his head and sitting on the dry part of his bed. Zaman walked to him with his hands behind his back and a smile on his face.
“Why are you looking at me like you’re about to break some otherworldly news to me.” Nameer looked at Zaman suspiciously.
“You’re on point for the first time ever, actually.” Zaman took out a shawl from behind him, “I thought long about what I should give to you but considering how you’re my only friend, I wanted to give you something meaningful. This is the shawl my father wore on his Nikkah. I want you to have it.”
Nameer’s eyes widened in surprise as he stood up to grab the skin coloured Peshawri shawl. He looked at Zaman who nodded while handing it over to him.
“You are beyond my understanding sometimes, Zaman.” Nameer touched the Shawl and reminisced about Sultan Alamgir who had been there for most of his life alongside Zaman, “I wish Chacha were here.”
Nameer hugged Zaman who pushed him back almost immediately, “You’re literally drenched, get away Nameer!”
“You can’t even digest a thank you, kharr.” Nameer huffed but held on as Zaman patted his back, “Thank you Zamanayyy. I really appreciate you.”
“Acha Acha, don’t be so senti now.” Zaman patted Nameer’s shoulder as he broke the hug, “You need to get ready before Fajar Anti decides to launch the SSG in Khattak Mansion.”
“She’s going to unleash the forces on us regardless but I will try to lower the attack intensity if I can.” Nameer smiled and Zaman nodded as he left the room.
Nameer rubbed his hands over the shawl and remembered Sultan Alamgir before looking towards the door Zaman had just left through. It would be better if both Father and son were together with him today but alas.
Memories of the past had struck today,
Gently caressing the two moving to a new stage in their life.
Farmhouse Marquee, Multan
The marquee was adorned with shades of white fabrics, fairy lights and plants in an elegant and beautiful way. One part of the hall consisted of the men huddled around Nameer as the nikkah was about to be solemnised. The other part of the hall was where Manal sat, Elara sitting towards her left side and offering support by holding her left hand. Nawal smiled calmly and patted her right hand as the imam was walking towards the women’s section with the document.
Manal and Kiran shared a look but no words were exchanged since the altercation the prior night. Manal looked away as Rashid sat beside the Imam on the sofa across and a group of aunties gathered around to watch. Manal was completely out of it even as the nikkah was being solemnised. Her eyes had blurred with tears. She wanted to be happy. To try feeling truly content. But her heart was so heavy.
“Do you accept Nameer Khan Khattak as your husband?” were the next words Manal heard and she took a deep breath.
“I do.”
What followed after her repeating the sentence thrice and signing the document was utter chaos. Not louder than the internal one though but the women supporting her had immediately rushed with congratulations echoing from random aunties coming to hug her. Elara, Nawal and her mom were busy spreading the gift boxes across the hall and the men were busy celebrating with the groom.
Eventually the congratulations were all done and people began calming down for the food to be served. Manal was still overcome with feelings and she couldn’t even think about anything because of all the noise around and within her. Everyone was so busy in their own selves but not a single person had asked her how she felt. The mental isolation even in the noisy marquee filled with people was consuming her.
Her eyes were fixated on her hands until she saw someone walking up the stage. Nameer had made his way to her but she made no effort to lift her head or so she couldn’t. She couldn’t even meet his eyes as much as she tried to. If she looked into them, he might’ve read through her, completely. This was the moment she didn’t want him to see through her emotions at all.
Nameer took a seat beside Manal, the faint smell of his cologne infiltrating the space, his knee brushing against hers as he set his shawl on his shoulders. Manal’s heartbeat accelerated a bit too quickly for her liking and she could feel it in her throat.
“Are you okay, Manal?” Nameer’s soft voice broke her anxious spell and Manal turned to look at him. He tilted his head questioningly and Manal nodded as she tried to get her heartbeat under control again.
No one else had asked her this today, too busy to notice or care. But he noticed immediately. The man she married could see through her within seconds. And Manal didn’t know whether that was a good or bad thing.
Bad for the hyper vigilant Manal, probably.
But relief for the one who needed support.
There was someone to take care of her now, too.
Nameer offered his hand to her and Manal looked at him once for reassurance before interlocking her fingers with his, grasping his hand as though it was her only anchor in the storm.
“Relax. Take a deep breath and smile. You’re the main event today.” His hazel eyes held a softness to them that reassured Manal leaps and bounds and she simply nodded, tightening her grip on his hand.
“You’re too”
“I don’t look as good as you, dear wife.” Nameer smiled, both dimples making an appearance, much appreciated by Manal.
Dear wife
She could no longer stop him from using that because now he had the right to, legal and relational.
“You could say it differently if you simply wanted to compliment me.” Manal looked at him, a smile threatening to break on to her lips. “No need to demean yourself, Husband.”
He leaned his head towards her and his warm smile and gaze had made her forget her prior tumultuous thoughts completely.
“You have me so awestruck that words won’t support my thoughts anymore, my dear wife. Ta zama da stargo khkula ye”
You are the beauty of my eyes.
She smiled wholeheartedly for the first time that evening upon hearing those words. Brown eyes peered into Hazel ones, a genuineness exuding the gazes, a promise echoing between them. A click of the camera had locked that moment as a memory they could keep forever. Time had stilled itself, anxiety took a backseat and all that could be felt was each other’s warmth. One thing was apparent though.
Nameer Khan Khattak had the power to send Manal Durrani’s world reeling in all of the best possible ways.
Elara and Zaman’s path crossed for the first time today and she twirled around slightly to show the flowers in her hair. They were the same ones Zaman had gifted her the prior evening, pleasantly surprising him. Elara gave him a bright smile, looking like a vision in a rose gold Anarkali with pearl jewellery. The pearls in her earrings complimented the studs on his Kameez.
“I didn’t know you could keep the flowers fresh till the next day.” Zaman said instead of voicing out his true feelings, or confessing how ethereal she looked. Classic Zaman, swaying from the main topic instead of addressing it.
“I didn’t either, until I tried last night. I felt that these needed to be preserved. Because…” Elara stopped in between her words and Zaman waited for her to complete.
“Because they matched my dress today.” Elara said.
“Because they were given by Zaman Alamgir.” Elara thought
Zaman nodded with a smile before turning back to guiding the waiters in his duties as a groomsman. Elara walked close to him and cleared her throat to get his attention again. Zaman looked at her, leaning down to hear what she had to say.
“Your giftbox.” Elara handed him the box and left before Zaman could clarify that he already got one. More for him, he thought as he unpacked it but couldn’t hide the smile after what he saw inside.
Elara had slipped a thank you note that he pocketed almost immediately before enjoying the nibbles inside the box. Zaman adjusted his Pakol in an attempt to clear his expression back to seriousness but failed, another smile decorating his face as he walked away.
On a table in the corner of the hall, Nawal and Wasif were busy gossiping about the aunties that were side-eyeing them.
“The poor aunty that you scared away by showing up behind me was about to offer me a rishta. She gave full DHA vibes too, I think I lost my only chance out of corporate mazdoori because of you.” Nawal glared at him, gobbling another kebab.
“I am rich enough to support you.” Wasif remarked while putting some chutney into her plate.
“Doubt that, considering we were roaming Multan’s markets for cheap jewellery on a bike yesterday.” Nawal rolled her eyes as she remembered the hours of arguments in Gardezi market the night before.
“Madam. You wanted the most economic options, I was in-fact ready to give up at the third stall.” Wasif tried taking some of her kebab and she smacked his hand away but not before he had stolen one away.
“Get your own kebabs, Fankar. I don’t share food.” Nawal pulled her plate away from him, “
“This is what I get for cooking for you and taking you through Gardezi Market and ghanta ghar markets during peak hours.” Wasif acted hurt as he sipped his cola.
Nawal looked at the dramatic man and slipped a kebab onto his plate but also stole some of his naan. Wasif smiled at her antics but let her do as she pleased because he never minded losing to her. Wasif had accepted his powerlessness in front of her and was willing to concede to Nawal, every single time, without fail.
Khan House, Multan
The car had halted in the garage, Nameer helped Manal out of the car with her dress. His hands fiddled with the front door lock and for some reason he messed up the keys. Fajar had handed him the big bunch of keys, now the poor groom was struggling to find the right key. The two had already clarified to the family that they would be fine on their own but this was going in the wrong direction.
Manal leaned against the car in her heavy bridal gown and she tapped her heels against the garage floor, staring bored at him.
“Don’t tell me you’re gonna make your bride camp out in the garage on her wedding day.” Manal teased as Nameer struggled with more keys.
“Give me a minute.” Nameer huffed.
“Sure, you have all my time, hus-band.” Manal stressed on the title and Nameer felt like an utter loser, fighting for his life to find the right keys. “Camping sounds romantic though, don’t you think?”
That exact moment the door unlocked and Manal bit back a laugh, standing up straight as Nameer held the door open.
“Pity. I was actually looking forward to a romantic camp.” Manal smiled knowingly, stopping right in front of him to mess with Nameer’s head before slipping inside the house.
“Our room’s upstairs. Second door on the left.” Nameer informed her before locking the front door. Manal took her heels off because climbing the stairs in them seemed impossible after the long day they had. Nameer pushed house slippers in front of her immediately after, and the two walked to the room.
The room surprisingly matched her taste quite well, shades of brown and off-white covered the place and there was no unnecessary bridal decor as she had requested. Nameer took off his shawl and tossed it on the sofa as he fell back onto the bed.
“If you expected me to take the sofa like a dramatic Pakistani drama hero, you’re gonna be disappointed, Janaan.” It was Nameer’s turn to tease her now, emphasis placed on the nickname.
“I didn’t marry you for your chivalry, so don’t worry.” Manal said as she walked to the dressing room to change.
Nameer realised that he was playing with fire and Manal Durrani had the power to burn down the house along with him. His heartbeat had been erratic too, despite the calm demeanour. It was going to be a long night for the poor man, because sleep had evaded him completely.