Apple of your eye - Part 20

There was celebration everywhere Everyday till the day of wedding was a celebration for her family. Everyone from the close relatives to unknown family members had gathered for the occasion. There was no traditional Thap ceremony where the groom and bride meet each other before the official wedding.  Anis Khan had already accepted Aafreen as the bride. But no one ever cared to see deep inside Aafreen’s heart including Aafreen herself.

She was not happy about this union. She tried to involve herself in the occasion. But it made her heart pain so badly even though her family’s happiness mattered more. She hadn’t seen Safina for a very long time. Since that incident, her sister had distanced from her. Why didn’t her sister understand? She needed her more at this time. She needed her to make her feel better. Where was she?

Few days had taken toll on her and her family. Still they seemed so happy except her. She had seen them preparing ‘vazvan’ delicacies for the groom’s family. In return she received exquisite jewellery and dresses. The traditional rituals of marriage didn’t happen. Only important one was followed. It was ironic that Mohi-ud-deen..the same uncle was in hurry to marry his niece off. Aafreen couldn’t understand her uncle’s real face. She misunderstood his trick of gaining more by sacrificing her as his happiness of getting her married.

“ Either she was naive or dumb”, Safina thought. She secretly hid behind the curtains that separated the main hall from other rooms. She had seen how disappointed and heartbroken the Jawan was. She wanted to slap her sister hard for letting go the love of her life. She had asked ‘ What she knew about the jawan?’ Well! What did she know about the groom she was getting married? She didn’t even check anything about the man she was going to share her life.

The three days had gone with the groom’s family coming and applying the mehendi where the little girl who happened to be the groom’s granddaughter apply mehendi to the bride. When Safina heard about this, her anger raised to highest degree of insanity. She calmed herself , waiting for the baraat and the time to do what she needed to do.

The nikah was to happen within few hours. Thinking about his dreams coming true, Mohi-ud-deen couldn’t stay on the floor.. he was flying!!  He made sure everyone in the groom’s side was happy and everything goes smoothly. He had financed for all the preparation for groom’s side.  Everything was fine. The guests were served with good food and treated well. The songs were sung by the ladies of the bride family which was headed by his own wife. However even in the calmest place known to mankind,there are absolute chances of cyclone blowing everything human cared about. One of a relative came to his side to give him a shocking news that turned everything upside down- The bride had run away and left a letter for him..

( To be continued)