Chapter 26

Atifa's pov:

The morning sun shone, bringing a few beams of rays in the room and onto my face. Groaning, I covered my face with the comforter and snuggled to sleep for a while longer.

As today was ammi's holiday, and she would also be sleeping in till late after fajr, I didn't have to make breakfast early in the morning. So no, I didn't plan on waking up so soon, too. I still felt tired and if it would be up to me, I would sleep the whole day. A content sigh escaped my lips as I slipped back into my peaceful slumber.

It was the giggling of the kids and the sweet aroma of the pancakes which welcomed me when I woke up again. This time, due to the continuous clatter of the pots and chatter of the kids.

Rubbing my eyes, I sat up, squinting at the sun rays peeking in my room through the folds of the curtains, trying to recall if I asked ammi to make breakfast today.

Yawning, I picked up my mobile to check the time. It was 9:30 a.m. A frown immediately adorned my face. It was strange that Amira didn't come to wake me up today. Turning, I saw Emaan still snuggled up and sleeping comfortably by my side.

"Wake up Emaan. It's 9:30." Shaking her, I murmured as I started snuggling back, feeling sleepy. Maybe I could sleep some more. Only if I was lucky enough!

She sat up straight abruptly when she heard me, forgetting her sleepiness. "What happened?" Frowning sleepily, I asked her, already slipping back to oblivion.

"Ya Allah, is it really 9:30 right now?!" Exclaiming, she picked up her mobile hastily to check the time. "God! And you are waking me up now! And why are you snuggling back in to sleep?" She asked me with a frown as she tried to snatch my comforter away from me.

"Yeah, why?" I questioned, already half asleep. "And let me sleep for a while more. Even you can sleep if you want." I added while closing my eyes.

"You are asking me why? WHY? Ya Allah, did you forget it's your nikkah today?" She exclaimed while looking at me in disbelief.

At the words 'your nikkah' my eyes shot open and I looked at her, shocked. I wouldn't admit it to her, but I really did forget about it for a while. My eyes darted to my henna cladded hands as I recalled yesterday's events. So that was why ammi was making breakfast today?

"Ya Allah girl, go and freshen up!" Emaan whined as she pushed me out of the bed. I was still lost in my thoughts when she pushed me, making me tumble down and fall on my side.

Groaning, I glared at her. "Okay, I'm going. Now don't start abusing me. It's my nikkah today and I will complain about you to ammi." Unknowingly, I pouted, making her chuckle as she shook her head.

"I won't if you hurry up." She said while getting off the bed and attempting to make a messy bun but failing miserably. Groaning, she let her hands fall by her sides.

I laughed while standing up and folding the comforter. "When will you finally learn that?" I asked her, referring to her failed attempt.

"Soon." Glaring at me, she muttered angrily before adding, "Now go freshen up!"

"Oh yes, you guys can freshen up but don't shower now!" We heard ammi's voice as she entered the room with a table trolly.

Okay, so we would be having breakfast here in my room? I frowned in confusion. "Assalamualikum ammi, why did you bring our breakfast here? We could have come down ourselves." I inquired, taking the trolly from her and wheeling it in.

"Oh yes, I know that you guys would have joined us downstairs, but don't you remember the rule? The bride and the groom can't see each other until their nikkah. And also, this is your last food as a single lady, after this you will be a married woman that's why I wanted to have it with you both upstairs." Ammi replied while sitting on the bed and pulling the trolley.

"Ya Allah ammi! Are we seriously going to follow that rule too now?! And by the way, I'm not a woman yet, I'm still a lady and I will remain a lady even after my nikkah." I replied fiercely with a scowl.

"Ohh so someone doesn't want to follow these rules hmm?" Emaan teased with a smirk - totally ignoring my claim to remain a lady - as she pulled back the chair from the dressing table to sit.

Of all the things, she caught on this? "Shut up, it's not like that!" I tried to defend myself while glaring at her.

"So what is it like? Please elaborate Miss Bride." Emaan countered back, the smirk still on her face. Ignoring her, I turned to look at ammi just to see her watching us with an amused expression on her face.

"Ammi!" I pouted as a frown replaced my glare. She just chuckled, shaking her head. I could even hear Emaan giggling behind me.

"Okay, I'm going to freshen up now." Before I could turn to glare at her again, she quickly informed us before dashing to the washroom.

Huffing, I kept the comforter aside and sat down. I hadn't noticed until then that the trolley was packed with breakfast which included pancakes, waffles, honey and our favourite, chocolate syrup, with some fresh cubes of fruits. The shopping bags were kept on the lower trolley.

Turning to look at ammi, I raised a brow, silently asking her what was that. Grinning, she started taking out the bags one by one. "Oh these are just some gifts for Saad's family. I couldn't show them to you yesterday as it was already late so I brought them here. And I also brought your and Emaan's dress." Opening the bags, she showed me the dresses.

There was a nice dress for his mom and bhabi. I have already seen Alayna's dress, which she would be wearing today. Ammi even bought traditional wear for his dad and brother. Then there were some dresses for mamu and his family. She also ended up buying a few regular dresses for us - Emaan and me - and shirts, t-shirts and jeans for him.

(Mom's brother)

It was astonishing to watch her talk about it all in excitement and hope. I could see my old ammi back like she was never even gone in the first place. Midway through her chatter, Emaan also returned and was watching the stuff with me, adding in her comments here and there.

"Okay now go and freshen up Atifa. And Emaan will you please go and bring coffee from downstairs? I forgot about it. Just heat it up while I put these back." Ammi told us as she started packing the dresses back. My bed looked like a pretty stall since all the clothes were sprawled on it. "And also, after breakfast help her with these exfoliation and face masks, I will prepare a bath for her."

I looked at them, horrified, what was even happening here?! No way was I going to use those things. Especially not a bath. I didn't need it. Ammi glanced at me and I could see a hint of a smile on her face. "No way! I don't need any of it guys. I'm good." I said firmly.

"You should be better." Hearing ammi murmur, I stood there, shocked. "Now hurry up! Breakfast is getting cold." She said, totally ignoring my words and waving us off. I gaped at her while hearing Emaan's giggle in the background.

"Your mom is cool, everyone should have a mom like her." Emaan whispered and winked at me as she stood up to go. "Okay aunty, you don't worry, I will do it." She replied before leaving the room.

"Ammi!" I whined, but she ignored me. Huffing, I left for the washroom, dreading the upcoming events. Ya Allah, please save me!

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GLOSSARY:

- Mamu - Mom's brother.

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