Chapter-21 All Sorted

Third Person POV

Ayaan was confused to see a terrified look on his sister's face and she immediately got back in the car saying...

"How can we forget?? She knows I am your sister, we have already met." He bit his cheek as he realized that they totally forgot this part.

"What are we gonna do now??" Ayaan asked his sister who stayed quiet for the next 5 minutes. Ayaan could see that she was thinking about something and her facial expressions changed and she seemed calm and composed once again. She turned towards Ayaan and said...

"Don't worry I have got this one sorted, but I want you to park a little farther so that when I come out with Zuby she should not see you." Ayaan could trust his sister with his life and he knew that whatever she does will be in his favor only. He simply shook his head in agreement and Adila got out of the car.

Adila walked towards the main entrance of Zuby's house to ring the doorbell. Meanwhile Ayaan parked his car a little farther just as Adila asked him to. It was then he noticed Sagar's car already parked and he knew that Sagar and his mom were already in.

Ashfaq was the one to open the door for Adila, she introduced herself as Arhan's cousin and with a fake smile Ashfaq welcomed her inside. She followed Ashfaq to the living room where there were two other ladies sitting and a young boy almost of Ayaan's age and an elderly man too. Ashfaq introduced Adila to everyone and then Adila came to know that one of the two ladies was Zuby's Aunt Sara and the other was her best friends' mom, Aunt Sulekha. The young boy was Zuby's friend Sagar and the elderly man was Zuby's Uncle Jawwad. It was difficult for Adila to pretend how pleased she was to meet Jawwad and his family. She knew what kind of people they are but she had to keep herself in control only for Ayaan and Zuby.

She sat with the ladies and Sara started with the narration of the fake story of how last night Zuby was attacked by the wild cat. She also faked some tears 'what an actress' Adila thought to herself. Adila knew that Sulekha and her son Sagar are here to help and she was grateful for that. Adila made sure to cut short Sara's fake concerns and asked to meet Zuby. She said that she also needs to assist her brother in buying his wedding sherwani (groom's dress) that's why she is in a hurry. Sara got up, so did Sulekha and Adila. Both of them followed Sara towards Zuby's room. Before they left Sagar told his mom that he will be waiting outside.

Sara knocked on Zuby's door and in a couple of minutes Zuby unlocked her door and opened it. She knew Sulekha was going to visit her but she was surprised to see Adila and it was clear with the way her eyes grew wide. Adila did not give her time to react and immediately said...

"Don't be surprised to see a stranger dear, well I am actually not a stranger now. I am your would be husband's sister" Adila gave her a look which was enough for Zuby to understand that she should just agree with Adila. Zuby just smiled and walked inside her room letting everyone in. Sulekha was also aware that Adila knows everything. They all sat and Sara shows off her fake concern for Zuby. Zuby on the other hand was very quiet but kept on wondering why Adila is here. Sara asked Zuby to go get ready because Adila had come to take her shopping. Zuby took out a simple white color shalwar suit (a traditional Indian dress) with a white head scarf and walked in her bathroom to change. Sara went out saying that she will be waiting for them downstairs. As she went out Sulekha locked the door and turned to Adila and said...

"From what my son told me I guess you know everything." She was in no mood to beat around the bush and neither was Adila so she simply nodded. Sulekha was about to say something more but Zuby came out dressed up in her simple attire. Sulekha got up and hugged Zuby, she was careful not to hurt her. At that moment Zuby could not hold back her tears and wept in Sulekha's arms...

"It's ok my child...everything will be just fine" Sulekha tried to comfort Zuby with her soothing touch and loving words. Adila could not take it anymore so she also moved towards Zuby and gestured Sulekha to let her embrace Zuby. Sulekha moved aside and when Zuby noticed Adila again she finally asked...

"How come you are here? And why did you pretend that we are meeting for the first time?" Now this was something even Sulekha wasn't aware of...that Zuby has met Adila in the past. Adila smiles and first hugged Zuby then replied...

"As I told you I am the groom's sister that's why I am here. And I don't want your aunt to know that we have already met and that you know me." Zuby was still confused but Adila continued...

"I know everything my dear...even the truth about these bruises..." Zuby was shocked to hear this she wanted to ask another question but Adila hushed her saying...

"Don't worry about anything now...my brother will treat you as a princess...just trust me...we all are here for you but just don't let your uncle and his family get any idea that we know everything" Zuby could really not understand what was going on...but then she knew she had no other option but to trust Adila specially when Sulekha also told her that she should trust Adila and just move with the flow. Zuby nodded in agreement and the three ladies walked out of her room.

Adila asked Sulekha to accompany them as well to which she readily agreed. As they were going out Sara called Zuby with a fake smile and asked her how she was feeling now. Of course Zuby knew this was all pretense so did Adila and Sulekha. But Sara hugged Zuby and whispered in her ear...

"Don't even think about telling them anything" she then let go Zuby and smiled again. Zuby said bye and walked out.

Sagar was already standing beside Ayaan's car and talking to him about the wedding when Sulekha called his name and he walked towards his mother after shaking hands with Ayaan. It was then Zuby looked at Sagar and he had this pained look in his eyes. She couldn't hold his gaze and looked down since she did not want to break into tears once again. Sulekha informed Sagar that she is accompanying Zuby for the shopping and that Adila will drop her back home. Sagar moved back towards his car while Zuby and Sulekha followed Adila towards Ayaan's car.

Ayaan didn't get out nor did he utter a single word. Adila made sure that Zuby sits behind Ayaan so that she does not see him and get even more confused while Sulekha looked at Ayaan and gave him an approving smile. Adila sat with her brother in the front passenger seat. Adila told the way to the boutique from where they were supposed to buy Zuby's gharara( one of the traditional Indian bride's costume). Zuby was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even try to get a look of the driver.

On the other hand it was really difficult for Ayaan to control himself from turning around and looking at Zuby. But he did watch her when she was walking towards the car, his heart seemed to shatter in a million pieces to see her so pale. He could make out finger marks on her face as well. Only he knew how he stopped himself from barging into that house and beat up every person who even laid a finger on his girl. But he remembered his promise to Adila that he will not act on impulse and just gripped the steering wheel tightly. He was going to take all her pain away tomorrow and make sure she never suffers again in her life.

They reached the boutique in just fifteen minutes as it was quite near to Zuby's house. The ladies got out of the car and Ayaan just remained seated making sure Zuby didn't see him. Zuby on the other hand didn't even raise her eyes to see the driver. She just followed Adila and Sulekha inside the boutique. They settled in and the owner knew Adila as she has earlier been to this boutique many times with her aunt. She told the owner that she is looking for ready to wear bridal dresses. There were too many dresses to select from and Zuby was not cooperating, no matter how much Adila and Sulekha tried to assure her that everything is going to be fine she was still worried. Finally Adila gave a call to Ayaan...

Ad: Which color do you want me to buy for your bride?

A: Whichever she likes...I would love it.

Ad: Well...she is not helping me much right now.

(Adila winked at Zuby but she didn't respond...Adila felt very sad for the poor soul)

A: Is she fine Adila Appi?? I am really worried.

(Adila gets up and moves away from Zuby)

Ad: No Ayaan, she is not fine. She is just sitting here quietly and nodding at whatever we are showing her.

A: (sigh) don't push her too much and see if you can buy her anything in golden color. Just make sure it's not too gaudy as I have noticed Zuby always opts for simple designs.

Adila smiles at how considerate her brother is being, she hangs up the call and then selects a beautiful yet simple golden color gharara set.

The ladies exit the boutique and get seated in the car, this time again Adila makes sure that Zuby sits behind Ayaan so that she can't notice him. Ayaan dropped Sulekha first and then Zuby, Adila went inside with Zuby and also informed Sara that they will bring the jewelry for the wedding dress tomorrow itself. She gave Zuby a hug and walked back towards Ayaan's car.

Both Adila and Ayaan were now headed to buy a sherwani for Ayaan. Ayaan was feeling a mixture of emotions right now...he was excited as he will marry his love tomorrow. He was sad because Zuby was in pain. He was scared thinking what he will do if anything goes wrong.

After buying a cream color sherwani for himself Ayaan and Adila went back home. Tomorrow was going to be a big day and they all have to be very careful. Ayaan's house was full with his close relatives as his parents had informed their immediate families about Arhan's wedding the next day. So late at night when all the guests were settled Arhan, Adila, Bilal along with Ayaan met in Arhan's room and discussed their plan for the next day. They also got Sagar, Sagarika and Sulekha on video call with them as they were also going to help. Once everything was decided everyone dispersed into their respective rooms.

It is definitely going to be a long day and all of them prayed for a smooth wedding tomorrow.