Author's POV.

She stood up in front of the mirror in a beautiful yellow-coloured dress. Yellow was his favourite colour. She smiled while placing light pink shade lipstick on her already baby pink lips. Her big dark grey eyes had kajal and mascara, her fair skin like milk had bangles matching her dress, while her dark brown hair was spread on her back.

People said she was the most beautiful girl of the town. Every now and then proposals came for her but her family was waiting for the best. But they didn't know if she had her eyes on someone who would never agree to marry her. Every female of the family took her balaien (prayers to ward off evil) and blew duas (blessings) on her every day. She was only twenty years old and innocent as a newborn — but only for the family.

In reality, she was stubborn, rebellious, and adamant; if she wanted something then she would get it by hook or crook.

Smiling beautifully, she walked out of the room. He was coming back after three years, and she wanted him to notice her and her beauty. She was not that chubby and cute girl anymore. She had turned into a beautiful woman.

"Badi ma... Saim Bhai kab tak ayenge?" (Badi ma.. when will Brother Saim arrive?) she asked without hesitation as soon as she came to the kitchen. Everyone knew her fondness for her Saim bhai. They all thought she considered him her brother because of the love and care he showered on her, but they didn't know what he actually meant to her.

"Abhi waqt hai meri jaan..... Masha Allah... kitni pyari lag rahi hai meri bacchi" (There’s still time, my dear... God has blessed you... how beautiful my child is!) Shamim (Saim's mother) cupped her face and Ikissed her cheeks as soon as her eyes landed on the beautiful girl in front of her.

"Aina... kaha jaa rahi hai aap itna tayyar hokar? Kitni baar kaha hai tayyar hokar bahar na jaya kare... jaanti hai na kitni jaldi nazar lag jati hai aapko?" (Aina, where are you going all dressed up? How many times have I told you not to go out after getting dressed up? You know how quickly you catch the evil eye?) her mother Zubaida scolded her when she found her all dressed up. She was dressed simply with light makeup, but for her mother this was enough for people to cast an evil eye (nazar lagna).

"Ammi... main kahi nahi jaa rahi. Bas aise hi tayyar hone ka dil kiya. Aur waise bhi Saim bhai aa rahe hain." (Mom... I'm not going anywhere. I just felt like getting ready. And anyway, Saim bhai is coming!) Aina spoke with a wide smile. Her mother didn't fail to notice her daughter's sparkling eyes since she heard the news of Saim coming back. Her mother had a doubt and she prayed her doubt would be wrong.

*******

"Ya Allah mera baccha aagaya!" (Oh God, my child has come!) Shamim grasped her son as soon as she saw him at the door.

"Allah Ammi! Mujhe saans nahi aa rahi." (Oh God, Mom! I can't breathe.) he said dramatically. His mother pulled back instantly, and just as she was about to ask about him, they heard a loud scream.

"Saim bhai!" Aina ran from upstairs at lightning speed. She hugged him sideways muttering, "I missed you so much."

"I missed you too, baby," he placed a soft kiss on her crown of the head, reciprocating her hug.

"Are bhai mujhe bhi to milne do mere bhai se!" (Hey brother, let me meet my brother too!) Out of nowhere, Zaid came, pulling Aina away from his elder brother. Aina scowled.

Everyone met him and settled him on the sofa. Aina was quick to reserve her seat beside him. On the other side sat Zaid. Everyone asked him question after question while Aina was staring at him, feeding her eyes and heart to their content, which had been famished.

Suddenly, she saw her mother staring at her with a frown. Aina straightened and asked in her cheerful voice:

"What have you brought for me?" He looked at her and smiled.

"Many things. You will love it!" Saim said, making her squeal.

"And for us?" his brother Zaid and Aina's two-years-elder brother Affan asked.

"I bought a couple of things for you two too."

"Only a couple of things for us and many things for her?" they whined while Aina's chest swelled with pride.

"He loves me more than anyone," she pointed her finger at everyone and said arrogantly. They all narrowed their eyes at her — the elders playfully, the younger ones in jealousy.

"Yes, I love my only little sister the most," he hugged her sideways, but the smile she had a little ago wiped off.

"I'm not your little sister!" Aina whined. He chuckled, thinking she still hated the word little when anyone called her.

"Yes, you're my grown-up baby," he pinched her nose and her smile was back.

**********

It had been a week since Saim got back from London. He was happy coming back after three years. He was having his time with his beloved family. He was enjoying and spending his time with the youngsters. They took him for lunch and shopping — obviously he paid. They kept him occupied with themselves, especially Aina. She didn't leave him alone. Every chance she got, she went to him, asking him about studying, taking her somewhere, or wanting to have ice cream.

Just like now, she was sitting in his room studying math.

"Kuch samajh aaya?" (Did you understand anything?) Saim asked after explaining the method.

"Thoda thoda," (A little bit) Aina pouted.

"Ain, concentrate baby. If you don't concentrate, then all my effort will be wasted," he tried to make her understand.

"I hate it," she closed the book angrily.

"Jo cheez tumhare bas ki nahi, tum use hate karti ho," (Whatever you can't handle, you start hating it) he narrowed his eyes at her. "Never say no. Keep working until you get it. Never lose hope. Not everything comes on a silver plate — some things we have to achieve with our hard work. And accept your weaknesses rather than hating them."

"I'm tired, Saim bhai," she put her head on his shoulder. He smiled and rubbed her head. Suddenly, his mobile rang. He took it out and saw it was Reema.

Aina stared at the name with sudden unknown uneasiness in her heart. He moved her head away, saying "I'll be back. You try to solve this."

Aina sat there while he stood in front of the window talking to that girl, Reema, in a low voice. As time passed — with him talking to her — Aina's heartbeat kept increasing with fear.

She stood up and went to him. "I'll talk to them—" he stopped when he saw Aina coming his way. "I'll call you later. Allah Hafiz." (May God protect you.)

"Kisse baat kar rahe the aap? Kaun hai ye Reema?" (Who were you talking to? Who is this Reema?) Bitterness was in her voice but Saim, being a sweet person, didn't notice. He thought she was just curious and maybe teasing him with Reema's name.

"You'll find out soon," he gave her a charming smile and went out of the room saying he had some work.

Aina stood there, feeling afraid after seeing that happy smile on his face.

No Aina! You're thinking too much. He loves you. He can't have anyone else in his life. He is only yours. And you're his. No one can come between you two.

She assured herself, smiled, wiped all her thoughts away, and went back to the table to collect her books.

_______

Everyone was having dinner at the dining table when Saim's mother Shamim spoke, getting everyone's attention.

"So, Saim beta. When are you planning to get married? You're 30 now. I think it's enough for you to get married and make us grandparents," she spoke with sarcasm laced in her voice, making Saim and his younger brothers chuckle. Meanwhile, Aina dug her head down beside him as a blush coated her cheeks.

"Ammi, I'm ready to get married," he replied with a smile, shocking everyone. For five years his mother had been persuading him to get married but he kept denying, saying he wanted to establish his business in London. Now, after three years and fulfilling his goal, he was ready.

"Really! Then I should start searching for a girl," his mother said excitedly, clapping her hands.

"Tayi Ammi aapko dhoondne ki zarurat nahi hai," (Aunt, you don't need to search) suddenly Aina stood up and said, smiling and blushing. She was about to say she wanted to marry Saim bhai without any fear, but the next voice stopped her.

"Yes, Ammi, you don't need to search," Saim said but then suddenly looked at Aina. "You knew?" he exclaimed, standing up.

"Ji?" (Yes?) Aina asked confusingly.

"Oh, of course you know, you little devil. You saw the caller name," he sighed, realising she was so smart.

"What do you mean, beta?" his Dadi (grandmother) asked.

"I've already chosen the one whom I want to marry," he announced, making everyone at the dining room halt their actions. It was shocking for everyone that Saim Rehmani, who used to run miles away from girls, had chosen one himself.

"What? Whom?" everyone yelled, eager to know the name.

Meanwhile, Aina's breath stuck in her throat in anticipation. She hoped and prayed that he would take her name.

"Reema. She's an orphan. I met her in London. She's mature, beautiful, and humble. She became my best friend and supported me there. I see all the qualities I want in my wife in her. I want to marry her," he declared, unknown to the fact that he had just shattered someone's world.

"No," Aina whispered, shaking her head. Saim turned to her with a smile, but his smile wiped away as he saw her limping. He held her instantly.

Aina collapsed on him.

"Aina!" everyone shouted and stood up from their chairs.

"Ain," Saim called her in shock.

***********

The doctor came and checked up on her and said she fainted because of shock or something. They all were confused as to what had happened there that gave Aina this much shock.

After the doctor left, Aina regained consciousness and looked around. They all asked her how she was feeling, to which she nodded and said,

"Good." After some time, Aina's brother, Affan, spoke. "What shocked you so much that you fainted?" Everything that had taken place in the dining room settled in her mind, and her eyes unintentionally landed on Saim, which caught Zaid's attention.

"Oh! Now I understand! She was shocked to know that Bhai had chosen a girl for himself when he had been saying for years that he didn’t want to get married. We were all shocked, but knowing how fragile our Aina is, she couldn’t handle that much shock at once and fainted!" he exclaimed, trying to connect the dots.

"Haan!!! You're right," Affan said, standing up and going over to Aina.

"Bechari Aina.(Poor Aina) Once she said she would be the one choosing a girl for Bhai herself as the only daughter and princess of our family—but now her dream is broken."

"Oh, Ain," Saim came to her and sat in front of her on the bed, her mother and his mother sitting on either side of her. "You can still do that. After your approval, I will marry Reem. It's all in your hands, my baby sister," he said, squeezing her hand. Aina flinched at his brotherly tone.

"I'm not your sister!" she said angrily. But everyone took her lightly because she was the youngest and most pampered girl.

"Okay, okay," he chuckled at her cuteness.

____________

After a few days, everyone decided to meet Reema. They invited her home, and she came after a couple of days. Her Tayi Ammi was on cloud nine upon seeing the well-mannered girl.

She was so traditional and respectful toward everyone that it made Saim’s mother's heart swell with pride that her son had chosen the perfect girl to be the eldest daughter-in-law of the house.

Everyone was settled at the dining table, laughing and enjoying dinner—except for one. Aina stood at the dining room door, seething in anger because the certain girl had taken her seat beside Saim, who didn’t seem bothered at all. She hadn't come out earlier after glancing at Reema when she first entered the house. Aina had stormed to her room.

Her confused brothers had come to fetch her, but she said she wasn’t feeling well and would come when she felt like it. Now, when her mother called her for dinner, she had to come.

"Aina," her mother tried to hold her hand when she saw her glaring at Reema as if she was going to rip her apart any second. But it was too late—Aina had already marched toward the table and banged her hand beside Reema.

Reema, who was engrossed in conversation and dinner, shrieked in fear at the sudden action, while everyone else gasped in shock.

"Yeh meri jaga hai!" (This is my place!) Aina shouted. Reema stood up, staring at the fuming girl.

"Hato yahan se!" (Move from here!) Aina ordered angrily, grabbing Reema’s arm.

Saim immediately stood up and pulled Aina away from Reema. "Yeh kya tareeka hai, Aina! Maafi maango!!" Saim shouted at her, making her shudder.

He had never shouted at her before. She couldn't bear his anger, his loud voice. "Maafi maango, Aina! Tumhari hone wali badi bhabhi hai yeh." (Apologize, Aina! She’s going to be your elder sister-in-law.) He said, still loudly.

He would not tolerate anyone disrespecting the girl he had chosen to marry, especially as she was their guest.

"Main kyu maangu! Inhone meri jagah le li!" (Why should I apologize! She took my place!) she mumbled innocently, staring into his eyes. Her eyes welled with tears as she silently complained to him about what Reema had stolen from her. His eyes instantly softened seeing her tears and trembling lips.

"Ain..."

"Aap bahut bure ho! Kitni aasani se meri jagah kisi aur ko de di." (You’re so bad! So easily you gave my place to someone else.) She pushed him and ran toward her room.

Everyone, who had been angry at her moments ago for her behavior, became worried seeing her tears.

They all knew she was too sensitive about her things. She was the most stubborn girl in their family. No one could ever say no to her for anything. Saim sighed and turned to Reema, who was still in shock.

"Reema, sorry beta, don’t mind her. She’s the youngest child of the house, that's why she’s a little bit spoiled and very possessive about her things," Saim’s mother said warmly, placing her hand on Reema’s shoulder to calm her.

Reema nodded, calming herself. Saim held Reema’s hand and gave her a small smile. Reema smiled back. Meanwhile, Aina was in her room, crying and clutching her hair.

"Wo mere hai. Sirf mere. Wo sirf mere hai!" (He is mine. Only mine. Only mine!) She started crying loudly. Her mother entered and immediately locked the door, not wanting anyone to witness her daughter’s condition.

"Aina, bacche..." she rushed to her. Aina instantly hugged her mother tightly, hiding her face in her stomach. "Kya hua hai mere bacche ko?" (What happened to my baby?) her mother asked, stroking her hair lovingly.

"Mamma... Mamma, wo mere hai. Wo sirf mera hai. Mamma kuch karein. Please kuch karein." (Mom... Mom, he’s mine. Only mine. Please do something. Please, mamma.) Her voice came out muffled as she pressed her face against her mother's stomach and cried harder.

"Kya keh rahi ho?" (What are you saying?) Her mother pulled her away and cupped her face. "What do you mean?" Although she understood, she still asked.

"I mean Saim. Saim mere hai. Sirf mere hai." (I mean Saim. He’s mine. Only mine.) "Aina!" her mother gasped.

"What are you saying?" "Can't you understand, Mamma!? I said I love Saim. I want him," she cried out, making her mother panic.

She quickly placed her hand over Aina’s mouth. "Chup kar ladki! Koi sun lega." (Quiet, girl! Someone might hear.) she said in panic.

"I don’t care. I love him. And I will not let him marry someone else!" Aina shouted with determination.

"Aina! Don’t say anything you will regret later," her mother said, holding her face tightly to bring her out of the daze. "Why would I regret it?!" she asked, teary-eyed.

"Because he doesn’t love you. He loves someone else." "No! He can’t love someone else! Please, Mamma, talk to Tayi Ammi. Please," she begged.

"Aina, meri jaan, if we say anything to them, then our self-respect will be ruined.Because I know neither Saim will accept you, nor your Tayi Ammi, because Saim loves a girl who is perfect for him and for this family. Try to understand, baby. You're still a kid. Everyone still sees you as a child, and Saim considers you his little sister. Please, baby, forget him," her mother said softly, trying to make her understand. Just then, they heard the sound of the gate opening. Her mother took Aina’s hand and led her to the window.

"Look. He is happy," she whispered, her own heart breaking at seeing the pain in her daughter’s eyes. Saim was standing in front of the car, talking to Reema with a wide smile on his face.

Reema’s face ducked shyly; he cupped her face and squeezed her cheeks, making her chuckle. His smile widened even more. Aina slammed the window shut and stood there crying.

"Aina..." "Mamma, please jaye yaha se. Please leave," she said. Her mother didn’t want to go, but she knew her daughter needed to be alone.

She needed to let it out to mo

ve on. As her mother walked out, Aina collapsed onto the floor, crying her heart out. Her dream, her happiness, crushed in front of her—and she could do nothing.

"He loves someone else." .

...............