The next day, Saim knocked on her door to talk to her, as she hadn't come out for breakfast.

Aina opened the door, looking like a broken doll. Saim's heart clenched painfully at the sight of her.

"Ain, baby, what happened? Are you alright?" he asked, deeply concerned. She ignored him and walked back to her bed, lying down and covering her entire body with the duvet.

"Ain," he called softly as he walked towards her and sat on his knees beside the bed, trying to coax her into talking. "Ain... please talk to me. What happened? I know you’re angry with me, but could you please tell me exactly what made you behave like this? I know my Ain is very well-mannered and would never misbehave with innocent people." He stroked the duvet-covered head of hers lovingly.

"If you’re thinking that Reema is taking your place, then please don’t think that way. Reema is a very good girl. She would never hurt you, nor would she try to take your place. And even if she did, we would all give her an earful, alright?" he said, speaking to her with the same affection he always had, treating her like a precious child.

Aina sat up slowly on the bed and turned to look at him. Saim moved beside her, brushing her hair gently away from her face.

"You said if I didn't like her, you wouldn't marry her," she said quietly. He nodded.

"Yes, if you find anything wrong with her that you can’t accept, just tell me. I won't marry her," he said with full confidence, knowing in his heart that Reema had no faults that could be questioned. He had known her for three years and trusted her character completely.

"I don’t like her. Don’t marry her," Aina said firmly.

"Reason?" he asked calmly.

"I don’t have a reason," she whispered.

"If you want me to reject her, you have to give me a reasonable explanation," he said patiently.

"I..." Aina faltered, unable to find the right words. She truly didn’t know anything about the girl. "I don’t know her."

"Exactly. That’s why you need to get to know her first. Yesterday, you didn’t even meet her properly. You just started yelling without asking anything," he said softly. "You know, first Mama told her to sit beside me, and then I insisted. Honestly, it slipped my mind that you don’t like anyone taking your chair or your things," he added tenderly.

Aina lowered her gaze in shame.

"Forget everything, and let’s go out. I'll treat you to anything you want," he said, pinching her nose playfully, coaxing a small smile from her. She gave him a little nod.

*******

A couple of weeks later.

Saim’s wedding date was fixed, set for the following week. His mother didn’t want to delay any longer, believing that her son was aging with each passing day and that she longed to see his children as soon as possible. Everyone laughed fondly at her eager excitement.

Aina observed the happiness radiating from everyone’s faces as they prepared for the marriage of their eldest son—the first wedding of their generation.

Saim introduced Reema to Aina at Aina’s favorite restaurant, hoping desperately for her approval. It mattered the most to him because he knew he could not be truly happy if she remained sad. Reema made every effort to meet Aina whenever she visited the house. Since Reema was an orphan and had no one here to help her, Saim’s family had lovingly taken full responsibility for her wedding preparations. Everything seemed to be going smoothly.

Aina watched everything silently. She didn’t participate actively in the preparations, but neither did she completely distance herself. Her gaze grew more intense whenever she looked at Saim.

She didn’t know what to do. Her thoughts became wild whenever she saw him laughing or even smiling. His laughter, his smiles—everything about him—belonged to her. He belonged to her. How could he decide to marry someone else?

Her mother grew increasingly worried for her. Aina’s silence terrified her; it was the kind of silence that often preceded a storm. And she prayed earnestly that this silence would not explode into something destructive.

______

Aina knocked on the door and waited for Saim to open it. After a while, he opened the door and looked at Aina, who stood holding a coffee mug in her hands.

“Tayi Ammi gave this to you,” she said, handing him the cup. He took it and walked inside, with her following behind.

“In two days, you’ll belong to someone else,” she stated quietly, and had he not been absorbed in his own world, he would have heard the pain hidden in her voice.

“Now please don’t start teasing me. I’m already tired of all the jokes of you all,” he said with a smile, sipping his coffee while examining his sherwani.

“Can I ask you something?”

Saim heard the seriousness in her tone and turned to her, nodding.

“Promise you’ll answer me honestly?” she asked firmly, taking a step closer.

“Okay, I promise. I’ll answer you honestly.”

“Do you truly love her?” she asked, her pain and fear intensifying as she waited.

Saim frowned at the question and slipped into deep thought.

Did he love her?

Maybe yes? If not, then why would he have proposed marriage?

He had proposed to her, yes—but he had never once said ‘I love you’ to Reema.

“I don’t know…” he began, but as he looked into Aina’s eyes, he couldn’t help but speak his heart. “I’m not sure if what we have is love or not, but I do like her. I find her suitable as a life partner. She’s kind, caring, modest, respectful, and most importantly—she’s honest and loyal. I always wanted someone like that. Maybe love hasn’t happened yet, but I believe it will eventually. Honestly, I don’t even know what real love is.”

His answer brought a bright smile to her face.

“Love is… when someone invades your thoughts and leaves you lost every time you think of them—that’s love. When the fear of losing that person shakes you from within, that’s love. When seeing them with someone else feels like your heart is being stabbed repeatedly—that’s love. When someone becomes your smile, your tears, your thoughts, your joy, your sorrow—your reason to live—that’s love,” she spoke in a trance, her gaze locked with his. But Saim remained clueless to the depth of those emotions. Perhaps it would take an eternity for him to understand the meaning behind her words.

“Woah, woah! I didn’t understand a thing you just said. That’s way too intense,” he dismissed lightheartedly. “Honestly, that kind of stuff only exists in movies and novels.” He waved it off. “And what’s with all this love advice? Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for some guy in your college,” he added, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. Aina knew he had now stepped into the role of her overly protective elder brother. Shaking her head, she responded:

“I don’t love anyone… other than the boys in this family,” she said and turned to walk away, but paused, glancing back over her shoulder.

“One day, you’ll feel everything I just said. I pray that after your marriage, Allah fills your heart with love for your wife.”

With that, she walked off. But she halted for a second, her lips curving into a wide smile when she heard his loud voice call out:

“Ameen!”

“Sum Ameen,” Aina whispered, then ran away.

**********

“Come on, Bhai, it’ll be fun!” Aina said to Zaid, who was deep in thought. She was trying to persuade him to convince Saim and Affan to celebrate a bachelor party at a club before Saim’s wedding, which was just two days away. Aina and Zaid both knew that if she asked directly, they’d refuse immediately—becoming the protective brothers they always were. But if Zaid convinced them, she could tag along, one way or another.

“Fine! Your plan sounds too tempting to resist. Party with our groom-to-be!” Zaid stood up with excitement. Aina had successfully shown him how much fun they could have.

:::::::::::::::::::

“No means no!” Saim said firmly the moment Aina mentioned she would tag along to the club. Affan and Saim had been convinced by Zaid, but as soon as Aina expressed her wish to join, they both refused.

“Why, Bhai? I want to come too,” Aina whined.

“We’re just the boys going. You’re the only girl, and it’s not appropriate for you to join us,” Affan said, and Saim nodded in agreement.

“What can I do if I’m the only daughter in this house? You know I don’t have any sisters or close female cousins to go out with. The only people I can hang out with are you guys—and now you’re kicking me out of your gang and leaving me behind,” she said, her eyes filling with tears. Everyone present softened at her words.

“Fine. You can’t leave my daughter behind while the rest of you go party,” Aina’s father declared. Aina snapped her head toward him.

“No, no! I want to party before Bhai’s wedding. After he’s married, he’ll be too busy to spend time with us. It’s our right to have a party with him before that!” she exclaimed, and everyone nodded in agreement.

“Okay, fine. You’ll get your party. Tomorrow evening, invite your friends, and I’ll call mine. We’ll have the party at home.”

“But I don’t think it’s appropriate... I mean, calling all your guy friends, and Aina joining in...” her father said, visibly uneasy.

“Don’t worry, Chachu. Her friends will be there too, and I’ll make sure she doesn’t spend time with any boys other than the three of us,” Saim assured him.

“I’m trusting you, Saim. She’s still a kid, and those two—” he pointed at Zaid and Affan, “—aren’t any better.” The two huffed at the comment.

“So it’s your responsibility to look after my daughter at the party.”

“I won’t break your trust. I promise,” Saim said—unaware that the promise would soon be tested.

Her father nodded, and everyone else agreed to let them host the party at home. Aina squealed with joy, making everyone laugh at her childish excitement.

**********

“Thank you for understanding,” Saim said with a relieved smile to Reema.

“Did you really think I’d be upset about you spending time with your cousins and friends?” Reema raised an eyebrow, and Saim chuckled, taking her hand in his.

“I didn’t think so, but my brother and cousin put that idea in my head—that you’d feel bad because we’re not inviting you. Trust me, I wanted to, but Aina’s so excited for this party, and Zaid and Affan also wanted to have one last celebration with me. And if you were there…” he trailed off, unsure how to continue. Reema smiled and finished his sentence:

“…then your attention would naturally be on me, and you wouldn’t be able to enjoy it with them. I understand. And you don’t need to worry—after that party, you’ll be mine from the next morning for the rest of our lives,” she said, reassuring him like the understanding partner she truly was.

“You’re the best,” he whispered, cupping her face. “I’m lucky to have you as my life partner. I may not know what love truly is yet, but I’m genuinely happy and looking forward to spending my life with you.” He kissed her forehead gently. Reema shyly leaned into his chest, wrapping her arms lightly around him.

**********

Aina’s POV:

“You’re looking like a bombshell,” my friend Shariya said, making me blush.

“I just want this night to end well… for me,” I stressed.

“It will, babe. Don’t worry,” she assured me.

“Thanks for helping me.”

“You’re my friend. And I know how much you’ve loved that old man since childhood.”

“Don’t call him old! He’s not that old,” I snapped, offended. But did it affect her? No. She was used to calling him “my old man” or “that old man.”

“Forget it—let’s go rock the party!” Shariya exclaimed, dragging me downstairs.

Our family had gone to Saim’s nani’s (maternal grandmother’s) house for the night, leaving the mansion to us for the party. Saim’s nani was best friends with our dadi (paternal grandmother), so the elders were excited to have their own party there—watching old movies, cooking, and chatting all night. Honestly, I internally whined—I would have rather been with them. Those cozy moments were more my vibe than this party. But it was important for me to be here…

Forget it.

Shaking my thoughts away, I joined everyone. The number of boys was small—only a few trusted friends of my brothers and cousins. Most of the guests wer

e my college friends: six boys and fifteen girls. The guys were my classmates and shared a mutual friendship with me, though I didn’t have any close male friends.