The twelfth one!

In-line comments are welcome!

«Honest feelings and bad timing make the most painful combination.»

|~★~|

The morning sun filtered through the curtain, filling Umair's room with its light and warmth, while Umair dressed up to attend a lecture that he had to deliver before resuming his role as the groom's brother looking after all the arrangements. His mind however, wasn't thinking about the event he was in charge of but Humaira's words echoing in his head–

"I'm one of his hundreds of students... an outsider." The sting of her words was a constant reminder of the hurt he had unknowingly caused her by his thoughtless comment. He had apologised, but the simple act of her calling his father "Sir" instead of "Baba" was proof that the damage was done. It was a formal title, a deliberate act of emotional distance.

He couldn't shake off the image of her sad smile, her facade of being unaffected by the hurt caused by feeling an outsider. Her tranquil voice of being defeated and not feeling the need to fight to belong somewhere. Surely, Umair didn't see her as close as his father and brother did, but he knew they saw her as family and it was wrong of him to make her believe otherwise.

Staring at his reflection as he adjusted his tie, he remembered Saad's words, " Well, if not me then something else definitely is influencing her life decisions, bhai."

"Something influencing her life decisions." He repeated those words in a slow voice.

Umair then remembered Humaira's smile on seeing Furqan. Her eyes were sparkling with happiness, the happiness of being valued and belonging with someone.

His eyes closed in realisation, taking a deep breath he shook his head in defeat.  It finally hit him. He was the reason that influenced her decision. It was because of what he said, which left her feeling she belonged nowhere, and she found solace in the alliance between her and Furqan.

Picking up his cellphone, he seemed determined that he could not let her take the big step in her life solely because she was hurt by his thoughtless words and actions, especially when it was far from reality. Though she was not a part of his life; she was a part of his family. He couldn't let her enter into a relationship she chose in her moment of vulnerability.

Umair left for college to fulfil his job. On the other hand, Humaira was surrounded by the professionals, adorning her for her engagement. She was wrapped in a baby pink saree, the delicate fabric of net hugging her curves. The silver border detailing the artistic touch of zardosi work. She was looking magnificent. Her make-up was minimal, highlighting her facial features, her skin glowing. Her jewellery perfectly complemented her look. The white-gold choker embellished with diamonds added to her subtle look, and the matching bangles adorned her henna-painted wrist. Her silky hair was cascading down in perfect waves. Her engagement look was finalised when the designer placed the matching sheer dupatta over her head, pinning it in place to complete her bridal look.

Humaira smiled on seeing her reflection in the mirror. "You guys have done such an amazing job. I never dreamt that I could look anything like this. Thank you so much," she offered her gratitude to everyone who was behind her look with a wide grin.

"We just highlighted the beauty you already possess, ma'am. Sir Furqan is one lucky man," said one of them with a pleasing smile.

"Lucky indeed."

Everyone turned towards the direction from which the voice came, except Humaira. She smiled, looking at the person who just agreed to be called lucky. He leaned on the doorframe mirroring her smile.

"You're looking magnificent, Sweetheart." He breathed, his voice audible enough not to be counted as a whisper.

"Privacy please." His tone reflected his nature, a balance of command and request.

The team of six was leaving the room one by one, and Furqan was walking towards Humaira, who was a mix of coy and happiness. He stood behind her.

"You're looking prettier than how I imagined you to be."

Her natural blush was hidden beneath the artistic one but her eyes told the tale.

Resting his hand on the backrest of the chair she was sitting on, he bent down to match her ear-level and whispered, " I'm one lucky man, indeed."

"Furqan." Humaira would have hid her face in her palms if it wasn't for the hours of labour behind her look. She couldn't roll her lips, or it would affect her glossy lips. She felt helpless. "Stop it." She requested, turning scarlet.

Furqan chuckled seeing her like that; he straightened up, offering his hand, " As you please, my lady."

Giving her hand in his, she smiled, "Always a charmer, ain't you?"

"I'll be everything you deserve." His eyes didn't leave her, nor the smile. "Shall we? The guests are waiting."

Humaira nodded, leaving her seat. She took the final look of the couple in front of her; the bride in her pink saree and her man wearing a white kurta and the koti matching with her saree.

The open venue of their engagement ceremony looked lavish with white and pink drapes flowing with the soft breeze. The choice of flowers, pink roses and lavender, was apt for the theme. The chatter of the guests present in the venue faded with the arrival of the couple, hand-in-hand.

Humaira took in a sharp breath after seeing the scale of people present. When Furqan told her that it's going to be an intimate ceremony, she thought it included her family and his, but here there were around eighty to a hundred pairs of eyes following her each step.

A gentle squeeze in her hand from Furqan asked for her attention, also gave a silent support. She looked at him with a smile that hid her nervousness. A silent nod from him gave her the assurance:

I am here with you.

As they walked through the crowd, her eyes found the familiar faces– her Taya Abbu and Tayi Ammi were smiling at them, Choti Ammi was standing with her son, Asfand, and his wife. Ashar was there too.

After posing for a few clicks and family portraits, Furqan went to attend to his guests. He was being a perfect host, making sure everyone had a glass in their hands and the appetisers in their reach. He introduced Humaira to her important clients and colleagues. His hand was resting on her back. Humaira didn't feel weird, nor did she feel at ease. It was somewhere in between. She was happy to be introduced as his future family, someone who was proud to have her by his side – telling the world– She's with me.

Was she a family? Or a polished trophy that he was exhibiting to his circle?

This circle wasn't hers. She didn't know anyone. They weren't her kind of people— The circle she grew up in.

But what circle? The circle that never acknowledged her? The people who never welcomed her?

She took in a deep breath to calm her jitters and shut the questions and doubts raised in her head.

It's my nervousness.

It's only my nervousness.

Furqan is good. He is kind and respectable. He doesn't see me as a possession.

She repeated in her mind and plastered the smile that she had mastered by now as she met Furqan's guest.

Someone from the event team signed that it was time for the ring ceremony. Humaira nodded silently, accepting Furqan's invitation to the stage.

"The moment is finally here," He smiled, looking at her, " From now on, you're officially going to be my fiancée. "

Humaira bit on her lips with another nod. Her heart was beating fast, as she let out an audible breath. Furqan chuckled, " Nervous?" He whispered.

"A little." She smiled, but her nervousness was evident.

"So am I." He blinked slowly at her. An assuring one.

Their engagement ring was shining in the velvet box that was kept on the silver platter.

Furqan picked up the ring that he designed himself for his bride. An exquisite, sparkling, expensive promise. He gently took her hand in his and held the ring in the other. Humaira looked at the ring, the expensive stone promising a comfortable future; and then at Furqan, who was wearing his confident smile. She briefly looked at the crowd to see the reaction on the faces known to her, and her eyes stopped at the face she was not expecting in the crowd. The surprise on her face was replaced by a frail smile in a fleeting moment.

Umair knew it was for him, that she wasn't expecting him to be here. Neither did he expect to witness the scene in front of him when Furqan slid the ring on her finger. The crowd clapped. Humaira smiled, looking at her fiancé, and then the ring which was reflecting the daylight. She picked the ring for him and taking Furqan's hand in her seemingly tiny one, she slid the ring. The crowd erupted with applause. Umair brought up his hands from his side and joined the crowd in action. He smiled, but his smile wasn't the same as others. It was a defeat. It was guilt. He was late.

When he left the college after his class, he knew he was coming to Humaira, who would be preparing for her engagement that was supposedly happening in the evening. At the same time as Saad's haldi.

After being a silent spectator, he went to congratulate the newly-engaged couple.

"Hey," Furqan shook his hand, muttering a thank you for his wishes, he pointed, "Didn't you get the invitation, Professor? You are slightly out of theme here." Furqan jokingly commented on his attire, which was his regular dark-coloured suit instead of the pastel that every other guest was wearing, making him stand out in the crowd and very noticeable.

"I had an old invitation that was about an evening event," he spoke, eyeing Humaira, "guess, the invitation was never updated on my side," He complained, " I wasn't aware that I'm gate-crashing the event I wasn't invited to."

"Humaira?" Furqan's tone had an unasked question.

"Umm..."

For the first time, Humaira wasn't nervous because of being surrounded by strangers, but being trapped between two people she knew.

"Just kidding, Furqan." Umair broke the silence, "I came here directly from college, had no time to change but also couldn't miss my student's event," He covered up his actual motive that he was here to talk with Humaira, maybe, change her mind and break off the engagement which he was presently a part of. " And I've to rush again. See the final arrangements for Haldi."

"Yes, yes." Furqan replied, " I remember," keeping his arm around Humaira's shoulder securely, he informed, " The timing of our engagement was changed only because Humaira didn't want to miss the event in your family. We had to change all the arrangements last minute to fulfil her wish," he looked at Humaira, "Right, Sweetheart?"

Humaira agreed with an embarrassed nod.

"Hey," Furqan pulled her close, " Don't be embarrassed. I was happy to serve you," He assured.

Umair wasn't sure if he was happy for her, seeing how Furqan gave importance to all her wishes; from something as minor as bringing her a bouquet to something as major as changing an entire event on a grand scale, or.... he sighed, taking his leave from them.

Furqan promised that they'll be following him behind, once they wrap up their own engagement.

After an hour or so, the celebration ended with the last of their guests leaving the event with a satisfied smile. Humaira's family showered her with loving words and blessings, which the couple accepted with an ironic smile.

Furqan reminded her that she was getting late for the haldi event. He quickly escorted her to his car. Humaira didn't get the time to change from her attire. She unpinned her headgear in the car, got rid of her neckpiece and bangles to tone down her look.

"Useless," Furqan sighed, "You're still looking as gorgeous as before."

She rolled her eyes at his unending comments on her beauty before stepping out of the car and joining the Mirzas in their celebration with Furqan following her.

|~★~|

Humaira and Furqan are officially engaged!

And Umair had to witness it in person, when he FINALLY realised it because of HIM that she said yes.

Tch

tch.

Late.

Do you think the realisation was only about hurting her or something more?

Comment your thoughts!

And what would happen next?