Ayaan choked slightly on his toast, milk dripping from his lips.
"Sunday?! Already decided then... no discussion needed, got it," he said dryly.
His mother smiled firmly.
Ayaan looked around the table, seeking support or distraction –
his eyes landed on no familiar allies discussing him with others, just family staring at him.
Then he thought of his brother... wondering what the weekend brings for them.
But back to his mom -
"What's so special about this girl, Mom?" Ayaan asked cautiously.
Ayaan's eyes sparkled with strategic thinking.
"Actually, Mom, Aydan will be here any minute – let's discuss with him first.
My brother's opinion would be helpful before meeting this girl on Sunday."
His mother raised an eyebrow, slightly amused by Ayaan's tactics.
"Trying to delay the inevitable, beta? Aydan will probably agree with me..."
Ayaan grinned hopefully,
"Maybe not – he usually sees things differently than you do, Mom!"
Just then, they heard the door open – Aydan was home.
The youngsters – Ayub, Ayaan, and Ayat –
dropped everything and sprinted towards Aydan and his wife,
hugging them tightly –
"Bhabhi, Bhaiya – welcome back from Italy!!" Ayub exclaimed.
Ayat added with a warm smile,
"How was your trip? Tell us everything – I've got a short study break from med school!"
Ayaan chimed in, "Yeah, and distract us from Ammi's weird morning conversation..."
Aydan raised an eyebrow, sensing underlying tension.
His wife started sharing Italy stories while Aydan's gaze locked onto Ayaan curiously.
_________________
Ayaan leaned against Aydan's study desk, voice low and serious.
"Ammi mentioned marriage proposal this morning... I don't want to get married yet."
Aydan looked up from unpacking his briefcase, intrigued.
"What's bothering you about marriage right now?" he asked calmly.
Ayaan shrugged slightly,
"Just don't feel ready, bro. Ammi's moving fast – Sunday already set for meeting the girl."
Aydan nodded thoughtfully,
"We'll talk to her together. What's really going on – everything okay?"
Ayaan's gaze drifted off, lost in thought as he leaned against Aydan's study desk.
His eyes seemed haunted by a memory – the girl who saved him from being shot...
Her gentle touch while treating his wound still lingered in his mind.
Aydan noticed his brother's distant expression and shook his shoulder gently.
"Hey, bro – earth to Ayaan! What's on your mind?"
Ayaan snapped back to reality, shrugging casually,
"Nothing. Just tired from Ammi's drama this morning."
Aydan raised an eyebrow skeptically but didn't press further.
_________________
Aydan pushed open his bedroom door, witnessing a heartfelt scene –
Ayaan sat comfortably in Siya's lap, like a child seeking comfort,
his head tilted upwards as he spoke anxiously about marriage proposals.
Siya listened attentively, stroking his hair with maternal gentle care.
"...Ammi wants me to meet this girl Sunday, Bhabi .What if I'm meant for someone else?"
Siya's expression turned serene, her voice soothing –
"Trust destiny, beta. If you're meant to deviate from this path, Allah will guide you."
___________________
Adeeba's eyes widened as she swallowed her food slowly,
her mother's words hanging in the air like a surprise announcement –
"The Khan family is coming to see you tomorrow, beta...
They've expressed interest in meeting you for their son."
Adeeba's father nodded in agreement,
"Yes, Adeeba – they're respected family friends. This could be a good alliance."
Raheem, her brother, looked at her knowingly –
recalling their previous conversation about Bua's interference and Om's secrets.
Adeeba felt trapped –
"What exactly did they say about their son, Mom?" she asked cautiously.
Adeeba's mother hung up the phone and turned to her family –
"Khan family has agreed to come over... this Sunday.
Ayaan will be meeting Adeeba then."
Adeeba felt her heart sink slightly –
Raheem raised an eyebrow at her, as if thinking "trapped now?"
Adeeba looked back at Raheem worriedly,
her eyes silently asking "What have I gotten myself into?"
Raheem subtly shook his head – no escape advice offered, just empathy.
Adeeba locked her bedroom door, dialed Isha's number, and spilled everything –
"Guess what, Isha? Khan family's coming Sunday – their son Ayaan to meet me for marriage!"
Isha's laughter echoed through the phone,
"Our plan worked beautifully, Adeeba – they're considering you for Ayaan!"
Adeeba smirked mischievously,
"Exactly – now let's see how this meeting goes on Sunday... fingers crossed it leads to something interesting!"
Isha giggled conspiratorially,
"This is getting juicy – keep me posted on Sunday's drama!"
________________
Adeeba's eyes gazed upwards, lost in thought as she lay on her bed –
Her mind wandered back to Isha's wedding day...
She had helped Isha prepare to marry Om, hiding her own emotions behind a calm face –
and a niqab that concealed her identity.
Suddenly, a memory surfaced –
Ayaan Khan had attended that wedding as a guest!
Adeeba recalled catching glimpses of him across the room,
while he remained oblivious to her presence behind the veil of her niqab.
Her heart skipped a beat – Sunday's meeting wouldn't be their first crossing paths...
just their first official introduction.
Adeeba's eyelids grew heavy, her thoughts still lingering on Ayaan's face –
Her breathing slowed, and she drifted off to sleep,
the wedding memory and upcoming Sunday meeting swirling gently in her dreams.
Everything faded to black as slumber wrapped around her.
___________________
Ayaan lay in bed, staring at his ceiling in the dark of night –
Sunday's meeting with the mysterious girl weighed heavily on his mind.
His parents had revealed nothing – no name, no face, no description...
He felt anxious and curious at the same time.
"What if I don't connect with her?" he thought silently.
"Who is she... really?"
His eyelids grew heavy, but sleep eluded him for a moment...
Then slowly, Ayaan drifted into a restless sleep.