Adeeba descended the stairs gracefully with Swastika by her side, looking elegant in a cute pastel red kurta and pant set –
Dupatta gently hanging down her right shoulder, hijab adorning her face perfectly.
Her eyes sparkled with warmth, expecting Ayaan's family downstairs –
But her smile froze, blood boiling instantly as she saw:
Her Bua (paternal aunt), Mrs. Rashida – stern expression as always
Her Mamu (maternal uncle), Mr. Zahid – fake warm smile plastered on his face
And their son, Hamza – eyes locking onto hers with a sly, menacing glint
Adeeba's grip on the staircase railing tightened –
How were her aunt and uncle (married to each other) and Hamza here?
And why did Hamza look like he'd just unleashed a sinister plan?
Swastika noticed Adeeba's tension –
"Adeeba, what's wrong?" she whispered urgently.
Ice-cold greeting
Adeeba descended the remaining stairs silently, still gripping her dupatta tightly –
Her eyes never leaving Hamza's smirk.
She reached the bottom step, took a deep breath, and greeted everyone calmly –
"Assalamu alaikum... everyone."
The room responded with warm "Wa alaikum salam"s – except Hamza, who added a low, mocking tone –
"Wa alaikum salam, cousin... missed you."
Adeeba ignored his jab, turning to her parents with a polite smile –
"Ammi, Abbu, what's the occasion for this surprise gathering?"
Her mother, oblivious to underlying tension, exclaimed –
"Your Bua and Mamu surprised us with a visit from Delhi! And they brought Hamza along."
Her father added, "We thought, why not combine it with Ayaan's family dinner plans?"
Adeeba gave her father the weirdest look imaginable –
As if saying "What have you done?" without uttering a word.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, brows furrowed in concern and accusation.
But before she could voice her unspoken question, her mother intervened –
"Chalo, dinner taiyaar hai... let's eat, everyone! Swastika, beta, show our guests to the dining table."
The sudden interruption broke the tense moment –
Adeeba's father looked relieved, while Adeeba herself seemed stifled.
Hamza, however, caught Adeeba's eye again –
A sly smile spreading across his face as if to say "This isn't over."
Adeeba turned away, following her mother and the others to the dining table –
Her mind racing with questions and worries about Hamza's sudden appearance.
As everyone moved to take their seats at the dining table –
Adeeba's eyes locked onto the empty chair across from her, expecting no one special to sit there...
But then Ayaan smiled warmly at her and sat down directly in front of Adeeba –
His gentle smile made her heart skip a beat.
Just as she was about to sit down beside Swastika, her phone vibrated silently in her hand.
She glanced down at the message on her screen –
Blood ran cold as she read:
"'What will happen if your fiancé got poisonous food?'"
Adeeba's eyes widened in horror –
Her gaze shifted to her cousin, sitting diagonally from her –
His face was neutral, expressionless, yet Adeeba sensed malevolence behind his calm eyes.
Her mind racing – was this a twisted game or actual threat?
Adeeba felt paralyzed, phone still clutched in her hand, as her mother said –
"Adeeba, beta, sit down, food is getting cold!
Just as Adeeba was about to sit down beside Swastika –
A voice echoed from behind, teasingly loud –
"What, bhai? You always give me work and come to see Bhabhi – I didn't even see her face!"
Adeeba's eyes widened instantly –
Her heart skipped multiple beats as Ayub walked into view.
_____________
Adeeba stood frozen, still clutching her chair back –
Mirrored by Ayub himself, who stopped dead in his tracks, eyes locking onto hers.
The room fell silent, except for Ayub's casual tone trailing off –
As if he sensed something underlying his joking words.
Adeeba's mind reeled – Ayub's presence explained the ominous message:
He was notorious for cruel pranks and twisted games.
Her mother broke the silence, oblivious to tension –
"Ayub beta, come meet everyone – and Adeeba, sit down, child!"
The room remained frozen –
Adeeba and Ayub stood like statues, eyes locked intensely.
Suddenly, Ayaan's mother spoke up sharply –
"Ayub beta, what manners are these?! Bursting in like that in someone else's home?"
Her scolding words hung in the air, but Ayub didn't flinch –
Neither did Adeeba, still clutching her chair back, her gaze fixed on him.
The tension was palpable –
Ayaan's family exchanged curious glances, sensing underlying dynamics.
Adeeba's parents looked uneasy, her mother placing a calming hand on her father's arm.
Ayub's expression remained neutral, but Adeeba knew him too well –
She saw the faintest glimmer of amusement in his eyes, like he enjoyed her distress.
The silence stretched until Ayub finally blinked –
Still no movement, just his low, casual voice breaking the spell –
"Not bursting in, Mom... just arriving."
Ayub remained silent, his eyes still fixed on Adeeba –
But his mother spoke up warmly –
"And this is Ayub, Ayaan's younger brother – everyone, please welcome him!"
The room filled with gentle greetings and smiles –
Except Adeeba, whose mind raced with Ayub's ominous presence.
Seizing the distraction, Adeeba swiftly leaned forward –
Exchanging the plates of sweet gulab jamun between her and Ayaan's settings.
They were served separately, making her move seem casual –
But Adeeba's heart pounded knowing she might just have saved Ayaan from potential harm.
Ayub's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze flicking to the plate exchange –
Adeeba held her breath, wondering if he'd suspect her move.
Ayaan, oblivious to underlying tension, smiled at Adeeba –
"Thanks, wanted to try yours, yours looks sweeter!"
Adeeba blushed softly and took her seat beside Swastika –
Still smiling faintly at Ayaan's sweet comment, though her mind raced with dread.
A haunting reminder echoed in her thoughts –
"Her gulab jamun was poisoned..."
Her father spoke up, a warm smile on his face –
"Adeeba, beta, now that everyone's here... let's discuss your and Ayaan's wedding date."
Adeeba's heart raced as her father smiled –
"Next month suits us perfectly for the wedding... and how about engagement ceremonies a week from now?"
Ayaan's mother nodded enthusiastically –
"Exactly what we were thinking, Bhai sahab! A week from now for engagement, next month for marriage –
Ayaan, beta, looks like your wedding countdown begins!"
Ayaan beamed with joy, turning to Adeeba –
"Our families agreeing so quickly – feels like destiny, doesn't it?"
Adeeba forced a soft smile, her mind reeling –
Engagement in a week, marriage next month... while the poisoned gulab jamun sat untouched but still threatening her.
His brother reached for the gulab jamun dish, saying casually –
"Celebratory sweets anyone?"