Mehrem- The Confidant

08

Umair

I paced the yard, feeling the weight of the upcoming wedding. A week was all that separated me from a lifetime with Illiyeen, yet my thoughts were a tangled mess. Illiyeen's confession earlier in the day had stirred something within me—uncertainty and confusion, emotions I wasn't prepared to confront.

I reached for my phone, scrolling through emails and messages, anything to distract myself from the whirlwind of thoughts. As I called his intern Hassan, I felt a soft tap on his shoulder.

"Bhai," Mawaa's voice broke through his fog.

I turned, irritation evident in my voice. "What do you want?" I snapped but almost instantly regretted it when I saw the concerned look on her face. "Sorry, Hassan called. What happened?"

Mawaa's eyes shifted from my phone to my face and then to my death grip on the device. "What are you hiding?" she asked softly, her brows knitting together in concern.

I remained silent, trying to deflect her probing. But Mawaa was relentless, crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes. "I know something happened between you and Illiyeen today. And since you both haven't exchanged numbers, it must be from earlier. So, what is it?"

I raised his eyebrows, wondering if I was that transparent. "Nothing happened, Sherlock," he muttered, trying to brush her off.

But Mawaa wasn't buying it. "Fine," I relented, exhaling sharply. "I think I make your friend uneasy and tense."

Mawaa didn't react as I expected—there was no laughter or teasing. Instead, she sighed, her expression softening. "Did she use those exact words?" she asked quietly.

I shook his head and shared the details of the conversation with Illiyeen—how I'd tried to ease the tension, only for her to admit I made her nervous.

To my surprise, Mawaa smiled. "Bhai, Illiyeen is straightforward. She would've told you if she felt truly uncomfortable around you. But here's the thing: you both are confused. This wedding is happening in a week. You didn't want to marry her until a short time ago, and then the accident changed things. There's a lot to process for both of you."

She paused for a moment before continuing. "When I had feelings for Ahmed, I did not tell him for a long time. We spent years dancing around the subject, hiding behind the expectations and family dynamics. Hiding behind you. But Illiyeen—she was the one who helped me through it. She supported me when I needed someone to understand what I was going through. She helped me find my voice."

Mawaa gave me a knowing look. "You and Illiyeen might be in the same boat, Bhai. It's not too early to say this, but take a step towards her. She's already made one toward you by telling you how she feels."

"I don't know how to," I admitted, frustration evident in my voice.

Mawaa looped her arm through mine and looked up at me. "The fact that you're asking me for advice is your first step. Just get to know her for who she is—not through me or anyone else. See her through your own eyes."

I nodded, touched by my cousin's words. I leaned down to kiss her forehead. "When did you get so wise?" I teased.

"I've always been this way," Mawaa replied with a grin. "You just never noticed."

I chuckled. "I don't notice a lot of things."

Mawaa tilted her head, her eyes twinkling. "Do you want ice cream?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Are we going out?"

She nodded. "Aunty took Illiyeen's pizza away, and now she's craving junk food—especially ice cream."