Laila sat on the park bench, waiting for Akhil as she played with the phone in her hands. She didn’t think she would have to worry about losing Akhil as she might now. After all, the past few months flew past so fast that she didn’t even realise where the time had gone. Jumping when someone put their hand on her shoulder she smiled when Akhil apologized,” Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Shaking her head, she stood up before raising an eyebrow in confusion when she saw Amir standing behind Laila. “Who’s that,” she asked backing away from the two of them but Akhil who sensed the worry stopped her and smiled before saying,” This is my elder brother, Amir Bhai. When he heard about what I was going to do he wanted to be there.”
Laila nodded her head in greeting Amir who smiled back before turning her attention back to Akhil. “What are you going to do,” she asked and Akhil looked at Amir for assurance who nodded before stepping back. Looking back at Laila, Akhil put his hand in his pocket before starting to go down on one knee.
Laila’s eyes widened and she said,”Akhil, what are you,” but he interrupted her by grabbing her hand and pulling the ring out of his pocket. “I know. This is -this is crazy and absolutely out of anything I ever thought I’d do but I want to do it. Laila, when I met you I didn’t know that you were going to be the girl who’s going to make me finally want to marry someone. Not just anyone- I want to marry you. My entire life I’ve always closed myself off towards others. I ran away from home to find peace but I couldn’t. All I found was a heavier burden being put on my shoulders but in these past few months, you’ve lessened that burden in ways that I never knew were possible. I didn’t know this then but when I saw you in that wedding suit- I felt something. I didn’t know what it was then but I do now. I felt protective and I fell in love with you. Every day that we’ve been together, that I’ve gotten to see who you really are, not that shy girl that hides her smile behind her hand. Instead, that girl who tosses her head back when she laughs so that her beautiful brown hair falls over her shoulder. Unfortunately, this isn’t the way I wanted to ask you but I want to be your husband, the person you want to spend the rest of your life with if you’ll let me.” When he ended even Amir had tears in his eyes as a few people had their phones out and were recording the loving scene in front of them.
Laila had tears in her eyes as she covered her mouth with her free hand. “Laila,” Akhil said since he couldn’t read the emotion in her eyes but wasn’t completely shocked when she moved her hand away just to whisper,” Yes.” Akhil slipped the ring on her finger and got off the floor but kept both of her hands in his, bowing his head to place a chaste kiss on her knuckles before placing a loving kiss on her forehead.
When he noticed the crowd, Amir placed a hand on Akhil’s back and asked,” We should do this somewhere a bit more privately?” He smiled, reassuringly, at Laila who was looking a bit flustered at all the people surrounding them before following behind the two when they walked away. Amir tossed glares at everyone, warning them to keep their distance.
As they settled into the car and Akhil started driving, Laila spoke up from the back,” What’s going to happen now?” Amir and Akhil shared a look but Amir chose to answer,” Now, we’re going to talk to Abu about the truth.” Accidentally, Akhil stepped down on the brake and they all jolted forward before Akhil apologized and pulled over to the side. With his hands shaking, he placed his head on the wheel and nodded to Amir who rubbed a soothing hand up and down his back.
“I’m fine,” he whispered and Laila looked around for water in the back managing to find a bottle on the side. Unscrewing it with a little bit of difficulty she held it out to Akhil with a scared look on her face but Akhil just smiled and accepted the bottle with a little bit of shyness. Drinking out of it, he wiped off the little bit of water that was left on his lips with his handkerchief before sitting back.
“What happened,” Laila asked and Amir stifled a laugh as he teased,” He’s scared of our Abu.” Akhil glared at him and said through gritted teeth,” I am not afraid.” Amir raised an eyebrow and rested his side against the car door as he pointed to hs hand,” Tell that to your shaking hand.” Akhil looked at his one hand that was on the wheel before taking it off and glaring at his big brother.
“I am not afraid of Abu. Okay,” he looked between the two of them but could tell they didn’t believe him. Outrage he opened his mouth in shock before arguing,” I'm not. I can go up to him right now and tell him the truth.” Amir smiled and Laila had to hide her smile before the silence that had settled was broken by the phone ringing. Groaning, Akhil grabbed it from the middle dashboard before his face went white and he had trouble properly breathing.
“Who is it,” Laila asked when she saw Akhil’s entire demeanour change and Akhil stuttered out,” Abu.” Amir laughed and said,” That man is going to have a long life. You, on the other hand, little brother,” he joked around and Laila raised an eyebrow at him before sending him a look. Catching the look Amir waved his hand and muttered,” That is way too similar to the look my wife gives me.” Laila rolled her eyes before turning to Akhil who was still holding the ringing phone,” Answer it,” she told him.
Looking between her and the phone Akhil shook his head and said,” I’d rather not.” Amir grabbed the phone and answered it much to Akhil’s happiness before handing it back over to Akhil who gaped at him before putting the phone against his ear.
“Yes, Abu,” he said into the phone and nodded to what the older man was saying before looking over at his big brother and slowly answering,” Yes, Amir Bhai wanted to eat out because he was really hungry so I came with him,” he said in his own defence and then made an apologetic face to the man before wincing when he hit him in the leg.
“What are we getting,” Akhil repeated the question he was just asked and looked at Amir who shrugged before noticing that most of the places were already closed. He waved his hands to try and stall Akhil who said,” We were just going to get barbecue from that restaurant that you once took us to.” Amir bit his lip and closed his eyes, knowing that that place was closed, and their Father would know.
“It’s closed,” Akhil said and then shrugged helplessly at his older brother, not knowing how to lie to his Father or even stretch the truth. Amir held his hand out for the phone and Akhil rushed to hand it over before watching in amazement as Amir quickly managed to convince their Father they’re on their way back home with warm food for everyone.
As soon as he cut the call, he glared at Akhil before smacking him over the head and Akhil winced. “I’m sorry I’m not in the habit of lying to Abu,” he muttered before shutting his mouth at his own stupidity when Amir turned to glare at him and began roughly hitting him, though not hard enough to leave more than a sting.
“Lying to Abu, you little brat,” Amir muttered as he managed to still land a few good hits as Akhil tried to use his hands to catch Amir’s hands before they could actually hit him. They were broken out of their moment when Laila laughed out loud and said,” Awww, that’s so cute.” Akhil blushed and said,” So are you.” Amir’s face twisted up in a grimace and he muttered,” Eww.” The other two blushed and Akhil started the car as he adjusted his rearview mirror so that he could see Laila’s face who was engrossed in her phone.
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