The night air was filled with soft music, gentle laughter, and the subtle fragrance of roses and vanilla-scented candles. The drawing room shimmered in warm golden lights, paper lanterns swayed with every movement of air, and a line of guests stretched from the entrance to the cake table. Balloons in hues of sky blue, white, and pale green danced under the ceiling fans, and Ubaid—clad in a tiny tuxedo—was being passed from lap to lap like a crown prince, stealing hearts with every giggle.
Maryam moved gracefully among the guests, her pastel pink chiffon saree hugging her figure with delicate elegance. Her subtle makeup highlighted her natural glow, and the soft stroke of rose-petal lipstick on her lips added a dash of romance to her presence. Haroon, in a navy-blue formal kurta with silver buttons, followed her with his gaze more often than he followed the guests' conversations. Every now and then, their eyes met across the room—a silent exchange more intimate than words.
At 9:00 PM sharp, the cake table was finally set with the beautiful three-tiered cake that said:
"Ubaid turns ONE – The light of our lives."
As Maryam held Ubaid in her arms, Haroon stood beside her, placing a protective hand around them both. Aisha and Imran led the countdown, and the hall echoed with voices:
"Three... Two... One... Happy Birthday to Ubaid!"
The little boy clapped his hands in rhythm with the cheers, oblivious to the cameras flashing or the melody of birthday songs around him. Maryam gently helped Ubaid cut the cake, her fingers guiding his, while Haroon kissed his son's forehead. The room erupted in applause. Ubaid squealed in delight.
Plates of cake slices soon traveled from one guest to another, accompanied by trays of kebabs, fruit punch, and laughter-filled conversations.
By 9:30 PM, dinner was announced. The aroma of biryani, chicken roast, and paneer tikka wafted through the house. But strangely, Maryam and Haroon had disappeared just before dinner.
---
The Whisper at the Party
Earlier during the party, Rimsha had subtly leaned in toward Maryam while standing near the mirror.
"Aapi, fix your lipstick—it's going a little out from the corner," she whispered kindly.
Maryam had smiled, somewhat flustered, and quickly dabbed a tissue at the corner of her lips, murmuring her thanks.
But Rimsha's sharp eyes had noticed more than just makeup.
Now, seated at the long dining table at 11:15 PM, she couldn't resist raising an eyebrow as she sipped water.
"Bhabhi, dinner got a little late tonight, didn't it?" she teased, glancing at Maryam, then side-eyeing Haroon.
Maryam chuckled, but didn't answer. Haroon looked up with a mock-serious glare. "Someone's becoming very observant these days, Rimsha. Dangerous habit."
Everyone burst into laughter, especially Aisha who had already caught on to the teasing tone.
Rimsha leaned closer to Aisha and whispered with exaggerated mystery, "Don't tell anyone, but I'm convinced dinner was late because these two were in the bedroom again for another thirty minutes... after the guests left."
Aisha slapped Rimsha playfully on the wrist. "Chup kar! Badmaash ladki!" she laughed, covering her mouth to stop her giggles.
Maryam, pretending to ignore them, gracefully poured salad dressing onto her plate, while Haroon focused on cutting a chicken piece but couldn't stop the grin curling at his lips.
"By the way, Rimsha, what did you gift Ubaid today? Apart from your conspiracy theories?" he asked.
"I gifted him a savings bond, so he can sue you both one day for making him a party excuse for alone-time!" she shot back, and the table exploded with laughter again.
---
A Cup of Calm
After dinner, the clock had nudged past 11:40 PM. Despite the late hour, no one was willing to leave the cozy company. The joy of the evening had softened everyone's hearts, and no one was ready to go to their rooms.
Maryam stood up. "I'll make green tea for everyone. It'll help with digestion, especially after four plates of biryani, Rimsha."
"Hey! That's a low blow! I had three—okay, maybe four. But they were small plates!" Rimsha defended herself, raising her hands.
Haroon got up to help but Maryam gestured him to sit. "You've helped enough tonight. Just stay here and enjoy the post-party praise. I know you're waiting for someone to mention the decoration was your idea."
He leaned back smugly. "Took you long enough."
In the kitchen, Maryam moved with practiced ease—boiling water, adding green tea leaves, cardamom pods, and a pinch of dried mint. The scent quickly filled the small kitchen and traveled out into the dining area, refreshing tired eyes.
She returned with a tray of cups, each topped with thin steam curling upward like whispers of the night. She handed them one by one—starting with Aisha, then Imran, Rimsha, Haroon, and finally herself.
---
Reflecting on the Night
As they sipped the warm tea, the conversation naturally shifted to the evening's highlights.
"The photo booth was a hit, Haroon bhai. That floral arch and starry background? Everyone loved it." Rimsha complimented.
"That was Maryam's choice. I just did the lifting." Haroon said, nudging Maryam gently.
"And Maryam's saree... you looked like a heroine from some Pakistani drama. Who did your makeup?" Aisha asked.
Maryam shrugged with a smile. "Just my fingers and a little courage."
Rimsha looked at her fondly. "No, seriously Aapi. You were glowing tonight. That lipstick shade... dangerous."
Maryam laughed, this time without hesitation. "Well, Haroon picked that one. Said it reminded him of rose petals after the rain."
Everyone groaned mockingly.
"Bas karo, bas karo... abhi ro mantar bhi shuru ho jaaye ga." Imran teased, covering his ears.
"I just want to know one thing," Rimsha said, setting down her cup, her eyes narrowing mischievously,
"Was that thirty-minute room visit part of the celebration plan or an after-party bonus?"
Maryam and Haroon glanced at each other and burst into shared laughter, unable to maintain the pretense any longer.
"Let's just say... Ubaid gave us the gift of sleep, and we used it well." Haroon said with a wink.
Even Imran had to admit, "This family gets more filmi every year."
---
The Night Wanes
The clock ticked past 12:30 AM, and yawns began to replace giggles. Plates had been cleared, cups were empty, and hearts were full. Ubaid was already asleep in his crib, his thumb nestled in his mouth like a pearl in its shell.
As the family stood and exchanged goodnights, Maryam and Haroon lingered behind for a moment.
"Thank you for tonight," Haroon whispered as he leaned close to her.
Maryam smiled. "For what? The party, the lipstick, or the thirty-minute escape?"
"All of it. But mostly... for being my home."
Maryam looked up, her heart fluttering softly. "Then let's go home, Mr. Haroon. Bedroom's waiting."
He chuckled as they turned off the last light, hand in hand.
The house slept under the gentle moonlight, a family wrapped in memories, laughter, and the promise of more such nights.
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[End of Chapter 36]