12.2- Forbearance

"Help me with this." He said. Rayan nodded and fixed the winged-shaped brooch, completing his mesmeric form, taking a step back. "Thanks... So, how do I look?" He asked, opening his arms, posing, he scrutinized his form and grinned, "Amazing Bhai. Nothing can beat you." "Really?" "Of course! No woman can resist you." He grinned, bump fisting him with his smile not leaving him. "Thanks... I am just so anxious. See, my hands are freezing." He chuckled, putting his cold hand on his cheeks. He shivered by the contact and yanked his hand away, "Why? You are going to rock." "I hope so.." He sighed, putting his hand over his chest to cool down his mind. "You just have to put on a ring, you can do this much." Rayan explained the obvious, "Still... " "Don't worry about it." He took a deep breath and nodded, agreeing with him as both brothers were about to leave but Emraz stopped him. "And yeah, one more thing Rayan." "Yeah..?" He asked, turning to him, "Don't speak about Isra's past to anyone. Let's leave it behind because we are moving forward. Okay?" He told him firmly, not wanting any obstacle arousing because of it. Disappointed that his words didn't affect him, Rayan only smiled and nodded, "Sure, Bhai." "Great. Come on." He patted his back as they both walked out, going down where everyone was gathered for the ceremony. "By the way, are you going to dance?" Emraz asked. "Nah..." "Why?" He frowned. "No one taught me. I only remember the dance from Hoor's wedding." He shrugged. "Just hit that beat then." Emraz grinned, pushing shoulder, encouraging him to dance. "What? No." He frowned, shaking his head in denial. "You're not going to do this at my engagement. It's a big day for me and you can't even dance?" He said, faking sadness, emotionally blackmailing him. "Don't blackmail me like this." He said, looking away. "Come on.." "Don't do this Bhai." He mumbled. Emraz laughed a little, tapping his shoulder, "Just kidding, only girls agreed to dance. You sit back." He winked and got down to greet everyone. "Thank God." "Let's go and join others." They went down, greeted their guests, talked and had a pleasant time and finally the moment came when they were going to exchange rings. Emraz's heart pounded against his chest, watching Isra who was looking aesthetic, arresting to lock up his heart in her beautiful eyes and shy smile. Rayan watched them from afar, watching how they both were looking at each other lovingly like nothing else exists around them anymore. He held her hands and slid the ring, Isra smiled widely, looking down, receiving sweet fluttering in her. Benediction filled her heart, evoking the fondness glistening in her eyes. Emraz wanted to tell her what magical effect she left on him but they were surrounded by guests, not having time to lock gazes. Rayan looked away, curling his hands in a tight fist, growling, "They look perfect together, don't you think?" Zain smiled, looking at his sister. "Rayan." "Huh? Yeah, yeah, they do." He nodded, taking a sip of his drink. "Finally they are alone, let's tease them." Rayan smiled but his intention doesn't need any explanation to tell what he is trying to do. "What? No. Leave them be." Zain shook his head, "What? Come on, Hoor and Hoorain are also going." "Okay, okay..." Zain chuckled at his friend's behavior and came as Hoor was teasing Emraz, "Oh, Seems like Bhai can't remove his eyes from someone." "Tell us, how's she looking?" Hoorain said this time, teasing their big brother. "Cut it out you two." He chuckled, shaking his head, glimpsing at Isra who was blushing madly. "No, come on, tell us." "Yeah Bhai," Rayan also joined them. "Not you too, Rayan." He sighed. "I bet even Isra wants to know... the condition of your heart." Hoor smirked, leaning down. "Okay, okay..." He put his hand in the air to stop their nagging and turned to Isra, offering her his hands. "Can I?" She smiled and gave him her hands, he kissed her knuckles slightly, smiling softly, whispering, "You captured my heart the moment I saw you. And from that moment, nothing is compatible with your grace." He complimented, taking her by surprise and the ultimate shower of his affection gave her immense blessing, urging her to live into this moment. "Oo~" All of them cheered, laughing that Emraz didn't hold back and told her what he wanted the moment his eyes laid upon hers. "Thank you." She whispered, pulling her hand away and looking down. "Thank you for giving me a chance." He whispered back. "Oh Bhai is on fire!" Hoorain said in glee. "You guys wanted me." He shrugged, not removing his eyes from Isra. "We did but you were dying for it." Hoor sneered. "Probably..." He smirked, increasing Isra's heart rate. The girls squeaked at his display of devotion towards his fiancée. "Aww!!" "What about you, Isra? What do you think about our Emraz bhai?" Rayan asked, tilting his head to get a clear look of Irsa's face which made his heart clench. But, for whom he desires hope when the one who connected heart was him? "Yeah, it's your turn." The sisters pair turned to Isra and she knew they are not going to stop unless she says something too, biting her lips nervously, she mumbled faintly, "..He is... an absolute charmer." "Woo-hoo! We knew it!" They clapped, cheering everything, filling the sound with eternal yearnings for the attachment of two hearts which are going to collide now. "Someone is head over heels for you." Zain smirked at Isra and when Rayan heard it, his heart skipped a beat in dread, taking a step back he said, "You guys continue, I will be back." "Sure." Zain smiled as they began to talk and laugh but in this vibrant moment, Isra's eyes lingered at Rayan for a moment, smile fading for a second. Hoping he is okay but then she returned to her soon-to-be husband with a pure smile, living the vibrant ceremony. Rayan rushed to the bathroom, looking at his reflection, not removing his smile while ignoring there's a tear in his eyes. What do you expect from the heart which is never yours? He asked himself, closing his eyes and exhaling deeply through his nostrils. Keep it up. You're doing great, Rayan. He told himself and walked out, joining everyone in the lively event engraved in everyone's heart as a new start of love and smiles. And even seemingly delighted and painful internally, Rayan knows he has to keep up this forbearance...