Livid Guardian's Endless Coddling

Noor pointed at herself and asked Arsh in perplex, "When did I propose to you?"

Alan crossed his leg and relaxed on the couch. "So, you like to fool and trick your wife."

"Huh?" Noor's eyes widened as big as saucers hearing Alan point to her as a wife.

Aria pinched Alan, it was fine to address Noor as a wife of Arsh when only they were present. But that will panic Noor. Alan didn't show his twitch and reasoned seeing his son inarticulate, "Slip of the tongue, girlfriend." He corrected himself.

Noor finally breathed a long sigh which brought frowns on his forehead but those were quick to erase after telling himself, Noor needs time.

All had their eyes on Alan to hear why he was saying Arsh was tricking. "If we bring a new young chef, she could cook for you every day."

Arsh: "..."

The rest burst into laughter understanding what Arsh was going to point at little Noor saying 'I will cook for you every day.' as a proposal. 

Noor giggled next to Arsh as she nodded. But the smile faded when Arsh asked her, "Who asked me to date?" Noor flushed again. 

She had thought accepting his love was the same as dating. Who knew she would be entitled as the one to be proposed? Her mellow voice sounded when she countered with a lie, "You took a decade to confess, so I thought you would take another decade to ask me out."

Somebody has to take the responsibility, right?

Arsh: "..."

Including Alan, everyone laughed at Arsh, cheering Noor for her mind-blowing counter.

Arsh felt like Noor was now slowly getting infected by his family. He was about to counter back but seeing her happy for winning on him, he heartily accepted the defeat.

Their conversation continued till Amelia and Rowan went to their room. Noor sat with Aria and Roxy while Arna and Rooney were asking for a party from Arsh in his room.

They had double reasons to celebrate but Arna couldn't spend a lot of time due to workload so Arsh told them he will take everyone for an outing after her fashion week.

Rooney was happy with the arrangement as his exhibition will be next month and Jasmine's entrance exam will be over in two months.

"Where are you taking us?... The destination wedding will be a cool idea too." Arna started dreaming of the destination wedding and grabbed her mobile to ask Ivan's opinion.

Arsh flicked on her forehead, "Don't have high hopes on a double wedding. Focus on your work and Ivan."

Arna rubbed her head, puffing her cheeks at Arsh. Rooney, who heard about a double wedding, questioned: "Double wedding? Are you two planning to get married together?..." He imagined two couples, somehow he liked the idea, "how about a triple wedding?" He blurted out his thoughts.

Arsh and Arna smacked him in the head, "Jazz is too young." Arsh couldn't believe, being 22, Rooney was fine to get married so soon without seconds thoughts. He liked their bond where the age was just a number.

"Darling will slaughter you." Arna's voice followed after Arsh. Darling meant Finn.

Rooney hissed in pain, rubbed his head. Then he remembered Jasmine's wish, "Yeah, Jazz wants to catch the bridal bouquet. Sister Snow, you better throw it in her hand." He sounded more like threatening to fulfill his girlfriend's wish.

Arna: "..."

She felt like Rooney looked forward to her wedding, not because of her but to fulfill Jasmine's wishes. "I will give the bouquet to Noor." Sticking her tongue out, she hmphed.

Now, Rooney was disappointed there would be no double wedding, "Why not a double wedding? We could celebrate uniquely."

Arsh sighed while Arna explained seeing him pull a long face, "I wished there could be a double wedding. But it wouldn't be fair for Ivan to wait for so many years until Noor could prepare mentally. And Bro doesn't want to scare Noor or pressure her in any way. She is also young so it will panic her." Then she cheered happily, "I am already happy, Noor accepted bro. So it's alright if a double wedding is not possible."

Rooney understood. It was already surprising for them Noor was able to step out of her comfort zone and think of a relationship.  He excitedly proposed to tease Arna, "Bro, we should have a double wedding. Four years would be enough for Noor, right? Jazz will be twenty-one."

Arna slapped her forehead hearing him, yet admired Rooney and Jasmine. If she hadn't run away from the house, she knew she would be having crazy thoughts like Rooney.

Rooney fell silent when he noticed Arsh was looking at the door intently as though somebody was going to attack them. Arna was about to say 'You can't steal my wish.' but paused.

Arsh could feel somebody's presence at the door. If any of the family members hear them, they would excitedly add in for conversation. None were there in the house to sneakily hear them. "Noor." Her name gently escaped his lips. He least wanted her for their double wedding conversation. The expression on Arna and Rooney's faces changed. 

Noor stepped away from the wall, appeared to their view. She had no plans to sneakily hear them. She heard 'wedding' uttered by Arsh, without realizing she froze. She knew she wasn't ready for it yet, she could feel she likes Arsh but love? She didn't know how it feels to be in love. So the wedding was an alien to her that brought a hint of fear, thundering her heart in her chest.

Pursing her lips, she uncomfortably stood at the door of Arsh's bedroom. She had been there to tell she was leaving but felt her throat dry and painful like somebody had clutched her throat.

Arsh beckoned her as he stood up from the bed, "Come in…"  Rooney and Arna never heard Arsh being so gentle and soft. His deep voice was hypnotizing, without a hint of coldness.

Arna and Rooney nodded at themselves and decided to leave the room so that Arsh could calm Noor who looked frightened.

"Good night Bro…" They wished Arsh going towards the door while Noor went inside obediently.

"Good night Noor." Arna flashed a sweet smile while Rooney rubbed Noor's head. Both of their hands reached for the door to close but didn't close in case Noor became more uncomfortable.

Arna scolded herself for having such wishes and Rooney scolded himself for prolonging the topic. Both could only hope, Noor doesn't start running away from Arsh and it was totally possible as Noor needs complete independence to have her opinion.