CHAPTER 24
HAYAT POV:
The two nights before the nikkah, Ashar and I enjoyed our night out, with him getting me gifts, irritating me, and us talking about Eira...
We got emotional at some point, but he, being my elder brother, handled me, as childish as he acts, he solves stuff very smoothly.
The man I have never seen emotional, said, "I did lose my baby sister, but Allah did send another one for me to take care of, and you, my beloved little sister, Miss Hayat, are too precious to me; you and bhai, both are my heart. Yeah, I know we have known each other for not a very long time, but there's still a connection between us. My Miss Hayat, do take care of my brother; he tries to look grumpy all the time, but he's a cutie from the heart, and if he bothers you, then let me know, and I'll teach him a lesson."
I, on the other hand, never thought that Ashar would be this concerned for me. He does annoy me a lot, but he does love me too, just like I do.
We played a lot of games and went to dine out, as both of us are bad at cooking.
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Tonight is the last night for me to be a single little girl; from tomorrow onwards, after my QUBOOL HAI, everything will change, hopefully in a better way… (Translation: I do)
Turning sides for an hour now, I feel restless. I'm too anxious because no one from my family has called me to ask about my marriage.
My father didn't call or come here to cause any drama. Another thing that has been on my mind for a long time is whether Ahad will be happy with me. Am I going to regret it? Am I destroying his life? Will he be able to hold my hand when everyone disgraced me for marrying him without taking my father's blessings?
Everything has been so messed up right now that I don't know if I'm emotional, nervous, anxious, or what. It's too overwhelming for me.
A sudden vibration from my phone brought me back from the overflowing thoughts...
"QUBOOL HAI HUM APKO?" A simple question, just four words, yet it felt like a profound one. The kind of question that stirred something deep within me. (Translation: DO YOU ACCEPT ME?)"
A lump formed in my throat, but I steadied myself, took a deep breath, and I texted back, "JEE, QUBOOL HAI." I sent the message, and couldn't help but notice the smile spreading across my face, and my cheeks hurt from it… I'm not complaining. (Translation: Yes, I Do)
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Wearing my white abaya that had a little bit of pearl work done on it, a pure abaya it was, no tight stitches were done, it was customized as per my request, I was ready, ready for the nikkah.
The nikkah will be happening on our lawn with him on the other side, sitting with his family and friends. On my side, it would be just my chacha chachi.
Yes, my family won't join in such a big event, and I am not even sad, I'm happy with just the people who value me on my side… maybe…
Chachi came to my room with someone trailing behind her, who I didn't expect to see here…
Sana…
My step-sister…
She's here…
It means my whole family is here too… tears were forming in my eyes as I saw her coming towards me, hugging me tightly, "I'm sorry, appi, I couldn't be here for you the time you needed me the most," she broke the hug, wiping her tears. I tried to calm her down a bit. (Translation: sister)
"I'm happy that you are here. Are others downstairs, too?" I wanted to know about them, as I asked desperately, I wanted to forgive them and have a really beautiful relationship again.
She shook her head and looked down. Chachi came forward and pecked my forehead. Soon, Chachu also came inside, and I could see visible tears in his eyes… he had seen me growing up, nurturing me, helping me, spoiling me with love.
His world revolved around us only, and now seeing me getting married might have saddened him, maybe broken him. The little girl who would hide behind her Chachu to be safe from the difficulties is now getting married right in front of him… I could do nothing but run and hug him, tightly, telling him how much I love him.
"My little warrior is now a big girl, she is getting married, and she will leave her Chacha Chachi alone."
"I will always be your little warrior, your daughter will never forget you, Chachu, never!"
Those were not just some comforting words but the truth and a promise I made to myself.
We soon entered the lawn, and I couldn't see Ahad as there was a huge flower wall between us, with white, see-through net curtains.
I sat down and suddenly felt a tap on my shoulder. Looking back, I found Ashar on my side. My eyes widened, and before I could speak, he softly spoke, "Miss Hayat, you are my girlfriend. I need to be here before being there for my brother, who is less important to me."
I had tears in my eyes, and I couldn't speak, not even a word. I have my friend and my sister here with me...
The pure bond of nikkah will make both of us bound to be together forever. Trust, loyalty, love, and care are what we are responsible for giving each other. The imam sat between both of us, with a calm demeanor. He began to recite the dua before the nikkah.
"Do you, Hayat Ali, take Ahad Mir, son of Mir Sammad, as your husband?" The Imam asked, waiting for my answer.
My throat was dry up, I couldn't speak a word, composing myself was getting difficult, gulping down the saliva. I took a deep breath and whispered, "QUBOOL HAI" three times, as asked...
The time when I needed to sign the nikkah papers, I couldn't do it, my hands were shaking, and I was shivering, I wanted the blessing of my father too but he never cared about me, I had a grandmother who could have patted my head and encouraged me, I had a stepmother who could have been here but I'm all alone.
I was trembling, I looked up at Ashar and my Chachu, and then down at the paper when I felt the seat next to me dip down, and I found Ashar there, he held my shoulder and helped to calm down, "Idiot, don't be scared, I'm right here with you if my brother does something, just let me know, I'll break him into pieces, promise."
I couldn't comprehend. I looked at him, and he gestured for me to sign the papers. I finally did it with almost shaking hands.
"Congrats, bhabi," he whispered and got up from there. (Translation: sister-in-law)
AHAD POV:
The night before our nikkah was the real game-changer. I couldn't think of a single thing to make myself worthy of her. Walking in my room here and there, panicking like a teenager, I couldn't clear my mind when Ashar came into my room.
"What are you doing, stupid?" I turned my head towards him.
"Mind your language, Ashar," I scolded him, seriously. He might be my precious brother, but I hate disrespect. He raised his hands like he surrendered, "Oh, I know you are nervous, so I thought to come and give you an idea." My nervousness melted away, and I stood in front of him.
"Text her, ask her if she accepts you. If she does reply yes, then congrats, bro, you deserve her as much as she deserves you." I gave his suggestion a thought before grabbing my phone, kicking him out of my room, and, with shivering hands, I texted her.
She saw the message and didn't reply, and I felt myself cold and restless, praying to Allah while closing my eyes. I panicked when my phone rang, indicating a message.
Taking a deep breath, I opened her message from the upper notification bar, and after seeing her reply, I felt my heartbeat stop. I thanked Allah for everything… for the first time, Ashar's plan worked. Getting ready for our nikkah, I wore what she ranted about in the car; she wanted me to wear a white shalwar kameez.
I went downstairs to see my friends and Ammi Baba standing there talking to each other. Two people were missing from here, my own brother, whom I don't know where he is right now, and the second person is my beloved sister; I'm missing her too much today; she would have been the happiest today.
"Where is Ashar?" I questioned. How can he leave his only brother today alone on such a big day?
"He didn't tell me beta, but he said he'll text you about it soon," Mother replied, leaving me there alone as Baba called her.
I was shocked when Ashar told me he wouldn't join me at my wedding from my side, but from Hayat's side, I gave him a call, "Aren't you my brother?"
"Yes, I'm your brother, but she is my friend, student, and my little sister. I will gladly ditch you for her, bhai," I heard him.
I was totally dumb yet happy. He might act childish, but he's the most mature and understanding man I know. Even though he's going to her side instead of mine, it would make me feel a little sad, yet it won't matter much, because he's going to make my bride feel she has people who love her by her side, too.
Entering the lawn, I saw the beautiful decoration that was done for our nikkah. I was nervous but not like I was yesterday night, my mates, Ammi Baba, were with me, and Ashar, my only brother, ditched me to be with Hayat, and I happily let him go.
Hayat came onto the lawn. I wanted to see her, but I couldn't because of the curtains. She sat, and the silhouette was slightly visible. Soon, I heard Ashar having a conversation with her.
My focus was on them when I heard, "Stop, man, you are seriously embarrassing us here. She is going to be your wife in just a few minutes. Stop looking so desperate." Sahil said while teasing me a little, and the other two idiots joined him, laughing at my situation, too.
The Imam first asked Hayat, and she took some time before answering. The moment was very relieving, her voice was clear, then came my turn, and the Imam asked me the same question, "Do you, Ahad Mir, take Hayat Ali, daughter of Muhammad Ali, as your wife?"
As soon as the Imam completed his sentence, I replied, "QUBOOL HAI."
Sahil started to laugh, Samir joined him, too, and commented, "This man was so desperate, look at him, couldn't even wait for two minutes." I chose to ignore them.
"Shut up, guys, he's not going to respond to any of you, let him enjoy his moment," I agree with Hammad, he knows me.
After the dua was done, everyone encouraged me to see my bride; they were teasing us. Finally, I withdrew the curtains and saw my bride.
"MASHA ALLAH" was the only word left on my mouth. She looked so beautiful in just a simple abaya.
I took her hands in mine and pecked the back of them lightly… then I lightly kissed her forehead and hugged her. I found the peace… my peace, my wife… no words were exchanged as we just hugged each other, embracing the new feeling, feeling of being husband and wife.
After the nikkah was done, and all the greetings were done, we made our way inside the house… having a meal together, after some time, we parted ways.
I was sitting inside the car, as Hammad drove us home, the voice around me faded as I unlocked my phone and changed her name from "soon to be mine" to "my wife."
"Meri biwi jee," I didn't know what to say, so I just texted her with what I was going to call her… a new phase of life started. (Translation: my wife)
Looking out of the window, I realized a lot of things had changed since I met her, the dua of my death I used to make for years now turned to a dua to keep me safe so I could take care of her… I changed for the betterment… I changed for us… for myself… for my wife… for our future.