CHAPTER 25
HAYAT POV:
Everything happened so quickly, I couldn't comprehend. Nikkah was already done, and now I'm connected to Ahad's name. I'm now... Mrs. Ahad.
Ashar stayed even after his family left. He went with Chachu to look after all the preparations.
It feels good to know that now I have someone I can call mine, the one who can protect me, believe me, and care about me; all the expectations I have from this marriage are going to ruin me if he is not like what I believe, but I shouldn't doubt his care and love.
The person who brought you into this world should have given you the sense of protection, love, care, and bonding that a daughter should have with her father... I couldn't have it… But I'm not ungrateful, I have my Chachu, who loves me a lot, yet there's a part of my heart that craves the love of a father.
Praying Magrib salah, I made dua about the betterment of our life, my married life, and the safety of my husband.
"Appi," I heard Sana as she came inside my room, "Yes?" (the word "appi" is used for elder sister)
"Well, appi, your husband is handsome, I must say, but the guy who sat beside you was breathtakingly charming, can I have his number please?" She said with some gleaming eyes, sitting beside me. I could sense her liking towards Ashar, but what about him?
Thinking for some time, I calmly replied, "I'll ask him if he's comfortable giving you his number, then I'll share it with you, okay." As I finished speaking, I found her face scrunched up, she looked irritated, and, ignoring her reaction, I turned to my book.
My phone made a ping notification when I came out of the wardrobe. I took the phone and saw Ahad's message, "Meri biwi jee." I smiled and texted back, "Jee, mere sohar jee?" (Translation: Yes, my dear husband)
By now, everyone knows that I agreed to this marriage. After all, I wanted someone who could protect me, because I can't see two brothers fighting just because of me, even though my Chachu does not acknowledge him as his brother.
I shared everything about why I'm marrying Ahad with him, and he did not mind it. I have developed feelings for him, and I'm glad I did. He is a green forest that I have been looking for my entire life.
The nights went quicker than I thought. My mehndi and mayo have been done already. Ashar stayed by my side even though I told him to leave; he didn't. He's such a stubborn man… during the entire event, I found Sana's persistence towards Ashar, her trying to initiate the conversation with him, while he ignored her the entire time.
Today... It's my barat, I'm getting ready in the parlor that Chachi has chosen… Ah, I'm so tired of this thing; they are too slow. Does bridal makeup take this much time? How can a girl sit here for hours for just makeup? I was getting irritated on my wedding day because of this whole make-up thing. (Translation: wedding)
"Ay, stupid, don't move, they are working right," said a man… particularly… Ashar. Yeah. He did not leave me alone! Not even here!
So, yes, he's here, he came with gajray that Ahad had sent for me, yes Ahad, he sent them and also texted, "I saw you wearing those every time you used to visit Do Darya, so I thought to send some on our special day to you, looking forward to our meet."
Ashar and I had built a great bond, a sibling duo... It's chaotic to even say we have been knowing each other for like four months, and we argue like we have known each other since birth.
"I'm leaving, Hayat, this thing is too boring for me to even glance at, I'm going to the lawn, and check if there's anything that needs to be done."
I asked the lady who was doing my eye makeup to pause for a moment and replied, "Ashar, do check if pink and white flowers are used instead of red there, as I asked, and yeah, please try to make the stage a little cagey, you know, no child should pluck the flowers out before the wedding ends."
I had some dreams for my wedding, and everyone was happy to fulfill them. I demand, and there you go… I'm so happy… he nodded, about to move out when Sana came in the room, looking all pretty in her silver lehenga that matched her skin tone and makeup perfectly.
"Can I join you too? I might get bored here waiting for sissy to get ready, please." Giving her beautiful puppy eyes, she asked Ashar as he looked at me for the answer. I gave him the assurance, after which he took her with him to the lawn.
I was finally ready… I chose a red wine color lehenga, with its dupatta on the side, and in front covering myself properly with it. It looked elegant yet beautiful, and a red with a golden border net veil covering my face properly... I am going to the lawn alone, in my car, yes, in my car alone.
I had this dream, and no doubt my family supported me, I came out with the help of the helpers and Chachi. Chachi sat in another car to reach the lawn after picking up all the gifts from home she got for Ahad, and I sat in my car, driving to the lawn, reciting some surah to keep myself calm.
Reaching the place I waited for Chachu to come and get me, but instead of him, Ashar came, him again, my brother, who I never had come to help me… and I am not complaining.
"Meri pyari Miss Hayat, Masha Allah, makeup kay baad bhi ap churail lag rahi ho." I hit him on the shoulder and looked down, feeling a little self-conscious… maybe I don't look as pretty as I thought. (Translation: My beloved sister, Masha Allah, even after the make-up, you look like a pure witch.)
"Ayy, mai mazak kar raha hoon, mujhe tou waise bhi shakal nazar nahi aa rahi hai iss veil ki wajah se per mujhe pata hai kay ap sab se pyari lag rahi ho!" He said and side-hugged me... (Translation: Hey, I'm just kidding. I can't see your face because of this veil, but I know you're looking the most beautiful, promise anyway!)
He helped me to get inside the lawn with Chachi on my other side, we made our way to the bridal room, till I got the call to walk up to the stage with Ahad…
AHAD POV:
I looked out of the window, just to see that the sky was turning a dark shade of blue, indicating night. In an hour, I'll stand in front of my wife, holding her hand in mine, and the whole world will see it. I got prepared for the wedding, checking myself in the mirror, wearing the white sherwani, with my favorite watch, and I was ready to go.
I called Ashar to find out about Hayat, "Why would I tell you about my sister? Mind your business! My sister is getting married, you cheap man!" Ashar replied through the phone with a hint of pride in his voice.
I smiled, shaking my head a little, "For your kind information, your sister is getting married to me only, and I, as her groom, want to know if she is okay." Getting downstairs, phone attached to my ear, I responded.
Ashar cut the call, and I looked at my guys, standing downstairs, talking to each other. I fake coughed a little, and they turned to me, "I'm a busy man, don't call me till you reach here!"
"Ready to go?" Sahil asked, and I nodded, making our way out. I sat inside the car and drove off with my guys following behind on their bikes. Hayat would take me to our home.
Yeah, she will! In her car, the desi way to go to the groom's home has changed now since my wife has some beautiful dreams to fulfill, and I, as her husband, should do everything to fulfill her dreams.
I wanted to ride on my bike to go to the lawn, but I don't want anyone else riding it back to my place, so I'm going to the lawn with my parents.
Standing on the stage, I could see people roaming around, talking. The media wanted to cover the wedding since I'm a young Billionaire with some reputation, but who cares? I have no enemies to look after; the deals that I get are meant to be mine with the high-quality work I present.
I hired ten photographers for the people who attended our wedding since my wife didn't like anyone to click her pictures without her permission, and for this reason, every guest's phone camera has been covered… I also hired two photographers who were covering just my wife's photo shoot.
I was waiting for Hayat patiently, and my friends roamed around the lawn. I didn't know where they had gone, and I couldn't find them or my brother either. Were they all playing hide and seek at my wedding?
Soon, Hayat came with her Chachi on her right side. While Ashar was standing behind her, her Chachu came up and stood beside the sofa, looking at Hayat with teary eyes. Her face was covered in a veil.
Soon, we sat beside each other, and I whispered, "My wife is looking very pretty today." Forwarding my hand in front of her, looking at my hand, she finally held it and replied, "You aren't looking any less, my dear husband." I smiled, and soon, we were just talking like no one was visible.
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We were being photographed now, and her face was still covered in a veil. I am not complaining, though… but I wanted to look into her eyes…
"We are here," a scream was heard, and it was from Samir.
"We would like to introduce ourselves to our dear little sissy," Hammad joined.
"Would you like to join our gang, sister-in-law?" Here comes Sahil joining them too...
"We are your hubby's long-lost brothers, I mean best friends, and Ahad are diaper buddies, and these two joined us when we went to Chicago for further studies," Hammad said while standing next to me.
"We three would like to add you, sissy, to our group so we can torture this man right here for all the daring sins he has committed," Sahil said, pushing me to the other side, standing around my wife.
"Thank you, I'll keep the offer in mind," she said, pulling me towards her, tightening her hold on my hand.
They started to talk about everything in the world, to be specific, me and my life. Looking at them, it felt like Hayat was the officer who was looking for evidence to torture the criminal; all my friends around here looked like detectives... the good thing was that the criminal was standing right next to them, listening to their conversation.
It was time to leave. I could see her getting emotional, caressing her hand a little. I softly said, "I'm with you. Every step you take, you will find me beside you. I will be your protector forever."
I tried to help Hayat stand up when her Chachu Chachi came and hugged her, and now she was hiccupping like a little kid that she is... There were not many people Hayat met.
Ashar too came forward and hugged her, turning towards me, he threatened, "Take care of my sister, Bhai Jaan, if you ever make her cry!" He pointed his index finger toward me as if he would kill me.
I shook my head and replied, "I feel you have a personality disorder, Ashar."
After bidding goodbye to everyone, we took our leave. I sat inside the car's passenger seat while she sat in the driver's seat.
She calmed herself down a bit and started the car. This feels illegal. It looks like I'm going to my bride's house, I thought to myself when I heard Hayat giggling, "You said it aloud, actually," she said, still driving while others followed us from behind. All the boys were on their bikes while I was sitting with Hayat in her car; she looked happy and content.