Episode 9
In one corner of the hall, Haider noticed a familiar face. Amidst the crowd, the face kept appearing and disappearing, until suddenly, it came into full view. It was Kali Das—but this time, he didn't look filthy or shabby. He was dressed in fine clothes, and though his head was still bald, his beard was now neatly trimmed. Haider was stunned to see him like this. "What is he dressed up as?" Haider chuckled to himself, then moved forward into the hall. The guests followed him in.
Haider's eyes landed on the stage, and he had never seen such a splendid stage in his life. Red and white roses decorated the area, and in the center sat Shahmeer and Jehan Ara, dressed in elegant, expensive attire. The moment they saw Haider, they stood up and guided him to the central sofa. Haider became the center of everyone's attention, and he felt strange—he had always been a loner, never had relatives over, nor did he visit anyone.
Just then, a commotion from one side of the hall grabbed everyone's attention. Haider looked in that direction and was stunned. A vision in golden bridal attire was walking toward him—Rabab. From head to toe, she was covered in gold, her makeup flawless. Haider's heart began to race. Overcome with emotion, he stood up. Rabab's gaze was lowered, but Haider could glimpse her radiant face. As she approached the stage, Haider stepped forward and held out his hand. Rabab raised her head and placed her hand in his. Haider couldn't take his eyes off her. How could anyone be so breathtaking? She was already a stunner, but today she looked like a celestial being.
He kept gazing at her until someone teased from the side, "Will you just keep staring, or will you bring our sister to the stage?" Haider snapped out of his daze and smiled shyly. He led Rabab to the sofa, and they sat.
The officiant had arrived, and Shahmeer seated him between Rabab and Haider to begin the wedding ceremony. The Maulvi looked at Rabab and asked:
"Rabab daughter of Shahmeer, do you accept this marriage to Haider son of Ghulam Rasool, with a dowry of ten thousand rupees in legal currency?"
Rabab's hands were trembling as she answered in a quivering voice, "I accept."
The Maulvi asked a second time, and again she replied, "I accept."
A third and final time: "Do you accept this marriage?"
"Yes, I accept," Rabab said, her voice steadier.
Now the Maulvi turned to Haider.
"Haider son of Ghulam Rasool, do you accept this marriage to Rabab daughter of Shahmeer, with a dowry of ten thousand rupees?"
"Yes, I accept," Haider responded, though his voice trembled despite his confidence.
A second time: "Do you accept this marriage?"
"Yes, I accept," Haider repeated.
And a third time: "Do you accept this marriage?"
"Yes, I accept," Haider said with a smile.
"Congratulations!" the Maulvi announced, and everyone raised their hands in prayer. Haider raised his hands too, but no words came from his lips. He simply stared at the people around him with a blank expression.
After the prayers, people began offering their congratulations, and soon the food was served. Shahmeer had spared no expense in his only daughter's wedding—everything was perfect.
Eventually, Rabab and Haider were escorted into a car and sent on their way. When they reached Haider's home, Jehan Ara was waiting at the door with some girls. Haider was surprised. She laughed and said, "I'm the mother, I can show up anywhere." Saying this, she lovingly took Rabab inside.
As Haider moved to enter, the girls blocked his way. "Oh-ho! In a hurry, are we? What's the rush?" one of them teased.
"Hey, this is my house! Why are you stopping me?" Haider protested.
"This house now belongs to our Rabab Aapi. Why should we let you in? Who are you to her?" another girl said with a smirk.
"I am your Rabab Aapi's husband," Haider replied cheekily.
"We don't know that. Hand over fifty thousand rupees, and we'll accept you as our brother-in-law," one girl said, holding out her hand.
"Fifty thousand? I can give fifty rupees!" Haider laughed, and the girls made disappointed faces.
Just then, Jehan Ara returned and asked, "So girls, did you get anything?" They replied, "Our generous brother here is offering us fifty rupees!"
Jehan Ara laughed and said, "Haider, at least give them sixty."
The girls pouted. "Aunty, whose side are you on?"
Haider laughed, pulled out ten thousand rupees, and handed it to them. "Here, make do with this."
The girls were thrilled, stepped aside, and left in the car with Jehan Ara.
Haider locked the door and headed toward his room, where his bride awaited. He was trembling, overwhelmed by the thought that the woman he had loved all his life was now finally his. He opened the door with shaking hands, and the fragrance of roses greeted him. The room was beautifully decorated with flowers, and on the bed sat a bride, her face covered with a veil.
Rabab heard the door and grew even more nervous. Her whole body trembled. This was a dream moment for any girl, but she was overwhelmed with anxiety, feeling breathless. She sensed Haider's presence near her. Two hands lifted her veil. Haider's face appeared before her, looking like a prince.
Haider took a small box from his pocket and greeted her with "Salaam." Rabab replied, and he gently held her hand, slid a ring onto her trembling fingers. From her cold hands, Haider could tell she was extremely nervous.
He poured a glass of water from the jug and handed it to her. Rabab's throat was dry—she drank the water in one gulp. Haider sat beside her and said softly:
"This is the happiest day of my life. You know, I've loved you since we were children."
Rabab was stunned. "It's the same from my side," she replied.
Haider blinked in surprise. "Then why didn't you ever tell me?"
"You didn't either," she said with mock irritation.
"Well, that's the past. Let's forget it. Now we are one. You know, I even wrote something for you."
"Oh? So you're a poet too?" Rabab said, lowering her gaze.
"I wasn't, but you made me one. Look at me—I want to recite it to you."
"Okay, go ahead," she smiled.
Haider cleared his throat and began:
"Teri aankh ke ishaare se,
Teri zulf ke kinaare se,
Jaata hai logon ka imaan,
Tere surme se, mascara se."
Rabab looked at him in awe as he continued:
"Tu chale to chalta hai jahan,
Jo ruke to ruke kaarwaan,
Tu hi har taraf, tu hi chaar soo,
Tujhe chhod kar jaayein kahaan?"
He held her face in his hands and whispered:
"Jab aankh nahin hai parde mein,
Kyun chehra hai phir parde mein,
Main ulajhta jaata hoon haif,
Teri zaat ke ghoorakh dhande mein."
That was the final verse. And from that night on, Haider and Rabab became one forever.
(And yes, these poems are my own—if anyone tries to attribute them to Jaun Elia, watch out! 😂😂)
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The next day was the Walima (reception). The hall was full of guests. Haider wore a sky-blue shalwar kameez with a waistcoat. Rabab wore a light turquoise lehenga. People were lining up to congratulate them.
Shahmeer approached Haider with an envelope and said, "Here's a gift for both of you."
"What is it, Uncle?" Haider asked.
"See for yourself," Shahmeer chuckled.
Haider opened the envelope and found two plane tickets to Islamabad.
"Uncle, this was too much—you didn't need to," Haider said.
"Well, your entire honeymoon plan is with my daughter. As soon as you reach Islamabad, my friend's driver will take you to the northern areas," Shahmeer said with a laugh.
Haider checked the ticket date—they were set to leave tomorrow. He looked at Rabab, who gave him an embarrassed smile.
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Haider boarded a plane for the first time in his life, and it didn't go well—he felt nauseous the whole time while Rabab laughed at his condition.
As they exited the airport, a man in his forties, dressed in a white uniform, greeted them. "Are you Haider?" he asked. Haider nodded. The man opened the car door for them, and they were off.
The journey through the mountains began. For the first time, Haider saw real mountains—the majestic Margalla Hills of Islamabad. Their destination was unknown.
Haider asked, "Where are we headed?"
The driver replied, "First Murree, then Naran."
(…to be continued)
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