Fahad's POV:

I was ecstatic for our parents to meet. It just promised me that this was actually happening. They were going to accept our rishta proposal and then I could legally marry Rubab. She would became my wife. The perfect begum to stand by my side. I was thrilled for this. Ammi was a mixture of excitement and nervousness. I could see it in her eyes. As we waited for someone to receive us at the door, abbu squeezed her shoulder gently and pulled her into a side hug to comfort her and lift her spirits. It was adorable really.

"Don't worry, it will go great." We rung the bell as I told one of the guards to open the trunk of the car so we could take out all the gifts we had bought for them. It was basic etiquettes after all. This was my future in-laws. I had already done the entire background research on them but I didn't need to tell them that. They can find out on their own. It would be fun that way.

When the door opened, I saw the familiar faces of my future father and mother in law standing at the door. At the same time, I heard ammi gasp and step back causing my heart to drop for a second. What? What happened? Why is she so surprised? As if that wasn't scary enough, Rubab's mother, my dear saas squealed as she stepped forward while covering her mouth. What in the world was going on?

"Zuleikha, is that you?" Ammi stepped towards auntie with wide eyes and an even bigger smile. She took a careful step and then leapt towards auntie when auntie nodded.

"NISHA! OH MY GOD! IT HAS BEEN SO LONG!" Ammi and auntie enveloped into a tight embrace while me, abbu, uncle and Sohail stared awkwardly in sheer confusion.

"You haven't changed at all! It feels just like yesterday that I saw you! How long has it been? I can't believe it!" Ammi held auntie's face in her hands and then hugged her again. Abbu watched with his mouth agape while uncle had a semi unreadable expression. Oh, so that is where Rubab gets it from. Yeh tou khaandani tofah hai. Humare bachon men bhi hoga. (This is a genetic gift. Our kids will have this too.)

Once, the excitement died down a little, ammi and auntie looked at each of us slowly. They probably felt like there was a need to give an explanation.

"Although, I still can't believe that you are standing before me but I am just glad for it." Auntie held unto Ammi's hand as she looked at uncle. "This is a very close friend of mine when I was in college. We lost contact in university because Nisha moved to Karachi and I moved to Lahore. I tried so hard to find you Nisha, you have no idea but back then, there was no concept of internet and your number was always off."

"Oh? Is this that friend of yours that you always wished to meet again? You told me she had wanted to become a psychologist." Uncle spoke up suddenly and I was surprised at how he knew my mother's degree.

"Yes, Aftaab, this is Nisha. Nisha, this is my husband, Aftaab." Auntie introduced them to each other.

"Oh? Aftaab? Isn't he that doctor you had a cru-" I watched with wide eyes as auntie elbowed ammi in the stomach causing her to laugh out loud. "It is wonderful to finally meet you, Aftaab. This is my husband, Zubair."

"Finally? Oh well, that is a story for another day, right Zuleika? And likewise, Nisha. I am glad to meet you too. Hello Zubair. Please come in." Uncle escorted us inside while ammi and auntie stuck to each other like glue. It felt like I was looking at teenagers. Once ammi sat down besides auntie, auntie looked at her with mischievous eyes.

"So? What is the deal with you and Zubair bhai? He is so your type. The tall, mysterious type. What's the story?" Auntie nudged ammi who just blushed and hushed her in return. Although abbu's attention was directed towards uncle but the way his face lit up at auntie's statement only meant one thing. He was eavesdropping on their conversation too.

"Hush, I will tell you later. I still can't believe you are Rubab's mother. What a small word. Speaking of, can I meet Rubab? I have been so excited. A little version of you. How exciting!" Ammi revved on and auntie just laughed in return.

"You haven't changed at all. I see the similarity between you and Fahad. You are both so fearless and caring at the same time. I can't tell you how relieved I am to see this now. I will call Rubab right away." Auntie looked at me with sincere eyes as she excitedly got up to call my dear future begum inside. After a couple of anxiously spent minutes, the door opened and I felt my heart stop. She looked heavenly in wearing white from head to toe. She was looking down, her cheeks were a tint of light pink. She was glowing under the chandelier light as she walked inside carrying a tray with tea on it. Allah, I have never seen a beauty quite like hers. I just watched her with my mouth ajar.

"Son, close your mouth at least." I heard my father say in amusement but his voice was muffled. All I could see was her. The moment her eyes met mine was electric. I felt a shiver run down my spine as she gently placed the tray on the table infront of me.

"MASHALLAH YOU ARE EVEN PRETTIER THAN THE PICTURES! COME, MY DEAR CHILD, SIT WITH ME!" Ammi said excitedly as she ushered Rubab to sit down beside her. Rubab complied as she graciously took a seat beside her. It was a vision. My graceful mother sitting beside my elegant future wife. "Let me look at you properly. Oh my! You are beautiful. So elegant and calming. Oh, I am looking forward to making you my daughter in law. I have always wanted a daughter like you! And to think you are Zuleikha's daughter. This was meant to be."

"Thank you auntie." Rubab smiled politely and I could tell that was her genuine smile. She seemed happy which naturally transmitted to me. I felt myself smile as I couldn't keep my eyes off her. I didn't want to miss out on even a moment of this. Rubab. Rubab. Rubab. My head was spiraling with her name and beauty. I can't wait to make her mine. She will complete me. I know she will.

"Alright then, now that we are well acquainted, let us get down to the main conversation. I am really glad to see that my Nisha already knows Rubab's mother, Zuleika. As the eldest in the room, I shall ask you, Aftaab bhai. Hum apki beeti ka haath mangane ayen hen, kya ap apni beeti ko humari beeti bhana dengay? (We have come here to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage, would you make your daughter, our daughter as well?)" This was it. This was the moment. Aftaab uncle looked to Zuleikha auntie who nodded her head with a tender smile on her face.

"Gee zaroor. Hum yeh rishta manzoor hai. (Yes. We accept your marriage proposal.)" After that, there were smiles and celebration everywhere. Methayi was distributed among us and we all rejoiced on the happy occasion. The next hour went by getting even more acquainted. I got to know Sohail and realized he was a really funny kid. Unlike Rubab, he was more expressive but he definitely had Rubab's lethalness. It is okay, I will get used to it. No worries. As long as I can make her mine. I am willing to go to many ends.

"Now that we have formed a strong bond, I would like to talk about something else too." Aftaab uncle spoke up suddenly and all our attention turned towards him. Sohail was still young so he was sent outside while me, Rubab, ammi, abbu, uncle and auntie remained seated. "I will speak candidly. Firstly, thank you for helping us with Zohaib's situation. You have no idea how worried we are especially since they are such powerful individuals and Zohaib is hell bent on ruining Rubab's life. I am truly grateful for this. Fahad has told me that you guys have an export-import business?"

"Fahad, is that all you told them? I thought you had mentioned our businesses properly." Abbu sighed as he shook his head in dismay.

"Is something the matter? Is this not your business?" Uncle looked concerned. Well, it was true that I hadn't told them about all of our businesses. I guess it was the right time for it now.

"Oh it is." Abbu answered to assure uncle. "We do have an export and import business. But that is not all that there is to it. We also have a few dairy farms, textile mills and a flour mill. Apart from that, we also have the main pharmaceutical company that supplies to all the pharmacies in Sindh." Uncle nodded his head without giving away his emotions as he looked directly at abbu.

"I see. Masha Allah. May Allah protect you, your family and your assets. Ameen." Uncle's poker face was quite impressive. Auntie on the other hand was quite expressive about her shock which was quite cute.

"Ameen. Therefore, please rest assured, we can handle Iftikhar's family. Zohaib and his family won't be able to touch you in our protection. Rubab is our daughter in law now. She is one of us. You all are one of us now. We protect our own." Abbu guaranteed auntie, uncle and Rubab.

"Thank you, Zubair. Here is to wonderful bond. InshaAllah."

"Well, without further ado, should we decide the date for the nikkah ceremony? We can decide the marriage date later but Fahad insists on getting nikkah-fied at the earliest." Ammi piped in and looked to auntie expectantly. Auntie returned her excitement with the same energy.

"Yes, I think it would be better to get the kids nikkah-fied soon. How about this Friday?" Rubab's eyes turned a little wide at how sudden the date was. Everyone mutually agreed to the date causing her to stare at me in shock. I smirked as I made eye contact with her. That's right ice queen.

Two days from now, you will be my legal wife.You can't ever escape from me then. All of you will be mine for good. I amnever letting you go. Ever.

Author's Note:

Hello and Asalam o Alaikum Lovelies!

Who is excited for the next chapter? I know I am. Since it is Ramzan, I am hesitant to write mature chapters so I still have to think of a solution for that. If there are any suggestions, I am open to them. 

I don't mind writing mature content because I will write it after aftari and before sehri (basically when I am not fasting) but I need to be assured that you all won't read it during your fast. I shall not allow that. This is a holy month that needs to be respected.