Mehandi

Misha's POV:

With dance practices going at full pace, running back and forth to the designer and jeweler to get my outfits fitted, booking appointments at different parlors for my makeup, taking extra credits in the university so I could graduate earlier and just the general preparation for the wedding, just like that, 7 months went by and the day for our wedding finally came.

Father had reserved a private farmhouse so that the Mehandi could go on uninterrupted and past midnight. The lights around the farmhouse were so beautifully designed. The floral setup was wonderful. The wedding looked so magnificent. Saleem Bhai had asked his event planner friend to handle the decorations and make it magical. And honestly, magical he had made it.

I was sitting in the bridal waiting area when I heard the sound of the dhols. He was here. Ibraheem was here. I placed my hand on my chest to calm down my heartbeat. Excitement coursed through my veins. I wanted to see what he looked like and I wanted to show him what I looked like but there was still time to my entrance so I waited patiently. I wanted Rubab and Zoya to tell me how I looked because I was getting anxious but they said they were on their way.

I could hear the men hooting, the sound of dhols, the music, the laugh and I was grateful. Slowly the voice died down and I realized that Ibraheem must have settled on the stage now. My parents entered my room along with the maulvi. I stifled my laugh as I remembered why he was here.

The funny part of the entire scenario was that both our parents wanted us to do another nikkah. Not because they doubted it but because they wanted to do all the rasams and traditions including distributing bidh and all. I had no complaints. Neither did Ibraheem. I could marry Ibraheem again and again if I could. And so begin the nikkah ceremony again.

My parents and brothers stood witness as I said the words 'Kabool hai' thrice to the maulvi. The feeling was surreal as Ibraheem and I were declared husband and wife to the world. I could feel my heart thumping in my chest. Somewhere on the stage Ibraheem had said the same words and I could feel the connection we had made for the second time. I still had a hard time believing it was all real but it indeed it was. Allah really made miracles for all of us. My miracle was marrying him. Marrying Ibraheem Narejo with the consent of our parents.

It really was happening.

The moment the nikkah was over, my brothers and father left to take care of the event while Ammi stayed by my side.

"Are you alright?"

"I honestly don't know. I need Rubab and Zo-" I didn't manage to finish the sentence as Rubab and Zoya burst into the room and we turned to look at them. The two of them looked simply beautiful and stunning. Zoya looked phenomenal in the orange outfit she wore while Rubab looked more elegant than ever in her lehanga choli. They grinned as they rushed to my side, their eyes widening as they looked me once over. I felt anxiety prick my soul but Zoya didn't let my anxious take over.

"YOU LOOK SO GORGEOUS! OH MY GOD! LOOK AT YOU! IBRAHEEM IS GOING TO DIE AT YOUR HUSAN!" I giggled at her outburst as mother shook her head helplessly at Zoya's statement before laughing. She patted their heads before walking away to see to the rest of the preparations.

"You look beautiful, Misha." Rubab said politely and I smiled and heaved a sigh of relief until I noticed that Zoya wasn't wearing the Swarovski crystal burka she had told me about.

"You both look phenomenal too." I turned to Zoya to question but she stopped me right there.

"Don't worry. I have a plan. I think." She grinned and I gulped at her smile. Her plans were always disastrous but I nodded as I decided to go with it. "So how are you feeling?"

"I honestly don't know. Anxious I guess. I mean I have known Ibraheem before this but I just feel so excited and nervous at the same time."

"Don't worry, those are just the bridal nerves. You will be fine." Rubab assured me and I nodded my head. I honestly felt way calmer than before. It felt reassuring to have them by my side. Zoya, Rubab and I took selfies with each other and then just talked about life and how everything had turned out.

"I can't believe this is happening. I mean, we have come such a long way and I am really at a loss of words." I spoke up suddenly which brought Zoya and Rubab's attention towards me. They knew what I meant. Me getting married meant a lot of things and one of them was me moving to Karachi for good. I didn't know when I could meet them again considering our circumstances. Lahore had my heart since the very beginning and it was hard to believe that this chapter of my life was closing.

"Neither can I but don't worry. InshaAllah it will all work out amazingly. I believe it. You are marrying the love of your life and we can always visit Karachi. So can your family. He will keep you really happy." Zoya assured me and I felt the smile slowly returning to my face.

"Don't worry, when Allah closes one door, He opens another one for you. Have faith. This is the beginning of another beautiful chapter of your life." And then the three of us hugged each other in silence as we felt the years of friendship and sisterhood envelop us in warmth. We stayed like that for a while until ammi came back in and told us to get ready for our entrance.

"Well, now that the emotional part is over, let's get this party rolling!" Zoya declared happily while Rubab sighed and face palmed. I laughed as they called in all my female cousins so they could put the dupatta on my head and all.

In the distance, I could hear the song playing which made me even more emotional. Din Shagna da Chadya starting playing as I slowly took a step towards my new life with Ibraheem. Every step made my heart beat faster. I felt shivers run up and down my spine. I slowly walked towards the stage and I kept my eyes down as I felt everyone turning to look at us. Zoya stood on my right side with ammi and Rubab stood on my left side. I realized Zoya wasn't wearing the burka and I wanted to ask her what she was up to but she gave me a gentle smile and I felt my anxiety slipping away.

I wanted to look at Ibraheem but I knew it would feel weird if I suddenly looked up at him so I kept my curiosity at bay. I could hear whispers of relatives saying 'she looks so beautiful' which eased my soul. The music suddenly changed as we stopped on the dance floor and Zoya quickly grabbed sticks and handed them to Rubab and my cousins and they started doing a ludi around me on the Latthe di Chadar. I could hear their giggles and soft laughter as they did it for a while and then finally ammi brought me to the stage.

I slowly looked up at him and I felt my breath hitch as I saw him. He looked so dashing, so handsome and just so perfect. He rose from his seat and walked towards me, bringing his hand forward for me to hold it. I could hear Zoya, Rubab and my cousins hooting in the background as he did that. He gave me a pleasant smile as he gave me a slight nod and I held unto his hand and stepped onto the stage. Cameras flashed everywhere as he bent down and whispered in my ear.

"Your beauty took my breath away, meri jaan. I have no words to describe how beautiful you look right now." And with that we sat down on the sofa to start the mehandi traditions.

Ibraheem's POV:

The moment I had seen her step inside, I felt my heart drum against my chest, wanting to just break out from my chest. My beloved bride was coming my way. I couldn't see anything else apart from her. Nothing else mattered. She was the only one in my line of vision. I wanted to see her face but all I could see was an outline of her face through the see through dupatta fabric. She looked cute even in that. I noticed the small smile that had made it to her face when her friends and family were doing a ludi around her.

The moment she reached the stage and looked up at me, I knew I had lost my breath. She was nothing less of perfect. Her eyes had captured my soul. Her face glimmered in the lights and every single detail on her face and attire only made her prettier by the second. I didn't think it was possible but I felt like I fell in love with her all over again. Her shyness pulled at my heart and without thinking for another second, I stepped towards her and held my hand out to her. Meri jaan.

The moment her hand fell unto mine, I felt electricity like never before. I had held unto her hand many times before but something about today just made everything far more intense and I didn't mind it at all. I whispered the words of praise into her ear and she smiled shyly as she sat down beside me. Her hand entwined with mine in a peaceful manner.

It was then that my eyes fell on Zoya who was grinning at us and I was taken aback. Wasn't she planning to not show herself infront of Kamran? What was she up to? I just hope they don't crash the wedding with their antics.

"Jaan? What is Zoya up to?" I whispered as I scanned the area to see where Kamran was and whether he had seen Zoya yet. If I recall, I had sent him to get fireworks set up. My eyes made contact with Fahad who had a playful looking on his face and gave me a thumbs up before his line of sight followed mine and he saw Zoya too. He frowned before looking around as well, probably to spot Kamran.

"I have no idea." She whispered back and then when I finally spotted Kamran entering back into the event, the lights dimmed to almost a darkness with a spotlight on us and another on the stage. Upbeat dance music started to play. Two girls walked to the stage and faced us. It was Zoya and Rubab. Hookah Baar started to play in the background as the two of them started to dance to the beat and the cousins and other friends gathered around the dance floor to hype them up.

I noticed then that Kamran was looking at Zoya with an intense look on his face. He stood still as he watched her move back and forth, dancing to the beat as the tune sang:

'Teri akhiyon ka waar jaise sher ka shikar
Tera husn dhueydaar jaise jaltaa cigar
Tere pyar ka nasha kabhi aar kabhi paar'

I warned Fahad with my eyes to make sure Kamran didn't create a scene. I knew what his nature was like but I also knew he wouldn't do anything dramatic at the wedding. At least that is what I had hoped. Once Fahad stood beside Kamran, he looked like he had finally snapped out of it. He gave me a nod as if he was assuring me that there was nothing to worry about but I knew his senses were heightened now.

"Don't worry, the wedding will go fine." Misha assured me as she squeezed my hand in comfort. I felt the uneasiness from before slowly disappearing as I relied on her words.

Just like that, the songs changed and the people dancing to it changed as well. It was amusing to see fucke-I mean Farrukh dancing to some song too. He grinned at me as he danced along with Misha's brothers and male cousins but he didn't last long as he was dragged away by two girls I didn't recognize. He looked almost annoyed but decided to keep his calm façade on.

After that, Misha let go of my hand and I looked at her confused as she got up. Before I could ask any questions, she put a finger on my lips.

"This one's for you." She smiled as she stepped onto the dance floor. Zoya took her left side and Rubab took her right side as Bahaara started to play loudly. Misha slowly moved to the music, twirling back and forth. I felt my heart skip a beat when she pointed to me as the lyrics turned to:

'Bahara bahara hua dil pehli baar ve
Bahara bahara ke chayn tou hua pharar ve'

She then continued to dance for a minute before she hid her face with embarrassment. God, what good did I do to deserve this blessing of a wife? She was perfect. She then returned to my side held unto my hand.

"I love you so much." I whispered into her ear and she replied with the same words.

Once the Dulhan's side was done with their dances, men from my side decided to set the dancefloor on fire. Fahad, Kamran and all my male cousins and friends started dancing to an upbeat song. The women hooted as they continued to dance. I waited for Fahad's signal and when he nodded, I let go of Misha's hand and got up.

"And this one is for you, meri jaan." I stepped onto the dance floor, facing Misha.

Tera Hua started by Atif Aslam started playing as I moved to the beat slowly, building up. I looked at her as the lyrics turned to:

'Dheere dheere se tera hua
Haule haule se tera hua
Rafta rafta tera hua
Tere bin main hun benishaan'

Misha blushed as I continued to dance and then the song changed to Tenu Leke causing everyone to hoot even louder. I walked up to the stage and brought my hand forward to Misha to take as the song played in the background as:

'Hey Ya Hiriye Sehra Bandh Ke Mai Toh Aaya Re
Hey Ya Dolee Barat Bhee Sath Me Mai Toh Laya Re
Abb Toh No Hota Hai Ek Roj Intejar
Sonee Aaj Nahee Toh Kal Hai Tujhko Toh Bas Meree Honi Re
Tenu Leke Mai Javanga, Dil Deke Mai Javanga'

Misha held unto my hand and I brought her to the dancefloor and as I had instructed the DJ, the song changed to Janam Janam. Her hand in my hand while my other hand was on her waist and her other hand was on my shoulder. Everyone else stepped off the dancefloor as the two of us got lost in the song and the spotlight focused on us as everything else turned dark.

Meri subah ho tumhi aur tumhi shaam ho
Tum dard ho tum hi aaraam ho
Meri duaaon se aati hai bas ye sadaa
Meri hoke humesha hi rehna
Kabhi na kehna alvida.

In that moment, we were the only ones that mattered.

.....

Author's Note:

Hello and Asalam o Alaikum Lovelies!

I hope everyone is well and safe. I feel so overwhelmed as I wrote this chapter. I felt like I was attending a real wedding of two beloveds. As I said before, the perspectives of Fahad, Kamran, Rubab and Zoya will be in the next book but I will obviously be giving short glimpses in this book.

This is probably one of the longest and toughest chapters I have written because I wanted to bring in all the emotions and vibes. What did you think of this chapter? I even researched hard on all their outfits and looks and background songs lol.

I wanted to start the Mehandi on a softer note but don't worry, the craziness of the squad awaits you all in the third book. I will throw in some drama here and there in this book but I just want them to have a peaceful wedding cause they have been through hell and back and because the next book will cover the craziness of the rest of the gang. InshaAllah.