R. Ali Rahaman

"You've invited hell fire into yours and her life."

Afiya's words are constantly ringing in my head. She is right. I've indeed welcome hell fire in our lives - nor I'll survive nor she.

Ya Raab! Now You tell me what I should do? Why are You testing me in such way?

Maham went to Islamabad after our Nikkah and I couldn't find an opportunity to talk to her. Moreover, this girl isn't answering my calls even. What's wrong with her? She has received everyone's call just except mine.

Ziddi ladki! (Stubborn girl!)

"Oh bhai come on. Why are you moping now?" Ibrahim asks.

"Because Chachu Jaan is missing Chachi." Abraham jumps on my lap. "Don't worry you'll see her soon."

I'm telling this kid speaks more than his age. "Kiya bade miya, ap toh mere taraf ho toh mera sath dena chaheye na. (What is this Elder Mister, you're on my side, then you'd support me.)

"Nahi chote miya (Nope Junior mister) I'm on Chachi's side now."

Betrayer!

We reach at Maham's house just before Mayon (Turmeric ceremony). All the wedding ceremonies have been decided to be done together - which is I really appreciate. It's time saving and I want to be with all the functions as soon as possible.

I'm really having negative vibes from everything. Something is gonna occur. My life can't run this smooth.

Afiya and Danish are throwing fire balls at me ever since I've met them. And they should. But how can I make them comprehend my situation? I know their concern but I'm helpless against my fate. If I'd, I would've never let this marriage take place.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Assalamu Alaikum Uncle." I greet Emad uncle nervously. "You called me?" I don't know what he want to talk about.

"Yes beta, please come in." I enter into his room, pushing the door close slightly.

"Tomorrow is Rukhsati. She'll be stepping into her new life along with you. As a father I always want the best for my princess. I chose you for her future and I know I made the choice because there is no one more capable and worthy of her than you. Take care of my princess." He removes his reading glasses, keeping it on the table.

"U-ucle how can you have so much faith on me ever after knowing me?" I rub my palms together with a growing fluster.

"I've faith because I know you. Whatever had happened let it go and move on." He says.

"Don't you thinking we're deceiving her. She has a right to know. Have you ever thought how she'll take all this once she knows. She'll despise me more. I c-can't do this to her." I'm staring at the ground. My voice is cracking.

"She'll know when she has to. For now start a new life. Other things will fall into its places naturally." He has a satisfactory smile on his face. He looks so relaxed and collected that my eyes are being confused.

What's he planning for us?

"Upcoming time won't pleasant uncle. Please try to understand. She'd know." I plead.

"Nor I neither you shall speak a word regarding the past to her. All I want you to take care and never let her go. Can you give me your word to me?" He mumble sternly.

"I-I give you my word."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My idiot siblings force me to sing. Having no other I option give in. Closing my eyes, I play the strings of the guitar and start singing.

"Chal diya dil tere peeche peeche dekhta main reh gaya
(I kept looking as my heart followed you)

Kuch toh hai tere mere darmiyan joh ankaha

(There's something between us that has been unsaid)

Main joh kabhi keh na saka aaj kehta hoon pehli dafa
(What I've never said I'm saying it for the first time)

Dil mein ho tum, aankhon mein tum, pehli nazar se hi yaara
(You're there in my heart and my eyes since the first time I saw you)

Yeh ishq ki hai saazishein lo aa mile hum dobara
(It's due to the conspiracy of love that we've met again)..."

Her brown doe-eyes are glued on my black dense ones. After a decade I'm singing with my heart. I'm feeling every word and so does she. The best way of expressing emotions is songs. All the words are meant for her. She doesn't know yet what she's doing with my heart. It's all a cob web only because for her and my mind too. She has possessed me with her innocent beauty.

Only if everything would've been normal.

As I conclude, the crowd cheers and applause for me. A hint of shy smile has lit her beautiful face. Her hands are being designed with henna while I'm having some conversation with some guest.

Out of nowhere, Samara jumps on me, choking me into a hug.

Aye Raab! Is this girl trying to strangle me to death? Plus her awful perfume. Urrgh!

Jerking her off me, I create a distance between us. I'm already married to Maham, being closed with any other woman is a great sin and if I wasn't married, I never tolerate such behavior. She insults my wife in front of me. If she wasn't a girl, I'd have slapped her now.

Maham run away, hearing her statement. She must be imaging the worst now. I want to chase her but not before kicking that brainless woman out of here.

"Don't ever you dare to speak a word against her." I point my index to her. I'm gritting all anger inside. She has already created ridiculous scene. "That girl you just called cheap is MY wife. Umair Bhai please show this young lady the exist." Saying that, I run after my lady. I call her several times but she didn't stop.

Finally when I grab her, her face is wet by tears. It pangs my chest seeing her in pain.

"I don't wanna hear anything. Let go of me." She is struggling to get out of my grip.

"No first listen to me. Please. Once just hear me out." I say adamantly. I won't let her go and amuse the worst. Already everything is so messed up. I can't mess up more. "Before Ammi saw you at my office, Abba thought of Samara to be my wife. But you appeared in the scene, his decision changed. I don't know how she came here. She was in London. I'm sorry. Please just don't be upset."

Her gaze is on the ground with a redden face. "So for me her fiance has been snatched away. I caused her dreams to shattered." She mumbles nonsensically. Muscles are jumping under my skin.

"Fiance? What the hell?" Clenching my jaw, my grip on her hand tightened. This girl is getting on my nerves now. "We weren't even fucking engaged. Only discussing were going on. What the fuck are you thinking?" I try keep my raging voice lower. "Maham I accepted you as my wife. I agree we don't know each other but you think after giving commitment to Samara, I'll marry you? You think so low of me?" I sigh.

"No. No. No. I didn't mean that way. I t-thought..." She pauses. "I'm sorry. I really am." Her sobbing increased. Losing my sense, I take her into my arms. She feels so fragile like a chinese doll.

"It's okay. Relax." I rub my hand on her head.

"Mujhse ap maat ruthe (Don't be upset with me.) I'm extremely sorry." She keeps apologizing again and again.

"If you don't stop apologizing now, then I'll really be upset now." I wipe her cheeks. "Ney e dulhan ko rola diya ap toh public mujhe pite ga. (I made the new bride cry, now the public will beat me up.)"

She chuckles, drying her face with my handkerchief.

"Now let's go and resume your mehendi, shall we?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Go safely and call me after you reach okay?"

I bid goodbyes to Ammi. She is going back to Delhi as she needs to make arrangement for tomorrow there. Only Hafsa and Ibrahim remain back here with me for Maham's Rukhsati.

"Hafsa. Come have dinner. It's late and you've to wake early too." I say. "And where is my idiotic brother?"

"Ibrahim bhai ka pata nahi. (I don't know about) May be he went out to the garden. And don't like be Ammi now. You see na I've Mehendi. How will I eat?" She shows her hand.

Girls and their henna.

I walk to the kitchen to take plate for her.

"Raiza, you don't have henna on you hand. Please feed me. I'm so hungry. Bano has gone to sleep already and Baba too." Maham is pleading to Raiza.

"Appi can I feed you later? Please I some work. Please." Noticing me, she shows all her teeth. "Jiju will feed you. Now I need to go. Bye."

"NO." I say. "I mean, I've to feed Hafsa too. She also henna on her hand." I scratch my neck.

"Oh chill. I'll feed her." Maham's make an adorable angry face. She flees out of the kitchen, leaving us in an awkward situation.

"It's fine. I'll eat after my mehendi dries." Her cheeks paints with a pink shade, making her more adorable.

"But you're hungry. Seat at the dinning table, I'm coming with food."

She hesitate but agrees anyway.

"I can't eat so much." Her eyes widen. "It's too much for me."

I look at the plate and I think I've actually have served way too much for her. "Eat as much as you can."

She nods lightly.

"H-have you eaten?" Taking the first morsel in her mouth, she asks.

"I'll after I feed you."

She stops my hand in the mid air. "You eat too. There are enough food on the plate anyway."

I eat the second morsel. Continuing this pattern, we're sharing one plate. The lights goes off out of the blue.

"Ahh!" She wildly hugs me, by the impact of the power cut. "Please turn on the lights. I'm scared of darkness. Please." She trembling immensely. She has phobia of darkness.

"Maham please let me take out my phone. I'll turn the flashlight. Just move a little." It's difficult for me to take out my phone from the pocket. Only if she move aside a bit.

"No. No. No." She is repeatedly murmuring. Having no other choice, I secure her in my arms. Her head is buried beside my neck, her shaky breathes are tickling me. I hold her until the light comes.

A few minutes pass and the lights are back at last. "Open your eyes. Lights are back." Her eyes are forcefully closed.

"Appi."

"Bhai"

Raiza and Ibrahim appear in the dinning area together. Hearing them, her eyes flies open. She has been sitting on my lap this entire time and she didn't realize. She pushes herself off me and stands up. Embarrassment is clear on her face.

"Appi are you okay? I'm sorry for the powercut." She hugs Maham.

Wait" Why is she sorry?

And what Ibrahim is doing here?

Oh shit. Don't tell me they're together this whole time. I drag him out to talk.

"Were you with her?" I ask.

"B- bhai I swear I just went to talk with her and nothing else. We're at the back yard and I stumbled back on the electric board. It was an accident." He explains.

"Ibrahim you guys have the whole life ahead. You two are still students. I don't want any stupidity from your side nor hers. I'm supporting you this because you love her and so does she. But promise me you won't cross your limits." I warn.

"I promise bhai. Thank you so much. You're the best." He kisses my cheek as always.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The house is filled with chaos and buzzing with celebration for one last time. The morning comes sooner than usual. Today, is the Rukhsati - the last function.

Everything is set for her farewell from her old life and stepping into a whole new world where I'll be her only companion. She'll be looking up to me from now.

May Allah grant me the ability to be a good husband.

"I need to speak with you now." Afiya barges inside my room. "Are you out of your mind? She clearly doesn't know anything. When are you planning to tell her?" She yells. "You promised me that you'll tell her but you haven't."

"Afi it's more complicated than you think. Emad uncle has forbid me himself. I'm helpless here. Please try to understand. Do you think I'm happy in all this? She doesn't has the slightest clue about him too. Even I'm worrying about the future too." Frustration is getting the best of me. "I fucking hating myself for doing this to her!" I smack the wall near me.

"Please come down. I understand. We all are in this together. Even I'm betraying my best friend. I just pray for the best. I talked to Danish and he is super pissed with you. Talk to him sometime."

After she leaves, I get ready for departing. We've to leave early because by night we've to be in Delhi. Ammi is eagerly waiting for us. She has already called me five times.

My wife is all dressed up in a heavy maroon lehanga, looking breath-taking as always.

. Her eyes holds no amazement nor happiness. Tears are oozing out non-stop. Everyone is sobbing, especially Uncle Emad. He walks her to the car. She isn't ready to go her father. She crying very hard, which is troubling me. I can't withstand her sorrows.

"Rayan beta, with great expectations I'm handing you my princess's hand. Never let go of her. No matter what always be each other's shield and support. May Allah bless you a very happy married life." Giving her hand on my mine, he kisses her for the last time.

It's really difficult to make her sit in the car but he somehow did it. She sobs the entire ride to the airport and even on the plane. I let her be on her own. She needs time to accept everything.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After a long ride, we finally reach home where everyone welcomes us blithely. Hawwa takes Maham to my room while Abba and Ammi call me to the study, telling me to be a good husband to her, to love and protect her, etc. I hardly could assure them that their I'll protect their beloved daughter-in-law with my life if required.

Bidding them goodnight, I march to my room. It's really been a tiring day. My room is fully decorated with candles and flowers. The faint sweet smell of the candles has been roaming in the air.

She is standing facing the mirror. She looks ethereal, unreal in the dim light. Her beauty is dreamy like a hoor. My hoor.

I walk to her slowly, not tearing my gaze off her. A rolling feeling is playing in my stomach and sweat beads of nervousness are creating on my forehead. As I stand closer to her, I hear her mumbling to herself.

I put my hand on her shoulder and she yells. "H-he h-has..." Before I'd understand anything, she faints in to my arms.

Carrying her to the bed, I lay her gently on the mattress. I sprinkle water on her face to regain her senses. She opens her eyes gradually and I let of the breath I was holding back.

"Are you okay?"

She nods in yes.

"You go freshen up. I'll prepare the bed." She slowly enters the washroom, taking her clothes.

I brush of the rose petals from the bed sheet. It must the stupid idea of my stupid siblings. I change into the spare washroom of the guest room and offer Isha prayer. I come back into my room again. She is combing her hair like a princess, she is. Her long dark brown hair is touching her wrist like waterfall. Noticing me, she immediately covers her head with a white veil.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." I say.

"It's okay." She replies.

I sit on the bed and sign her to sit beside me. She submissively sits. Opening the side drawer, I take the gift I decided to give her.

"This is for you. It was my Ammi's. She always wanted to give this her daughter-in-law. I hope you like it." I give the box to her.

"It's so beautiful. Thank you." She gladly accepts. Her expression is enough to tell how much she loved it.

"May I?" I hesitantly ask.

Her eyes permits me. Taking the chain, I lock it to her slender white neck. "Always wear it." I whisper into her ears. Her cheeks immediately dip in blush. Her breaths are shortening with this closeness. I can hear her throbbing heart. I back off sensing her uneasiness.

"You can sleep on the bed. I'll take the couch." I pick up my pillow and set it on the couch. I don't want her to feel uncomfortable.

"But you won't fit on that sofa." She blunts out. She closes her mouth instantly. I raise one eye brow at her. "I mean this bed is massive, I've no problem sharing it with you." She fidgets her fingers together.

"You sure?" I question to be double sure.

"Yes."

I take the pillow back to the bed and lay beside her, keeping much gap between us. I'm about to turn off the lights, when she speaks, "I can't sleep without lights."

"Oh thanks for reminding me. I almost forgot. One sec."

How can I forget it? I take a remote from the side-drawer and I turn off the lights of the room. She promptly grabs my forearm in fear.

"Please turn the lights." She pleads.

"Open your eyes and look around." I cares her hair. She listens to me and opens her eyes. She is awestruck, uttering no words. "H-how? W-when did you do this?"

"Yesterday." I smile.

Yesterday when she told about her phobia, I ordered to set-up neon lights in my room. This way she will never be afraid in the dark.

"Thank you so much." Her smile paid off my effort.

"Anything for you jaanna. Now sleep." I kiss her temple and doze off to sleep.

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Finally they have head off to their journey!!!!!!!!

Isn't Rayan a sweetheart?😍😍

What are your thoughts about him?

Type in the comments, and vote and share.

Love you all... until next time.