The rays of morning sunlight peeped into the room through the thin space between the curtains. Mehek tried to open her eye lids, she rubbed her eyes and looked around trying to recognise her surroundings. She frowned at all the flowers around and suddenly it clicked, she was married last night. She tried to get up but was stopped with something heavy on her waist. She turned left and found Ateeb sleeping peacefully with his hand on her waist. She turned back and found Ateeb's hand beneath her head. She smiled and slowly tried to move his hand from her waist.

"Good morning Mrs. Ateeb." Ateeb mumbled in a sleepy-heavy voice. Tightening his hold on her.

Mehek felt her cheeks warm, she fell back on the pillow, hiding her face from him. Ateeb rose on his elbows, hovering over her back.

"Uh huh!! You my love! Have a very bad habit of not answering to my greetings." With that he turned her towards him. Mehek was now lying flat on her back and Ateeb encased her by resting both of his elbows on either side of her. Ateeb kissed her closed eyes. With great effort she opened her eyes, and was greeted by a smiling Ateeb.

"Good morning!" He said.

"Good morning!" Said Mehek, in a barely audible voice. He rested his head on her shoulder. Mehek shuddered at his warm breath on her neck. She made a futile attempt of pushing him, which only caused his hold tighter on her.

"Nuh huh!!" He shook his head, indicating he wasn't letting her go so soon.

"Please." She pleaded in a whisper.

"Why!?" He asked, his voice now husky. Mehek could only blush. He moved his head a little back and saw his wife flushed pink, he rested his forehead on her's. A beautiful shy smile made its way to Mehek's face, which only made him shower his love on her. Mehek pushed him back with all her might and jumped up from the bed, making a beeline towards the washroom. Ateeb's laughter followed her behind.

Mehek gazed at her reflection in the mirror. Dressed in pink and sky blue chudidar which had light cut-dana flowers on the neck line, sleeves and the hem line of the dress. She combed back her hair in a simple pony tail and wore the diamond pendant set, gifted by Ateeb. She peeped out of the walk in closet and found the room empty. She headed towards the bed and straightened the tangled quilt.

Mehek wanted to go down but fely shy, she had visited this home so many times but never felt shy. A knock on the door brought her back to reality. She adjusted the dupatta on her head and strode towards the door. Outside stood, Falak and Anaab with a huge grin plastered to their faces.

"Assalamu alaikum bhabhi jaan." Chirped Falak.

"Walaikum assalam." Mehek replied with a shy smile.

"Masha Allah, Masha Allah... look at that glow!" Exclaimed Anaab and hugged Mehek.

"Uhm hmm!" They turned at the voice of Ateeb clearing his throat.

"Assalamu alaikum bhai." Falak hugged Ateeb to which he kissed her forehead.

"Mom wants you both downstairs, breakfast is ready."

"Will be there in a few minutes dear." With that he headed towards the closet.

Mehek came downstairs with Falak and Anaab. She greeted Tehreem and Kafeel, both replied with a cheerful blessing. Through out the breakfast never once did she feel she wasn't in her home with her parents.
Mehek thanked the Almighty for she was blessed with such a loving and caring family.

*******

They reached the venue for the walima ceremony around 7. Ateeb and Mehek entered the hall together. Mehek tugged at her hand a few times but Ateeb just held it strong, smiling at her innocence. Together they headed towards the stage where a white sofa with copper metal edges, designed into floral patterns was decorated for them. Falak and Anaab helped Mehek adjust her dupatta on her head. Dressed in sky blue asymmetrical anarkali with flowy tail cut, with white sparkling crystals and white pearl embellishments on her dress and dupatta she looked no less than a fairy. Together they definitely made a praise worthy couple.

Wajahat was seated with his friends, he gazed at Aarish who was busy staring at the wall ahead and Hisham, was busy gawking at Aarish. He smiled and turned towards the left side that's when his eyes fell of Falak, he frowned and his smile turned into a thin line.

Never once did she look like she now knew about his past. He certainly had a few opportunity to meet her face to face and never once did she look sad or disheartened at the fact that her fiance was hollow. He doubted if she was informed anything.

"This is not right." He mumbled to himself, which certainely did not miss Aarish and Hisham. They gazed at him surprised and followed his line of sight and frowned when it landed on Falak.

"What's wrong!?" Asked Hisham.

"I've met her a few times but it doesn't look like, I mean her expressions doesn't look like she knows anything at all." He sighed.

"Maybe I should be the one to let her know about it." With that he strode towards Fariqa.

"Mom."
Fariqa turned at Wajahat and smiled at him.

"Yes beta!"

"I want to talk to Falak." He said his tone rock solid. Fariqa's smile vanished into a worried frown.

"About what exactly Wajahat!?"

"Mom! Look at her, from her expressions it certainly doesn't look like she has been informed anything at all. I don't want to play with anyone's feeling. I wanna make sure she knows everything all by myself."

Fariqa searched for Tehreem and found her busy with a few guests. She walked to her and stated the matter to her in a hushed tone. Tehreem just smiled at her and asked Wajahat to be seated in the guest room right next to the stage area.

Falak felt puzzled when Tehreem asked her to visit the guest room. She walked inside and stopped short when she saw Wajahat seated on the couch. Her heart beat spiked up, she wanted to turn and run away but stood rooted to the ground. Wajahat raised his head when he felt her presence. He couldn't hold back his smile at her expression.

"Assalamu alaikum." He greeted her first.

"Walakium assalam." She replied a little too fast.

"Please."He smiled at her and gestured towards the opposite sofa. With slow steps she reached her seat.

"Ahem." He cleared his throat, thinking of words. to start their conversation. and Falak sat mum, waiting for him to say something.

"Umm.. I... there is something you need to know Falak." He uttered, seriousness lacking his tone. She raised her head and gazed at him.

"Yes..!?" She asked with confidence, for now she had an idea what was it going to be.

"I... I... do you.... " he stammered, searching for the right words.

"Is this about you being engaged before!?" Her question silenced him but he nodded his head.

"I know." She said in a barely audible voice.

"You do!?" He was genuinely puzzled at the soft smile on her face. He felt vulnerable but quickly masked it behind a serious expression.

"I wonder how come you're ok with it!?" His voice was stern, void of any emotion.

"Why!?" She asked frowning.

"I'm incomplete, hollow deep down, with no soft and warm emotions." He walked towards the window and said with his voice as empty ad his soul.

"Umm..nobody's perfect." He was beyond surprised now and he didn't even try to hide.

"What!?" Was all he could possibly ask. She smiled at him.

"Aren't you worried!?"

"Should I be!?" She questioned him.

"I.. I...I don't know. As far as I have ever heard or known, girls always have dreams about their life partners and they expect a happy life ahead, and you not afraid that I may not be capable for any of those!?" Asked Wajahat, now seated.

"Dreams!? Yes there are dreams indeed but much more than that.... there's faith, there's no point of me making empty promises and not fulfilling them later..... I would rather request you to wait... because time will prove everything to you and me." Her words had made Wajahat dumbstruck. She gazed at him and found him surprised. She stood from her place and exited the room with a soft smile.

Indeed he was broken, indeed he was shattered, but it certainly did not mean he couldn't be healed at all. It wasn't easy for her to heal his wounds so quick but it wasn't that difficult too.

Hey sweeties

How are you dearies!?

Missed me!?
Missed WaFa, AteEk!?

Well for all the strawberries who missed us here's an update

Hope you guys like it enough.

Waiting for your votes, comments and support.

Take care
With lots and lots of love
Kiara💞