"Kya aap, Nandini Riaz binte Akram Riaz, is nikkah mai Manik Riaz Ali bin Akbal Riaz Ali ko apna Shohar qubool karti hai?" I swallowed, my grip on my trembling hand tightened as my mother slowly repeated the Maulvi's question in my ear.

(*Do you, Nandini Riaz binte Akram Riaz, take Manik Riaz Ali bin Akbal Riaz Ali as your husband?)

"Qubool hai," I said, my voice hitching the first time. The same question was repeated twice again and my answer remained the same, my voice becoming determined by the last time. The Maulvi recited a few prayers before Mubarak's and congratulations spread in the air as everyone hugged me. (*I accept.)

I was now officially Mrs. Nandini Riaz Ali.

Abbu handed over the already signed Nikkahnama to the Maulvi before the white cloth which acted as a partition between Manik and me was slowly removed, making us sit jointly, even though we weren't facing each other. A copy of the Quran was arranged in between our seats before our heads were sheltered with a dupatta and a mirror was brought before us.

With my heart beating erratically, I slowly raised my eyes lined with kohl, clashing with the dark orbs of Manik, already staring at me intently, through the mirror, before lowering my gaze shyly. The mirror was soon removed before being directed by the Maulvi, we recited a few prayers.

Then the rest of the afternoon passed in a blur as we seeked elders' blessings and were showered with gifts and in the evening Ammi and Meher took me to the parlor to get me ready for Rukhsati.

*****

I stared at myself in the mirror one last time as one of the girls arranged the maang tikka on my forehead. My hair was done in a bun, adorned with a gajra paired with heavy earrings and a necklace. The white dress was a lehenga choli with the blouse reaching my navel. It was full of heavy thread work and the organza dupatta with stone work was placed on top of my head.

I walked along with Meher to the car waiting outside along with the driver that would drop us at the hall that had been booked for the occasion. It wasn't long before we reached our destination and I was welcomed with a bridal song playing in the background.

Manik, who was tired of smiling at people who he had no idea of, sighed in relief when music played at got up from his seat, eager to get a look at his wife. He smiled as Nandini, accompanied by her parents, looked like a hoor as she elegantly walked towards him in white joda, her eyes shining and a natural blush resting on her cheeks as she reached the stage, where Manik held out his hand for her.

Passing him a small smile, she placed her hand in his before the event proceeded as some of their cousins performed some dance performances and the guests enjoyed the huge dawat arranged for them while the newly weds were tired from forcing smiles on their faces for pictures.

The function passed in a blur and it was time for Rukhsati. However, before we could get up, Meher hurried on the stage with a tray which had a glass of milk and a child's bottle containing milk and said, "Arey rey, itni jaldi kis baat ki hai, Jeeja ji. Abhi doodh pilai ki rasm toh karne do."

(*Wait! Wait! What is the hurry? We still have the ritual of drinking milk left.)

All of my girl cousins came together, except Mukti Appi, and demanded a hefty amount for a glass of milk, making Cabir say, "Itne ne mai toh puri gaaye aaje."

(*We can buy a whole cow with that much money.)

However, after numerous protests among all of them, a bargain was striked before Meher held the tray in front of Manik. Manik picked up the glass and the feeder, he hold the feeder in front of me jokingly, making everyone around us laugh. He took a small sip from the glass before holding it out for me and fed me slightly, making a round of awws echo around us.

Slowly we got up and Shaifa Tayimama held a Quran over her head while I hugged my parents, bidding them farewell by shedding some tears along with them since we knew we were going to be under the same roof. Abbu pressed a kiss on top of my head before releasing me and stepping back. Mukti Appi helped me settle in the backseat of the car before Manik joined me and the driver drove towards the mansion. Our drive passed in silence as nerves along with insecurities racked my insides for the upcoming night despite the embarrassing talk my mother gave me the night before.

*****

My heart pounded in my chest as I sat with my lehenga spread all over on the bed decorated with roses spread all over while perfumed candles shone in the dimly lit room. My face was veiled with a red dupatta for the ritual of muh dikhai. I swallowed as the voices and laughter filled outside the room as all the girls demanded money from Manik as per the tradition to be allowed in.

The sound of the wooden door opening before the click as he locked it resonated through the room. Looking from beneath my lashes, my heart beated rapidly as I watched him walking towards me before the bed dipped as he sat beside me.

"May I?" Manik asked, his gentle voice calming my erratic heartbeat a bit as I nodded my head. I released my breath as he raised the veil, holding my breath as I slowly raised my eyes, clashing with his.

To be continued...

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