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*

Anabia

I sat in the hotel courtyard early in the morning, my hands around a warm cup of coffee.

My baby, my Arsu was getting married today, and I was feeling a mixture of emotions.

"I know Arsu is your baby, but you need to step back after marriage. He's a grown man, Ma Sha Allah, and he needs to start his life with his wife now. Guide them when they need, but let them have their independence." My mother had advised me.

*

FLASHBACK

"I'm going to die!" I screamed out.

"Don't say that. You'll be fine, In Sha Allah." Rehan reassured me, holding my hand.

"I feel like my body has barely recovered from giving birth to Rohaan, and I'm already in labour again!" Tears endlessly poured down my cheeks."Rehan, get married again. You won't be able to handle four kids on your own." 

As the nurse and the midwife moved out of earshot, Rehan leaned down, pushing back my hair off my forehead. "I told you that we should use protection, but you didn't want to wait for me to go and buy it..." 

I glared at him. "This is not the right timing to tell your wife that, Rehan Tariq." I shook my head. "We're never doing that again!" 

"Skipping protection?" 

"S*x." 

He laughed, but sobered when I glared at him again. He cleared his throat. "You said that when Rohaan was born, and you are the one who asked for it when this one came into existence."

"I don't want my husband in the room for the delivery." I said, even though there was nobody in earshot but Rehan. "I have twin three-year-old daughters, a baby boy, and another baby that's about to come into this world. I'm stressed enough." 

He leaned down beside me, taking my hand in his. "And you have me to take care of all you. I know it's difficult, and I know that I can never even begin to understand your pain right now, but do this, and I promise that I'll make everything else as easy for you as possible."

I felt tears in my eyes. "During the last months, I developed a great bond with this baby. I spoke to him, discussed the books I was reading with him, and told him the daily gossip. Now I don't know if I'll even be around to actually hold my baby in my arms."

"May Allah give you a long and healthy life. May you witness all our children's happiness. Ameen." 

A contraction made me scream out, and the midwife returned. She checked, and looked at me. "It's time, Anabia." 

"Do not leave my side." I warned Rehan.

"Never, not till the day I die." 

"Let's talk life, not death." I pouted up at him. 

"Practice what you preach." He kissed my forehead. "May Allah keep you under His protection. Ameen." 

*

The fear evaporated, and not even a memory remained of it as I held my newborn baby boy in my arms God-knows how long later. We'd already had the skin-to-skin, and now the sweetheart boy was snuggled up against me in his blue teddy bear onesie. He had been crying uncontrollably, but the moment he was placed in my arms, he stopped crying. 

"Baby recognises Mama." The nurse has said with a small smile.

Rehan and I were left alone in the room with the newest addition of our family. 

I couldn't move my gaze away from my baby. "He looks like you. The Tariq genes seem very strong for now because I can even see glimpses of Yasin in him." 

Rehan came to sit down beside me, wrapping his arm around me. "Arsalan." He played with our son's little foot.

*

PRESENT

I wiped away the tear running down my cheek as I remembered the day Arsalan was born.

The twins had doted over him, especially Hoor, who thought of him as a new doll to play with. Rohaan, who was just one, had caught a very high fever shortly after Arsalan had come home, and the doctor had said that it might be because he had felt that the attention had been taken away from him, the subconscious stress of which might have caused him the fever.

Parents felt extra emotional while giving away their daughters, but it was harder for me knowing that my baby was now ready to start his own life. In Sha Allah, within months, Rohaan will also bring home his bride. 

With every breath I took, I prayed for my family and their good health and happiness. 

But for a mother who had dedicated her life to raising her children, it felt like I wouldn't be needed by them anymore. What am I going to do with myself now that my kids won't need me?

*

Arsalan

"Where's Mama?" I asked as Papa opened the door to their room.

"Shabash. No Salaam, no nothing." He looked like he had just woken up himself.

"Assalam Alaikum. I need to speak to Mama." I said.

"Walaikum Assalam. She's not in here. She might have gone down for breakfast already." 

"Nah, that can't be right. She asked us all to get up earlier so we could all have breakfast together." Rohaan appeared by my side, casually slapping me on the back of my head. "I need to talk to her too, actually." 

"No Salaam from you either. Where did we go wrong?" Papa now glared at him.

"Assalam Alaikum." Rohaan grinned sheepishly as I chuckled.

"Walaikum Assalam." 

"Isn't it too early for you? How are you up already?" I asked Ro.

"Boss Woman's orders. Can't ignore them."

"Since when?" Papa and I both asked in unison.

"No value of me here." Ro muttered. "I'm going to go downstairs and look for Boss Woman." 

"I'll come with you." I said.

The two of us walked down the hall.

Ro patted my back. "Piece of advice: don't eat too much tonight or you'll get indigestion."

"What the hell, Ro?!" 

He chuckled.

"I hate you." 

He laughed harder.

When we got to the dining area, we didn't see Mama anywhere.

For some reason, I then realised where she was. I just knew it." I know where she is." 

"Is she hiding from us?" Ro asked as he followed me.

"Would you blame her?"

"No."

And indeed, Mama was in the courtyard, on a bench closest to the fountain. 

"Boss Woman, we're here, reporting for duty." Ro sat down beside her.

I sat on her other side, glancing carefully at her face. "Are you okay, Mama?" 

She smiled at me, then at Ro. "I'm fine. I'm just in a state of disbelief that my baby boy is getting married, Ma Sha Allah!"

"Clearly he's not a baby since he's eager to prepone the wedding." Ro grinned.

"Ro!" 

"Rohaan!" Mama glared at him. "Besharam!" 

"What? All I mean is that babies don't get married. What did you guys think I meant?" Rohaan laughed.

I got up, ready to shove him into the fountain. But knowing Ro, I knew that I was the one who was going to end up in there if I tried.

"Sit down, Arsal, and be quiet, Rohaan." Mama grabbed each of our wrists. "Listen, your Papa has already spoken to you, but now listen to my wisdom too. You both have a duty towards your parents, and there's no doubt about that. But always keep things balanced. Remember, that your wives have a right over you both as well. I'm not going to be one of those mothers who will constantly demand your attention. I don't want my daughters-in-law ever feeling that you two are focused more on your parents than on them."

"As you said, Mama, we have a duty towards you and Papa." 

"Of course. And when we need you to fulfil those duties, we'll let you know ourselves. But don't neglect the rights of your wives, okay? Balance everything maturely. Your father never, ever neglected his responsibilities, Ma Sha Allah. He is an amazing husband and father, while simultaneously being an amazing son and brother. That's how I expect you two to be, being his sons." She stood up. "Come on, let's go before your father sends a search party." 

I stood up and leaned down to kiss he cheek. "Don't worry. I'll do my best to be like Papa in that sense." 

Mama looked at Rohaan.

"You need to just trust me, okay?" That's all he said to her. 

She smiled, nodding. "I trust all my children blindly."

"Mama...? Since you love us so much, and since it's my wedding day, I hope that what I'm about to tell you won't make you too angry." I began.

Rohaan grinned widely. "Oh, I want to hear this."

"What, Arsal?" Mama asked, wearily.

"The fitting of my sherwani..."

"No!" She gasped out. "You did not repeat the same mistake, Arsalan Rehan Tariq. Don't you dare tell me that you did."

I laughed. "No, I'm just teasing you. But where is it?" 

She looked confused. "Where's what?" 

"The sherwani." 

"I should have filmed this. This is gold. Arsalan behaving like Rohaan." My brother had to butt in, of course.

"What do you mean 'where's the sherwani?'?!" She demanded.

"Is this the right time to add that I have no idea where my clothes are either?" Rohaan asked, sheepishly.

Mama closed her eyes and took a few long, deep breaths before opening her eyes again. "Your Papa told me that if there's any such issue during the wedding, I should let you guys sort it out since you're adults. So, that's what I'm going to do. You two sort it out." She began to walk away.

I looked at Ro, panicked.

"Mama, Mom, Mother, Ammi Jaan..." Ro jogged after her. "I can't find my clothes, no jokes. I think they might be at home."

"Not my problem." She said, simply.

We came across Papa at the entrance of the dining hall. He looked at Mama questioningly. "Where were you? And why do they look like they want chocolate and you've refused?"

"We can't find our outfits for tonight, Papa." I explained.

"Aren't they hanging upstairs in our room with my outfit?" Papa glanced at Mama.

"Rehan!" She lightly slapped his stomach.

I sighed in relief.

Rohaan burst out laughing. "Well played, Boss Woman." 

She turned around, frowning. "I took care of it this time. You should know where your things are. You are not kids." 

I hugged her. "Thank you, Mama. And I'm sorry." 

"You always have our back." Rohaan said. 

Mama strode into the dining area, without another word to the three of us.

"I wish we had asked you earlier, Papa. We could have spared this." I muttered.

"You two didn't inherit even a quarter of my sense of responsibility." Papa shook his head to us before following Mama inside.

I looked at Ro. "Did she also ask you to make sure your outfits were brought alone for all three functions?" 

"Yes."

"Did you forget to bring them too?" 

"Yes."

"Let's ensure that the Valima outfits are here too." 

"We'll find a way to check." He nodded at me. "I am not questioning her directly about this."

"Detective Rohaan Rehan Tariq can interrogate serial killers, but cannot ask his mother a question..."

"Aren't you a self-proclaimed and wife-proclaimed 'lion'?" 

When we entered, I immediately saw Tahira by the buffet table, while the rest of the family was gathered around a few tables dragged together. I greeted everyone at the table, before making my way to my wife. My bride-to-be. "Assalam Alaikum." 

"Walaikum Assalam." She smiled at me.

I noticed her henna-covered hands. "Beautiful mehndi." 

"Thank you." She placed a couple of slices of toast onto her plate, along with a small container of strawberry jam.

"Excuse me. Hi? Distance." Haya Appi suddenly appeared between us. "Just because we're letting you two have breakfast together on the morning of the wedding, doesn't mean you get all free." 

"Appi, be cool." I said, feeling my cheeks turn red.

"Get your food and sit on separate ends of the table." She ordered. "Tomorrow at breakfast, you can sit together, In Sha Allah." She winked at Tahira, who blushed.

*

Rohaan

After a few minutes of chatting with Chachu, I headed to get breakfast.

On the way over, I saw Yamna with her head slumped on her folded arms at an empty table. Apart from her pretty head, I recognised the pink sparkly phone cover of hers. I changed my direction and headed over to her, tapping the top of her head with my index finger.

She looked up sleepily. "May I help you?" 

"It's breakfast time."

"Mama reminded me, hence I'm here, dragged from the warmth and comfort of my bed."

"Why are you sitting here all alone? The family is back there." 

"The family doesn't let me sleep. I'm happy here."

"Fine." I sat down opposite her. "I'll eat with you."

She sat up, her hair falling onto her face. "Fine." 

"Haye. You worry about me so much." I placed a hand over my heart.

"Mama will be mad at me if I make you wait." She stopped up.

"Astaghfirullah, can't even make a guy happy." I also stood up.

We walked over to the buffet table.

"Okay, you guys what I'm getting, and I'll guess what you're getting." Suddenly, she seemed to be more energised, her eyes bright as she picked up a plate. 

"You're getting pancakes with maple syrup." I replied without even thinking, as soon as I had looked at all the option.

"And you're getting..." She wrinkled her nose thoughtfully (and cutely). "Toast, scrambled egg and cappuccino."

"I didn't know we were including drinks."

"We weren't. But your breakfast isn't complete without coffee, and if there's an option for it, it has to be cappuccino. Am I right?" 

"Spot on." I grinned. "Was I right?" 

"Of course. Pancakes are my favourite."

"I know." 

We looked at each other and smiled.

"So, what colour are you wearing tonight?" I asked her. "Or shall I ask, which shade of pink?" 

She rolled her eyes. "You'll see what I'm wearing tonight." 

"No coursework due today, is there?" I teased. 

"I hope not." She laughed. "But remember that I'm representing the bride's side tonight."

"Don't try to steal Arsu's shoes, because you will be facing me."

"I'm not afraid to face you, Rohaan Rehan Tariq."

"We'll see it tonight." 

"Bring it on." She tilted her head up almost challengingly at me.

"Don't say I didn't warn you." I shrugged.

*

THE BARAAT OF ARSALAN REHAN TARIQ

I was the last one out of my room, and I found the rest of my family already outside in the corridor outside the rooms, all the original Rehan family members.

"Late as usual." Behaya rolled her eyes.

"It takes time to look this good. Ma Sha Allah!" I joked, gesturing down towards myself. I wore a black sherwani, the same as Papa.

Mama wore a beautiful pink sari with a soft-gold colour border and floral motifs with pink sequins dotted over it. Her hair was in an up-do, with the ends curled. She looked like a true mother of the groom, Ma Sha Allah.

The groom himself was in a cream-sherwani, with matching coloured trousers. 

Hoor wore a navy blue kameez shalwar, with the hem and sleeves having a border that had gold and a lighter shade of blue patterns. The outfit had golden sequins and designs adorning it. The dupatta was a sheer dark blue with a golden border, with golden floral patterns over it. Her hair was also in an up-do. 

And then there was Behaya, in her plum floor-length gown with golden embroidery. The dupatta was sheer, with a prominent golden border. Her hair hung loose in soft waves around her shoulders, flowing down her back. 

"Shall we go?" Papa asked. "Everyone ready?" Upon everyone's affirmation, Papa placed a hand on the small of Mama's back and the two led the way towards the lift.

"You can fully put your arm around her. She's your wife." I called out.

Behaya slapped the back of my head, while Arsal glared at me.

"Besharam." Hoor and Mama said together, with the latter glancing over her shoulder in disapproval.

But Papa simply wrapped his arm around Mama, pulling her closer. 

I slowed down, at the rear of the group, smiling at my family. The twins were now flanking Arsal, their arms through his arms, teasing him. 

May Allah always keep my family happy and full of love for each other. Ameen.

*

We stopped at the doors to the hall, and the wedding planner asked us to wait. She popped inside to let everyone know that the baraat was here. 

We had decided that inside of having the traditional groom side/bride side, we'll do something a little differently, as Tahira had nobody. So, obviously, my parents, siblings and I were on Arsal's side. Dada Jaan and Dado were there representing both sides, just so that Tahira could feel the presence of buzurg (elders) with her as well. And Chachu, Chachi, Mamu and Mumani were going to be representing Tahira, so they'd be welcoming us. It was sweet of my elders to decide that. No bride should have to feel alone on her wedding day.

So, as the doors opened, we were greeted by Chachi, Mumani, Yamna and a few girls from Hoor's in-laws tossing rose petals at us. I was surprised to see Maham with them. 

"My daughter is a traitor like her Ro Mamu." Behaya whispered to me.

"Did you decide upon my birth that I'm everything negative in your life?" I asked.

"Nope. I decided that when you started talking." She grinned at me.

I lagged behind to take a proper look at Yamna. She tossed extra rose petals at me, even after the others had moved away. But I couldn't take my eyes off her. She looked beautiful. Ma Sha Allah. She wore a tea pink maxi with not-too-heavy gold embroidery, as well as some mint-green leafy patterns, and some mirror work near the hems. Underneath it was a matching pink lehenga, and her dupatta was mint-green and sheer with silver-threaded floral patterns stitched all over it. Her hair was curled and styled over her left shoulder, and she wore a gorgeous set that I know Mama had given her to her to wear on Arsal's wedding.

Unable to help myself, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards me. "I don't care. You're on my side. I mean, technically, everyone's on the same side, even Tahira. So why these formalities where you are separated from me?" 

Her cheeks turned pink, but she didn't try to take here hand out of mine.

I saw Chachu hug Papa, truly acting on behalf of Tahira. Glancing down at Yamna, I whispered. "When I come with the baraat, In Sha Allah, this is the trailer for it." 

She smiled, her gaze dropping shyly.

*

Arsalan

Heart pounding hard.

Palms sweating. 

The day was here. The moment was almost here.

Any second now, Tahira would walk in as my bride.

I couldn't sit still in my seat, I was that nervous. My foot was tapping on the floor. My fingers were tapping my knees. I adjusted my collar, feeling like it would suffocate me. But soon I started to get really restless, and I glanced at my wristwatch. How long will they take?

I glanced towards Ro, but was shocked to see him standing stiffly, eyeing the hall almost discreetly, as if searching for a crime suspect. "Ro?" 

He turned towards me, and relaxed a little. "What?" 

"What's wrong?" 

"Nothing." 

"You look like you're about to chase a criminal." 

"That's because I am. You. If you don't stop overthinking, grasshopper." He grinned, but the normal relaxed nature behind it was missing. "I'll be right back." He headed out, straight out of the hall.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are going to dim the lights now." The DJ announced. "The lovely bride will be making her entrance now." 

I shot up to my feet, even as I felt my knees tremble.

A soft, romantic song began to play as the doors opened, and under the spotlight appeared the most beautiful sight of my life. I felt so light-headed that I sat back down, but my gaze didn't leave her.

She wore a classic red bridal lehenga with a long train, and silver embroidery that covered both the lehenga and the blouse. The silver border sparked magnificently on her head, as it was set over her up-do. Clutching a silver clutch in her mehndi-covered hands, she stepped forward. Her feet, also covered in henna, were in high heel silver sandals, the stiletto heels of which seemed covered in diamanté, 

Ten years.

I've loved her for so long that I don't even remember the time when I didn't love her. And now here she was, walking towards me as my bride.

I got up again and slowly walked down the stage, mesmerised. As I stopped in front of me, I held my hand out towards my bride. Yamna, who was accompanying her, looked at me in surprise.

Tahira looked up at me, also surprised, but with a small smile, she placed her hand in mine. The people watched in possibly awed silence, as I led her towards the stage. 

"Mr and Mrs Arsalan Rehan Tariq, everyone." The DJ announced as I helped Tahira onto the stage, leading to a soft applause.

"Ma Sha Allah!" Was all I could muster as I looked at Tahira.

She smiled shyly, not lifting up her gaze. My lioness was feeling shy.

I held onto her hand and smiled as we posed for the photos, feeling the happiest that I'd ever felt in my life.

"Immediate family, please. Parents and siblings of the groom." The photographer called out. 

Mama and Papa walked up onto the stage, followed by Haya Appi and Hoor Appi.

"Where's Rohaan?" Mama looked around.

"He was here..." Haya Appi glanced around. "Ro?"

My heart sank as I remembered how he had rushed out after looking tense. 

"Yeh ladka bhi na..." Mama shook her head.

*"This boy..."

Just as suddenly as he had disappeared, he returned. 

"Ro, there you are!" Haya Appi called out. "Get up here!"

He got onto the stage and went to stand behind the sofa between Haya Appi and Hoor Appi, wrapping his arms around them. I looked up at him, but he didn't look at me. His smile seemed forced.

*

Rohaan

I splashed cold water on my face.

Considering that the guests were only from my side, I expected to know or at least recognise all of them. Saying an unfamiliar man sat at one of the tables, glaring in Arsal's direction, had put me on high alert. But then when he had seen me look at him, he had gotten up and left the hall. Naturally, I had followed. I had looked everywhere, even the car parking, but hadn't seen him. I had reported this to the security, giving his description, and asked them to let me know if he was spotted again. 

Even after the photoshoot, I got off the stage and patrolled the hall, keeping an eye out for the suspicious man.

Someone grabbed my arm and I whirled around on full defence mode, my hands in my fists already.

"Whoa! What the hell?" Ahmed asked. "Why are you always ready for a fight?" He shook his head. "Come on. The guys are calling you." He dragged me to the dance floor where the rest of the guys were. 

I glanced towards Arsal and his happy face, and for his sake I relaxed a little. I joined my friends and cousin in the dancing, celebrating the wedding of our grasshopper.

*

Anabia

"Mrs Rehan?" The wedding planner leaned down to talk to whisper as I sat beside Hareem.

"Yes?" 

"Someone wants to see you outside." She told me. 

"Who?" 

"I don't know. She claims that she should be in here, but she doesn't have a wedding invitation, but she says that she's family." 

"Everyone from the family is here." I stood up and excused myself before following the wedding planner out.

When I stepped out, I saw a middle-aged woman speaking to the guards. She was dressed in black trousers and a white blouse, and had frizzy chestnut brown hair streaked with white, tied up in a bun using a rubber band. She turned to look at me as I walked over.

"May I help you?" I asked.

"Tell them that I'm meant to be here!" She put her hands on my shoulders, startling me. "I...I saw on the internet. My daughter, my Tahira, getting married into the wealthy family of Rehan Tariq." Her gaze lingered on my necklace.

A man with a long, thin nose appeared behind her. "Ruqaiyyah."

"Tahira is here! Look at the family she's marrying into! Tahira will help us!" The woman shoved me in an attempt to get past me into the wedding hall, and I stumbled. The wedding planner steadied me.

Fortunately, the guards strode forward and stopped her.

"Lady, you're going to have to exit the building or we'll call the police." One of them said.

All I could think was that this woman shouldn't get inside and ruin my son's wedding.

The woman suddenly lunged and yanked at my necklace, scratching my neck in the process and causing me to gasp.

"What the hell?" The wedding planner tried to push her back, but the woman's grip was too tight. "Call the bloody police!" 

The guards forced the woman off me, and I felt stinging marks on my neck.

"Mrs Rehan, go back inside." The wedding planner told me gently. 

"We'll call the police." One of the guards told me.

I stumbled away from the hall to lean against the wall, feeling shaken.

"Hey, doesn't that man match the description that Mr Rohaan gave us?" One of the guards asked his colleagues, nodding towards the man with Tahira's mother. One of them dashed inside the hall.

That man in question looked startled and immediately rushed away towards the exit.

"Jimmy! Jimmy!" Tahira's mother kept calling out after him, even as the guards also led her towards the exit.

The poor wedding planner, at most in her mid twenties, looked shaken as well. "I'm so sorry! I didn't know she was gong to attack you!"

"You couldn't have known, don't worry." I smiled weakly at her. "If anyone asks, I'll be right back."

"Are you okay?" She asked.

"I'm fine. Are you?" 

She nodded.

I walked away, heading towards the courtyard. My head hurt and my anxiety was on its peak. I had to compose myself before I saw my family.

I took a seat on one of the benches by the fountain. Simultaneously, I wanted to cry and remain calm, both sentiments strongly cohabitating inside me at the same time.

"Tayi Jaan?" 

The soft voice made me turn and I saw Yamna walking towards me. "Yamna, honey, what are you doing here?"

"The wedding planner saw me and told me that something happened and that you were upset." She sat down beside me. "What happened? Are you okay?"

"I'm just a little shaken, honey, don't worry."

"If you want to talk about it, you can. This can be a secret between us. But talking helps. When nobody is around, I talk to my soft toys."

I laughed, running my hand over her head. "My pure-hearted jaan." I had Deja Vu of when I'd had a heart-to-heart with my future mother-in-law in a hotel restaurant, without even realising that she was my future mother-in-law.

"I just met Arsal's mother-in-law, who tried to steal my necklace while I was wearing it."

"Oh my Allah! Is that how you got those red marks around your neck?!" Her eyes widened in horror.

I nodded. When she didn't say anything, I looked at her and saw that her face was red. "Good God, Yamna. You have been in Rohaan's company too long."

Her cheeks turned a darker shade of red, but she shook her head and changed the topic. "You should tell Rohaan." 

"I will. Once today's event is over, I will tell Rehan and Rohaan." I smiled. "It does ease my burden to talk to you, Yamna." 

She leaned her head against my shoulder. "You know I've loved you and Tayan longer than the idea of me and Rohaan was even imagined. You can share your troubles with me, just like you would with Haya Appi and Hoor Appi."

I kissed her forehead. "Of course, my love."

"Is this a dream, or a nightmare where you both are plotting against me?" Rohaan's voice made us turn, startled.

He, the detective that he was, saw our wide-eyed looks and frowned. "What's wrong?" 

Ya Allah.

*

Literally no event occurs without some drama! But yeah, weddings are known to have dramas of different varieties!

Will Tahira's mother end up meeting her? What does she want?

Poor Ro always has to be on high alert!

Favourite part?

Thoughts and comments?

Thank you for reading and don't forget to vote.