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I think you guys have had enough drama. Time for some Shaadi festivities!

♡♡♡♡

Aariz

"Wow. That's really something." With my airpods in, I stood in front of the full length mirror at the boutique, having the sherwani fitting done. "Three days I was out of the city, and you experienced a lot." 

"Drama surrounds us." Haya's voice came from the other end of the phone, accompanied with a light sigh. "At least Hoor's okay. That's all that matters."

"So, let me get this straight. This guy created all these issues because your father refused to have his manuscript published?" I took the sherwani off, shaking my head at the sales associate.  

"Yeah, but the thing is that if Papa had even published it, he could have gotten in trouble for it. It  was full of Islamophobic and xenophobic comments. Like, why would you even bring your manuscript to a publishing house that's run by a Muslim man when you're clearly an intolerant pig?"

"You never know how people would take rejection these days." I looked at the sales associate who was looking confused. "Haya, I'll call you back. If I don't focus now, the sherwani is going to look weird at the wedding."

"And we don't want that, right?" Her tone was teasing.

"I mean, it's the first day of many that one must impress his wife." I grinned.

"Technically, that was the Nikah." She pointed out.

"Was the wife impressed?"

"The decision is still pending with the third umpire." 

I laughed. "Talk to you later, In Sha Allah. Allah Hafiz."

"Allah Hafiz."

As the call ended, I raised both eyebrows at the sales associate. 

"Is it too tight?" He asked me.

"Too loose. It was basically hanging off me, man! How did you miss that?"

He looked embarrassed. "Sorry, Sir. Would you mind putting it back on? I'll get the tailor to have a look at what alterations need to be made."

I pulled the sherwani back on and buttoned it up.

"I see what you mean." The sales associate nodded and headed inside.

The tailor came out of his office, and as he took the measurement, he started to discuss the various aches and pains suffered by the various members of his family. As nice as this almost-elderly gentleman was, I really didn't want to discuss work on my sherwani fitting. I groaned internally.

*

Faizan

"Detective. She's a detective?" I asked my elder brother in disbelief. "Whoa."

"Faizan, don't get all creepy, okay? Stay within your limits, and don't do anything that could come under the umbrella term of 'stalking'." Farhaan Bhai told me, wearily.

"I think it's so cool, though. Right?" I almost ignored him as I continued pacing the room.

"He's a lost cause." Aizah Appi smiled.

"This is so unbelievable. I never thought I'd meet her again." I sat down, shaking my head in awe.

"You haven't met her again yet. And Hooriya Bhabi's case is over, so you probably won't meet her." My sister pointed out.

"I thought you had embraced positivity during your time in Pakistan. Stop being so pessimistic." I glared at her.

"It's called being realistic." 

I turned to my brother. "Will you help me? You met her. What do you think?" 

"I think she seems good at her job." Bhai shrugged.

"You two are hopeless." I stood up again, frustrated.

"Ask Mama to help you then." Appi teased.

Giving her a final glare, I left the room. This seemed like something out of a fictional novel, the way Saliha Sameer had found her way into my life, even though she herself probably didn't know it yet.

You're here now, Saliha. I'll take that as a sign from Allah. If we are meant to be, there will be a way eventually.

*

Haya

As the days edged closer to the day I departed, the chaos level rose up dramatically. There was not a moment of peace at home, with so much going on. Even Ro was running around like a headless chicken.

Soon it was one week till the big day, and it was my mayoun, hosted by my beautiful Dado, Nina Tariq, at her home. Men were basically banned from the ceremony, and it was a female-only event so that the ladies can all have a good time without worrying about the presence of non-mehram males. Of course, Papa, my uncles, and brothers were just one phone call away in case we needed anything. And of course, a security team had been specially hired after the threat to Hoor's life, even though the guy had a restraining order and was stuck in a legal battle.

"Once you go home now, until the wedding, no household chores, just relax." Nano explained to me gently. 

"Haya would love that." Hoor teased.

"And you will not be seeing Aariz till the wedding now." Dado teased me.

The ladies of my extended family laughed.

"Go get changed, Haya." Mama told me.

"Do I have to wear that dress?" I groaned. "Can I not wear a tank-top and shorts? It's ladies only!"

"Haya, don't be boring." Laila Mumani grinned. "Consider this a challenge, and you love challenges, right?"

"You got me there." With a sigh, I headed upstairs.

The house was decorated with marigolds and fairy lights, and artificial candles had been placed on furniture all over the house, even the foyer side tables. I went up the stairs to my room at Dado's house and changed.

It was a sleeveless turmeric-yellow blouse, with a matching long skirt. The outfit itself was plain, but the sheer dupatta had golden sequins dotted all over it, and a gorgeous silver-golden border.

A knock on the door startled me. "Yes?"

The door opened and Hoor entered, carrying a silver tray that contained gajray bracelets and matching earrings. "I'm here to adorn the bride."

Yamna ran in as well, grinning. "Me too!"

I smiled. "Aww, Yum-Yum, now I know I'll look beautiful, because you're the one helping me get ready."

"Sit." Hoor ordered me, nodding towards the dressing table stool. I obliged and she set the tray down on the dressing table. "Yamna, help her put on the bracelets, please."

Excitedly, Yamna did as she was told, and Hoor helped me put the earrings on. 

"Feeling nervous, bride-to-be?" Hoor teased.

I scoffed. "I'm Haya. Only cricket makes me nervous."

"No make-up?" Yamna asked Hoor.

"No, Yum-Yum. Soon she's gonna have turmeric all over her. She doesn't need make-up."

"Ugh." I rolled my eyes. "I'll look like a character from The Simpsons."

Hoor pinned my hair back away from my face, and then pinned the dupatta over my head. "Come on, let's go." Hoor wore an orange shalwar kameez with a pink dupatta and orange Ombre dupatta with a slim gold gota border and white patterns. 

Yamna wore a similar dress, but her dupatta had mixed shades of yellow, red, orange and blue, yet the style was the same.

I stood up and the two led me out of the room and down the stairs. Here goes nothing.

*

"Haldi lagao re, tail chadhao re, banni ka gora badan damkao re." The song started playing as the ladies started the ritual.

I was sitting on a stool, watching the turmeric, almost horrified. How much of it was going to be slathered on me?

Dado began first, leaning down to smear a good amount of turmeric on her hand, which in turn she rubbed on my cheek. "Always remember, beauty comes from within, Haya, not from these rituals, okay?" 

I smiled. "I never thought otherwise, Dado."

Nano came next, and she used both hands to rub ubtan on my cheeks. She looked at me tearfully. "May Allah bless you with happiness throughout your marital life, for all eternity. Ameen."

*Ubtan: paste of natural ingredients that may include turmeric, sandalwood, gram flour (besan), rose water, etc. 

"Ameen." I repeated as she kissed the top of my head.

My mother came next, and she sat beside me, wearing a short-sleeved kameez because it was clear that she was the one who was going to have the main task. She thoroughly rubbed ubtan on her hands and began to rub it up and down my bare arms, wordlessly. I could see a tear run down her cheek though. "Mama..."

She forced a smile on her face. "I just keep remembering how Rehan and I gave you and Hoor your first bath..." She stopped as her voice broke.

"Yeah, life was easy back then. I legit did nothing but sleep and drink milk." I giggled. 

"May life always be easy for you. May Allah keep away all troubles, pain and difficulties. Ameen." She whispered, as she continued slathering my arms and legs with ubtan.

"Let's take a photo of the mother and the bride." Syra appeared with her camera.

Mama adjusted my skirt to cover my legs, and then turned so that we both were smiling up at the camera. 

"I'm wearing sleeveless, so just send me the photos please, Syra. Or Hoor." I told her.

"Obviously, Appi. I know." She smiled.

It was Hoor's turn, but she didn't go crazy with it. She applied just a little because the scent made her woozy. 

Then Yamna, Aizah Appi, Ifra, and Syra, Anaya Aunty and Reem Khalla all took turns, as well as some friends of mine. I was surprised when Rebecca Khalla arrived, holding a beautiful basket covered with a yellow net that contained mehndi and bangles for me. 

Mama walked over to greet her, and they hugged before Rebecca Khalla came over to me.

"Beautiful bride. May the Lord fill your life with utter bliss, my dear. Amen." She smeared some ubtan on her hand. "May I apply it to you, Haya?"

"Of course." I nodded. 

She rubbed ubtan on my cheeks. "Aariz is truly blessed." 

I smiled, my gaze dropping shyly. Who am I, Haya or Hooriya?

*

After a night of dholki, fun and laughter, everyone left, leaving behind just the ladies of the extended family.

"Haya, come here." Hooriya called me as I ate half a ladoo in the kitchen. I was starving and hadn't eaten anything, and the sweet treat had looked tempting!

"I can't move. Tell me from here."

"Come!" She gestured.

"I need to change, yaar!" I walked over to her.

She led me down the hall towards the front door. 

"Hoor, what the hell? I'm still a turmeric tree. I need to change!" I complained.

"Someone wants to see you."  She smiled, nodding at me to follow her outside.

I draped my dupatta over my bare arms and stepped out after her, muttering under my breath. To my surprise, I saw my brothers standing outside by the car. "What are they doing here?"

"Well, it's only family now, and they wanted inclusion." Hoor held up the tray that contained the ubtan, which I had somehow not focused on before.

We approached our brothers, and she held out the tray. 

I raised both eyebrows at Rohaan. He simply grinned and dipped his index finger in the ubtan before gently rubbing it over my cheek. I swallowed hard, begging the tears not to make an appearance.

Rohaan cleared his throat. "Just so we're clear, this is only because I don't want people gagging seeing you on your wedding day. Maybe this will help."

"You Badrooh!" I shouted, even as the first traitorous tear slipped down my cheek.

Arsal dipped his index finger in the ubtan next and also rubbed it on my cheek. "Just so you know that you might be beginning this new journey in your life, but your brothers will always have your back, no matter what."

I sobbed then, unable to stop myself. "Oh my God! When did you grow up so much, Arsu?"

Arsal took the tray from Hoor and set it down on the ground a few feet away.

Ro was staring down at the ground, jaw clenched, as if struggling to contain his emotions.

I looked at each of my three siblings in turn and I wanted to cry the night away. First Hoor had left, now I was leaving. How am I going to live without them? I barely just got used to a life without Hoor. 

"Right. Enough." Rohaan spoke up. "Come on, it's the wedding of Behaya. No emotional moments, no tears. Arsal and I should be celebrating."

Unable to stop myself, I hugged Rohaan, with absolutely zero regards to the ubptan on me.

"Behaya, the ubtan!" He shouted, alarmed, but he didn't pull away.

"Will you be there when I need you, Badrooh?" I whispered.

"Even if I'm on my deathbed." He whispered back.

I didn't know what was wrong with me, but I couldn't stop crying. How dare Ro become emotional today? Why was he not laughing at me or teasing me?

"Astaghfirullah, Rohaan!" Hoor said, her tone disapproving.

"Well, Hoor Appi, Haya Appi's wedding did the impossible: we got to witness this moment." Arsal smiled, even as I saw the emotions on his face.

*

We got back home, where the men of our extended family were gathered. 

With my dupatta still covering my arms, I stepped inside the house, breathing in its familiarity. "Mama?" I whispered so that only she could hear.

"Yes, Haya?" 

"Can I shower?" I asked.

"Traditionally, you are not supposed to, but it doesn't matter. It's your choice." 

"I want to." I said. 

"Okay, as you wish, Haya." Mama walked down the hall towards the kitchen.

As I began to walk up the stairs, I heard a soft voice, "My yellow sunshine." I turned and saw Chachu in the living room doorway. I came back downstairs, smiling up at him, and he placed a hand on my head. 

*A request by AestheticLover004 for some Haya & Yasin bonding scenes.

"See? I'm wearing your favourite colour today." I grinned.

"Due to tradition, not choice." He chuckled. "May Allah bless you, our dear Haya. Ameen."

"Ameen." I sighed. "Today I know how a canvas paper must feel, began smeared with paint all over. But at least the canvas paper doesn't smell like a desi restaurant's spice rack."

He laughed harder. 

"Haya, come and meet Dada Jaan." Dado told me, softly.

Clutching my dupatta tightly around myself, I walked into the living room, making a beeline directly towards where Dada Jaan was sitting. I crouched down in front of him, and he ran a hand over my head. "Assalam Alaikum, Dada Jaan."

"Walaikum Assalam, Haya. May Allah give you a long and blissful marital life. Ameen." My paternal grandfather gave me an emotional smile.

I got up and raised my fist in front of Saim Mamu, who pounded it despite the ubtan on it. He then ran a hand over my head, also giving me countless duas, like the others.

Just as I was leaving the room, Papa walked in. He saw me and stopped, his jaw clenching as he tried to control his emotions. Again, I fought back my tears. I was determined to make myself stronger, but it was getting harder with each day that passed...as the wedding drew closer. I walked over to him. He placed a hand over my head, and even though he didn't say a word, I understand exactly what he was trying to convey and how he felt. "It's okay, Papa. The scent of this ubtan literally made Hoor dizzy, and is not very appealing to me either. Makes you want to hold your breath and not talk much. So you don't have to say anything. We'll talk after I'm showered." I gave him a small smile.

"Meri jaan." He finally spoke in a whisper. "May Allah protect you from all harm and evil eyes. May Allah give you a long, healthy and blissful life, and may you eternally remain happy with Aariz. Ameen."

"It's not fair. People shouldn't make a bride cry this much." My voice broke.

"Abhi thoda bohat rolo. Phir, In Sha Allah, zindagi bhar hansna, khush rehna. Ameen." He smiled.

*"Cry a little bit now. Then, In Sha Allah, laugh and remain happy for the rest of your life. Ameen."

I nodded and headed out of the living room and up the stairs. I couldn't control my tears anymore.

*

"Haya?" 

I had showered, but I couldn't get rid of the smell of ubtan or the oil that had been put in my hair. I'd applied body wash twice, and even sprayed on some ittar after the shower, but I could still smell it. "Come in, Mama." 

The door opened, and my mother walked in, dressed in her full-length night robe. She began to say something, but immediately noticed my discarded mayoun outfit on the floor just outside the bathroom. "Oh, for the love of Allah! Haya Rehan Tariq, you are going to get turmeric stains everywhere!"

"Sorry, Mama." I winced as she picked them up carefully. 

"I'm going to place these in a separate laundry bag so that they don't stain the other clothes." She walked into the bathroom and I heard her rummage around for the roll of laundry bags. "Learn some responsibility, Haya."

I pursed my lips to hide a smile, then followed her into the bathroom. "Nano says that once responsibilities befall someone, they learn automatically."

"Oh really? And what about the other thousands of helpful tips that your Nano gives?" She looked at me as she tossed my clothes into the laundry bag. 

"Well, it's a 'use as applicable' policy. I use the ones applicable to me..." I shrugged, sheepishly.

She narrowed her eyes, not impressed.

"I'm sorry, Mama. I'll be careful when it comes to discarding the rest of my wedding outfits..." I stopped as I realised what I'd just said. My cheeks turned red and I dropped my gaze.

She turned away as well, shaking her head. "Pata nahin kya sochke tumhara naam Haya rakha tha hamne."

*"I don't know why we named you 'Haya' [modesty/shyness]."

"I mean, in your defence, you can't really judge if a newborn baby will end up being like me. No filter and all."

She washed her hands, before turning to me. "Go to sleep. From now on, you will sleep early and get a full night's rest each night. The wedding functions take a toll on the couple, especially on the bride. You need to be well rested before that."

I walked over to her and hugged her. "Aren't I meant to live as I please at my parental home?"

"Are you emotionally blackmailing me?" 

I laughed. "Responsibilities will hit me hard after marriage, whether I like it or not. So let me enjoy my time at my maika."

"Haya, you have become such a drama queen!" She lightly slapped my arm, but she was laughing.

"I learnt all my drama from the best: you." 

"Haya!" 

I laughed, before running back into my room.

She followed me inside, and started tidying up my bedside table now. "Make fun of me all you want. You watch, when you get married...maa hi yaad aayegi sabse zyada."

*"You will miss your mother the most."

"Actually...I think I'll miss Papa the most. But if it helps you feel better, sure, why not? Keep thinking that." And then I put my foot in my mouth. "Who did you miss more, your mother or father?" It was only when my words had slipped out of my mouth did I realise that I had touched a sensitive subject.

But luckily, she seemed okay as she came to sit beside me. "Our family had a different dynamic. For me, my world consisted of Mama and Saim. One was my mother, and the other was my twin brother. We'd all shared a bond for an equal amount of time. So I missed my mother and my brother when I got married." She took her hand in mine. "And even if you do miss your Papa more, I'll be happy, Haya. I'm glad that you four had a father like him, Ma Sha Allah." And suddenly, she was in tears. 

"I'm glad that the four of us had a mother like you too, Mama." I wrapped my arms around her, resting my head on her shoulder.  "You loved us unconditionally, protected us, taken care of every single need of ours."

"I thought Hoor's wedding would have made me stronger, would have mentally prepared me for the day that you leave too. But that was stupid of me to think so. I have no idea how I'm going to bear your rukhsati, Haya." 

"I'll tell Ro to play an annoying prank just after I leave." 

She smiled sadly.

"You need to be strong, okay?" I told her. "For your Mr Author." 

She kissed my forehead. "May Allah give you a blissful married life, Haya. Ameen."

"I just need the duas of my loving loved ones." I whispered. "That way I can deal with anything."

She freed her arm and wrapped it around me, and the two of us sat there for a long time, holding onto each other.

*

Aariz

I was ready to turn in for the night, when my phone screen lit up. I reached for it on my bedside table and saw that Haya had sent a photo. When I clicked it open, I felt breathless. It was a full length photo of her sitting on a stool in her mayoun outfit, her bare arms covered in ubtan, as well as her cheeks. She looked beautiful, Ma Sha Allah. My bride.

<Haya: Last photo I can send you now, unfortunately. 😝 We cannot see each other now till the wedding functions, and that includes in the form of a photo, video or video call.>

<Aariz: Really? Please tell me this isn't a joke!>

<Haya: ...>

<Aariz: What does that mean?>

<Haya: This means that you are in danger zone. ⚠️>

I laughed.

<Aariz: How do I get out of this danger zone?>

<Haya: I accept compliments, praises, credit cards, debit cards, cash...but not cheques. I'd have to go into the bank to deposit it, and who has time for that?>

I laughed harder, clutching my stomach.

<Haya: Don't you have to get up at seven?>

<Aariz: Yes, I do.>

<Haya: Then why aren't you sleeping?>

<Aariz: A pretty bride distracted me with a gorgeous photo. Ma Sha Allah!>

<Haya: Well, I'm sure that the bride must have already been told off by her mother to get proper sleep, so she better turn in too.>

<Aariz: 😂>

<Haya: It's not funny. I'm Nikahfied. I should not be getting told off by Mama.>

<Aariz: Have you said that to her?>

<Haya: 😒 To a desi mother?>

<Aariz: Good point. I may not have experienced it, but I have heard the stories that still make me shudder.> 

<Haya: 😂😂😂>

<Aariz: Good night, Haya. Sweet dreams.>

<Haya: Good night. May you dream of me.>

I chuckled.

And I did. I dreamt of her playing cricket with me in her mayoun outfit.

And somehow she still won.

*

Haya

When I woke up in the morning, I could still smell the ubtan and the oil. Wrinkling my nose in annoyance, I sat up. Seriously...

I performed my morning routine, took a longer-than-necessary shower, and then threw on a casual outfit before heading downstairs. "Good morning!" I walked into the dining room to see Mama and Nano sat at the table, finishing off their breakfast tea. I leaned down to kiss each of them on their cheeks, before sitting down next to my maternal grandmother.

"You're glowing, Ma Sha Allah!" Nano looked emotionally at me. "Dulhan ka roop chadh gaya hai hamari Haya pe."

*"Haya has the bridal glow."

"The bridal glow smells." I shook my head.

Both of them laughed.

"Where is everyone else?" I asked.

"Your Papa took Kamran Uncle to the wedding venue, to sort out a few last minute things. And it's still midnight for Rohaan and Arsal." Mama rolled her eyes.

"My poor boys! Let them be, Anabia!" Nano said.

"I let them be...that's why I'm now complaining." Mama said, sarcastically.

Nano looked at me, teasingly. "I've created a Sarcasm Monster!"

I laughed. "To be fair, she has earned it fairly and squarely. We are not an easy set of siblings."

"Aww, my babies are so adorable, Ma Sha Allah!" Nano pinched my cheek, fondly.

"Mama, the way you didn't find me or Saim adorable, I'm living that reality now." My mother told her.

"I suppose that's what is meant by 'what goes around, comes around'." Nano continued teasing her, making me laugh harder.

*

Anabia

With a wedding around the corner, I was feeling extra jittery. 

And with that, I felt extra hungry. But with everyone regularly around my house, Ma Sha Allah, we were running short on snacks.

I sat in the kitchen, picking out some walnuts from a container of mixed nuts, nibbling away as I wondered what to make so that everyone could eat something.

Rehan walked in the kitchen, holding grocery bags. It seemed that he had picked things up after realising that we were short on supplies. He raised his eyebrows when he saw me. "Hungry?"

"I'm so anxious, and you know I get over hungry sometimes when I'm anxious. I have the wedding jitters."

For a few seconds, he stood there, staring at me. Setting the bags down on the table, he looked at me. "Get ready. I'm taking you out for lunch."

"Out for lunch? Rehan, I barely have time to breathe."

"Okay, breathe first, then get ready and we're going." He began to put away the grocery.

Husband goals, I swear. Ma Sha Allah. I stood up. "Are you not stressing?" 

"I'm the father of the bride. What do you think?" He straightened up. "But you and I, we are sort of in charge here, and people in charge need to maintain a façade of strength, no matter how they are internally." He paused. "And food is essential for strength, so get ready, Anabia. We're going in ten, okay?"

"Okay." I walked out of the kitchen with a smile on my face. After weeks of an almost formal relationship, his concern was much needed.

*

"Rehan." 

He glanced at me as we sat waiting for our order at the river-facing restaurant.

"If I say something, please don't be mad." 

He looked weary. "Go on." 

I placed my hand on his, his hand feeling warm underneath my cold one. "I need my husband by my side at Haya's wedding. Not just the father of my children, but my husband. So, please, please forgive me for... I am so, so sorry about everything."

He stared at me quietly for a few seconds, before turning over his hand and lacing his fingers around mine, palms clasped together. "Only if you promise that you'll never think of leaving me again, unless I give you a valid reason to go. Yes, our kids are our first priority, but I'm not just saying this for them. I'm saying this for myself."

I shook my head. "We've been together for almost a quarter of a century, Rehan. I cannot ever imagine that I would actually walk out. I cannot ever imagine that you'd ever give me a reason to."

He gave me a small smile. "And if there are any issues, where you feel like I'm being wrong or unfair, we talk it out before you think of taking such drastic actions."

I nodded.

"You're right. I also want everything to be clear between us in time for Haya's wedding. I'd need my wife too, not just the mother of my children. Call me selfish or whatever."

"We're equally selfish then."

"Absolutely."

And with that, I felt a heavy burden being lifted off my shoulders, and I eased up. We can manage this smoothly. Together. In Sha Allah.

*

It's almost time for the wedding of Haya & Aariz!

So many emotional moments already; what's going to happen at rukhsati?

Thoughts and comments?

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