••••

I was sitting in front of the mirror dressed in a grey kurta and palazzo made of silk, heavy embroidery, moti, thread, mirror, and stonework, paired with heavily embroidered palazzo with net dupatta work on the border, my hair was in a messy bun few strands covering my face, and some small flowers were pinned at the back of my bun, I did a light makeup.

Sara walks into the room "Tauba Ayat Baji aap to qahar lag rahi hai bilkul" she blabbers some more before we went downstairs where everyone was waiting my heart was thumping like crazy, all the eyes on me and all of a sudden I started to feel hot, heat coursing through every inch of my body.

"It's okay relax just ignore everyone and focus only on one person tonight and remember you love each other" Sara whispers in my ear, I shook my head quietly.

When my eyes fell on Fahad he was sitting in the middle of the room everyone gathered around him, his hair combed perfectly, he has a light stubble which was making him look more handsome he was wearing a sherwani same color as mine, his eyes met mine and everything stopped for a while, it was just us in the room at this moment he gives a smile showing off his dimple and I couldn't help but let out a chuckle to myself.
"See you are already feeling better" Sara pulls me out of my reverie with a told you so look on her face.

We walked where he was standing we sat down and we exchanged rings as everyone starts to cheer around us, and the loudest was Sara " you look beautiful" Fahad whispers giving me goosebumps on my whole body.
"You don't look bad yourself" I reply, blushing hard but not forgetting to maintain a distance between us, no matter what our parents have told to the rest of our family still it is not right according to them and I can sense in their gaze which was scrutinizing every move of ours, my body gets stiffen a little bit Sara comes and sits between us.

"Inn logo ne ignore kare, vaise bhi logo ka to kaam hi Yahi hai Abhi aap dono hot topic Kuch din badd koi aur Hoga, so chill," she says wrapping her arms around us.

After we all moved towards the table where food was sat down finally everyone started to get normal around us, some of them asked few questions about how this alliance all of a sudden happen more like cross-questioning, Sara had us prepared the whole script of what we should say and how should we react to which I suggested her to be in acting not fashion designing or she can write dialogues for someone because she is good at that.

The whole thing went smoothly and I couldn't be more grateful to my family and Allah who gave me such a supporting family, the whole itinerary is been decided by Taya Abbu and Tayi Ammi all the task have been allocated to each one in the family, tomorrow we are having Mehendi ceremony until nikah I will be staying at Amma's house to which Fahad disagreed but Taya Abbu wanted it that way, but the ceremonies will be held together, thinking about all of it is giving me jitters when I and Hamza got married nothing of it happened because it was a sudden decision taken by my mother and Ammi and Abbu Ji.

I'm glad that we are having every ritual this time, it will be my first time going through all this so I'm happy thinking that I get to enjoy every moment of it, as I didn't get to at my nikah with Hamza. The following day Mayun will happen, then the next day is nikah, then after that is ruksati, and by the end of the week is walima, because Fahad and Taya Abbu has to leave for some work after they return walima will take place.

Soon the dinner was over and everyone starts to leave one of our cousins Immy he brings my luggage down while I helped Ammi and Tayi Ammi clearing things up "Ayat can I talk to you for a moment?" Fahad walks into the kitchen.
"Not now Fahad, I'm busy," I said not looking at him, as I was busy putting leftover in dishes so later tomorrow I'll go with Abbu or will tell Sara to go and give food to some kids near the masjid, I always see kids sitting there begging I wish I could do something for them, so sometimes if there are leftovers even if not then I will prepare Briyani and some kebabs for them it gives me peace if I'm filling their empty stomach even once a week because the smile which comes after that it is beyond anything in this world.

I started doing that after Hamza died, it felt good and gave me peace and comfort filled a little bit of vain my heart.

"Oh come on look at me for once," he whines.
I averted my gaze in his direction "What is it?" I ask promptly.
"Is it necessary for you to stay at Phupo's house?" He throws in the stupid question again on which we already had a discussion.

Such a baby he is.

"Yes because they are the tradition and the rituals, it should be followed I don't want to hear it again now go to your get some sleep" I ordered him pushing him out of the kitchen.
"Are Fahad Bhai Kuch din ki to batt hai" and as with perfect timing Sara walks in everywhere she came into the kitchen too.
"You don't talk about it, you were the one who reminded everyone about these rituals" Fahad scowls at her.

And their bickering started "uff Fahad these rituals are important for me because when I got married to Hamza we didn't follow any of it, so try to understand they have a different meaning to me, now stop fighting over it both of you" I butt between their fight, a little louder than I should be both of them looked at me astonished.

"Yes, I have a voice too now let me do my work, and also that you don't want to go and sleep Fahad take these box of food and go with Abbu to the masjid near our house there are kids give it to them and you Miss Sara, go back to your room sleep because you have to get up early to help Ammi and Tayi Ammi with the preparation okay," I told them off in an authoritative tone.
They nodded their head like some school kids and left.

Even I went to Amma"s house I was so tired and need to get out of this dress after walking a little I reached home which more looks like a cottage to me but it's perfect and beautiful. I took a shower changed into my comfy clothes leaving my hair in a braid to avoid the tangles in the morning I was off to sleep.

∆∆∆∆

The next day rolled in faster more than I expected it to be, it felt like I haven't slept at all, I was getting ready for the Mehendi I can hear the dholkis and everyone singing at the house and Amma's place it was not that loud but still, Amma tried calling my Abba Ji parents informing them about my marriage hoping they would come she didn't tell them about my first marriage but the only reply we got was who Ayat, who are you.

Shukar hai Allah ka ki ab hum unke sath nahi rehte hain.

Amma is feeling sad that they would treat us like this even when she never expected anything in return from them, I never knew them that well but when she explained at certain age why we don't live with them I was so angry at them that I went by their house once and threw some stones thankfully it didn't hurt them but I intended to well what can I say I was a child and listening to someone hurt my mother I got angry then Amma made me understand that it's okay.

I felt the same way when Hamza died, I thought even Ammi and Abbu will throw me out just like this, for a few months I used to keep myself locked in the room I thought if I keep myself locked no one would be able to do such a thing with me. I'm so happy to be proved wrong by them on this Ammi, Abbu, and even Taya Abbu, Tayi Ammi never did anything cruel or remotely close to something like that I always thank Allah for, I know people say it is us who decides that how we want to be but somewhere somehow Allah works his way around that too, it's him after all who gives us strength for everything.

I recited some duas before getting down to the kitchen to make tea for everyone in the house and some snacks too "Ayat bete yeh Tumhara din hai, aao yaha baitho" one of the Aunty says and it was followed by the laughter of the others.
"Ji bas Abhi aayi phele aap sab ke liye khane ka intezaam karlu" I reply smiling.
"Fahad Bhai Jaan bade hi khush naseeb hai, jo aap Jaise biwi mil rahi hai," one of our cousins says, giggling, which brought blush on my face and I don't know my face is been doing a weird thing I cannot stop smiling every time someone takes Fahad's name.
"Are ladkiyon haste rahogi ki Kuch gaane shaane bhi bajenge" one of the Khala says.

The whole house was filled with their laughter, and songs my mother looked so happy as she stood in the corner looking at each one of their faces which brought a smile to my lips. I don't want that smile to go away from her face ever. I start to distribute the tea and snacks to everyone when Amma comes and tells me to get ready for Mayun because we are having Mehendi also later but my dresses are still not here it was to be Sara who had to get my dresses and Allah knows where is she right now.

I told her to be here on time par majal hai Yeh ladki time se aajayein. I muttered to myself.

Mayun is going to take place out in the garden, on a big set up with the DJs and all because Sara wanted that way, and Abbu, Taya Abbu couldn't deny her it's pretty hard to argue with her.

"You go to your room, and I'll call Sara," Amma says I went into my room rinsing my face and hands I started working on my makeup, and hair.

Just then Sara walks in " I'm so sorry I couldn't get here on time, you know how the aunties are, they won't let me go any way here is your dress" she says keeping it on the bed.
"Thank you and it's okay" I reply taking a good look at the dress, it was a green Mehendi color salwar suit, heavy gota work with the bright tinges on the fabric, heavily embroidered patchwork with a mirror, and net dupatta with gota and lacework on the four sides of dupatta, salwar embroidered on silk with heavy mirror work.
"So this one is your Mehendi dress, and this one is your Mayun dress now get ready fast everyone is already waiting for you," she says holding the other silk dandelion yellow salwar suit it looked simple yet beautiful.

Sara left after helping me getting ready, I put my hair in a braid, and Sara put garlands on my wrist. We talked a little she told me Fahad is losing it because he is not used to be around so many people and by that he means women, there is constant music show going on in the house sometimes its dholki, and sometimes just like that, he wanted to meet so I told to inform him we can only talk on call and it's just an about and tomorrow.

"Come on Beta let's go outside everyone is waiting," Amma says. We go out in the garden where the whole setup was, the loud music blaring some of the women were sitting some were dancing, Amma made me sit in the middle where the sofas were set around it was decorated with yellow and white flowers and over it, green and yellow curtains like were hung along with multiple shades of umbrellas, near the Dj there was a big dance floor everything was looking perfect.

I sat down and one by one everyone came applied haldi on my cheeks, arms, and then they moved to Fahad, after long hours of dancing and everything else we were sent to our rooms.

I went into my room took a bath, drying off myself I put on my dress did a little light makeup, I left my hair in soft curls, satisfied with my look, now I just have to wait for someone to get me. Amma came into the room "come on" she says going out in the garden again, I was made to sit and the professional girl starts to make designs on my hand, along with her other friends started to make designs on all the other women present there.

After she was done with both hands and moved to others, I sat there feeling numb it does that when you are continuously sitting like that, Amma walks over to me "Do you want something?" She questions.

"Water" I reply since I sat here I feel parched.

I glanced at Abbu and Taya Abbu they looked so happy, the face beaming with smile and warmth on their faces made my heart swell with happiness, Ammi, Tayi Ammi, and Amma looked happy too, it is so much important for me to know that I'm the reason of these smiles and these happy moments around us right now, I felt someone's gaze on me following in the direction I saw Fahad noticing me a content smile on his face, "I love you" he mouthed I replied.

Sara gains towards me "dekhien Baji meri bhi Mehendi kitni achi Lagi hai" she gleamed shoving her hands in front of my face.
"Yes it is looking beautiful" I reply and she sits down beside me, a soft breeze blowing our hair, also giving light goosebumps because of the Mehendi, this is the only reason I avoid putting Mehendi I suddenly start feeling cold because of it.

The weather started to change soon and it was getting dark too" I think I'm gonna go change and maybe take a nap" I suggested looking at the sky.
"Yeah I'm tired too, running all day around it has sucked all the energy out of me," she says leaning her head on my shoulder.
"Yes, you go too, change and sleep tomorrow is going to be more hectic for all of us" I replied getting up from the sofa Ammi comes to my rescue helping me I went in my room, finally my Mehendi was dry so quickly changing into my comfy clothes I laid down on the bed with butterflies taking place in my stomach at the thought I and Fahad will be married tomorrow.

With all the thoughts of how my life changed or how it is going to be after the nikah, on my mind, I didn't realize when sleep took over me.

*****
Hello and Assalamalikum Lovelies!

How is everyone doing? I hope everyone is safe and healthy.

So moving on what do you think about the chapter? I hope I didn't rush it.

I had written this chapter like a week ago but me being a lazy ass didn't publish it finally I got time today and told myself to publish anyway I hope you guys liked the chapter.

Don't forget to share any other theories you guys have I would love to know one more chapter to go then I will start working on the next story Aarzu, and if you guys want me to write an Epilogue please let me know but before I want to assure you guys I will try my best to write that because I think I suck at writing Epilogues 😅😅

So till next time.

Keep Reading, Keep Smiling❤❤