My heart was thumping like crazy, I'm deprived of sleep all because of this wedding maybe I shouldn't get married.

Haaye, nahi yeh kya bakwaas soch rahi hai Ayat. Astaghfirullah.

The knock on the door pulls me out of my thoughts it was Sara "uff Allah Raat bhar soyi nahi kya Baji" she exclaimed, looking at my face I have dark circles under my eyes and my face looks so tired.
"Are nind hi nahi aayi Sara" I let out in frustration.
She smacks her forehead "uff Baji, I told you especially to get some sleep after all it's your Nikah today and you are here looking like a zombie".

"Haaye ab ese to naa bolo Sara" I was getting worried now, what if Fahad denies marrying me with this face.

Uff Ayat, he loves you for what you are not for how you look stop thinking such things I gave myself a pep talk.

It was lunchtime and Amma told me to go to the salon with Sara to get ready then from there directly we will go to the venue Immy will pick us up, "do one thing Baji get some sleep okay, we will go later to the salon and don't worry I'll talk to Phupo" she says giving me her assuring smile and leaves the room lying back on the bed I closed my eyes it didn't take much time to fell asleep.

But it was killed, yes my sleep was killed by the loud knock on the door groaning loudly I opened the door "Amma!"
"Kya hai yeh sab Ayat, utho ready ho or jao Sara ke sath," she says.
"Amma nind aa rahi hai, thoda so lene dein fir chali jaungi " I stomped my feet, I might start having a headache if I don't get a good sleep.
"Allah, thik hai Ek ghante ke liye so jao fir mai khud aaungi tumhe uthane," she says, I jumped in happiness, Amma just smiles and leaves the room.

I finally laid down this time let whomsoever come to my room I ain't opening the door.

∆∆∆∆

I did my beauty sleep which was for two hours Amma was busy with something so she didn't come to wake me up but Sara did after two hours and now we are leaving for the salon to get ready.

Immy will pick us up, I should stop calling him that he feels hostility toward anyone who calls him by that name, I don't even remember why we cousins started calling him Immy his name is Amam but we all used to call him Immy, Immu Ammu also he never bothered but he seems to hate it now.

"Chalein Baji, aapke Immy Bhai Jaan Pagal hogye hai," Sara says barging in, Amam is our distant cousin, and Sara hates him for some reason Allah knows why.

"Ha come on let's go" we went into the living room.
"Dekho Dekho Kaise Pagal saand ki tarah chakkar laga rahe hai, Abhi inhone laal kapda dekh Lena hai or yahi Pagal ho jaayenge" Sara mumbles.
"Chalein Ayat?" He asks turning around.
"Ji chalein, mai aapko call kar dungi vaha se free ho kar," I said whilst sitting in the back seat with my dress and Sara's dress.

I chose to wear embroidered maroon lehenga, the choli is fully embellished, and embroidered dabka, stones, and crystal work neckline is also fully embroidered of chiffon, the skirt is embellished with vertical lines of colorful sequins, dabka, and stones heavy work on the border the skirt material is also of chiffon, the dupatta is embellished with sequins, pearls, flower motif spray and patched work on the border. The dress was chosen by Tayi Ammi I'm so happy she chose the dress it is so beautiful and elegant.

"Are Bhai Thoda jaldi Chala lein " Sara yells at Immy.

We reached the salon "Allah I swear Baji if he was a cab driver I would've given him one star for driving so slow huh" she says flipping her hair dramatically.
"Oh come on Sara, he was driving just fine" I added.

∆∆∆∆

Fahad

It's our nikah today but no one has spared me a time, from the morning I'm running here and there because nothing is going according to the plan, the decorator backed out at the last moment, saying we are not paying him much so he won't do the work I tried increasing the amount but still he was adamant so I'm trying to look for another it seems most of them are busy and no one is ready to do it in such short notice.

I called Amam and Hadi to help me with the decoration Chachu and Abbu will also help us if we are not done by the time Ammi will kill me. People will wonder what kind of a groom I am who is decorating and doing everything for his nikah instead of getting someone else to do it "Bhai Jaan aap befikar rahe sab ho jaayega" Hadi pats my back in assurance.
"I know, Chalo let's leave for the venue where is Amam," I asked looking around.
"Oh he is coming, he had to drop Sara Baji and Ayat to the salon," he says looking at the brown strap watch I gifted him when he came first to his University, Khaloo was so happy.

Just then Amam enters with some shopping bags in his hand" what is this?" I asked.
"Oh this is our sherwani and yours," he says handing each bag.
"Okay, let this be first we have to leave for the venue the decorators have backed out it's us now," I said keeping the bags down on the table.

We left for the venue on the way there we picked up some stuff for the decoration which was Amam's idea he is a pro at such things last when he planned the whole event for his friend which turned out so freaking amazing, now he is planning to open his event management company in this manner he is just like Sara, he doesn't want to work for someone else he wants to be his boss.

After we reached the venue where Abbu and Chachu were already present we all got down to clearing out the tables and chairs first and started working on the decoration.

Long hours for working our asses off we were finally done with everything and I'm pleased with everything "wah Bacho bhut hi behetreen job ki tum sab ne" Chachu says his eyes dancing with happiness, I was just overwhelmed with the feeling that what I and Ayat have wanted for a long time is finally happening sure we faced many obstacles but as they say love conquers all and it is now.

Our love has conquered us, society, our families whereas I thought it will be going to be a tough job to convince Phupo but then no parents want their child to be unhappy all they want to see is a smile, not a fake one which we both had on our faces covering the real us for a very long time, I'm happy that it is Ayat that brings out the real me not anyone else, and I'm happy I'm the one who brings that part of her out.

We went back home, to get ready not much time was left and after all, we have to bring the baarat also.

Amam had to leave because he got a call from Sara to pick them up I cannot wait to see Ayat, I had to beg Ammi to get her maroon color joda because that color suits her complexion because Ammi was adamant for her to wear some pastel shade which is in trend these days. Those big brown eyes would shine in that color.

I took a shower because I was covered in dust and was seething with the fragrance of flowers oh shit I forgot I promised Sara and Ayat I will get gajra for them quickly dialing Amam's number "Ji bole Bhai" he says.
"Have you reached the salon?" I asked hastily.
"On the way, what happened?" He questions.
"Oh, do one thing buy gajra for both Sara and Ayat I promised them," I reply as I quickly worked on the buttons of my kurta.
"Oh okay Bhai Jaan" and with that, he hung up the call.

Ammi walks in "Allah, tum ready nahi Huye Abhi tak Fahad" she scolds me whilst smacking her forehead.
"Bas hogya Ammi aap Bahir to jaaye" I reply wearing the sherwani she leaves the room, quickly combing my hair satisfied with my look I applied some perfume putting on my shoes I went outside Ammi was still standing there more like worrying.

"Ammi what is it?" I inquired.
"Oh shukar hai Allah ka tum ready ho gaye," she says reciting a dua then puts a kajal behind my ear.
"Okay, Ammi chalein ab," I said holding her hand and kissing them, mothers are blessing from Allah in this world, I will never understand how mothers can be so selfless and only think about good things for their children, sure father wants the same thing but there is no love like mothers in this world.

We went into the living room where everyone was waiting then left for the venue.

When we reached the venue we headed towards the room where nikah will take place "Qazi Ji aagaye?" I asked Abbu.
"Ha aagaye hai, Chalo intezaar kar rahe hai sab log," he says smiling.
Everyone was present except Ayat when she enters I'm left breathless, by her beauty the unknown power she has over me as love slept tenderly around my heart, as my thoughts start to fill with the memories which are yet to come, she lives in every fragment of mine, her mere presence is enough for me to submit and be bound by her love.

That dress complimenting her skin, those big eyes with kajal in them, Mehendi clad hands and the sound of her bangles dangling, her eyes bowed down her eyelashes touching her high cheekbones, as always Ayat isn't wearing much makeup just minimal a soft smile on her face completing her look, I cannot take my eyes off her as she walks towards me for a moment the world seemed to be stopped and all I can see was her, all I can hear is my heartbeat.

Phupo made her sit beside me as Qazi Sahab started the ritual as he recites Quran, while family members seek our consent.

"Qubool Hai".

"Qubool Hai".

"Qubool Hai".

We both said signing the nikah nama, Khutba was recited along with the vows then our parents recited durud.

After this, we were taken outside where every guest was waiting we sat on the stage soon everyone started to give gifts and their duas, the whole time I was looking at Ayat how gracefully she was sitting there smiling at everyone I cannot help but think what is going on in her mind right now, is she feeling fidgety just the way I am right now, every time she glances at me giving me her perfect smile my heartbeat goes up that haya in her eyes was making so hard for me. Tonight everything about her is making it hard for me to sit here and talk to anyone.

"Bas bhi karein Bhai Jaan Kitna dekhenge Ayat Baji ko" Sara whispers with a mischievous grin on her face.
"Dafa ho yaha se Chalo" I reply with a forced smile.
"Ha, ha jaa rahi hu Tayi Amma ko bhejti hu Vahi aapki tabiyat set karengi," she says with a fake glare.

"What happened to her now?" Ayat asks.
"You know her she loves to tease, everyone" I reply.

Later everyone starts to leave, I looked at Ayat she was looking restless "are you okay?" I asked concerned.
"I'm tired and hungry," she says protruding her lips out in a cute manner.
"Wait here," I said and left the stage.

Going towards Abbu I asked him when we can leave, "now, everyone has already left only closed ones are there, in five or ten minutes we'll leave we'll do ruksati " he says looking at the watch. I nodded and went back to sit.

"What happened?" She asks.
"Five or ten minutes more for ruksati" I reply handing her a plate of kebab which I took from one of the waiters.
"Thank you so much, you are going to be a good husband" she smiles at me genuinely.

"That I am, Begum" I replied with a wide grin on my face.

Ammi and Abbu informed us that it is time for ruksati, helping Ayat walking down the stage, the car was ready for us Phupo was crying including Ammi and Choti Ammi. Phupo and Ayat hugged each other while crying their heart out whilst the whole time she was reciting duas and murmuring sweet things to Ayat "Fahad beta meri bachi ka khayal rakhna Iska dil mat dukhana"Phupo says wiping her tears.
"Yeh bhi koi bolne vali batt hai Phupo, mai aapko or Ayat ko Kabhi shikaayat ka mauka nahi Dunga" I reply wiping her tears, which doesn't seem to stop, I will never understand the pain a mother and father go through when they have to let their daughter go I wish Ayat's Abbu was here today she must be missing him so much.

We left for our house, reaching there everyone Ammi and Choti Ammi welcomed us then after having dinner Ayat was sent to our room Abbu stopped me to ask if I got something for her muh dikhai or not when I went with Amam to buy her something I couldn't decide even at Kubra's time it was Ammi who bought her a dress.

Later I thought of an amazing gift I thought of giving her a bracelet with our initials in Arabic, and a drawing book, she loves to draw so I thought this would be the best gift.

I headed to my room Ayat was sitting there with her head down her dupatta covering her face, removing the sherwani I was just in my kurta I sat in front of her lifting her dupatta she looks up, her lips had a soft smile on them I took out the box of the bracelet from my pocket opening I slipped on her wrist she gasps looking at it"wow Fahad it's so beautiful" she says touching with her fingertips.
"There is one more thing for you," I said as I took out the book from my closet.

"Oh my God thank you Fahad, I love it," she says, as a tear slides down her cheek.
"What happened Ayat?" I ask, keeping my fingers under her chin.
"Nothing, all of this is so overwhelming for me, I never thought that I will ever get this again in my life after Hamza left" she mumbles sniffling a little.

I took her hand planting a kiss on her knuckles I enveloped our hands together, there is a glow in those brown eyes of hers in which I always find myself lost, she is someone who makes me feel all warm, fuzzy all at once, the kindness which she shows to everyone, care for everyone she has in her that shines in her.

"I understand, I promise to love you all my life, and even after that" I whisper as bringing our forehead together.
And just like that, she plants a small peck on my lips taking me off guard a bit I didn't expect her to take the initiative I claim her lips in a passionate kiss, her hand reaches to hold my face, those soft tender hands everything in her carries magic which always leaves me astounding, we part away catching our breath.

I remove all the accessories she was wearing unzipping the dress I opened her hair which was in a bun letting them cascade down her back, the glow in her eyes indicates the love unspoken, I love her and she loves me too which is enough for me I'm glad we have crossed all the obstacles, all the misunderstanding we had, and I tend to keep it that way forever.

The sweet scent of her perfume was consuming me as they have never before, blood rushes through my body making my skin heated my hands ached to touch her, cherish her and her love. I want to savor her consume her with my love just the way she has done to me. I want her to be mine just the way she has made me hers. I trail down my hand along with her soft skin as she gasps I kiss her on her shoulder laying her down on the bed.

My heartbeat went faster and faster with each moan that came out of her mouth, at last, I had left nothing just the comfort in my body as we lay there on the bed in each other arms.

I never want to let go of this feeling which I feel in my bones as I laid here with her close to me.

*****

Okay, I'm not sure how was the chapter because as I have posted earlier I'm having a bit of a mini writer's block which prevented me to write this last chapter but still I tried I'm hoping I did the not good at least a decent job in showing Fahad's point of view, even since I wrote the Epilogue of Saahiba in Arin's point of view I have been thinking of doing that again so here it is.

Do share your thoughts guys.

As this is the first attempt at writing a book with a collection of short stories I need a constant reminder if I'm doing good or not thankfully I have amazing people to tell me that.

Anyway, this chapter is dedicated to khyberpakhtun I want to thank her again as it was her book that inspired me to write this book in the first place.

One last thing if you guys want me to write an Epilogue please tell me in the comments.

Soon I will start publishing the next story in this book Aarzu.

Don't forget to share your thoughts.

Till next time.

Keep Reading, Keep Smiling ❤❤

Love A.K.💋💋