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Arshiya

Celebrations continued late into the mehndi night in our home, even though Mama kept telling us to go to sleep, otherwise the bride was going to look like a zombie on her wedding day.

But, of course, my sisters wouldn't let me sleep. 

Maya was taking as many group selfies as she could on, what she called, 'Arshiya's Pre-Bridal Night'.

As the time flew by, my heart began to sink. It was my last night living here. This was where I'd been brought home from the hospital when I was born; this was where I had grown up. This was home, where I could always come and unwind after a long day at school, or after a difficult exam. This is where, no matter how old I was, I would get pampered by Mama cooking my favourite meals, or Baba driving us for ice cream late at night at my request.

I was leaving home tomorrow, and it was one of the saddest feelings imaginable.

Eventually Qirat made us all cups of coffee and we all sat watching old home videos as we had our hot beverages with snacks.

Rubab Appi and Javeria Appi understood, of course. Even Qirat and Maya seemed emotional at the idea of me not being here tomorrow, however they were both acting nonchalant, and claiming that they were both happy that they were going to get their own rooms each, finally.

"We'll see how happy you two are at Arshi's rukhsati tomorrow." Rubab Appi smirked at them.

"I'll be stuffing my face with laddoos." Maya shrugged.

I lightly slapped the back of her head. "We'll see." 

*

Someone requested Qirat/Furqaan encounters, so here they are.

Qirat

Growing up with sisters means a lot sharing things, yet a lot of fighting too. Half of the time, one of my sisters was borrowing my clothes or accessories, and vice versa. The other half of the time, we were practically scratching each other's eyes out. And yet, throughout the years, sisters often become the closest of friends, so when they started to leave one by one, it was incredibly difficult.

I stood by the doors in the hall, lined up with my sisters and cousins on either side of the door, holding a platter of rose petals that we were going to scatter over the baraat, the groom's side.

We sisters had matching dresses in different pastel shades. I wore pink, Maya wore light blue, Rubab Appi wore light green and Javeria Appi wore yellow. They were long floor-length dresses, with delicate embroidery, and gorgeous net dupattas.

My hair had slightly grown out to my shoulders, and it was currently in waves, pinned back by a floral clip, and dotted with beads. I wore a heavy silver and pink jewellery set, including a maang tikka.

"Girls, get ready!" One of our uncles told us. 

We heard the sound of the dhol (two-headed drum). Besides me, Maya swayed her shoulders to the music a little.

At the end of the two lines, stood Baba and his two eldest sons-in-law, Saqlain Bhai and Wasif Bhai. 

Eventually, Adam Bhai entered... with Furqaan by his side.

I swallowed hard, even as we all started showering them with rose petals. One of the ones that I threw got stuck in Furqaan's hair, and he turned to look at me briefly. He stopped walking and his eyes widened, until someone behind him urged him to keep moving.

I smiled at Selena and Sasha, turning abruptly away from Furqaan.

Baba greeted his third son-in-law with a warm hug, before the other Farooqi damads also hugged him one at a time.

Maya snapped her fingers in front of my face. "Where are you lost?" 

I jumped and turned to look at her. "N-Nothing! We should have slept when Mama had told us to last night." 

She rolled her eyes. "You're such a baby."

"I'm not used to doing late nights like you, who's scrolling through Instagram till two or something." I narrowed my eyes at her.

She just laughed. "At least I don't look like the walking dead, like you, because I'm used to it."

"Cow."

She laughed again.

*

"Kehte hain ke us duniya ko sudharnay ke liye, is duniya main bohat mehnat karni padhti hai." A voice spoke beside me suddenly as I sat having a glass of water.

*"It is said one must work very hard in this life to improve the Afterlife."

I looked up and saw Furqaan standing beside me in a black sherwani. I stood up and turned to go.

"I'm trying to be a better person." He whispered.

"Good for you, seriously. And may Allah keep you on the right path." I turned to walk away.

 "I loved you genuinely, Qirat. I never, ever want you to think otherwise, no matter what happens. I'm self-destructive because I don't feel that I truly deserve good things... maybe that's why I messed us up."

I felt tears starting to gather at the edges of my eyes. Whirling around, I glared at him. "My sister is marrying your brother. We only communicate as a formality. I don't want to dwell in the past, because I'm over it. You need to get over it as well."

"Is that what you truly want?" A hurt look appeared on his face.

"Yes." I nodded.

"I respect that. I won't bother you again. I'm sorry." He placed a hand over his heart to show his sincerity and walked away.

A tear slid down my cheek. Self-preservation, Qirat. Remember that. I'm not gonna allow him- or anyone- to ever hurt me again.

So why did this encounter hurt me so much? Why was his pain stabbing my heart?

*

Arshiya

Rubab Appi adjusted my lehenga as my sisters prepare to lead me inside the hall. Everything is temporary, but this lengha adjusting is eternal. I looked at my eldest sister, amused.

Javeria Appi draped the sheer red dupatta over my head, covering my face.

The double wooden doors of the hall were opened by the staff members, and we stepped through. The main lights of the hall were off, and the only light was the gentle glow from the glass-covered candles placed in racks around the perimeters of the room. The carpet on the aisle that I was walking up was flanked by tiny recessed lights. A chandelier hung in the area above the stage, its crystals reflecting the candlelight. It was truly an atmosphere to remember.

The photographers and videographers stepped into our path, endlessly taking photos and making the video. One day, it was all going to be fun, watching all the photos an videos. Right now, in these heels and this heavy dress, it was irritating.

We approached the stage and I lost the ability to breathe.

Adam stood in his cream sherwani, looking almost regal. A king has less grace, Ma Sha Allah. He met my gaze and smiled, holding out his hand. I placed my hand in his, and Rubab Appi steadied me as I stepped onto the stage. The train of my dress flowed up the steps behind me, and as I turned, Qirat an Maya leaned down to arrange it so that I don't end up getting tangled in my own dress. It was Qirat's idea to get a dress with a long train. Thanks a lot, Q.

With a large, round nath (nose ring) hung halfway over my lips, and a jhumar at the side of my head, I felt like a mannequin in a bridal jewellery store. 

I wasn't the type of girl who had spent years of her life dreaming of her wedding day, but as the planning and preparation had begun, my excitement had commenced as well.

The idea of this being my day where I got to dress as I wish, adorned to my heart's desire, seemed like a fairy-tale princess dream come true. I may not have dreamt of weddings, but I had grown up liking the princess films. Today, I felt like I was a princess as well.

"You look beautiful, Ma Sha Allah." Adam leaned down to whisper.

"You look handsome too." I kept my gaze lowered, feeling the camera of the professional photographer directed at me. I felt Adam's gaze on me, and my cheeks warmed up.

*

"I hope you came with a loaded wallet, Bhai." Maya told Adam. "Because you owe us a sister-in-law fee, in exchange of a safe return of your shoe."

"I didn't even bring my wallet." Adam shrugged nonchalantly. "And I can walk barefoot, no issues."

"That's not right!" Qirat argued. "This is a tradition!"

"Tradition, not a rule." Adam pointed out.

"Come on, Adam Bhai. This isn't done." Javeria Appi spoke up. "Rubab Appi and I will still understand, but you must pay the fee for Qirat and Maya!"

"For all serious! Equality amongst all!" Maya shook her head at her. 

"Only one problem." Furqaan said. "You don't have his shoe. So, what exactly should we make the payment for? Appreciating for not stealing the shoe?" 

"Exactly!" Maya hit her palm with her fist. "It's a fee for appreciating the fact that we are helping him avoid a tradition. So, it's a thank you for not stealing his shoe." 

"There's a difference between not stealing it, and not being able to steal it." One of Adam's friends spoke out. "You cannot steal from Adam Awan." 

I smirked. "Is that right?" I held up Adam's wallet, that I had sneaked out from his pocket. "So, what is this?" 

My group burst out laughing and cheering.

"He has a tough competition. Our Arshi is no less." Rubab Appi spoke proudly.

Adam looked at me in surprise, both eyebrows raised.

"Here." I took his hand and placed the wallet in his palm. "You'll give them their fee themselves. I don't need to steal it from you, because I know you'll give them the money yourself."

He grinned. "Be careful who you place your faith in."

"To some extent, I have studied law. I know exactly who I'm placing my faith in."

His wallet had felt thick, but the wad of cash he pulled out almost startled me. He generously handed it all to my sisters.

"Bhai, what the hell, yaar?" Furqaan protested.

"It's almost ten. We don't have much time before they start turning off the lights and clearing us out of here." Sasha looked up at him from where she sat on Adam's side.

The amusement of this ritual started to rapidly wear off as I remembered that I was just about to leave my family behind. I looked at Qirat and Maya, and almost felt envious that they were going to go back with our parents to our home.

Rubab Appi was instantly by my side and she helped me get up, looking at me with her eyes already filled with tears. "My sweet Arshi." 

With Adam on my one side, and my eldest sister on the other, I was led off the stage. As Adam started chatting to my elder brothers-in-law, Mama pulled me aside.

"Sometimes, it may feel overwhelming, and you will question your ability to handle things, but trust me, Arshiya, we all have it within ourselves to handle difficulties. You have the strength inside you, always remember." She tearfully placed a hand on my cheek. "Your Baba and I will always have your back in our lives, but marriage means independently handling your home, your family. Remember this one thing, Allah gave a woman the ability to fight death to bring life into this world; He has made her stronger than imaginable. Never doubt your strength, and always make decisions rationally, using wisdom. Sometimes being too emotional is the wrong way to handle things, but your instincts will never let you down." 

I hugged her, unable to hold back my tears now. I sobbed hard, not willing to let her go. "Mama..."

She was crying too, and she held me just as tightly. 

I was very well aware, despite my emotions, of the photographer and the videographer attempting to get into my face to capture my emotions.

"Mama, I'm in great pain because of my periods. Can you make dinner, please?" 

"Mama, I'm really tired. I don't want to do the dishes."

"Mama... I don't feel like it. Are you able to do it, pretty please?"

Each time, my mother had tolerated my nakhra, and I didn't have to even get up from the sofa. It was true that nobody in this universe can love you like your mother can. Only Allah loved us more than our mothers do. Even when she was against me marrying Adam, she was watching out for me. She was worried about me. She wasn't against my happiness... she was just concerned about my wellbeing. A mother's love is never selfish; every decision of hers, whether it seems good or bad to us, is for our benefit ultimately.

I placed my hands on her cheeks. "I'll be fine. Don't worry, okay? You have raised strong, sensible daughters." 

She nodded, dabbing away her tears with her dupatta. "Also... your physical and mental health should never be compromised, okay? You are more important than what people or society say or think. May Allah give you a blissful marital life, but before you start this life, I want you to remember this. Cherish yourself and cherish this relationship." 

The lights were being turned off now.

Mama held my hand as we resumed walking out of the hall. "I love you so much, Arshi. If my actions ever caused you pain, I'm sorry about that. I just want what's good for you."

"Don't apologise. You did nothing wrong." I squeezed her hand. "I'm lucky to have a mother like you watching out for me."

By the car, I hugged my sisters- first one by one, and then in a group hug.

Of course, Qirat and Maya were crying hard too. 

"I... I th-thought you were ha-happy about your own rooms?" I asked between sobs.

"Shut up, Arshi." Maya hugged me tightly again.

I then stepped back and looked towards Baba. He stood silently, his hands clasped behind his back and his gaze lowered. I smiled weakly. He always got overemotional at this time. He had done the same during Rubab Appi's and Javeria Appi's rukhsati. A part of me just wanted to get in the car, because I knew that if I hugged him, I'd be leaving a part of my heart behind with him because it was going to shatter at leaving the man who had provided us maximum love, shelter and safety.  But how could I leave without greeting Baba?

I walked over to him, taking a deep breath. "Are you not going to give me duas?" 

He looked up and I saw his eyes filled with tears. He reached out to place his hand over my head, and I hugged him immediately, bursting into fresh sobs against his chest. I felt him shaking as he silently cried too. "W-Why are you crying, Baba? You have two more daughters with you, whereas I'm saying goodbye to my only set of parents." I tried to joke, even as the child Arshiya inside me screamed and begged myself not to leave Baba.

How am I supposed to survive without my parents?

"May Allah bless you with a long and blissful marital life. May He protect you both, your family, from harm, evil eye, trouble and pain. Ameen." He smiled. 

And some idiot decided that it was the right time to play the song 'Babul ki duayein leti ja'. It made me cry harder, thinking how I was leaving my parents as they were aging. 

"Nazon se tujhe paala maine, kaliyon ki tarhan, phoolon ki tarhan. Bachpan main jhulaya hai tujhko, bahon ne meri jhulon ki tarhan. Mere baagh ki ay naazuk daali, tujhe har pal nayi bahar mile. Maike ki kabhi na yaad aaye, sasural main itna pyar mile." The song had the most heart-breaking, sad lyrics.

*"I raised you lovingly, like rosebuds, like flowers. My arms rocked you in your childhood. Oh, delicate branch of my garden, may you see new Spring. May you never remember your parental home, as you should receive so much love in your in-laws."- The translation doesn't do it justice; it's just to get the point across to those who doesn't understand Urdu/Hindi.

I pulled away, with a very heavy heart, and Javeria Appi and Sasha began to help me into the car, while Baba hugged Adam.

"You saved my life." My father whispered to him. "I'm giving you mine. Take good care of her."

"I will, Uncle. I promise." Adam reassured him.

Baba nodded, patting his upper arm. "May Allah bless you both abundantly. Ameen." 

As I sat in the car, Maya pointed towards her clutch, then pointed at me. 

Frowning slightly, I glanced down at my clutch and held it up. "I have it." I mouthed out.

Using her index and middle finger, she gestured towards her eyes, then pointed at my clutch. She was asking me to look inside.

I opened the clutch and saw a Polaroid photo of us sisters taken last night. We were all grinning, our arms around each other. I smiled, even as a tear rolled down my cheek. Turning over the photo, I saw the words: Some relationships last a lifetime, no matter where in the world we go. #TeamFarooqiSisters. I looked back at Maya and blew her an air kiss.

She acted like she had caught it, holding that fist over her heart. 

I'd grown up in a lively, crazy household. No matter where I went now, I was going to find it too quiet, I'm sure. 

Adam got in the car beside me, and the driver drove away from the venue. I glanced over my shoulder until it all disappeared from city, replaced by the city traffic.

He cleared his throat. "Look, I cannot even begin to imagine your feelings today, but I promise you, you'll never have any restrictions about meeting your family from my side. You can meet them every day, if you want." 

I gave him a small smile. "I appreciate that. But I'm starting a new relationship, and I want to fully focus on it. I will try and keep things as reasonably balanced as possible." I paused. "I do need to check-in on Baba and Mama on a regular basis, even if over the phone. Just to make sure that they're o-okay." My voice broke at the last word.

He took my hand in his. "I don't have parental figures in my life. Your parents are now the only parental figures in my life. We'll both take care of them, and that's a promise from me."

"I don't know if you have any moun-dikhai planned or not, but I don't need it now. This promise is worth more than any materialistic thing that you can ever give me." I placed my other hand over our clasped hands. "Thank you."

"Great. You had to make it formal, didn't you?" He shook his head at me, as if disappointed.

I smiled. "I take it back. Ignore it."

"I need a baked dessert for each time you act formal around me." He grinned.

"Deal." I laughed. "And if you're formal...?" 

He move closer. "What do you want from me, Mrs Adam Ahmer Awan?" 

I looked up at him, unable to keep a smile off my face. "I'm sure I can think of something..." He leaned towards me, but I placed a hand over his mouth. "We're not alone. Not now!"

He sighed, moving back but wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "I need to now buy a car with a divider." 

I shook my head this time, the smile still intact.

"It may sound cliché as f**k, but you have a beautiful smile." He commented. 

"Great, so now it's your job to ensure that it remains here." I grabbed his lapel playfully.

"That sounds like hard work. What's the salary like?" 

I leaned up and quickly pecked his lips. "This is just a small percentage of it." 

"Where's the contract. I'll sign it without reading it." 

"You did. It's called the Nikah Nama." I'm sure my eyes were sparkling with the mischievousness that I felt as I bantered with him.

*

The Awan mansion was decorated beautifully with fairy lights. There were not many people, though, mainly household staff waiting to greet us. 

Furqaan and Sasha stood ahead of them all, ready to welcome us.

"I'm the closest thing to a Nand that you'll have, but hopefully we won't have that stereotypical drama between us." Sasha jokingly said as she hugged me. "Welcome home, Arshiya Bhabi."

"Welcome, Bhabi." Furqaan gave me a warm smile, politely nodding his head.

The lack of family members puzzled me a little, but also saddened me. The Awan brothers must have had a very lonely life. I looked at Adam, who seemed happy enough as he spoke to some of his staff members. I also then noticed that the staff members- some I recognised from when Nat and I had come over to bake the cake- were dressed up in party wear.

Sasha noticed the direction of my gaze. "They all attended the wedding as guests. They are very loyal to Adam, and he takes great care of his staff." 

"That's very good to hear." I said, genuinely. The way someone treated their employees was a key giveaway of their personality.

"We'll take her up to her room." Sasha told Adam. "I'll explain to her where her things have been placed." Before he could reply, she led me inside the house.

The house was the same as it had been when Nat and I had come here- apart from the fairy lights, flowers, etc. However, the feeling within me had changed. I wasn't here to bake a cake now. I now lived here. This was my home. 

Sasha led me up the grand staircase and down a hall. Opening a door at the end, she stepped back to let me through first. 

The bedroom was designed in a modern, European style. My gaze roamed over the dressing table with the mirror, the large bed, and the seating area at the side, complete with a coffee table. 

"Your wardrobe is basically a walk-in wardrobe, and with it, the en-suite is connected." Sasha walked me towards a closed door on the other side. She began to show me where all my things were placed. "Your newer clothes, accessories are already placed. However, the things you brought from your parents' house are all in the suitcases. I thought you might want to place those things yourself, just because it's important that you know where all your things are kept." 

I nodded. "Thanks for that. I have a lot of my essentials in there that I'd rather keep myself, just so that I know exactly where they're kept."

She placed a hand on my upper arm. "I'm going to go now. Adam is now your main go-to person, of course, but if you ever need anything, let me know. I know, as a female, the importance of having another female around." 

I hugged her. "I really and truly appreciate that, Sasha."

"Enjoy." She smiled teasingly, before she left me alone in my room.

My cheeks burned. Enjoy?  I walked over to the bed and sat down on it to test it out. Comfortable. I couldn't help smiling at the thought that, back at my parents' house, I could practically feel the springs on the bed as it was so worn out over the years. I still found it comfortable though, of course, because you get used to it. This bed was soft though, probably brand new by the feel of if it. Noticing an AC remote, I grabbed it and turned it on, changing it to the lowest temperature possible. The heavy outfit and jewellery was making me feel hot, despite the fact that it was December.

It's so quiet here. No chattering coming from my sisters' room. No sounds of music from neighbouring houses. No dogs barking outside.

I got up and walked over to pull back the curtains. Beautiful French doors opened out onto a small balcony with an intricate metal railing. The garden lights downstairs reflected a pool. Awesome. I'm gonna have so much fun exploring. Moving the curtains back over the doors and windows, I walked over to the dressing table and peered at my reflection. A stray lock of hair had freed itself from under the dupatta and now lazily rested over my forehead, otherwise my look was pretty much the same as before. The camera lights had clearly not melted my makeup off, I suppose.

Why am I still wearing these feet-killers? I groaned and headed into the walk-in wardrobe and kicked my sandals off. Ya Allah, Alhumdulillah! 

"Arshiya?" 

I froze. My heart suddenly picked up speed, and nerves suddenly swallowed me whole. Wedding night. "Hmm?" 

Adam appeared in the doorway, unbuttoning his sherwani to reveal a plain white kameez. "The room is freezing. Are you hot?"

I don't know how my mind works, but sometimes I make jokes to make myself comfortable. "I am hot, but which way do you mean?" My eyes widened and I slapped a hand over my mouth. Ya Allah, I am not even shallow. Why did I say that?

"Well, obviously, I asked regarding the temperature... otherwise, I don't even need to ask that question when it comes to the other meaning. The answer is blatantly obvious." He stepped right up to me, his gaze fixed on my face.

"I don't... I don't think that I'm hot. I just..." My cheeks were on fire. What is wrong with me?

"I think you're hot." He shrugged. 

I opened my mouth, but no reply would come out. I was lost for words.

He set his sherwani down on a little soft-topped bench built in the centre of our walk-in wardrobe, then took my hands. "Before marriage, I never allowed lusty thoughts to corrupt my mind regarding you, but I've always found you beautiful, Arshiya. Now that it's halal, I can say that to you that I think that you're hot too." I think I blushed even more, because he leaned closer and whispered. "Are you uncomfortable with me admitting that?" 

I shook my head. 

"Arshiya, I'm going to be pretty bold and straightforward regarding my thoughts and feelings for you,  but I would never want to show you any disrespect, or to offend you in anyway. If you ever feel that I've said or done something that you're not okay with, let me know."

This time, I nodded, but I pursed my lips hesitatingly.

"You want to say something?"

I exhaled slowly. "I... I want to ask you something without offending you. I don't know how to ask."

"Just ask. Don't hesitate." His voice was gentle.

"Y-Your confidence." I swallowed hard. "Have you been in a serious relationship before? Or... any relationship?" He's going to get angry.

"No." He didn't hesitate, and he looked straight into my eyes. "I swear to you, Arshiya, you are my first and only romantic relationship. I'm not a womaniser, I've never even been on a date with anyone." 

"You are my first and only one too." I admitted. "Nabeel doesn't count, since that was arranged, and I barely even spoke to him."

He scoffed. "Of course he doesn't count. You're way out of his league... or even mine."

I blinked, surprised. "Why do you say that? That I'm out of your league?" 

He dropped one of my hand, and kept his grip on the other one as he led us into our bedroom. "We can't have a full conversation in the walk-in wardrobe, can we?" He helped me sit down on the bed and took a seat beside me. "You know the things I have done, Arshi, because you have witnessed them first hand. I may not have had another relationship before, but I'm not pure in one sense. I have blood on my hands."

I held his hand between both of mine. "None of us are pure of sins, Adam. Nobody." I placed a hand over his heart. "Call it an instinct, but I feel that you're a genuinely good person. None of the people you've killed are innocent. They've taken innocent lives, and the law let them get away with it. With their freedom, with their breathing, they must have certainly caused the families of their victims a lot of pain. Adam, I may be biased, but I think you're an amazing person, Ma Sha Allah. A hero, I can say."

He scoffed. "Hero is an overkill, sweetheart."

My heart skipped a beat at his use of that term of endearment. "You saved Baba. You saved me. You are a hero for me."

For a few seconds, he stared silently at me, an unreadable expression on his face. "Mohabbat karti ho mujhse?"

*"Do you love me?" 

"Yakeen nahin aaya abhi tak?" I teased, placing my fingers lightly over his stubbled cheek.

*"Don't you believe it yet?" 

"Sabit karo." He stood up and strode towards the walk-in wardrobe.

*"Prove it."

I stared after him, bewildered. "What?" 

He returned, holding a file. "Apni moun-dikhai qabool karlo."

*"Accept your moun-dikhai." 

A moun-dikhai is a present given to the bride by the groom, generally on the wedding night.

I blinked and took the file from him, opening it with an anxious heart. My eyes skimmed over the words and I looked at him in confusion. "What is this?" 

"This," He sat down once again. "Is the deed of the plot next to your bakery. I've bought it, and I'm giving it to you so that you can expand your bakery."

My jaw dropped open. I looked at the deed, then back at him in disbelief. "Adam! What?" 

"Mohabbat karti ho to sabit karo." He repeated his words.

"How is me accepting this proving my love for you?" 

"I know that you probably would find it hard to accept in normal circumstances, but I want you to do it for me. I want you to succeed, be independent and so strong that nothing or nobody can harm you." 

I looked down at the file again, and for the millionth time that night, a tear ran down my cheek. "I thought you made a vow to protect me anyway."

"I did, and I will stick to the vow for the duration of my life. But..." He sighed. "My life is dangerous, as you very well know. I have too many enemies and..."

"You..." I stood up, frustrated. "You have no idea to say such things to me tonight! Tonight is my wedding night, and I don't deserve to feel fear or anxiety!"

He stood up as well, and placed his hands on my shoulders. "Fine. Then accept it because your husband wants to see you succeed and grow."

"I'm angry." I moved away from him. 

"I'm sorry." He looked sheepish. "With hindsight, that was pretty stupid of me."

"Very stupid." I crossed my arms over my chest, glaring at him.

"I want to see you succeed. I want you to live out your dream, doing what you love. I want nothing but happiness for you, Arshiya Adam Awan."

"My happiness, my dreams, include you." I said. 

"Okay, and we will live those dreams together, In Sha Allah." He stepped towards me cautiously, holding up both hands. 

I grabbed his lapels, glaring up at him. "Mere shohar ke baare main dobara aisa bola to...."

*"If you speak like this about my husband again..."

"To?" He looked almost amused.

"Soch lain. Mrs Adam Ahmer Awan hoon. Khali dhamki nahin deti." I tilted my head back challengingly.

*"Think about it. I'm Mrs Adam Ahmer Awan. I don't give empty threats."

He leaned down. "Tonight is my wedding night, and I don't deserve to feel my wife's wrath."

I swear, I tried to keep the angry frown on his face, but his amused grin was so cute that I couldn't stop myself from smiling at his twist of my own words.

"Qabool Hai?" He asked, nodding at the file, now lying on the bed.

"Qabool Hai." I muttered. 

He stepped around and wrapped his arms around me from behind, leaning his chin on my shoulder. "Agar aapki ijazat ho to ab main sabit karloon apni mohabbat apni biwi ke liye?"

*"If I have your consent, can I now prove my love for my wife?"

Suddenly feeling the bridal shyness, I nodded. "Qabool Hai mujhe."

*

MATURE SCENES

I am not the right type for this dress! I blushed as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I wore a barely-knee length black silk nightdress with a deep V neckline and spaghetti sleeves. My damp hair cascaded down my back, finally free from the hairspray and pins. I raised my arms to check my underarms. Of course, they are smooth. The discreet ways the relatives of the bride ensures that they are prepared for the wedding night is almost embarrassing. 

I had chosen the best shower gel, the one with the best scent, but I still sprayed a dab of ittar on.

Before I could change my mind, I spun around and headed to the door. My hand rested on the door knob, pausing briefly, but I opened it before I could chicken out.

Adam had gone to shower in another bathroom, and thanks to his lack of hairspray and complicated hairstyle, as well as no makeup, he was already back in the room even though he had gone after me. He wore casual trousers and a plain black t-shirt as he lay on the bed, reading something on his iPad, with a serious look on his face.

I turned and began to rush back into the walk-in wardrobe before he could see me. I'm not confident enough for this! I look stupid.

"Told you that you're hot." 

I froze, breathing hard and fast. My hands curled into fists as I heard him get up and walk towards me. The next thing I knew, his strong hands were on my bare shoulders. He moved my hair aside a few seconds later, before leaning down to kiss my neck. One of his hands slid over my waist, pressing against my stomach. "You are confident, Adam. I'm not."

He gently turned me around to face him, but I dropped my gaze. Till some extent, I had been confident. But this was a completely new territory for me, and I was nervous. Scared? No, but anxious, definitely. I wasn't scared because I trusted him with my life. "Look at me, Arshiya."

I lifted my gaze, my cheeks turning warmer.

"Are you scared?" He asked, misreading my hesitation for something else, I suppose.

I shook my head in denial.

"Do you want to take the next step?" He asked directly. "Or do you want to wait?" 

What did I want? Well, within mere hours of my rukhsati, my husband had made me fall in love with him all over again. "I didn't wear this dress because I want to wait, Adam." I closed my eyes as I confessed.

He scooped me up suddenly in his arms, causing my eyes to open in surprise. He carried me to our bed and lay me down.

"God, these pillows are so soft..." I barely managed to mumble before his lips found mine.

We'd kissed on our mehndi, after Nikah, of course, but this kiss was something else. We were in our bedroom, in our home, apart to embark on our new life journey together. After falling in love, then worrying that we'd never be able to marry due to family concerns, we were finally together with my parents' blessings. 

I placed my hands on his cheeks, deepening the kiss. 

After a short while of making out, I reached towards his waist and tugged at his shirt. I slowly pushed it up his torso, until he pulled it off, tossing it somewhere in the vicinity of our bedroom. Our lips reunited in a pleasant, passionate kiss. Placing my hands on his bare chest, I pushed him back slightly, my gaze roaming appreciatively over his torso. "Aap mere hain. Sirf mere." I poked my finger lightly, but pointedly against his chest.

*"You're mine. Only mine."

He took the hand that I was pointing with and lifted it up to his mouth, before kissing my wrist. "I swear to you, my loyalty is only for you."

"I believe you." 

This time when he kissed me, the kiss was slower, but the passion was still present. 

"Protection?" I whispered. 

"Hell yes."

I giggled, as he moved away to get it. 

Soon, I was in his arms again, and we were one. 

We made love, completing the consummation of our marriage by fully entrusting ourselves to each other. 

For me, more than the passion or the desire, the night was an emphasis on how much we both completely trusted each other... trusted each other enough to be so vulnerable on such an intimate level.

Adam was probably not used to showing any sort of vulnerability, but today he had. He had made love to me, allowing himself to break down his walls and letting me see a gentler, more loving side of him; a side of Adam Ahmer Awan the nobody else got to see.

And me? In the secret thoughts of my mind, I'd often wondered if I would ever be able to let someone close enough to me, on such an intimate level. I'd even wondered in the past if my future husband would lose patience with me, since I'd be too awkward during our wedding night. And yet, it was no issue with Adam. I was in love with him, and I trusted him with my body, my heart, my mind and soul. Isn't that what true love was? To be able to trust someone with all of these?

I'm happy. I'm his. He's mine. 

*

My mehndi-covered hands playfully rested on his well-toned stomach. "The tough Mr Adam Ahmer Awan is being held hostage by an innocent new bride." I giggled softy.

He was asleep, and I had already showered and changed into a new outfit. 

I wonder if he's ticklish. A mischievous thought entered my mind, and I used a lock of my hair as a tester. A grin appeared on my face as I ran the tip of my hair over his torso, testing to see any ticklish part, the way a metal detector tracks metal. The moment I brushed it over his stomach, he jolted a little. Found it.

"What the...?" He mumbled, opening his eyes. "Arshi, what are you doing?" 

I blinked innocently at him. "Me? Nothing!" 

He looked towards the doors and windows. I'd pulled aside the curtains and bright daylight was streaming in. He glanced back at me. "What time is it?" 

"Just after nine." 

He got up from the bed, before turning to look at me. "You're up to something. I can see it in your eyes."

I simply smiled angelically at him. "Nothing you can prove."

A corner of his mouth lifted up in a smile and he trudged towards the en-suite.

"You're hot too, you know?" I spoke casually, standing up.

He turned to look at me. His trousers hung low on his waist, and he had (wisely) kept his shirt off. I swooned as I saw him like this in bright daylight. "Innocent new bride."  He chuckled, shaking his head.

My eyes widened. "You heard that?" 

He smirked, before turning again to head to the bathroom.

"Alhumdulillah, Mama mangayi theen." I glanced heavenwards. "Thank you, Allah."

*"Alhumdulillah, Mama agreed."

My eyes widened again, this time in excitement. Valima tonight! I was going to see my family again! "Adam, what am I wearing tonight?!" I called out. The Valima dress was from his side, according to Sasha.

"I don't mind what you wore last night. Anything similar would do..." 

"My red lehenga?" I was briefly confused, before I realise where his mind had gone. "Ya Allah, I meant for the Valima!"

"Oh, then definitely not what I was thinking."

I rolled my eyes, but was smiling simultaneously. Husbands!

*

This was a much awaited chapter for you guys, so I wrote a lengthy one.

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