The holy month was finally here. The mood inside the house had been significantly lifted since Zain and Mahrukh's engagement. The Islambad sky was full of puffy white clouds a contrast against the bright blue hue. The sun high in the sky with it's rays reaching the surface of the Earth with full force. Trees small and short alike moved with the dull air. The atmosphere since the start of Ramadan, had been full with the spirit of love and compassion. Everyday brought with it blessings and new beginnings. But most importantly every day that passes brought the Zain and Mahrukh closer to their date of marriage.

Everyone was sleeping inside their rooms. Unlike most people who would stay up until the time of Sehri (meal taken before sunrise) the family had a tradition of sleeping and then waking up. Since no one really felt like having dinner after Iftar (meal taken before sunset) the family would sleep after the men returned from taraweeh (special prayers offered during Ramadan). The ladies would wake up an hour before to prepare the meal before heading out to wake up the men. And although most women would object over the fact that men got to sleep in and not help, the women of the Butt family felt proud for working for their husbands who worked all day even while they were observing fast.

Just like any other day, Mahrukh was woken up by her mother who gave her a silent signal to follow her downstairs and help with the Sehri. The young girl just nodded her head and grabbed a scarf to wrap around herself. Rushing down the stairs taking two at a time, she entered the kitchen with full enthusiasm. Grabbing a few eggs, she cracked them open in a bowl and added a few spices as well as a little amount of spring onions and bell peppers. In another pan she heated thinly sliced turkey meat before eventually bringing it all together in a giant sandwich. Adding some mayonnaise and bbq sauce for extra flavour. She made two more of the same sandwiches, and then her mother gave her the duty of making frehly squeezed apple juice. Adding the sliced apple into the juicer Mahrukh made a huge jug of apple juice and added a dozen ice cubes and placed it into the fridge.
"Mahrukh be a darling and please go wake up Zain,"
Aliya asked her daughter in law to be only to see her cheeks covered in red. Shyly nodding her head Mahrukh went up the stairs and knocked on his door.
"Z-Zain b- mera matlab Zain wake up. Its time for Sehri,"
(Zain b- I mean Zain)
she said and only left when he gave her a reply. Then running to her father's room she shook him hard.
"BABA uthain Sehri ka time nikal gaya,"
(Baba wakeup the time for Sehri has gone)
she spoke with a grin on her face. Saad woke up and looked around franticly and calmed visibly seeing the clock.
"Badmash,"
(Naughty)
he slapped her on her head before going inside his washroom. Mahrukh went downstairs and helped set the table.

When finally everyone had sat down on the table, the family began eating silently. Clearly no one liked being spoken to whilst they were doing their Sehri. Akbar continuously annoyed Mahrukh by calling her and asking her to do something in a sickly sweet tone.
"Are bahbi give me water,"
(Oh Bhabhi) 
"Bhabhi please pass me the sandwich,"
"Bhabhi--"  having lost her patience Mahrukh spoke
"Akbar bhai please ask your wife!"
Little did she know that sentence would ruin her life. For the next time Zain asked his mother  for something Akbar spoke in a cheery voice
"Zain bhai please ask your wife!"
This caused Zain to cough and Mahrukh to blush. Aliya slapped Akbar on the head and said
"Stop making fun of my daughter!" Acting like he had been stabbed he grabbed his chest in a painful manner before shrieking
"Betrayal!"
Causing all to chuckle at his antics.

○~○

The next day, all the men left their home silently as the women slept. They would as usual wake up pray Zuhur and then sleep till Asr again. It was a routine not a great one but it is what it is. In the scorching heat, water from the body evaporated at a fast rate causing the men to feel dehydrated halfway into their working day. Zain and Akbar had sent their father and uncle home early and remained in the office until thirty minutes before Maghrib. They were in and out of meetings all day long causing them to feel dead tired. As soon as tge meeting ended, Zain forced Akbar to leave early. Heading out together, Zain sat in the driver seat and drove to the shopping centre. He wanted to gift Mahrukh and outfit for Eid. And had brought Akbar with him to give advice. They had walked nearly the entire center before Zain found something that would look absolutely perfect on his Mahrukh. Instantly purchasing it, the duo headed to their home as the time of iftar was approaching.

Meanwhile at the villa, the women had woken up at Asr and since then were busy preparing an array of food for iftar. The samosas and pakoras were a constant. Deciding on making some  aloo chanay (potatoes and chickpeas) as well as french fries. To add some freshness to the table they made watermelon juice and fruit chaat. Mahrukh felt her stomach rumbling and couldn't wait for the siren to ring.

Mahrukh was going to her room to grab her phone when Akbar called her
"Mahrukh,"
walking to him he further spoke
"Go to the lawn. Zain bhai is calling you,"
nodding her head she briskly walked to their back yard. There standing under a tree was Zain. He looked like royalty in his shalwar kameez. Seeing Mahrukh he straightened and went upto her.
"Assalamualikum".
"Walakiumsalam,"
said Mahrukh lowering her gaze. Zain smiled at his shy bride and spoke in low whisper that made his voice appear huskier than it normally is
"When you blush you look like a rose. You have made me mad in your love. Mahi. Your smile is something I crave and I can not wait to make you mine,"
the rawness inside his voice had the young girl looking like a deer caught in headlights. He kissed her cheeks so fast that it felt like she had imagined it. Handing her a gift bag he spoke before leaving
"Wear it on Eid".
Mahrukh was left a blubbering fool unable to even say a thank you as she tried to control her breath. Her gaze ran the skies and seeing the birds fly in flocks to their homes she realised Maghrib was approaching.

○~○

The month of Ramadan had passed in a flash. No one had even felt it go by. The last few days the women had been rushing to their tailors for last minute fits. Mahrukh had already bought all her dresses for Eid and her Nikkah which was on the second day of Eid. The burning sun and its rays said nothing to the women who were out on a mission. Which was to buy Mahrukh's nikkah jewelry.  Aliya and Shifa had asked Mahrukh to join them and now they were sitting in a jewelry showroom looking at all the exquisite sets. Each one had a more intricate pattern the next making it a hard decision. After what felt like the toughest decision they decided to buy a traditional gold set. With a nose pin that had a clip attached as Mahrukh refused to get her nose pierced. Exiting the shop with their set in hand they walked to the car, where the driver was already waiting and headed in the direction of their home.

Since today could potentially be the last day of Ramadan the iftar was prepared lavishly. From roasted chicken, french fries, dahi bharay, fried chicken, honey glazed wings as well as watermelon juice the table was fit for royalty. The family sat together after iftar infront of the television waiting for the news of the moon sighting. Whilst they were waiting the youngsters decided to play Ludo. Which as usual ended up with Mahrukh and Akbar fighting as Akbar was cheating. And like ususal Mahrukh turned to Zain for help without realising what she said.
"Zain apne bhai ko samjhein!"
(Zain make your brother understand)
seeing everyone chuckle around her she did not understand anything. That is until Akbar spoke
"Hmmm Zainnnn".
Mahrukh blushed, seemed like she had been doing that a lot, while Aliya blesses the two from far away.

As the hands of the clock gently moved everyone lost all hopes of tomorrow being Eid. But like a ray of sunshine in the dark, suddenly all media channels began to air the news that Eid was infact tomorrow as the moon had been sighted. Since that meant the Nikkah was in two days, the elders urged Mahrukh, Amna, Laraib, Akbar and Zain to go to the street bazaars and get henna done. Amal also decided to join them.

The drive to the street shops was only five minutes but due to the heavy traffic it took them thrity minutes. As soon as they reached, all of them first decided to eat something. Deciding on having some egg sandwich with a freezing cold coca cola, they forced Akbar to pay who always tried to save himself. Alas in the end he had to pay claiming that he did it "in the happiness of his brothers wedding". Everyone laughed at his dramatic remakerks and walked ahead. They mutually decided to shop first and then get the henna as that way they would not be at risk of staining anything.

Since the girls had everything, they just decided to visit vendors that were selling bangles. In the lights they bangles were gleaming and glittering attracting the passerbys to them. Mahrukh, being picky with the choice of her bangels had a tough time deciding. Since her oufit was white and gold she decided to buy a set of golden bangels. They had thin pastel bangels with big eye catching kadas (bangles) in between them. Buying the outrageously overpriced bangles that were the most beautiful in the market she felt happy. They had been bought for her by Akbar increasing the sentiment behind them.

Stopping at a crowded stall where one of the most experienced henna artist was sat, they waited for almost an hour for their turn. Sitting in the seat Mahrukh placed her hands on the ivory sheet that was stained orange. Describing to the artist what she wanted, Akbar decided to speak
"Ma'am her nikkah is in two days. Do something elegant ".
Nodding her head the woman started her work. Drawing a circle in the centre she worked her way from there. The design began almost halfway below her elbow. It was an intricate design with the letter 'Z' hid in it after Akbar had insisted and bugged the woman.

The party returned at almost 1 am. As they were heading to their rooms, Zain grabbed her by the elbow and spoke
"Today is Eid. Eid Mubarak. Can not wait for tomorrow when you are mine and I am yours".

○~○