The rain subsided in the early hours of the morning. The sun was finally out. The cold wind and sunny sky made up for the perfect weather. The curtains moved ever so slowly with the winds and sunshine fell inside the room. Outside, the birds were chirping and hopping around. The bouquets of flowers that were hung around the room, moved and their delicious scents diffused into the room. Love was indefinitely in the air. The atomsophere was very romantic. Downstairs, Shifa and Aliya were busy in preparing a heavy desi nashta. They had prepared halva puri, chanay, qatlama and some sawiyan. The aroma of the sweet foods clouded the senses.

Inside the room of the newlyweds, the couple was still sleeping. Light from the sun was falling on their faces causing them to stir in their sleep. Mahrukh, turned around in her sleep, nuzzling her face deeper into Zain's chest in order to prevent the light from falling into her eyes. But the damage was done. Her sleep was ruined. Sighing she lifted herself on her arms, still encased in between her husband's arms. She looked at his face. The perfectly trimmed beard and full pink lips were the most amazing sight. His eyelashes lay parallel to his high cheekbones and his silky black hair lay limp on the silky beige pillow. Kissing his broad chest, she untangled their legs as gently as possible before unwrapping his arms. She then ran into the bathroom to shower.

The warm water helped her loosen the knots in her shoulders. Remembering the events of the last night, Mahrukh smiled to herself, her cheeks turning red. Using the loofah she covered her body in the vanilla scented bodywash and peach scented shampoo. Mahrukh then wrapped herself in a huge giant fluffy white towel and grabbed her moisturiser. Softly lathering it on her skin Mahrukh entered the giant closet.

The huge closet had two sides. One held all kinds of formal suits and casual mens wear. With one closet dedicated to shoes. The other side held Mahrukh's stuff. All her clothes were hung by order of colour. And like Zain's side one of her closet spaces was dedicated to shoes aswell. In the middle of her side was a huge vanity. With makeup on display and lightbulbs surrounding the mirror for better lighting when getting ready. In the middle of the entire closet was a marble island that held their perfume collections and under it were two benches that could be used while wearing shoes.

Mahrukh, knowing that it was the first day of her marriage, opted for a full fancy outfit. The shirt reached her knees and was the shade of a lightly whisked coffee, that slight golden colour. The chiffon shirt had a maroon coloured neck as well as cuffs of the sleeves. The entire shirt had gota work on it. The trousers were plain maroon with the same gota work as the sleeves on the ends of it. The duppata was maroon made out of chiffon with golden gota lace on all four corners. Mahrukh blowdried her hair and put jhumkas in her ears. Walking out of the closet she looked at the time. Seeing that it was already ten am she decided to wake Zain up.

Shaking Zain by his shoulders Mahrukh gently spoke
"Zain uth jain,"
(Zain wake up)
when there was a sudden knock on the door. Mahrukh got up from the bed and was about to walk off to the door when she was pulled by her arm only to fall on Zain's chest as the banging continued.
"Let them knock. I deserve to spend time with you".
Mahrukh rolled her eyes
"Zain leave my hand,"
smiling he replied
"Haath chodney keh liye thodi na pakda tha,"
(I didn't grab your hand to let go of it)
the deep passion in his voice made her feel all kinds of things. Kissing his cheek, Zain was stunned. The shock had made him loosen his grip and she ran to the door. Once she opened the door she saw her mother in law.
"Mahrukh you are up?"
Mahrukh nodded her head. Aliya gave a kiss on her forehead before speaking
"Wake up your good for nothing husband and come for breakfast. Waisay MashAllah you look beautiful,"
(By the way)
smiling Mahrukh thanked her while Zain huffed before shouting
"Utha hi huwa tha".
(I was awake)
Aliya laughed and left the duo to do their own thing.

Zain took a fast shower during that time Mahrukh made their bed and stored her jewelry away. Coming out Zain was wearing a black formal dress shirt with black slack and dress shoes. The shirt highlighted the tautness of his muscles causing Mahrukh to blush. Zain walked to her with a velvet box.
"Your mundikhai,"
(Gift the groom gives to his bride when he sees her for the first time after she is brought to his home)
thanking him she opened the box to see a set of diamond kadas. Mahrukh smiled brightly
"I love these".
Zain looked at her with a smug face
"I just know your choice so well".

By the time Zain and Mahrukh made it to the dining room everyone was already sitting waiting for them. Seeing the table richly laden with food Mahrukh's stomach grumbled resulting in everyone laughing. Zain sat in his usual place while Mahrukh, out of habit went to sit next to her mother but was stopped by Akbar who spoke more like shouted
"Oh bhabhi sit with Zain na,"
seeing her mother nod as well, Mahrukh sat next to him and shyly began to fill her plate with the scrumptious looking halva that was making her mout water already. Zain poured her some water asking her to drink it first.
"Arey kaisa majnu bana diya hai isko? Kitni mohabat sai tumhari khidmat kar raha hai".
(What kind of a lover have you made him into? Look with how much love he is serving you)
Hooriya spoke but more like taunted. Mahrukh understood the bitterness behind her tone but her father in law, Akram took her side
"Hooriya bhabhi you can also have Ajmal do your jobs,"
the remark was a slap to her face. Mahrukh felt pride that she was related to such amazing people. Zain did not pay any attention to the remark and just kept on munching. Everyone made small talk when Akbar decided to intervene.
"Zain bhai why don't you feed our new bhabhi?"
Zain looked straight into his eyes and grabbed a morsel of food in his hands
"Seems like a good idea. Mahrukh open your mouth,"
obediently she opened her mouth and Zain fed it to her.
"Aur kuch?"
(Anything else)
Zain asked Akbar who looked down at his plate knowing his elder brother was challenging him.

After breakfast, all of them sat in the living room to have tea. Mahrukh made a cup of tea and gave it to Zain. As she was giving it to him, her bangles struck with the china ware making a clanking sound. Everyone's attention was immediately directed towards her wrists. The sun shone on them causing the diamonds to glimmer more. Shifa was the first one to speak
"Mahrukh these bangles. Where did you get them from?"
Mahrukh sat next to her mother and proceeded to say
"Zain gave it for mundikhai". Shifa praised Zain on his exquisite choice who replied
"Amma after all I like your daughter. Choice tou exquisite honi hi thi na"
(My choice was supposed to be exquisite)
which resulted in a slap on his head from Shifa who was laughing and praising him. Thanking Allah in her heart for giving her daughter such a good husband. Aliya decided to comment
"Hmm Zain really loves her. Mehndi ka rang you dekho. Itna garha hai keh bilkul maroon"
hence causing her (Mahrukh) to blush.
(

The colour of the mehndi is so dark that it is maroon)

It was late in the afternoon. Zain was given his formal suit. It was a custom dark blue pant suit. He wore a maroon tie with a maroon pocket square. He had been kicked out of his room

Mahrukh wore a huge floor length lehnga with a train. The top was made of silk and chiffon. The part till her mid rift was made of silk with heavy embellishments from there it was a chiffon material with the same designs. The heavy work was done with ivory metallic thread and rhinestones. Underneath was a lehnga with the exactly same design. In her ears were heavy silver earrings and a diamond choker studded with emralds. This jewelry was gifted to her by Akbar. Her dupatta was white with pink and silver detailing. Her hair pulled in a sleek bun. If her look for the day could be described in one word would be ethereal.

The room's door was unlocked. Mahrukh stepped outside the room and walked downstairs where her groom was waiting for her. Zain felt his breath stuck inside his throat. Walking upto her, he held out his hand and kissed her knuckes.
"MashAllah. The world has never seen such a beautiful bride".

Mahrukh blushed at him and the duo headed to the backyard where the walima was.

The lawn was decorated with white pillars and white and pink hydrangeas. The stage had a backdrop heavily decorated with flowers. The ivory, pink and white design of the event made it look lovely. On top of that the shining sun was the cherry on top. Mahrukh and Zain sat together on the stage. There was a constant line of relatived walking up to them and wishing them congratulations. The biryani and barbecue was finger licking good. And Mahrukh regretted not being able to eat till her hearts content.

By the time the function had ended, Mahrukh's back was hurting carrying the heavy dress. Entering her new room, she immediately took off her makeup and jewelry before showering and changing into a black shalwar kameez. She wrapped a brown shawl around her shoulders and entered the room only to see Zain with a tray of food.
"I could see the longing in your eyes for the barbecue. So I had abu save some. Come on lets eat".
Mahrukh all but ran to him and on his insistence fed him a few bites. After that Zain took over and started to feed her.

The two remained seated on the sofa for a long time. Talking about their goals and plans for the future. And as the duo feel deep into passion and joined to become one, the moon became shy and hid behind the clouds.

Shifa was sitting with Saad talking to him about the wedding.
"We are lucky. That Mahrukh got someone like Zain".
Shifa spoke in a heavy voice. Saad immediately contradicted the statement and gave his two cents
"No. It is the other way round".
And so they talked and talked when suddenly Shifa became serious.
"Even if something happens to me now.. our daughter will have someone to look after her".
Saad was stunned and hushed her
"And what about me? Don't be so selfish Shifa. Nothing will happen to you InshAllah,"
wrapping her in his arms the two feel asleep. But there was some dread that lingered in Saad's mind.

The next morning, when Mahrukh woke up, Zain was not present in his place was a note that said he had gone to the visa office as they would be leaving for their honeymoon in a few days.

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