Eid Mubarak guysss. May Allah accept all our sacrifices and bless the ummah in abundance Ameen.

Mahrukh and Saad were more closer than ever. Their loss was something that they bonded over. They missed the woman that they had lost and saw a bit of her in each other. They were the source of support in each others life. But it would be a lie to say that they had no one else. Aliya and Zain had been the front runners. Along with the family business Zain had taken over the responsibility of Saad's business too so that he could fully recover from the loss. When Saad had said he felt ashamed of the fact that Zain was fulfilling his responsibilities as well, Zain had said
"Beta bhi kehtay hain. Kaam bhi nahin karany detay,"
(You call me son and the don't even let me help you do your work)
and had proceeded to go into a rant of how it was his duty to take care of them and that Saad should not rob him of his right.

Aliya had become the second mother for Mahrukh. Eventhough from the day Mahrukh was born the two shared a mother daughter bond, in the past one month it had only become stronger. Aliya was now her confidant. She would spend most of her day around her, feeling happy whenever Aliya would love her like her mother did. What brought her to tears was that Aliya would feed her every meal with her own hands, regardless of what Hooriya and Zainab had to say. And they had a lot to say.

Amna had become her sheild from the taunts that Laraib threw her way. It did not sit right with Laraib that Mahrukh had once again gotten all the attention despite the fact that her wedding was on head. Laraib's refusal to be civil with her sister in laws was the cause of worry for Aliya. Her hair had begun to turn grey faster from the salt and pepper hair that she had sported for the past few years. The ache in her heart left by the death of Shifa and the outright rebellion of Laraib shattered her heart.

Hooriya and Zainab were civil with Mahrukh for the last time on the day of Shifa's funeral. Ever since then, they had begun to treat her like filth. They would sneer at her and mock her at the loss of her mother as if it was something she could control. Everytime, Mahrukh would take two steps forward from the grief towards happiness, Hooriya and Zainab would do something so disgraceful that she would be forced to go back into the shell of silence she had built around her.

"Zainab try to undertsand. Only three weeks have passed since the death of Shifa. We must think of Saad and Mahrukh. They are suffering. Atleast wait a few more months".
Aliya tried to explain to Zainab the gravity of the situation. Over the past few days, Hooriya and Zainab had been mercilessly trying to force her into doing the marriage of Laraib and Fahad on the date set by them during Shifa's life time.

"Jis ko jana tha woh tou chala gaya. Ab hum apni khushiyon ko kyun roken?"
(The one who had to go left. Because of them why should we put our happiness on hold?)
Hooriya threw an insensitive remark.
"Hooriya stay out of this", Aliya said, on the brim of losing her patience.
"Why would she stay out of this? She is like a sister to me. This marriage will happen on the set date. Or will not happen at all!"
Zainab said with a tone as bitter as a bitter gourd. Aliya stared at the two dumbfounded but before she could speak, Laraib who had overheard the conversation decided to step in
"Mama let the marriage happen on the set date. If Mahrukh is that traumatised then she can just not attend my wedding".
Aliya was baffled at all these comments and walked out of there saying one sentence.
"If everything is decided do not expect me to take part in anything. I am not in favour of this marriage as it is".
Laraib in the happiness of her marriage did notice the tear that fell from her mother's eyes.

An emotional Aliya, entered Mahrukh and Zain's bedroom. Mahrukh, who had been feeling sick was sleeping, whilst Zain worked on his laptop. Seeing his mother cry, Zain walked to her and engulfed her in a hug.
"Mama what happened?"
Aliya who had been holding all emotions in, finally broke down.
"I have lost my best friend three weeks ago. My daughter wants to get married to a man next week. She will not listen to me saying to postpone the wedding. On top of that the man she is marrying, I do not approve off," she tried to clench her sobs so as to not wake up her beloved daughter in law, as Mahrukh had been having trouble sleeping since her mother died.
"Mama do not worry. Mahrukh is trying to move past this trauma and so is Saad chachu. If anything this wedding might just be what they nedd. And I agree with you, Fahad and Laraib do not make the perfect couple but as long as she is happy. What can we do?"
Aliya nodded and walked to Mahrukh's side of the bed.

She ran her hands through her hair, caressing it. Mahrukh, deep in her sleep felt the motherly love and woke up abruptly shouting
"Mama!"
But looking around she saw a teary eyed Aliya and a sad looking Zain. She placed her hands gently on her mother in law's cheeks.
"Mama why are you crying?"
Aliya grabbed her hand,that rested on her cheek, in hers. She told her everything that had happened and looked at Mahrukh as if she was the one who had done her wrong. Mahrukh looked at Aliya and passed her a smile.
"Mama why are you taking tension? I will fully participate in this wedding. And so will Baba. We know mama would have wanted for us to move on. Do not worry".
Mahrukh's words calmed her heart a bit but the fact remained.

Aliya did not want Laraib and Fahad to get married.

○~○

The next few days passed by in a blur. Everyone rushed around to get the things prepared for the wedding. A small mehndi had been planned on the day of the Nikkah and the next evening would be the walima. This was Aliya's request. She did not want anything extravagant and seeing as Zainab was not so keen on spending a lot on decorations, the matter was unanimously agreed upon.

By the time the weddig arrived, the house had been decorated minimally. But not less than the decoration done at Zain's or Akbar's weddings. Pink fairy lights covered the foliage. The foyer had a backdrop made of roses installed for people to take pictures in front of. Inside the living room, all furniture had been removed. Instead thick floor pillows were littered around and a swing had been installed for the bride and groom. The sides of the swing covered in yellow and orange marigolds. The home was truly a magical sight.

Hooriya and Zainab rejoiced over the fact that their plan was going to be successful soon. They had decided to dress over the top for their success demanded it. The two wore matching velvet outfits full of heavy mirror work, the likes of which you would see perhaps a pashtun woman wearing. Their heads pulled back into sleek buns with a gajra wrapped around it. The heavy eye liner and dark lipstick shade made them look nothing like Ursula.

Aliya wore a peach chiffon dress. It had heavy embroidery and little rhinestones that twinkeled any time light fell on them. Her hair in a lose fishtail and makeup flawless. Akbar when he had first seen his mother dressed up for the event had cheekily remarked
"Baba keep an eye at mama. Aaj un keh rishtay na aajain"
(Today proposals for her might come).
Which had earned him a smack to the head from his father and a fit of giggles from his mother who blushed like a shy bride.

Mahrukh had also decided to keep ot simple. She wore a yello chiffon shirt that had white embroidery all over it and with it a white fitted trouser with embroidery. Her hair was pin straight. The barely there but still there make up look, made her look etheral.

Zain had lost his cool when he first saw his wife. She looked like an angel. The radiance that came off of her, was unlike anything he had seen before. He had seen her dressed up like this after such a long time that his heart couldn't help but miss a beat. He knew she was stressed from all the verbal bullying from Laraib and couldn't help but utter

مت ملا کر اداس لوگوں سے
حسن تیرا بکھر نہ جائے کہیں
(Do not meet people that make you sad
For the might ruin your beauty)

His words had Mahrukh blushing. The ghazal had been her favourite to study during school. Seeing her lowered gaze he moved closer to her and placed his lips on top of hers. The kiss had lasted for a few minutes. The time was full of bliss for them. Zain, breaking this kiss looked into her eyes muttering
"Your beauty will take my life one day". The passion in his voice so strong that Mahrukh felt herself shudder.

○~○

The wedding had been done. Two days had passed since the reception. Everyone had moved on with their lives. Aliya had been disappointed in her daughter. On the day of the reception, when Mahrukh had come to meet her, Laraib had treated her with such rudeness that Aliya wanted to slap her then and there.

Life was gradually getting back to how it used to be. Everyone was thriving in their personal lives. Saad had finally had his big break, and was finally on to making a name for himself. Akram had been so proud of his younger brother that he had thrown a lavish party.

Now they sat at the dinner table. Aliya feeding Mahrukh bites and occasionally was being fed by Mahrukh. Zain had a glum expression seeing his mother and wife so close. Same was the case with Akram. The father son duo suffered a lot at the hands of their wives. But they also adored the bond they shared. Aliya was a mother to both her daughter in laws. And her daughter in laws wwre best friends. Akram and his family were living their best lives.

Suddenly, Akbar coughed a little. Gaining the attention of everyone, which had been the goal.
"Everyone, Amna and I would like  to say something."
Eventhough, all of them understood what was coming their way, they decided to wait patiently. Amna squeezed Akbar's hand who continued after looking into her eyes.
"Amna is pregnant. We are becoming parents. Alhamdulilah ".
The news brought a large smile on to everyones faces as they congratulated her. Kissing her cheeks. Mahrukh and Amna along with Aliya, already began to make an elaborate plan for the bridal shower.

Hooriya couldn't belive it. She was jealous. Aliya would have a grand child before her. She was furious. Amal had alwast brushed away the topic saying that she did not feel the need to have one just yet. Hooriya stared at her own daughter in law with posionous eyes who returned the favour.

Maybe some people would never learn that not all things are a competion.

○~○