J A S M I N E scented candles brightly lit up the tiny space. Their aroma wafting through the lounge. All eyes were full of happiness. The radiant glow everlasting. The wind chimed into the living room, the open windows allowing the breeze to flow. Giving a glimpse of the tall Margala hill mountains.

All head were bowed down. Eyes full of tears as the maulvi read out loud a sermon on marriage. And rights of man on his wife and vice versa. The minds of everyone present at peace, the loud aayats that boomed through provided enough comfort.

Mustafa and Hoor stood behind Raees. Looking as royal as ever. Today was Raees's Nikkah. And they had all arrived last night to Islamabad. Ready to have the young man married to the woman who had him whipped. Mustafa wore a white boski shalwar kameez. Wearing a golden waist coat on top. His feet clad in the traditional footwear.

Meanwhile, Hoor looked as if she had steeped off of heaven itself. Her white chiffon shirt was knee length, having a boat neckline that was not too deep. The shirt was covered in golden embellishments. With green, pink, reds and oranges bringing the pop of colour. The sleeves were fitted, and at the cuff was a green velvet lace. The bottoms were a sharara and had little circles of sequins on it. The end of it, flowing and designed exactly like the ghayra of her shirt. The duppata was made of organza. With the ends dyed a shocking pink. Not too bright to dig at your eyes though. Her hair was pulled back into a sleek bun. Her head sporting a jhumar and her neck a beautiful choker. Given to her by Alia, as a gift. After she was the bari bhabhi and it was a tradition.

Raees, was wearing a white shawlar kameez with a floral prince coat on top. His hands holding a light pink shawl. The smile on his face not leaving him as he awaited the arrival of his future bride. He thanked his lucky stars that someone had told his mother of this potential rishta.

Rania Ali, was the daughter of a wealthy businessman. And the first born child of the family. Her raven locks and grey eyes, proving her heritage. He had been wooed by her the first time they met. She had shouted at him for his arrogance. And boy that had him falling like a slippery fork falls from a hand.

He was goner when she gave him a full blown smile for the first time. Reason? Her cousin whom she loved more like a sister. He had jokes around with Hoor Zayyad. Not minding her slow replies. He had not treated her like an alien, thanks to her social awkwardness. In fact, Raees had laughed like a mad man when he realised that the two people that were close to him, both absolutely adored women named Hoor.

Mustafa adored his wife, Hoor and his wife adored her cousin Hoor. It was a comedy of affairs. A welcome one at that.

As they brought out Rania, Raees seemed to be at loss of breath. Rania was led into the room by her mother and father. Wearing the most beautiful peach coloured anarkali. Looking nothing short of ethereal. Tears pricked his eyes, as a string of MashAllah's left his mouth.

"Raees mun band karo. Abhi qabool hai kehnay ka waqt nahi aya!" Mustafa reprimanded.
Reminding Raees of the setting. They were all -with the exception of Mustafa- sitting on floor cushions. A flower curtain separating him from his wife. It was held by Rania's tayima Zoya Zayyad and her daughter, Hoor.

"Raees Sajid, wald Sajid khan kia ap ko Rania binte Ali sai haq meher 3 lakh, siqa raji-ul-waqt mein qabool hain?"
"Ji qabool hain," Raees's reply almost immediate.
He replied twice more, before the qazi asked Rania the same. Hearing her quivering voice, Raees's heart shook. It made him feel tremors. Now a woman was his responsibility. He was the one on whom she depended now. And he could only hope that he would be able to fulfil this responsibility.

After the curtain was dropped, the newly wed couple was left to their own devices, meanwhile the rest moved to the large lawn to have the dinner. It was a beautiful setting. The Ahmed's had surely gone all out on the first wedding of the family.

"Assalamualikum Zoya aunty," Hoor greeted Zoya.
Finally finding her standing free.
"Waalikumassalam meri shehzadi. Kaisi ho?" Zoya kissed her cheeks.
Hugging her tightly. Hoor had met Zoya a handful of times and yet the love that she showered upon her each time made her feel nothing short of motherly love.
"Idhr aao mein tumhein kisi sai milwaun," she dragged her.
For a woman in her fifties, Hoor could not help but admire the active life she led. Zoya dragged her to a young woman, feeding a ten year old boy. Who was throwing tantrums every now and then.

"Mahrukh beta?" She patted her shoulders.
"Ji aunty?" She turned almost immediately.
"Meet Hoor. Yeh Raees ki barhi bhabhi hain," after the introduction, Zoya excused herself.

Hoor and Mahrukh clicked instantly. Talking about their husbands and Mahrukh's children. Her ten year old son Arsalan was an absolute sweetheart. Making Hoor swoon at his antics.

"Hoor beta?" Alia interrupted their conversation.
"Ji ma?" She inquired.
"Beta jao ja kar khana kaho. Aur apnay shohar ko bhi do. Allah janta hai tumharay sai pehlay uska guzara kaisay hota tha!" Hoor giggled.
Excusing herself she made way to the large buffet. Putting a little of everything in her plate. Making way to her husband.

Mustafa smiled with relief on seeing the arrival of his wife. He was starving, but could not wheel himself around. He had been threatened to not ruin the cuffs of his shirt. And the many efforts of the bride's family to persuade him to eat with the bride and groom had failed. He wanted her best friend to have his privacy.

"Aajain Musi. Khana khain," Hoor smiled as she took a seat next to him. Placing the plate on the round table, she poured in their preferred soft drinks. Making small morsels feeding herself and Mustafa at the same time. The spices making their tounges explode with flavour at every bite.

The rest of the evening was spent in lively chatter. With everyone teasing the newly weds. Everyone except Raees had returned to the hotel. Rania wanted to stay one more day at her parents and so her already latoo husband wanted to stay with her.

Hoor sighed. Finally getting in bed after her prayers. She smiled at Mustafa, before helping him sit upright in bed. Placing her head on his chest she breathed slowly. Allowing him to run his hands freely through her thick hair. It made Hoor feel sleepy. Which was how she felt most of the times.

"Hoor?" Mustafa spoke silently, as if trying to ensure she had not fallen asleep.
"Hmmm," she hummed.
"Shukriya!" His emotional voice sounded through the silent room.
"Kis liye?" Hoor smiled.
"For struggling. For giving me the happy news of me  becoming a father after nine months. Mujh sai mohabbat karne keh liye. Meri zindagi mein roshni ban kar anay keh liye!" He looked at her.

After struggling for a year, the two had finally had a successful IVF. Thankfully, the accident had not damaged his testicles. Giving him the full ability to father children. It was a hit and trail. For them to finally have a successful fertilisation and implantation. And last week, they had succeeded. Both he and his wife were over the moon when they found out. They were finally getting the greatest blessing of Allah.

"Shukriya Mustafa. Meri zindagi mein rang lanay keh liye. Mujhe sai mohabbat karne keh liye. Mujhe apnanay keh liye. Par khaas tour par, mujh par bharosa karne keh liye!" She kissed him.
The passion and love nothing hidden. Hoor smiled in the kiss. She was living a life of total bliss. And all thanks were for Allah. The Merciful.

"And which of your Lord's favours will you deny?"

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~ Fin~

ITS OVER!!!! AHHHHHHHHH

IM IN TEARSSS

I LOVE MUSI AND HOOR.
EPILOGUE OUT TOMORROW ♡