HAYAT POV:
The two nights before the nikkah, Ashar and I enjoyed our night out, with him getting me gifts, irritating me, and us talking about Eira...
We got emotional at some point but he being my elder brother handled me, he said "I did lose my baby sister but Allah did send another one for me to take care of, and you my beloved little sister, Miss Hayat, are too precious to me, you and bhai, both are my heart. Yeah, I know we have known each other for not a long time but there's still a connection between us. My Miss Hayat do take care of my brother, he tries to look serious all the time but he's a cutie from the heart and if he bothers you, then let me know, and I'll teach him a lesson."
I, on the other hand, never thought that Ashar would be this concerned for me. He does annoy me a lot, but he does love me too just like I do too...
We played a lot of games and went to dine out as both of us are bad at cooking.
Tonight, is the last night for me to be a single little girl, from tomorrow onwards after my QUBOOL HAI, everything will change, hopefully in a better way...
Turning sides for an hour now, I feel restless, I'm too nervous because no one from my actual family called me to know about my marriage.
My father didn't call or come here to do any drama. Another thing that has been on my mind for a lot of days is, whether will Ahad be happy with me. Am I going to regret it? Am I destroying his life? Will he be able to hold my hand when everyone disgraced me for me marrying him without taking my father's blessings?
Everything has been so messed up right now that I don't know if I'm emotional, nervous, anxious, or what. It's too overwhelming for me.
A sudden vibration from my phone brought me back from the overflowing thoughts...
"QUBOOL HAI HUM APKO? (DO YOU ACCEPT ME?)" a simple question, just four words, yet it felt like a profound one. The kind of question that stirred something deep within me. A lump formed in my throat, but I steadied myself, took a deep breath, and with a confident smile, I replied, "JEE, QUBOOL HAI. (Yes, I Do)" As I sent the message, I couldn't help but notice the smile spreading across my face, and my cheeks hurt from it.
Wearing my white abaya that had a little bit of pearl work done on it, a pure abaya it was, no tight stitches were done, it was done as per my request, I was ready, ready for the nikkah...
The nikkah will be happening on our lawn with him on the other side, sitting with his family and friends. On my side, it would be just Uncle Auntie...
Yes, my family won't join in such a big event, and I am not even sad, I'm happy with just Uncle and Auntie being on my side...
Auntie came to my room with someone trailing behind her who I didn't expect to see here...
Sana...
My step-sister...
She's here...
It means my whole family is here too...tears were forming in my eyes as I saw her coming towards me, hugging me tightly, "I'm sorry appi (sister) I couldn't be here for you the time you needed me the most" Sana said as she broke the hug, wiping her tears, I tried to calm her down a bit.
"I'm happy that you are here, are others downstairs too?" I wanted to know about them, as I asked desperately, I wanted to forgive them and have a really beautiful relationship again.
She shook her head and looked down, as Auntie came forward and pecked my forehead, Uncle too came inside and I could see visible tears in his eyes.
He smiled and came towards me, "My little warrior is now a big girl, she is getting married, and she would leave her uncle auntie alone" Uncle was on the verge of breaking down when I hugged him and said, "I will always be your little warrior, your daughter will never forget you, Uncle, never."
Those were just not some comforting words but the truth and a promise I made to myself.
We soon entered the lawn, I couldn't see Ahad as there was a huge flower wall between us, with white seen-through net curtains.
I sat down and suddenly felt a tap on my shoulder. Looking back, I found Ashar on my side. My eyes widened, and before I could speak, he softly replied, "Miss Hayat, you are my girlfriend. I need to be here before being there for my brother, who is less important to me."
I had tears in my eyes, and I couldn't speak, not even a word.
I have my friend and my sister here with me...
The pure bond of nikkah will make both of us bound to be together forever. Trust, loyalty, love, and care are what we are responsible for giving each other...
The imam sat in between both of us, calm demeanor, he began to recite the words of the nikkah.
"Do you Hayat Ali, take Ahad Mir son of Mir Sammad as your husband?" The Imam asked, waiting for my answer.
Mt throat was dried up, I couldn't speak a word, composing myself, gulping down the saliva. I took a deep breath and whispered "QUBOOL HAI" three times, as asked...
The time when I needed to sign the nikkah papers, I couldn't do it, my hands were shaking, and I was shivering, I wanted the blessing of my father too but he never cared about me, I had a grandmother who could have patted my head and encouraged me, I had a stepmother who could have been here but I'm all alone, with just my uncle auntie and Sana with me.
I was trembling, I looked up at Ashar and my uncle, and then down at the paper when I felt the seat next to me dip down, and I found Ashar there, he held my shoulder and helped to calm down, "Idiot, don't be scared, I'm right here with you if my brother does something, just let me know, I'll break him into pieces, promise." I couldn't comprehend, I looked at him and he gestured for me to sign the papers I finally did with almost shaking hands.
"Congrats, bhabi (sister-in-law)" he whispered and got up from there...
AHAD POV:
The night before our nikkah was the real game changer, I couldn't think of a single thing to make myself worthy of her, I was too nervous, I couldn't think.
Walking in my room here and there panicking like a teenager, I couldn't think when Ashar came into my room.
"What are you doing stupid?" I turned my head towards him...
"Mind your language, Ashar," I said seriously. He might be my precious brother, but I hate disrespect. He raised his hands and said, "Oh, I know you are nervous, so I thought to come and give you an idea."
Listening to what he said, my nervousness melted down, and I stood in front of him asking what the idea was.
"Text her, ask her if she accepts you, if she does reply yes, then congrats, brother, you deserve her as much she deserves you," thinking about what he said I grabbed my phone after kicking him out of my room and with shivering hands I texted her.
She saw the message and didn't reply and I felt myself cold and restless, praying to Allah while closing my eyes I panicked when my phone rang indicating a message came...
Taking a deep breath, I opened her message from the upper notification bar, and after seeing her reply, I felt my heartbeat stopping. I thanked Allah for everything...
Getting ready for our nikkah, I wore what she ranted about in the car, she wanted me to wear a white shalwar kameez, and I did wear it.
I went downstairs, to see my friends and Mom and Dad standing there talking to each other, two people were missing from here, my own brother who I don't know where he is right now, and the second person is my beloved sister, I'm missing her too much today, she would have been the happiest today...
I asked mother, "Where is Ashar?" I questioned. How can he leave his only brother today alone on such a big day?
"He didn't tell me beta, but he said he'll text you about it soon," Mother said and turned around as Baba was calling her.
I was shocked when Ashar told me he wouldn't join me at my wedding from my side but from Hayat's side, "Aren't you, my brother?" I questioned, confused.
"You are my brother but she is my friend, student, and my little sister, I will gladly ditch you for her bhai" I heard him.
I was totally dumb yet happy, he might act childish but he's the most mature and understanding man I know, even though his going to her side instead of mine would make me feel a little sad yet it won't matter much, because he's going to make my bride feel she has others too.
Entering the lawn, I saw the beautiful decoration, that was done for our nikkah, I was nervous but not like I was yesterday night, my mates and mom and dad were with me, and Ashar my only brother ditched me to be with Hayat and I happily let him go.
Hayat came, I wanted to see her but I couldn't because of the curtains, she sat and I could slightly see her as the net curtains were seen through, I heard Ashar talking but I couldn't hear her...
My focus was on them when I heard, "Stop, man, you are seriously embarrassing us here. She is going to be your wife in just a few minutes. Stop looking so desperate." Sahil said while teasing me a little, and the other two idiots joined him too.
Soon the Imam started our nikkah, he asked Hayat first and she took some time before saying, "QUBOOL HAI" I was relieved hearing her finally.
Soon it was my turn and the Imam asked me the same question, "Do you Ahad Mir, take Hayat Ali, daughter of Muhammad Ali as your wife?"
Without waiting for a moment, I replied, "QUBOOL HAI."
I heard my guys laughing behind me, and I ignored them. It's our day being together...
After the dua was done, I withdrew the curtains and saw my bride, "MASHA ALLAH" was the only word left my mouth, she looked so beautiful in just a simple abaya.
I took her hands in mine and pecked the back of it lightly... then I lightly kissed her head and hugged her, I found the peace... my peace in my wife... no words were exchanged as we just hugged each other, embracing the new feeling...
After the nikkah was done, and all the greetings were done, we made our way inside the house... after some time we parted ways...
Sitting inside the car, I changed her name from "soon to be mine" to "my wife" on my mobile and texted her...
"Meri biwi (my wife)." I didn't know what to say, so I just texted her with what I was going to call her...
Looking out of the window, I realized a lot of things had changed since I met her, the dua of my death I used to make cryingly for years now turned to dua to keep me safe so I could take care of her... I changed for the betterment... I changed for us... for myself... for my wife... for our future.
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