Not That Interested

Chapter 46: The One With Old Timey Wedding

"I want to be with you.

It is as simple, and as complicated as that."- Charles Bukowski

It's today.

My wedding day.

Where the past five days flew away; I don't have a clue.

When I woke up this morning, I simply lay in my bed, and contemplated the fact that this was the last time I would ever wake up single in it. I lean over and touch the pooh bear my dad got me for my tenth birthday, it is propped up beside the framed photograph of the Murree trip we took years ago. This room is an extension of me; Mina Amin, and the thought of leaving it behind is not an easy one. I am both nervous, and excited about my new life with Shehzer.

My bags are packed for our travel soon, and the paperwork is miraculously organized, despite the usual Visa hassles for Pakistanis visiting the states. I got accepted into a great art school in Maryland for my graduate degree, so that is also something I am both nervous and excited about.

I tug over Pooh, to hug it to my chest; Time to be an adult now.

EMV facepalms herself, 'Can we let go of this overweight-honey-loving monster first? This is embarrassing.'

I guiltily peek at my favorite Pooh Bear PJ's. Do I have to give up comfy cuteness for sexy bed-wear now? What if Shehzer hates Pooh?..... Nahh....that's just unnatural. Nobody can hate Pooh.

I feel better when I pick up the quote calendar he gave me, and flip over to today's date. My eyes tear up slightly at the Bukowski quote. He could never have known while choosing it, what this day would eventually mean to us.

...As simple, and as complicated as that.

Sounds like my life in nutshell.

My happiness for Ma and Dad's arrival was eclipsed by Areeb's prognosis on that day at the hospital. It had been heart rending, seeing his mother trying desperately not to cry out loud. She kept thanking God for his mercy towards Areeb. Maybe that's something that softened God's heart towards her family, because pretty soon, a red-faced Uncle Tariq had arrived at the hospital, unwillingly supporting his wife and son at this terrible time.

We had left before Areeb regained consciousness, but Auntie had promised to give me daily updates about his recovery. He eventually woke up, but he wasn't speaking much. I tried to speak to him through a speakerphone, despite his lack of response. It broke my heart when I thought about how defeated he must be feeling.

Auntie was reciting the Holy Quran beside his bed quite regularly now, and he didn't mock her efforts, so I guess this was something to be hopeful about. At this helpless point in his life, his best option was to make peace with himself, and with his faith. He had to stop hating himself.

Auntie told me that he seemed genuinely happy about my wedding, or as happy as a self-loathing, bed-ridden, paralyzed, adventure-loving 23-year old can feel. He didn't say anything directly to me, but he did whisper "She deserves all the happiness in her world. My favorite girl." to Auntie, when she told him about it.

Ma and Dad were reasonably shocked when they learned about Areeb's accident. They had even payed his parents a visit of consolation, which was very generous of them, considering our history together. I love my parents for everything they have given me, foremost among which is being wonderful examples of human beings.

My house was swarming with guests once again, either visiting to congratulate my Mom and Dad on the Hajj, or else just to offer help for the wedding preparations. This time, we're doing the wedding on a smaller scale, the guest list is much smaller, and the ceremony will be simpler than the grand event we had planned before.