"He wanted to marry her, but he's my husband."
"She's beautiful, kind, caring, loving, but I wish she wasn't my wife."
*****
Tara Hamid was born and bred in an average family: loving, caring, with just the right amount of family drama. She dreams...
"You are worthy of all respect, Oh Great Tara." Zain grinned, leaning in the doorway.
I was standing in my bedroom, about to head for the parlour to get ready for our Valima. I smiled, looking at my him over my shoulder.
"That was impressive." He continued, walking over to me. He had now changed into jeans and a blue t-shirt.
"I can't stand seeing someone being mistreated." I admitted. "I feel so angry." I sighed. "Anyway, I'm heading out. Make sure you look good enough to match this beauty." I gestured towards myself with a wink, and walked out. I heard him laugh as I left the room.
"Tara, beta. One second." Arzoo Aunty came out of her room and stopped me in the hallway.
"Yes, Aunty?" I asked.
"Beta, I stood up for you because you're right." She said. "But it doesn't look good to embarrass someone who's much older than us, in front of everyone. I know her words were wrong, but next time let me deal with it, okay? If it was just us ladies, it wouldn't be so bad, but your father-in-law, brother-in-law and Zain were present as well, and that's wrong."
I nodded. "I'm sorry for not considering that, Aunty. I had no intention of humiliating her."
"I know. I can understand. But, be careful, okay?" She said. "Unfair or not, a girl has to be extra careful about her behaviour when she's married." She put a hand on my cheek. "But, overall, I like your thinking. I liked how you stood up for your jethani. I'm a firm believer in family unity. But sometimes, we just have to balance it out a little and consider both sides to our actions."
"Okay, Aunty."
"Go. Lamisa and Zain's cousins are waiting to go to the parlour with you." She smiled at me.
I nodded again. "Allah Hafiz, Aunty."
"Allah Hafiz, Tara."
With that, I headed downstairs, and the girls and I left for the parlour.
****
I wore the lehenga that was given to me by my in-laws. It was pale olive green with silver and pink floral embroidery all over the lehenga itself, while the blouse had silver patterns across it with a beautiful neckline. I loved the dupatta the best, net with silver beads dotted over it, by the showstopper was the border, which was white with silver beads across it. I was given a simple diamond set to wear along with it, and I wore the kangan that Zain had gifted me.
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Lamisa Bhabi and Arzoo Aunty drove along with me to the wedding venue, where Zain was waiting with Talha Bhai and Iftikhar Uncle. As I got out of the car, my gaze met Zain's, and for a second our eyes locked. I mean, it's not uncommon to be mesmerised by a good looking person, and damn, Zain was a handsome man, Ma Sha Allah. And he looked breathtakingly hot in that cream sherwani, which my parents had gifted him for the Valima.
