The Two Kingdoms (Completed)

24.

The courtyard was beautifully decorated and lighted up, the moon light had added to the charm and serenity of the night.

The stage created for the nikkah was divided by a curtain made of white flowers and on either side sat the bride and groom.

"Mahnoor Zahoor Ali Khan bint-e- Zahoor Ali Khan apka nikah Tahir Jabaar ke saath, 50,000 soney ki asharfi hakh meher ke saath tay kiya jata hai, kya aapko ye nikhal qabool hai ?"

"Qabool hai."

"Tahir Hassan Jabbar bin Hassan Jabbar apka nikah Mahnoor Zahoor Ali ke saath 50,000 soney ki asharfi hakh meher ke saath tay kiya jata hai, kya apko ye nikah qabool hai ?"

"Qabool hai."

Dua was made and the nikah concluded. It was a happy ending to the day for the family and everyone associated with them.

Mahnoor look pretty in her emerald green wedding dress, her happiness and love for her new husband had added to her beauty.

"Inayat, many congratulations to you." Mariam said hugging her sister in law.

"Thank you." Inayat smiled through her tears, her baby had started her own life, her own family today, nothing in the world could bring her spirits down.

She looked at her daughter sitting on the stage with Meera and Zulekha gushing over her, smiling, laughing - happy.

"Ammi Be." Haider said wrapping his hand around his mothers shoulder, his line of site aligned with his mother.
"It's time for the rukhsati." He said and kissed his mothers forehead.

Although Mahnoor would be stay in same room in the harem as before after they came back from their trip to Delhi, she had to join her husband for their union today, and according to the law and culture she would have to now bid farewell to her old life.

"Okay." Inayat said, a lone tear slipping down her left eye, her daughter was a married woman.

Haider walked towards his sister who was giggling with his wife and cousin, his heart felt lighter knowing his sister now belonged to someone, she would have a family of her own, he had finished his duty successfully, his father would be proud of him.

"Hadi." Noor squealed looking at her brother. She got up from her seat and twirled.
"How do I look ?" She asked her eyes shining.

"You look like a hoor." He said smiling down at her. His eyes fell on his wife who he had seen for the first time today and his heart skipped a beat.

She was in a golden yellow Anarkali, her eyes lined with her signature khol and bindi on her forehead, she looked like an angel.

"Stop staring at your wife and tell me how does Tahir look ? Does he look hot ?" Noor asked wriggling her eyebrows.

"Allah !" Inayat gasped joining the crowd. "When will you learn to not say inappropriate stuff Mahnoor ?"

"What wrong did I do now ? He is my shohar (husband), I can talk about him however I like. Also Ammi Be you need to stop chiding me now, I'm a married woman." Noor sassed making Meera chuckle.

"Maaf karo Noor bibi, ab chalo apne ghar ki ho jao." Ammi be sassed back.

"This is my house, you know I'm going to be staying here right Ammi Be ?"

"Rukhsat (sending away of bride) karo isse Hadi." Ammi Be said rolling her eyes.

Soon everyone had gathered to walk Noor out, Haider had placed the Holy book on her head and walked her out of the courtyard to her new life.