A/N: Above is a title song from a new Pakistani drama that kinda motivated me to write this story. Usama and Noor are somewhat inspired by the main characters. I haven't watched this drama though, just the title song.
• u s a m a •
I spent the night tossing and turning on the bed. My mind was heavily ridden with guilt for giving in to the temptation and kissing her. It was haram; I could have waited for one more day. I shouldn't have polluted our relationship like that. But when I saw her standing there in all yellow, looking as bright as the moon itself, I couldn't control myself. I needed to feel her and breathe in her scent desperately. I needed her in my arms and the desire clouded all my judgement.
It was about 5 in the morning when I finally left my bed, offered Fajr prayer and dialed Noor's number. After two or three rings, she picked up the call and her meek voice replied from the other side, "Assalam o Alaikum."
"Wa Alaikum Assalam, how are you Noor?" I asked.
"I'm fine." She said. Her voice sounded thick, like she was sick or she had cried; the latter sounded more probable. It intensified my guilt, knowing I was probably the reason of her tears. Noor wasn't the kind of girl to engage in anything physical before marriage.
"Were you crying?" I asked to confirm.
She paused for a second, after which she replied, "Yes. My henna got ruined."
"Oh." I sighed. "It's okay. You can apply it later."
"No, you don't get it, Usama. It's not supposed to get ruined." She said.
"Don't tell me you are that superstitious." I said in amusement, lying on my back.
"I am. And you will have to deal with it for the rest of your life." She said and it made me chuckle.
"I'll happily do that, meri jaan." I said.
Once again, a long comfortable silence prevailed between us. I was contended listening to the sound of her breathing. It was peacefully pleasant, in a strange creepy way. She was the one to break it first. "We shouldn't talk before Nikaah." She said.
"Yeah, I know." I said. "I just wanted to say sorry."
"For what?" She asked.
"For last night. What happened on the terrace." I said and heard her suck a sharp breath. I could imagine her face getting redder with each passing second and it filled me with the desire to see her. The closer we were getting to our Nikaah, the impatient I was getting to be around her.
"It's okay." She whispered.
"Don't worry. By tonight, we will be able to kiss without the fear of committing a sin." I said to tease her.
"Usama!" She scolded and I chuckled.
"What? It's true." I said.
"You have to keep your hands to yourself until the Rukhsati, Mister." She said and I groaned in annoyance. "It's Pakistan. Such things before moving out from your parent's house are considered unethical."
"I can't promise anything." I smirked, although she couldn't see me right now.
"Okay, bye. I should sleep now." She said shyly.
"Bye." I said, deciding not to tease her anymore. "And Noor?"
"Hmm." She said.
"I love you." I whsipered, eager to hear her reaction. We had already said it once before but I wanted it hear it again in her angelic voice. I don't think I'll ever get tired of it.
"I love you too." She finally said, after which she immediately cut the call.
After talking to her, my anxiety lowered a little and I went to sleep. It was my Mom's voice that disturbed my sleep and I woke up with a yawn. My eyes went to the clock that showed that it was 11 am, which meant that there were only five hours before Nikaah ceremony.
"There is so much to do and you are still sleeping." Mom said, pulling out my shoes for the ceremony from the cupboard. "Where is your sherwani? Are you going to go there in T-Shirt Usama?"
"I am just going to bring it from the boutique, Mom. Don't worry." I said and hopped out of the bed. "Let me have breakfast first."
"No time for breakfast. Take this milkshake and go bring the sherwani first." She said, placing the glass on the table, and I pouted.
"Fine." I grumbled and went to the bathroom to freshen up.
Fifteen minutes later, I was inside our rented car, on my way to the boutique. I looked in the head mirror and a smile was plastered on my face. Why won't it be? I had every right to grin continuously like a madman.
Today would be the happiest day of my life, until we make some new memories. Noor is the love of my life and marrying her is a dream come true. I vowed to myself to give her all the happiness in the world and make each day of our life a happy memory. I vowed to treat her like a queen and give her everything that she would ever want. I vowed to myself to never let her shed a tear because of me.
Little did I know, I shouldn't make promises that I won't be able to fulfill.
°°°°°°°°°°°
• n o o r •
"Mama!" I ran out of my room in tears. "Mama!"
"What happend Noor? Why are you crying?" Mama rushed to me as I entered the lounge.
"My lehnga... My Nikaah lehnga..." I said in between tears, hiccups breaking my voice. "It's ripped. My lehnga is ripped."
"Ya Allah! What will I do with this girl? You scared me, Noor." She scowled, slapping her forehead.
"Don't you get it? My lehnga is ripped." I said and extended the lehnga to show her the giant rip.
"Don't worry. We will find a solution." Aunty Afshan said, who was silently observing me from the couch. Mama led me to sit beside her and gave a glass of water to me.
It was almost noon, which meant I'll be leaving for salon within an hour, and my outfit wasn't complete yet. First, the henna incident and now this; this was more anxiety than a bride could handle.
"We can simply stitch it." Mama said. "And then I'll put some crystals over it so it won't be noticeable."
"What if Usama Bhai decides he doesn't want to marry her because of this rip?" Maheen thought, for some vague reason, that it was the best time to tease me.
"Not now, Mahi." I shouted in a distressed voice.
"Or what? You better learn to keep your mouth shut, Aapi. Newly wed brides aren't supposed to be loud." She winked.
"I said, not now." I glared.
"Oh come on, don't be so sour. You will get wrinkles and Usama Bhai will have one more reason to back down." She said.
"That's it." I stood up and rushed behind her. She screamed in fear and ran around the couch, creating a barrier between us.
"Sorry." She raised her hands.
"I am going to kill you." I said and walked around the couch but she was faster.
I heard the sound of someone entering the lounge but I was too busy chasing my stupid sister.
"Faaris, come sit." Mama said.
"Faaris Bhai is here. Stop now." Maheen begged.
"You wish." I said and increased my speed until I finally caught up with her. On reaching her, I tugged her pony tail and she let out a scream.
"What is it, Faaris?" I heard Aunty Afshan's voice.
"There was a call from hospital." He said and both Maheen and I stopped immediately. I let her go and turned my head to face Faaris, who was standing there with an impossibly pale face, his hands tightened around his mobile phone. "Usama was in an accident."
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I already warned you. It's a cliche, predictable story. :P
The updates might be a little late because of my exams.
Vocabulary:
• Meri Jaan: my soul
• Sherwani: a fancy Shalwar Kameez for men
• Rukhsati: the ceremony of sending off the bride with the groom. Usually happens with Nikaah, can also happen months or years later.
• Lehnga: a heavily embroidered traditional skirt