Hakam's POV:
"How do I look man?" I asked Raihan and Usman.
"You are super nervous and trying to divert the topic by asking about your looks!" Mocked Raihan and stroked hands with Usman.
"A little!" I said them.
To be honest, yes I'm nervous! Today is the day I'm gonna get my other half of my life. A great responsibility is gonna come to me. Hugh!
"Allah is there with us and he loves us!" - whenever there is a hardship, this was repeatedly said by my mother from the time when I was a kid. Now I feel it as a great consolation!
"Hak darling..? Are you done? Lemme have a last look at my boy! After that you gonna become a man! Masha Allah..!! My boy!!" Said my Ma and Pa by rushing towards me and giving a bear hug. I saw tears forming in their eyes. I just couldn't bear them crying. I just hugged them and patted them.
"Ma , Pa I'm always your boy no matter what! Now.... give me salams!" I said just to divert their mind if not I'm sure I too would cry.
"Did you speak to Reema aapi? She kept on calling me since yesterday night asking wether is everything fine! Poor girl! She couldn't make it!" Said Ma.
Reema aapi and her husband are living abroad. They couldn't come today due to some business matter her husband's having. I'm missing her. Truly!
"Yes Ma! I spoke! She started crying and cut the phone! I have to call her again!" I said.
"Okay! Make it a point to show the nikah to her through skype!" Said Ma.
"I'll do that don't worry aunty" said Raihan.
"Okay! Now its time. Lets go!" Said Pa.
"But where is Rif?" I asked them.
"Bhaiii bhaiii bhaiiiii..!! I'm here! Um here! Long live me! Huff..!!" Rifa came running from no where and squeezed me with a bone breaking hug.
"Hey my dress! My dress..!! Where were you all these time?" I said.
"Oops..! Sorry.. Sorryy..!! You look... Uh-maze-zing... ..!!!!" She said me and squeezed me again! Ya Allah! My baby sister!!
"Okay now lets' go!" Said Ma
****
Zaina's POV:
"Have they arrived?" I asked Shaifa, Haya and Ziya by breaking knuckles.
"How do I look? Everything is perfect right?" I asked them.
Haya, Shaifa and Ziya gave me that-cheesy look and they burst into laughter.
"Stop it! You three..! I'm nervous!" I said them by hanging my head down.
"Ow.. Baby..!! Its so nice to see you with makeup!! You look... Gorgeoussss....!!! Masha Allahh!" Shaifa blew a kiss on my cheek!
"Yeshhh! Shaifa.. Don't waste her cheek by kissing! It is spared for someone else to come and..." Said Ziya and the three of them giggled. I just threw a pillow at her to stop completing the sentence.
"Babhiiiiii......!!! Assalamu alaikummmm!" Came a voice and that was Rifa.
"YOU LOOK... GORGEOUSSSS...!!!!" She stood stunned and squeezed me with a hug.
"Aw.. Wa Alaikumwassalam! Jazakallah!" I hugged her back. Then she hugged Ziya, Shaifa and Haya.
"Babhi... You have turned.. REDDD!!" Said Rifa.
"Ahh! Now you are starting to bug me..?!!!" I gave her a please-spare-me look.
"Aw.. Okay then.. Lemme bug you after you have a meeting with bhai!" Winked Rifa and stroked hands with Shaifa, while the other two giggle.
"You naughty girll!!" I threw a pillow at her.
****
After sometime, Hafiya aunty and few other aunties took me to the hall. There were few men along with my Dad and Hakam's Dad.
I've been questioned thrice if I'm willing to marry Hakam, that question really made me go blank. I knew I wanted to marry Hakam. But I couldn't bring it into words.
Hafiya aunty came near me, maybe she understood that I'm panicking.
"Its ok darling! Take a deep breathe and say!" She said me and put a hand around my shoulder.
Again they repeated the same question, with Hafiya aunty's hand around, I felt confident. I reply with a 'alhamdhulillah' yes', sign the papers and as the men left, everyone started reading Takbeer by surrounding me.
Hafiya aunty gave me a hug and recited a dua in my ears. I saw tears forming in her eyes. I just gave her a warm smile while two drops of tears escaped my eyes. Haya, Shaifa, Ziya and Rifa came rushing towards me and hugged me. I saw tears in their eyes either.
Alhamdhulillah! You have given the best people to me ya rabb!
My eyes wandered around the crowd in-search of Ma, but she isn't to be seen around. Even Hana. I was totally broken. After the crowd dismissed, they both came towards me. I was happy, atleast now they came. Hana gave me a friendly hug while Ma just shook hands with me.
I was hurt. How strange it is! Alteast on my big day I was expecting a hug from her. But unfortunately!
Hafiya aunty saw the disappointment and hurt in my face, she came near me and squeezed my hand by smiling warmly at me.
"Darling? You are ok! Aren't you? You should never call me aunty! You should call me 'Ma'!! Ok..?" She said me.
"Ok aun.. I mean Ma!" And I returned back the smile.
I have got the best mom-in-law on earth. Alhamdhulillah.
Now half the procedure is done. Hakam's part will be happening in the masjid by now and we were waiting for the call.
We heard Hafiya aunty's phone ringing! All of us assemble in the hall as we hear the Nikah being read in the Masjid. Feeling all jittery and queasy, with sweaty forehead, I listen as Hakam gives his approval for the marriage! And now.. We are declared as MARRIED!
"You are married nowww...!!" Squeezed Rifa, Haya, Shaifa and Ziya. I suspect my bone'd be broken. Alhamdhulillah! That's the best word.
As we hear the men coming from the masjid, we just dismissed from the hall.
~
"Girls don't leave me and go!" I pleaded!
"He's your husband now! Nothing to worry! You'll be alright!" Hugged Shaifa while the others nod their head in agreement.
we heard footsteps nearing the room. I felt like my heart is gonna stop.
They gave me an everything-will-be-fine look! I just prayed under my breathe hoping for the best.
Its totally like dream!
The knob is being unlocked and Shaifa, Haya, Ziya, and Rifa left the room while....
Hakam stood near the door!!
****
Hakam's POV:
"It's so nervous!" I said Raihan. He just told me to go in without being shy. I just gave him that look and stood near the door, while Rifa and the others leave the room.
Rifa winked and smirked at me before leaving. Finally I went inside the room, and shut the door.
Zaina was facing the wall.
"Assalamu alaikum Ma!" I greeted. She is very much shy to face me. I just made her look at me by turning her towards me.
"Wa..wa..alaikum..Wassalam..!" She greeted back.
"Masha Allah! You look stunning!"Allah's creations are always superior!
She was lowering her gaze, I just raised her chin to make her look at me.
Her innocent eyes will always make me fall for her! Masha Allah
"I'm your husband now! You can look at me! Its halal!" I explained her. A smile escaped Zaina's lips.
"Won't you comment on how I look?" I asked, just to make her talk!
"Umm.. Uhh.. You... You.. are pretty!" Stammered Zaina.
"Pretty?" I gave her questioning look.
"Oops..! Uh-I.. I mean.. Handsome." She said. I literally laughed at her jittery!
"Ok.. I have brought one of your possessions!" I said.
This time she gave me a questioning look.
"Close your eyes!" I instructed.
She gave a confused glance at me. I smiled and made her close her eyes.
Then I took the 'HZ' pendant which I gave her on her birthday, and wore it on her neck.
Now I told her to open.
When she opened her eyes and saw the pendant, she started blushing while her eyes filled with tears.
I kissed her forehead and wiped her tears by giving her a warm smile.
Her eyes twinkled in happiness. She just buried her face in my arms and started crying by murmuring jazakallah!
I felt myself being electrocuted! I couldn't bear her crying, though it was the tears of happiness. I just caressed her head and raised her chin towards me. I wiped her tears and said,
"I want you to smile like this, forever Ma! I'll go to any extent to see that smile on your face!!"
"Insha Allah.. I wont disappoint you..!" She said and two tears escaped from her eyes.
And this was the first time she spoke to me clearly.
I just hugged her, because she made me realize how much I love her!
****