Recap...
They have me sit down by the groom and my heart starts racing. They leave after I sit down because of the obvious tradition that occurs during the Nikkah. Mom told me beforehand that there wouldn't be more than 10 people in the room for the Nikkah, and that I could choose to see the groom before the papers were signed or papers; I chose after. My scarf covers my forehead, and my eyes aren't visible to anyone.
"We'll wait for a couple minutes and then we'll start the Nikkah." The imam says and everyone voices out their agreements. I don't say anything or move an inch because I don't know how to react.
"Ok ladies and gentlemen. We are going to start the Nikkah now." The imam says and the mumbled whispers now turn to complete silence.
The imam hands the groom the wedding papers, and I hear the sound of the pen gliding on the paper. My mom who is sitting on my left hands me my papers and I know that I could look at the space filled where it says the groom's name but I don't. I feel the anxiety cluster around me, and with shaking hands I sign the papers. As I finish, a lone tear drop falls on the paper, and I know that I can't do this.
"I need some time." I say out loud breaking the silence.
I hand the papers to mom, and without looking at anyone, I scamper away from the wedding. Away from everyone. Away from the groom. The groom whom I don't love. I go upstairs, and the tears are let loose in the darkness.
CHAPTER 33
As I cry, I hear someone come up the stairs, and the tears just won't stop. The darkness embraces me, and I'm pretty sure my makeup is all smeared by now, but I feel like I just need some time; some time to think.
I expect it to be mom coming up the stairs but I don't turn around as I'm too embarrassed to face her right now. I feel someone hug me from behind, and let me just tell you... it's not mom. I turn around and look at the person with tears rolling down my eyes. To say I'm surprised to see Hamza is the truth of the century.
"What are you doing here?" I say, and he hugs me in a tight embrace. I accept it and place my head on his chest.
"You shouldn't be crying." He says, and the tears keep falling out of my eyes. He takes out a handkerchief and wipes away my tears. His calloused fingertips touching my cheeks and eyes sinfully.
"You look beautiful without the makeup Layla." He says, and I feel my heartbeat quicken in realization, that he took off the makeup. I know my cheeks are turning a bright red, but luckily the dark covers it up for me.
"Go back to your wife to be. This isn't right." I whisper to him with an ache in my heart.
"I am." He says not looking away once.
"So you are going?" I ask.
"No. I mean I'm already with her." He says and it takes me a while, but I get it.
"You're—" I say but am cut off.
"I'm mystery man as you like to call it; if you haven't gotten that yet." He says with a bright smile.
"I love you Hamza." I say to him not caring how stereotypically, the guy has to say it first. He's expressed his love more than I have anyways.
"I love you more." He says kissing me on the lips. I still feel butterflies around him, but now they aren't guilty, sinful ones.
"So should we go downstairs?" He says and I laugh.
Hand in hand we go downstairs, and everyone starts congratulating us, and I don't let go of his hand. I hope he doesn't mind my clammy hands.
When Umme and Saafiya see us holding hands, they look at me with so much joy and happiness that I start to chuckle.
"I need to go talk to my mom but I'll be right back." I say to Hamza but he doesn't let my hand go.
"But I just got you." He whines, and I try to make a scolding face at him but instead blush when he kisses my forehead.
"Be back soon." He says and I go to find mom. I see her, Auntie Lubna, and Asma talking with one another.
"Mom!" I say hugging her.
"So?" She says wiggling her eyebrows.
"That was the best surprise ever!" I say and they all laugh.
"We all knew that you loved him." Asma says and both mom and Auntie Lubna laugh.
"I couldn't have asked for a better daughter-in-law." Auntie Lubna says giving me a hug.
I see dad as I go look for Hamza, and he pulls me in for a hug. I just realized how many hugs I have been receiving today.
"You've grown up so much Layla." He says with tears in his eyes.
"Don't cry, dad." I say.
"I won't make any promises. But are you happy?" He asks.
"More than I've ever been. This was the best surprise ever." I say giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Well don't keep him waiting. He's at the front." Dad says and I nod.
Most of the guests have already gone, as the Walima is going to be held at the banquet hall. I find Hamza by the stairs, and I decide to creep up behind him and cover his eyes. Or at least I try; even with heels, I'm pretty short.
"Guess who?" I say but before I even finish that sentence, he swings me around and places an arm over my shoulder.
"My midget of a wife." He says, and I stand there glaring at him.
"I'm not a midget." I say.
"Yup. You're right. You're what is it, again? Oh yes, fun size." He says and even I laugh.
----
THE END!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Remember to...
VOTE
COMMENT
FOLLOW
SHARE (via social media, and etc.)
--
Goal of the chapter: for you all to vote, comment, and share this book with others!! :)
--
AN: I haven't been able to update the book when I had said because I had exams earlier than expected. I still have to write 3 exams, but I decided to finish this book because I want to start some more books after my exams are done (on January 30th).
I want to also take a moment to say Jaza Kallah Khair to all the readers that have made it to the end because it truly means a lot to me that you stuck with my book to the end. From the comments, and votes, I have been able to tell that many of my readers have been there from my Wattpad journey since the start of this book which was over a year ago, and I can't help but thank you for sticking by me through thick and thin. Also, to the new readers, I am so happy that you decided to give this book a try; it means a lot to me.
I also will edit this book heavily through 2017, and will not be most likely making any dramatic updates from this day on. I might update an epilogue or an excerpt of Saafiya's story after this chapter if I have time in the next couple of months but I am going through applications at the moment, and have to keep my next semester marks high.
I have decided to dedicate this book to @aliceduck and @raeda2001 because you guys have been supporting me and giving me advice from the start of the book. Although I have met @aliceduck through Wattpad, I never thought that I could ever form such a strong friendship with someone that lives thousands of miles away from me. And also to @raeda2001 who has giggled with me through each dinner party about Layla and Hamza, and who also like me has aspirations of finding a mystery man like Layla-the Halal way ;).
--
NOT EDITED-->I also apologize for any mistakes that I have made throughout the book, and hope that Allah swt grants me his mercy if people took anything in my book the wrong way.
--
PS: This book contains secret code after code that maybe one day I will reveal to you all.
PPS: This book is heavily driven by my love of food as well which is probably why almost every chapter contains something about food.
--
Quran verse of the chapter:
وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا لِتَسْكُنُوا إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُمْ مَوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
"And one of His signs is that He has created for you, spouses from amongst yourselves so that you might take comfort in them and He has placed between you, love and mercy. In this there is surely evidence (of the truth) for the people who carefully think." (Surah 30, Verse 21)
Source: https://www.al-islam.org/religion-al-islam-and-marriage/marriage-quran-and-sunnah-prophet-s