Today....
The day I get to be his and only his for a lifetime. I hadn't slept properly in the past two weeks after the Masquerade Ball. I tried calming my racing heart so many times but it just didn't seem to keep its cool.
Shehry and I didn't meet these two whole weeks and this made me feel quite lonely and nervous as heck. We just talked on the phone twice and even then something or someone would cause disruption, forcing us to hang up.
It was 4 am as I just finished praying Fajr and made lots of dua for the both of us, and for both mom and dad. I cried all night thinking about mom and my head was exploding at the moment as I just sat in bed with the same thoughts that had engulfed my mind since forever regarding Shehry.
A door knock snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Mom, why do you always knock yaar? I swear that's so mean and embarassing !" I frowned at her action and she sighs, coming in.
I move aside a little and she sits next to me on the bed.
"Ab tum koi choti bachi thori ho, jo mein knock nahi karoongi. You're going to be a married woman now." She said smiling and I returned her smile weakly, feeling chills run down my spine at her words.
Woman.....But I'm just 18.
"To kia hua if I'm married? Mera shohar thori hai iss kamray mein?" I smirked and she laughed, hitting my head lightly.
"Pagal bachi meri." She pulled me into her arms and hugged me. Her long hair that I used to play with whenever I laid in her lap, were now....gone and she had a scarf wrapped around her head.
She noticed my expression and lifted her index finger to my face, warning me. "If you cry, I will NOT attend your Nikaah today. And I'm damn serious Nida."
Her threat just left my heart crying as I gulped in those emotions from my eyes, only for her. Although it was stabbing me more and more with each passing second.
"Mama."
"Yes princess?" She responded and I smiled.
"Pata nahi kiyun aaj...papa ki bohat yaad aa rahi hai. Can we go see him? Right now? Please?"
She seemed slightly surprised. "At this time? It's 4 am honey. You should sleep. We can go visit him in the morning."
"Nahi mama. Please? Just for a little while. I want him to touch my head and grant me well wishes on a new life even in his unconscious state. He can hear us mama. And he's missing us." I looked down and she leaned closer and kissed my forehead.
"Okay." She smiled, her eyes glassy and we both got off the bed.
I sat in the car along with her and drove off.
"Kitna khoobsurat lamha ho na agar....agar aaj ghar ka darwaaza khule aur...aur papa ki khilkhilaati hui hansi se poora ghar goonj uthay. Aur meray kehne se pehlay woh....woh hi chillayein ke...ke 'Qubool hai. Qubool hai meri Nidi ko !' " A few tears rolled down my waterline as I just quietly drove to the hospital.
She just looked out the window, weeping silently.
"Bohat hi khoobsurat lamha hoga woh. Kaash ke woh sach ho jaaye. Kaash ke woh...woh waapis aa jaayein humaare paas aaj ke din. Kaash mein....mein phir se chen ka aik saans le sakoon, apni saans humesha ke liye ukhar jaane se pehlay." She cried and I did too, as I constantly rubbed my eyes to wipe away my tears since they'd make my vision blurry every now and then.
We arrived at the hospital and strolled towards his room.
Shehry's POV:
I had just said my salam and ended my Fajr prayer when my phone rang.
"Jee mama." I picked up.
"Shehry betay, poori raat udhar hi thay tum. Ab to waapis aajao beta. Mein jaanti hun ke tum saari raat nahi soye. Aaj Nikaah hai tumhaara, thori dayr aankh laga lo beta. Acha chalo, beshuk ghar mat aao. Magar thori dayr to so jao." She spoke in a worried tone and a tear rolled off my eye as I looked up at him.
"Kaise so jaaoun mama. Kaise so jaye woh aik beta jiss ne apne hi baap ki jaan le li hai." I whimpered looking at papa's (Nida's dad) peaceful face which only showed gloom.
"Shehry beta...." She trailed off as I heard her sob and hand the phone to somebody else.
"Shehryaar beta."
"Jee papa." I wiped off my tear, hearing dad's voice through the phone.
"Beta tumhaara koi qasoor nahi hai iss mein. Yeh sab Allah ne likha hua tha unn ki zindagi mein. Tumhaare bulaane se waapis nahi aayein ge woh beta. Allah jab chahay ga sirf tab hi unhein hosh aaye ga. Sirf...sirf dua karo Rizwan ke liye beta. Aur baaqi sab Allah pe chor do." He said.
"Papa, Nida ab...ab meri biwi banne waali hai. Mein uss ka saamna kaise kar paaounga har roz iss sachaayi ke saath." I cried. Cried, thinking about her.
"Beta, mein jaanta hun yeh waqt kitna mushkil hai tum dono ke liye, par hum hain na tumhaare saath. Mein aur tumhaari maa. Hum tum dono ko kisi qisam ka gham nahi mehsoos hone deinge."
"Aur mein bhi !!" I heard Hussain's voice in the back and smiled slowly.
"Saale tu to meri jaan hai !" I yelled through the phone because I felt that dad turned it to loudspeaker so I could respond to him.
"Oye dukhi mat bun, shehzaade. Shaadi hai teri aaj. Kuch sexiness rehnay de apne boothay pe apni biwi ke liye.....Uss ke liye bhi bohat mushkil hai yeh sab, magar kar le ga tu, tum dono kar lo ge. Bas...." He trailed off and then whispered, turning off the loudspeaker. "Bas zara haath hola rakheen. Pata chale issi saal chaachu banne ki khabar mil jaaye mujhe."
"Beghairat te tu saari zindagi ravay ga !" I snapped and he laughed like crazy, while I could feel my cheeks heat up a little. Kameena.
"I love you more, man !" He sent a kiss through the phone and I scrunched up my nose in disgust.
"Abbay ! Gay hai tu?" I asked.
"Teray liye to kuch bhi, shehzaade." He bosated in a filmy tone and I laughed.
"Shaadi ho rahi hai meri. Neeyat mat kharaab kar......jaanu." I said and he just exploded with laughter. He cackled like an idiot for a good two minutes and I just chuckled, shaking my head at his craziness.
Sain, tu kabhi nahi sudhray ga, aur chahta hun ke kabhi sudhray bhi na. Bas aise hi chichoron waali baatein karta rahay aur khud hansta aur mujhe hansaata rahay.
"Okay. Okay....uff ! Kameenay ! Aansou nikal aaye hain meray." He panted, still chuckling.
"What can I say? My jokes are always on point." I smirked, boasting.
"True man ! No one beats your humor. Nida ko bhi aise hi hansa hansa ke paagal kar de ga tu to." He said and I laughed.
"Naah man. Woh khud bhi baray level ke jokes maarti hai. You know....made for each other?" I held my heart and just smiled to myself.
Definitely made for each other.
"Really? How come I've never heard any of her jokes. Chalo, shaadi ke baad pakroon ga bhabhi jee ko." He said teasingly and I smiled at his use of 'bhabhi jee'. Sounded so..... adorable.
"Chal, mein rakhta hun. Bye." I said and we both hung up.
I gulped and looked towards her dad and just stared at his face. I remembered how it was always so full of life and how it now...looked so pale and dead, because of that one...one accident that changed everything. In my life, in Nida's life, and our life together.
I shifted my gaze to the ECG monitor and observed how those lines moved slowly across the screen, moving up and down in their own way.
My head ached and tears engulfed my eyes but I took a deep breath in an attempt to contain them. I turned back to him and just fell on my knees on the side of his bed.
"Kis cheez ki saza de rahay hain aap mujhe papa? Kiyun itna tardpa rahay hain aap mujhe? Kiyun Nida ka sab kuch ban ke aaj itni door chale gaye aap uss se? Kiyun papa?!!" I gritted my teeth, trying real hard to control my tears from falling off.
I grabbed his hand in mine and continued. "Aaj....aaj aik din meray liye aur apni Nida ke liye jee lein. Humaare sir pe yehi haath rakh ke humein duaayein de dein." I lowered my head and lifted his hand to my hand and now cried.
It was too difficult not letting those tears out. Too damn...difficult !!
"Please come back to see this one day in our lives papa. Please !!!"
"Today.....I'm taking your princess under my care, under my love for a lifetime. Just once..... come back to her and make her live once again. Assure her that her King is always by her side, even if she has left with her Prince. Because........because no matter how much she loves her Prince, her heart will always be with her King. With you papa. Her heart will always be in your possession." My tears fell down to his wrist as I begged him to come back.
"Please waapis aa jaayein papa. Mama ne to chordne ki qasam kha kar Nida ko tord diya humesha ke liye. Aap....aap hi waapis aa kar usse jor dein. Please papa !!! Aik dafa....bas aik... dafa !!" I slammed the bed and cried wildly.
The pain was just too intense as both my head and heart ached like hell. I felt a soft hand on my shoulder and I knew instantly who it was but I didn't have the strength to turn back.
"Shehry?" Her soft voice was heard behind my ear and I quickly wiped my tears.
I turned to look at her and gave a weak smile. Her eyes were teary yet she held in her emotions.
"Nida tum...tum yahaan? Iss waqt?" I asked, trying to change the atmosphere.
She cupped my cheeks in her warm hands and just nodded, trying to smile for me.
I parted my lips to speak but she pulled me into a hug all of a sudden. I felt like crying again but she spoke.
"Sshh! Rona nahi. Ladkay nahi rotay." She whispered, running her fingers down my hair.
"Rotay hain Nida....rotay hain. Jab zindagi ka sab se bara jurm kiya ho to rona kaise nahi." I gulped in my tears yet again.
She pulled away suddenly and caressed my shoulders. "Mat do yeh saza apne aap ko Shehry. Jo hona tha woh ho gaya. Ab.....Nikaah ke baad hum Allah ke ghar jaa kar unn ke liye dua karein ge, aur Allah sab theek kar de ga. Haina?" She smiled at me and I pulled her into my arms and hugged her tight.
"Haan." I managed to smile a little. Looking ahead of me, I found mama (Nida's mom) standing at the door just staring at her lost husband with a never-ending, heart wrenching plead in her eyes.
Those dying eyes had just one last wish left besides our Nikaah, and that wish was......to have her once jolly, energetic, smiley life partner back in her life before she shut her eyes for an eternity.
I pulled away and got off the bed, heading towards her. I held her in my arms and kissed her forehead as she sobbed silently in arms.
"Mama. Please don't cry. If you can't handle yourself, then how can we?......Sab theek ho jaye ga In Sha Allah." I spoke over her scarved head.
I pulled back slowly and smiled at her but she didn't mirror it, so I reached my fingers out to the corners of her lips and steadily curved them upwards.
Her eyes softened and she smiled. "Rizwan jee." She whimpered and shut her eyes, letting a few tears escape her closed lids.
"He can hear you mama. And he's...he's crying inside, looking at you and Nida like this. He wants to come back and comfort his heartbroken family but fate has decided it all differently. Maybe something better. Maybe fate has decided something beautiful for you, for all of us. All it requires, is some time. Will you give it to him? Hmm? Will you give papa some time to get back with something so amazing and worth waiting for?" I asked.
"Shehryaar beta. Time. Time is what I don't have, love. I'm expiring and..."
I cut her off, placing my finger on her lips. "No mama. Please eradicate this negative thinking, for us at least. Do you want Nida and I to cry for the rest of our lives together?" I asked, lifting my finger off and Nida came and stood beside us.
"No. I don't. But..."
"No but's mama....If you cry anymore, I am NOT going to attend my Nikaah today." I warned her instantly and she looked at Nida and smiled as if it was some sort of coincidence.
Nida hugged her and mama pulled me into her arms too.
"She gave me the exact same threat since the whole past week." She chuckled, explaining, and I smiled.
"It's settled then Nidzi. If she cries, we won't get Nikaah'd today." I announced and mama slapped the back of our heads lightly.
"Aise nahi kehtay. Bewakoof bachay meray." She pulled our heads back onto her shoulders and smiled.
We sat down next to papa as Nida and her mom reminisced some beautiful and funny memories they've had with him and I couldn't stop laughing. Papa was too hilarious and his dialogues, cute and quite naughty. Nida was one lucky girl. Just wish she had never faced this time today that she had to spend without him.
After a lovely conversation, we all bid our goodbyes to papa and to each other as we headed to our homes.
I rang the doorbell and Maha opened up.
She smiled cheekily and I lifted her up in my arms and kissed her cheek.
"Shehry, aap khush ho?" She asked, a warm smile playing across her face.
"Haan baby. Bohat khush." I kissed her cheek once more and she giggled.
"My bhabhi is the prettiest and sweetest person in the whooole world." She said, spreading her arms wide and I smiled slumping down on the couch with her in my arms.
"She is." I just responded.
"Shehry." She spoke.
"Jee jaan." I replied with the usual answer.
"Mein...phuppo kab banoungi?" She asked and my eyes widened in shock.
"Yeh...yeh kis ne kaha tumse?" I asked with a look of horror on my face.
"Waqas bhai ne. Woh keh rahay thay ke meray bohat saare new friends banein ge. Aap ke bachay." She grinned cheekily at the last sentence.
Lo ! Saale ne pehlay hi usse dher saare bachon ki bashaarat (glad tidings) de di hai. Itni hi jalan ho rahi hai, to khud kar le na shaadi.
"Waqas bhai pagal hain. Haan.... baneinge aapke new friends lekin abhi aisi baatein nahi karni, okay?" I told her and she giggled.
"Okay." She laid against my chest and I carressed her short silky hair.
"Waah waah, bhai ke saath laad pyaar khatam ho gaye hon, to kia hum bhai se baat kar saktay hain?" Mom came in, wrapping her arms around my neck as she hugged me from behind. I pulled her arms even more around my neck and kissed her face that came to my right side now. Maha got up on mom's order and ran off.
"Ab yeh pappiyaan apni Nida ko hi dena. Usse itna pyaar dena ke woh apne har gham ko bhool jaaye. Meri beti hai woh aur mein uss ke chehray pe sirf khushi dekhna chahti hoon. Tum itna to karo ge na meray liye? Hmm?" She asked over my shoulder.
"Uss se bhi kahin ziada karoon ga." I winked at her and she laughed, coming forth and sitting next to me on the ocuch.
"Shehry beta. Tumhaare liye yeh Nikaah bohat ziada to nahi hai?" She asked.
"Agar hota bhi to aap kia karteen?" I asked and a tear rolled off her cheek.
"Mein...mein nahi jaanti mein kia karti. Mein Rafia ki aakhri khwaahish zaroor poori karti beta, lekin mein..mein tumhaari khushiyaan qurbaan na karti agar tum na chahtay to. Mein pata nahi kia...."
"Sssh ! Mein khush hoon na. Aur kia chahiye aap ko?" I wiped the tear stain off her cheek and pulled her head to my shoulder.
"Haan. Alhamdulillah." She mumbled.
The doorbell rang and I see Hussain sprint down the stairs to open it. Hafsa aayi hai kia?
He opened up and in came those two idiots. He hugged them tight and then they saw mom and I and ran towards us.
They said their salaams to mom and then smirked at me.
"Chal beta, khair nahi ab teri." Waqas smirked at me and I rolled my eyes.
"Haan haan, ghuma le aankhein puttar. Ab koi nahi bachaaye ga tujhe humse. Teri Nidzi bhi nahi." Atif winked and I just shook my head.
"Ulllo ke pathon, aaj to bakhsh do mujhe." I put my hands together in front of them.
"Lo, jo engagement pe kehna tha, woh Nikaah pe keh raha hai. Sahi terhi cheez hai yaar tu bhi." Hussain shook his head and I gritted my teeth.
Engagement pe saalo ne sahi durgat banayi thi meri. Allah hi khair karey Nikaah pe kia karein ge. Lekin....maza to bohat aaya tha waise, tub.
"Aye lo. Kho gaya phir se Nidzi ke khayaalon mein." Waqas said, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Chal bey, bhabhi bol kameenay. Nidzi hai, to sirf meri." I boasted.
"Chalo, ho gaya shokha fir, khota jeya." Hussain smacked the back of my head and I glared at him.
"Tum sab isse uppar le jao. Mein drinks laati hun sab ke liye." Mom smiled at them and I made a face.
We all went upstairs to our room and laid down on the bed with Hussain on one side and Waqas and Atif on the other.
"Bhonkh." Hussain gestured and I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.
"Abbay kaisa feel kar raha hai dulhay raja." Waqas smirked, editing Hussain's vague order.
"Guys, it's just...my Nikaah, not marriage. So please."
"Oye Nikaah=marriage and marriage=legal. Legal=bachi teri forever." Hussain winked and I slapped his arm.
"Beghairat, bhabhi hai teri. Kuch respect kar." I narrowed my eyes at him and he laughed.
"Acha bhai senti na ho....Seriously though, how do you feel about this step? We were talking about engagement back then, but this. This is even more serious. I mean...Nikaah at 18?" He raised his eyebrows in surprise and Waqas and Atif went in deep thought.
"Guys, I honestly don't care what age this is all happening at. If it's the least I can do for her and for her dying mother's happiness, I wouldn't feel the least bit hesitant in doing so."
"True." All three spoke in unison.
"Well..." Waqas butted in. "Nida and her mom are happy, of course. But...are you?"
His question would've got me thinking if I were someone else, but it didn't. Because, I knew what I was doing was right. I had faith in myself. In my love for her, and I would do anything to have her.
"Oh hello ! Looks like you're lost in her again." Hussain smiled, snapping me out of my thoughts in a non-teasing way for once.
"Guys, I am happy. In fact, happiest. Marta hun uss pe." I chuckled staring at the ceiling.
"Acha? Iss liye to control nahi hua na masquerade ball pe tujh se? Hafsa told me everything." Hussain winked at me, and I felt my face flush in embarassment.
"Bitch aurat ! Owner bhi bitch ki, aur harkatein bhi bitch wargi. Hmph."
"Oye oye, the fuck man !" Hussain sat up and glared at me in anger. Was I thinking aloud? Holy shit !
"Yo, calm down bro. Sahi to kaha meine. Aik to acha khaasa moment tabah kar diya hum dono ka, uppar se tujhe bata rahi hai." I responded, feeling slightly pissed as well.
"Yo guys, calm down ! Aik pappi pe laro ge tum dono ab? How mature !" Waqas butted in.
"Saale, teri khud ki hogi na, phir baat kareen !" I punched his chest playfully, shedding off my anger and heard Hussain sigh.
"Uff Shukar hai, meri nahi hai koi, warna aise hi jungli bun jaata tum dono ki tarha." He responded and I rolled my eyes.
I turned to Hussain and put a hand to his shoulder.
"Oye. Dukhi mat ho. I'm sorry. Mein kuch ziada hi keh gaya. Meri best friend bhi to hai na, zuban pe control nahi raha." I looked down, trying to justify my frank behaviour with Hafsa. She doesn't really mind me calling her so, but I guess somebody sure does.
He looked away. "You can say that to her face all you want but at least not to me, man. You know what I mean, right?"
"Chal sorry na." I pulled him into my right arm and ruffled his hair, and he smiled.
"It's okay. Aakhir bitch ka best friend bhi to bitchy behaviour dikhaye ga na." He smirked and I laughed.
"Waise Hussain....did he....actually kiss her?" Atif asked growing interested all of a sudden, and my jaw dropped.
Hussain smirked. "Dude, just a second late and they'd have lost themselves....aik doosray ki mohabbat mein." Hussain smirked at me, saying the last part dramatically.
Oh my God ! Yeh kameenay koi qasar nahi chorein ge mujhe sharminda karne mein. But....harkat bhi to kuch aisi thi meri....Whatever ! Control nahi hota yaar, itni damn khoobsurat hai !!! Mushkil ho jaata hai.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't hear them laughing at me.
I just rolled my eyes and slid forward, about to get off the bed when Hussain and Atif trapped either of my legs by entangling each in theirs.
"And where do you think you're going mister?" Waqas asked, coming in front of me arching his perfect eyebrow upwards.
I looked around and scanned all three of their faces which sported a perverted look.
"I honestly feel you guys don't have good intentions." I said nervously and they all laughed.
"Leave guys. Bachay ki sharaafat pe bura asar par jaye ga." Hussain said, lifting his leg off mine and the two cackled.
I narrowed my eyes and laid back down in bed.
We just laid there, talking and joking around when unknowingly we just fell asleep with our arms dangling around each other.
Dang. This bromance. Kabhi khatam na ho.
Nida's POV:
"Bitch, get up ! It's effin' 4 pm !" Her annoying tone rang through my ears like a ruptured trumpet but I decided to ignore her.
"Hafsa, stop bothering me. Lemme sleep. I didn't sleep since the past two weeks." I mumbled in my jet-lagged tone.
"Really? If you didn't sleep since two weeks, then how come you're sleeping so peacefully now?" She asked and I felt a smile slowly creep its way up to my lips.
"Because I met him today." I sat up and told her and she smiled.
"No wonder." She side-hugged me.
"Come on. Sara's here too." She smiled.
"Oh my God really? When did she arrive?" I asked excitedly as I got off bed and headed to the bathroom to freshen up.
"Just ten minutes ago." She responded as I left the bathroom and headed downstairs with her following behind.
"Saraaa !!!" I screamed, crashing into her with full force as I hugged the life out of her.
"Nidaaa. Damn girl. It's been a while." She pulled back and smiled.
"Ab to aapko Hussain ke ilaawa aur kisi se koi kaam hai nahi....Speaking of Hussain, where is my little superhero?" I asked.
"He just fell asleep. He's in mom's room." She infromed me.
"Can I go see him?" I asked.
"What sort of question is that? Of course you can, silly." She said and I squealed, dashing to mom's room.
I entered silently and tiptoed towards the bed. A smile slowly made its way to my face as I saw him sleeping peacefully, looking like an absolute angel.
I sat down on the bed and lifted him up in ny arms and just beamed at his cute face.
"Such an angel you are, Hussain. You are so lucky mama got a chance to see you, when your future brothers and sisters might...might not even get the chance to see their grandmom." I whimpered.
"But..but don't worry. Khala will always be there for you. Always be there to love you and...and maybe even give you...." I trailed off, chuckling at my thoughts. I felt myself blush at my own thoughts. Damn Nida ! You're crazy.
"And Shehry would be the awesomest uncle you could ever have." I giggled silently and softly kissed his little pink cheek.
I put him down on the bed and lied next to him, lost in my thoughts.
Everything was happening so fast. Kahaan kal hi meri engagement hui thi aur aaj....shaadi. Aur mustaqbil mein....aik family.
I laughed out loud at the last part and then shook my head.
Aise hi aaj Shehryaar ki hone ja rahi hoon zindagi bhar ke liye. Sirf ussi ke saath apni zindagi guzaaroon gi, ussi ke saath khaaoun gi, piyoon gi, soun gi aur apni har saans ussi ke sang loongi. Apni zindagi ka har lamha sirf...ussi ke saath.
Aise hi papa ki aas liye rahoon gi ke woh kisi din jaag jaayein aur meri bhatki hui saans mujhe waapis dila dein.
Aur aise hi mama ko....mama ko kho rahi hoon. Aahista aahista....
My breaths hitched up as I felt like crying again. My heart ached as I already felt her absence around me. I gulped down my emotions before they got the worst of me, and headed out the room, dying to spend each and every moment with her before it all ended.
Hafsa, Sara and mom helped me get ready. Mom had bought a beautiful cream colored gown for me which had lovely designs all over. It had a plain translucent cream dupatta to wear over the head.
Sara began doing my makeup as I sat in front of my dressing table mirror.
"Hmm...so tell me again. How nuch does Shehryaar love you?" She asked for like the 100th time this whole week and I blushed just the way I do each time.
"I love this blush. I don't even need to use blush-on. Uss ka naam sunte hi madam laal gulaabi hi jaati hain." She giggle and I just gave her a little push, shutting my eyes as she applied eye makeup.
"Your lucky I hadn't started, or your little act would've ruined it, pagli." She frowned.
"Sara baaji, lemme remind you that we just asked her a question. So Nida....how much does he love you?" Hafsa butted in and mom chuckled scanning through a large box of hers containing old things.
"A lot Sara. He loves me a lot." I just simply said.
"Itna ke...jaan bhi de sakta hai iss ke liye...baqaul Rizwan jee." Mom added to my sentence and they both laughed.
"Ayee hayee. Filmy munda." Sara teased and I just couldn't help but smile. Hafsa took a few pictures with my dslr camera all this while and then spoke.
"Filmy nahi hai Sara baaji. Bohat bara aashiq hai. He's really honest with his words and promises. Yes, at first sight, he might seem like a guy who just wants to play around with girls and have fun in life and just make a joke out of everything.....but the minute you get to know him, he's the truest, most sincere and deepest lover ever." Hafsa smiled.
"She just took the words right out of my heart." I said and Sara smiled.
"Yeah. I've known him since childhood but seriously I had never seen what a loverboy he really was until I found out about you. Uff ! Poora poora aashiq hai tumhaare liye. Kiyun Aunty?" She looked towards mom and mom sho seemed to be still digging into the box answered back in a muffle. "Aur nahi to kia."
"Aunty aap kia kar rahi hain?" Hafsa asked.
"Beta bas kuch dhoond rahi hoon." She responded.
"Mein aapki help karti hoon." Hafsa went over to mom while Sara was just adding the finushing touches to my lips.
"All done !" Sara said and I felt her scrutinizing my look from forehead to chin.
"You can open your eyes now babe." She commanded and I did as ordered and glanced at myself in the mirror.
"Perfect. Just the way I wanted. Thanks Sara. Love you !" I hugged her for creating the most simplistic and natural look ever.
"Anytime." She smiled and Hafsa squealed. "My turn !"
She grabbed my clip and took it off, letting my long hair drop loose to my waist.
"Uff Masha Allah girl. How am I going to manage a hairstyle in such heavy and beautiful locks?" She spoke in awe.
"You can do this babe." I reassured her and she began making my hair.
"Mama." I spoke.
"Haan beta. Bolo." She responded.
"I still can't believe I'm getting married. I mean...wow !" I beamed at her from the mirror and saw her come towards me and seat herself on a chair beside him.
She put her hand on mine and spoke. "Well, you better believe it......Are you happy?" She asked.
"More than just happy. It's a dream come true for me, and it's all because of you and papa that I'm getting married to the most perfect guy ever who cares so much and loves me so much that even I can't imagine." I smiled and she kissed my hand.
"And we're done ! Wooh ! This looks awesome." Hafsa complemented herself finally letting go of my hair which were now made up in a beautiful volumous side-swept braid and it looked awesome.
"It does!" I exclaimed and hugged her before heading to my closet.
I stood in front of my dress which was hung in the cupboard and just stared at it.
An outfit which stood out of all the rest. An outfit which spoke so many words, all at the same time, and the loudest of which were....'Qubool hai'.
I smiled and put on the dress and just observed myself in the mirror from all angles. It was perfect.
Shaadi hone waali hai meri...
I walked out the closet and the three just stood there in awe. I beamed at them and Hafsa put on a delicate silver jhoomar which had pink stones embellished into it, across the middle of my head and then slowly clasped the ends of a beautiful silver necklace across the nape of my neck as she whispered.
"Yeh...tumhaare hone waale ne diya hai." She winked and I could feel myself blush.
"Sachi?" I asked, touching the delicate piece of jewellery.
"Haan." She beamed at me and I just looked down.
Sara placed the cream colored translucent dupatta over my head and pinned it up carefully.
Mom then came forth with a red dupatta sort of thing in her hands. I furrowed as she lifted it in my direction.
"Yeh....mujhe tumhaari naani ne diya tha meray Nikaah pe, aur aaj mein yeh tumhein deti hoon. Sara ko diya tha par uss ne mujhe waapis de diya taake tum pehen sako." She smiled and I looked towards Sara who nodded reassuringly.
I had tears in my eyes as mom draped it over my back and around my shoulders. The red dupatta had gold embroidery done on it and went in perfect contrast with the dress I was wearing.
I took a deep breath and gulped in my nervousness as I headed out the door with mom, Hafsa and Sara.
We got into the car and that's when I began missing papa the most. He...he would've been driving this car instead of Irfan uncle. He would've passed me smiles and stare and tease me through the rareview mirror every now and then.
Tears welled up in my eyes instantly and Sara saw my face, and tried comforting me.
"Nida, woh aa jaayein ge jald hi waapis. Aaj nahi to...to tumhaari baraat pe honge." She kissed my hand as she held it tightly in hers.
We reached the Masjid where the Nikaah was to be held and a strange kind of nervousness had engulfed me. My heart was pounding harder against my ribcage as I entered with the three and met up with a few close relatives of mom who were there. They seemed like pretty nice aunties, surprisingly.
Mom seated me down on the chair that was placed for me and sat down right beside me, on the right, while Sara sat on my left.
My hands had begun to get cold with each second scaring the life out of me. Why was I so nervous? On the other sode of this curtain is...the live of my life. Then why? Why this uneasiness?
Mom touched my hands and her expression changed instantly.
"Nida, kia hua? Thandi ho rahi ho itni. Sab..sab theek to hai na?" She asked, concerned.
I nodded. "Jee. Jee, mein bilkul theek hoon mama. Aap meri fikar mat karein." I reassured her.
I could hear chattering, excitement on the other side of the curtain placed in between the males and females. I could hear Hussain, Waqad and Atif teasing Shehry, but I could hear nothing come out of his mouth. It seemed as if he was just as nervous as I was.
The maulvi sahaab started his recitation and we craefully listened. I looked up and froze in my place.
"Papa...." A shocked whisper escaped my lips as my eyes fell out my eye sockets.
"N..Nida kia hua?" Mom shook my shoulder and followed my gaze.
"Hmm...karne lagi thi na Nikaah meray baghair princess. Chalo koi nahi, mein ab aa gaya hun na. Tumhaari baraat khud Shehryaar ko doun ga." He smiled his ever so beautiful smile.
Tears fell off my eyes rapidly as I again spoke. "Nahi papa. Abhi...abhi k..kuch nahi hua. Aap mera Nikaah dekh kar hi..."
"Nida, kia hua? Kahaan hain Rizwan jee?" Mom shook me once more, but I ignored her, still looking at papa's beautiful face as he stood there by the main door of the Masjid.
"Nida ?!" She spoke once more and I po8nted towards the door. "Woh ! Mama ! Woh wahaan...kharain hain mama !!! Aap ko nahi dikh rahay kia ?! Mama...woh dekhain kaise muskura rahay hain." I smiled as my tears didn't seem to stop.
Mom followed my finger and looked at the same place in shock and confusion. "Par Nida beta...wahaan...wahaan to koi bhi nahi hai." Mom whimpered and my heart rate slow down.
"Mama woh dekhain na, aap ko kaise nahi dikh rahay ?!" I said, my voice raised a little.
"Nida..." She pulled my face to hers and spoke calmly. "Nida beta yeh sirf...yeh sirf tumhaara vehem hai. Wahaan koi bhi nahi..."
"Nahi mama aap kiyun nahi samajh raheen ! Woh dek..." I quickly turned to where he stood and he was...he was gone.
"Papa ! Papa kahaan hain aap ?!" I looked here and there, my heart exploding inside me as tears fell off my eyes like there was no tomorrow.
Mom again pulled my face in her direction and hugged me tight. "Beta woh..woh yahaan nahi hain. Woh sirf tumhaari soch thi, tumhaara vehem tha." She sobbed and my heart stopped.
"Iss ka matlab...iss ka matlab woh..woh wahaan nahi thay?" My voice broke apart with each word I spoke and she nodded, trying to control her tears.
I could feel all eyes on me as the aunties who sat had saddened expressions on their faces.
I was crying, crying silently but badly as mom wiped off my tears constantly and tried calming me down.
Kiyun waapis nahi aa jaatay aap papa. Kiyun aise tardpa rahay hain mujhe.
The maulvi sahaab upon sensing the situation turned back to normal continued and finally spoke.
"Kia aap ko Nida Rizwan Khan, bint Rizwan Khan se yeh Nikaah qubool hai?"
There was utter silence and my heart exploded in me every second, dying to hear his voice for once.
"Qubool hai." I heard his firm tone and my heart relaxed a little.
I glanced at mom and she smiled slowly. A smile that spoke so much but in utter silence. Those eyes, that longed to see so much in my life but....wouldn't be able to.
Mama....is.....dying.
I broke into tears once more and rolled my lips inwards trying to control the painful whimpers that were dying to escape my lips.
Mama, mat chor ke jaayein na mujhe. Mujhe aap ki zaroorat hai mama. Mein...mein marr jaaoungi mama.
"Nida, kiyun ro rahi ho?" Aunty asked in a whisper but before I could respond, the maulvi sahaab spoke.
"Kia aap ko Muhammad Shehryaar Asif vald Asif se yeh Nikaah qubool hai?"
I was speechless. The only thing revolving around my mind right now was...her.
I whimpered and mom and Aunty nodded in tears, gesturing me to speak but I couldn't. It was as if...her cancer had taken away my ability to speak.
I just shook my head and burst out crying in her arms.
"Mama, mat chor ke jaayein na mujhe. Mama please. Mama please !!!!" I begged her as I cried into her chest and she hugged me tightly with nothing to say.
Shehry's POV:
My heart ached as the only thing I could hear from the other side were her sobs. I wanted to get up, go and hold her in my arms so badly and never let go. I wanted to fulfill all those promises I made to...to papa about never letting her cry but I was failing...failing ro so so, starting from today itself.
Sensing the silence, the maulvi sahaab finally spoke for her. "Kia aap ko Muhammad Shehryaar Asif vald Asif se yeh Nikaah qubool hai?"
My heart pounded against me as I sat there impatient to hear her answer. I knew it was a yes but I wanted it to happen as soon as possible so I could reach out to her and hold her in my arms for a lifetime.
A few minutes had passed and I felt her whimpers and all of a sudden she burst out crying. Her voice stabbing into my heart for a thousand times. Tears engulfed my eyes as I sat there hearing her cries.
"Mama, mat chor ke jaayein na mujhe. Mama please. Mama please !!!!" She begged, her tone shaky and painful and I just couldn't take it anymore.
I got off my seat but papa and Hussain grabbed my hands from either side and slowly pulled me back down.
Papa looked at me, a tear in the corner of his right eye and he hugged me instantly as one escaped my eye in her pain.
I couldn't let her cry like this. I just...couldn't.
We pulled away and there was a little silence on the other side, though I could hear sniffs.
The maulvi sahaab who seemed quite emotional at the situation as well, tried once more.
"Kia aap ko Muhammad Shehryaar Asif vald Asif se yeh Nikaah qubool hai?"
She whimpered and finally spoke in a shaky tone, those two words I've been dying to hear for a lifetime, since the day I fell in love with her. That one day when I fell so badly, that all I ever wanted was her...and nothing else.
The curtain was removed and I could see everyone stand up on the other side. Nida's dupatta was over her face and all of a sudden dad hugged me. "Mubarak ho beta."
"Khair mubarak papa." I smiled at him and he returned it.
Mom came to me with tears in her eyes. "Mubarak ho Shehryaar beta. Allah tum dono ko dhair saari khushiyaan ata farmaaye. Aameen." She hugged me tightly and I kissed her cheek.
"Aameen." I whispered and stole a glance at Nida who was also busy hugging everyone else who congratulated her and comforted her.
"Mubarak ho yaar !" Waqas and Atif hugged me together from either side and I smiled hugging them back.
"Khair mubarak beghairton." I smirked and they chuckled.
They pulled away and Hussain hugged me tightly.
"Mubarak ho man ! Stay happy and blessed always. Oh and make me a happy chachu bayaalees (42) bachon ka." He winked and I smacked his head.
"Khair mubarak. Aur tu humesha meray bachon ke peechay para raha kar." I pulled away and he laughed. He then put a hand to my shoulder.
"Chal. Jaa usse apni bahon mein lay le. Koi nahi rokay ga tujhe. She..needs you man." He gave a small smile and I turned to her and saw her hugging the last aunty before she had left for the exit.
The aunty left and I slowly walked up to her and grabbed her hand. She looked down and sniffed slightly as he grip grew tighter on my hand.
With my other hand, I slowly lifted the dupatta off her face and just stood there in a daze. She looked so...flawless, the way she always does. Hmm...waterproof makeup? Smart choice.
A tear escaped her eye and she slowly looked up into my eyes. I wiped off her tear and just pulled her into my arms, hugging the life out of her.
Her heartbeats rose up and she slowly encircled her arms around my neck, hugging me back.
"I love you." I whispered, bending down and kissed into her hair.
She was still in her hiccups and I grabbed a glass of water from the table on the side and lifted it up to her dried but perfect lips.
She drank away the whole glass, as if...as if trying to quench her thirst after all the water she had let out from her eyes in pain of losing her mother and missing her father.
I put the glass back down and looked into her eyes, holding her by the waist.
"I...love you more Shehryaar." She spoke, finally smiling.
"I love you most, Nida." I whispered and pulled her into my arms once more. My heart tickled with every breath she took against me and my insides turned even wilder than before.
I had never felt so complete in my life...ever. Until today when she finally became mine. Each hug we shared before was nothing compared to what we shared today. Each feeling changed into a newer, more beautiful, more special one. I will never let a single tear escape your eye Nida Rizwan Khan, as long as I'm alive. I'll love you so much that you'll forget the cold harsh fact that something like 'pain' even exists in this world.
I love you Nida. Always and forever will.
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Omg Allah meri touba, mein to tireds ho gayi hoon itna lamba chap likhs ke. Uff !
Daba do meinu sahi tarha, beghairton !! Inna bura dabaande o tussi log. Jao fir. Maaf kiya tussi lokaan nu. ;) :p
Hi, hey hello there ;) ♡♡ Did you guys like this lamba chora chapter? :) oh and mein thora sa royi thi -_- :/
Favourite part? :D ♡
Oh and ohts ka record toot gaya ;) :D I just surpassed the 52 chap boundary ;) Soo much more to come. Stay tuned :* ♡ Love you :) ♡