Chapter-22 The Wedding-1

A/N: I have really enjoyed myself while writing these two chapters and I hope my readers will enjoy them too. It was getting quite lengthy so I decided to divide the wedding day into two chapters. Have fun reading it and don't forget to share and commentJ

Zuby's POV

Waking up on the day of your wedding is something which excites almost every bride. Or I guess they are lucky to be happy on their wedding day. A day which changes one's life; a day which adds a new family in one's life. The day when a girl completes a man. And the day she probably meets and unites with her soul mate. Even with all the mess in my life I had hopes for this day of my life...my wedding. My uncle made sure that even this happiness is taken away from me. But here I am tightly holding on the delicate shreds of the hope left in me. It's all due to my faith in Almighty, I am sure he has planned the best for me and I am somewhat eagerly waiting to enter this new phase of my life. But again I am just an ordinary human being who gets lost and distracted on her way, that's the only reason for my anxiety today.

Till I was getting married to Sahil at least I had a face to imagine whenever thoughts of how my husband will be came in my mind. But now I don't even have a face, feeling a little more anxious I just close my eyes and think about what's up for me today. I don't know from where but Ayaan's face comes in front of my eyes and I instantly open my eyes. I wonder why did his face flash, it can't be him. So what if Adila said that she is the groom's sister, she didn't say cousin. And why will she hide it from me if it was Ayaan. And why of all the people in this world will Ayaan want to marry me? It seems my mind is just playing games with me. I hardly know any boys/men personally that's why I am getting images of Ayaan cross my mind.

I take a deep breath and get out of bed before I am late and miss my morning prayer. I freshen up, make wudu (ablution) and then offer my prayers. I sat on the prayer mat for a little longer today, remembering my parents. They would have been so happy if they were alive, in fact I would have been happy as well. I still wonder why I was not with them on that fateful night. But I guess there is something left in my life, I still have to witness many more things. I cannot deny the little ray of hope that I still feel. Yes, I can't actually see anything good happening to me anytime soon but I still feel the ray of hope. I am brought out of my trance with the ringer of my mobile, I see Sagu's name on my mobile screen. I accept her call and she tells me that she will be starting for my place in the next half an hour. Sulekha Aunty is also accompanying her. Both of them will be getting ready for the wedding here itself. I hang up the call with a hope of not being alone anymore. I look at the time and realize that I have been sitting on the prayer mat for almost an hour now. It is already 7 in the morning, I get up and take a bath and change into a simple pink checkered shirt and white pants. While drying my hair with hair dryer I wonder if my husband will like my hair. I have these wavy dark brown hairs which almost reach my waist. What if he prefers short hair?? I won't actually mind getting a haircut for him; I smile at the fact that how easily I am able to distract myself from the gloomy thoughts today. Though I am still in pain because of the bruises all over my body but this pain has still not shattered my soul. I am grateful to Allah that the finger marks on my cheeks have faded a little and can be easily covered with some make up. On makeup I remember Sagu telling me that she has already taken appointment from a beautician to do my bridal make up plus a henna artist to apply henna on my palms and feet. I just smile thinking about all this, so what if there are so many things in my life to be worried about I still have my best friend who is trying her best to make my special day really SPECIAL for me. I lie down on my bed with my feet hanging on the floor and hear Sagar���s car horn after around 20 more minutes. I sit up and wait for my darling friends to come up to me, I guess Sagar is here to drop Sagarika and Aunt Sulekha so I put on my headscarf and wait for them.

There was a knock on my door and I opened it quickly, I was immediately engulfed in a bear hug by my best friend. Behind her Aunt Sulekha and Sagar entered my room. Poor Sagar had to carry a lot of stuff; once Sagu let me go Sulekha Aunty gave me a hug while Sagar lay on my bed with a thud. The three of us laughed at his misery and he narrowed his eyes towards us and said...

"Carry all that stuff then you will get to know how heavy it is" Aunt Sulekha smiled at him and said...

"Not every day is your sister's wedding Sagar, we have to look our best" he smiled finally and I felt good to have these people in my life. Sagu's mom is the nearest mother figure I have, how I wish Aunt Sara would have been good with me. She is not just my dad's sister in law but also his cousin; anyway I shake my head and decide not to spoil my mood. Then I notice Aunt Sulekha opening up a Tupperware and taking out my favorite stuffed paneer parathas. That's when Sagar says…

"Mom please hurry up...I am really hungry and then I need to leave" only then I knew they brought breakfast for me and all of them were going to have it with me. This little gesture of love swelled my heart and I couldn't stop the tears in my eyes. Sagu wiped my tears and hugged me again, and then we all had breakfast together. Sagar was ready to leave saying he will see us at night, just then Sagu got a call from the henna artist and she was already here. Suddenly I realized this day is moving rather quickly. Trying to stay calm I take few deep breaths and settle on my bed waiting for the henna artist. Sulekha Aunty cleared the breakfast and went down to see Aunt Sara to ask for a suitcase to pack some of my essentials. The henna artist started applying henna on my right hand first. Sagu whispered something in her ears and both of them giggled. I wonder what she said and I just rolled my eyes when she didn't tell me.

By the time my right hand was done Aunt Sulekha had already packed half of my suitcase. She asked me for things I use on a daily basis and said I can come and get whatever else I need later. I was surprised that even after so much going on in my mind I was still feeling pretty good. Once my left hand was done the henna artist moved towards my feet but I didn't let her apply henna on my feet. I don't like the idea of being stuck at a place without the ability to move so I said no to henna on my feet. It was good that no one pressured me. I closed my eyes and tried to relax by the time Aunt Sulekha and Sagu got henna applied on their hands. I don't know when I fell asleep but I woke up at the ringer of my mobile. It was a new number and I was not sure who it could be but I answered the call anyhow.

Ayaan's POV

I woke up this morning feeling more excited than nervous. I know I should be nervous because if anything goes wrong then I don't know what I am going to do but my excitement is way too much. I get out of my bed and quickly take a shower and get ready. I offer my morning prayers and hope everything goes as planned. It is going to be a busy day as we need to get everything arranged. We will go to Zuby's place in the evening and be back before dinner time. One thing I admire about my parents is that they requested Zuby's uncle to keep the arrangements simple. We will go to her house, just my immediate family, get done with the nikah and bring the bride home. Our guests will be here in our house to welcome the new bride and then everyone will have dinner. The reception will be held next week since my parents wanted a lavish reception for their elder son and need time to prepare for the same. We don't like the idea of burdening the girl's family with any kind of expenses.

Bhai comes in my room and asks me to go and talk to mom and dad telling them that I will stay back to look after our guests at home. This way no one will question my disappearance in Zuby's house. There are just a few guests who could reach at such a short notice so it won't be actually difficult for Bhai to stay away from everyone. I understood his plan and went out for breakfast and to talk to my parents while eating.

It was nice to see everyone so happy; my mom specially had this spark in her eyes. I know she always wanted to have a daughter maybe that's why she is so delighted. Mom has really taken a liking towards Zuby; I wonder how she will react once she sees me as the groom. Not letting negative thoughts bother me I clear my throat and talk to my dad...

"Umm...dad I was thinking I will stay back at home while you people will go for the nikah." He raised his eyebrows and I continued...

"I mean someone has to stay here with our guests so I will look after them." After how many days, months or years my dad smiled at me I don't actually remember, but he did smile at me right now and said...

"I am happy to see you taking part in your brother's wedding preparations....I think it is a good idea and you can stay back at home. Anyway we will be back in 2-3 hours maximum." I nod my head and get up from the dining table. I wanted to know how Zuby is doing so I caught hold of Adila Appi and asked her to call Zuby and put the speaker on so that I can hear her too. Both of us went in my room and I locked the door, Adila Appi then called Zuby. She answered the call after almost 5 rings; I guess she took time because of the new number....

Z: Hello??

A: Hey Zuby it's me Adila...how are you doing?

Z: I am fine, how are you?

A: Absolutely fine, just busy with all the preparations today. What were you doing anyhow and how are your bruises?

Z: I just got henna applied on my hands, my friend Sagarika is here and so is Aunt Sulekha. Sagu called up the henna artist and so right now I am just sitting with my hands spread.

A: What about your bruises? Do they still hurt?

Z: They are a little better but they still hurt.

A: (sigh) don't worry they will heal soon. See you in the evening and take care sweetheart.

Z: Sure...you too take care.

With that Adila Appi hung up, it broke my heart to hear about her pain. I think more than my nikah today I am looking forward to when I can beat up Ashfaq. I take a deep breath and Adila Appi pats my back.

Time seems to be running today, I try to clean up my room as much as possible and also make space in my wardrobe for Zuby's clothes and whatever stuff she brings with her. Just the thought of her being my wife and sharing my room makes my heart beat fast. I want to keep her happy, only if I could decorate my room for her arrival. But that is something which will raise questions and I can't take any risks. I also clear my dressing table for her use. Once everything is settled I am planning to buy us a new bed-set of her choice. I feel good after making these little arrangements for the love of my life who will be my wife in just a few hours.

It is already evening and we need to start for Zuby's place in the next half an hour. Everyone is getting ready, Bhai comes to my room to get ready so that no body suspects about the change in groom when I walk out as the groom. As planned Bilal Bhai bought a really big sehra (flower strings) for me so that no one can even get a glimpse of me. Though it is really suffocating but I can bear with it just for the sake of my love.

We reach Zuby's house after almost an hour and Sagar greets me at the entrance along with Zuby's uncle and that dog of her cousin. Sagar introduces himself to me as Zuby's best friend and we shake hands. Her uncle and cousin also shake hands with me, how I wish I could crush those hands right now but Bilal Bhai keeps his hand on my shoulder noticing the change in my posture and I take a deep breath trying to relax. Adila Appi and mom go inside to meet Zuby. I got a message from Adila appi telling me that my bride is ready and looking breathtaking. I smile and thank her for keeping me updated.

Soon it was time for nikah and my heart beats got really high, I know somehow Bilal Bhai has got my name written on the nikah papers in place of the groom's name and he discreetly removed dad's reading glasses from his pocket. Now dad can't read so he asks Bilal Bhai to go through the papers. We are happy that till now our plan is working. The difficult step is now happening and neither I nor Bilal Bhai has any control over it. We are totally dependent on Adila Appi, Sagarika and her mom. They need to distract not only Zuby's uncle and aunt but also my mom. I just keep my fingers crossed and wait to see what happens next.