Rubaab was delicately seated in front of Arsalan, separated by a delicate layer of white flowers that prevented Arsalan from openly admiring his soon-to-be wife, who now resembled a heavenly maiden.

Adorned in her half-white sharara embellished with intricate golden gota work and delicate sheesha embroidery, Rubaab wore minimal makeup, her hair elegantly styled in a sleek bun, with a regal dupatta gracefully draping over her head. Though her attire held a certain opulence, it was the dupatta that truly stole the show. Adorning her ears were substantial jhumkas, and the engagement ring bestowed upon her by Haseena Begum gleamed on her finger.

Despite her seemingly simple attire, Rubaab was a vision to behold. Those matrons yearning for the perfect match for Arsalan were captivated not only by her outward beauty but also by her gentle nature and enchanting, breathtaking smile.

Haseena couldn't conceal her pride as she observed the couple. Karim Shah soon arrived, notifying them of the presence of the Qazi, who was promptly seated between them.

Commencing with the recitation of sacred verses, Qazi Sahab directed his first inquiry to Rubaab, "Rubaab binte Riyaz Ali, kya aapko Arsalan Shah sika-e-raijul bakht 20 lakh, apko nikkah qabool hai?" The atmosphere grew surreal, and Rubaab fell into a thoughtful silence, grappling with questions of readiness and parental approval.

(Rubaab, daughter of Riyaz Ali, do you accept Arsalan Shah, the fortunate groom, as your lawfully wedded husband with a marriage gift of 20 lakhs?)

Taking a deep breath, she sensed Karim Shah's reassuring hand on her head and Haseena by her side, while an unknown aunty occupied the other, engaging in typical meddling behavior.

"Q-qabool hai," Rubaab responded after a brief pause, the Qazi seeking affirmation two more times before turning to Arsalan.

(I do)

"Arsalan Shah Wald Karim Shah, kya aapko Rubaab Riyaz Ali sika-e-raijul bakht 20 lakh, apko Nikkah qabool hai?" Arsalan's reply resonated with unwavering confidence, having accepted the inevitable truth - he was marrying Rubaab, and the declaration was made official.

(Arsalan, son of karim shah, do you accept rubaab ali, the fortunate bride, as your lawfully wedded beide with a marriage gift of 20 lakhs)

"Qabool hai," he asserted, sealing their union. Rubaab and Arsalan became one, a reality that caused Arsalan's ears to blush slightly, his cheeks aching from an abundance of smiles.

(I do)

Rising from his seat as instructed by his mother, he now sat beside Rubaab. Both of them blushed together as congratulations echoed around them.

"Mubarak ho, Rubaab Arsalan," he leaned in, whispering huskily into her ear. Rubaab's stomach fluttered, meeting his gaze through her eyelashes. She reciprocated with a soft "apko bhi." As he moved forward, his lips gently touched her forehead, causing her momentary rigidity before she composed herself.

(Congratulations rubaab arsalan)
(You too)

Anabia, seated in a secluded corner, observed the unfolding scene with simmering anger. Aliya, taking a place beside her, questioned her mother, "Ab kis baat ka dukh kar rahi ho, Amma? Kash mere liye tumne koi jatan ki hoti, toh aaj is Rubaab ki jagah main hoti." With disdain, she spat out her frustration on her mother.

(Why are you sad now? If only you've worked hard that time)

Anabia met her daughter's glare, responding sharply, "Agar tumne bhi Arsalan ko apni taraf mutwajja karne ki koshish ki hoti, toh aaj main bhi Haseena ki tarah khush hoti." Aliya huffed and crossed her arms, expressing her discontent.

(If you would have done the same, it would have happened)

"Kher, jo hona tha ho gaya... bas ek baat yaad rakho, Aliya. Rubaab bahut choti hai, zaroor janti bhi nahi hogi kaise ek aadmi ko khush rakhna hai. Or koi mard, bhale hi woh Arsalan jesa shareef kyun na ho, kabhi apne aap ko kabu nahi rakh paega... kheyal rakhna. Tumhe pata hai age kya karna hai."

(Leave it, just remember. Rubaab is too young, She probably doesn't even know how to please a man, you know what to do now)

Aliya, taken aback, looked at her mother in shock. Was her mother really suggesting she pander to someone just for his wealth? "Ammi, hosh mein to ho tum? Ab hogayi uski shaadi. Ab tum kahin aur mera bandobast karo. Main itna ghatiya kaam nahi karungi," she firmly told her mother, rejecting the idea of doing anything morally reprehensible.

(Mom, are you in your senses? Her wedding is done now. Now, manage my affairs elsewhere. I won't do such lowly work.)

"Bol to aise rahi ho jaise Arsalan ke sath kabhi koi khwab nahi dekha. Aur us meesni Rubaab ko bhi to maza ana chahiye. Tumhare or Arsalan ke beech mein ane ka," Anabia scornfully remarked, revealing her own misguided intentions.

(You're talking as if I've never dreamt with Arsalan. And that sweet Rubaab should enjoy it too. Entering the space between you and Arsalan)

"Han Ammi, dekhe the khwab... par us waqt laga tha wo mera rahega sari zindagi, mera shohar hoga, mere bachon ka baap hoga. Lekin ab wo kuch nahi hosakta mera. Or baat rahi Rubaab ki, to use main waise is ghar mein jeene nahi dungi, lekin us ke liye mujhe itna neeche nahi girna." With that statement, Aliya walked away, leaving Anabia staring at her back in disappointment.

(Yes, Mom, I had dreamt... but at that time, it felt like he would be mine for a lifetime, my husband, the father of my children. But now, he can never be mine. As for Rubaab, I won't let her live in this house like that, but I won't stoop so low for her)

'Tu nahi kuch karegi, toh main karungi. Shaadi to teri main khandan mein hi karungi... Arsalan nahi to Faizaan hi sahi,' Anabia thought to herself. If not Arsalan, then Faizaan – all she wanted was her daughter to marry someone affluent.
(If you won't do anything, then I will. I'll get married within our family, be it Arsalan or Faizaan.)

---

Rubaab found herself seated on Arsalan's bed, as requested, awaiting his arrival. It was his room, as Haseena had instructed, implying that she wasn't obligated to stay with him. The idea of not staying with her husband after marriage felt unusual, but she saw it as an opportunity to get to know him better. She was relieved that Arsalan didn't insist on her staying with him.

Sana's revelations had shaken her to the core, but she understood that it was a part of marriage. Attempting to calm herself, she pondered whether Arsalan intended to do anything tonight. Maybe, maybe not.

A knock echoed, and Arsalan entered a second later. Rubaab felt tension building as Arsalan greeted her. Placing his hand on her head, he recited the same verses the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) recited upon seeing his wife for the first time. Rubaab felt something stirring in her heart at this gesture.

"MashaAllah, aaj aap bohot khoobsurat lag rahi hain! Dekh dekh kar dil hi nahi bhara!" Arsalan chuckled, despite the cringe-worthy nature of his words. He noticed her tense demeanor and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, causing her to flinch unexpectedly.

(You're looking too beautiful, are you trying to kill me)

"Rubaab, kya hua hai? Itna ghabrai hui kyun ho?" Rubaab gulped and confessed, "Woh hum ready nahi hain toh hum aapke sath nahi soenge."

(What happened? Why are you so tense?)
(I am not ready to sleep with you)

"Ye kisne kaha aapko? Koi hume sath sone ko kyun keh raha hai?" he asked in confusion, wondering if his mother had given her the same talk he received from his father and Faizaan, who had called him. "Lekin pehle aap relax karo, shehzadi. Main kuch nahi karunga. Hum apni rukhsati se pehle kabhi saath nahi soenge, okay? I promise," he assured her.

(Why is someone asking us to sleep together?
(But first, you relax, princess. I won't do anything. We'll never be together before our ruksati)

Rubaab felt at ease hearing him, "Woh... Sana ne kaha tha ki husbands ko khush aise karte hain." Arsalan facepalmed and nodded.

(Uh, sana said thats how we make husband happy)

"kya kaha usne?" Rubaab blurted out all the details Sana had shared, making Arsalan cringe in embarrassment. "Aisa kuch nahi hai, okay? Uski baaton par bharosa mat karo! Maine promise kiya, na?" He sighed and continued, "Or kya kaha usne?"

(What she said?)
(Nothing happens, dont believe her)
(And anything else?)

Rubaab revealed everything Sana had said about the intricacies of physical intimacy, leaving Arsalan shocked. "Aisa kuch nahi hai, okay... Uski baton par bharosa mat karo! I made a promise, didn't I?" he reassured her, relieved that his innocent wife had been nearly tainted.

(Just believe me, nothing is like this)

He continued, "Rubaab, in a married life, there is much more than just physical intimacy. We love each other, we trust each other, we promise to be always with each other, and with all of this, there is no need for sexual activities. Yes, it's a Sunnah, but there's a right time for it, okay?"

Rubaab nodded, and he further emphasized, "Promise to me, Rubaab, whatever good and bad happen between us will stay between you and me. If you think there's something you can't understand, come to me. If you have any problem with me, any type of problem, come to me. We will solve it. I'll solve it. Never disclose our personal moments to anyone, okay?"

Arsalan, with utmost care and gentleness, spoke to his wife, making her realize that this was also her responsibility now. "Agar aapko lage ki maine kuch galat kiya hai ya aapko shikayat lagani hai, to Mama ke paas jana, okay? Not to anyone else. Hum koshish karenge ki hamare beech mein koi teesra banda na aaye. Kyunki hamare liye problem
h

o sakti hai!" The way he spoke every word left a lasting impression on her mind and heart.

(If you ever have problem with me, go to ammi, never to any third person. We will try keeping our problem with us, it won't create any problem!)

Rubaab nodded, understanding him, "I promise to you, Arsalan, ki main hamesha aap se shikayat karungi. Kabhi kisi ko kuch nahi bataungi, or jaise aapne pehle kaha tha, main aap par trust karungi or aapse pyaar karungi."

(I promise you, Arsalan, that I will always complain to you. I won't tell anyone anything, and as you said before, I will trust you and love you)

Arsalan's heart swelled at her declaration of love. He knew she didn't love him now, but there would be a day when he would be the center of his wife's life.

"Aap bhi karen promise... Aap bhi wahi karenge jo main karungi?" Rubaab extended her pinky to him, innocently asking him to promise. He couldn't resist and joined their fingers.

(You promise too)

"I promise, meri jaan. Bas aap kabhi shikayat nahi karna, direct dantna. Aapki to daant bhi hamein tareef lagegi!" Arsalan, for the first time, flirted with his wife, making her blush red. Leaning closer, he kissed her forehead, and just as he was about to deepen the moment, a knock interrupted them. Knowing it was his cousin or mother, he allowed them to come inside.

(I promise, my love. Just never complain, scold me directly. Even your scolding will sound like praise to me!)

Haseena, along with Rimsha and Sana, entered. "Times up, love birds. Now we are here to take your wife," Rimsha declared, making Rubaab stand up. They all exited the room, leaving Haseena alone with Arsalan.

"Beta, baitho, baat karni hai," he complied, sitting beside her. "Dekho meri jaan, ab shaadi ho gayi hai, or zimmedari aage hai. Jo tumhe without complaint poori karni hai. Rubaab ko hamesha khush rakhna meri jaan or use is ghar ke zehrele pan se door rakhna."

(I wanna talk,sit)
(Look, my love, now that we're married, responsibilities lie ahead. You have to fulfill them without complaints. Always keep Rubaab happy, my love, and keep her away from the toxicity of this house.)

Taking her hand in his, he kissed the back of it, "Aap fikar nahi karen. Mujhe meri biwi se pyaar hogaya hai! Sari zindagi nibhaungi is pyaar ko. Kabhi kisi ko takleef nahi dene dunga Rubaab ko!"

(Don't worry. I have fallen in love with my wife! I will cherish this love for a lifetime. I won't let anyone hurt Rubaab.)

Haseena smiled and left his room. Arsalan sighed, laying on the bed, with her beautiful face and his wife's cute baby voice lingering in his heart. 'Aaj wahi jannat ki pari lag rahi thi!' he smiled at the thought. Indeed, she looked beautiful, and the reason was him. She got ready for him, as his bride. Closing his eyes, in a moment, he drifted into sleep.

(She looked havenly)

Maybe, marriage had tired him out.