thank you for your unwavering patience and support <3

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43

"What do you think of this? Just imagine the Balloons gold and not pink," I said, turning my laptop towards Zayn, who was busy reading. He pushed his glasses up and slightly squinted his eyes at my little mood board of Angie's wedding. He analyzed it a bit longer before nodding his head and giving me a thumbs up.

"I like it; you're doing an amazing job. Don't stress out too much," He said, worry evident in his tone. For the past couple of weeks, all I had been doing was planning Angie's wedding. It wasn't a lot to do as they only wanted an intimate Nikah - not even a Walima. There was only going to be a tiny bachelorette party, and that's it. I am kind of ashamed to say that I've been prioritizing the wedding over my job. I ordered one last thing from Walmart and shut off my laptop, taking the evening to relax.

Relaxation didn't last long though, a couple of days later, it was already the Nikah day. The wild bachelorette party last night had taken everything out of me. It wasn't even crazy, just exhausting. But it was worth it. Angie had invited some friends from Highschool that we haven't seen in forever, and it was just so much fun! Zayn and I were currently at the party store, grabbing the balloons that I had ordered and any last-minute items.

As we approached the counter, setting the many items we were buying on the counter we were met with a familiar face. 

"It's you two again!" The petite elderly cashier - the same one from the emergency balloon order from Bhabi's baby shower months ago.

"Hi" I sheepishly said, 

"Well are you guys a couple now?" She said eyeing the ring on my finger, I nodded while Zayn laughed, 

"I saw it coming; the way the young man looked at you while you were panicking was unforgettable," She said with a small smile as she scanned the items; I blushed. That's so cute that she thought that. At that time, I never would've imagined us married now. Quickly paying, we headed out, as I started to tease Zayn. His skin was flushed red as I continued to make fun of him.

"You are incredibly annoying" He said parking the car at the venue, side glancing at me. 

I proudly smiled getting out of the car, "I know" 

We walked inside hand in hand but when I noticed the lingering aunties standing around and whispering I let go, to which Zayn grabbed my hand again,

"They're staring" I whispered, they had no shame as they continued to stare blatantly talking about us, 

"Let them I'm allowed to hold my wife's hand" He huffed accentuating the word "Wife"

We then let go, separating our ways as I went to the women's hall, and he went to the men's. The hall was nicely decorated; after I added the finishing touches, I went to find Angie. After a couple of calls and asking around, I finally found the beautiful bride, who was seated on a chair as she finished getting ready,

"Angie!" I squealed, hugging her very gently, trying not to ruin her beautiful white dress. Angie's mother, Carroll, wanted to see Angie in a traditional, class white wedding dress, so she had gone with this beautiful lacy white ball gown. The sleeves were adorned in lace as the bottom of the dress slightly flared out. She didn't need her hijab since it was segregated, but Carroll had it on hand just in case.

"You look beautiful!" I said as she twirled giving me a full 360! 

"Abu Bakrs going to freak out!" I said causing her to blush, I then turned to Carroll,

"Oh my Caroll you look stunning! Steve is going to flip" I said reffering to Angie's father. Both mother and daughter blushed at the compliments,

"You look gorgeous, Saima; I'm sure Zayn has already flipped," Angie said with a wink; she wasn't wrong about that. He had picked the baby pink almost ball gown for me, and even I noticed he couldn't take his eyes off of me. It made my heart swell; after years of hating my appearance, I was starting to feel beautiful.

I blushed, ignoring her teasing comments. The ceremony was about to start, so I helped her walk up to the stage as she took a seat. Moments before her life changed forever.

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I giggled as I watched a video Bhai sent me. Abu Bakr was pacing around mumbling incoherent things, when he noticed Bhai was recording he blushed and walked away - not before yelling at Bhai. 

Bhabi giggled as well as she watched the video from over my shoulder. Even Maryam had given out a giggle. "Hi, Maryam," I cooed. My darling niece was beginning to speak no actual words yet, but I was waiting for the day that she'd call me Fupi.

"Say Fupi, Foo Peee" I slowly said tickling her as she let out an adorable giggle,

"By the time she calls you Fupi, you'll already have someone to call you Mama," Bhai teased; I groaned. Before I got married, all I would ever get asked was when I was getting married, and now that I was married, all I would get asked was when my mother would be getting Grandchildren. You could never please anyone.

"Bhabi!" I exclaimed slightly embarrassed, 

"What! I said nothing but facts" She proudly said, I was barely even two months married children was something I would not be having until further on, Inshallah

The Imam began to speak, a lecture on marriage. I paid attention but I was impatiently waiting for the actual marriage part to happen. My phone buzzed and I sneakily unlocked it.

Zayn <3: Abu Bakr is freaking out like crazy it's the funniest thing ever

Me: So is Angie but she's doing a good job at hiding it

Zayn <3: I wasn't this nervous on our wedding day

Me: psh you were so nervous

Zayn <3: Not as nervous as you I thought you were going to puke!

Me: I probably would've if I wasn't wearing such a pretty dress

We kept going at it until it was time for Abu Bakr to speak; his confidence boomed through the speaker, as he said he accepted three times, and then the sound of him scribbling his signature was heard. It was time for Angie to speak. I was impressed she spoke with confidence and minimal shaking in her voice. She signed the paper, and we all began shouting, "Mabrook." The smile on her face was adorable, and Noor shined on her face. I went up to her as she finished hugging the guests. It was time for her to see her husband.

"Let's take you to your husband" I said with a smirk, as I held onto her hand. We slowly began walking until she stopped, 

"I'm excited but I'm scared what do I even say!" She exclaimed as I grabbed her hand and we continued walking, 

"Trust me it'll be okay, you'll figure it out" I said smiling, she was so cute I couldn't wait for what the future has to hold for them. 

We made it halfway to the room, where we were met with Zayn and Abu Bakr who were walking to the room as well. 

"Congratulations baby cousin, take care of my sister or else you're in trouble" I said sternly, as Angie slowly walked up to him as Zayn stood beside me grabbing my hand,

"Thank you Appi" Abu Bakr said his eyes on one thing only.

Tugging Zayn's hand we walked away giving the two new lovebirds some time alone. 

"Do I have to go back" Zayn groaned, "Why Can't I stay out here with you?" He pouted, I rolled my eyes at his childish ways, 

"Shoo!" I said, shooing him away as I headed back to the women's side, ignoring his comments. I giggled as I watched him stand there stuck in his spot, watching me as I walked away.

I helped with getting the food, as we waited for Angie to come back. Shortly after she did, her face all flushed as she took a seat beside me. Not saying a word as she was stuck in her own little world, and began to eat. Once everyone ate the party started the crazy aunties with the sick dance moves began and the little kids used the venue as their own personal playground. The night had finally begun.

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"Do we have to check the mail? Why can't it wait till tomorrow" I sleepily groaned, as Zayn pulled up to our apartment, 

"Becauseeee I ordered some things and I'm excited" He said with a chuckle. The night was over and I was exhausted,

"Come on my amazing and favourite wife" He said opening the door for me and extending his hand, I took his hand scrunching up my face,

"I'm your only wife" I said fully awake now, he stayed silent

"Zayn!" I shrieked tugging his arm, he started to laugh as he took out his keys, opening up the mail box,

"I'm kidding love, you're my one and only wife" 

"Better be" I grumbled, we started to walk back as he skimmed through the mail,

"No package?" I asked, his face was covered in confusion,

"No but there's this paper from the court, for you" Now I was confused. We made it back home and I opened up the letter,

Dear Saima Rahman, 

The Trial for Alfred Robinson is set to be on August 26 2021. You are required to attend and testify.

I blinked a couple of times, setting the paper down, not bothering to read anymore. I passed the paper to Zayn, who frantically read it. Tears blurred my vision as I realized I'd have to see him, I would have to talk to him, I would be in the same room as him.

I could softly hear Zayn mumbling things to me as he hugged me, but I was stuck in a trance as I thought about everything. About what happened and what was going to happen. August was far away, seven months away, but even that felt too close. How could I ever do it?

"Don't think about it; it's far away. You can do it, Saima," Zayn muttered. The rest of the night, I was silent, so deep into my thoughts. Every time I closed my eyes, his face would appear as he stood in front of me, his hand wrapped around my neck. With that being said, falling asleep that night was hard, and Zayn had stayed up too. I was grateful for him to be there comforting me; I don't know what I would've done. After we both prayed Fajr, we did manage to get a couple of hours of sleep. I woke up the next morning to an empty bed.

Slowly I got up, brushing my teeth, wrapping a blanket around me, I headed to the kitchen. The smell of burnt toast enveloping me. Zayn stood in our kitchen, his back towards me as he spread some Nutella onto a piece of toast as he hummed to some tune. I took a seat which seemed to have gotten his attention,

"Good morning!" He chirped, placing two plates in front of me. A plate with toast and another plate of fruits, in the design of a smiley face that made me giggle, it was so cute. I looked up to see him smiling,

"Thank you" I said taking a bite of the slightly burnt toast, he took a seat beside me, digging into his food.

"Did you sleep well?" He said the concern in his voice still evident, I nodded and continued eating.

"That's good because today we're going out" He said with a grin, I raised my eyebrows. I was not informed of this sudden outing,

"To where?" I asked

"Out" He deadpanned,  

I rolled my eyes, "Thanks for the clarification" He chuckled at my unamusement, 

"You'll love it"

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"Zara!" I squealed, running up to her, trying not to trip over my dress. I have no idea why Zayn kept it a surprise, but we were out for dinner with our families at this new Afghan place, but I was still so excited. I had missed my family. From seeing them every day to once a week, it was sometimes hard.

"Hi Appi! I missed you" She said hugging me, "I missed you too" Before I could hug her any further, my two favourite twins came jumping at me, pulling me into a heart clenching hug, 

"Hi Rukaiya, Fatima," I said with a giggle; I greeted Mama and Baba along with Aunty Asma and Uncle Tahmeed. Everyone was here besides Bhabi, Bhai, and Maryam. We took a seat as we waited for them to come. After the waiter had come two times asking for us to order, they finally arrived, all flustered and rushed.

"Sorry we're late, someone was in a bad mood" Bhai said narrowing his eyes on Maryam who giggling as she played with her grandfather. We all laughed and we ordered.

"You're joking" Bhabi whispered as we ate. I hadn't told anyone about Zayn's father's trial or Robinson but everyone was distracted, talking about something else so I took this as a chance to tell Bhabi.

"Why would he specifically want you as his lawyer? That's so suspicious," Bhabi whispered, taking a bite of her Rice.

"I know and then I hear about Robinson's trial, it's like we don't get a break" I said with a sigh, everything was coming in so fast. 

Bhabi gave me a sympathetic look as we turned our focus on to Bhai, who was discussing the prospect of a huge family vacation,

"Your cousin Mumtaz is getting married in August we're all going to it" Baba said, who in the world is cousin Mumtaz?

"Where is it?" Zayn asked, "New york" Mama replied. The rest of the night we talked and discussed until Zayn brought up what happened with his dad.

"He contacted Saima?!" Bhai asked, getting angry, I nodded, he looked over at Zayn who had a slightly frightened look on his face as both my brother and father eyed him down.

"It's fine, I rejected the case anyways" I said reassuringly, Bhai still didn't look convinced but he let it go. I was scared to bring up the Robinson Trial but I knew I had to tell them about it,

"Speaking off evil people, Robinson's trial is very soon" I said super fast earning confused looks from everyone. I took a sip of my sprite and let Zayn do the explaining.

They all stared at me shocked, their mouths agape. Well besides Bhabi since she already knew.

Everyone was quiet, I fiddled with my fork waiting for someone to say something. Bhai looked like his head was going to explode and I was ready for the explosion when,

"Baba" Maryam said with a giggle, pointing at her father. We all gasped our heads turning to Maryam,

"Did she- Maryam say that again Ba baa," Bhai said slowly; she was quiet for a second until she repeated it. We all began to cheer, excited that Maryam finally said her first word. Bhabi was a bit upset that she didn't say "Mama" first, but she didn't care as Maryam continued to sputter things out. Bhai was over the moon, not to mention he loved having bragging rights that Maryam said "Baba" and not "Mama" first.

The tense conversation was over and we all were excited, trying to get Maryam to say more things. The night ended in bliss and a newfound excitement. We quickly said goodbye and headed out.

"That was scary" Zayn mumbled as he got into the car, 

"What was Baba's glares towards you or Bhai's threats?" I asked giggling,

He shivered, "Both" 

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anotha update, who am I LOL what happened to the sameeha who said she wont be updating for a bit hahaha <3