Istanbul, Turkey.
1 am.

Third person's POV.

All of them eventually retired to their rooms.
The long journey, the excitement of meeting everyone, and the emotional reunion had left them exhausted. The home tour, wedding discussions, and celebrations could wait until tomorrow.

The house staff quietly shifted the luggage to the assigned rooms while the family settled in for the night.
Smiling and tired, Aarib and Roshaane also made their way toward their room.

As soon as Roshaane stepped inside and closed the door behind her, she rested her back against it and let out a content sigh.

"It feels so good to have them all here."
Aarib, who was adjusting the heating system, glanced at her and smiled.

"I can see how happy you are."

"Shouldn't I be?" she asked, walking toward the dressing table while taking off her watch and earrings. "It's our wedding. The wedding where you're actually smiling."

Aarib looked at her. And she looked at him.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Their eyes said enough.
The room felt warm.
Peaceful.
Safe.

Almost too perfect.

Aarib was the first to break eye contact.
"Don't love me that much."

He turned toward the wardrobe, pretending to look for his clothes. Roshaane immediately followed him.
"Or you'll fall for me?"

She placed her chin on his shoulder.
"That's what you wanted to say, right?"

Aarib turned and lightly tapped her forehead with his finger.
"Stop dreaming."

Roshaane instantly pouted.
"You're impossible."

Taking her night clothes, she walked toward the dressing area. Aarib watched her leave and shook his head with a smile.

"It's fun teasing her."

He pulled off his shirt and ran a hand through his hair.

"But I'm already hopelessly in love with you, stupid girl."
The whisper never reached her ears.

Only his own.
A soft smile lingered on his lips.

A few minutes later, Roshaane emerged from the dressing area. One look at her face told him she was still offended. Aarib bit back a laugh. Without looking at him, she walked straight to the bed and lay down dramatically. He followed a moment later.

The lights were switched off, leaving only the warm glow of the bedside lamp. Slowly, Aarib stretched his hand across the mattress in search of hers.The moment his fingers touched hers, she pulled her hand away. Aarib chuckled.

"Are you showing me offence?"

"Shouldn't I?" she asked, turning toward him. "After all your non-serious answers."

"Do I really sound non-serious?" Aarib asked, turning to her as well.

"Especially when it comes to love." She replied, looking in his eyes.

Her answer made him pause.

"You never say things properly." Aarib's smile slowly faded into something softer.

Without realizing it, he moved slightly closer.
"And what exactly do you want me to say?"

"The truth." The room suddenly felt smaller.
Warmer.
Quieter.
Aarib shifted even closer.
Too close.

Roshaane's heartbeat immediately betrayed her.
His gaze never left hers.

“So you want me to be serious?” he asked softly, sliding an arm around her waist and pulling her closer until her hand came to rest against his shoulder.

Roshaane's breath caught in her throat.
“I can confess,” Aarib murmured, his gaze fixed on hers.

“But I don't think you'd be able to handle my way of confessing.” His words sent her heartbeat into a frenzy.

“A-Aarib...” she stammered.

A faint smile touched his lips. Slowly, he leaned closer until only a breath separated them. Their noses brushed lightly, making her eyes widen.

“This is a bad idea,” he whispered.

His hand rose to cup her jaw, his thumb gently tracing her cheek before lingering near her lips.

“W-What is?” she asked, struggling to steady her racing heart.

“Being this close to you.” His voice was barely above a whisper.

“I won't be able to hold myself together.”

The honesty in his words made her cheeks burn.
His forehead rested briefly against hers before he pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek, then another near her jaw.

“Aarib...” she whispered again, her voice trembling.

He closed his eyes for a moment as though gathering every ounce of self-control he possessed. Then he slowly pulled away.

“I told you,” he said with a helpless smile, “it's a bad idea.”

Roshaane remained frozen in place, her face glowing crimson. Aarib looked at her for a long moment, completely captivated by her shy expression.
Then, with a deep breath, he moved back and lay down on his side of the bed, trying to calm the storm inside his chest.

Roshaane watched him silently. Even in the dim light, she could see him taking slow breaths, fighting a battle she understood all too well. Unable to hide her smile, she buried her face in the pillow.

For a few moments, silence settled between

Aarib closed his eyes and tried to calm his racing heart.
"This girl will be the death of me."

The words escaped under his breath.
"What did you say?" Roshaane immediately asked.

"Nothing."

"It wasn't nothing."

"It was."
She narrowed her eyes at his back.

"You always do this."

"Do what?"

"You say important things and then pretend you didn't."
A smile tugged at Aarib's lips.

Slowly, he turned back toward her.
The night lamp cast a soft golden glow across her face.
Her hair was spread across the pillow. Her eyes were fixed on him. Her blush was not hidden from him, yet she was trying to talk to him. Her gaze had all for him.

Waiting.
Expecting.
Hoping.

"What do you want me to say?" he asked quietly.

"The truth."
Aarib sighed dramatically.

"The truth is that you're impossible."
Roshaane gasped.

"Aarib!"
"The truth is also that you're stubborn."

She hit his arm with a pillow.
"And spoiled."

Another pillow hit his shoulder.
"And dramatic."

This time, she sat up completely.
"I am not dramatic."

"You absolutely are."

"I'm not talking to you." She offensively said.

"Five seconds." He said, crossing his arms on his chest.

"What?" She got confused about his words.

"You'll start talking again in five seconds." He said with a smile while she frowned. She folded her arms.
"One."

"Aarib."

"Two."

"Stop counting."
"Three."

Her lips twitched.
"Four."

She finally laughed.
Aarib smiled victoriously.
"I win."

"You cheated." She complained, looking at his smile face.

"I always win." He proudly said.

"You don't." She replied, tugging her hair behind her ear while his loving gaze on her.

"I do." He said

"No."

"Yes."

The argument continued for another few minutes until both of them were laughing.

Eventually, the laughter faded. The room grew quiet again. This time, comfortable. Peaceful. Aarib reached forward and gently held her hand.
No teasing.
No jokes.
Just warmth.
Just them.

"Thank you," he said softly.

Roshaane blinked.
"For what?" She asked.

"For making this house feel like a home."
Her eyes softened.

"For making me look forward to tomorrow."
The smile on her lips slowly grew.

"And for being excited about every little thing."
Aarib squeezed her hand.

"The wedding."
"The house."
"The family."
"Us." The last word came out almost as a whisper.

Roshaane's heart fluttered. She moved a little closer.
"Aarib?"

"Hmm?" He answered, his fingers touched her hair.

"Seniseviyorum." She said , his gaze softened while hart fluttered.

"Thank you." His reply made her giggle.

"I'm blessed to have you in my life." She said lying next to him her head on his shoulder.

"So am I." He replied holding her in the circle of his arms.

And with their hands still intertwined, both slowly drifted to sleep, surrounded by warmth, love, and the happiness of having their families finally under one roof.

------

The next morning was filled with joy, excitement, and endless chatter. After breakfast, everyone gathered in the spacious hall of the villa. On one sofa sat Jahan and Zeeniya, while opposite them were Hammad Ahmad, Madiha Ahmad, and Mrs. Najma Ahmad. Robi and Waqas Ahmad occupied another sofa nearby.

On the carpeted floor, leaning comfortably against soft cushions, sat Shams and Zarnish, Shahmir and Aabia, Sameer and Mahi, and finally Aarib and Roshaane Aabia had already brought a notepad and pen, determined to organize every little detail of the wedding.

Near the large window, Aarham and Mehak relaxed on the indoor swing, quietly sipping their tea while listening to everyone's discussion.

"Okay," Aabia announced, tapping her pen against the notepad. "I want this wedding to become big news."

Her statement instantly made both Aarib and Roshaane look at her.

"The wedding of J Companies's daughter with Owner of A&A Restaurant, the handsome son of Taya Hammad Ahmad's Enterprises. Isn’t a big news?" she continued excitedly. "The media will go crazy covering the wedding of this beautiful couple. It will be everywhere. The news of your grand wedding will took us again to the highlights of every magazine, every channel." Everyone smiled at her enthusiasm.

Except Aarib. A faint line of concern appeared on his face. Roshaane noticed it immediately.

"Wait a minute." Aarib stood up.
The room fell silent.

"Everyone knows we're married. I know we wanted to get married again," he said calmly, looking around at everyone. "I know we wanted to relive every beautiful ritual we couldn't enjoy the first time." His eyes drifted toward Roshaane before returning to the family.

"But inviting the whole world into our happiness..." He slowly shook his head. "That was never my plan."

"I don't want cameras following every smile. I don't want headlines. I don't want our wedding to become a public event." He smiled softly.

"I only want us.Our family. Our closest friends. The people who truly pray for our happiness." He paused for a second.

"I want to remember faces... not camera flashes." His words softened every heart in the room.

Jahan smiled proudly. Hammad Ahmad nodded in agreement. Even Zeeniya looked at Aarib with affection.
Aabia sighed dramatically before pouting.

"As you wish," she muttered, pretending to be disappointed, though a smile tugged at her lips.

Aarib smiled in victory before sitting down again.

"So," he continued, "since we decided on a Turkish wedding, we'll follow Turkish traditions." He looked thoughtfully at everyone.

"No unnecessary extra functions. No dragging the celebrations for weeks. I think..." he paused deliberately before looking at Roshaane with mischief dancing in his eyes, "...we should simply go straight to the marriage court on the wedding day." Roshaane's eyes widened.

"What?"

Before she could even protest, Aabia shot to her feet, hands firmly planted on her waist.

"Excuse me?"

At the exact same moment, Zarnish stood up beside her.

"Yes," she said, narrowing her eyes at her brother.

"Excuse me?"

Everyone burst into laughter. Only Aarib realized he had made a terrible mistake. He looked from one sister to the other and silently accepted his fate. On the other side of the room, Zara lowered her book and laughed softly at the expression on Aarib's face. Just then the main door opened.

"Marhaba!"

Hikmat's cheerful voice echoed through the hall as he stepped inside.

His eyes swept across the room  to find Aarib trapped between two furious women. He blinked once.
Then, he looked at everyone else trying and failing not to laugh.

"What exactly..." Hikmat asked with an amused smile, "...did our groom do this time?"

"Welcome, my friend!" Aarib called out dramatically. "Please help me here."

Hikmat laughed as he walked inside, while Zainab followed a step behind, greeting everyone a little shyly.

"Zainab!"

Roshaane's face lit up. She hurried toward her and wrapped her in a warm hug.

"You finally came!" she exclaimed happily.

"What took you so long? I've been waiting for you."

"I came as fast as I could," Zainab replied, laughing softly as she returned the hug.

"My friend is finally here," Roshaane said proudly before hugging her once again, making everyone smile.

Both Hikmat and Zainab settled among the family.
As Hikmat took his seat, his gaze unconsciously drifted toward Zara. She had just laughed at Aarib's miserable expression.

For a brief moment, he found himself looking at her. Then, as if catching himself, he quietly looked away.

"So..." Aabia clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention back. She walked straight to Aarib and caught hold of his arm.

"Where were we, Aarib bey?" Aarib looked at her suspiciously.

"The first ritual," she announced with a victorious smile, "starts today."She paused dramatically.

"From this moment onward..."
"...the bride and groom are officially separated." The girls cheered while both bride and groom gasped.

"You two are not allowed to meet until the wedding day."
Both Aarib and Roshaane froze.

"What?" But that's..." They tried to protest together.

Before either of them could finish, Aabia, Zarnish, Mehak, Mahi, Zara, and Zainab lined up together like an army ready for battle. Without giving Aarib any chance, the girls gently pulled Roshaane toward them. Her fingers instinctively tried to hold onto Aarib's hand, but slowly, their hands slipped apart.

"No more staying together," Mahi declared with a grin.
All the girls burst into laughter.

"And tonight," Aabia continued proudly, "we're having a girls' party."

"Tomorrow is the Henna ceremony..."

"And the day after that..."

She pointed at both of them with a teasing smile.
"...is your wedding."

The girls immediately surrounded Roshaane and started pulling her away despite her helpless laughter. At the same time, Shazaam, Shams, Shahmir, Aarham, and Hikmat closed ranks around Aarib.

"We'll have our own boys' night," Shazaam declared proudly.

Everyone cheered.
Everyone except Aarib. He wasn't thinking about a party. He wasn't thinking about celebrations.
His eyes remained fixed on Roshaane as she was being taken farther away from him.
Two days...

I have to stay two whole days without seeing her.
The thought alone made his heart sink.
He let out a quiet sigh but smiled for the coming happiness.
---------

The rooftop of Aarib's villa looked beautiful.
It was decorated with fresh flowers, fairy lights, and candles. The cool evening breeze made the lights move softly, making the whole place look warm and peaceful.
All the girls were wearing the same dress. They had bottle-green palazzo trousers, short embroidered shirts, and matching dupattas. Their hair was left open, and they all wore heavy earrings. Aabia had gifted each of them a simple gold anklet for their right foot and also the dresses. Their wrists were full of yellow bangles that made a soft sound whenever they laughed or moved.
It was a proper dress-code party.

Their dresses, hairstyles, and jewellery were almost the same. Only the bride looked different. Roshaane sat in the middle wearing a mustard-yellow palazzo suit with a green dupatta. Aabia had chosen the dress specially for her. She wore beautiful flower jewellery instead of gold, and green bangles covered her wrists. Her light makeup and bright smile made her look even more beautiful.
The girls kept laughing and teasing her, filling the rooftop with happiness.

Down in the lawn, the boys had their own gathering.
Unlike the girls, they all wore black T-shirts, jeans, and matching leather jackets. The jackets were a gift from Aarham.On their wrists, they all wore the same black watch, gifted by Shahmir.

"The gifts from Aarib bhai are still left," Shazaam joked.

"You'll get them soon," Aarib replied with a smile.

The weather was cold. They all sat around a bonfire, rubbing their hands to keep warm while servants served them coffee and snacks. Shahmir looked up at the rooftop.

"I wonder what the girls are doing."

"I can tell they're laughing," Shazaam said as he took a sip of his coffee.

Everyone looked up. They could hear the girls laughing and talking from the rooftop.

"They're enjoying their party," Shazaam said.

"We should enjoy ours too." Aarib said.

"We will," Shahmir replied with a smile.

"But our party is different."Everyone looked at him.

"We're going to talk about love tonight." As Shahmir said, the boys laughed.

"But first," Aarib said, looking at his watch, "we have to wait for Sameer."

Just then, a car stopped outside the villa. Aarib quickly stood up.
"He's here."

He walked to the gate with a smile. The others watched as Sameer stepped out of the car. For a moment, everyone became quiet. Then smiles appeared on their faces.

"Finally," Aarham said happily.

Shazaam nodded.
Aarib walked up to Sameer.

"You finally came." Sameer smiled softly as he stopped in front of Shazam.

"I had to.My family needs me in their happiness." His smile was there, but his eyes still looked tired.

"We missed you, buddy," Shazaam said, hugging him tightly.

"Me too," Sameer replied, hugging both Aarham and Shazam.

Everyone smiled at the three brothers. Soon, they all sat around the bonfire again. Hikmat and Aarham had already started preparing the barbecue. Both were wearing gloves and putting spices on the meat before placing it on the grill.

The smell of barbecue filled the whole lawn.
Shahmir looked at them and laughed.

"We were going to talk about love and you two have already started cooking." Everyone laughed.

Without looking up, Hikmat smiled and replied,
"Love can wait but barbecue can't."

Everyone laughed, and soon the table was filled with delicious food. Fresh fruits, barbecue, rice, kebabs, salads, and juices were served. They all gathered around and started having dinner together.

"Shouldn't I go and greet my parents first?" Sameer asked as he stood up.

Everyone nodded with a smile. His luggage had already been taken to his room by the servants. The elders were sitting inside the hall, purposely giving the youngsters time to enjoy themselves. Sameer went inside.
For a few moments, silence settled between the boys.

"I've noticed something," Aarib finally said, looking toward the hallway where Sameer had disappeared.

"He's becoming quieter every day."

"He wasn't like this before," Shams agreed softly.

"He's... searching for something," Shazam replied, looking down at his plate.

Hikmat and Shahmir stayed silent, listening carefully. They didn't know the full story.

"But why is he losing himself?" Aarib asked. "I miss the old Sameer. I feel like I'm sitting with a stranger now."
Aarham looked at him calmly.

"Peace," he said quietly. "He's searching for peace."
Everyone looked at him.

"I was worried too. But now I've stopped trying to hold him back. Sometimes a person has to walk through his own journey. In shaa Allah, Allah will guide him to the peace his heart is searching for." His eyes glistened as he spoke.

"I pray love finds him in a way that finally gives him that peace," Shahmir said sincerely.

"Ameen," everyone replied together.

Shahmir smiled.
"Since we're talking about love tonight, let's start with Aarham."

Everyone turned toward Aarham.
"What?" he laughed nervously. "What should I say?"

"Bhai," Shazam smiled, "he wants to know how love find you or changed you."

"Exactly," Shahmir nodded.

Aarham smiled softly before speaking.
"Love found me when I wasn't looking for it. Marriage was never part of my plans. Then suddenly I was in an arranged marriage... and I met the best partner Allah could have written for me." His smile grew warmer.

"I was always busy with work. But she kept pulling me back to life. She taught me that family is just as important as success. She made me stronger, helped me trust my own decisions, and always believed in me... even when I doubted myself." His eyes softened.

"That's how love found me."

"And yes..." Sameer said as he returned and took his seat, "...we're all witnesses of how badly he fell in love."
Everyone laughed.

For a few seconds, the three brothers were lost in old memories.Shazam smiled.

"Your turn, Shahmir." Shahmir leaned back.

"It wasn't love at first. At least that's what i thought." Everyone looked at him.

"I thought I was just dealing with a girl who loved arguing with me." Everyone laughed.

"But the real problem was my own heart. It betrayed me the very first time I saw her. Love chased me from the first time I saw her "  He smiled to himself.

"Love changed me. In many ways. It made stronger. It made me to fight with my ego. It made me a human with emotions." Shahmir said recalling the old days.

"Still, love wasn't easy. Your sister made me work very hard." He placed a hand dramatically over his heart.

"She gave me the toughest time."

"You deserved it," Shams laughed.

Everyone chuckled. Aarib looked at Shams.
"What about you? How did you find love?"

Shams became quiet.

"I wasn't ready." His smile faded.

"I was broken. The dreams I had built were gone. I thought my life had ended." He paused.

"I wasn't ready to forgive anyone. I wasn't even ready to forgive myself." The silence grew heavier.

"I had accepted darkness as my future." His eyes slowly lifted toward Aarham.

"But then... my best friend became the light I needed."
Aarham smiled knowingly.

"He pulled me out of that darkness and told me to see the love standing right in front of me."Shams smiled.

"I knew she loved me." His smile deepened.

"But when I finally understood how deeply she loved me... I couldn't stop myself from loving her back."

"I chose us over my fears,over my hate, over darkness which could kill us." Shams said, his eyes glistening.

"We pray Allah blesses you with endless happiness," Aarham said warmly.

"Ameen," everyone replied.

Shahmir turned toward Hikmat.
"Your turn."

Hikmat almost choked on his juice.
"I...mean..love..."

He stopped.
Aarib immediately laughed.

"Leave my friend alone. He's still single."

"That doesn't mean he can't be in love," Shazam teased.

Everyone looked at Hikmat.

"So?" Aarib grinned. "Do you love someone?"

"I... no... I mean..."
He couldn't even finish the sentence.

"You should marry her quickly," Shams teased.

"Did you tell her?" Shazam asked.

Sameer looked at him quietly.
"More importantly... have you admitted it to yourself?"
Hikmat froze.

Without thinking, his eyes drifted toward the rooftop balcony. Zara was standing there alone, looking at the night sky. His heartbeat skipped. Before anyone noticed, he quickly looked away.

"I'm... not in love," he answered quietly.

Aarib smiled, saving his friend.
"Enough. Stop teasing him."

He turned toward Sameer.
"Your turn."

Sameer looked down for a long moment.
"I don't want love to find me."

The smile disappeared from everyone's faces.
"Why?" Aarib asked gently.

Sameer's eyes became distant.
"Maybe..."

He forced a small smile.
"...because I don't deserve it."

No one asked another question. The silence itself understood his pain. Shazam cleared his throat.

"My turn."
Everyone smiled again.

"I met her... and love simply opened its arms for me."
His eyes shone.

"No matter how far I went, it always pulled me back to her." He smiled to himself.

"With her, I learned what love really means. I learned what living actually feels like." Everyone smiled warmly.

"May Allah always keep you both happy," Aarib prayed.

"Ameen." All said in union.

Finally, Aarham looked at Aarib.
"Now it's your turn."

Aarib took a deep breath.
"You all know my story."

"My dreams... my heartbreak... nothing was hidden from any of you." He smiled softly.

"Marrying Roshaane was never part of my plans."
His eyes unknowingly searched toward the house.

"But today..." A smile spread across his face.

"She has become my dream." Everyone smiled.

"I wasn't waiting for the love to find me because I had already lost one. I was left empty-handed in love. So I wasn't expecting anything, " He said, his eyes glistening.

"I tried to stay away, mind my own business. But I couldn't stay unaware of her presence in my house in my life." Aarib kept saying, and everyone kept listening.

"I don't know when I became used to her little habits."
He laughed quietly.

"And especially those three Turkish words she keeps saying." Everyone laughed.

"Without realizing it... I started living with her."
He paused.

"And somewhere along the way..."
"...love quietly knocked on my heart." Aarib paused.

"I stopped looking at our mistakes. At our flaws and doubts. I chose us. I chose our happiness." Silence followed his words. Then everyone smiled together.

"We pray Allah fills your life with endless happiness." Aarham said, holding his hand.

"Ameen," Aarib replied softly.

Above them, the moon shone brightly, quietly watching a circle of brothers and friends whose hearts had all been changed by love in different ways. Their stories were different, but every one of them had been touched by love, loss, hope, and the promise of new beginnings.

A/N:: Assalam-o-alikum readers.

I know I've been away for quite some time, and I'm really sorry for keeping you all waiting.

Many of you have been asking why I haven't been active on Wattpad or why I haven't been posting daily or weekly updates, so I wanted to explain.

The past month has been incredibly busy for me, and because of that, I wasn't able to write even a single word. As for my absence from Wattpad, logging in requires me to use a VPN every single time, and honestly, it's been very frustrating. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't, which makes it difficult for me to stay active there.
I hope you all understand.

In shaa Allah, I'm planning to complete this story this week. I'll do my best to post the next update by Friday, and hopefully we'll reach our beautiful ending before the end of this month.
Thank you so much for your patience, your lovely comments, and your constant support. It truly means the world to me. ❤️

Also, please consider following me on Inkitt. I'm thinking of posting all of my upcoming stories there since it doesn't require a VPN, making it much easier for me to stay active and update regularly.

Thank you once again for staying with me. I can't wait to share the rest of this journey with you!

With Love.
Your Author.