And in my chaos
There was You!

___________________________

Faikha's pov

Football.

Yes, that is how my stomach resembled it right now, like a football. I was almost in the end trimester of my pregnancy. Sahil and I had been married for almost one and a half years now. Alhamdulillah.

Allah created all of us in pairs and I was blessed to have sahil by my side. Half of my Deen was complete after I got married to him. Indeed it was the best feeling to be married to him and now with this bundle of joy coming to us was another blessing granted by my Rabb.

I touched my Football like stomach and huffed. Both of us were craving some yummy cheesy white pasta. Thinking about it only had me drooling but I couldn't go and prepare it for myself.

I wish ammi would be here to fulfil my cravings but both ammi and abbu had gone to visit Sahil's relatives in the next city, leaving us kids behind. I looked to my right and saw sahil sleeping peacefully and I felt like crying.

Idhar hame bhook lagi hui hai aur ye janab mast so rahe hein.

(Here we are hungry and he is sleeping well without any worry)

Chalo baby aapke baba ko jagane ka time hogaya. I smiled mischievously rubbing my hand on my belly.

(Come on baby it's time to wake up your baba)

"Sahil! Sahil!" uff he's such a heavy sleeper.

"SAHILLLLL!"

"Kya hua aag kidhar lagi hui hai?" can I just smash my head. He looked at me and my almost teary eyes and started panicking.

"Faikha kya hua? Are you alright? Is it hurting? Should we go to the hospital?"

"No its not hurting anywhere but"

"but what baba? You're scaring me and stop crying. You know I can't see you crying like that" he gently wiped my tears away. Aww, he is soooo cute and I know this trick is working so I continued.

"Sahil. Vo na.. mujhe cheesy white sauce pasta khane ka Mann kar raha hai. Can you please bring it for me?"

He looked at the clock and it struck 3:00 am and I bit my tongue because I knew he wouldn't find it anywhere at this time. I almost started crying again.

"It's alright Faikha. Don't cry I'll make it for both of you" he kissed my tears falling on my cheek and then kissed my belly. These little affections always had my heart. It would always send me into a frenzy making me blush.

He got up putting on his T-shirt and gently lifted me up and carried me to the kitchen bridal style. I would never get used to his little gestures even after this much time had passed since we had been married. I silently thanked my Rabb for sending Sahil into my chaotic life.

He put me down on the dining table chair and wore an apron and started cooking my pasta. And I counted this as another blessing of mine. Every girl wishes for her future husband to cook for her and Alhamdulillah I was blessed with this too.

After about 5 mins I was bored and I took my phone from the table. Luckily I had got my phone along with me.

My home screen picture reminded me of our wedding. It was a picture of us clicked by Nadir. Both of us were standing on the stage and smiling at each other and Nadir had secretly clicked our picture.

*Flashback*

A wedding is what a girl dreams of from her teenage years. A picture-perfect wedding. I had always wanted to be a Hyderabadi bride just like Mumma had been, wearing the Khada duppata on the Nikah and a bridal gown on the walima (reception) and my brother had fulfilled this wish of mine. He made me feel like the princess dad used to treat me.

Shaziya helped me get ready and wear the Khada Duppata. Pinning it was a great task and we finally finished with it after almost 30 mins. She was good at makeup and I trusted her skills. She had done my make-up on point.

I loved how Shazia had matured and changed with time. She was no longer the troublesome cousin of mine but I was scared for her as khala would complete her jail period and return soon. I had to get her shifted at our house or at least to mama's house because I couldn't trust khala once again.

"Thank you, Shazia. It really means a lot to me. This was Mumma's dress and I'm glad we redesigned it and you helped me with it" I gratefully smiled at her and hugged her.

"That's the least I could do Faikha after all the trouble I had caused in your lives. I wish everyone could forgive me for the mistakes I did" she hugged me back but I detected the sadness in her voice. I knew she was talking about sajid and Niyamath.

"Hey, it's alright. It wasn't your fault. You were misguided in life and mistakes happen. And you know the best thing is when you realise your mistake and apologise and I'm glad you realised it and I know Niyamath will also look at it one day. He too will forgive you one day. Don't be sad now come on" I patted her cheek.

Niyamath knocked and came inside the room. He looked at us and ignored shaziya once again. Ya Allah, I had to talk to him about this. It wasn't her fault and he could quite blame her for the upbringing.

"Faiks Chalo the Qazi Sahab is here. Let's go"

"Nemo I have one more wish if you don't mind me asking"

"What is is Faiks? And stop with those puppy eyes. You know they definitely work on us" he rolled his eyes making me giggle. I knew it would work why is why I would always opt for puppy eyes in front of him.

"I want you and Sajid to hold the floral veil above my head, while I walk with Shazia to the stage"

"You want to walk with her to the stage?"

"I can hold the veil and you can walk with him Faikha"

Both of them shouted simultaneously. Ugh. What will I do with these two?

"No, and no" I said addressing both of them.

"But I wanted to take you to the stage"

"dumbo you will be carrying the veil and walking by my side. So technically you are taking me to the stage and it doesn't look nice if I make a girl hold my floral veil along and their height also doesn't match" I put forward my point.

I know mentally he was cursing me but I do not care right now. I might be the only bride deciding and planning my wedding from the start to the end.

Finally, after five minutes both of them agreed when Sajid came and yelled at them for being late. This Chota patakha was no less compared to them.

We walked down the aisle with Shazia by my side and my two younger brothers holding the floral veil above my head. I was nervous just like any bride would be on her wedding day. They made me sit on my side of the stage and Shazia sat beside me. Niyamath and Sajid went to get the Qazi Sahab to start the Nikah procedure.

The Qazi Sahab started with the bismillah and then he read out the verses of the Nikah and finally asked me if I accept sahil as my lawfully wedded husband.

I closed my eyes for a moment and wished for my parents to be by my side in this life-changing moment of my life but I felt a hand above my head. I opened my eyes and saw Niyamath by my side. I was happy to have him. He had turned into a father figure for me in these years.

I smiled at him and gently whispered "Qubool hai" thrice.

The Qazi Sahab went to Sahil's side and he also said "Qubool hai" three times.

Later the screen dividing us from each other was removed and I could see sahil walking towards us with Taya abbu and Tayi ammi. Sajid poked his elbow to my side teasing me and I was blushing and had turned red. Sahil was looking breathtaking in his cream sherwani. Khuda ka khair he didn't wear black like he loves wearing black being a lawyer.

He kept his hand on my head and started reading the dua and prayed for both of us.

Taya abbu and tayi ammi hugged me and blessed me with their prayers. They even asked me to address them as ammi and abbu and I was glad to hear that.

All of them walked down the stage leaving me and sahil behind.

"Masha Allah you look real pretty dressed as my bride. The most beautiful woman I've ever seen" he said making me go even more red if possible.

"You don't look bad yourself" He had the most contagious smile on his face, making me smile as well.

"I love you! I'm sorry it took me so damn long to realize that"

I realised how far we had come. We had our own ups and downs. He did get a little memory back and we also made new memories with each other.

I was out of my dreamland when sahil snapped his fingers in front of me and I could smell the heavenly white sauce pasta.

I got up from my chair and pushed him aside and started devouring the white sauce pasta.

"Slow down Faikha" he warned me but who could resist the pasta made by him.

"Relax sahil. Your baby is quite hungry so let him eat"

"Him nahi her. It's going to be a girl and I've told you many times"

"And I've also told you it's going to be a boy and I'm sure. Let's see your face when the baby is born" I shoved my tongue in front of him like a kid.

"Whatever. Tell me how is the pasta?"

"Well, I think ki agar tumhari lawyer wali job kabhi chali jayegi toh you could apply for being a cook or chef in a hotel. It's the best pasta I had ever had" I giggled at his shocked expression. It was worth a sight.

He came to my side and started tickling me. He suddenly stopped and looked at me with a weird look.

"Eww, Faikha did you just pee on yourself?"

I looked down and started panicking. Is he a lawyer for real?

Are you mad or what? Why would I pee? Oh, Allah, my water broke Sahil! My WATER BROKE!" finally realisation struck him on his head like a rock and he too started panicking.

"Yaar Mai kya karun. Ammi abbu b nai hein"

"It's not the time to panic. Take me to the room. I need to change my dress and get that bag which ammi had packed for the hospital"

After I finished changing my dress, we were going to the car, when I heard some sound. It was nadir. Maybe he woke up because of the noise we created.

Sahil informed him about me and Nadir insisted on driving us to the hospital seeing Sahil all panicked and worried.

*3rd persons pov*

Faikha and Sahil were sitting in the back seat while Nadir was driving the car. Faikha started cursing and yelling at Sahil for putting her in the situation. Her contractions started hitting her and she was in terrible pain.

Once they reached the hospital they quickly took her to the labour ward. Nadir informed his parents and Niyamath.

After almost 6 hours the doctor had come out and informed them that she had delivered a healthy baby boy. Sahil was shocked and happy at the same time.

"Doc how is my wife?" he inquired immediately.

"She is perfectly fine and you can meet her and the baby after the cleaning process is done and once we shift them to the ward"

Sahil went to the prayer room and offered nawafil Namaz. Sajid and Niyamath had joined him.
They went back and the nurse informed them that they had shifted Faikha to the room.

He went to the room and had seen the most breathtaking sight in front of him. His wife was holding their son. He went forward and kissed Faikha's forehead and took their son in his trembling hands. He was scared to hold his bundle of joy.

"See I had told you it's going to be a boy and now I get to name him. Not every time the father is correct about the gender of the child. Mother's can also be correct" she had a victorious smile on her face.

"Haan baba you get to name our child. It's alright he will be the bodyguard to our future daughters after all he has to take care of them. Even if it was a girl, you would only have to name the baby. So tell me, what name have you thought?" she started blushing at the mention of having more daughters.

"Zahan Isma'il - a gift of god"

They heard the knocking on the door and they knew that the uncles were impatient to see the newborn child.

Niyamath, Sajid, Nadir and his parents had come inside the room. She was glad to have her ammi by her side. They all rushed to welcome the child and lifted him one by one.

Faikha noticed that Shazia was missing. She asked Niyamath about it.

"She had gone to the canteen. I'll ask her to come inside" saying this he walked out angrily.

She lifted her eyebrow at Sajid and Nadir asking what had happened. They informed that Shazia and Niyamath had a fight as usual while coming to the hospital.

After her khala had returned she had started torturing Shazia and used to beat her up. Her khala had become mentally unstable and once while Niyamath had visited Faikha, he heard sounds coming from their khala's house and he rushed in to see his khala torturing Shaziya.

He immediately pulled Shazia to his side and took her and Sajid to his house. He couldn't see them being tortured and he informed the mental asylum to pick their khala as she was mentally unstable. He didn't want them to stay on their own like they used to stay in the four years and shifted all of their things in his house. Faikha was glad her brother had taken this step but their fights hadn't stopped. He still hadn't forgiven her and they would always end up quarrelling. Just like today.

Shaziya entered the room and her eyes were swelled. Faikha immediately knew that she had been crying this whole time. She glared at her brother for making her cry and he just ignored it.

Shaziya lifted the baby and finally smiled. She was happy that Faikha had named him zahan. She knew that Faikha had liked that name for a very long time. Shaziya excused herself saying she had to make a call to her friends for some assignment work.

"Niyamath stop torturing her after you got her out of khala's torture. I swear I will make her shift at our place if you keep doing this" Faikha threw death glares at him.

To ease the tension Sahil's mom started teasing Niyamath. "Niyamath you better start apologising and work on that relation. We all know that you like her and are worried that she might hurt you but you better start working on it or else I will make her my daughter in law. I will get her married to Nadir"

Nadir started choking on air and Niyamath had a baffled look.

"Ammi I'm not going to marry her. What will happen to Sheeba then?" Sajid smashed his head because nadir finally spoke the truth in front of his parents that he liked a girl from his college.

Everyone's attention turned towards Nadir in shock. They knew he liked someone but he wasn't revealing it to anyone and finally, he panicked and blurted it out on his own.

"Ye Sheeba kon hai?" Sahil asked him and Nadir realised the blunder he had blurted out. He sure knew his brother would kill him for hiding it.
(now who is Sheeba?)

"Umm. Vo bhai. Koi nai hai"
(no bhai. No one)

"sharafat se bologay ya Phir Maar khani hai?" sahil raised his perfectly shaped eyebrow at him. In a corner, Niyamath was happy that the situation and diverted from him to nadir. (you will tell me straight away or you want to get beating)

"Bhai vo meri junior hai aur mujhe pasand hai. Please Aap Uske parents se baath karein"
(bhai she's my junior and I like her. Please talk to her parents)

"Acha Theek hai" nadir couldn't believe his ears and was over the moon. (Okay)

"Don't think this is over niyamath" Faikha looked at Niyamath who was enjoying in a corner looking at the scene. He rolled his eyes at his sister. He knew he and Shazia wouldn't work and just ignored his sister.

Meanwhile, the baby started crying and everyone was sent out as the baby had to be fed.

After feeding the baby, Faikha sat next to sahil and both of them held the baby in their hands and were looking at Zahan with affection. They heard the sound of a click and looked up to see that nadir had taken a picture of their beautiful moment with their baby. That moment would be cherished till the end of their life.

They were truly blessed to have each other by their side and now the baby too. They had come a long way after facing lots of hardships in their life.

________________________

You should not lose hope when you're being tested with hardships. We all face difficulties, we all go through tough times. But those difficulties are not permanent. A true believer will always have patience, keeps seeking forgiveness, perform Shukr (Alhamdulillah), and have Tawakkul.

Indeed after every hardship, there is ease. He was the yusr (relief) in her usri (hardship).

The end.

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Assalamu alaikum dear readers.

Hey guys. How are y'all?

Surprise surprise.How many of you missed me? I missed all of you and I especially missed writing.

My main papers are over and please don't ask me about it.I still have one more exam left on the 28th of this month and an internship till the 30th. I will start the new story on 1st and it's going to be Bushra and Junaid's story. Get ready for this one coz I'm excited about it💃💃

And before you murder me with questions like what happened to Shazia and Niyamath, let me tell you, yes I will be writing a story on them. Maybe a one-shot or something but after I finish all the planned stories.

#niyashah and #shamath the hashtag were given by LihaMirza. Kya khatarnak hashtags diye hein madam ne. 😂🙊😂

Stay safe and keep smiling.

~Zoe.