'The best people possess a feeling for beauty, the courage to tell the truth,the capacity for sacrifice.Ironically, their virtues make them vulnerable, they are often wounded, sometimes destroyed' - Ernest Hemingway.

SANAM'S POV

I can't get myself to believe the fact that I had completed the final year part one of my medicine studies.Final exams were a challenging task.The struggle was hard but with Allah by my side everything went on smoothly.Having sailed through part one of my final year I was mentally gearing up for the final part two.I had only a week's break before getting back to medical school.And this week would be terribly busy for my best friend was getting married in no less than two days.

I could never handle that much in a month.But Naila was a multitasker.She had considerably altered in the past few weeks.Though she lost a few kilos due to the hectic exams, her deer eyes sparkled as bright as the diamonds.The face which was rather pale grew pinker with each passing day.Perhaps they were the result of her serial blushes.Her enthusiasm was evident in the amount of efforts she put trying to balance exams and her wedding preparations.

"Sanam, you're listening right?" Shaila asked , breaking my vale of thoughts.For the past twenty minutes She was bugging me to choose a dress from some new online range of gowns which were beyond my liking.I scratched my chin and gave her a spare-me look.She rolled her eyes and huffed putting her phone aside.

"So what are your plans for your best friend's wedding?" She asked rather jovially.

"Well...Iam going to attend her wedding and do the obvious like wishing her a happy married life," I replied.

"Ya Allah! When will this girl grow up? " Shaila fake worried, tapping her cheeks and looking towards the starry sky.

"I meant your dress, your jewellery and a present for the newly wed," she continued.I chewed my bottom lip, a manoeuvre which naturally occures to me when I think deeply.

"I have many dresses already.I can wear any of them.Let's skip the jewellery part for I don't need any.About the present I have something brewing in my mind.Will let you know after I get it."

"You know what is the most amazing thing about you?" Shaila asked with a sweet chuckle.

" Your simplicity and way of keeping everything in it's purest form.Your beautiful heart and those shining eyes.They are just subhanAllah!" She exclaimed.I looked lovingly at my younger sister, a near perfect reflection of my mother.

"This is your blind love speaking for me.Iam nowhere near to all that beautiful description of yours," I replied.I had this low self-esteem since forever and my conscience was crammed with the load of insufficiency preventing me from thinking high of myself in any aspect of life.She held me close to her, the warmth of her body touching mine.

"I can say dad must be very proud of you.You have fulfilled his dreams in the nicest of ways," she said, her voice trailing into a sob.A tear drop fell onto to her creamy cheeks and she hugged me tightly.Though we've try hard to move on in our life, not even a day passes when we don't miss him.I attempted to comfort her by whispering soothing words in her ears and rubbing her back softly.

"Dad must be proud of all his daughter.But he might get worried if we keep crying every time.Remember he is in our hearts and every prayer.Right now he must be resting in the gardens of Jannah, praying for his family to join him there." My words soothed her to some extent and I tried to cheer her up by uttering some old folly of mine.My life had been nothing less than comedy of errors.

Next one hour, I leaned against the brick railing counting the beautiful stars and doing some dhikr simultaneously.An ayah I read an hour ago came back to me.

Surah Ar-Room, Verse 27:

وَهُوَ الَّذِي يَبْدَأُ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُ وَهُوَ أَهْوَنُ عَلَيْهِ وَلَهُ الْمَثَلُ الْأَعْلَىٰ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

And He it is Who originates the creation, then reproduces it, and it is easy to Him; and His are the most exalted attributes in the heavens and the earth, and He is the Mighty, the Wise.

Subhanallah! We have a million signs from our lord and still some people refuse to believe in God.How can one possibly think that something as magnificent as humans, different species of animals, the sun that gives us light and the moon that brightens the night existed all by themselves.

All these questions swarmed my mind and I drifted off to my own wonderland.Shaila was engrossed in reading some complex airplane stuff.We were so immersed in our respective words that we didn't notice the sound of the door opening until the footsteps came much closer.

" You two!! Mom is calling you guys for dinner, " Urwa said, pointing towards us with a sullen expression.I brushed my clothes to ward off any dust and stood erect beside my youngest sister.She had grown taller than me in the past few months.

"What's the reason behind your sulkiness?" I enquired, pinching her chubby cheeks.She pouted cutely, folding her hands over the chest giving me the silent treatment.

"I know how to get her to speak." Shaila intervened.I had no idea what she was talking about.The next moment she started tickling Urwa and they both burst out laughing as I stood there watching my adorable siblings.Urwa told us that she was having her finals that week and she wouldn't be able to attend my best friend's wedding.She was super excited about attending Naila's wedding and her exam dates clashing with the wedding devastated her.

"Don't worry sis.Let's save all the fun for Sanam's wedding, " Shaila gushed.I rolled my eyes at her revelation of thoughts.

"Keep dreaming! I am never gonna get MARRIED!!" I replied in self defense.Both exchanged looks which were beyond my comprehension.Our sweet sour conversation ended with mom's call for dinner.

*******

1 DAY LATER

It was a dream come true, a much awaited day for my bestie.She was getting hitched and I was getting ditched.I don't know if she would remain the same after her marriage, if she would spend the same amount of her time with me.Naila's to-be-inlaws were pretty cool according to her but I was still stuck up with my insecurities.They are my biggest enemy, preventing me from trusting people.

After praying fajr, I decided to take a nap as I didn't had any assignment due.But someone planned otherwise and spoiled my morning nap with her serial calls.

"I am warning you Sanam.You have to be here by two in the afternoon.You gotta skip your martial arts practice today. I will not get ready until you arrive," Naila blackmailed me.I replied that I will try coming at her prescribed time yet all is in the hands of Allah.Not even a leaf sways without His permission and we were humans,the greatest of his creation.

Now that I was wide awake, I decided to read Quran to feed my soul.I was reading Surah Ibrahim when an ayah made me ponder over

Surah Ibrahim, Verse 24:

أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ ضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلًا كَلِمَةً طَيِّبَةً كَشَجَرَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ أَصْلُهَا ثَابِتٌ وَفَرْعُهَا فِي السَّمَاءِ

Have you not considered how Allah sets forth a parable of a good word (being) like a good tree, whose root is firm and whose branches are in heaven.

My words,they were rarely soft.I spoke ill more than good.I'd complained more than being thankful.Life is tough for every single being on this planet but that doesn't mean that you give back all the sourness you have ever felt in the form of rude words.I still remember the day I have prayed for things which are in my life presently.

Ya Allah! forgive me for every single word that has hurt any mortal.

It was five past seven when my tummy gave me a hunger knock.I strolled in towards the kitchen to make something edible.

"Salaam sis! I guess you're free now.Let's resume our training from today," Mikael said, pouring himself a glass of cranberry juice.

"Walaikumsalam Mikael! Yeah,I'm having holidays for a week yet I'm preoccupied with my friend's wedding.As much as I want to I can't resume my training," I replied.

"Who? Naila?" He asked, suprise plastered on every inch of his face.

I nodded affirmatively.I didn't know if it was my imagination or an unfathomable truth but his face fell a little when I confirmed his doubt.He excused himself on grounds of his daily Quran recitation time.I felt wierd for a millisecond but I didn't try to extract the meaning of his behaviour.

I only had a few hours to wrap up my daily chores and prepare myself for the grand wedding tonight.Shaila suggested that I go to some popular beauty salon to get myself a diamond facial.Mom agreed with her but I had no plans to jeopardise my skin in the hands of self proclaimed skin specialists.As I didn't agree Shaila gave me some home made face pack to apply.I don't understand why we need to apply all these.Allah has made every living cell so perfect.It has its own mechanism to replace the worn out layers with a new one without giving us the slightest hint.The sebum from the glands keeps its moist naturally.The melanin layer gives it colour.All this is just subhanAllah!

"Miss Sanam Akram! If you're done zoning out you can wash that face of yours, " Shaila interrupted my physiological contemplation.I pushed myself into the bathroom to remove that sticky facepack she applied on my amateur skin.

"Mashallah! You are glowing, " Shaila complemented.I looked over into the mirror to check if she was right.

"It is not that face pack of yours.My daughter's face is glowing due to Allah's noor.The light which he gives to his true believers," mom interrupted, her face beaming with a million dollar smile.She kissed my forehead and looked at me teary eyed with her motherly affection.That love which can melt even a stone.What was my heart compared to it ?

Meanwhile, Shaila managed to find me a maroon gown

from the cupboard.Mom bought it for me last eid.It was simple,elegant yet comfortable.I packed it with a matching hijab and all the other essentials in a bag which I would be carrying to Naila's home.Shaila forcefullly stuffed the makeup kit into my bag though I declined a hundred times.

I was almost ready before Dhuhr salah.Mr.Fayyaz was going to drop me off after lunch.My family would be joining me after Maghrib.When the azaan voice reverberated through the neighbouring mosque, I made ablution and prayed Dhuhr.As it was a big day for my friend, I made a long dua for her.I prayed to keep her happy, blessed and make her a successful woman both in this world and the hereafter.

I had a super quick lunch with spaghetti and cheese which I didn't wanted to have but mom was there all the time keeping a check on me with her hawk eyes.Following which I headed straight to my room,wore my abaya,gathered my baggage and trailed off to the front door.Wishing mom salaam and requesting her to be before time, I left home to head towards my best friend's one.

*****

Though she had invited me many a times, I had never been to Naila's house before.It is about four kilometres away from mine, located in a posh urban street.There was no denying that they were pretty rich and their beautiful villa stood tall compared to the neighbouring.They were about half a dozen cars parked outside her house.As I stepped out of my car, I could hear the typical commotion in a bridal home.I didn't know where to go so I texted Naila that I was here.

"Assalamualaikum Sanam habibti!I was waiting to meet you," A lady who looked an older version of Naila greeted me.She told me earlier about her mom's desire to meet me.Aunt Muneeza spoke to me on phone once or twice but I had never met her in person.

"Walaikumsalam, Aunt Muneeza! It's a pleasure meeting you," I replied nervously, my eyes searching for Naila.She kissed my cheeks and hugged me in a bone crushing manner.

"Gosh mom! Let it go.You are nearly choking her, " Naila cried, walking towards us with her henna filled hands.Her happiness knew no boundaries when she saw me.Enveloping me in an awkward hug with her hands raised up to avoid smearing the henna, she broke down.I caressed her back softly until she calmed down and her breath steadied.

"She loves you more than a friend," revealed Aunt Muneeza breaking the silence which had overtaken the living room.I looked tenderly at my friend whose face was now red, smeared with tears.

"She always wanted a sister.The day she met you she was so happy.It was like her long lost wish was fulfilled," she said, caressing Naila's hair who now settled beside her on the silver couch.I looked into those deer eyes emanating intense love and affection.A few of her aunts and relatives in the living room who were witnessing this left us to ourselves.

"I don't know what to say.She's made me speechless," I said, biting my lower lip.

" All I can say is that...I can't thank Allah enough for having her in my life," I continued hesitatingly.Their sad faces now turned merry.Aunt Muneeza and Naila crushed me into a group hug.

"She's very sweet, Naila! You described her as totally different," Aunt Muneeza asserted.

"Can i know how she described me?" I asked with a puzzled face.Naila stuck her tongue out at me and ran upstairs, I followed behind.

She was panting for breath when we reached her room.I was quite a fast runner.When I was about to pin her against the wall, she pointed towards the wall clock.It was three in the afternoon and she had to be ready before Maghrib.I spared her after shooting the angry girl look.

My baggage was delivered to me by one of domestic helper.I kept it in one corner and walked over to her dressing room where she hung her bridal wear.It was white coloured net gown with with a matching hijab.Embellished with silver sequins on the neck, waist and front, it spelled elegance in every drape.

"It's beautiful! Isn't it? " Naila asked as I stared in awe.

"Mashallah! It is.You're blessed habibti!" I replied.Though she was busy with her exams, her fiancee has flown down from New Zealand last week and was looking after the arrangements.Both wanted it to be a memorable experience.Everything from the marriage hall, food to the dress and jewellery were finest of finest.She kept telling me every minute details about her fairy tale wedding.Her fiance, Haadi was a pilot for one of the esteemed airline services.He flew around the world and frequented New Zealand where his parents lived.Naila was going to be in New Zealand for a month post which she would be returning to join school in the new semester.Her reception was going to be in Newzealand and the newly wed would be flying next morning.Amidst our conversation which went somewhere we heard the azaan and took a break to pray asr salah.

After praying, we resumed with our discussion.In our endless chattering we didn't realise that time flew by.It was only when the makeup artist knocked the door that Naila caught the running time.She ran into the bathroom and I welcomed the two beautiful ladies who were presumably her makeup artists.

"Are you the bride?" One of them asked, scrutinising me from head to toe.

" No she can't be.She isn't that gorgeous.I have heard that the bride is a pure beauty, a pleasure to the eyes of the onlooker," The other one interrupted.

I stood still unfazed by her remarks.

"I feel so sorry for you guys.You don't have the ability to look beyond painted faces, " Naila replied to their comments.I wanted to stop her from defending me but she wouldn't.

"And you don't have the right to insult my friend in my own house,in my room," she snapped.

Their face fell instantly, ashamed of their words.Naila's face was red with anger and she didn't glance even once at herself.The bridal dress looked even better on her.

"We are extremely sorry mam," they apologised.

"Shall we start your makeup?" The skinnier one asked.

" It's alright.But you gotta pay the fine.You have to do the makeup for my best friend that too for free," Naila replied, winking at me.Both the ladies who were terrified with her anger, agreed without any hesitance.

Ya Allah! This girl and her wierd ideas.

Though I declined a million times, Naila persuaded me to get my face painted by her team of professionals.I got dressed and performed wudhu before surrendering my face to them.After an hour of rubbing and brushing when I finally looked at myself in the mirror, I found someone else.

"You like it?" Tamannah, the skinnier girl asked me.I forced myself into a smile.Naila was getting the eye makeup done so she couldn't see me.They were called downstairs to help Aunt Muneeza so they left after giving a final touch up.

"Mashallah! SubhanAllah! May Allah protect you from evil eyes.You look gorgeous habibti, " I complimented the to-be-bride.When she finally turned towards me her mouth formed an O and she stood still, staring at me.

"Oh my Allah! Do you even realise how beautiful you look?" She asked, eyeing me from top to toe.I rolled my eyes at her , dismissing it as one of her flattering.

" You are going to give a tough competition to the full moon today, " she chanted.

"Me and the full moon? Nahh! I can never be anywhere near to the full moon," I replied, peeking out of her big balcony from where the full moon was now evident.She chuckled at my response and hugged me.

" I am gonna miss this.I hope you would remain the same sweet and stupid Naila after your marriage," I said holding her hands.

"Nope.Not if you call me stupid," she replied, pouting like a five year old.I pinched her pointed nose and adjusted her hijab.Our cute conversation was interrupted by Aunt Muneeza who asked us to pray Maghrib and get ready as we were supposed to be in the mosque in no time.After our prayer I excused myself so that mother-daughter can have some private moments.

*****

"Do you agree? " The Qazi who preform the nikaah asked Naila.

" I do," she replied softly, earning hugs and kisses from her family.After signing the required documents we headed to the marriage hall.

I stood by her side, witnessing every single moment of her blessed day.A part of my mind imagining myself in her shoes and the other one loathing the same.It was only at five past eight that guests started pouring in great numbers.When the groom arrived in the adjacent hall, he was followed there with zaffah, a procession typical of Arab weddings.

My heart was restless and my eyes eagerly awaiting my family's presence.Meanwhile, Naila was getting clicked by one of her distant cousin, a professional female photographer.

My family was an hour late from the expected time.And I had to kill time by helping Faizaa, Naila's cousin in the photo shoot.Faizaa even managed to capture a few of our light hearted moments in her pics.

"Am I dreaming? Or is it really you?" Shaila asked, touching my face to feel my presence.Mom and Shaila were super happy with my appearance.They never had the pleasure of seeing me in good amount of makeup.

" All thanks to Naila," I replied, sarcasm dripping in my tone.

Was it praise-Sanam day today?

I had to introduce mom to Aunt Muneeza who was ecstatic on meeting her.Mom even found Dr.Zoya among the guests.After few minutes, I took mom and Shaila to the far end of the hall.They greeted Naila who was sitting on a golden chair, raised from the surroundings and the wall behind was decorated with flowers of all colours.We presented our gift, a set of Quran with bukhari and few other hadeeth books.Mom said that no gift was better than gifting something which would please our creator.

Some female relative of Naila announced the arrival of groom and all the ladies who weren't covered, donned their hijabs.Haadi came followed by his father and some close relatives.He took a seat on the golden chair on the dais beside a shy Naila.The next ceremony was exchanging rings between the bride and groom.Nasheeds were being played in the background and the atmosphere was full of vibrant energy and the one exuding happiness.Naila kept blushing all the time as her husband spoke to her in whispers.There was this cake cutting ceremony too.Moments later the buffet was open to all the guests.There was separate arrangements for men and women.The buffet had all sorts of Arab delicacies, enough to feed a thousand people.

Mom and Shaila left with Mr.Fayyaz after the dinner as Shaila had her aero tuitions next morning.Mikael was going to take me home.He said he was busy and would be arriving late.Poor guy! He was managing his dad's business and his final year of electronic engineering.

As the moonlit night heralded to its peak, my heart began pounding dreading the moment it would be separated from someone special.Though she would be back in a month, we won't be able to give time to each other as final year would sap our energy and time like never before.Three years of medical school spent with her seemed like decades.Like I had know her forever.Once again I relaised that everything in life is temporary.Everything changes.That's why it takes great courage to love someone.Knowing that it might change or end anytime.

It was almost midnight and the full moon looked even more beautiful.All the relatives were gone by now and only the immediate family remained.

What I disliked most about weddings was the ending.The initially happy faces turn into wailing ones and I could never see people who are so close to you breaking down.When it was finally the time to bid the bride goodbye, Naila walked down the aisle, hand in hand with her husband.Her mother shed a million tears and her father wouldn't let her go off the embrace.I sat in one corner watching her family members blessing her in turns.I didnt had the courage to give her the final hug.I was afraid of breaking down in front of so many people.

All the days I had spent with her, every single moment came back to me.I had shaped a part of my life around her and it pained to see her go.Not that she was going forever but it felt wierd like a part of me was being taken away.I didn't realise I was crying until I saw someone offering me a tissue.

"Here! Take this," Mikael said, passing me a tissue.

"Save some for your own wedding, " he said, smiling mischievously.I gave him a deathly glare not realising the presence of some guy beside him.Only when the guy scoffed that I saw it was Shiraz stifling a laugh.How I wished to punch him at that moment.I hated letting people see me at my worst.

"Ohh, Shiraz? Thanks for your phone," Mikael said, handing him a golden iphone.He left after giving him a man hug and exchanging salaams.

"Who invited him? " I asked, wiping my face clear.Mikael laughed at my disgusted tone.

"The bride herself, " he answered, opening the car door for me.

"I think he needs some psychiatric consultation.He laughs for no reason," I said, turning on the air conditioner.Mikael laughed endlessly at my suggestion.

"No sis! He's sane.He just can't get away with his habit of laughing in wrong place and in front of dangerous people," he replied.

" Who are you calling as dangerous? Me?" I asked, pointing towards me.He didn't answer and dismissed the question as if his auditory senses were numb.

" You, Mr.Mikael Atif!! I hate you!" I cried, punching his hand.

********

A / N

Assalamualaikum guys!

How was the chapter?

I uploaded the pic of Sanam and Naila's wedding dress.

This was the longest chapter I have ever typed ,I didn't know the wedding description would need so many lines!

Iam sorry for the delay.I was sick for the past three days.

Anyways if you enjoyed it, do press that star symbol n vote.

Shower me with your wonderful comments too :)

Keep praying, smile no matter what and stay blessed!!!