Not edited.

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Sipping on my cup of coffee and standing in front of the clock in my bedroom I was just staring at the date it was showing, 30TH October 2015, the day was finally here, I smiled at the thought of how eagerly I have waited for this day since past ten days. In just three hours after Jummah Prayers I would be married to the woman I-- without even knowing-- fell in love with. The woman I thought would never even look at me would now become my wife.

I pray that she just not only become my soul mate but my companion in Jannah.

Last night, every sujood I went down for I thanked Him, every dua I made, I made for the two of us to prosper together, I prayed for her to be with me till the time we are given in this world together and to kept us together in akhirah and last night after such a long time I slept peacefully without the use of any kind of sleeping pills.

The soft knock on the door made me turn and I found mom peeking inside with a glowing smile.

"Amma (mom), come in!" I walked towards her with a smile.

"I just came to check on you, do you need anything?" She looked around the room, most probably looking at the decoration and making sure everything is at its best.

"Nah, I am all good! Will just take shower and get ready." I said looking around at the decoration done with garlands and swag made of white, pink and red roses along with garlands of white daisies which were especially used to decorate my bedroom because both of our dresses are of white color.

"That's better because we have to get there before namaz (prayer/salat)," she said looking back at me, "the day I have prayed so much is finally here, the daughter I always prayed for will be here with us in few hours. Your dad is ecstatic," she chuckled wiping her tears, "I am so proud of you, beta, we all are so proud of you! A son like you is truly a blessing. Wali, you are a sensible man, I know I don't have to tell you this but still as a mother and as a woman it's my responsibility to tell you that take care of her, she would leave everything to be here with you, to stand with you and knowing Khadija even for this short time I can confidently say that she is the woman who'll stand by you in your hardest time and will cheer you up even more than me in your happiest days, and, lastly Wali never compare yourself with that man, you are Zulfiqar Ahmed's son, son of the man I am very proud of and in you I see Zulfiqar instead of Kareem. Never ever blame yourself for anything, May Allah bless you and Khadija with all the happiness in the world, Ameen." She patted my cheeks and then kissed my forehead; wiping her wet cheeks I wrapped my arms around her.

"Thank you, maa!" I whispered quietly, and finally it feels like when the sun raised today it ended all the darkest days we both had seen together through its warm and bright rays. "And maa, mehndi (henna) really look good on your hands." I teased her after a while to cheer up her mood.

"Chalo hato! Bhudi hogayi hun! bus yai to tumharay dad nay kaha tha," (Go away! I am so old now! Your dad asked me to do this,) she almost went red and I laughed, it swells my heart with intense happiness to see the two of them so happy together.

Before I could reply Murtaza, Yahya and Sabih entered in my room singing old wedding songs and I rolled my eyes, yesterday when all the ladies went to Khadija's place with her dress and jewelry and I was busy doing my office work along with guiding the people doing all the decoration, the three of them surrounded me along with Irtiza and Matt singing all the wedding songs they know of and killing me with their humorless jokes. As most of my cousins and family are still in Virginia and these three are the only ones here so they made it their job to not make me feel alone, their words not mine.

"Buri Ammi!" Sabih excitedly jumped on mom's side wrapping his arm around her shoulder, "Bari Ami, are you going to give me all this attention when I'll be getting married?"

"She is my mother not yours." I retorted.

"Wali Zulfiqar Ahmed, are you jealous that I am the most lovable kid of this family!" He smirked while mom patted his back.

"I am the most lovable kid!" Yahya playfully hit Sabih's head and came to stand beside me.

"Sorry to interrupt but I am sure the most lovable kid right now is my daughter, what do you say, bari ammi?" Murtaza smirked because we all knew the answer.

"Definitely she comes on the top!" Mom said with an adoring smile, "Did she wear that lehnga Rumaisa bought?"

"The lehnga whose dupata my dear daughter washed with milk last night?" Mom gasped and we all laughed. While the two of them got busy in discussing the incident done by Dija, I went for the shower.

An hour later I was dressed in white Kameez Shalwar (Traditional dress) with embroidery over collar, my hair were set with gel courtesy of Sabih and dad gifted me his watch which I put on my wrist. The other three were also dressed in same traditional way.

"Are you ready to win the girl, Mr. Wali?" Sabih continued his teasing.

"Dude you have checked your pen right? Make sure it works when you are signing the Nikah nama." Murtaza remarked while the other two laughed.

"All I am going to say is that, yes! I let you guys get ready with me but pick all your mess from here and get out of here." I said walking towards the door. "Don't forget to switch off the lights, I pay the bills!" I called out to the three of them and went downstairs to meet the rest of the family.

-----

Khadija's POV

As the clock was ticking my nervousness was getting the best of me, though I woke up earlier than the usual time but just looking at all my packed suitcases and bags I was getting nostalgic. In few hours I would leave this place for forever, the tension I was having was different than the feeling I was having when I married Adnan, he is part of my past and I don't want to bring his thoughts in my mind on this day but I couldn't help and compare both men, though I was and still am tensed but this time I also have a satisfaction in my heart. I remember that I did istikhara both the times but the clear message I got this time amazes me and I hope he had read my letter and now he still don't have any misconceptions about me. When I agreed to this my family was not really satisfied but then I told my dream to Chachu and he happily accepted everything, I knew that when Wali would listen about this he would think I was doing this out of pity but then chachu suggested me to write a letter to him and tell him about the dream, so I did and ten days later here I am getting dressed by a stylist, my friends and my cousins, my hands are decorated with dark color of mehndi.

"Ow!" I yelped in pain when the hair stylist tucked my hair and sprayed it with hair spray.

"You know Khadija you look like a princess today, MashaAllah!" Shiza said, my childhood best friend, who came from Houston especially for this day. "I still can't believe what you told me about him, are you still sure he is the same Wali?"

"Yes Shiza! He is." I smiled at her.

"Aapi! You look beautiful!" I looked up to Asifa who was getting her hair set by my cousin.

"Thank you! Baby," I smiled at her and last night conversation the two of us had came into my mind, more than anyone I'll be missing her.

"Okay Khadija now I am going to set your dupatta so please stay still." The stylist sternly said and adjusting myself comfortably I looked ahead. They weren't letting me look at the mirror so till I don't get completely ready I can't look at myself as much uneasy it was making me I was patiently sitting there. My dress was brought by Kulsoom Aunty, Mama basically, yesterday. It was white in color just the way I like it, Rafia surprised me by saying that it was Wali who asked everything to be as simple as possible and the dress should be white. It was a long lacey gown type of dress with full sleeves , the upper part of the dress had beautiful and elegant work of stones, sequence and metallic embroidery of golden color, same type of work was done on the four sides of my dupatta. It was simple yet a beautiful dress and as the function was happening on low scale the dress was perfect for the occasion.

"Done!" The stylist excitedly said bringing me out of my thought.

A loud call of MashaAllah, beautiful and other praises were made and then I was turned to look at myself.

The reflection was definitely representing me but a better and more different version, I was dressed in this way after a very long time, even in Rafia's wedding I stayed till my lip gloss and blusher but today with eyeliners, kohl and all type of artistic work they had done on me I was looking different yet same.

"Wali Bhayi is so lucky to have you!" Safaa praised and I smiled.

"Where is my sister-slash-sister-in-law to be!" we all turned at Rafia's voice and I smiled, because I definitely missed her in all the preparation all of us had done from last night. As she was from groom's side so she wasn't so actively present with me.

"Rafia Aapi!" Asifa jumped from bed and ran towards Rafia.

"Careful!" Almost all of us yelled and Asifa jumped away from Rafia.

"Guys! You scared her! Come on Asi! Give aapi a hug!" she eyed all of us and we sheepishly grin.

"You are gaining weight, Rafia!" Shiza teased her and we all laughed because among all of us Rafia had always been the weight conscious and at two months of expecting she surely had gained weight. But nothing could compare the glow and beauty she was gaining through it.

"Don't ask! I tried to wore one of my wedding dresses and guess what? even my arms can't get in the sleeves!" she rolled her eyes.

"Oh come on! You look beautiful!" I said her.

"Leave me! Look at you! Masha Allah!" she said, her eyes pooling up with tear, so picking up the flow of my dress I went to embrace her. Soon others were grouping around us too and it resulted in a group hug of few emotional girls.

An hour later after I was done with Zuhr prayers and meeting with the selected friends and family who were gathered today I made my way downstairs with Rafia and Shiza on my both sides, Sitting in the living room on the wooden swing which was decorated with flowers in between mama and his phupo I was continuously looking down silently replying to the questions and smiling on the jokes which were made. In total of thirty people where men weren't here yet the house was filled with laugher and excitement, as the time for nikah and rukhsati (sending off) was approaching my hands were getting sweaty and cold, different disturbing thoughts were occupying my mind.

"They are here!" I heard someone saying and a rush of excitement spread around me and my heart on the other hand picked its pace and started drumming inside my chest.

The time is finally here!

Soon mama and aunt Tasneem left my sides and all the female gathered on one side of the room while men from my family along with imam sahib entered, chachu and buray mamu (uncles) sat beside me and imam sahib started reciting Quran and after telling hadees (Hadith) about marriage he turned towards me and said those words, asking me the hardest question a girl could ever answer and with a drumming heart, sweaty hands and my thoughts which were killing me, I was sitting there with my lips sealed but when Abdullah chachu called my name, I whispered those two words. Qabool Hay (I accept).

The question was repeated twice and every time I missed my parents, I compared Wali's past with his present and I feared my own past but then I remembered the signal Allah himself gave me and every time I answered the question and finally Abdullah chachu brought the marriage contract in front of me, with shaky hands I signed the papers.

I am his wife.

Wali is my husband.

Tears were continuously running down my cheeks and as much as I was terrified a big part of me was strangely satisfied.

Imam sahib made dua along with a loud call of Ameen was made by everyone and then all my relatives congratulated my in-laws, my new family, and each other while I was wished with dua for my luck and future but soon I was escorted back to my room and after couple of seconds I was left alone mainly to gather myself before I meet my husband.

It feels weird to call someone my husband, maybe because I was used to of accepting myself alone without a man to continuously support me.

Flash back.

Waiting for couple of my friends in a halal pizza shop near the campus I was looking out of the window when a loud group of girls which I clearly remember entered the café, Sunita the most loudest of them was with me in my economics class so she turned to me and with our formal greetings she sat with her group on the table behind mine. Zoning out from their gossip I focused on the book which was wide open in front of me.

"Did you saw Jeanine and Wali at the party!" I heard one of the shrieks and now I knew that if Sarah and the girls won't get here on time my ears would bleed with the shrieks they make for his existence.

I don't know how people like Wali can even exist?

He is such a shame to all of us!

UGH! Khadija he's none of your business!

No matter how much I was trying to ignore the comments and gossip I couldn't help but notice how fondly these girls discuss that guy, what they see in him? I mean c'mon! There is a thing called personality and I am sure flirting with every other female and being an arrogant man isn't what I would label a good personality!

When it was too much for me to listen to their all haram gossip mainly about him I got up and left.

End.

I was long gone in my thought that I didn't even noticed a sudden cough and when I heard my name in manly voice I jumped while sitting on my place and quickly looked up to see who is here.

"I am sorry to disturb your thoughts!" It was him, standing there with a beautiful smile and shiny eyes, he has a beard grown and his hair were all set I am sure he had use those gel because they were completely still but they looked soft.

He had changed so much!

The last time, ten days ago, when I met him I didn't really looked at him just mainly heard his voice which was so much different than it was before and now the shine he has in his eyes is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

I am sure I gawked for longer than I should that he awkwardly coughed again breaking the trance I was trapped in.

"Ya Allah!" I gasped and I heard him giggle, it was those soft giggle which makes you smile and my cheeks were heated up with embarrassment.

"Can I sit?" I heard him say and without a word I quickly nodded focusing on my hands. I felt the weight on the mattress but how shamelessly I had gawked at him earlier left me in no place to look up at him again.

But he is your husband!

Oh yes!

There was an awkward silence between us and I was impatiently running my fingers over my bangles and bracelet.

"You look beautiful, Masha Allah!" He said and I am sure he was smiling at the moment.

"JazakAllah khair, you look good yourself!" I quickly replied and I heard him laugh a little and then replying to my praise.

"Are you nervous?" I heard him ask.

That's a random question!

"Little. You?"

"More than a little!"

"Oh..."

"Hmm... Khadija?"

"Yeah?"

"It seems surreal to sit with you," he nervously laughed "Thank you for not rejecting and for that letter! It really amazed me." He said and I can feel his gaze on me and with all the power I could gather I looked up at him to see him smiling at me and I felt myself smiling too.

"This is hard to believe." I replied looking back at my fingers.

"It is!" suddenly I heard his voice drop a bit.

"In a good way." I added looking at him and saw that smile which was making my heart race appear again.

"OKAY! Aapi and Wali bhayi! Privacy time over! You guys are called down!" We both turned to look at Jasir and Rafia standing with a smirk on the door and with a little laugh Wali went out and with that laugh he left me there totally drowned in this new feeling I had never felt before.

Is this the spark they all have always been talking about?

--------

Wali's POV

She said yes!

We are married!

And she is absolutely gorgeous!

Sitting in the driving seat of my car with my beautiful wife on the passenger seat I was just continuously smiling, an hour ago we became one, Allah blessed my life once again, the woman I fell in love with; now shares my name. And the feeling cannot be simply described in words.

I turned to her when I heard a sniff and the smile left my face; "Khadija are you okay?"

"Y..yeah!" I heard another sniff and I slowed down the car parking it on the side but before turning towards her I texted Murtaza to not stop and tell others to reach the apartment. "Why did you stopped?"

"Because you are still crying and it's hard for me to drive when my beautiful wife is crying beside me." I bluntly said without thinking and her eyes went wide. "I mean..."

"Now are you going to change your statement and not call me beautiful?" she asked me with an accusing look.

"No! I would never do that! I am a man of my words and I still think that you are beautiful." I said with a teasing grin and she looked away but I did catch the smile on her face. "You don't have to worry, Khadija! I promise you I'll bring you here every single weekend and the weekend I don't! drag me here by yourself and frankly I wouldn't miss Haleema baji's (Khadija's chachi) cooking for the world!" I said with a grin and she chuckled. "So are we better?" I raised my eyebrows and she nodded with a smile.

"Thank you!" she said in a whisper and with a smile I started driving again.

"Hey? Want some ice-cream?"

"What? Right now? But..."

"Do you wanna eat it or not?" I asked her with an assuring smile and with a slight guilty smile she shrugged. "So ice-cream parlor here we come!" I said loudly and she laughed.

Ya Allah! I can listen that laugh every single minute of every single day!

By the time we got my apartment it was time for Maghrib and we were welcomed by everyone waiting for us by the door, teasing remarks were made by Rafia and Sabih and glaring at Sabih we entered with rose petals being showered at us. Soon all of us sat in the living room and everyone gave the wedding gift to Khadija with their duas.

After we were done with Maghrib namaz (prayer) and dinner, mom and dad left with everyone else. Tonight my parents decided to spend the night at Murtaza's apartment and then meet us in the morning when all the elders with Sabih, Khadija and I would leave for Virginia. Though the grand function would take place during winter break as planned I decided to go back home and meet all the other relatives.

"You have a nice place." Khadija said softly once we entered back in our apartment.

"It's yours too." I said with a smile and saw her blushing but decided to not make her anymore uncomfortable. "Want to look around?"

"Sure... but can I...umm..."

"Sure! Let me show you the bedroom, I am sure they have placed your belongings there." I moved forward following the stairs while Khadija following me. Entering the room I turned on the light to find the bedroom heavily filled with rose fragrance and looking down I found rose petals being spread on the floor from door leading to bed.

Ya Allah! What is wrong with my family?

"The room looks beautiful!" Khadija, moved forward, entering the room which we'll share from now onwards and looking at everything.

"Thanks! Though I don't know how these petals came here because when I left the room the walls were the only part decorated," I said rubbing my neck.

"It must be Rafia! We did the same in Karachi for them!" she said with a smile.

"Oh..." I smiled, "Then it's definitely the couple!"

"You weren't there for the wedding?" she asked after couple of seconds.

"Yeah I didn't got the leave and someone was supposed to stay back and handle the arrangements for Walima," I shrugged, "why don't you change? It must be Isha time in a while." Nodding, she moved forward where her bags were while I silently went towards the closet to take out a proper T-shirt and sweat pants.

"Hey you can use this bathroom," I said while entering back in the room where she was still struggling with her bags. "Here let me do it!" I said bending beside her and holding the keys from her hand I started unlocking the tiny lock, which quickly opened with a click. "Here." I said passing her the keys back and leaving the room.

When I returned back to the bedroom it was empty and water was running in the washroom so placing my earlier clothes in the hangers I walked out of the room back to the living room to offer nafils (supererogatory prayers) of shukrana (Gratitude). By the time I was done with the namaz I was not alone, Khadija was sitting on the arm chair behind me so standing up I turned to her who was dressed in baggy pajamas and baggy T-shirt with a Harry Potter quotation on it while her hair were up in a pony tail and she definitely looked cute.

"Why are you smiling?" She asked tucking the loose strand of her hair behind her ears.

"Nothing," I replied shaking my head.

"C'mon?"

"You look cute, especially the T-shirt! Harry Potter fan, eh?"

"Blimey! Wali, you too?" She asked and I laughed harder than ever.

"Yes! Khadija me too!" I said after good few minutes while there she was standing with her cute smile.

"Truly, I never took you as a fan-boy!" She said once I seated on the couch.

"Well! Get ready for surprises." I said with a smirk.

Soon the two of us were involved in discussions talking about jobs and works, giving each other opinions but not once mentioning past, I guess like me she also wants to take it slow but the way we were talking I was really glad that the awkwardness I was fearing was not here and it never felt like we are the same people who once knew each other. At points, she was definitely reserved and same was with me but being with her every word came out naturally and like that we spent more than an hour talking while waiting for the time for Isha.

Though I didn't have to do wuzu (ablution) I stood up with her; "Would you join me for namaz?" I asked her before starting.

"If that's okay?" She asked hesitantly.

"Obviously, go on I am waiting." I gave her an assuring smile and with a beaming smile she quickly went upstairs.

Once we both were done with namaz I got up and putting our prayer mats on the shelves I turned to find her with Quran in her hands.

"You are gonna read Quran?" I asked her before going up and do my usual recitation of surahs.

"No, I was actually thinking if from now onwards you could recite Quran to me after Isha and I'll do the same after fajar?" she looked at me and I smiled, it's like she knows all my wishes.

"That's a great idea!" I smiled at her moving forwards and sitting with her on the couch.

"You are a hafiz, right?" She asked and I nodded.

"What should I recite?" I asked her who was looking at Quran in my hands.

"What you recite usually?"

"Surah Muzamil, surah Yaseen and a para." (juz/part)

"Okay, what about Surah Yaseen and Surah Maryam for today?" She suggested.

"Great!" and then I started my recitation but this time not only I would be listening my voice but my wife would be listening me too.

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A.O.A

Yes! Finally the day is here!! :'D

On top or side are the dresses!

I am so sorry for being late even after promising, the flu and fever mercilessly attacked me :/

Anywayss! Hope you guys liked it! It's cliché at some points but they are together after 21 chapters so we can work with that, right? Lol!

Now I need your feedback, so COMMENT and tell me what you think! Don't forget to vote tho :P

TC,

Zehra :)