"Saba, wake up! Sahir and his mother are coming to pick you up in an

hour!"

Her mind came out of slumber at her mother's panicked tone who was

standing near her bed.

"Why are they coming?" She asked while sitting on her bed with alert

expressions.

"You have to go with them to pick your bridal dress!" Her mother told her

while taking out a dress for her.

After half an hour, she was standing in front of the mirror, clad in pink

shirt with bell bottom jeans and was struggling with her hijab.

"Uff! Why do they create short scarfs? It is not even covering my neck

properly!" She shrieked with frustration and went toward the cupboard to

take out any dupatta.

Taking out a matching dupatta, she clad it around her head and covered

her chest.

Now, a smile etched on her face. Slipping her feet in high heels,

she went toward the kitchen to have her breakfast.

.............

Sahir stopped the car in front of Saba's house. His whole being was

tense as different doubts were clouding his thoughts.

After a horn, Saba came out of her house. There was a small smile on

her face and elegance in her posture. Greeting them, she slid into the

back seat of the car.

"Pink suits you, Saba! I have decided that we should have a pink maxi

for your Walima." Mrs. Amna said with a smile at which Saba's cheeks

flushed red. Sahir gazed at her from the back mirror and a smile etched

on his face too.

Igniting the engine, they moved toward their destination.

....................

Sahir was sitting on the couch of the botheque while his mother along

with Saba was checking different clothes items.

Long Maxis, frocks, lehengas; what was not there in those racks. He was

rummaging his gaze on all the racks when his gaze stopped at a

particular maxi.

Long light pink and white maxi with stone work all over its body with

heavy dark pink dupatta. Sahir stood from his place to check that maxi.

"Let me show you, sir!" The sales girl came forward and showed him the

maxi.

"This is beautiful!" Mrs. Amna said while coming toward that maxi.

"Seems like Sahir also likes you in pink." She teased Saba at which her

cheeks flush and eyes involuntarily went toward Sahir, who was also

gazing at her.

Their eyes clashed at which nervousness seeped into her nerves.

Breaking the eye contact, she gazed at the maxi which he had liked for

her.

"Try it Saba" Her mother said at which she took the maxi and went

toward the changing room.

After a few minutes, she came out of the room clad in the pink maxi with

its white hijab around her head.

Sahir's gaze fell upon her and it forgot to turn back.

Fair skin with a pink tint on her lips, cheeks were red and light color dress was making her a fairy.

"MashaAllah!" His mother exclaimed and went toward her.

Pair of glinty orbs turned toward him to see his reaction. A smile was on

his face at seeing the fairy standing in front of him.

That smile caused butterflies in her stomach and raised hopes in her

heart.

"Is it perfect for your bride, Sahir?" Mrs. Amna asked him at which

shyness took over him. A red glint also appears on Sahir's cheeks.

"Perfect" he said in a low tone while scratching the back of his head.

A chuckle emerged from Saba's lips which she swiftly restrained. Mrs.

Amna lightly laughed at this.

"Do you like it, Saba?" She asked at which she nodded her head.

"Okay then, it is final now. Pack it and let's go for lunch!" Mrs. Amna said

enthusiastically, and Saba turned around to change her dress.

After an hour, they were in the restaurant where Mrs. Amna was looking

at the menu and asking for their suggestions.

"Sahir loves Chinese, so he will order it for himself. What do you love to

eat Saba?" Mrs. Amna asked her, at which she got confused what to

say.

Having the first lunch on the money of in-laws was getting hard for her.

"Whatever you will order" She said in a low tone with a small smile.

"Stop hesitating and tell me!" She said in a mock rebuking tone at which

she replied "Chinese".

"Very well! You both are going to have the same dish." Mrs. Amna again

chuckled at which their eyes clashed and blush crept on their cheeks.

Excruciating moment!

Their brains shrieked at this eye contact!

After they placed the order, Mrs. Amna stood from her seat to go to the

restroom. Now, only they two were sitting on the table, avoiding each

other's gaze.

Saba kept her gaze on the window overlooking the quiet colony of

Islamabad. Only a few women and children were walking on the

footpath, enjoying the season of flowers. Scent of flowers and melodies

of cuckoos had become a part of the environment as it was the spring!

The season in which she would be bonded with Sahir!

The love which was blooming in a part of her heart was also spreading

scent in her whole body!

An Involuntary smile etched on her face!

Sahir was raving his hand in his hair when his gaze landed on her face.

Bright smile and sparkling orbs!

His gaze stopped there and kept lingering on her hopeful and shining

face.

Instantly, Zahra's face flashed in his inner eyes and anxiety seized his

being. He tore his glance from her face and fished out his phone to lose

himself in his career world.

Sitting across the table, two lovers were having opposite feelings; one

was hopeful for the love to bloom, and the other one was fearful for

getting love to bloom.

And fate was standing near them with a smirk on its face.

..................

Later in the night, Saba was lying on her bed while her mind was

replaying the whole day's events. A smile was etched on her face while

heart was blooming with hope and love.

She was reminiscing about the moments when the waiter put lunch on their table.

"Mom" Sahir extended the dish toward his mother who took out the lunch

on her plate.

"Saba" After his mother filled her plate, he asked her's

Though it was a small act, Saba was touched by it. Giving equal respect

to the females associated with you is a generous act which every man

doesn't exist in our society.

She took a tiny amount of rice from the dish.

"I have seen your plates in the University cafeteria. So, take more. Stop

hesitating."

A blunt comment!

Saba's eyes rounded and embarrassment filled her veins. She swiftly

took some more rice and kept her gaze on the plate.

A laughter emerged from Sahir's face, reminiscing her flushed face while

he was lying on his bed.

After he dropped Saba, his mother rebuked him for that blunt comment.

He then realized his mistake but it was an amusing one.

Shooking his head, he turned around and closed his eyes to sleep.

.......................

The Sun was shining brightly on the sky, smiling at the two houses

where the hustle and bustle of marriage was going on!

Like every brown family, there was a rush of guests in those houses.

There were some guests who were sincerely wishing the best for the

married couple, and some were curious of how this marriage was going

to take place. Some were criticizing the parents for taking such a

decision for their children.

Among these guests, listening to each type of conversation, the bride

and groom's parents were strolling around, while their hearts were

thudding due to the unexpected future.

Hope and fear was lurking in their hearts, and they were continuously

praying to Allah for their children's successful married life.

Away from that hustle and bustle, the bride was present in the parlor,

standing in front of the mirror. While the groom was in his room, getting

ready for the event.

Marriage life is not a smooth journey. Ups and downs will come into your

life.

Saba was clad in red lehnga and was standing in front of the mirror while

her mother's words were echoing in her ears.

New relationships and responsibilities can be scary so you have to

remain patient and optimistic.

Sahir was clad in golden sherwani and was standing in front of the mirror

while his father's words echoed in his ears.

Husbands and wife have to make a lot of compromises to create a

strong foundation for their house.

Saba was wearing the bangles while recalling these words.

Allah has given more strength to men so you have more responsibilities

toward this relationship. You have to make more compromises in it.

Sahir was wearing the khussa while father's words were replaying in his

brain.

Become a positive part of their family. Try to help each other, give favors

to your family, but do create some boundaries too. Healthy boundaries in

the relationship will sustain mental peace and happiness in the house.

Beep of the mobile resounded in the parlor and she knew her father had

come to pick her.

You have to give your fullest to this relationship, Sahir. Don't be a toxic

man of society. I want you to be a proud husband and father. In the

beginning of married life, men are in power. And after the initial years,

wife became in power. In most cases, children support the mother,

making the husband's authority weak in the house. So, what you bow

now will reap it in the future.

Knock on the door resounded in the room at which Sahir took a deep

sigh. It was the time to step into this relationship.

...................

Sahir along with his family was sitting on the stage when the lights

switched off and soft music resonated in the background.

Spotlight focused on the entrance from where the bride was coming.

Red lehenga and hijab on her petite body was making him spell bound.

Taking slow steps toward the stage with a lower gaze was enhancing her

beauty.

"Stand up, Sahir" his mother whispered on which he stood from his

place, feeling a little bit embarrassed for his mindlessness.

As she came near the stage, Mrs. Amna nudged him forward to take the

bride's hand and helped her to reach the stage.

Sahir extended his hand at which blush crept on Saba's face. Mr. Akram

gave her hand into his, at which the hall resonated with hooting.

Having their hands interlocked, Saba gazed toward him and they made

eye contact.

Glint of fear and hope was in her orbs and doubts were shining in his'

Standing aside, Asma was gazing at them with a hateful gaze.

Like always, Saba got the best!

Her heart shrieked at which tears of anger shone in her eyes.

She climbed the stairs to stand with him. Hooting and laughter were

resonating in the hall at which a small smile came on their faces too.

After completing the whole marriage rituals, it was time for Rukhsati.

Naturally, tears welled up in Saba's eyes. She hugged her mother and

wept while her head was on her shoulder.

"I love you dear! You are not going too far. Please don't weep like that."

Her mother tried to console her. She left her mother's shoulder and

nodded while sobbing. But when she hugged her father, she again

started to weep. Tears were also present in Mr. Akram's eyes.

"Dear I love you " her father whispered.

.........................

Saba was sitting on the couch of her new room. At one side it contained

an attached study and on the other side, it contained an attached

dressing room. With the dressing room, a washroom was present. With

the study, there was a small balcony. The room was elegant yet simple.

Instantly, the door opened and Mrs. Amna came into the room. With her,

a cousin of Sahir was present.

"Saba dear, I want you to remove your hijab", said Amna. Listening to

Amna, she became confused and hesitated.

"Dear, I want you to remove the hijab just for today and just in the room.

It is your first day and you are a bride. I want Sahir to be amazed to see

you. Ok dear, Is this ok with you?" Amna asked her with affection.

"As you wish, Auntie," Saba said in a low voice.

"Good! And don't call me Auntie. Call me Mom!" Mrs. Amna said in a

frank tone and turned her head toward Sahir's cousin.

"Meeza, remove her hijab and set her hair"

Meeza came forward and started her work, giving Saba a totally different

look. Meeza did backcombing, did curls and put her hair in front of the

shoulder. The curls were matting around her shoulder, giving her a

doll-like appearance.

After doing their work, they both left the room, leaving her alone. Saba's

gaze was focused on her hands while her mind was unable to think

anything. Numbness was everywhere.

Instantly, the voice of the door opening resonated in the room and her

gaze went toward the doorsteps. Seeing the male shoes and the scent

that filled the room, Saba knew Sahir was there. Her heart started

thudding, and hands started shivering.

Tiredness was etched on Sahir's face but when his eyes landed on

Saba, his eyes rounded at seeing a different look of her.

........................