While changing her clothes, Khushi looked at herself in the full view mirror in her room. The scares were still there. Some dark some faded.

And they really were ugly.

Each scar told a story too scary to remember but everytime she saw them... she remembered everything no matter how much she tried to forget.

Recalling the past to tell Khushi just seemed to open up the wounds even more. Her heart ached in her chest and tears found thier way out.

Suddenly, Yasir came from behind and covered her eyes.
"Don't look." He whispered in her ear.

"I'm ugly... aren't I?" Her voice trembled.

He sighed, warm breath hitting her shoulder as he pulled her to his chest with his free arm.
"What part Jaan?"

"These scars."

"What scares? I don't see anything." He said.
"Can you see anything?"

"That's because you've covered my eyes." She said and then turned to him.
"These" she said looking down but Yasir stopped her by kissing her eyes and then capturing her lips.

"Exactly Jaan! Exactly like that I can't see any scars because the beauty of your heart has covered my eyes from seeing them. To me your the most beautiful woman in the world... both inside and out. So Khushi, scars, wrinkles, weight gain, old age or anything else..it doesn't matter to me. As long as it's you ... I'll love you in any way." He carassed her face.

Her eyes teared up even more and she threw her arms around him holding him tight.

"I love you too Yasir....soo much."

"I know." He whispered kissing her temple. To him, she was his everything.

"Mmm.... Jaan?"

"Yeah?" Yasir asked.

She looked at him as he wiped her tears.
"Enough of this melodrama now. Off with these clothes please."
She bit her lip.

He laughed.
"Is that even a question?" He winked unbuttoning his shirt 

∆∆∆∆
Muskan was walking bare feet in the lawn feeling the soft grass beneath her feet. Her hand, she had stretched softly touching the flowers on the sides.

Suddenly a rather rough hand grasped her soft one from behind and she froze feeling the body heat of the person behind her back even though thier bodies didn't touch. Electric currents ran through her finger tips as the mere skin contact and without even asking she knew who it was.

"Careful. Those are roses with thorns."

She let out a soft gasp bringing her small fist to her racing heart.
"T... thank-you."

"Do you know who I am?"

She nodded meekly

"Won't you say my name?"

Muskan blushed keeping her head down. The name was right in the tip of her tongue....but, she was too shy to say it. She thought, her heart might just explode if she dared to.

He entangled his fingers with her's of the hand they were still holding.
"Muskan....say my name please."

She gulped unable to calm her breath.
"R....Rehan ji." Her voice came out just slightly louder than a whisper.

Rehan's face split into a huge smile.
"Thankyou."

He let go of her hand much to her dismay and stepped ahead making her heart race even more as she sensed his presence in front of her.

Facing her, he plucked a full blooming red rose and chipped it's thrones carefully with his nails.

"Do you like roses?"

She nodded. Her hand clenching even more near her chest and cheeks turning a pretty shade of red.

"This rose.... it's soo soft....just like you, but not as delicate as you. Would you like to feel it?"

Muskan nodded shyly.

Rehan smiled and very carefully brought the rose up touching it's petals on her cheeks. She gasped. They had turned into a similar colour making him gape at her in awe. He gulped unconsciously bring it to her lips as Muskan's emerald orbs closed for a moment.

He clenched his fist forcing himself to stop from going any further as his heart was already racing erratically inside his chest.

He took her free hand and handed the stem of the rose between her fingers. Then he leaned forward to her ear.
"Even this rose couldn't match your beauty.....My butterfly."

Muskan gasped and her heart was ready to jump out of her chest as he called her butterfly. She sensed him walking away from her and she brought the rose to her heart trying to calm it. The rose smelled soo sweet.

A huge smile found it's way on her lips.

∆∆∆∆
Rehan was extremely happy to know from his sister about Muskan's feelings for him. He had already lost his heart to her. So he said that he was ready to give her as much time as she needs to prepare herself mentally for thier wedding.
Also, he wanted to hear all that from Muskan herself but....he knew well that his shy butterfly would never say it out loud, and he found that adorable.

Because, the feelings that she wouldn't utter by her lips were clearly visible on her cheeks, her eyes and her body language.

Muskan on the other hand, as sweet and pure as she was told the ladies that she felt it wrong to be living like that without marriage and when they get married, they can know eachother well then.

Khushi and Zarina Ma's happiness had no bounds and they too wanted to rush with the marriage as soon as possible.

The fact that, no one from Muskan's family would come to support her broke her heart, but Yasir assured her he would be her older brother and give her away.

∆∆∆∆
Muskan sat in the lawn at night enjoying the cool breeze. She closed her eyes and leaned back on the chair silently remembering her parents up in Heaven.

Mumma Daddy, I'm getting married today? Are you happy?
Because I'm very happy. At last, I found people whom I can call family and who love me and care for me. So you both can stop worrying now. And did you meet Khushi didi's and Rehan ji's mother? She's a very kind woman just like you both. Give her my Salam and thank her....for giving her wonderful son to me.

She smiled to herself as a lone tear slipped down her right cheek carrying happiness yet a sad melancholy in it as she missed her parents dearly on her happy occasion.

"Cutie? Are you crying?"

Muskan opened her eyes stretching her hand and feeling for Khushi. She took her outstretched hand and sat beside her.

"No Didi. I was just talking to my parents up in the heaven." Muskan said innocently wiping the tear.

Khushi smiled hugging her.
"Awww sweety. Do you miss them?"

Muskan nodded.

"I'm sure they're watching you and are happy for you."

"Yes" Muskan smiled.
"Didi?"

"Hm?"

"Are there stars in the sky?"

Khushi looked up. "Yes. Quiet a many."

"Can you tell me how they are?" She asked excitedly.

"Sure " Khushi opened Muskan's palm and pressed her finger on her small palm making dots with her finger explaining her.

"Wow! MashaAllah! It must be beautiful then." Muskan's eyes sparkled.
"Didi....are there any butterflies around?" She asked shyly.

Khushi giggled. She knew very well why Muskan was asking that
"My sweet innocent cutie. Butterflies don't come out at night."

"Oh..." Muskan blushed embarrassed and a little disappointed.
"...silly me."

Khushi placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"I really hope someday you could see them yourself." She murmured to herself.

"Huh? Did you say something Didi?"

"Nothing cutie. I was wondering, MashaAllah, look at the colour of your mehendi! They say that the deeper the colour of your wedding mehendi, the deeper the love of your husband and inlaws for you. Ahhh, I'm soo envious. Looks like Rehan bhai is going to love you a lot. You know he's already going crazy about tomorrow " Khushi giggled.

Muskan covered her face turning a deep shade of red.

Tomorrow was thier Nikah afterall.

∆∆∆∆
"Subhan Allah.... Subhan Allah! How can you be soo beautiful my cutie? It's not fair." Khushi said admiring the bride as she sat near the dressing table ready for the Nikah.

Muskan was shaking turned into a nervous wreak. She grabbed Khushi hand with both her hands desperately.

"D... Didi. I'm scared."

Khushi giggled.
"Ah, so our Muskan is having the wedding jitters. Don't worry cutie. It's all going to be ok. Rehan bhai will be the best Husband in the world for you."

"Yes but....can I be a good enough wife for him. What if he hates me?" She said in a breaking voice almost in tears.

Khushi's eyes went to the door looking at her brother who seemed unbelievably handsome to her in his sherwani. She didn't recognise him for a minute as he didn't seem like his usual messy self but a smart handsome man. She almost had tears seeing the day had finally come when her brother found his happiness too.

She squeezed Muskan's hand
"That ...you should ask him yourself. Goodluck." She said and placing a sweet kiss on her forehead, went to her brother.

"No....no Didi...." Muskan panicked.

"Goodluck bhai. But save the romance for your wedding night." She nuged him.

Rehan blushed and gently hit her head as she went out giggling.

Taking a deep, Rehan went to his shaking bride.

"Assalamualaikum.... Muskan."

She forgot how to breath hearing his rough but gentle voice. Her tiny fist went towards her heart making him smile.

"Wa...laikm...as...sa...lam."

He got down on his knees in front of her and it made him remember the first time he met her. She was soo vulnerable and scared but now, sure she was nervous but he could see the happiness in her being and that made his heart flutter and of course, her beauty could begile the beholder....as he was spellbound too.

"My butterfly...can I hold your hand?" He asked for her permission softly.

Her face turned red as she slowly stretched her hand. He too took it as if it was something too delicate and precious.
"Are you scared?"

She shook her head almost unnoticibly.

He smiled.
"Muskan....the minute I set my eyes on you.... I knew I had already lost my heart and at that very moment, when I held your delicate hand for the first time, I promised myself I'd protect you over my life and cherish you, treat you gently like a butterfly. I'll let you fly but I'll fly with you to wherever you want. I'll lay the world below your wings and give you all the happiness in the world and more."

He took her hand and placed her palm over his racing heart as she gasped.

"Can you feel it? It's my heart that's racing for you....and you alone Muskan. I may not be the best man for you but I promise to try to be good enough for you and...."
He entertwined his fingers with hers as she too unconsiously did the same
".... once I hold this hand, I swear to never let it go. You're perfect for me the way you are Muskan... beyond perfect. If you can just give me your heart, I'll ask nothing in return. Just be by my side and I'll be your eyes showing you the world. I promise."

Muskan's eyes teared up. She couldn't believe if this was all real and the man in front of her cared for her soo much...and she too had already fallen in love with him soo much that just imagining that he might leave her, frightened her.

"Yes." She said.

He smiled from ear to ear. He then noticed the tear at the rim of her right eyes and bringing his knuckle closer to her eyelash he very carefully picked the tear as the slight touch made her gasp. He brought it to his lips and kissed it, drinking it.
"Your tears are too precious to waste my butterfly. From now on I'll kiss away your every tear until you forget how to cry and only keep smiling that beautiful smile."

Muskan's heart soar to new heights and whatever doubts she had in her mind seem to fly away with it.

"Butterfly. Can I kiss your hand?"

She gasped and shook her head blushing.

He chuckled.
"Alright then. I'll save this for later." He said letting go of her hand reluctantly.

She blushed harder.

####
"Qubool hai." They both said and were tied by thier destiny in the beautiful Nikah.

There was a storm of happiness throughout the villa as they all congratulated eachother. It had been a long time since such happiness knocked the doors of this family.

####
Balls of anxiety were rising inside our innocent Muskan's stomach. Clearly she had no idea what actually happens in a wedding night. So now our not so innocent Khushi was going to give her some tips.

Oh no!

"So cutie ...sorry, bhabhi." Khushi giggled seeing Muskan blush as she was getting her ready for the night.

"Wedding night means Suhagraat. Meaning, it's your husband's night. The night when your husband will shower all his love on you. Your heart, your soul and...your body, everything will be completely his for tonight."
Khushi said in a sensual tone unknowingly scaring the young maiden.

"It's the night when you truly become one!" Khushi abruptly grabbed Muskan's shoulders making the poor girl jump.

Finishing the final touches on her makeup Khushi dramatically sat in front of her.

"Tonight....you have to lure him with your charms and beauty and enslave him to yourself forever!"

"Huh?" Saying Muskan was confused would be an understatement.

"Yes. So here's what you're gonna do. As soon as he enters the room, you will walk upto him swaying your body like a snake and throw away your ghunghat. And then jump on him and say,
"Hubby, make me yours tonight. Show me your all and....ow!"

Khushi rubbed her arm pouting as Zarina Ma smacked her hard.

"Keep your crazy fantasies to yourself you naughty girl. Don't scare the gullable child." She said holding up Muskan who was already shaking.
She turned to the bride.
"Muskan beti. Don't listen to her. It's not necessary to do all that tonight. You're married now and have your whole life ahead of eachother for such things. For now, just sit together and talk. Get comfortable around eachother and if you get tired. Just go to sleep. I'm sure Rehan will say the same to you. No need to worry beti. Just be yourself. Ok?"

Muskan felt much better now. Her shivering stopped and she could smile too.
"Ji ma."

"What Zarina Ma! I was having soo much fun teasing my cutie, why did you say it now. It was soo cute seeing her innocent face. You should've let me pull her leg a bit more na?" Khushi whined.

Zarina shook her head then smiled kissing Muskan's forehead.
" MashaAllah....look how beautiful you look. Just like a fairy."

Muskan smiled.
"Thankyou ma. Khushi didi got me ready."

"Ah, atleast she did 1 thing right."

"Maaaaaa" Khushi whined as the 3 women laughed. 

______________________

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