(-+(-+(-+(-+(Chapter 37)-+)-+)-+)-+)

Salaar felt as if his captivated soul had suddenly found freedom. He was delighted, relieved. He had never imagined that his entire destiny could change in a matter of seconds or that Zarmeena would enter his life in such an unexpected way. His phone screen kept beeping with Zarmeena's name, and a mischievous smile touched his lips. He was amused by her persistent calls, but he knew what she was up to and decided to turn off his phone.

"Oh, look at Mr. Bashful! Wait till Zarmeena knocks out your remaining teeth!" Fahad teased Salaar.

"Shut your mouth! Everything got spoiled in the first place because of you bringing Mom here," Salaar shot back, still harboring a grudge.

"Ahahaha! And what if I hadn't brought Dadi here? You'd still be crying over your incomplete love story," Fahad retorted with a sly grin.

_+_+_+_+_+_+_

Meanwhile, Zarmeena grew anxious when Salaar turned off his phone. Frustrated, she tossed her now useless phone onto the bed just as Zareena entered the room. Dragging a suitcase out from under the bed, Zareena opened it and pulled out a beautifully stitched suit she had kept as part of her dowry.

"Zarmeena, hurry up! Molvi Sahib is already sitting in the drawing room. Change out of these clothes," Zareena urged hurriedly, turning to leave.

"Amma, what is all this?" Zarmeena clutched her mother's hand, stopping her. "You're acting like nothing happened. What will you say to Aunty Majida and Brother Fareed? How could you even accept all this?" Zarmeena demanded.

"Zarmeena, if this isn't acceptable to you, you should've said no. I know you're agreeing to this for the sake of your Dadi. I'm doing it for her too. And as far as Sister Majida and Fareed are concerned, let your Dadi handle them. She must have something in mind," Zareena replied calmly, making her stance clear.

Zarmeena fell silent, knowing her mother was right but still conflicted. She would have resisted more had she held any feelings for Fareed.

_+_+_+_+_+_+_

"I wish Jawad were here, and we could pull your leg together," Fahad exclaimed teasingly.

"Think of Jawad, and Jawad is here," Jawad said playfully as he entered.

"Salaar, quickly change into this. I called Jawad to bring a suit for you. At least you can't sign the Nikkah papers wearing this lousy tracksuit," Warda uttered with a hint of urgency.

"Thank you, my dear Aunty, or else your Nikkah with Zarmeena would have happened without me witnessing this great event," Jawad chimed in, holding a beautiful white men's Shalwar Qameez.

"I am going to buy a suit for Zarmeena. Jawad, make sure he changes into this," Warda exclaimed with concern. She wanted to buy a suit for Zarmeena, but Zarmeena had insisted on wearing one she already had.

"Don't worry, Aunty. I even have a makeup kit to hide his bruises, or else people will think the groom was already beaten by the bride," Jawad said hilariously. Everyone laughed at his antics.

Salaar couldn't help but grin. Meanwhile, Fahad's phone beeped-it was Zarmeena's message:
Tell your friend to talk to me, or I'll make your life a living hell.

"Carry on, Zarmeena Malik. I will not pick up your calls. I know what you want. I promise you, you'll be mine now. You cannot deny this, it is destined." With that, Salaar chuckled and turned off Fahad's phone too.
_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_

"Oh, that bastard Salaar Malik! I will kill him," Zarmeena said, gritting her teeth in extreme frustration. She looked helplessly at the beautiful dark green dress and, having no way out, picked it up and headed to the bathroom.

When she emerged, she found Sajida sitting on her bed, her expression stunned.

"Zarmeena, is this true? You're getting married to Salaar Malik? Aunty Zareena called me to help you prepare for the Nikkah. I thought it was with Brother Fareed but was stunned to find out it's with Salaar! Oh, my friend, how lucky can you be to win him over without even lifting a finger?" Sajida exclaimed, amazed at the sudden development.

"Keep your dirty mouth shut, or it won't be able to speak after my fist lands on it. Get out of my room! I am not a baby who needs you to change my diapers. I can prepare myself without your help," Zarmeena retorted, seething with anger.

"Oh, my dear tomboy friend, when it comes to fashion and makeup, you're still a baby compared to me," Sajida replied smugly, proud of her superior sense of style.

She gave Zarmeena an appraising look. "Oh my God, you need a lot of work. If you don't get rid of your growing mustache, people will assume this is a gay marriage."

Sajida's mocking ignited Zarmeena's temper, but before she could react, Sajida quickly moved toward the door.

"Ahmed! Ahmed, come fast! I need your help," Sajida called out.

"Yes, Sajida Baji," Ahmed replied obediently.

"Go call one more person; we need help here. Hurry!" Ahmed instantly ran outside, leaving Zarmeena dumbfounded at Sajida's antics.

Moments later, Sajid entered the room with Ahmed.

"Oh, you're here too," Sajida said, giving Sajid a forced smile because she needed his assistance.

"Come on, boys, hold her hands tightly," Sajida ordered.

Zarmeena was caught off guard as both men grabbed her firmly, and Sajida began threading her face.

_+_+_+_+_+_+_

After half an hour every one flabbergasted by her enchanting entry. She was looking stunningly beautiful in her dark green dress. Sajida makeup might not work on herself she did magic on Zarmeena. Even Warda couldn't help admiring her beauty. That merely was because makeup products never touched her face before. Her dress and dupatta had intricate designs of embroidery with same color sequences. She wore a beautiful set of qundan and gold gifted to her mother by her father on first night and put delicate kusas( traditional slippers) in her foot. With a light makeup and tiny braid instead of ponytail made her just out of this world.
When Zareena and Warda guided her inside. Salaar who lifted his gaze at her arrival forgot to return and followed her till both the ladies seated her beside him. Before sitting on the sofa Zarmeena shooted a deadly glare towards him.
Salaar felt heart stopped beating sensing her so near to himself. Even her goofy eyes were slaying. She sat stiff close to him. Salaar wanted to laugh out loudly at her awkwardness. He took control over a girl nobody could never ever controlled.
" Bismillah Arahaman Arahim" Molvi Sahib started the procedure of Nikkah.
Both the friends who were united after long seperation maybe witnessed last happiest event of their life. They gazed at each other having ocean of gratitude in thier eyes with yielding so much from life they missed in last an hour of their life.
" Salaar Malik son of Faizan Malik do you accept this Nikkah with Zarmeena khan daughter of Amjid khan with the cost of time according to Islamic law." Molvi Sahib asked firmly.
" I accept ( Qabool hai)"Salaar answered hurriedly before waisting any time.
Molvi Sahib repeated the same question for further two times and at each time he answered in acceptance. Now Molvi Sahib turnned to Zarmeena.
" Zarmeena khan, daughter of Amjid khan do you accept this Nikkah with Salaar Malik with the cost of time according to Islamic law." Molvi Sahib asked Zarmeena. But instead of 'Qabool hai' there was silence in her vail.
Salaar become extremely worried because Zarmeena was the one who had the ability to turn the tables at anytime. He saw Zareena tilted her head whispering in her daughter's ears. Every one was taken by the killing silence, when they heard a voice.
"Qabool hai" Zarmeena gave her acceptance to be Salaar's wife.
"Congratulations to all of members of the family this Nikkah is completed. I pray from God to bestow his blessings upon the newly married couple." Molvi Sahib announcement and with his words the whole environment changed showing the picture of entertaining event with chuckles and laughters.Mrs Shameem, Warda and Zubair looked relax now to see Salaar happy after long time.
Sajid and Ahmad arranged the tables of refreshments for guests. Shameen and Yasmeen never wanted to leave each other. Warda and Zareena was talking with each in friendly environment. Warda took out a beautiful gold ring from her hand and gave it to Salaar.
" Salaar put this ring in Zarmeena's finger." Warda instructed Salaar. Zareena took out Zarmeena hand from inside her dupatta. With a bit hesitation Salaar took Zarmeena's hand and put a ring in her trembling finger. He wondered that her fingers were trembling out of embarrassment or anger. She quickly snatched her hands . Every one enjoyed this sudden event of Nikkah.
"Yasmeen thankyou so much, I never thought our friendship would ever evolve in such beautiful relationship. We are now in laws." Mrs Shameem exclaimed while patting on Dadi's hands.
" Shameen I will pray that our friendship should never pass through anymore obsticals and scarifices." Dadi said still having dismay in her voice because she had face her daughter and grandson, who might not easily forgave her for what she had done today.