Zaid's POV

There's a knock on my bedroom door. "Zaid bhai, are you ready? Can I come in now? I've been waiting out here for hours!" Hafsa calls impatiently from the other side of my bedroom door.

'You haven't been waiting for hours, I'm coming,' I answer, chuckling.

I glance into the mirror one last time, before a lazy grin makes its way onto my face. I fasten the top button of my sherwani, before applying a spritz of my signature Armani aftershave. I run a hand through my hair and head to the door, unlocking it.

My bedroom door bursts open, hitting me on my shoulder in the process. Ouch. I rub my shoulder, frowning at my sister.

She stands in the doorway in shock, staring at me like she's never seen me before. Tears have filled her eyes, threatening to spill. "Bhai," she whispers, before attacking me with a hug.

I smile, hugging her back gently. 'Are you crying?' I whisper softly, feeling her tears soak through my sherwani.

She shakes her head, not breaking the hug. "I'm so happy today! I can't believe you're getting married, finally! To Zara! Today is a perfect day, I know I'm gonna cry all day!" She laughs through her tears.

'Stop crying, Hafsa, and tell me. Do I look okay?' I ask, seriously.

She breaks the hug, wiping away her tears and making sure not to ruin her makeup. She nods, a grin appearing on her face. "You look amazing, bhai. Remember the photoshoot you did last year, when you wore all those sherwanis and kurtas, you look way better than that now. Because you're getting married today. I can't believe it!"

She takes her phone out of her clutch and frowns. 'These girls aren't even sending me pictures of Zara! I'm so annoyed, bhai! I want to see her now! Ayesha, Maryam and Layla keep saying that no one from the groom's side can see the bride before reaching the wedding venue. And we still have an hour or so to go!'

My heart starts to race. "Is Zara ready?" I ask, my voice quieter than I'd intended.

Hafsa nods, now smiling softly. 'She is. The girls won't let me see her yet, but they've told me that she looks like a princess. Absolutely beautiful. I have no doubt about that.'

"When are we going?" I ask, clearing my throat with a cough. I can't wait to see Zara as my wife this evening. I know that she will look absolutely perfect.

Just then, my parents enter the room. Mum has tears in her eyes, which fall freely onto her cheeks when she sees me. Dad looks emotional too, but I've never seen my parents look so happy before.

'Zaid, you look so handsome, beta,' Mum says, grinning and wiping away her tears. She hugs me next, before pressing a light kiss to my cheek. Then she quickly wipes my face, realising that there is a faint lipstick mark on my cheek.

I laugh. "Thanks, Mum. Are all the guests here?"

Dad nods, hugging me next. 'Your mother is right, Zaid. You look very handsome, son. And you're glowing with excitement and happiness,' he teases, winking at me.

I can't help but smile. "Thanks, Dad."

The guests who are on my side have arrived at our home, and are waiting in the hall. We will have a short photography session, before a few traditions. Then, we will set off for the wedding hall, in about an hour.

I can't wait to see my bride. I can't wait to see Zara.

I've missed her so much, and the wait is finally over.

********

Zara's POV

I'm all nerves on the drive to the wedding venue. Dad had arrived long before I was ready, to pick me up from the salon. When he saw me dressed as a bride, his eyes filled with tears. I could see clearly how emotional he was feeling, and still is feeling. He keeps glancing at me beside him. I'm in the front seat, as my outfit needed more room. The air conditioning is on full blast, which I'm very thankful for.

I can't stop shaking. I've never felt so nervous in my entire life. I can't believe that I'm on my way to my wedding venue, where my Nikah will be held in just a couple of hours' time. In two hours time, I will be married. It still sounds so crazy, so unbelievable, even though now I'm fully ready as a bride.

Dad, Mum and Maryam talk softly about the wedding, but I'm in my own world right now. I don't even comprehend what they're saying. The amount of various emotions I'm feeling today are crazy. I feel in shock, nervous, upset for leaving my family, happy, excited, and so much more.

When the car comes to a stop, I fall out of my trance. I look out of the window, my eyes widening. 'W-we've arrived? Already?' I whisper, looking towards my parents.

Dad gives me a small smile, nodding. "Yes, Zara. We've arrived. You look like a princess," he says, for the hundredth time. His voice is thick with emotion.

I thank him, giving him a soft smile in return. Just then, the chauffeur opens the car door. Dad rushes out of the car and comes to my side, helping me out.

My cousins and friends reach soon after, and they all lead me into the hall through the back entrance. There is a small room near the back of the venue, the bridal room. I will be in here until after the Nikah.

My legs are already shaking with nervousness, and Zaid hasn't even arrived at the venue yet. The photographer and video crew, however, are here before us. A few minutes after I reach, everyone except for Mum, Maryam and Ayesha are told to leave the room when my photo session takes place. The photographer makes me laugh and do several poses, stand in several different ways, and he takes well over a hundred professional photos of me on my own. Then, he takes pictures of me with my family and friends.

After my photo session is over, the photographer leaves the room and hundreds of guests and relatives come flooding into the room, showering me with compliments. I politely smile at them and thank them quietly.

I breathe a sigh of relief when it's only my cousins, Maryam, Ayesha and Layla in the room with me, half an hour later. "Phew, that was...crazy," I mumble, making the girls laugh.

'Zara, you look so beautiful! Gosh, take another selfie with me please!' Layla laughs, coming to my side to take another selfie with me. She's only taken around a hundred already.

"Sure," I reply, smiling at her.

My friends and family couldn't have been more amazing in these weeks leading up to the wedding. They've all done so much for me, they've done whatever they could to make me happy, to make me laugh. I'm so grateful for all of them, and I love them so much.

'Hafsa has been driving me crazy, asking for pictures of you! She will go crazy when she sees you, though,' Ayesha says, smiling.

I chuckle. "You still haven't sent her a photo of me?" I ask, laughing.

She shakes her head. 'Of course not! She would probably show Zaid, and we don't want him to see you just yet! He can look at you all he likes after your Nikah.'

I blush, looking down into my lap and playing with my fingers.

Mum comes into the room, grinning at me. "Girls, the groom and his family will be arriving in two minutes. Get ready," Mum tells the girls. My heart starts racing frantically. He's nearly here.

Oh, my god.

The girls will all stand outside the hall to welcome him. Layla senses my nervousness and she grins at me. 'I'll stay here with you, don't worry.'

I give her a small, shaky smile. "Thank you, Layla. I can't believe he's here," I whisper.

She smiles, her eyes filled with happiness. I can't believe that just a few months ago, I didn't like this girl. Now, she's one of my closest friends.

She holds my hand, smiling. 'He's here, babe. You're shaking!' She rubs small circles onto the palm of my hand, which very slightly calms me.

The rest of the girls rush out of the room frantically, ready to welcome Zaid and his family.

"Layla, I can't believe it. He's here. In less than an hour, I will be a married girl. Can you believe it?" I ask, shocked.

She smiles, nodding. 'Yes, babe. I can. I've been waiting for this day for so long! And I'm so happy for you and Zaid. You both deserve all the happiness and love in the world. Especially you. You look so scared, lighten up! He will be your husband very soon, sweetie! Shall I get you some water?'

"Yes, please." I feel the nervousness flow through my entire body. Zaid will soon see me. I'll soon see him, after so long. When I see him, I will be his wife. How crazy is that?

********

Around fifteen minutes later, the door opens and in walk Zaid's parents. Aunty and Uncle. I blush, the nervousness returning. Layla did her best to make me laugh and calm me down, but they're here. If his parents have reached, then he must be somewhere here, too.

'Zara, you look absolutely beautiful. I can't believe it, the day has finally arrived!' Aunty says, tears spilling down her cheeks. I smile, thanking her softly. Uncle wraps an arm around her shoulders, before he grins at me.

"Zara, you do look beautiful, dear. Definitely the most beautiful bride." They both come and hug me gently. I hug them back, smiling. Then they both press a gentle kiss to the top of my head.

Aunty glances at me again, her eyes brimming with tears. 'My son is a very lucky guy. You're absolutely perfect, Zara. In every way.'

She's too sweet. I grin, making her smile. "Thank you, Aunty. You look stunning in that blue dress."

'Not as stunning as you! Wow, Zara, you honestly make the most beautiful bride in the entire world. Now where is that daughter of mine? She'll go crazy when she sees you!'

The door bursts open, Hafsa making her dramatic entrance. She looks gorgeous in her light pink embroidered anarkali dress, which reaches just a couple of inches above her feet.

She takes slow steps towards me, her eyes widened. "Zara, you look beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Perfect. Oh, my god! Zara! I can't believe you're marrying that idiot brother of mine today! You still have time to think about it, he's an idiot. Do you really want to marry him?! Mum, look at her! She looks like an angel!" Then she starts to cry, tears flowing down her cheeks.

'Hafsa, you crazy girl! Why are you crying?' I ask, laughing at her and giving her a tissue. I have plenty in my clutch, as I know I'll be needing them soon. My own eyes fill with tears at Hafsa's adorable reaction.

"Because...you look perfect! You're getting married! That too, to my brother! I can't believe it! He's so damn lucky! Zara, honestly, you're amazing and so stunning!" She hugs me, making sure not to ruin my makeup or dupatta setting. I hug her back, smiling with tears in my eyes.

I talk with Mum, Aunty and Hafsa for a small while. It's mainly them talking, and me listening, my mind elsewhere. Knowing that I will see Zaid in a short while makes me feel so nervous but excited. He will be my husband when I see him.

Some more relatives and guests from Zaid's side come to greet me and they, too, shower me with many compliments.

Zara, you look like an angel!

Both Zara and Zaid look absolutely perfect today, they make such a cute couple!

Zara, Zaid will go absolutely crazy when he sees you! That nephew of mine will be lost for words!

She looks like a princess, doesn't she?! Her lehenga and dress are perfect!

I politely and quietly thank them, blushing. I've received so many compliments today, many from people I've never seen before. I feel overwhelmed but so grateful. For most of the time, my gaze is fixed to either my hands or the floor, and my nerves all over the place.

A few minutes later, Dad enters with the lawyer and witnesses, for the Nikah. It's happening, now! I can't believe it. My heart starts to beat at a thousand times the normal rate, and my hands start to feel clammy. Dad presses a kiss to my forehead, looking at me with emotion-filled eyes. The witnesses are my grandfather, Dad's older brother and also Mum's brothers, including Uncle Muhammad. Everyone leaves, except Mum, Hafsa, Maryam and Ayesha.

My heart pounds in my chest as I've never felt this nervous in my life. They've come for my consent for the Nikah.

They all greet me and I whisper replies back, unable to smile at them as I'm so nervous. My gaze is fixed onto my lap at the moment. Dad takes a seat on my right side, and Ayesha sits at my left.

I feel like I'm unable to breathe properly, that's how crazy my heart is right now.

My throat feels dry, and my hands sweaty. My lips are becoming chapped. I lick my lips and clear my throat so that the voice comes out properly.

"Do you, Zara Ahmed, take Zaid Malik as your lawfully wedded husband with £10,000 as Mahr in the Nikah?" The lawyer, Dad's younger brother, asks. Oh, my god. Can I do this? How can I do this so quickly? I will be his wife. I will be somebody's wife, a daughter-in-law. How can I take on all these roles and responsibilities? Is it too early?

I feel Ayesha gently rub my back, and I glance over to her for a second. She gives me a small, caring smile. "Come on, sweetie, you can do it. It'll be over very soon, Zara, and then you'll get to see your husband. He must be waiting impatiently for you," she says softly, letting out a small chuckle.

"Just do what your heart says, Zara," she adds, her hand on the small of my back. My heart wants only one thing, or one person for that matter. It's very clear what I want.

The witness again asks the same question, and then I listen to Ayesha. I do exactly as my heart says, as it very well knows what it wants. 'I do.' As soon as the words slip out, I feel my eyes water up with tears. He asks the same question twice more, to which I reply the same, my voice a soft whisper. As soon as I've replied the third time, the whole room bursts into excitement as everyone starts to congratulate each other. Ayesha hugs me tightly from beside me, and I feel her tears soak into my shoulder. The marriage certificate is passed to me from Dad, and I sign with shaky hands, sealing my fate.

After I've signed, they take it away and Ayesha hugs me again, before I'm attacked with hugs from Mum, Hafsa, Maryam and Dad. He presses a kiss to my forehead, and more tears spill out of my eyes. I want to hug him, but I know that I'll break down completely.

Ayesha gently wipes away my tears, smiling at me through her own. Uncle Muhammad next pulls me into an embrace, and then my grandfather does the same. They all place gentle kisses to the top of my head, congratulating me.

Hafsa hugs me next, crying her eyes out. I hug her back, my own tears threatening to spill again. She congratulates me, before telling me that her brother will sign the papers and give consent for the Nikah in just a few minutes. She also tells me that I will be hearing everything, as it will be on the speakers.

My sister hugs me next, giving me a brave smile. I can tell how happy she is, but how upset she is at the same time. 'Congratulations, sis. I'm so happy for you, you deserve all the happiness in the world and more.' Her words make me smile.

Mum's next. She pulls me into her comfortable embrace. I bury my face in her chest, crying. She gently rubs my back, soothing me. I feel her press a kiss to the top of my head. "My Zara. I love you so much."

'I love you too, Mum. Always,' I say, hugging her tighter, soaking her with my tears.

When I reluctantly break the hug, I gaze at Mum who smiles at me with teary eyes. "Just in a few minutes' time, you will be Zaid's wife."

Her words cause my heart to race uncontrollably. What if he doesn't agree to the marriage? What if he's changed his mind and no longer wants to marry me? I will break completely, my heart will shatter into a million pieces. I know he won't do this, because I know how much I mean to him. But still, I can't help but think like this. I can't help but feel scared.

If Zaid doesn't agree to marry me, I don't know what will happen to me. I can't stop these thoughts from entering my mind. Why did he choose me, out of the whole world? Why me? He's a CEO, and what am I? I'm nothing.

The Nikah sermon is started from the Imaam (priest), which I can hear very clearly from the speakers. I listen in silence to every word which is spoken, my hands holding my clutch tightly.

Finally, the words which I have wanted to hear from so long are spoken. Zaid is questioned in the Nikah, very clearly. "Do you, Zaid Malik, take Zara Ahmed as your lawfully wedded wife?" I feel as though my heart has stopped beating, my breath catching in my throat. However, he answers as soon as the question is complete.

'I do.'

A small, shy smile forms on my lips and I close my eyes shut tightly, muttering a prayer under my breath. I can finally breathe. The Imaam asks the same question three times, to which Zaid answers the same. After he has replied the third time, my heart pounds back to life. It starts beating rapidly, thudding uncontrollably in my chest. My heartbeat is so loud in my ears, that it's crazy if no one else is able to hear it.

Everyone again bursts into loud congratulations, and I'm hugged by hundreds and hundreds of people. I don't look at who is hugging or congratulating me, because my mind is not there. Right now, I'm only aware of one thing. That I'm his wife. I'm Zaid's wife, and he is my husband. Finally. We are finally Islamically and lawfully married, and that's all that matters to me. I can't believe how lucky I am. I'm his wife! I have a deep blush on my cheeks and the girls are all teasing me, but I don't care. I'm not listening to their teasing, I'm only thinking about Zaid right now. My husband.

My parents hug me again, as does Maryam, and all my cousins. I still don't realise who I'm being hugged by.

Another person hugs me, kissing the top of my head. 'Hi, Bhabhi! Gosh, it feels so good finally being able to call you this!'

Hafsa breaks the hug and grins at me, her eyes filled with happiness and more tears. I blush, staring down at the ground.

She chuckles. "Already blushing, hmm? You haven't even seen bhai yet, and you're blushing like this! Don't worry, babe, you'll see him in just a few minutes!"

My eyes widen with shock and I'm unable to control what I'm saying. 'Why will I see him in a few minutes?'

She smirks at me, as do several other girls around us. "Because you will be taken onto the stage in a few minutes, Bhabhi! Where you will meet my brother, your husband! Wow, this feels so unreal but so amazing!"

I know, Hafsa, I know. Tell me about it.

He's now my husband. He's lawfully mine now. Finally.

A small smile appears on my lips. Will he like the way I'm looking today? What will he think when he sees me dressed as his bride? What is he feeling right now, after our Nikah? Is he as happy as I am?

The amount of happiness I'm feeling at this moment is unreal. I feel like I'm the happiest and luckiest girl in the world.

"Aww, look at you, blushing and smiling like that! I love you, Zara, so much!" Hafsa says, happily.

'I love you too, Hafsa,' I reply, giving her another shy smile.

The photographer returns to take some more photos of me, this time with Hafsa and her parents. I know that I'm gonna love all these pictures, especially the ones with Hafsa, my parents, Maryam and my new family. I can't believe I'm a part of Zaid's family now. His wife. A blush appears onto my cheeks when I think of myself as Zaid's wife. I hope that I'm able to be the best wife for him, and that I make him happy.

After the photo session, I sit in the bridal room with my friends for a short while. The photographer has gone for Zaid's photo session, and then he will be back with the videographer to film me going onto the stage. I feel my nerves return and the butterflies in the pit of my stomach. In just a few minutes, I will be taken onto the stage where Zaid awaits.

********

Zaid's POV

I can't believe it. How did I ever get so lucky? Finally, finally I'm married to the love of my life. The moment of my Nikah was very special. Seeing Zara's signatures on the Nikah papers made me smile so hard. The happiness I'm feeling right now is indescribable. Out of this world. Several times, she has signed papers at the office, but this is different. So different. Seeing her signature on the Nikah forms made me the happiest man in the world. The luckiest, too.

I can't wait to see Zara. My wife. It feels amazing to finally be able to call her this. I can't wait to see my beautiful bride, I can't wait to see her blush. Because I know that she will have a constant blush on her cheeks this evening.

I am now on stage, in the hall, in front of thousands of guests. My photo session happened ten minutes ago, after which I came onto the stage with my parents and Hafsa. Now, I'm waiting for Zara to make her entrance, which will be any minute now. I chuckle, sensing how she must be feeling right now. I'm sure she's feeling very nervous, shy, she must have a deep blush on her face at this moment.

Zara, just come already. I've waited enough.

Hafsa is seated next to me, and she playfully elbows me in my side. "Be patient, bhai. Just a few more minutes, then you'll see her."

I don't say anything in reply, making Hafsa laugh. She speaks again. "She looks absolutely perfect, bhai. I cried so much when I saw her. They were tears of happiness, of course. You're a lucky guy, you better keep her happy."

'I'll do anything and everything to keep her happy, Hafsa. You know I will,' I reply, looking towards the door at the back of the hall. It's still shut, though.

"I know, you guys are honestly the cutest. The most beautiful couple in the world. And the best," Hafsa says softly.

I smile.

Hafsa is seated next to me, Mum on my other side, and Dad is sitting on Hafsa's side.

Mum starts to say something to me, but I don't comprehend what she's saying, because the next thing I notice is the door at the far end of the huge hall opens. I stand up, nervous but so excited to see my bride.

********

Hi guys, how are you all doing? I hope you're well? I'm currently abroad on holiday, but I still really really wanted you all to read this chapter because I loved writing it! Please let me know your thoughts on the chapter! Was it okay?

What was your favourite moment in this chapter?

Zaid and Zara are finally, FINALLY married! The next chapter will be their Rukhsati, which I cried writing. I hope you guys enjoy the next few chapters, because so many things are coming up in their life which I can't wait for you to find out about!

Can you believe they're married, though? Because I can't!

I love you all loaaaads! Thank you for all your love and support, I honestly have the most amazing readers, and I'm so grateful for all of you!

I hope you're all enjoying your summer?

Bye guys! x