Chapter 45: Nikah.

*

"Ya Qalbi,

Keep calm.

Today is the day,

for

when he becomes mine"

-2am-

*

"This Friday?" Hifzah questioned Qaidah who nodded at her with a small smile. Qaidah saw the worry that was etched onto the features of Hifzah. She placed a hand over hers with a smile.

"Don't worry, Hifzah. Aanabia is our daughter now. We only wish for her alone and nothing else. The Nikah, as per Yazdan's request, would be held at the mosque. I wished to ask Aanabia about it too. If she is okay with it all, we are good. If not, she and Yazdan can talk it out and let us know. After all, it is them getting married" explained Qaidah and Hifzah looked up to her with a small smile.

"You know Qaidah, I always worried about Aanabia more than Nahal. She was the reckless and carefree one amongst the two. Nahal may be younger but she seemed more mature than Aanabia in most things. I would worry about the day Aanabia would get married. The family she goes into, would they treat her like I do? Would they see her as a little child like I do?" Hifzah smiled to herself, as if reminiscing old memories. "Today, I feel that she has been blessed a family that would treat her exactly like I do and I could not have been happier" Hifzah wiped away her tears and Qaidah smiled at her, squeezing her hand. She worries about her only daughter too and she understands this.

"Don't worry. I have two daughters already, Alhamdulillah. One more to the list" laughed Qaidah.

Just then Aanabia entered the living room with Nahal. She was not expecting her future mother-in-law to be here this early. She smiled at her and said her salaams.

"Tea?" she asked Qaidah who refused stating she already had some.

"Ah, Aanabia. I wanted to ask you about the Nikah" explained Qaidah and Aanabia's back stiffened. She looked over to Qaidah with a small smile.

"Whatever is good with mum" she replied and Qaidah grinned.

"Then I take it that this Friday is confirmed?"

"This Friday?" Nahal and Aanabia asked in unison causing the two woman to laugh.

"Yes, this Friday." Confirmed Hifzah. Qaidah nodded and stood up. She walked over to where Aanabia stood with Nahal and hugged her.

"Welcome to the family, darling"

-

Friday came real fast. To Aanabia anyway. Why does it feel like it's too fast? Why is time flying so fast? Her thoughts jumped randomly as she set in front of her mirror, staring at herself. She stood up with a huff and walked over to the bed where her dress for today, lay beautifully. It was a gift from the Zaeef's. Qaidah stated that it was Amyrah's idea that they give the Nikah clothes to the new Zaeef brides and would, in sha Allah, carry it out for the rest too. It was a floral Lahenga. The colors of purple, green, pink and blue stood out against the white background of the Lahenga while the blouse was carnation pink colored with silver embroidery. Aanabia felt herself suffocate at the thought of wearing it but nonetheless, she had to.

Why couldn't Amyrah Bhabhi think of something along the lines of Kurti and stuff?

She donned on the attire and began tying her hair in a messy bun. It would be covered with a hijab anyway. She had picked out a light shade of pink hijab for it. She had already put on a moisturizer on her face so picking up a powder which matched her skin, she dabbed it slightly on her face before using the blusher to brush the excess off. She then applied eye liner (almost poking herself in the eyes) and filled in her eyebrows. When she was done, she stared at herself in the mirror. That is the most makeup I have done in my entire life. Legit. She stared at the eye shadow palette in front of her which read Nude Obsession in bold. She picked it up and opened it. It was a beautiful palette, she had to admit. With colors of brown, nude and darker shades of brown to black. She decided to skip this one. Too much work.

"Aanabia? You done?" her sister called out from outside her room. She heaved a sigh and stood up, gathering the flares of the Lahenga of hers in her hand.

"Yeah. The door is open" she replied, picking up her inner hair covering hijab. She pulled it on and picking up the pink chiffon hijab, walked towards the mirror. Nahal stood by the door, smiling at her sister. She then took multiple pictures before walking over. By the time she was done, Aanabia was done with her hijab. It was a simple style and she liked it.

"How do I look?" she asked Nahal, doing a 360 degree turn in front of her (with great difficulty though). Nahal smiled at her fondly.

"Beautiful, Aapa" Aanabia turned to her sister and nodded.

"Are you doing okay?" she asked Nahal who sniffed but grinned nonetheless. The sister hugged Aanabia and smiled over her shoulder.

"Very happy, Aapa. Very happy"

"Girls?" Hifzah's entrance into the room caused an emotional chaos in the room. Aanabia tried her best to hold back the tears but they didn't. They flowed down her cheeks like River Irwell. Hifzah smiled at her, walking towards her. She gently wiped away the tears from her daughter's face and pulled her into a hug. Her own tears betrayed her and fell freely.

"My little baby" she sobbed and Nahal stared at the two with tears in her eyes. I am not leaving mama. Just shifting. Aanabia wanted to joke but she knew it would be useless. Finally Hifzah let her go and grinned at her daughters through her tears. Nahal stood by her mother with a small smile.

"Never leave each other girls. No matter what happens" Hifzah advised them and the two nodded with small smiles. Aanabia wiped her mother's tears before turning to Nahal and doing the same. We wouldn't if Nahal here, decided to marry Yahyah but nooooooo. Aanabia wanted to sass them but she knew it was a wounded topic for her sister. Best let it stay under the carpet, where most of the family discussions were.

"On the contrary, I am not leaving. I am just shifting" she told them and the two began laughing. Aanabia smiled brightly at them. This is how I wish to leave this house.

The three women made their way out of the house. Aanabia gave one last look around the place with a small smile. Home. Hifzah took the wheels while Aanabia and Nahal set at the back.

"Girls, remember. Do not fight today please" Hifzah told them and the two sisters exchanged familiar looks and grinned. Hifzah rolled her eyes.

"It is your Nikah, Aanabia! Behave"

The ride to the mosque was a short one. Kulthum, Amyrah, Zamaairah and Qaidah were waiting by the entrance for them. The three women got off and soon were bombed with hugs and kisses. Aanabia walked in between Nahal and Amyrah into the mosque and took a seat. Like her, the other girls also wore Lahenga's except Zamaairah. She wore a Kurti. Her best friend, Ayisha was nowhere seen.

The Imaam began his speech on Nikah and what a husband and wife should mean to each other. Aanabia listened intently because she did not know what exactly it meant to be a wife. (Obviously because this is her first time-Stupid sense of humor) She tried her best to face the reality but she could not. It all felt like a dream. A beautiful one at that. But a dream still.

What would it be like? To marry Yazdan Zaeef? To have his children? Okay so that's far-fetched. But the thoughts kept running around. From meeting him for the first time, to the donut incident to sugar issues to falling for him. The rain did play an important part in my love story though. Her mind wandered from these thoughts, to romantic movies to song lyrics. She was reciting the lyrics of Baby shark when she was jerked out of her trance. She turned to Nahal with wide eyes. Nahal's eyes were also wide and that's when Aanabia realized everyone was looking at her expectantly. What now?

That's when she heard it.

"Uhum. Let me repeat. Do you Aanabia Sadaf, daughter of Marhoom Siddiq agree to commence Nikah with Mohammad Yazdan Zaeef, son of Aahil Zaeef with the Maher of 101 Australian dollars and recitation of Surah Nisa?" The imam repeated.

Aanabia nodded.

"Say it" whispered her mother from behind her and she gulped. I have to say it?

"I do" she finally replied. I am officially married!

"And are you, Yazdan Zaeef, Son of Aahil Zaeef willing to marry Aanabia Sadaf, daughter of Marhoom Siddiq?" Or not.

"I do" Okay. I am officially married.

The Imaam then recited the Dua and called out the adhaan. Aanabia was pulled into different directions, all hugging her and wishing her a good life. All the while, she had one thought.

Am I really married? 

*****

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xx, 

-Aalihha.