Salem's family was the happiest when Salem told them he wanted to get married. In the past, his parents thought that maybe their son wasn't going to ever get married. They knew of his dating ways. The only thing both his parents told him was to never break anyone's heart.

Salem had too many girlfriends in the past but he never promised them a long-term thing. He definitely liked them. But he made sure to tell them that he didn't intend to marry. Marriage was never on his cards. He wanted to be a free bird.

When Pari came to his life, most things changed. He was mesmerized by her beauty. But what made him fall for her was her ferocious attitude. He loved it and wanted to challenge it. Even their fights also kept him entertained. Today, he couldn't believe he was getting married!

Theirs was a simple court marriage where only immediate family was present during the signing. They then went to a temple and married according to the Hindu rituals as her parents wanted her to see Pari & Salem getting married according to the rituals.

Pari wore a simple red banarasi saree and Salem, a white sherwani. The entire day, he stole glances at his 'wife'. He couldn't believe this quiet girl from his college was his 'wife'. He had a slight smile every time he thought Pari is his wife.

From Pari's family, her parents, aunt, Kabeer, Priya and Priya's husband attented the court wedding but on Salem's side, it was his parents, siblings and 6-7 of his close buddies, who Salem says are his "immediate family". Pari could see how his friends were happy for Salem.

Friends - they were his biggest strength. Or maybe, he was his friends strength. Salem was loved by people around him. He wouldn't necessarily be the most talkative in the room. But he had the power of making connection with anyone around him. Be it a kid or an adult, whenever he talked to someone, he didn't do it to please them. He talked to them because he was genuinely curious about them.

His friends congratulated the couple on the wedding and also teased Salem for getting such a beautiful wife.

Pari was feeling extremely sad to leave her parents behind. Their relationship was not ideal, but she knows that they have always loved her. Her mother embraced her and cried hugging her daughter. Her daughter was stubborn and rude but she was her first-born who never left the home for a long time and now she won't be seeing her everyday. Pari took blessings from her father and aunt, hugged Priya & Kabeer tightly.

"Thoda toh ro lo. There are no tears coming." Kabeer teased Pari. (Cry a bit)

"You know I am not a cry baby, like you." Pari replied back. She was going to miss this banter with her sibling.

As Pari sat in car with Salem, he held her hand in his and didn't let it go till they entered his home. She was welcomed with flowers and balloons that said "Welcome Home Bhabhi". Pari was overwhelmed with the amount of people in the house. They were Salem's friends and their family. All of them praised the couple and congratulated them. They took some more pictures. By the end of it, Pari's cheeks hurt smiling for so long.

Her sister in law - Aamna was beside Pari the entire time along with Salem. While Asif, her brother in law seemed shy to talk to her. Salem told her Asif will talk a lot once he knows her well. Jenny and Mr. Ahmed insisted she call them 'Mummy' and 'Dad' just like Salem calls them. Pari knew it will take some time to get used to calling them parents instead of uncle and aunty.

A few nights ago, she was tensed about how her first days would be in the house, but seeing everyone being so nice to her, she feels they will be good to her and she need not worry.

Jenny and Aamna took Pari to Salem's room and told her to not hesitate to call them anytime she needs anything. Pari looked around Salem's room which was almost the size of her living room. She closed her eyes, not believing she finally got such a big house, just like her dreams. What stood out to her in the room was gym equipments in the corner and bunch of family portraits on another wall. It had pictures of teenage Salem with his parents, another frame of just the siblings in the childhood and also a photo of Salem in martial arts attire. She didn't recall him telling her that he is trained in mixed martial arts.

She sat on the bed quickly when she heard footsteps coming from outside.

Salem entered the room, took a deep breath and jumped on the bed to lie down.

"Finally you are home! Our home." He said and closed his eyes, relaxing from the hectic day.

"Huh! You entered the room and didn't even look at your bride. The bed was more important for you? They say husbands change after marriage, I never knew it happens so soon." Pari taunted him.

Salem fixed his head in Pari's lap and said, "Never. I was madly in love with you and I will always be madly in love with you." He took her hand in his and drew small circles on it. "But alas, I am not a filmy guy. I can't recreate a movie scene with you where I unveil your face. But we can skip to the good part." He raised his eyebrows hinting at their "suhagrat" (wedding night)

She smiled and pushed him away.

"What? I am serious!" Salem said.

Pari blushed a little and said, "I am tired today. It will also be a long day tomorrow, I don't want to be tired and walk in a funny manner."

Tomorrow was going to be their wedding reception, especially for Salem's friends and family. Pari's family didn't want to invite their side of the family as their will be talks of the intercaste marriage and her father will have to face the situation.

"Hmm. Then biwi (wife), it's also going to be a long night tomorrow. I will let you rest tonight as our wedding gift. But tomorrow, it's your chance to give me my wedding gift. Manzur hai?" (Do you agree?)

"Hmm. Okay, Sahab" (Sir). Pari had caught on this word when some of Wajid's subordinates addressed Salem as Sahab.

"Hmm. And I don't know whether I like you calling me 'Sahab' or not. It feels funny hearing 'Sahab' from you. But I prefer Salem. It is always Salem for you." He kissed her forehead and she closed her eyes, feeling the precious moment.

They both agreed to sleep soon as they have to get up early the next morning.
Jenny, Salem's mother had asked them to get up early in the morning. She had also made appointment with hair stylists and make up artists for Pari. Jenny was always excited about events and this is her son's wedding party, she couldn't be more excited.

It was new place for Pari so she wasn't able to sleep, even though this bed was more soft and big. She tried to think of her old room to get some sleep, but to no avail. She looked at the fan above intently and thought of counting numbers to get some sleep.

"Still awake?" Salem asked her.

"Yes. I always have difficulty in sleeping in a new place. Why are you awake?" She asked him.

"How can I sleep knowing you are beside me? It all feels like a dream." He answered honestly.

"You know I hate it when people talk too much, especially when it's time to sleep. But do you mind if we keep talking? May be, one of us will fall asleep and if not, we will just get to know more about each other?"

She smiled, liking his idea. And so they talked. About their favourite song, movie, food and some family members. She even asked him about his mixed martial art photo on the wall.

It was at 4 am that they finally slept. Pari was the first one to pass out and that's what he wanted. How can he sleep when she would be awake the whole night? He wanted to make sure she is comfortable in his room, now it's their room.

The next day was more chaotic than the wedding day. She was greeted with the breakfast in bed by Jenny and Aamna.

She thanked them for their kind gesture. Pari was very much formal with them. Jenny asked her to finish her breakfast and quickly get ready as they would be leaving for the hotel. Pari didn't ask any questions but she wondered if the party is in the evening why are they going so early to the afternoon.

She got her answer in the hotel room when the beauticians worked their magic on Pari - starting with manicure, pedicure, facials and eyebrow threading.

The only break time was during the lunch. Later, the beauticians did her whole make up and got her ready in a beautiful lehenga gifted to her by her in-laws. This was the first time Pari had got such lavish treatment. She had hardly been to the local parlour before. They made Pari ready one hour before the function.

Jenny barged in the room and smiled looking at her daughter-in-law.

"Beautiful and stunning! My son is going to fall in love once more." Jenny touched Pari's cheek, adoring her.

"Thank you....mummy." Pari said. Pari made a conscious effort to address her as Mummy. She knew Jenny would be a bit hurt if she calls her aunty.

"No need to say thank you to me. Now, common. We need to click pictures with the family." Jenny took her to the balcony where the photographer had set his camera and lights.

First they took individual photos of Pari. Then, it was time for Salem and Pari's photo.

The moment Salem looked at Pari, he was stunned. His eyes was stuck to her face. How can she be so beautiful?

"Ahem ahem" Aamna coughed, "If you are done staring at her, go click some pictures."

Salem glared at Aamna and walked towards Pari.

"Beautiful." He whispered in her ear and stood close to her.

The photographer directed the couple to pose and clicked some amazing sunset wedding photos.

An hour later, it was time for the reception. The place was huge and decorated with white and pink flowers.

By the end of the evening, Pari just wanted to go home and sleep. She didn't want food or water but just a bed to sleep.

While she was happy to meet her family members, who were limited in number due to her father not calling everyone. Salem's side's guests were never ending!

She met his childhood friends, college friends, film friends, his father's colleagues, his mother friends and his brother's friends! She was also introduced to his family.

She saw so many actors and actresses, producers who Salem worked with.
All of them told the couple how lucky they are to find each other. So many of them even joked about how did she convince Salem to settle.

She had thought that she would get some time to spend with Priya, but there were so many guests that she could only talk to Priya for 5 minutes.

Her mother was happy seeing Pari in the bejeweled look and lehenga. This is what Pari always desired, which they couldn't give her.

"Bhabhi, will Pari forget us?" She asked her sister-in-law. Pari's mother saw how well settled Salem and his family is. They have everything Pari always wanted - a big house, car, money. She feared what if her daughter will go far from her?

"What are you taking about? Does anyone forget their family? Don't overthink." Her sister-in-law comforted her. "Just be happy for your daughter."

**

That night was the one Salem and Pari would remember forever. It marked the beginning of their union and as husband and wife. He asked her for his gift, as promised and she didn't deny him. She was scared for it was her first time but Salem made sure she was alright and he was gentle with her. He wanted it to be a beautiful experience for her.

He was surprised at his own behaviour. Usually, it was never about cuddles, kisses and being gentle. But with Pari, he wanted to make sure everything was perfect and she felt loved. Seeing her with hickeys on her lower neck gave him satisfaction. He wanted to be forever like this, her in his arms. Both of them slept peacefully and satisfied.

***

It's been a month to their marriage and Pari got used to their home. The honeymoon to Italy was postponed as Salem's film producer requested his shooting dates to shoot the song and complete it. When Salem apologised to Pari for postponing their honeymoon, she was rather okay and didn't seem upset at all, as he had expected.

The mornings were usually the busiest in the Ahmed household. There were cooks in the house but Jenny used to be in the kitchen supervising them. She loved cooking but due to her health issues, Salem and Mr. Ahmed didn't allow her to cook. Aamna and Asif were college kids who were the first ones to step out of the house. Mr. Ahmed used to leave later in the morning and Salem's timetable depended on his shoot schedule.

Pari loved watching television. At her home, it was always a fight between her siblings on who would control the remote. But this TV in their bedroom was all hers!

Pari was starting to understand what her mother meant by 'taking care of her husband.' Even though there were helpers in the household, certain things Salem wished only his wife would do. For instance, she should help him in getting ready, finding his socks, keep his ironed clothes in the cupboard, serve him food, etc. Pari had no problem in doing things for her husband as she had no other responsibilities of cooking food, cleaning the house or the efforts her mother and aunt would take in their home. Doing these things for Salem seemed basic and small to Pari. There were days when Salem had to shoot continuously and didn't come home.

She also found her mother in law was not the vamp they portrayed mother in laws in the serials. Jenny was sweet, helpful and understanding. She would never ask her to be in the kitchen, let alone cook. She tried her best to make Pari comfortable in the house.

Soon, Pari grew bored of sitting in the house without work. She thought of resuming her work. Salem had made it clear that "his wife" can't be at the front desk of a hotel welcoming people. She came across other job opportunity - a customer service executive at a firm. Surely, Salem would have no problem with this! She went for the job interview in the evening, informing Jenny.

After the interview, she reached home only to find Salem already sitting and smoking in their bedroom.

"Where were you?" Salem asked.

"I-I had informed Mummy." She chose her words wisely. She could sense the hidden emotion behind his question.

"Not the answer to my question, sweetheart. Did you inform me?" He asked.

"I went for an interview. I thought I would inform you once I get it." She answered him.

"Next time, I want you to inform me beforehand. Do you get it?" Salem asked in a low voice.

She nodded her head and quickly said a small 'yes'.

"Good." Salem said and exhaled the smoke on her face.

She moved her neck backwards and her hands in the air to get rid of the smell of the smoke. She knew he does this when he is angry on her.

After dinner, she told him about the company, her position and the interview process. All the while, he didn't comment anything.

"Why are you so angry? I am trying to give you all the details and yet you want to act like this!" She said frustrated at his no-reply game.

He had a drink in his hand, which he was busy sipping.

"Salem! I am talking to you." She was beyond irritated.

"Shh! Control that tone with me. You didn't think it was important to inform me and now I don't think it's important to reply to you. Also, you are not going to that company." Salem declared.

She was stunned. For a second, she didn't know what to reply.

"What? Why? What is your problem?" She tried to ask him as politely as possible. But it was Pari, the rudeness in her tone would never fade.

"Find another job." He said, not looking at her.

"Okay! Tell me what job should I find that wouldn't hurt your ego?" She asked him directly.

"Ego? Pari, don't comment on things you haven't experienced. You haven't seen my ego. I always keep it aside when it comes to you." Salem said.

"I...I have seen a job opportunity as an account executive....is it okay if I give that interview?" Pari asked to which Salem nodded.

Salem knew she would grow bore of being an account executive and leave it sooner or later. But even if she doesn't, atleast she is not attending to people. Account executive would be okay as it would mean sticking to the desk and not being the centre of attention.

"Okay." Pari was at peace now that he didn't deny her. She found it disappointing that women had to ask their husband's permission to work! Her parents had made it clear that she would ask Salem's permission for work related matters and abide to his decision.

She was meant to be a free bird, living on her own terms and flying high. But instead, she bore the weight of expectations of her husband.

"You know you don't need to work, right? I earn enough to buy you all the luxury!" Salem said again.

"I know but I get bored sitting in the house. And I want to earn my own money." Pari said. She also never thought that one day she would like to go to work! Previously, she only worked for money so that she could buy her favourite things but now, now she really wanted to work.

She just hoped Salem didn't create any problems for her.

_____

9/7/24

Gaali dene ke liye 1 dabaye! 👉🏻

I know you all are very angry for not updating. But I was on the job hunt and had no motivation to write.

Also, to readers who would think I robbed them of the smut scene, if I would write that, it would take me 3 more days to give you an update.

Plus, Wattpad gave me extra problems while writing and publishing the chapter.

Take care :)))