And just like that, it was time for her ruksathi, the sending-off ceremony. Mashal didn't know she could cry so much. Her heart sank in despair as they made her sit inside Murat's car. She held her father's hands tightly as he placed a kiss on her forehead and closed the car's door slowly.
"Bhai, you'll see her every day. Don't worry. It's a happy occasion. Let's not cry so much," Inaya, her father's sister aka, her favourite aunt spoke. It was ironic considering she herself was a crying mess.
It was an emotional moment for the whole Baig family. Mashal was everyone's favourite and it wasn't easy to send her off to some other family, even if it was just their neighbour, whose family they knew so well.
"Aapi, you'll come to our house every day right?" Meher asked sadly as she stood beside her mother, they all had crowded the car. Taking chances in talking with Mashal one by one before she'd leave the wedding hall.
"Of course, I will. Please don't cry, mama and papa." Malaika came forward and held her hands through the window and placed a kiss on her palms, making her smile.
"May Allah bless you abundantly, don't be scared okay. You're always in my duas. I love you, jaani. I love you so much." Mashal teared up yet again as she nodded her head.
"They should leave now," Arsalaan came forward and held his wife, who cried in his chest as she side hugged him. Meher waved at her before the car finally moved.
Murat watched all of this and felt a great responsibility falling on his shoulders. His wife was so loved and cherished. He should make sure she's just as loved and protected in his home as well. It was his duty and he wanted to take the whole responsibility for it.
But Mashal wouldn't stop crying, he was prepared for this beforehand anyway. Swiftly, he took out a few tissue papers from the tissue box that he made his best friend purchase at the last moment.
Chris smiled at him teasingly through the rearview mirror. Murat just rolled his eyes as he passed the tissues to his wife. She gave him a grateful smile before taking them and wiping off her tears.
"Thanks," her voice was soft and calm. He placed his hand on hers, giving it a little squeeze. She intertwined their fingers tightly whilst placing her head against the window.
"You both look so good together, guys. Perfect match." Chris attempted to break the silence in the car, Murat signed him not to. He realised Mashal just want to be left alone sometime and wanted to give her that space. And his friend took the sign and didn't bother them for the rest of the ride.
Soon enough they were on the familiar road, Mashal smiled softly seeing her house and her heartbeats rose as she got down from the car. Murat held the door for her with his usual charming smile.
She blushed deeply before getting down.
The Saeed family was already here it seemed. More precisely, it was just Syra's car. She came here all the way from the hotel when Murat clearly told his family not to come. Mashal observed his displeasure as they both saw her car. She held his hands without a second thought.
And here's the catch. There was no awkwardness as she did that. It seemed completely normal. As though they have always held hands. And she loved that feeling.
"Assalamualaikum, you guys," Syra stood at his doorway, preventing them both from entering even the living room.
"What, Syra? Aren't you tired already?" Murat grunted with annoyance but his twin didn't seem to mind his moodiness.
"Well, I won't be the cliché sister and ask you for money. I want something else." She smiled smugly and signalled Chris.
"You're in this too? Great." His voice was full of sarcasm as he eyed his best friend, who looked sheepish.
"What do you want, aapi?" Mashal was exhausted with all the wedding functions and wanted to hit the bed already. Her sister in law seemed cool but she just wasn't in the mood.
"Technically I'm the older twin, but still you don't have to use all the formalities. Call me Syra and I'll call you Mashal. Okay?"
"Cut it, what do you want? We both are tired." Murat cut her off annoyedly. He clearly mentioned a hundred times to his family to leave them alone for tonight. But Syra was always the one to not listen. He loves her but she gets so unreasonable sometimes.
"I'll let you in, only if you carry her in your arms. I want to film that moment too. Chris will do it."
Mashal's eyes went wide as she gazed at her sister in law and then at her husband. Heat raised on her cheeks. She opened her mouth to protest but she couldn't.
Don't act, you would clearly love to be carried like that. Her heart mocked at her.
"That's all?" Murat asked with an eye roll and Syra clapped her hands excitedly, "yes. Carry her upstairs and I'll just take my leave."
"You're so annoying," Murat muttered before turning towards his wife, she looked bashful, a faint smile appeared on his face as he held her waist. They stilled for a second before he scooped her in his arms like she was a doll. He felt goosebumps all over his hands as he carried her in his arms. She was so easy to hold.
"I'll post this on my Instagram, walk ahead" Syra muttered happily but Murat observed the frown on his wife's face as his twin said those words.
"You wouldn't," he turned to look at Syra, whose face fell in disappointment.
"I'm going to. You can't stop me," she said challengingly.
Mashal wrapped her little arms around his neck for support and glanced at her sister in law. That woman looked so stubborn at that moment. She couldn't enjoy the feeling of being carried by her husband like this.
"Syra, I'm a social media addict myself but please don't post them. Mama said it'd catch Buri Nazar. I don't want any of our intimate pictures to be shared online temporarily. Please respect our privacy," her voice was polite and respectful but Syra's face fell. She nodded begrudgingly before walking out of there without any other word.
Mashal fell speechless as she watched Chris walk away as well. It was just her and Murat now.
He glanced down at her with an amused smile, "I didn't know you believed in all those."
"Evil eyes are real and I don't want to fall a victim for it. Not on the very early days of our marriage at least." Mashal stood firm on her beliefs. But she felt bad for her sister in law.
"Will Syra feel bad?" She voiced out worriedly, "I didn't offend her, did I?"
"Relax. It isn't a big deal. She should learn to draw boundaries. It wasn't cool. Let me know if she throws any tantrums."
He spoke nonchalantly and carried her into his home, it was theirs from today on. Her heart stopped beating for a second before she came out of the momentary shock.
"Let me down, they're gone anyway," heat raised onto her cheeks as she gazed into his deep black eyes, which stared back at her with a burning fire in them. He looked so damn attractive as she observed him with such closeness. Especially those jaw line. Damn him! How can one look so effortlessly good?
"It's cool. I want to carry you," He shrugged it off before walking upstairs, leaving her speeches yet again. She blushed hard, trying to avert her eyes but she couldn't take them off his handsome face. And damn those muscles, she was finally able to feel them. He was so fine!
She kept on gazing at his stubble as he walked ahead, nonchalantly. Her whole body felt like it froze with shock. He smelled so good though. She took a sniff discreetly and turned red at her stupid antics. If he noticed, he doesn't comment anything, saving her from the second-hand embarrassment.
She couldn't believe all of this was actually real.
Mashal was still processing all of this as he dropped her on the softest mattress she has ever sat, "welcome home, Mashal." She smiled at his words.
Home! This is going to be her from on.
Her breath hitched as she took a glance at his room. She could say it was theirs from now on. It was gorgeous. Just like she has pictured it to be.
There was a long mirror at the corner, a queen-sized bed and a sofa made out of the same teak,. All the wood in this room was of the same teakwood. And there was a cute walk-in closet along with an ensuite bathroom. It was simple yet luxurious. The walls were painted in navy blue and white combination. And there was his balcony. The curtains were all off white. It had a classy vibe overall. She loved it. A small smile appeared on her face.
"Your bedroom is gorgeous,"
"Ours from tonight," he winked at her cheekily and watched how red she turned.
"You blush a lot," he observed whilst removing his watch.
"Uh, yes. I guess." She smiled shyly, got up from the soft bed unwillingly and took a glance at everything. It was so neat and tidy.
"And here's your gift," he walked to his bedside table and took something out of it. She gazed at him curiously as he placed it on her palms.
"Open it?" She nodded with a smile and unwrapped the gift that took her a while.
"This- it's so cute. Wow." Inside the package was a Harry Potter Time Turner necklace look-alike, made out of platinum. She was speechless. Her eyes twinkled in disbelief. She couldn't form any words.
"I take it you liked it?" Murat smiled nervously and she gave him her biggest smile mixed along with disbelief, "like it? Are you kidding me?"
"This is the best gift ever. So thoughtful. Who said you I like Harry Potter?" Mashal couldn't stop grinning at her gift, "I love it, Murat. Thank you so much for this. I love it a lot."
"I'm so glad. I was confused about this, but Meher helped me out somehow. She's so easy to bribe." He grinned mischievously.
"Yes. She is still a child. Don't misuse her innocence like that," they both burst out laughing.
There wasn't much awkwardness. It was such a relief.
"We should get changed?" Mashal nodded at that and passed him a nervous smile, "where are my dresses?" She asked.
"Your cousins have hung them in the closet, you can go in first. I'll use the guest room. Come down after you're done. I'll play the movie and pick something for us to eat." Murat smiled softly and left the room, giving her some space.
That was their plan. They've already talked about it. They were supposed to take things slow but not too slow. Murat suggested that they watch a movie and eat something cooked by him. Mashal said yes right away.
It sounded cool in the text format but why was she so nervous all of a sudden though. Mashal had no idea but she went ahead to change her dress anyway.
She chose a blue satin gown and removed her jewellery one by one. She left the make-up as it is. Her make-up wasn't heavy. She liked light make-up. Her hair was left open now, she brushed it smoothly and smiled at her reflection. Her heartbeats rose as she took a final look at herself.
She was supposed to go down now. Why was she so scared though? She has agreed to it. They have talked about it already, but still, it was easier said than done.
"Hey, I was waiting for you." Murat's voice made her more nervous now that she climbed downstairs. It wasn't like he's going to eat her. She smiled weakly as he signalled her to sit beside him on the sofa in the living room.
The lights were dim and the temperature wasn't very cold nor hot. It was just perfect, like a little date. Her insides felt mushy and giddy as she glanced at him.
There was a movie playing in the background. It hasn't begun yet. He has changed into his nightdress as well, looking handsome as ever. How come he looks good in every dress though? She blushed at that thought before sitting beside him.
There was ample space between them. It wasn't awkward yet they weren't that comfortable. Murat pulled out a plate from the coffee table and gave it to her with a grin.
"Is that red velvet cake?" Gone was all the awkwardness, as soon as she saw her favourite cake, Mashal couldn't stop herself from beaming. She relaxed a bit and raised her brows at her husband.
Gosh! He was her husband.
Still so unbelievable.
"I came home this morning and baked it especially for you," he said it like it wasn't a big deal. Mashal froze at his words. A happy grin adorned her face.
They had a deal that he'd make something for both of them to eat during their first movie night. The fact that he came home in the middle of all the wedding hustle just to bake this cake made her feel so special and speechless.
"Can I taste it?" She asked in a daze, he forwarded it to her with his usual charming smile, "I made them for you," His reply made her blush yet again. Their hands brushed for a second as he passed her the plate, sending a wave of current their her body.
Gosh! He has the most alluring smile. Ever.
The cake filled her mouth with delight as soon as she took a bite. Her eyes closed for a second as she enjoyed every bit of it. A moan escaped her lips unknowingly.
"This is so..." She couldn't find the right words to describe how delicious that was.
"I'm flattered you liked it so much," a tint of redness appeared near his ears as he watched the movie that has begun playing.
It was a famous rom-com, they both have selected it together two weeks ago. But the movie felt so uninteresting as they watched. And Murat couldn't get himself to concentrate on anything as he had the biggest distraction, sitting right beside him. There was a weird tension in the air.
Mashal on the other hand, ate her cake happily, it was seriously one of the most delicious cake she has ever had. She paused feeling his intense gaze upon her which made her heart skip a beat. The movie ran in the background but they did everything but watch that.
"Why are you not eating?" She questioned but he leaned in towards her, "you have little something here." His gaze was fixed on her lips as he whispered huskily. She smiled nervously, feeling something mushy inside her stomach. This closeness. She loved it.
"Can I?" He asked and she nodded in a daze, his eyes were dark and her cheeks heated up as she could feel his hot breath fanning on her face.
Swiftly he wiped off the cream that was on top of her upper lips. Her breathing became uneven, so did his. Their eyes gets locked and it darkened with burning desire.
Mashal felt mushy inside her stomach.
And before they both could realise, his lips were on top of hers, kissing her hungrily and she was kissing him back with equal passion.
Everything inside her explodes. There was so much fire.
She was kissing her handsome yet annoying neighbour, who is now her husband.
It was un-freaking-believable indeed.