Arsalaan felt like a burglar, as he climbed on the pipes of the Abbasi mansion like a pro. The last time he did this, he managed to go out the same way, and asked his wife to come down and made it as if they haven't spent the night together at all. That was months ago when Malaika's memories were lost. He was pretty confident that this time will be just the same, how very wrong he was.
"I knew it." Fahad's voice startled him, as he jumped into Malaika's balcony. Arsalaan face palmed himself, of all the people why it should be his stupid friend, he thought with a frown.
"What are you doing here?" they both questioned at the same time, one with a frown while the other one with a teasing smirk.
"You know what I'm doing," Arsalaan replied in a duh tone as he dusted his pants and his friend snorted at him.
"You're not allowed to meet her before the wedding," Fahad smirked adding more salts on his friend's wounds, who groaned at the mention of that.
"She's my wife already. I don't see the point here." Arsalaan whined like a kid who was denied his favourite candy. Fahad laughed out loud at his expense making him roll his eyes.
"I feel sorry for you, but you should have thought well before proposing such ideas. Enjoy now." Fahad smirked evilly, Arsalaan only glared.
"But what are you doing in here?" Arsalaan questioned as he eyed the empty room of Malaika with a frown.
"She's staying in Amy's room. I knew that you'd do something like this, I heard some noises from the back yard and guessed it was definitely you. Now good luck not seeing her for two more days. Shoo away, lover boy." Fahad grinned at him smugly and his friend gave him a dirty look, "why?" Arsalaan whined again.
"You asked for it."
"What was the need for the second wedding anyway?" Fahad asked curiously and slowly Arsalaan's memory drifted down the lane as a small smile etched on his lips.
It was one calm and cold winter morning. Malaika was all snuggled up in her blanket as Arsalaan worked on his laptop with a serious expression on his face while she watched a movie on her tab. There was a scene in which the hero and heroine tied the knots and a wide smile formed on her lips as she watched all the fuss and beauty behind the marriage scenes and the fact that she didn't remember any of those about her own marriage made her sad.
Pausing the movie in midway, she looked at her workaholic husband, "Arsalaan... Let's get married again." she demanded in very a serious tone that made him cough vigorously, "you want to what?"
"Get married again." Malaika replied with a frown, which made him shut his laptop and he got up from the sofa and made his way to the bed, "why?" he asked her whilst taking a seat across her.
"Because I don't remember any of it, I'm okay with not having my memories back, but I want to relive my marriage at least. It makes me so mad knowing that I don't remember my own marriage, how pathetic, right?" Arsalaan went speechless at her question. It was their marriage that has caused all this chaos in the first place, she lost her memory because of that and here she wants to marry him again it seems. It only made him more guilty.
"I- yes-no." he had no clue what to say.
"Yes or no?" she demanded firmly, angry at herself for forgetting the most precious day of her life, "fine. We will get married again." What has he gotten himself into? He wondered with an inward groan.
"Promise?"
"Promise." a week after that promise Malaika got back her memories and the rest was history.
"Hello?" Fahad waved at his friend, bringing him out of his la la land.
"Bro, I want to see her." It's been a week since he last saw her, a month since he proposed to her. Things went on pretty greatly. That is until, Malaika's parents decided to take her home, claiming 'if they're remarrying, then they should do it in the right way and the groom and bride shouldn't meet until the marriage.'
The nikkah was supposed to be held on Abbasi mansion in two days and Arsalaan was restless from not seeing his wife and he couldn't sit back at his place anymore and so, he decided to come here and to his dismay, it was Fahad instead of his wife in her room.
"I feel sad for you, since you happen to be my friend, I will help you out." Fahad made a face as he said that, but Arsalaan punched his arms happily, "I know you're a good guy."
"Right." rolling his eyes, Fahad walked out of the room and an impatient Arsalaan waited in her room pacing back and forth.
"I swear bhai, if this is one of your pranks I'm gonna kill you." Malaika's voice made him beam as he walked towards the door and stood sideways, awaiting her entrance.
"Get inside." Fahad literally pushed her inside and locks the door making Malaika glare at the locked door, "what the hell." her voice was cut off in the middle as the familiar pair of hands sneaked on her waist from behind. She should have guessed already!
"Arsalaan." she yelped in surprise, as he turned her to face him, his hands still holding her waist. Heat raised onto her cheeks as she realized what was she wearing.
Dressed up in a yellow colour crop top and long white skirt, she was soaked with turmeric paste from top to bottom, looking as ethereal as ever. Her mayoon just finished an hour ago and she was yet to change.
"What are you doing here?" she whisper yelled at him, scared of being caught. They were not supposed to meet until two days later and trust her husband to be impatient as ever.
"What are you wearing?" Arsalaan has never seen his wife wear something other than Kurti, so he's allowed to be shocked at her attire which is also a tad bit exposing.
"I- my cousins insisted." she mumbled shyly as he drew circles on her slightly bare waist, "you still haven't answered me," she questioned him, with as much as courage she could muster.
"I missed you." pulling her into a bone-crushing hug, he mumbled incoherently, inhaling her sweet smell; orange fragrance, mixed with turmeric paste. Weird combination indeed.
"Me too." she shivered at his touch, damn his hands; which was tightly holding her almost bare waist possessively. It made her feel things, things that she cannot dare to spell out loudly.
"Don't tell me that you were wearing this dress the whole day?" he questioned, praying that it wasn't true. The thought of some other men eyeing her like this got on his nerves. She was his. His to see, his to touch and his to love.
"It was a ladies-only function," she uttered shyly but was surprised when with his unexpected kiss as he pushed her against the wall. It was filled with lots of fire and want. She kissed him back with equal passion, running her hands through his soft hair, damn. She missed this so much! It almost felt like an eternity but only it was just a week.
"I get it how much you've missed me." he chuckled as they broke apart, panting heavily. She placed her head against his chest and hugged him silently. There was no point denying now since that was the truth anyway.
"You look beautiful though, I don't have to say that anyway," he added with a small smile making her blush.
After a moment of silence, she mumbled, "thank you, Arsalaan."
"What for?" Arsalaan asked curiously as he ran his hands through her long silky hair, damn they're so soft.
"For keeping your promise," Malaika mumbled with a wide smile, as she looked up at him, who grinned as he understood her words and pecked her forehead as a reply making her smile wider.
"I got this for you," he exclaimed excitedly, as he took out two beautiful diamond bangles from his pocket. She looked at them in awe, "I want you to wear this on our nikkah." Malaika blushed in happiness as she took it from him and examined it with adoration, "this is so beautiful"
"It's my mother's bangles. She'd have been so happy to see you wear this one at our wedding." Arsalaan muttered emotionally, his parents have always been a sour subject for him. But it was so clear how much he loved them. Malaika hugged him again, "of course."
They just remained like that, in each other's arms, staring into their eyes with love, enjoying the feeling of being together after a week, which felt like an eternity. How they survived months without each other was beyond them. They remained in their own happy bubble until the interruption at her door.
"Time's up, love birds." Fahad's teasing voice made them both pull back with a frown. Sighing dejectedly she walked to open the door but was pulled by her husband once again, "what?" she mouthed annoyedly.
"Wear this." pulling the random shawl that was lying on the bed, he covered her up making sure her waist wasn't exposed. She rolled her eyes but enjoyed the possessiveness nevertheless. She, herself wasn't very comfortable wearing them. It was only for the sake of her cousins, she wore it in the first place.
"Allah Hafiz, text me before you sleep" pecking her lips one last time, he lets her go but heard a dramatic shriek from the door, "astaghfirullah!"
Malaika literally ran away from there not having the courage to look at her brother after what just happened.
Fahad looked at his friend with a scowl, almost regretting his decision of dragging his sister here.
"I can't even punch you because you're her husband." muttering the word husband with an eye roll, he glared at Arsalaan, who gave him a sheepish smile.
"Forget it ever happened. But thanks anyway. I'll make it up to you." by saying this he went back from where he came with a content smile on his face. It felt good seeing her after a week's long gap. He can sleep peacefully now.
Fahad just shook his head in disbelief, but he was happy for them anyway.
***
"Qubool Hai"
"Qubool Hai"
"Qubool Hai"
The last time Malaika uttered those words, she has hated herself. Hated herself for being so weak and spineless. For giving into his blackmailing and agreeing to marry him so easily. But today, it was the complete opposite.
Funny how things changed.
She had this ridiculous smile on her face as all her close relatives came and congratulated her. It felt so overwhelming and surreal. Her mother was crying in happiness while Inaya came in and hugged her tightly, "congratulations bhabhi."
"Congratulations to you too," Malaika whispered with a beam, making Inaya smile. It was a miracle considering how Zayn himself came and asked sorry for the harsh words he said to her and asked if they could start over. Inaya agreed in a heartbeat. That was their fresh start. And now was her turn. Both of them were happy. At the end of the day, it was due to Inaya's stubborn behaviour that she and Arsalaan had to marry in the first place. And she was thankful for that. Everything happens for a reason after all.
"The groom is here." her cousins' teasing voices broke the trance and now, Malaika was a nervous wreck. She didn't feel like this during the first time, maybe this is what they call the wedding jitters? She loved it despite being nervous.
Her heart was thumping rapidly as he walked towards her. Everyone else became blur as her eyes focused solely on him. Her breath hitched as he came closer.
"Shadhi mubaarak ho." Arsalaan whispered making her shiver, the gorgeous red lehenga which she wore, made her look like a queen. His queen. He couldn't wait to take her with him to their home, and it is going to be a matter of forever this time.
"Aap ko bhi." she whispered shyly getting a lot of hooting and whistles from the cousins' gang making her blush crimson red as if she wasn't blushing enough already.
('Congratulations on the wedding.'
'To you too')
Post-wedding rituals began to take place happily and the couple were completely exhausted by the end of the day. In some corner, Rahila was crying at her fate. Her mother consoled her bitterly, cursing herself for instilling the idea of marriage with Arsalaan in her daughter's mind right from a very young age. It was hugely her fault. That's why there's this saying; they make a plan and Allah makes plans and Allah is the best of planners. If it's meant to happen it will happen.
Even in the case of Zayn and Malaika, the whole family has planned their wedding right from the beginning but at the end of the day, what was meant to happen has happened. Malaika ended up with Arsalaan and Zayn with Inaya. No one has the power to stop the plans of the almighty.
***
"Inaya, I'm done for the day. Let me in." Arsalaan sighed exasperatedly.
His sister only smirked in mischievousness. "How much?" he asked. It wasn't like he won't give her money, but making him restless to get into his room is fun in its own way.
"Duaa is crying." her face changed colours at the mention of her daughter crying, and Arsalaan took this as a chance and got into his room making her huff in annoyance. "This is cheating." she cried at him.
"Of course it is." he shuts the door with an evil laugh making her chuckle.
Malaika was a nervous wreck, once again. It felt surreal to be married again, happily this time. She was happy that she gave him a second chance. This is what her heart has desired for and she chose it in a heartbeat.
There are no regrets. Although there are few fears, fears of their new future, of the possibility of many fights and misunderstandings which commonly happens, she knew with Arsalaan it is going to be okay. He will make sure of it. That much she knows.
Right now, she stood in the middle of the bedroom and admired the decorations whilst impatiently waiting for her husband to come and as if on cue, he came in, making her breath hitch.
He looked handsome in his cream colour sherwani and many eyes were gawking at her with envy during their nikkah, she felt the urge to stick her tongue out at all of them and laugh. But at that particular moment, her heart began to beat rapidly with every step he took towards her. She took a step back as he came nearer and stumbled on her foot but steadied herself with an internal groan.
Malaika had no idea why she's feeling so shy suddenly.
It wasn't like she is seeing him for the first time, but of course, it was a bit different this time. She was nervous nevertheless.
"I've never seen you so shy before," Arsalaan exclaimed in amusement, as he held her tiny hands in his. Her heart made a flip at this and she understood what those movies meant by the phrase 'butterflies in the stomach' because she is feeling them now. There could be a whole zoo in her stomach, she was sure of that.
"Malaika." Holding her hands tightly, he whispered her name whilst looking into her honey brown eyes, with so much love.
"Hmm." She stared back at him with the same love-filled eyes.
"Thank you for forgiving me." she smiled in return. The kind of smile which stole his heart all over again.
"Allah loves those who forgive." he kissed her knuckles with love for her kindness and good heart. He didn't deserve her but he's too selfish to let her go.
"I love you." he smiled at the bangles which she wore, "it looks good on you."
"It's really beautiful." she smiled at him with love, "and I love you too, Arsalaan."
"I know." he pulled her waist and brought her close to him, "and I'm gonna show you exactly how much I love you." picking her up in his arms he made her gasp. But his words made its work on her face as she began to blush harder, it was all she did every day and he loved seeing the effect he had on her.
Gently after placing her on their new bed, Arsalaan kissed her forehead first, as he joined her on the right side. She shut her eyes close whilst gripping the bedspread tightly in nervousness.
They have shifted to his parent's home two weeks ago and the interiors were completely designed by Malaika. She was so emotional at his suggestion, it was close to the first project that she did and she was super glad to do it. Malaika took special care at designing every nook and corner of the house as it is going to be their forever home now. She was proud of its results and Arsalaan showed his happiness by kissing her breathlessly that day when the work was finished. He always finds reasons to kiss her, it wasn't like she minds them anyway.
"We are not doing anything that will make you uncomfortable." Malaika felt herself falling in love, harder and harder with every passing moment. She opened her eyes shyly and stared at him with mad respect.
Arsalaan kissed her eyes one by one as he leaned closer, their breaths now mixed. Lips mere inches apart. Their proximity and closeness increased the tension and desire.
But then he took a special moment to observe her beauty with the dreamy look on his eyes making Malaika blush harder, he still couldn't believe that she's back with him. Forever that too.
After everything he did, she chose to stay. He was indeed very lucky and he promised himself to cherish her for the rest of his life. She's too precious for this world. He doesn't deserve her, but he's not letting her go.
Looking at her beauty only increased his hunger and desire, which he has suppressed for way too long, "Stop me before I lose my self-control." Arsalaan breathed against her lips as he pecked them and then went down to her neck, she suppressed a moan. "stop me." he whispered again as he placed a kiss on her neck, she couldn't help that moan this time.
"D-don't." Malaika stuttered shyly and he doesn't need to be told twice as they ended up making some passionate love until three in the morning and slept in each other's arms with contentment, holding each other tightly. It was one of the best nights of their life and there was many more to come.
It was just their beginning of something new, something beautiful. A new journey of forever.