"Qubool hai"
"Qubool hai"
"Qubool hai"
Mashal shut her eyes close as a drop of tear rolled down her cheeks. Her throat felt dry as she lifted her shaky hands to sign on the nikkah nama, the Islamic wedding contract. Her father ran his hands through her head as he placed a kiss on her head. All her close relatives congratulated each other. Her mother and sister were happy yet sad. It was an overwhelming and bittersweet evening.
She was a married woman now. Her heart skipped a beat at that thought. A shy and content smile played on her lips but yet the tears continued to flow. The moment was truly one of a kind. She sniffed sadly as all her cousins came up to her, giving her warm smiles and congratulations.
They could hear the loud cheers and happy laughter from the men's side as well. He said yes. The thought left her smiling in between her tears. They were married. Murat Saeed was her husband. She now could stare at him all she wants and do so much more. For a second, Mashal couldn't breathe but she did. It felt so heartwarming and emotional.
"I'm so happy for you," Duaa, her cousin gushed in excitement. She was four years older than her and was happily married.
"I'm the happiest," Meher joined them both, "aapi is married but she is just moving right across the street. How amazing, right?" She hugged her sister tightly, "I'll trouble you every day even after marriage." The way she said it so adorably with so much love, made Mashal hug her back tightly.
"Don't cry."
The time seems to blur in oblivion. As everyone congratulated each other and the imam made dua for their happy married life. Mashal's heartbeats rose frantically as she felt someone's footsteps towards her. The wedding hall turned awfully quiet for a second as everyone's eyes were fixed on her and her husband. The word felt so alien to her as she thought about it, which made her cheeks turn a deep crimson.
The first thing Murat did was stare at her face with a dark look in his eyes. The kind of look that made her toes curl, he was so open with his admiration for her. He stared at her like she was the prettiest girl alive and that made her feel all giddy. He placed his hands on top of her head and read a dua, which the grooms traditionally read when they first see their new wife, at least in their families they did. It was a sunnah. A chorus of awes and hooting erupted from the youngsters making her turn red as if she wasn't blushing enough already. She gazed down at her palms as he came a little forward and blew air on her forehead as he finished reading the dua.
"You look breathtaking, Mrs Murat Saeed," He whispered sweetly only for her to hear and stood straight. Everyone had happy smiles on their faces. Mashal felt the whole zoo was running inside her stomach. The first words from her husband and she was already swooning over him. He was charming, alright.
Mashal bit her lips as he forwarded his hands towards her. He was supposed to take her to the main stage, they'd click family photos and do the ruksathi. That's about it. She was supposed to start a whole new life from today. And the very thought made her freak out from within. She felt nervous suddenly. Her eyes began to water but she held them back before giving him her hands.
They both stilled as the hands came in contact. She could feel it. Those goosebumps. Was he planning on killing her by just be holding her hand? Damn her heart. Why was it pounding so fast?
Murat's hand was so huge in comparison with hers. It was very cold and her hand fit so perfectly into his like they were made for him to hold. She stood up at once and tugged at his arms, signing him to halt. He raised his brows at her, she eyed her ice blue, netted chiffon dupatta. That was stuck on the chair on which she sat. It had the prettiest golden border, her favourite part of this dress.
Before she could bend down and remove it, Murat was already on the ground. Helping her without a second thought. She missed holding his hand almost immediately. He didn't even hold it for some fraction of seconds but Mashal wanted to hold them forever and ever. It was so comfortable to hold onto.
Gosh, she's so weird!
Another chorus of awes and cheers erupted from the cousins as they saw Murat pull out that little stunt. Mashal felt her breath hitch as he subtly winked at her and got up, holding her dupatta in his hands. He placed them back on her shoulders perfectly and held her hands, without asking her. As if, he had the right to hold them. He did, of course.
Mashal walked to the main stage along with Murat, her husband. The thought left her blushing furiously. She ducked her face and gazed at the floor, their fingers were interviewed so damn perfectly. She glanced sideways and noticed how handsome he looked in his off white sherwani, which matched her ice blue outfit. They looked so good together. A happy smile adorned her face.
"I can't believe all of this," Murat whispered as they clicked family pictures. The nikkah was a very intimate one, with hardly fifty people. They both wanted it this way and the families gave in without much defying. They all liked simple things even if they were wealthy enough. And a simple wedding wasn't all that bad.
For Mashal, it was a dream come true moment as she always wanted a small and intimate wedding. She smiled at her emotional parents, with a content smile on her face. They both sat together in the front row. Her mother looked like she had cried severely and was resting her head on her father's shoulder.
But how lucky are they that they'd still be seeing each other every other day, unlike the usual marriages. That was something which Mashal found comforting enough, otherwise, she'd have broken down into sobs a long ago. She can't imagine a life without her parents. They were her whole world. And was so glad to have them around, even after she was married.
"I'm still in a daze, you know... It feels like a dream and I'm scared to wake up from this," her voice sounded excited yet nervous. She was an anxious wreck, he looked very cool though. So confident and unfazed. With his usual charming smile.
"It's not a dream, Mashal." He whispered teasingly and smiled at her. She gazed at him longingly as he smiled. Gosh! He looked extra handsome when he smiled. She couldn't believe he was hers! This handsome man, her annoying neighbour was her husband now. She didn't think it'd be possible even in her wildest of dreams. But it was real. As real as it gets.
"Awe, Masha Allah. Look at you both," Mashal became stiff as she heard that familiar voice walking towards them. It was Amina auntie. The literal cupid of her life. She gave her the brightest smile and threw her arms around her, "thank you so much," Mashal's voice was barely a whisper and she mentally thanked God that Murat attended a phone call as they both talked.
Amina laughed before whispering back, "don't mention it. I'm so happy for you," she kissed her forehead lovingly.
"Without you, I know I wouldn't be standing here. So thank you, auntie. I think I like him very much now. But please don't tell about this to anyone," Mashal smiled sheepishly and Amina waved it off with a chuckle, "that's our little secret. I won't say a word. Just keep my nephew happy in return," she smiled teasingly at the end.
"I will." Mashal blushed hard as the photographer asked them to pose. Soon Amina's family joined them on stage. She had two daughters and they both seemed friendly so far.
Mashal felt welcomed as the whole Saeed family stood on the stage with happy smiles on their faces. From Hania, Saad to Syra and her little family to Amina and her kids. They were all so warm and there was no ounce of negativity like they always showed in the dramas and soap operas. The photographer captured all these beautiful moments. It was going to be framed in their living room, as told by Hania and he made sure it was lovely.
The night was happy and sweet. No drama whatsoever. But just the thought of what happened the previous evening sent chills down her spine. It was a moment where she lost a really good friend, whose stupid action has cost them way too much. The years-long friendship of Arsalaan Baig and Natasha Rehman almost came to an end last night.
"I love you, Mashal. I know you love me too, let's elope from here. I'll manage everything." Asad was going crazy and psychotic.
"What is happening here?" An enraged voice echoed on the terrace.
Mashal breathed hard and pushed Asad away at once. She felt disgusted and furious, looking at her childhood friend stopping so low.
"How dare you?" Murat seethed in anger as he punched her childhood friend mercilessly. And Asad was taking all the punches without any reflex. Mashal was confused and scared. She didn't know what to do. Her father once advised her; it's not wise to jump in between when two grown men are fighting. It'd only cause her harm. She chose to follow that advice but wanted the fight to stop as well.
Before she could ask Murat to stop punching, he took her off guard by knocking Asad to the ground and gave her a look.
A look that showed how he exactly felt.
Like he was deceived or something.
Her eyes went wide at that realization. Did he just misinterpret everything?
Arsalaan came there with a worried frown on his face as Meher called him to the hotel's rooftop, she said it was urgent and he was so glad that his daughter was wise enough to inform him, he had asked her to go back to the room and she obliged immediately.
He scowled looking at Mashal's shaken form. Things looked pretty heated as he held his daughter's hand protectively.
Mashal sighed in relief as she saw her father and hugged him tightly, "papa. Asad. He's behaving strangely." She whispered scaredly. The sudden turn of events from her childhood friend shook her from within. It was so unexpected.
"Please ask him to leave, papa. I don't want him to be around me. I'm sorry to ask you to do this. I know Tasha auntie is your good friend. But I don't like him. He's gone mad." She requested him, teary-eyed. Asad was lying on the ground, wincing in pain.
"No friendship is greater than my daughter's safety, jaani. If he makes you uncomfortable, he doesn't get to stay here. As your father, it's my duty to protect you. I'll uninvite Natasha and her family," Arsalaan spoke with a heavy heart. He was too shocked at first, he had always treated Asad and Asim just like his own kids and that's how this boy pays him back? The world was such a dangerous place to live and he felt very overprotective of his daughters. His grip on Mashal's hand tightened as he rubbed her back.
"Murat, I'll take care of this. I'm sure you had good intentions, but violence is not the good solution for everything." He turned to his to be son in law and spoke calmly.
Murat scoffed looking at Asad, "I know, uncle. I'm sorry for causing the little scene. But that guy was asking for it. He made Mashal uncomfortable. No one makes my to be wife uncomfortable and gets away with it."
Mashal's heart skipped several beats as he uttered those words. He didn't have that look in his eyes anymore. It disappeared as soon as it came. She sighed inwardly, feeling somewhat better.
More than Asad's behaviour, it was Murat's reaction that scared her the most. He blinked at her as if saying- it was okay and that he trusted her.
She gave him a weak smile.
Arsalaan noticed this little exchange and felt content knowing his daughter will be going into safe hands.
"And what were you doing here at this hour? Your mama will freak out if she finds you missing. Go on. I'll deal with this," he told Mashal off, who looked sheepish. She muttered a soft good night and walked away from there.
Murat excused himself and walked behind her.
"Wait," he called her urgently. She was walking with great speed, almost as if she was running late for something. There was no one on this floor of the hotel. Just him and her. And he was thankful for that.
"What happened?" Mashal halted and asked him with raised brows, her heart won't stop thumping so damn fast whenever he's around. It's crazy how much effect he has on her even before they were married.
"Are you o-okay?" He sounded worried. She couldn't help but smile. He was so sweet.
"I am, I'm still in shock actually. I don't know what happened and why was Asad behaving so strangely. I never knew he had such intentions towards me," she looked confused for a second.
"How much did you hear though?"
"I heard something like how you loved him and all." He said it like it was the most stupid thing ever.
"It's not true, I've only considered him to be my friend. A brother type precisely. I don't know why he got different ideas." She muttered worriedly and he shook his head in return.
"Relax, I trust you. I'll be honest, at first, I didn't. I was so furious at you but immediately realised how stupid I was. My mother taught me not to jump to conclusions without knowing things. And I saw the look of terror and disgust in your eyes as you pushed him. I regretted not believing you right away."
"Thank you for being honest with me." She smiled softly.
"You were harsh though. But Asad kind of deserves it." She sighed and there was an awkward silence. She gazed at the floor and at him, not knowing what else to say. He just kept on staring at her intensely, like he wanted to say her something but he didn't.
"Do you want to say anything?" She asked but he nodded in negative, "I'll walk you till your bedroom."
Heat raised onto her cheeks, "there's no need. I can go by myself," she whispered whilst playing with her phone's case cover. He shook his head adamantly in return.
"Please, I insist. I'm just worried after that little scene Aaris pulled,"
"It's Asad." She chuckled but he just shrugged.
"Same thing. Come on, let's go. The bride should get plenty of sleep,"
"What about the groom then?" Mashal raised her brows.
"The groom can't sleep until he knows that his bride is safely tucked in her bed, away from all the trouble." He smiled mischievously turning her crimson red.
This man knows how to charm people. And he was so good at it.
"Let's go." She stuttered shyly and they walked side by side towards the elevator, their breathing was uneven and their heartbeats were frantic.
That's how the night has ended, with him making sure that she was in the safety of her bedroom. Away from all the possible trouble. They both had a smile on their faces as they fell asleep.