A Week Later...

Mr. Akbar has decided that the Nikkah (marriage) and Walima (reception) will be held on the same day as he wants the festivities to be over quickly and not drag it on. They were going to fulfill both religious requirements for the marriage, as in there will be a sheikh as well as a priest commencing the marriage.

Everything is was so rushed that Sahara didn't properly get to choose her Walima gown. Her aunt helped her pick a designer Anarkali styled dress. Anarkali is a dress-like garment that consists of a long frock style top which creates a flattering flowing silhouette.

The dress Sahara bought is white, unlike the traditional red or bright colour (A/N: yes, I know not everyone wears bright red but you know what I mean), because she thought she should mix in a bit of both cultures. There weren't many over-the-top white desi wedding dresses so she settled on one that caught her eye.

The chest area is covered in gold sequins. There are red flowers embroidered from the left shoulder to right under the chest area. The sleeves are off-white with the same embroidery sewed on it. The rest of the dress is a simple white gown, paired a red sequinned long scarf.

(A/N: The walima dress is pictured above as the chapter cover)

Sahara paired the dress with heavy jewellery, which completely changed her simple look into an extravagance.

Once Sahara walks out from her closet into her room, Ria's jaw drops, "Mash'Allah, Sahara Akbar, you look bloody gorgeous."

Sahara blushes, "Jazak'Allah (Thank you/May Allah reward you [with] goodness), Ria."

Sahara's face falls as she looks at the clock. Ria notices that there's only an hour left till' they are supposed to depart.

"Sahara, breathe, you're going to be fine." Ria resaasures her.

"I'm going to be fine for the Nikkah and Walima, Insh'Allah. But what about the rest of my life?" Sahara indicates at her life after she's married.

•••

"I accept, I accept, I accept." Damian repeats three times, sealing in his answer.

Now, everyone's eyes focusing on Sahara, waiting for her to say the same on the other side of the net-like barrier, waiting for her to say qubool hai (I accept).

All Sahara can think about is that she already signed the marriage contract but she can still throw away all of this by not saying she accepts. She has been silent for too long, Ria elbowing her to answer. Sahara looks up at Damian who's studying her with deep thought. He, himself, is wondering what her answer will be.

Sahara can feel a sweat breaking through as she finalizes her answer, "I accept, I accept, I accept." She says, locking in her fate.

The guests are in uproar as the tension disappears, cheering and clapping for the couple, as her uncle breathes out relief that Sahara didn't screw anything up.

They brought in the priest and redid their vows. Afterwards, the two were taken to the stage in order for the walima to begin.

•••

"I'm glad you didn't fuck this up, even though I was almost sure you were going to say no." Damian leans over and whispers in Sahara's ears. Sahara says nothing, instead she just looks into the oblivion.

A certain squealing broke Sahara's blank thoughts, "OOOOHH MYYYY GODDDD! I CANNOT BELIEVE MY BROTHER IS ACTUALLY MARRIED!" It's Anastasia. "And married to a beautiful lady, at that."

Sahara smiles and Anastasia gives her a hug. Damian rolls his eyes.

"I actually never thought I'd have a sister-in-law with the playboy, womanizing behaviour Damian puts on," Anastasia continues, "I thought I'd never have nieces or nephews because of Damian's fear of settling down but now thats a possibility!"

Sahara starts choking on air because of the last statement Anastasia made. "Oh, sorry. Too soon?" Anastasia sighs.

"Ana, if you could just keep your big mouth shut for the rest of the night, it would do us both a favour." Damian says under his breath.

Right at that moment Ria and Viktor walk up the stairs to greet the newly weds, with Ria not realizing that Viktor is walking right behind her.

Ria hugs Sahara and turns to Damian, "Now you better treat her with some respect, alright?" she says in a stern tone.

Damian gives her a smirk, "And if I don't, you will do what to me?"

"Make your murder look like an accident." Ria says without hesitation.

Sahara's eyes widen, "Ria! Astagfirullah (I seek forgiveness in Allah)! Don't say such things!"

"I like you." Ana says to Ria and Ria smiles back.

"And she bites!" Viktor says while leaning against the stage pole.

Ria rolls her eyes but accidentally checks out Viktor looking devilishly handsome in the suit, "Can you please get this non-mahram out of my goddamn face, please?"

"Is that a new nickname for me, darling?" Viktor smirks.

Sahara realizing the look in Ria's eyes and pulls her closer and whispers, "You have a crush on Mr. Petrov! Oh my Allah!"

Ria's eyes widen, "Shhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!"

Sahara could swear she heard a small laugh from Damian but it had disappeared before she could take it in.

The festivities ended with loads of laughter but then there were also loads of tears during the rukhsati (send off of the bride to her groom's home). It finally dawns on Sahara that she will be going home with Damian to his house... all alone...

•••

He takes a stride towards Sahara and grabs her waist, with a sick twisted smile forming on his face, "Now that we're married, shall we consummate our marriage?"

She looks at his cold jaded eyes, filled with nothing but darkness. She doesn't want this, not now, not until they are in a real relationship.

Without warning, his lips touch the gape of her neck, leaving a wet trail of kisses down her neck.

"Damian, please, I'm not ready for this." Sahara begs. "Don't."

- - -

♥️