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Today all of my uncles, aunts, cousins and friends have gathered at my house to celebrate my engagement. Even Fatima and Aunty Amina flew in all the way from Minnesota to be here today. The wedding is in a week and I'm freaking out. I can't believe I Zamzam Amin, am going to marry Adam Mathews. If someone told me this was going to happen three years ago I'd most likely laugh in their face and tell them to buzz off.

Now here I am, getting ready for my wedding that's only 7 days away. It's funny how life is unpredictable like that. "Aunty!" Samira exclaimed as she ran towards me, hugging my legs. I bent down and wrapped my arms around her with a smile on my face. Samira was wearing the flower girl dress I bought for her with Ihsan the other day and she refuses to take it off. Mashallah she's so adorable. "Yes baby?" I responded, picking her up from the ground. "Don't marry!" She pouted adorably. "You don't love me anymowe."

"What do you mean habibty? I love you and I'll always have time for you." I reassured her as I planted a kiss on her cheek. Just then my door flew open and in came Fatima with a flower bouquet.

"Now it's your turn babe." She exclaimed, engulfing me in a hug. It feels so weird knowing that after a couple of days I will be a married woman. "It's crazy." I said as I placed Samira on the ground. It feels like all of this is a dream that I'm bound to wake up from any minute now.

Can someone pinch me?

1 week later

I stared in front of the mirror completely shocked at my reflection. I was wearing the Sari I picked out with Grams, my hair was put into an up-do and I had light makeup on my face. I was also wearing the exact same veil my mother wore on her wedding day a little over 30 years ago. This person standing here looked like me but didn't feel like me.

"You look just like your mother did, Mashallah." My father said as he stared at me with wet eyes. "I can't believe my baby girl is all grown up." He added, smiling proudly. I immediately rushed into my father's embrace, suddenly feeling emotional. I don't know why because it's not like I'm never going to see him.

When I was young I would always dream about my wedding day, what I would wear, how it would look. But the one thing I never thought of was the possibility that I wouldn't share this day with my mom. I feel heart broken that she isn't here with us but it just made me appreciate my dad so much more for how he's stepped up. Now that I'm leaving him, I suddenly wish I was a little kid again and run into his arms like I would when he would come home every night.

"You're gonna make me cry." I laughed half heartedly as I wiped a tear away. "We can't have the bride crying on her wedding now can we? Mabrook Habibti." He said as he kissed the top of my head. Suddenly Aliyah, Samiyah, Fatima, Ihsan and baby Samira came inside the room along with Grams.

"You ready?" Grams asked.

I nodded in response and held her hand. Baba quickly rushed out to where the mens' section was. "Let's go." I said as I let out a happy sigh. Grams and Ihsan stood on either sides of me while Samira stood in front of us and Aliyah, Samiyah and Fatima stood in the back. Before we walked out I made sure Mama's veil was covering my hair so I was completely covered.

I've been dreaming of this day for the past two years and now it's finally here. I can't believe after today I will be a married man. The people were quickly starting to file inside the men's side. After the nikkah Zamzam and I are supposed to the go to the Garden to get professional photos taken of us. We've literally spent a fortune on today but it was so worth it.

I stared at myself once more before heading to where the nikkah was going to be held. The moment I walked in I noticed Zamzam coming in from the other side of the room. My heart beat began to pace even faster than usual and my palms began to sweat. I hate feeling like this but I can't help it. This beautiful girl is about to be mine forever.

How did I get so lucky? What did I do to deserve someone like her as my wife? "Better treat her right." Isa said as he swung an arm over my shoulder. "I'll treat her like the princess she is." I found myself saying as my eyes met hers.

Finally it began.

* * *

When the nikkah ended Zamzam and I followed the photographer to the back of the venue where the beautiful garden was. "I'll be back in a second." The lady said as she walked inside. Finally I could have a moment alone with her. "You look beautiful." I said as I stared at her in awe. Her head was hung low as she stared at the ground, I could see a blush on her cheeks. Slowly, I put my finger under her chin and lifted her head up. I can finally touch her...

We both stared into each other eyes for a while.

"You look beautiful." I repeated once more as I continued to stare at her in awe. She was wearing an embroidered gown that wrapped around her body with her hair in an up-do. I can truly say that I am the most luckiest man in the world.

"Thanks, you don't look too bad yourself." She responded as a blush crept up her cheeks.

"I do clean up nicely." I joked which made her laugh.

"Cocky as ever."

"That's why you married me." I gave her a wink.

"You're so dumb."

"Really, cause I think I'm the smartest person ever."

"Oh really? And why is that, Einstein?" She questioned.

"I somehow managed to convince the best person I've met in my life to become my wife. I think that deserves a Nobel Prize." I stated. For a second she just stared at me with a smile on her face.

"What? Do I have something on my face?"

"No, just making mental note to change your name from Mr.Cocky to Mr.Cheesy." She joked.

"How's this for cheesy? I-I love you." I stuttered, this is the first time I've said that to her in two years and man did it feel good. Now I can say it without feeling like I did something wrong. "I love you too." She said without hesitation. I couldn't help the smile that made its way across my features once I heard her say those four words.

"I'm back!" The photographer exclaimed as she put a new SD card in her camera. We then turned away from each other and to the photographer and posed for the camera.

* * *

"Mabrook! Mabrook! Mabrook! Congratulation to you." The nasheed blasted in the speakers. Everyone was dancing at this point and just having fun. "Come on!" Aliyah grabbed me and pulled me to the dance floor. After a couple of minutes the nasheed finished and we all sat back down. Turning to the side, I saw Samiyah and Isa talking to each other with big smiles on their faces. Yup, my suspicions were correct. I'm kind of hoping that they might like each other. I mean Isa deserves an amazing person like Samiyah. She's sweet, kind, funny, and beautiful both inside and out. A little while later, the lights started to dim down and everyone was heading back to their seats. "What's going on?" I asked Aliyah in a confused tone. It's like everyone knew something that I didn't.

"You'll see." She responded with a wink.

Okay now I'm seriously confused.

Suddenly a song started to play in the back round, and everyone's heads turned towards the door. That's when I saw him, Adam.

⬆️

"I found a love for me, darling just dive right in and follow my lead." He started to sing, his voice filled the entire ballroom. "Well I found a girl beautiful and sweet. I never knew you were that someone waiting for me." He then took slow steps, walking closer and closer to me. My eyes began to water as I stared at him in awe. His voice always managed to captivate me and put me in a trance. "Cause we were just kids when we fell in love, not knowing what it was." He looked at me with adoring eyes. "I will not give you up this time. But darling just kiss me slow, your heart is all I own and in your eyes you're holding mine." He then grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the middle of the dance floor.

"Baby, I'm dancing in the dark with you between my arms. Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song. When you said you looked a mess, I whispered underneath my breath but you heard it, darling you look perfect tonight." I couldn't believe what was happening. How did I get so lucky to have an amazing man like him. We began to sway back and forth as he continued to sing.

"Well I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know. She shares my dreams, I hope that someday I'll share her home. I found a love, to carry more than just my secrets. To carry love, to carry children of our own." He swung me around. "We are still kids, but we're so in love. Fighting against all odds, I know we'll be alright this time. Darling, just hold my hand. Be my girl, I'll be your man, I see my future in your eyes."

Everyone awed at the scene before them.

"Baby, I'm dancing in the dark, with you between my arms. Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song. When I saw you in that dress, looking so beautiful. I don't deserve this, darling, you look perfect tonight." He whispered in my ear then gave me a kiss on my forehead."Baby, I'm dancing in the dark, with you between my arms. Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song.I have faith in what I see, now I know I have met an angel in person and she looks perfect. I don't deserve this, you look perfect tonight."

After he was done singing, Adam laid his forehead on top of mine and we just stayed like that for awhile. "You're crazy, Mathews. You know that?" I whispered as I looked him in the eyes. Never would I ever imagine that someone would serenade me. "I guess, I am. I'm crazy for you, Scarfy." He whispered back. "And this time, I really am singing to you."

"You were a jerk for that back then!" I responded as I playfully hit his shoulder.

"But you love me for it." He responded jokingly.

"Aw you guys are the cutest!" Aliyah and Samiyah both exclaimed as they ran towards us.

A little while later it was time to leave so Adam and I walked out together hand-in-hand. To say that I was nervous would be a huge understatement. As we walked towards the car, everyone gathered around us and started taking pictures. "Now I can finally hold your hand." He whispered seductively in my ear, making me blush.

I got inside the passenger seat while Adam walked around the car and got into the drivers seat. He finally turned on the engine and drove out of the parking lot. I can't believe that I actually married the ultimate playboy, am I dreaming? I pinched myself just to make sure I wasn't. Ouch, yup I definitely wasn't.

"You're not dreaming." Adam said with a smirk on his face. It was as if he was reading my mind. "I wanna play something." I stated, changing the subject. I plugged the aux cord into my phone and turned on Mabrook by Irfan Makki. I've always loved this nasheed. "Today, smiles all around both of you. Shining with faces so bright. These memories will always remain, deep in your heart. Brightening the darkest night." I sang along. "I didn't know you could sing." He had a shocked look on his face. "Yup, there's a lot you don't know about me." I said as I hummed to the beat of the nasheed.

"I'm looking forward to finding them all out."

I turned to the window, trying to hide the blush on my cheeks. For the first time in a long time I'm truly happy and thankful towards Allah. I finally have everything I've ever wanted.

Thank you Allah!

😘