Assalamu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu lovelies...

I request my precious readers to pray their salah if they haven't prayed yet before reading this chappy...

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Aala's pov :

" Oh my Allah, someone get this sweets there! " mama yelled shaking her head while she was on phone call with my aunt.

" Coming mama, I'll put it there! " arhaan walked towards the table which was full with sweets and savouries.

The house was full of hustle and bustle, all running around the house and getting their errands done before mama started yelling and screaming for being lazy af.

It was my henna night and tomorrow I'm going to get married, it's still unbelievable for me how fast the days went. I had no idea that all this happenings are real and not just my imagination, my denial to reality broke today.

The backyard was decorated fully with boho chic designs giving it a cozy and warm look with the presence of just family members making the gathering very intimate.

My maternal aunt family flew from Canada to attend my wedding Two days ago, making the house full of noise and the presence of seema aunt gave my mama a sense of support to fulfill the wedding preparations.

I was dressed in a lavender lace dress with embroidery work, which was elegant and simple as per my liking.

The henna artists was applying henna on my hands while I sat inbetween them, the application of henna on my hand brought some heart aching memories but I pushed them at the back of my mind, I don't want anyone of them to get sad or make them worried.

I put on a happy bride mask in front of everyone so that no one should feel saddened because of me, but little did I knew they didn't believed my facade completely.

" asfa dear, you can't escape from applying henna on your hand! " mama warned asfa, who was trying to sneak out but caught red handed from mama.

We all laughed at her scrunched face as she pouted but no one can trick mama " you didn't changed at all girl! " lariya laughed poking at her pouting face.

" poor me ! " she grumbled sitting beside me on the other pillow, if Humza was to see her now he would've definitely mumbled drama queen! Her baby bump was not visible as she was just 9 weeks along..

I was OK with henna application neither I hated it nor I loved it, I was on the neutral side, Rey's henna was done and laiba the newly wedded bride whose wedding we attended about two months back in Canada was feeding a hungry pregnant Rey.

" This is so amazing! Aal sis try this " Laiba shoved a piece of pistachios and berry cannolies in my mouth and it tasted really good.

" It's tasty! " I told her smiling a little and she grinned at me.

" layi aunty whwere is mwama ?" Zain tugged lari's blue gown probably looking for me as I was surrounded by cousins.

Lariya guided him towards me " Mwama you look shooo prwettyyy! " he literally squealed sprinting towards me and hugging my neck tightly while all chuckled at his antics.

" Thank you my baby, you look so cute today!"

" No, I'm not cwute gwirls are cwute, I'm a boy I'm hwandswome! " he contradicted and again all broke into fits of laughter, Zain hates when someone calls him cute though he doesn't even understand the word properly.

" Yes my little one, you're so handsome that's why I love you! " asfa kissed his cheeks to which he giggled.

" Oopsie I forgwet it, mwama this is for you! " Zain handed me a single white rose which I didn't noticed he was holding it, but it was my favourite flower. From where did he got I thought?

" It's so beautiful, thank you buddy! " I kissed his cheeks and my henna was almost done. But instead of giving it to me he tucked the rose on the side of my hijab above the ear, he began clapping his hands and jumping up and down in excitement saying I looked cute, we all were laughing at his acts.

My lovely Zain!

When I took a look at my completed henna, my eyes misted with tears but I held them back, I noticed a small in he heart of my palm but I was too immersed in my thoughts to react to what I was feeling at that moment.

Mama kissed my temple and side hugged me seeing me in trance, I was feeling nostalgic..

As the time passed all the application of henna was done and we all were on the buffet side, all the men were supposed to be kicked out of the mansion but after humzas nth time pleading, mama strictly told them not to enter the backyard, all the men agreed and they decided to held the bachlore's while we get our hennas done, Zain was with them but he seemed to enjoy mingling here and there.

Safwa, imad and grandpa was the only family groom side that were present except asfa, as she's considered to be from both sides.

I was pretty shocked when I didn't find his mom, dad as it was their only sons wedding.

I didn't let my mind to dwell on anything as all were overwhelming for me at the moment.

I sensed someone's gaze on me but when I looked around everything seemed to be normal.

I'm over thinking things today!

After finishing the dinner with whole family, laughing, yelling and pulling each others leg all drifted towards their room to take rest as tomorrow is my nikah and all wanted to be energetic.

Humza took the charge to clean and change Zain in his nightwear, he tucked him to bed, reading him a bedtime story.

He's going to be a great dad one-day!

He hugged me tight probably squished me in his strong arms until I can't breathe before he left to his room.

As I was in the confinement of my room, my small safe bubble from the outside world, I let the tears ran free across my face as I couldn't hold myself back anymore.

I was so messed up in my head, all things were happening so fast that I can't control and tomorrow I'm going to be someone's else forever!

I don't think I can forget Dani ever!

Oh Allah why me? I was asking in desperation and crying my eyes out as the pain seems to be uncontrollable. All the what if's and what not came to my mind if I get married tomorrow.

And we will surely test you with something of fear and hunger a loss of wealth and lives and fruits BUT GIVE GOOD TIDINGS TO THE PATIENT.

HOLY QURAN 2:155

Then the words of my creator rang in my ears which seemed to be etched in my brain and I mumbled an astagfirullah under my breath for the ungrateful thoughts that crossed my mind.

I grabbed a tissue and wiped my tears and my face looked from crying, I untied my hijab and that rose fell on the ground, I put it in a glass of water then changed myself into a pair of pajamas and slid beside a sleeping Zain who was lost in his dreamland.

I looked at his tiny form and remembered why I agreed to this marriage in the first place, I want my baby to be happy, to have a father figure so that he can look up-to him.

I kissed his cute nose and closed my eyes but sleep seemed to be far away from me.

Tomorrow is my nikah, Still Unbelievable for me!

" looks like the groom couldn't stop himself from dreaming about the bride huh? " that smug voice broke me from my trance as I was looking at zain who was playing games in my iPhone 12 pro.

I looked up-to see a smug faced saad who did a high five with imad for getting a reaction from me.

" I'm thinking about my son not my bride! " I told him with all the honesty in my voice as I can muster but that rascal friends of mine is an exception.

I was honestly thinking about how my life is going to change from tomorrow as I'm not only going to be a husband but a dad too.

A proud dad I may add!

I was looking forward to hold this little munchkin in my arms, his azure blue orbs which mirrored mine always twinkling whenever we played with each other or rode a bike together if I helped him in eating, his as cheeky grins and pouty face always gets me.

Thinking of him while a certain jade eyed girl who happens to be the mom as well seems to occupy my mind all the time.

well that's a different Story!

" As much as I want to believe you but I can't because we've been there in your position before! " arhaan told me smugly clinking his glass with Humza.

" True story! " even grandpa agreed and they all broke into fits of laughter at my annoyed face.

It was my bachelor's today but it felt more of like a getting teased Day!

It was a small bachelor's party with few of my colleagues, close friends and family members.

I was wearing a navy blue shirt and black jeans with light brown leather shoes.

All were having a good time, I helped Zain in eating his snacks while he played the game, it was a bad habit I know but one day wouldn't hurt I thought!

I took the white flower which I brought with me when I saw it on the flower shop, I just bought a single huge white rose which I knew was her favorite because I remembered my love saying it during facetime.

So I asked Zain if he could give her mama this as she loves white flower and she will be happy to receive it and he nodded excitedly, he kissed my cheeks and began to run towards the backyard happily.

We all were on the first floor in the huge hallway and I didn't noticed that it had a excellent view of the backyard through a window which was draped with silk curtains.

My eyes were looking for the only one and there I saw her in a beautiful purple gown with the rose tucked in her hijab.

My heart skipped a beat as she smiled at Zain and everyone seemed to be having a good time, as if she sensed my gaze she started looking around but I moved away before anyone noticed me.

Astagfirullah Zaam! You're being a brat today!

I scolded myself for a millionth time that night but her face didn't left my mind.

" You're unbelievable! It's such a waste of time talking with you! " grandpa ended the call looking extremely angry but when he looked at me his anger turned into a sad face.

And I exactly knew whom he was talking to " it's fine gran, I have you to guide me I don't think I'll miss them! "

Liar! My conscience scolded..

His onyx eyes held pity and compassion for me as he patted my shoulder " I'm proud of you Zaam, for the man you've become and success that you earned from hard work! They don't deserve you! "

" It's fine with me gran, it was all my fault! " well that's how I feel till this date, If only I had... Well past is in the past.

" Don't blame yourself for the things you're not guilty of zaam, you're better than that! And may this marriage be the coolness of your eyes! " he patted my back as he hugged me though he had lost his strength over the years but still being held by an elder is a blessing.

" Aameen gran! I really hope so " I really hope it will and not remain as one of my wishful thinking.

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Phew!

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See you soon sweethearts

- love Noha