The following morning after Fajr, Shumayll literally had to climb down the piped of the Ibrahim mansion and head to the Edris mansion because if he got caught, he would have alot of explaining to do

When the sun was almost high in the sky, the Ibrahim mansion came to live when everyone began their hustling and bustling

"Ruqayyah, please pick up that box-" called out Fatima and before Ruqayyah could do it, Iqraam beat her to it

"I got this" he winked before taking the box to his mother

Ruqayyah smiled at her husband. She was indeed lucky

"Ruqayyah, did you have breakfast?" called out Ibrahim and Ruqayyah rushed to him

"Yes abba?" she asked him

"I asked if you had breakfast dear" he replied and Ruqayyah smiled slightly

"umm no- BUT i will have it as soon as i am free" she said and her father-in-law chuckled, patting her head

"Alright dearest but make sure" with that he was gone

Ruqayyah let out a sigh of relief before rushing to the decorating staff

Iqra was excited and nervous and everything in between

"Stay!" ordered Fatima and Iqra gulped but nodded

The wedding procession was coming on the following day at around 10am so they had to finish everything by today. The catering will be the only thing left which will be handled tomorrow morning

Namaan was also back and was excited as ever for this wedding

"I honestly cannot believe i missed most of your love story!" whined Namaan and Iqra laughed

"Its okay! At least you are here for the wedding" she winked at him and he laughed

the siblings were catching up on the love story of Iqrayll

Meanwhile at the Edris mansion, Loriza, Ruhana and Elisha were going crazy with the preparations of the procession

"Did you check the gifts? the guests tokens?" asked Loriza and Ruhana nodded

"Oh yes, the MC asked who will be introducing the groom" said Elisha and Loriza smiled

"It will definitely be Iqraam!" she chuckled with the other two ladies

"Uhuh and Iqra then?" asked Elisha and they stood there thinking

"Oh god! who knew the wedding of a best friend and best friends sister would be so hard!" whined Loriza and the other two laughed

"Alright, i am sure Shumayll will figure out something" said Ruhana and the rest nodded

"I wonder what my sons wedding will be like?" said Ruhana and the other two ladies nodded again

"Yes, I mean it will be grand and the best part will be that it will be in Australia!" squealed Loriza and they began laughing

Meanwhile, Waarith was setting up and lights on the arc of the main driveway

"You sure you alright?" asked Shaheer and Waarith nodded

"Yeah- why?" he replied, throwing the LED flicking lights over the welcome sign

"No, nothing- what else do you need?" asked Shaheer

"Nothing bro-" he replied, concentrating on the job at hand

"Alright- i am inside the house" with that Shaheer was gone leaving Waarith alone to think

Waarith knew he had something with Nafaasat but he just did not know what

He hoped he would be able to tell her that but he also knew she was the 'Don't need no man to make me complete' kinda girl

Once done, he stepped down and came face to face with Aarib

"Sup?" he grinned, picking up the ladder and his tools

"Good but i need your help" Aarib said and he nodded turning to go towards the house

"We need to check the decorators-" said Aarib and Waarith stopped

"WHAT?" he questioned and Aarib nodded

"All the girls are busy! We need to do it" he said and Waarith sighed

"Alright, let me put this and we will go" he replied walking away

The day was chaotic but everyone made it through and by 12am, everyone was in bed

Ruqayyah was having a hit of nausea again and Iqraam cuddled her in order for her to calm down

Iqra was tossing and turning because she was nervous for tomorrow. Tears would come into her eyes when she thinks of leaving this house permanently. It was not the house that mattered. It was the memories and people in it that mattered.

Shumayll was eager for the following day because he knew Iqraam will be there to keep his nerves down

The following morning, everyone was unusually calm

Fatima pushed Ibrahim in the bathroom to shower and get ready

Ruqayyah asked Iqraam to get ready too as it was almost 9- and guests would be coming in soon

Iqra was all alone in her room but Ruqayyah soon tended to her too

"Hey baby girl, whats wrong?" asked Ruqayyah when she saw tears in Iqra's eyes

Immediately Iqra pulled Ruqayyah into a huge hug and cried even harder

"Shhh! Whats wrong, honey?" soothed Ruqayyah, rubbing her back

"I- I will miss this place" Iqra finally spoke

At this Ruqayyah felt tears sting her eyes

She knew that Iqra had become a part of her daily life- from teasing her to waking her up in the mornings to doing things with her and seeing her each day

"Its not like we will not see each other!" whispered Ruqayyah and Iqra sobbed more

Ruqayyah felt her hormones take an overdrive

Soon the two were crying and there was alot of tears

Until one of them stopped

it was Iqra

She wiped away her tears and smiled weakly

"I am sorry i made you cry!" she said and Ruqayyah shook her head

"Its okay! Now lets get you all dolled up!" she winked just when there was a knock on the door

the parlor lady was here to help Iqra in getting dressed up for the 'Baraat'

Ruqayyah left her to them before kissing her forehead and walking out of her room

Once in the confinement of her room, she sighed deeply and stood straight only to have lover abdomen pains

She ignored it and walked into the bedroom where Iqraam stood, wearing his suit and tie

His tie was blue, like Ruqayyah's dress

"Hey" she smiling, wrapping her arms around his waist from the back

Iqraam remained silent for a moment before Ruqayyah knew something was wrong

She turned around to Iqraam and stood infront of him

His eyes were red and stains of tears were visible on his faint pink cheeks

"Iqraam.... Did you- did you cry?" she whispered, wiping the tears from his eyes and another tear fell freely

Ruqayyah hugged him tight and he hugged her back

"Why are you crying?" she asked him and he sighed against her

Iqraam felt his heart break thinking that his little kitkat who once used to ride around the town on his back was now all grown up and getting married

He hated to think that she would no longer be his little kitkat. Soon she would have a family of her own and forget the time with her brother and he would be nothing but just another memory

Iqraam was not ready for this at all

"Iqraam quit the thinking face" she scolded him lightly even though she did not see his face and Iqraam sighed

"Its just that.......... I will miss my little Kitkat- time has done injustice to me. I- I feel like i did not spend any time with her....... it seems all so little to me-" he whispered back, another tear escaping his eyes

Ruqayyah sighed against him

pushing back, she smiled slightly at Iqraam

They set on the edge of the bed and she held his hand

"Iqraam, i know the value of Iqra in your life. Perhaps you love her more than anyone. Even me and to be honest- i am fine with it. To see that she means alot to you shows the kind of relationship you both have. Lets not forget that she is not leaving this home, she is not leaving us- Shumayll is your own twin, as you say- so think of it this way: She is leaving one home to be in another- the Edris mansion is your house too, right?" she asked him and he nodded

"Iqraam, being married does not mean things have to change! I know Iqra- we both know Iqra and we both know that she loved you dearly! yes, she will have her own family in the near future but you will always be her brother, he hero! Its useless to think otherwise" explained Ruqayyah and finally it made sense to Iqraam

he was sad that Iqra was leaving his house to be with her husband but he was happy too that the husband was his best friend, his so-called twin from another mother- he was glad it was him and no one else

"You are right" he replied, standing up and smiling down at her

"I am always right!" she winked and Iqraam laughed before kissing her lips

"I need to get ready- go" she pushed him away breaking the kiss and he laughed before walking away

Ruqayyah quickly showered and changed into her gown

Iqraam was supposed to be the driver of the car in which Shumayll was in but they decided that he would drive when they get back from the Ibrahim mansion with Iqra

for now it was Waarith

The sleek black Lamborghini huracan drove out of their residence followed by a line of cars that were going to the Ibrahim mansion.

Shumayll was excited for this. He had always wandered how the groom had felt when they were going to their nikah venue except his nikah was done already

Iqra stood there, wearing the wedding dress. It was a peach gown. Her bodice was embroidered with gems that ended at her hip from where the dress was flared with floral designs at the bottom. Her sleeves were long, till her wrists which were also like her upper bodice and last was the short trail behind her dress that was perfect. Overall, she looked like a princess that she is

Her hijab was of a lighter shade of peach that was done in such a beautiful way that it enhanced her beauty. She had a small set of fresh picked flowers bounded by a pin, pinned on the side of her head on the hijab. The flowers were the same color coordination with the dress.

The bride looked perfect

like a bride should be

Her shoes was heels, peach heels.

Once the baraat was at the entrance of the Ibrahim mansion, a call was made to Iqraam

"DUDE! GET OUT HERE NOW!!" yelled Shumayll, his nerves at the edge

Iqraam cut the phone and smiled politely at the guests

The Ibrahim mansion's grounds were turned into a hall with all the seatings and settings

The main stage was infront, family tables were set and people were mingling about, talking and laughing in the midday sun of June

The flowers had bloomed and gave a more beautiful touch to the sight

"Excuse me" Iqraam muttered to every person he met on the way

Once he was at the entrance of the mansion, he saw Shumayll

Immediately he hugged him

"Hey man!" He said and Shumayll smiled nervously at him

"What?" asked Iqraam when Shumayll held up his hand

"Me?!" Shumayll snapped and Iqraam laughed

"Uh lets see- turn-" he instructed and Shumayll did so

"Hm perfume?" he asked Shumayll who nodded in return

"Give me your phone-" stated Iqraam and Shumayll again obliged

Iqraam smiled at him, set his hair, rubbed his cheeks to remove the mark left by the shaver and put more cologne on him

"You set!" he smirked and Shumayll grinned at him

"Thanks man!" he said and Iqraam shrugged

Just then Ruqayyah messaged him to come to the living room as the baraat would be coming soon

Iqraam laughed and turned to leave

"Iqraam?" called Shumayll and Iqraam turned to him

He pulled Iqraam to a secluded area and smiled at him

"Honestly, thank you man!" he said sincerely

"For?" questioned Iqraam and Shumayll chuckled, placing his hand on his shoulder

"Letting me get the one thing i love the most" he said and Iqraam smiled sadly

"You hurt her, I hurt you" he stated and Shumayll chuckled at him

"I would not dream to do so" he replied and Iqraam nodded, patting his back

"Good going brother" he said and then walked away, wiping away a single tear that almost escaped his eye

The whole house was outside in front of the garden that led to the lawn

All were there except Ruqayyah and Iqra

"As salaam!!" squealed Loriza, hugging the life out of Fatima who laughed in return

their husbands shook their heads and sighed

Waarith grinned at Nafaasat and Aarib smiled at Nabaahat

"Hey" Waarith said to Nafaasat who smiled in return

Her hair was in a messy bun on top of her head and she liked it that way. Her dress was long and she looked girlish

Nafaasat was more girlish. She wore her hair down with a side plait and wore earrings and anklets. Her hair had a single flower at the back that was the color of her long dress.

Aarib smiled widely at her and she laughed

"Alright, come on! Lets go to the lawn!" said Ibrahim and everyone nodded before walking away

Humaira, Loriza, Elisha and Ruhana however went inside with the girls to Iqra

Soft music played as people conversed and talked about

The atmosphere was calm and cool

The bride entered, every head turned to her

She looked stunning

Shumayll could not take his eyes off his wife

she was indeed beautiful, inside and out

"Salaam!" he said as he helped her on stage and she grinned

"Was salaam!" she replied, all giddy

perhaps Ruqayyah made her eat chocolate before getting ready? to ease her nerves?

"You are hyper" he stated and she nodded smiling at him

Shumayll chuckled before turning to the people infront of them

"Holy- thats alot" she whispered beside him and he laughed

"Iqra, why are you here again?" he asked her, to remind her

"To eat my wedding cake and food of course!" she stated in an innocent tone and he stared at her before laughing out loud

literally

causing people to look at them

he turned his head to the other side and laughed

The time went by, so did the speeches and lunch

Soon it was time for Iqra to leave

Leave this house permanantly to live with Shumayll

forever

Everyone gathered at the edge of the garden where they met in the morning to say goodbyes to the bride

The indian custom was such that it seemed to others that the girl was leaving them forever but it was said that a boy remains in the house but a girl, a girl is born to leave us

Its not true though

A girl is born to reach great heights, find love and settle down wherever she wants

but yes, she would be staying at her in-laws forever, only returning home for a small period of time and that time cannot be compared to the void that is left behind when she leaved. Indeed a girl is the family's heart and not just another member

Iqra hugged her sisters, Zahi and Zaik and Namaan of course, telling them something in the lines of do good and do great

She hugged her father, a small amount of tears were shed

She would no longer be part of that family, she was leaving

Leaving for her In-laws

something she promised never to do as a kid

She hugged her mother who cried alot

Iqra loved her

After all she raised Iqra up

Ruqayyah hugged her and wished her well

"I will miss you!" she whispered and Iqra smiled slightly

Iqraam was the last

the last and most dreaded

He stood there motionless smiling at his little kitkat

he knew this day would come, but this soon?

A single tear escaped her eyes as she attacked her brother in a tight hug

Iqra did not care about her make up or her voice or her image

she cared about the fact that she was leaving her brother behind

"I love you" she whispered, still in his arms

"I love you more Kitkat" he replied, holding her at the arms length

Iqraam wiped away his tears and smiled at his sister

"That idiot will look after you well, don't worry!" he laughed and Shumayll yelled a 'hey!'

"Bhai, you know you will always be first right?" said Iqra and Iqraam nodded hugging her once more

"Always" he stated and then walked towards the car

"Eh Iqraam! Where you going?" called out Iqraam's uncle and Iqraam laughed

"I was a brother till now, its time for a best friend!" he stated putting his right hand over Shumayll's left shoulder and Shumayll did the same on his

"YUP! Hes going with me" stated Shumayll and the mothers laughed

"Their friendship will always be the same! Stronger than ever" said Loriza and Fatima nodded

"They are two bodies but one soul! I am glad their wives understand that!" laughed Fatima

it was true

Shumayll and Iqraam were one

You cannot separate water

they were H2O

Strongly bonded

Iqraam got in and so did Ruqayyah, after being pushed by Loriza to go

Fatima promised to take care of the kids

"Alright people! Dua" said Ibrahim as the imaam said a small dua for the safe journey of the bride and groom

After that, they said their 'Goodbyes' before driving off

once on the road, Iqraam laughed at Shumayll who slapped his head

"Happily married!" said Ruqayyah smiling at her husband who nodded

What they did not know was that Ruqayyah and Iqraam had a gyn appointment to attend to after dropping them off at the resort

Iqraam and Iqra show that the relationship of a sibling is very strong no matter what

Iqraam and Shumayll show that friendship sees no barriers in no way

together, perhaps the Edrahim would pave a new way to happiness?