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Be sure there is something waiting for you after much patience, to astonish you to a degree that you forget the bitterness of the pain.

Fariya

The faint voices which seemed to be coming from a long distance invaded her mind, bringing her back from the peaceful abyss of slumber she had fallen in.

The voices grew louder and louder and Fariya tried to open her eyes slighlty but closed them not a moment after when sunlight peering in through the window stung her eyes. Sighing dreamily, she tried to knock out the voices and buried her face deeper in the pillow.

"Fariya!" Someone shouted in her ears and Fariya almost gasped before her eyes shot open and she hurriedly looked up.

Her eyes, bloodshot, took in the sight of Maida and Urwa confusingly for a long moment before her lids started to drop again and sleep encircled around her. A heavy and impatient shake prevented sleep from taking her in and her eyes again fell open, this time masking an emotion of anger.

"What the hell is wrong with you all? Let me sleep!" She all but shouted before pulling the covers up till her head, only to get it thrown away a moment later.

"Get up, sleeping beauty. You have things to answer." Saad's mischievous voice came and she opened her one eye to see him before dropping her lids again.

Cloudiness previously surrounding her mind, had evaporated and things started to make sense as her mind returned back to the real world.

"What is it?" Fariya mumbled weakly, her eyes still closed.

"Well, there is a conversation going on downstairs. Between the elders. About something really important." Urwa said, her voice creating an atmosphere of mystery and suspense.

"What important thing?" She didn't contemplate on Urwa's words and asked, now rubbing her eyelids with her fingers.

"We hoped you would tell us about that." Urwa said, smile clearly heard in her voice.

"Come clear, Urwa." Fariya's voice was laced with irritation.

"The discussion going on is about your Rukhsati." Maida unveiled dramatically and Fariya's eyes flew open and the next moment, she was sitting on the bed and staring at them with wide eyes.

"Woah! It got you out of the bed more quickly than we thought." Saad sarcastically remarked but Fariya only glared at him.

"Okay, now. Spill the beans. What's going on downstairs?" At Urwa's impatient words, Fariya swallowed the bile and moistened her dry throat.

"You'll know soon." Fariya said before she got up from the bed and faced them.

"We didn't waste our 15 minutes here trying to wake you up from the dead to hear this. Tell us right now." Maida angrily said and a smile touched Fariya's lips.

"But I just woke up, Madi. How would I know what they are talking about?" Fariya said humorously, her insides wanting to tease them a little more.

"Oh, we know that you know. How is it possible that the topic of your Rukhsati is under discussion and you don't know anything?" Saad broke in and Fariya smiled wholeheartedly as she looked at him.

"Well..." She created suspense which dried the throats of the two ladies standing beside her.

"Fariya, I'll kill you with my bare hands. Just spit it out." Urwa's impatience was on the edge and Fariya chuckled slightly.

"I have agreed to the Rukhsati." She said more quickly than she intended to but the reactions she witnessed spread a heartwarming smile on her face.

As soon as the words were out of her mouth, a heavy silence descended upon them but it didn't last for more than a second. Maida and Urwa, their eyes wide and mouth agaped, jumped towards Fariya, crushing her in a hug as they screamed at the top of their voices. Saad, on the other hand, stood a foot away, his hands thrust into his trouser's pockets and his head tilted to a side as he locked Fariya's smiling face in his eyes.

"Fari, I'm so happy!" Fariya shifted her gaze to Urwa who had now pulled back from the hug, a huge smile illuminating her face.

"No wonder Omer Bhai was so happy." Saad mischievously said and Fariya's face turned the slightest bit of scarlet.

"When did this miracle happen?" Maida's voice was laced with energy and happiness and Fariya took a deep breath as she looked at her.

"Yes, Fari. Mama told me that you don't want the Rukhsati yet. When did you change your mind?" Urwa all but shouted as she looked at Fariya questioningly.

Fariya's heart stopped for a fraction of second before she again smiled, this time with more ease.

"I just needed some time before I made a final decision. That's what I did." Fariya smiled slightly as she added the touch of lie to her words.

Urwa, looked at her with narrowed eyes before she threw herself on Fariya again.

"I am so damn happy. Finally this Rukhsati will happen." Urwa exclaimed jovially and Fariya burst out laughing; after so many days, after so many ache.

A knock at the door broke them apart and Saad turned towards the door to open it. The person who stepped inside the room was Fariya's mother who was looking at Fariya with all the love in her eyes.

Slowly making her way towards Fariya, she cupped her face with her palms as she rested a kiss on her forehead.

"I'm so proud of you." She had tears in her eyes as she hugged her daughter lightly. Fariya wiped her tears as she looked at her mother in the eye and smiled.

"Come, Dado is asking for you." She coiled her hand around Fariya's wrist and pulled her slightly along with her, closely followed by Maida, Urwa and Saad.

Fariya let herself go with the flow, a smile fixed on her beautiful face as she descended the stairs. But she was at the last step when her eyes landed on Omer who was standing beside his father, talking something with a small smile on his face.

Fariya's steps halted as her eyes landed on his smile, a smile which had turned her life upside down so many times that she had lost count. Omer's eyes moved past his father and locked on Fariya who was staring at him, her face smiling, her eyes twinkling with love and happiness.

The small smile on Omer's face widened almost reflexively as his eyes took in the sight of his spouse. Fariya, too overwhelmed with his smile, lowered her head shyly and moved towards her grandmother who was sitting on the sofa.

"Here comes my child!" Dado said, happiness dripping from her voice as she extended her arms towards Fariya and Fariya, without any reluctance, moved into them.

"I'm so happy." She said, hugging her granddaughter as she patted her back. Fariya moved back from the heartwarming embrace and looked down at her smiling grandmother.

Just then, her Taya Abbu and Tayi Ammi came towards her and placed their hand on Fariya's head.

"Ali would have been so happy." Taya Abbu whispered as he side-hugged his niece, patting her head as lighlty as ever.

Tears, both of sadness and joy, clouded her vision but Tayi Ammi wiped them away.

"There's no need to cry, child. He will always be with you, no matter what." Fariya nodded her head, her flushed face smiling.

"Maida, go child. Bring some sweet from the kitchen." Fariya's mother said to her daughter who ran away hurriedly and came back with a plate of sweets in her hand.

Everyone took a bite and soon after, they were sitting on the sofas, a wave of euphoria spread around them.

"So, when is the marriage then?" Urwa's excited voice rang in the hall and everyone chuckled slightly.

"After Fariya's exams will end." Taya Abbu gently said and Urwa made a face.

"That's three weeks later." She said, a frown lowering the corner of her lips.

"Well, then the marriage will be after a month." Tayi Ammi shrugged her shoulders.

"That's too late, Ammi. Omer Bhai won't be able to show patience till then." Saad mischievously said and it was heat which crept up to Fariya's face as she witnessed everyone's eyes on her.

She lowered her head, a small smile playing on her face. Omer slapped Saad on the back as he glared at him, but a smile never leaving his face.

"Thank you very much for your concern Saad, but I'll manage." He laughingly said, eyeing Fariya for a second who was all red.

"It's decided then. The Rukhsati will be after a month." Taya Abbu broke in and everyone nodded their head in approval.

After all of them began talking about the marriage, Fariya raised her head and her eyes clashed with Omer's who was already looking at her. His eyes were merrily dancing, the cold and dead silence in them long gone.

He smiled as he saw Fariya, a smile which reached the depth of his soul. Fariya too returned the smile and it was pure delight and contentment which enveloped their hearts.

Syra

"I'll miss you when you'll be gone." Salaar said with a sigh and Syra couldn't help but chuckle.

"It's just for a week." She looked at his sad face and laughed.

"You are laughing at my emotions?" Salaar dramatically said as he placed a hand on his heart, as if in a deep pain and this time, Syra burst out laughing.

"You are a heartless woman." Salaar said as he frowned slightly and Syra controlled her laugh.

"Okay, okay. I'll miss you too." Syra turned towards him in the seat and looked at him directly. Salaar only looked at her once, lines of disbelief marking his forehead.

"Don't be angry. I was just joking." Syra lightly said as she placed her hand on Salaar's hand which were fixed on the steering wheel.

When she didn't get a reply even after a full minute, she raised her hand and placed it on Salaar's forehead, massaging it a little to ease his frown.

Salaar's frown reflexively vanished under the magic of her fingers and he smiled as he looked at Syra. Taking her hand in his, he placed a tender kiss at the inside of her hand before letting it go.

"When will you come?" Syra asked after a moment.

"Mehandi." Salaar replied as he turned the car.

"That's four days away." Syra pouted sadly and this time, Salaar laughed.

"Who's the one counting days now?" Salaar said, a hint of mockery in his voice. Syra only glared at him as her eyes narrowed.

"You should come earlier. It's your friend's marriage." Syra stated and Salaar frowned sadly.

"I wish I could." Salaar nonchalantly said and Syra nodded her head in understanding.

"But you'll try to come, right?" She asked, hope lacing her voice and Salaar sensed it for he smiled heartwarmingly at her.

"I will." His voice turned deep and Syra blushed slightly.

"Here comes the Lashari House." Syra was too immersed in him to notice but the voice of Salaar brought her back from pleasant memories playing in her mind.

"Come inside." Syra said to her husband as she got out of the car who nodded his head and exited the car too. Both of them entered the house one after the other and the first person to see them was Omer's mother.

"My child, Syra. Come, come!" She exclaimed as she moved towards the couple hurriedly and engulfed Syra in a big hug.

"We were missing you two a lot." She said as she met Salaar and placed her hand over his head.

"Come inside, children. Everyone will be delighted to see both you." She merrily said and led them towards the lounge. Salaar and Syra entered the lounge which was already filled with everyone.

"Nano!" Syra exclaimed as she ran towards her grandmother and hugged her.

"I missed you so much." She kissed her grandmother's cheeks as she said.

"You're coming after a month and you say you miss me?" The old lady asked with narrowed eyes and Syra rubbed the back of her head sheepishly.

"I'm sorry. I was so busy." She excused as she turned around and met her uncle.

"Mamoo, congratulations!" She exclaimed and Ahmed Uncle placed a hand on her head.

"You too, child." He smiled at his niece.

After meeting Urwa and Maida, Syra sat on the sofa beside her husband, talking to everyone jovially.

"When is your mother planning to come?" Ahmed Uncle asked as he looked at Syra.

"Tonight, hopefully. I just thought of directly coming here instead of going to my home first." Syra replied.

"And Salaar, how's your job going?" He now asked the man sitting beside Syra.

"Oh, it's fine, Uncle. Hectic but good." He answered with a smile.

"Where's Omer?" Salaar asked Omer's mother after a moment.

"He's coming. Urwa has informed him." She politely replied and Salaar nodded his head.

Just then, a man crossed the threshold of the room and entered the lounge, a small smile on his face.

"Salaar." He said as he moved forward and hugged him.

"Congratulations!" Salaar said as the two men pulled back from the hug and faced each other. Omer nodded his head, smiling and turned towards his cousin. Syra stood up and Omer placed a hand on her head.

"How are you?" Omer smiled while he asked, his tone brotherly.

"I'm perfectly fine. Congratulations." Syra smiled, a smile which came with not so much difficulty.

"Thank you." Omer said as he moved a little back and sat with Salaar.

Syra turned her head around and looked at the two men sitting beside each other.

One, her first love; other, her life.

They were now engaged in a conversation and Syra turned her hear around, smiling. Omer didn't have the same effect on her as he used to, she thought merrily. No doubt she still had some feelings for him but the respect, loyalty and affection she felt towards Salaar overshadowed it.

Salaar was the man who loved her unconditionally and never for once asked her to reciprocate his love and that was the thing which had made her fall for him head over heels. He was a kind of a man you could love without losing your own self, a man who deserved the kind of love in which you should lose your own self.

She remembered the words she said to Fariya as clear as a day.

I know that Allah has chosen someone for me who would prove to be a far better man for me than Omer.

Oh, was she right.

Salaar was better for her in ways she couldn't even begin to fathom. Syra went to sleep every night feeling contented, she woke up every day feeling loved. And for that, she was utterly grateful to the one man who occupied, not only her heart and mind, but her soul too.

The love for Omer was going into dark, the love for Salaar coming into view. Love, after all, is a game of time.

"I think I should get going, now." Salaar's voice brought her back from her thoughts and she snapped her head towards him but he was not looking at her. His eyes were directed towards her uncle as he seeked permission.

"This early?" Omer voiced Syra's thoughts.

"I have some important work. I was going there when Syra asked me to drop her here." Salaar's eyes met with Syra's and he smiled a tender smile.

"Child, you should at least stay for lunch." Omer's mother said but Salaar shook his head politely.

"Some other time, auntie. I really have to go." He said with a tight smile and she nodded her head in understanding.

Salaar stoop up from the sofa and after meeting everyone, finally moved towards Syra. Extending his hand, he looked deep in her eyes as they shook hand.

"Take care of yourself." He gently said and Syra nodded with difficulty.

"I'll walk you to the door." Omer said and Salaar let go of her hand, hesitantly.

Both of the men left the room and Syra stared at the door blankly. All of a sudden, she got up and hurriedly moved outside to the garage. Salaar was standing beside his car, talking to Omer about something with a small smile on his face as he unlocked the car.

"Syra." He said in a startled voice as his eyes darted past Omer and landed on his running wife. Omer too turned around but Syra didn't see him-all she could see was her husband who was looking at her with a wide smile on his face.

She slowly made her way towards them and stopped between the two men, her front facing Salaar.

"You didn't even say proper goodbye." Syra complained in a low voice, unmindful about Omer's presence who had stepped back a little.

"I knew you would come." He smiled as his eyes gazed into the depth of her soul.

"You would call me?" Syra whispered and Salaar nodded.

"Daily." He said as he took a step forward and pressed his lips on her forehead. Syra's eyes closed as Salaar's lips lingered at her forehead for a moment.

"Good bye." He whispered as he pulled back and Syra nodded her head.

"Take care of yourself." Syra said, fighting back her tears, as she watched Salaar get into the car after saying goodbye to Omer who was now standing beside her.

Salaar smiled as he looked at his wife for one last time before waving his hand and pulling the car out of the garage.

"It's going to be a tough week for you." Syra heard Omer's playful voice beisde her and instantly blushed.

"The total opposite of yours." She mockingly said after she had fought with her tears and won. Omer chuckled slightly beside her and Syra too laughed a little.

"I'll go meet your wife." She emphatically said and Omer nodded his head, laughing. After glancing at his side for the last time, she turned on her heels and walked back inside.

Omer

"Omer!" He was walking towards his room when he heard his father's voice from behind. Turning around on his heels, he faced him directly.

"Yes?" His father made his way towards him and stopped at a distance from him.

"Did you order the flowers?" He asked, his tone busy.

"I did." Omer nodded his head as he answered.

"And what about the marriage hall? Did you talk to the manager?" He questioned and Omer again nodded.

"Yeah, I booked it. Everything is done. I have told Talha to go there once and check the arrangements in person." Omer explained and his father smiled at him.

"Abbu, it is Omer Bhai's marriage and you are making him do all the work." Saad came from behind and said, a grin dancing at his face.

"That's becuase you are good for nothing." Omer smirked at his brother who glared at him.

"Don't anger me, Bhai. There are only three days in your marriage and you definitely won't want to attend it with a broken limb." Saad replied almost instantly, although a hint of humour could be clearly heard in his voice and Omer laughed wholeheartedly.

"Saad!" His father glared at his younger son, repressing his smile with difficulty.

"Oh, I forgot. Bhai, Ammi is calling you. She's in the kitchen." Saad suddenly said and Omer shook his head slightly.

"You are impossible, little brother." Omer raised the one side of his lips in a smile.

"And you are my teacher, big brother." Saad raised his hand to his forehead, a sign of obedience, and Omer slapped him on his shoulder as he went past him.

"Abbu, tell him to do something constructive for once." Omer said as he walked down the staircase, a playful smile on his face.

"Bhai!" Saad shouted from behind and Omer's smile widened.

He reached the bottom of the staircase and elegantly made his way towards the kitchen but he was yet on his way when a sight caught his attention and his whole world came to an abrupt halt.

His eyes heated as he gazed at the scene in front of him and finally, a small but a sure smile lifted the corner of his lips. What he saw was a sight of Fariya, sitting on the floor of the TV Lounge as a lady applied Henna at her hand.

Few rebellious strands of her hair were falling on her face, a smile playing at her lips as she looked down at the intricate designs being made on her hand. Wearing a pale, yellow suit, she clearly looked like some beautiful part of the night, a part which was enough to make his universe static.

He walked forward and stood in the door, his eyes locked on one lady who will be completely his in a matter of few days. Leaning against the doorframe, he crossed his arms across his chest, a small, dazzling smile adding the beauty to his face.

Fariya, sensing someone's intense gaze on her, raised her head and her smile vanished almost instantly when her eyes landed on Omer. With widened eyes, she gazed at him and Omer could clearly see her gulping down the bile. His beautiful smile didn't take much time to change into an enigmatic smirk and Fariya ducked her face shyly, a smile on her face too now.

Too awestruck by her hesitance, Omer chuckled inaudibly and straightened. He was beginning to turn when a loud voice stopped him dead in his tracks and he averted his eyes from Fariya towards Urwa who was now walking towards him.

"Bhai, what are you doing here?" Her voice held bewilderment and Omer scratched the back of his head.

"Umm.. nothing. I was just passing." He replied and Urwa looked at him in disbelief.

"You were looking at Fariya. I saw you." She said, her eyes narrowed and Omer shrugged his shoulders.

"I have a right." Omer said and he could hear the meaningful smiles whirling in the room.

"You are not allowed to see her till the wedding." Urwa said matter-of-factly and Omer almost rolled his eyes.

"What kind of a tradition is that?" He asked, clearly annoyed.

"Well, that's that. Now, go away and don't try to come here again." Urwa said in an authoritative tone and Omer sighed.

Looking past Urwa's shoulders, he caught the sight of a flushed Fariya looking at him with all the amusement in her eyes. Pressing his lips in a thin line, he resisted the urge to go to her and then turned around to walk out of the room; his steps aimless, his mind entangled in lose strands of hair and smell of Mehandi.

◇◇◇◇

The smell of Henna was in the air. The night of the Mehandi descended from its glory, waving goodbye to the people who jovially celebrated it.

Omer entered his room, his stride tired but his eyes sparkling. Falling on the bed on his back, he extended his arms over his head and let out a deep, fatigued breath. The night really had consumed all of his energy.

Closing his eyes, he relaxed his muscles and just then, memories of the night arose behind his closed lids. He had seen everything today, everyone today-except for the person he most wanted to see.

His mother, a woman of old traditions, forbade Fariya from coming in front of Omer till the wedding, leaving Omer as anxious as ever. He had heard the stories of her beauty today from people, of how breathtakingly stunning she looked tonight but unfortunately, luck was not on his side.

All he wanted was a single glance at her and yet he was not being bestowed with it. Heaving an annoyed breath, he ran his hand over his face and sat on his bed.

Just then, a soft knock on the door vibrated his ear drums and he muttered a come in. The door opened slowly and Omer, on hearing a sound of glass bangles, abruptly turned his head towards the door and that's when his heart died a little in his chest.

What stood before him was an epitome of beauty, of perfection. He had seen beauty, mesmerising and heartwarming beauty a thousand times in his life and yet he could say without a hint of hesitation in his voice that this woman redefined beauty and its standards. Slowly standing up, he stared at the woman in front of him, his eyes darkening, knots being tied in his stomach.

"Fariya." A simple name and yet it carried mysteries he desperately wanted to unveil.

"Omer." She breathed out his name like a drug and Omer felt himself flowing away; in her breathtaking beauty, in her heartwarming voice.

She was wearing a heavy, yellow coloured dress, flowers of jasmine embedded in her hair, coiled around her hand in a bracelet and hanging from her earlobes. Although her face was devoid of any make up now, she still radiated innocence and beauty, the kind of which shackled his palpitating heart, amazed his mind and nourished his soul.

Omer could see the affect of his unashamed stare at her; her face turning red, her nails rubbing the skin of her hand and that stopped him on time.

"Beautiful." He whispered and heat flashed across her face.

Lowering her trembling eyelashes, she ran a tongue over her glossy lips and took a deep breath.

"I.. I needed to talk to you." Fariya said and by that time, Omer had recovered from the spell she had casted on him by just one glance.

"Having second thoughts about marriage?" He tried to joke but the reaction of Fariya was abrupt.

Quickly raising her head, she looked at him and shook her head in a vigorous disagreement.

"Of course not." She incredulously said and Omer smiled.

"What is it then? By the way, you are not supposed to see me and that too, just one night before our wedding. Ammi will go mad if she sees you here." Omer's lopsided smile disturbed the melodies of her heart but she chanted repeatedly in her mind not to be affected.

"No body saw me coming here. I was cautious." Fariya answered and the smirk on Omer's face heated her neck.

"Why are you here, Fariya?" His voice was extremely low, a hint of wonder in his tone.

"I want to go somewhere. Right now. With you." She said in between the breaths she was taking and Omer raised an eyebrow.

"You forgot your shoe this time or your jewellery?" He mocked her and a small smile touched her lips.

"I want to take you somewhere." She clarified and Omer narrowed his eyes in confusion.

"Me?" He asked for confirmation.

"You." She assured.

"At this time?" He was confused.

"Yes." She cleared the confusion.

"Where?" He wanted to know.

"Patience is the key." She didn't want to tell him yet.

"Okay." He agreed without a second word and she smiled.

"How do you suggest that we get out of the house without anyone seeing us? As far as I know, one look at us together and all hell will break lose." Omer said with a frown and Fariya looked at him for a second, thoughts swirling in her mind.

"You go out first and get the car started. I'll come after a minute or so." Fariya replied quickly and Omer chuckled.

"You had it all planned out." He said, picking his belongings from the table and exiting the room, not before looking at Fariya and saying:

"Be careful."

Making his way to the garage as quietly as possible, Omer unlocked the car and pulled it out of the garage, flinching at the loud noise it made. Once he was sitting in the car beside the road, he tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, waiting for Fariya as he looked at the gate with pressed lips.

Few minutes dragged by and Omer saw the gate of the house opening and a figure emerging out of the dark. Fariya, who had now a shawl draped around her shoulders, quickly made her way towards the car and sat in it, panting.

"You won?" Omer glanced at her for once before starting the car.

"What?" Fariya raised her eyebrows in confusion.

"You're panting as if you've just ran a mile in a race. Did you win?" Omer's sarcasm made her roll her eyes and she looked at him.

"Sarcasm doesn't suit you, Mr Lashari." Fariya replied with a twisted smile.

"Oh, and what does?" Omer's playful voice reached her and she chuckled slightly.

"I don't know. Gentleness, maybe?" She shrugged her shoulders as she stared right ahead at the road.

"I'll take that as a compliment. Where do we have to go?" Omer asked once he was out of the street.

"I said you'll have to wait to find out." She emphatically said and Omer looked at her with furrowed brows.

"Fariya, if you don't tell me, how will I get us there?" He asked in an incredulous tone, his words embarrassing the woman.

"I'll tell you the directions." She said quickly and motioned Omer to turn right who acceeded after looking at her.

"You don't plan to murder me, right?" Omer asked after a moment of complete silence between them and Fariya turned her face around, glaring at him.

"Oh, how I wish." She said and this time, it was Omer who glared at her.

"We're not even married yet and you're planning to murder me. What will happen after tomorrow?" He sighed and shook his head, as if in a deep thought.

"After tomorrow, you'll count your lucky stars that I'm in your life." Fariya said with a smirk as she flipped her hair and a smile touched the corner of Omer's lips.

"I already do." He whispered and Fariya immediately turned silent, the smirk on her face dissolving into shy smile.

"Take a U-turn from here." Fariya said and Omer did as he was told. The car ran for a little while more and finally Fariya said,

"There. Park the car there." She motioned ahead and Omer narrowed his eyes as he looked at the place she was pointing at. Lines of confusion never left his face as he parked the car and turned towards her.

"Now?" Omer asked and Fariya bit back the smile.

"Now come with me." Fariya energetically said and got out of the car, closely followed by Omer who did it confusingly.

"Where are we going?" He couldn't stop himself as he followed Fariya towards an unknown destination.

Fariya only turned her head and glowered at him and Omer immediately raised his hands in defence. Omer saw as Fariya stopped at the bottom of a hill and after looking at it all the way up, turned towards him and smiled.

"That's where we are going." Fariya raised her arm and pointed at the top of the hill, her face beaming.

"There? At this time?" Omer asked in a dumbfounded tone and Fariya giggled.

"You're afraid that you'll fall?" Fariya cocked her head to a side as she scanned Omer's face with a playful smile on her face.

"Rubbish. Let's go."

He took Fariya's hand in his and turned on the torch in his mobile phone, pointing it at their way ahead.

"That's my man." Fariya said excitedly, obviously not thinking before saying, and Omer turned his face towards her, his eyes dancing mischievously.

Fariya instantly shrank in her place and looked straight ahead, heat appearing at the tip of her ears. Cautiously, Omer and Fariya made their way up to the top of the hill, their hands in each other as the light of the moon shone on thier faces romantically. Omer was a step ahead; his eyes alert, his steps small and unhurried.

"Fariya, trust me when I say this, if this turns out to be some kind of a sick joke, I'll throw you down from the top of the hill." He said as he straightened after he had almost tumbled over.

Fariya hid her smile and didn't say a word, her subconscious excited as well as worried for what was about to happen next.

"Here we are." Omer said before taking a deep breath as he saw the even land beneath his feet.

Omer felt as Fariya came to stand beside him, their hands still interlocked and gazed ahead, her eyes fixed on the moon which was shining with all its glory. It was a full moon.

"Breathtaking." She whispered and Omer nodded his head effortlessly, his every pore agreeing with her on this.

"Now, tell me. Why did you bring me here at almost midnight?" He said as he turned towards her and got spellbound for the second time tonight.

The moon light was reflecting on her face, her every feature sparkling under the gentle rays. Omer slowly raised his arm and gently touched his hand on her face. Fariya instantly stiffened and Omer smiled as he saw her face turning scarlet.

"You do know that you're the most beautiful woman I've ever laid my eyes upon, don't you?" He whispered as he brushed his thumb across her cheek, his throat going dry as he witnessed a woman with beauty so ethereal that it had placed him under a spell.

"I..I need to tell you something." Fariya mumbled under her breath and her voice pulled Omer out of a reverie.

Retreating the motion of his hands, he let it fall beside him and looked at Fariya with question playing in his eyes.

"I'm all ears." He said and took a step back, giving space to the woman who seemed to be struggling in her thoughts.

"Omer.." She ran a tongue over her lips and looked straight up in his eyes.

"I..I have been meaning to tell you this since quite a time now." She again wet her parched lips.

"What is it, Fariya?" His tone came out more gentle than he intended to and Fariya relaxed a bit.

"You won't be mad at me?" Fariya asked in assurance and Omer's brow furrowed.

"Why would I be mad?" He asked and Fariya shrugged her shoulders.

"I don't know. It's not something to get mad about but I don't know how you will react." She seemed to be tensed and Omer readily sensed it.

"Okay. I will try not to get mad." He assured and Fariya gulped down the saliva.

And it was then, beneath the gentle light of the moon with trees and sky as a witness and wind as a celebrator did Fariya say the words which shook Omer's entire existence.

"Omer, I love you."

He stared at her for a complete minute before blinking his eyes and taking a step back, his mind not wrapping around the revelation.

"What?" He choked on his breath as he looked at her, dumbstruck.

"I love you." Fariya repeated her words with the same passion and Omer almost stumbled.

"No, you don't." He denied the mere thought with ferocity and Fariya slighlty smiled.

"Oh, yes. I do." Her voice was dreamy, pushing Omer into a pit of nightmares.

"Fariya, you are lying, right?" Omer asked, a bit emphatically this time and Fariya innocently shook her head-the weight of confession had been lifted from her face and she felt brave now, courageous.

"Why would I lie about a thing as serious as love?" Fariya asked thoughtfully and he just stared at her.

Omer was still in denial, refusing to accept the truth Fariya had thrown at him.

"Fariya, you can't love me." He said, desperately this time and Fariya frowned.

"Why?" She asked and Omer ran an impatient hand through his hair.

"Because you very well know why." He almost shouted and Fariya flinched.

Omer, seeing her flinching, closed his eyes briefly and took a deep breath.

"I told you everything about my past not only because I wanted to start a new life with you but also to protect you from falling in love with me." Omer said, his tone melancholy and Fariya pressed her lips in a tight smile.

"I fell for you long before you told me about everything." Fariya whispered and Omer gasped.

"You do not deserve this." Omer shook his head, anger and desperation evident in his voice.

"What?" Fariya asked in confusion and Omer looked at her.

"You deserve a man who will love you and you alone, Fariya. You deserve love and I can't give that to you." Omer said, pain in his voice and Fariya smiled sadly.

"But I don't need love, Omer. I need you." Fariya said forcefully and Omer shook his head.

"Fariya, this is what you're saying today. But tomorrow, you'll ask me for love and when I won't be able to give it you, you'll leave me." Omer said, his tone and his heart, both on an edge.

"I'll never ask you for your love. All I ask for is your support, respect and loyalty. As long as you give them to me, I'll stay by your side in darkness and in light." Fariya said, her tone turning desperate too and Omer just stared at the woman whose every pore was filled with love.

Oh, how different she was from her and how lucky he was to have her.

"When did it happen?" Omer asked after a while, his heart starting to relax a bit after Fariya's assurance.

"I don't know. It just did. I woke up one day and found out that I was in love." She shrugged her shoulders, her mind easing a bit too.

"Fariya, I'm so sorry." Omer said after a moment of silence and Fariya understood the reason behind his afflictive tone.

"You say that one more time and I'll throw you down from here." Fariya said with a false anger in his voice and his laughter rang around Fariya's heart in perfect harmony.

Fariya

"Maida, how much more time will it take?" Fariya's mother asked as she entered the room, her steps and tone hurried.

"Done, Mama." Maida exclaimed as she set the pin on Fariya's dupatta and took a step back, examining her sister in the mirror.

Fariya, whose eyes were fixed on the mirror, was stunned and ecstatic. To say that she was looking beautiful was an understatement. She was looking beyond gorgeous, her body radiating beauty while the dress and the make up just added charm to her already stunning figure.

The heavily coated eyes with mascara and eyeliner which made the hazel colour of her eyes stand out; hair done in a fish braid with lose curls falling on the sides of her face; red, glossy lips which made her fair complexion prominent; a diamond pendant in her neck and similar earrings which were vibrating with the motion of her head and her dress-her beautiful red and golden bridal dress.

The dress she wore was heavily embroidered, the lehenga a colour of blood red with shades of golden creating an intricate design. The dress, covering her arms tightly, was flowy as it fell around her body magnificently.

As Fariya stared at her reflection in the mirror, she knew she looked beautiful because she felt beautiful. A small, dazzling smile touched the corner of her lips as she saw her mother approach her through the mirror and turned around slightly, facing her.

"I've never seen a more beautiful bride." She whispered as she moved forward and kissed Fariya's forhead, a kiss which told her the mysteries in the heart of her mother.

"Your father would have been so happy." She again said quietly, her eyes never leaving Fariya's face. At the mention of her father, tears stung her eyes but she fought them back.

Oh, how she missed her father.

If he had been here, things would have been so different. He would have handed her over to another man with his own hands, he would have cried at a little at her Rukhsati, he would have told her how he will always be there for her. A lot of if and thens attacked her synchronously, filling her heart with a pain which sometimes took her breath away.

"He's here, Fari, watching over you as he always has. Nothing should convince you otherwise." Her mother said and Fariya nodded her head with a smile.

"You make me so proud." Her mother said as she took a step back and wiped her tears with the back of her hand.

"Alright, enough with the sentiments, ladies. Chachi, you'll make her cry and we don't want her make up turning into a blunder before Omer Bhai sees her." Saad said as he palced his hands on her shoulders and pulling her back slightly. Fariya's mother laughed slightly before turning towards Maida.

"Bring her out in a few minutes." She said and exited the room, now filled with all of her cousins.

"Fariya, today is going to be the death of Omer. Just wait till he sees you." Talha said with a smirk and heat crept up across her cheeks.

"Shut up." Fariya said in a weak voice and laughter erupted in the room.

"No kidding. He really is impatient outside." Saad added and Fariya tried to glare at him but failed miserably, the mischievous glint in his eyes causing her to do so.

"Stop teasing her, all of you. Can't you see she is thinking about what will happen after she is done with all the traditions?" Syra said with a hint of humour in her voice and Fariya coughed loudly as she stared at her cousin with wide eyes.

"Syra, you have also joined their group?" Fariya asked, stunned and embarrassed, as she looked at her smiling cousin.

"I'm just getting back at you. Remember what you used to say to me when I was getting married?" Syra asked as she placed a hand on her arm and reminded her.

"Fari, promise me one thing." This time it was Urwa's excited voice which rang in her ears and she looked at her questioningly.

"What?" Fariya asked with hesitancy in her voice.

"You will tell me the first word Omer Bhai will say to you when he sees you, if not all of the details." Fariya rolled her eyes and blushed at the same time.

"No, I will not tell anything and I'm definitely not thinking about what will happen..afterwards. So, you guys can save your breath and rest your minds. And tongues." Fariya said rather angrily, although fake anger, as she looked at her cousins. Laughter rang in the room as everyone stared at her flushed face.

"Oh, my feisty sister." Saad said as she slapped Fariya gently on the head and smiled, a genuine one this time.

"As you wish, dear bride. We're going out but don't take too much time. Omer will go mad." Talha said with a lopsided smile and left the room, followed by everyone except Maida and Urwa.

"Can you bring me a glass of water?" Fariya asked, her voice anxious, as she fell on the chair.

"You're already exhausted. How will you survive the night?" Maida mockingly asked and Fariya just stared at her.

"Et tu, Maida?"

◇◇◇◇

She was sitting at the corner of the bed in a large room, her hands placed in her lap, her bead bowed as she bit her lips. Her eyes were fixed on her hands which were trembling slightly-her every gesture conveying the message of her nervousness.

It had been half an hour since she was sent to his room, half an hour since she had been sitting in the same position. Her back was aching but she didn't dare move, her mind too numb and scared to order anything to her limbs.

After a moment, she raised her head and inhaled the scent of roses spread around the room. The wedding night was in the air- fragrances of flowers and Mehandi was affirming  it.

Her gaze clashed around the room's walls and decorations and fortunately, it eased her tensed muscles a bit. Although the decorations were simple, Fariya loved them a lot for they were very close to her heart. The room was filled with flowers, predominantly roses and candles which were lit and were placed on the table in front of the bed.

Fariya was busy scanning the room when she heard a sound and her heart did an immediate back flip before rushing to her throat. The heartbeats rang in her ears as loud as anything and Fariya feared that everything in the room could hear them. Her head was bowed but she could clearly hear the door of the room opening, a feeble sound over the roaring thunder of her heart.

"Salaam." She heard a whisper and managed to nod despite the wildness in her mind.

Fariya could sense the movement in the room-the placement of the mobile phone on the nightstand, the disturbance of the accessories on the dressing table and finally the shifting of the bed beside her and someone sitting just mere inches away from her. Her throat went dry and she scratched the skin of her hand with her nails, a consequence of her agitation.

A jolt passed through her entire body as she felt Omer's hand on hers, stopping the movement of her rubbing nails. Her whole body stiffened as she waited impatiently for words from Omer's mouth. And Omer, as if reading her mind, didn't make her wait for too long.

"You redefine beauty." He whispered beside her and heat fanned across Fariya's neck.

"I've seen beautiful women in my life. So many that I've lost count. But none like you. You take beauty to a whole new level." His voice didn't raise above a whisper, mindful of not breaking the sacred and precious silence in the room.

Movement was felt readily by Fariya's sharp senses and soon after, she felt an ever light touch of fingers on her cheeks. Her heart halted for a fraction of second before it resumed its beats, this time with a speed of a rocket.

"You need to change. The dress must be very heavy." He said, his thumb moving rhythmically across her flushed cheeks.

Fariya managed a nod, a single gesture which took every ounce of energy left in her. Suddenly, Omer stopped his movement and moved aside, giving Fariya space to get up from the bed. Fariya lifted her doe-like eyes,her gaze clashing with Omer's and her heart smiled.

"I'll be back in a few minutes." She said quietly and got up from the bed, her hands struggling with the heavy lehenga she was wearing.

"Do you need some help?" Omer reflexively asked as he eyed her having problem with her dress.

"No, thank you. You get changed too." She softly said before picking up her dress from the wardrobe and entering the washroom.

As soon as she entered it, a breath she was holding for a very long time escaped past her lips and she leaned against the door.

Her eyes were closed and a very small yet sure smile touched the corner of her lips. They were finally together, she thought as her subconscious danced merrily inside her.

The words Omer said to her on the night of their Nikah rang in her ears but and she smiled wholeheartedly this time.

The Rukhsati did happen, Mr. Lashari.

She smirked to herself as she stared ahead at the mirror. Words Omer just said moments ago knocked at her thoughts as she looked at her reflection and she blushed slightly.

Taking a very deep and peaceful breath, she began to get all the pins out of her head. It took her about half an hour to get changed into a normal, cotton dress and getting rid of the make up. She placed her hand on the door knob and closed her eyes briefly before opening them and nodding to herself.

"You can do this." She whispered to herself before opening the door and stepping out of the washroom.

The first thing her mind registered was the dim light in the room, the only source of illumination was the moonlight peering in through the open window.

Adjusting her eyes to the darkness, she made her way slowly to the heart of the room and that's when her heart leapt up to her mouth as her eyes landed on Omer who was sitting on the armchair, his one hand fisted under his chin while his other one was casually placed on the armrest.

Running a tongue over her lips, she watched as her husband passed her his breathtaking smile and heat was quick to make its way towards her cheeks.

"Come here." He whispered and Fariya, too numb to deny him, moved effortlessly towards Omer. Stopping right in front of him, she gazed right into those pool of black eyes, her heart beating frantically in her chest.

And the next moments were a blur because for one second she was standing in front of him and the next, she was sitting on his lap, his hand around her waist to keep her steady. A gasp escaped past her lips and Omer chuckled.

"You are a beautiful sight." He whispered, awestruck, as he gazed at her face, shining under the light of the moon.

"So are you." She said softly, hesitantly, and Omer's eyebrow raised in amusement.

"Really, Mrs. Lashari?" Omer asked, his tone laced with humour.

"Really, Mr. Lashari." She nodded with a blush and a low chuckle vibrated from his chest.

"I should be saying thank you, then." He said, his hand moving on her back, sending shiver across her body.

"You should. That's good manners." She said, herself smiling, as she looked at him.

"I never thought I would discuss manners on the very first night of my wedding." He was smiling and Fariya's heart was bursting with euphoria.

"Well, a lot of things haven't gone as planned. Remember what you said to me after the Nikah?" Fariya was grinning widely but stopped when she felt Omer's hold tightening around her, his face turning dark and pained.

"I'm so sorr..." Omer began to say in a very low voice but Fariya quickly shook her head, turning towards him in a haste.

"No. There is absolutely no need to apologise. I didn't say it to make you feel sorry, I said it in a good humour." Fariya hurriedly said, desperate to remove the shades of pain from his face and she succeeded a little.

"I still am." He said quietly and Fariya nodded her head this time before bringing her hand up and placing it on Omer's beard, caressing it with tenderness she was made of.

"You were shaken. So was I. It wasn't your fault but still, only if it means so much to me, I accept your apology." Fariya said, still running her hands over his beard.

"Fariya?" He said and Fariya averted her eyes from his beard and looked at the ocean of black eyes.

"Yes?" She asked slowly, never once taking her eyes away from his face.

Instead of answering, Omer extended his one arm and brought it closer to Fariya's neck. Just inches away, his hand halted as if asking for permission to touch her and Fariya inwardly smiled at his consideration before slowly nodding her head.

His fingers brushed across her neck slowly and a shiver ran down the length of her spine. Swallowing hard, she felt Omer's hand moving north, his fingers leaving its trail as they ascended. But his movement stopped altogether and before Fariya could say anything, she was in Omer's arms as he strode towards the bed, his eyes never wavering from her sparkling face.

Gently lowering her to the bed, he sat beside her. His hands made their place beside her head, affectively trapping her inside the cage she was happy to live in all her life as he bent his head towards her face.

That night passed slowly as the angels of love bestowed them with everything they had. In Omer's arms, Fariya felt complete and as Omer cherished her, she knew there was no place she would rather be than here, in the protection of his arms.

Omer handled her with so much care that night that even the flowers envied her; he valued her to the point that even the sky felt small. The moonlight peering in through the window was basking them in an eternal shade of love and Fariya finally came to know that this was her home, her peace.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

9000 words long. No wonder it took me so long to write it!

Anyways, a new and much awaited chapter is here! Finally the Rukhsati has happened and I can't feel more happy. Tell me what you feel in the comments.

I would like to dedicate this chapter to my sister who has been nothing but a support system for me for as long as I can remember. For you, a thousand times over!

And I would also like to thank each and every one of you for bringing TGOTMS to 24th in Spiritual, with 2K votes and 22K reads. I feel at loss of words everytime you people shower me with praises. I love you all!

Till next time,
Salam!