Mutuals

[78]

"Are you ready" Maira asks and I nod nervously
She takes hold of my hands, "he's so excited"
I feel a hint of relaxation take over me, and I smile.
She leads me down the stairs where my dad is waiting for me.
"Mashallah" he says with tears in his eyes, "you're all grown up"
"Dad don't, you'll make me cry too" I sniffle and he chuckles, holding back his tears
He leads me into the garden which looks so stunning. We opted for a intimate nikkah rather than a huge wedding because there's a lot of aunties that don't deserve to be at my wedding. It's just friends and family and I couldn't ask for anything more.

I sit down on my side and even though I can't see him I can feel his presence. As comforting as it is, it's intimidating because he has such a hold on me and I can't wait to officially be his.
The imam starts reading and it feels like forever until I hear Harris speak.
"Qubool hai" I feel my breathing hitch
The imam asks him again, "qubool hai"
I can feel the butterflies in my stomach waiting to erupt when he speaks for the last time, "qubool hai"

Imagine I run away right now. He's married to me but I'm not married to him. He'd kill me if I did this. I have to hold back a laugh because I can't believe I'm thinking of running away when I know for sure I wouldn't do that. We've waited too long for this.

The imam addresses me,
"Qubool hai" I say quietly
My dad's hand grips mine for comfort and I relax slightly
"Qubool hai" I say for the second time
The imam asks me for the last time and I can feel Harris's tension through the flower garlands.
"...Qubool hai"

Everyone starts congratulating each other and Maira reaches over to give me a tight hug.
"You're not single anymore" she laughs and I laugh back
My mum hugs me tight and I can already feel my tears coming out and it's not even time to go yet. I glance at my dad and give him a look which he understands. I can't hug him yet because I will actually break down and like I said, it's not even time to leave yet. Same goes for Kaisar who nods at me with a small smile.

I sit back in my seat as everyone else is escorted into the kitchen area where the food is, leaving me and Harris alone. Along with the camera people as well of course.
I can feel the nerves coming over me and my legs feel so weak. The camera people reach over and move the garlands out of the way so we can see each other.
Our eyes lock and for a few moments there's nothing. I don't feel anything.

Suddenly we both start laughing and I feel tears forming in my eyes for the sixtieth time today. He comes through the garlands and reaches for my hand to help me up.
His hand comes into contact with mine and a feeling of electricity shoots up through my arm.
He snakes his arms around my waist and my hands rest on his chest. We hold our eye contact for a few seconds before he inches forward and places a kiss on my forehead.
His lips linger for a while before he pulls back and our eyes meet again.
I smile a small smile which he mirrors.
"We did it" he whispers
"We did it" I repeat with tears in my eyes

He wipes my tear that's falls out and I chuckle at how silly I'm being. I've cried so much today and I haven't even left yet.
"You really won huh" I joke and we both giggle as he pulls me into a tight hug

We squeeze in some photos before the camera people leave, leaving just me and Harris in the garden.
"Come here" he says pulling on my arm slightly towards him
My arms find their way around his neck and my hands rest in his hair.
"I wanna kiss you but everyone can see" he whispers
I feel a hot flush and I swear my legs nearly give out

"You're going to have to wait bubs" I wink and run into the kitchen where everyone is
I take my congratulations from everyone as I walk around and my eyes meet Harris's every now and then, making me blush every time.
"Alice!" I exclaim when I see her and she pulls me into a tight hug
"Ohhh congratulations" she says hugging me tighter and tighter
"Thank you" I laugh as we pull away
"You guys are so cute" she says wiping her tears always
"She's cried thirteen times already" Jason comments and I laugh
"Don't worry I've cried sixty times" I look back at Alice and she smiles

"Hey, congratulations" Farhan comes into view with another woman who I recognise as his wife
She leans in for a hug and I politely hug back
"May Allah shower your marriage with infinite blessings" she says as we pull back and I smile gratefully
"Ameen, thank you so much"

My eyes wander around the room and lands on a certain group of people I never expected to see today.
"Oh my god guys, hi!" I exclaim practically running into Adam
"Zara finally!" Adam pulls me into a hug, then Slim and then Naz as well

"I didn't know you guys were coming" I smile stepping back
"We wouldn't have missed it for the world"
Harris comes up from behind and hugs me, resting his chin on my shoulder
"Mashallah you guys are adorable" Slim comments and I smile leaning into Harris

...