A Tale of Hearts

Chapter Twenty Six

Friday

Fahad's POV:

Ammi had picked out an elegant white dress for Rubab for the nikkah ceremony. She had a model figure so it didn't require many alterations and we had it ready on urgent basis. Ammi didn't let me see her dress since she wanted to surprise me. I had decided to go for a plain white shalwar kameez to match Rubab's outfit. As a part of tradition, we had decided not to talk or see each other till the nikkah was done. I was thrilled. Three hours to go.

The nikkah ceremony was to take place in an intimate gathering of my parents and Rubab's family. We had booked a farmhouse in Lahore and called multiple photographers because there was no way I was about to miss out on any moment today. I wanted the entire video. Not a single moment should go uncaptured. I wanted Rubab's reactions and emotions as she signs the papers to officially become my wife. My begum.

Auntie had decided to decorate the farmhouse because she had always wanted to plan Rubab's wedding from scratch. Zohaib's family hadn't given her that free will to do so she was beyond the moon today, going from one place to another excitedly. Uncle and Abbu were handling the catering while Sohail had taken Rubab to the parlour to get her ready. Vanya and her husband were going to join us at the farmhouse.

I was planning to meet Ibraheem and Kamran after the nikkah ceremony to give them the wonderful news. Fortunately, they were also in Lahore so it won't take long to go and tell them. They were already suspicious of my happiness since yesterday. I couldn't wait to see their reaction. It was going to be iconic. Rubab won't find out. I will tell them to play dumb infront of begum and her friends. No one will ever know.

I styled my hair back and had my beard trimmed and shaped from a professional stylist. Before leaving, I picked up the ring I had bought for her from the jeweler. A 3-carat princess cut diamond for the ice queen. The moment I had seen it, I knew it was made for her. Elegant, refined, sharp. Simply perfect for her. I could finally mark my claim on her. Make her mine.

When I reached the farmhouse, I took in a moment to observe the decoration. Auntie had done an amazing job. There was some type of flower wall in the middle of the ground separating two sides with chairs on either side. I had seen this in movies. I was supposed to sit on one side and Rubab on the other. Once the nikkah was done, I would walk towards her after separating the flower strands to finally see and hug her. Damn it, I couldn't wait. Why wasn't time going by faster?

Well time to get to work. I double checked with uncle and abbu in case there was anything I needed to do. One of the photographers from Islamabad was stuck at the airport so I sent one of the personal cars to fetch him. Ammi and auntie were squealing on one side and adding extra flowers everywhere. I had prepared fireworks to go off the moment the sun sets. I think my begum will like them.

The maulvi was already called and was served refreshments while I waited. The weather was beautiful today. Lahore really knew how to win your heart at times. It was cloudy but there was no rain. There was a cold gentle breeze but nothing to freeze you. It was like nature was congratulating me too.

I met with Vanya and her husband. Vanya was like a copy of auntie. She was cheerful, funny and pretty. Rubab was prettier though. There was no beauty like hers obviously. Vanya's husband, Asim, was kind and chill too. Vanya and Asim had a very healthy dynamic. They were making fun of each other but I could tell they really cared for each other. Just like that, time went by and the moment finally reached.

I was told that she had reached but I couldn't see her properly. She was seated infront of me with a flower wall separating us. I couldn't tell what she looked like at all since she was looking down. The qazi sahib went towards Rubab while my parents sat down on my left side. Auntie Uncle sat down on each side of Rubab. And so it begun.