Journey of Souls

12. Night | رات

Although Qurat-ul-Ain had gotten married and had officially left her home, she would still be spending the night in Multan before she left with her new family to Lahore the next day. The Mahmood family arrived back at the guest house on the Shah estate and helped the newly wedded couple out of the car and into the steps. The guest house has also been decorated according to the instructions of Sufyaan and Zoya. They wanted their daughter-in-laws first moments as a part of their family to be extra special. 

Badar and Qurat walked up the steps filled with rose petals and into the house before Zoya and the rest of the women helped Qurat to her room. The room had also been adorned for the the couple's first night and was blooming with a variety of flowers and candles throughout. Zoya helped Qurat with her dress and the women left the room to let Badar come and let the couple have their time and rest. They would be leaving as early as possible the next day. 

"Alright with the wedding now over, you should all get some sleep. After breakfast, we can pack and leave for Lahore as soon as we're ready," Sufyaan instructed his family members.

Alizeh and her mother walked to their room.

"Alizeh that was such a nice wedding I am so glad it went well."

"I agree Ammi, I had so much fun with all the festivities and dressing up was also my favorite part."

"Oh yes, many people came up to tell me about how stunning you looked."

"Aww thats so sweet. Okay Ammi you should really get some rest, it has been a long day and you need some rest."

"Yes I will. Ah, I am so content. One day when you and your brother have to get married I hope I can get you both married in a similar way."

Alizeh blushed. "Ammi, inshAllah but its right now you should sleep. We can worry about that later." They laughed. "Good night."

Without taking her makeup off or changing her clothes, Alizeh sat on the bad and scrolled through the notifcations on her phone. She went though the pictures she had captured and paused on one. It was the picture Alizeh caught of Qurat-ul-Ain being kissed on the top of her head by her father. Alizeh stared at the picture, marveling over the details before remembering the moment that picture was a symbol of. Her eyes began to well up. She missed Baba Jaan. 

Slowly, drops of her tears graced her soft, flushed cheeks as she quietly sniffled being careful not to wake her mother up. Alizeh rarely cried, she wanted to be the strong person for her family, for her Ammi especially. There were nights following when Baba Jaan had passed away where she would put everyone to sleep before escaping to the backyard to look at the sky and moon and speak to her Baba Jaan. She cried a lot those nights but never let anyone found out. 

Alizeh put her phone down and left the room, dragging her gown across the floor. She needed some fresh air. She walked out of the guest house and trailed through the garden barefoot. 

It was dark and deep into the hours of night. The air was still but cool and a breeze would momentarily flow through. 

Alizeh walked towards the pool and sat on the garden pool chairs near the edge. The light of water reflected back onto her and emphasized the glimmer of her eyes. The same light reflected on her jewelry and the beadwork on her dress. The shadows of the night were dark but Alizeh shined in contrast. 

Alizeh turned her head to look at the stars and the moon, the same sky she would talk to on the nights she missed her father the most. She knew her Baba was always with her but looking up at the sky brought her comfort. The brightest star in the sky was the star that belonged to her Baba.

Alizeh leaned back into the chair and sat there for a few moments before closing her eyes, tears still dripping but the sniffling had stopped. 

Meanwhile, the Shah family had returned to their estate and retreated to their room except for one.