The Addiction of Love

VII

Nandini adjusted the maangtika properly on Avira and then put the dupatta on her head.

"Haaye, Ashar jiju ki kahi dhadkan hi na ruk jaaye tujhe dekhkar!" Nandini commented.

Avira blushed hearing her and looked at her reflection in the mirror. Clad in bridal baby pink sharara, she couldn't believe that she was getting married today.

Mariya entered the room along with her husband.

"MashaAllah," She muttered as soon as she saw her daughter.

Avira saw Mariya getting teary eyed.

"Allah meri beti ko nazre-bat se bachaye." Mariya kissed her forehead, followed by her husband.

"You grew up so fast." Avira's abbu spoke in a cracked voice.

"Abbu," Avira hugged her parents as she swallowed the tears herself.

She was called for the nikah ceremony. Just as Ashar had suggested, the hall was decorated in white. Avira was made to sit on a couch, and Ashar sat next to her but a curtain of white flowers separated them.

The moulvi started the process. Ashar was confident while saying Qubool Hai, but Avira had tears sliding down her face. She answered in a very heavy voice. Happiness of getting married to Ashar, excitement of starting a new life, leaving her family and becoming a part of another's, all the emotions got the best of her and she couldn't help but break down a bit.

After the nikah was done, the flower curtain was cut down from between them and the freshly married couple looked at each other. Ashar forgot to breathe looking at his bride, and Avira couldn't help but smile through her tears. Bushra came towards Avira and put a kaala teeka behind her ear.

"Nikah Mubarak," Avira whispered into Ashar's ears when no one was looking.

"Tumhe bhi," He winked at her and entwined their fingers.

After receiving congratulations from everyone, Bushra called them for dinner. Avira was famished and so was Ashar. After a hefty supper, it was time for rukhsati.

Avira weeped some more while hugging her parents. After they had settled in the car, Ashar put a comforting arm around her.

"Vira, don't cry please. We can go back if you want. Mai ghar jamai ban jaunga." Ashar said to make her feel better.

Avira chuckled at him. "Really?"

"I'd do anything for you." He kissed her forehead lightly.

Ashar's family had already reached their home, while all the relatives stayed back at the hotel. When Ashar arrived at home with his newly wedded bride, his family welcomed them inside.

"Beta, hamare parivar mein aapka swagat hain." Salim Syed said to Avira and then looked at Ashar. "Dhyaan rahe, mein Avira se tumhare baare mein koi shikayat na sunu, Ashar. Hamesha khayal rakhna meri beti ka."

"Ji, papa." Ashar nodded his head.

"Ab chalo, Avira ko dhyan se kamre mein lekar jao." Bushra ordered Ashar.

"Haan, bhai! Bhabhi ko apni bahon mein utha kar lekar jaaye." Mahira teased them.

Avira chuckled too, thinking it as a joke, but her chuckle turned into a gasp when Ashar bent down and picked her up in bridal style.

Mahira hooted at it, while the other members just smiled and prayed for their children's happiness.

Avira turned shy and immediately hid her face in his chest.