Mehr-o-Mah (مہر و ماہ) -
The sun and the moon
A collection of short stories filled with love, spice, drama and a roller coaster of emotions and of course, a huge part of my imagination.
(The second generation of Ahd-e-Vafa)...
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Zoya took in a deep breath to calm her heartbeat. The volume of sounds coming from the lawn had increased and it didn't take a genius to guess that the baraat had arrived.
Rubbing a hand over her heart, she tried not to mess her look with the anxiety that was raging against her blood and rational thinking.
"Zoya, it's time."
It was Samaira who spoke. Zoya could barely manage a nod at the words and her khala was quick to come to her side.
"Itna ghabrane ki zaroorat nahi hai. It's just a fleeting moment. Try to enjoy it rather than spending the time worrying about everyone else, hmm?"
The stress loaded on Zoya's shoulder had lightened considerably at the advice and a small smile spread across her lips. Resting her head on Samaira's shoulder, Zoya soaked in the warmth for as long as she could.
By tonight, her entire routine would come to a halt. A different home, a different family, a different way of life. And most importantly, she'd be left to stand beside a man whom she had seen only in pictures and that too just once.
Haider Razdani happens to be a pilot by profession. Apart from this, all she knew was his age and nothing else. The two hadn't had a single conversation in order to get to know each other since he had continuous flights and travelling so frequently across the world often took a toll on a person's body. Hence why he liked silence and took the free time to replenish his mind and body.
"Chalo chalo!"
Zamin barged in the room and Zoya flinched at the sudden intrusion while Samaira glared at her son. Zamin visibly flushed in embarrassment and with a sheepish sorry, motioned his mother to hurry up but not before throwing an exasperated look at Zoya and making heart eyes at the bride who laughed at the broken humour of her cousin and shook her head.
Not shortly after, Zaira came in with a hasty expression. Her eyes found her daughter's and taking in a deep breath, she placed a kiss on Zoya's forehead and gently patted her head.
"Ready?"
Trying not to think too much into it, Zoya gave a small nod and within a blink of her eye, the surroundings of her room had been dissolved and she found herself sitting in front of the teal green curtains separating the groom and the bride's side.
Goosebumps rose on her skin and a hushed silence fell around. Even the slightest of whispers were not heard when the Moulvi questioned her about accepting him as her husband.
Hesitance did make its presence known in her mind. Her throat begged for some water while her heart just wanted to calm itself down. Feeling someone's hand on hers, she blinked once and glanced at her mother who offered a small smile but with a questioning gaze, as though telling her that the opinion need not always be 'yes'. If she wished, she could take her time to clear her thoughts and then answer the question that would change her whole life.
