𝐒𝐔𝐊𝐎𝐎𝐍 - rewritten | ✓

NINE

After praying Tahajjud and Fajr, she stood up. The soft blues of the morning sky filled the sky, and the stars slowly disappeared. She looked up, putting her tawakkul on Allah before she made her way to the opposite end of the masjid. 

With each step she took towards the opposite, her heart panged against her chest and her mind filled with anticipation. She reached, and with a deep exhale she looked around looking for him.

Her eyes stopped on the man sitting on the cold floor, leaning against a wall. It seemed as if he had prayed because his hair was wet. She took a step and then another before stepping. She once again made her way slowly to him. She stood in front of him and he looked up with tired eyes. But his tiredness disappeared, replaced with hope as he stood up and towered above her.

"Mai raazi hoon," She said, her voice quiet.
(I am ready.)

A grateful and beautiful smile covered his mouth and she couldn't stop staring. He nodded once, before walking away and she followed. A small nikkah happened, with a few strangers witnesses, and in 20 minutes, she was Maham Zayan Agha.

━━━━━━━

The newlyweds spent their first morning married, having breakfast in his car. Halwa puri. The young waiter came and Zayan rolled his windows down and paid him while taking the food.

"Apki tabiyat na kharab hojai," She said, smiling as he wasn't a lot used to the food.
(Hopefully, you won't get sick,)

He playfully glared at her, "tumhare liye hai," he said, making a small bite of the food and forwarding his hand toward her mouth. She noticeably warmed up, her eyes slightly widened before she looked away and gripped his wrist, taking a bite.
(It's for you,)

Their first touch since they became married.

"Ghar par kya bolenge? Mami bohut pareshaan hui hongi apke liye," She said, after a while as he continued feeding her.
(What will we say at home? Your mom must be very worried.)

"Kehna kya hai? Hamara nikkah hogaya hai, tum biwi ho meri. SImple," He said.
(What will we say? We are married, you're my wife. Simple.)

"Itna bhi simple nahi hai," She said, taking a bite from his hand.
(It's not that simple.)

"Stop worrying. Mai hoon tumhara saath. Mai karonga ifazat," He said, looking deep into her eyes and giving her the confirmation she needed. She smiled and nodded.
(I am with you. I will protect you.)

They went home after he fed her and wiped his hands with a tissue. Just as they entered, they saw Shahnaz sitting on the couch, her hand covering her face and Arafat there as well with his brother, Aziz.

"Zayan," Aziz spoke and both of the older looked up in a snap.

"Kaha chale gaye the?! Tumhari maa itni pareshaan thi tumhare liye!" Arafat said.
(Where were you gone?! Your mother was so worried for you.)

Shahnaz noticed his hand within Maham's and she looked at him. "Tum phir le aai isse?" She asked, angrily as the rest of the family members came to them.
(You bought her here again?)

"Kyun nahi laata? Biwi hai meri," Zayan said and the women gasped as the men's eyes widened".
(Why wouldn't I? She's my wife.)

"Jee," He said, pulling Maham behind his back. "Sab kaan khol ke sunle, biwi hai meri. Maham Zayan Agha. Aur agar kisi ne bhi ispe cheeka ya haath uthaya toh meri bezati kar raha hoga," Zayan spoke with dominance in his tone.
(Yes. Everyone listen to me with their ears open, she's my wife. Maham Zayan Agha. And if anyone yelled at her or raised a hand, they would be indigniting me.)

Zayan took her away but his mother stopped them, "Nahi, Zayan, tum aesa nahi karsakte."
(No, Zayan, you can't do this.)

"Mai yeh kar chuka hoon," He said.
(I have done this.)

"Tumhari Aaima keh saath mangni paaki hai. Tum aesa nahi kar skate!" She yelled, making both his and Maham's eyes widen.
(Your engagement is secured with Aaima.)

"Yeh kesi engagement hui jiske baare mai mujhe nahi pata? Meri shaadi ho chuki hai, aur na maine dosri karni hai." He said and walked away with Maham.
(What kind of engagement is this that I don't know about? I am married and I don't want to do a second marriage.)