Meri Meerab *Discontinued*

39 - Dou bol

On morning of her nikkah, Meerab woke up to the smell of fresh flowers. When she opened her eyes, every flat surface in her bedroom was covered. Vases, hanging garlands and loose petals everywhere- a bedroom full of flowers.

3 angels stood at her bedside and squeeled in excitement at her waking and showered her in more petals , and she felt the coolness as they slid off her face and hair.

Saba had arrived the previous evening, after Meerab had returned to her room. She thought it best to not disturb the bride and to surprise her in the morning.

Haya and Mariyum thought it would be a nice surprise to decorate her room- to make it special. Saba had encouraged then to go all out- hence the state of room.

'Saba?' Meerab squeeled at the sight if her match-making cousin.

'Aagey!' Saba replied, confirming her presence as though they couldnt all see and hear her. She threw up a handful of petals in the air, erupting a bubbly excitement in of the room and they all giggled.

'Pagal tou nahi hogay ho tum loag?' Even the ceiling was covered in an array of helium baloons that floated there.

It obviously wouldn't be her last night here as the rukhsati was planned for 2 months later, but it was the big day, never the less.

'Nahi, bass nikkah ki kushi chareeoy hai.' Mariyum grinned. Haya pulled her to sit up and her eyes adjusted to the sight of her room like this- had they raided a florist?

'Galdi utho, Parlour waaliyan aarahee hounge, dulhan ko tiyaar karne ke liye.'

Dulhan.

Her heart fluttered and the excitement had caused her cheeks to flush a deep pink. Today was the day she would become his bride - Murtasim ke dulhan. 'Utrahee houn.' She replied to the three of them.

And soon enough, the parlour ladies had returned again at the haveli, this time with a suitcase full of make up and hair styling tools.

Maa Begum had gifted her a creamy sharara suit- the raw fabric and beading had obviously been chosen by Murtasim. Maa Begum had completed the vision with the tailor, selecting the lacing and jewellery to go with. It had silver and gold embroidary throughout, with small beaded flowers with an emerald green centre- the exact same shade as the ring Maa Begum had gifted her when she infored whos proposal she was to accept. It had a wide neckline and netting sleeved- covered in embroidary too.

They had styled her hair into loose waves- just as Murtasim said he likes. With a couple pieces pinned back to give a more polished look. The matching dupatta was draped down her back and the red viel was placed on her head by Mariyum, Haya and Saba. Across the centre in gold thread was written... Murtasim ki dulhan.

She had to keep her head down from here or else her scarf would pull on her hair. She didn't appreciate the customs of the Khan haveli but thought that being a blushing bride was one which she would find easy to follow. Not out of shyness of being his bride, but rather at being at the receiving end of his affections with everyone spectating. It was a little awkard, being a showpiece but knew the end was worth it.

The entire house was perfumed with fresh flowers and they had live singers set up in the garden. The floor to ceiling windows had been opened and the inside hall joined the outside garden.

She hadent dared to go see Murtasim that morning before the nikkah, she could bear the final few hours without him. Besides, he himself had said that they shall next meet after their qubool hai's.

The girls had placed her under the canopy set up in the hall downstairs and had teased her to remember to say qubool hai in response to the qazi's question- as though there even was a possibility of her forgetting.