Meri Meerab *Discontinued*

40 - Aks

When se had told him that she would be his dulhan, she wasent lying.

He took in the sight of her, the dark hair flowing behind her shoulders and the apple of her cheekbones raised in a smile. She didn't dare life her eyes though- she thought she might melt with the direct contact. She was heavily adorned in beading, embroidery and gold jewellery. A long pearly necklace hung low, complementing her bare décolletage. Hands resting one upon the other in her lap- she appeared angelic.

Maa Begum bought him to come and sit next to Meerab and a mirror was placed in his lap and meerab lifted her red veil, just so her reflection woule bounce off the mirror and so he coukd see her.

It was his right as her husband to be the first person to see her. After all, it was him that she had dolled up for.

The world stopped spinning for a second as she came into sight and he couldnt hear anything. Meri Meerab.

She her face showcased an oversized nose ring and and a thick antique golden necklace hanging from her neck. Her skin glowed and her lips were deep painted red.

Murtasim almost had to pinch himself to make sure he wasent dreaming. When she lifted her eyes in slow-motion and looked at him, taking in her beauty, a soft laugh escoated her. She was happy.

He had crisp white turban, a jewel hanging from the centre- he looked regal. The mustashe expertly twisted upwards and the corner of his eyes crinckled from happines as they met hers.

He was happy at seeing her happy. 'As-salaamu alaykum Mrs Khan.' He said lowly. It felt to him like he was seeing her for the first time, a new Meerb- his wife.

She struggled to keep eyecontact when he was looking at her like that, so brazenly. She wispered 'Wa-alaykum salaam.' The entire room was cheering them on.

A couple seconds passed as they took in the appearance of each other under the red glow of her veil. He wasent sure if it was the influence of the viel or her cheeks were actually blushing. In that moment he decided that this was his favourite colour that she had ever worn.

Meerab placed the mirror down on her lap and the moment had ended. They exhaled as they finally took a dee breath- forgetting to in the heat of their gaze upon each other.

Murtasim then reached over and gently lifted back the edge of her veil, placing the boarder further back on her back. Thats when she knew, this was beginning of her new life. He had unveiled her as his bride to the entire room.

His hands came out to either side of her head, bring the top of her head forward. He then kissed her forehead, almost in slow-motion or perhaps it felt like that under the gaze of the spectators. It was a peck just where her jewellery hung and she closed her eyes, feeling his big hands so gentle on her scalp. As she breathed in, she took that manly scent of his - oud.

Just as his lips left her forehead, she heard a wisper against her forehead. 'I love you.'

In that second, her eyes lifted and he moved back to his seat and she couldnt look away. It was the look of water welling in the corners of her eyes in pure love- trying desperatley not to reach out and assure him of the same. But he already knew whay she wanted to say.... I love you Murtasim.

Maa Begum retrieved the mirror from her lap and got ahold of her hand, helping her stand in the heavy dress. She placed a motherly kiss on her head and then took a step back.

Anwar took a strp forward and placed his hand on Meerabs head and then turned his attention to Murtasim, patting him on the shoulder- his son-in-law- it was just for show. There was mutual respect between them, but only one loved Meerab unconditionally.

Anwar then took Meerabs hand and then placed it into Murtasim's. 'Meri amanat tumhare havale.'

Meerab and Murtaism tried not to roll their eyes.

'Meri biwi, meri amanat hai.' Murtasim re-iterates- the flip of a couple words bringing a whole new meaning to the statement. Murtasim clarified his stance of the matter- she his was for sake keeping.

The weakest thread that had been tying Meerab to her biological father had finally disintegrated.

Murtasim closed his fingers around hand, his thumb resting ontop of her. 'Chalein?'

Meerab was still processing him words and didnt quite pick up the where to aspect of the question but she nodded anyways. 'Chalou.'

Where had this properness arised from, between them?

The happy couple felt the petals raining down upon them and confetti popper exploding, the tissue-paper love hearts drifted in the air around them as they took in the party that was seated behind them.

Mariyum, Haya, Saba and their other cousins all stood to the side cheering them on and clapping as Murtasim took Meerabs hand and walked a couple steps out towards the cake table and thats where they stopped.

It was three-tiered, topped with fresh summer fruits and was covered in fresh cream, piped to perfection.

'Kaatein?' Meerab looked towards him and asked, all eyes on them.

'Kaatou.' Single words answered were all that hey could manage at that point.

Meerab's hand reached out for the knife of the table, gently grasping the handle and then holding the knife just a inch above it.

Murtasims hand came out to rest ontop and the knife slid down through the soft sponge, hitting the card board. The rough of his hand atop of hers and that cologne - lulling her. They lifted the knife togther and made another cut, freeing a piece. The camers flashed before them, capturing every second.

'Moun kholo- mein khilata houn.' He instructed in the softest-authoratative tone.

Kholo. She looked up at him in recollection of the last time he had uttered this. Meerabs cheeks burned red- only hidden by the layer of foundation.

His mind was there too- she saw a glimmer of a secret memory pass before his eyes, and the beggining of a develish smirk creep onto his face.

She opened her mouth and he placed the corner of the cake in her mouth, and she took the smallest bite. The whipped cream catching on her lip- the white buttery sweetness resting on the red of her bridal lips. Without thinking of the wedding procession stood before them, he used the pad of thumb to wipe there, and instinctively bought it up to his own mouth, licking his finger clean. Savouring the flavour imparted on it from the time it spent resting on his wifes lips. His eyes not leaving her sight for a second.

Its only when Meerab froze and white of her eye expanded, did he realise what he had done- the action showcasing their familiarity with one another caused him to stall.

There was a tension in the air. The air halted.

Thank the lord that Meerab had invited Saba to the event because it was her that that whistled, causing the tension to break and a cascade of giggles to erupt from the crowd.

Even Murtasim smiled boyishly- caught in love.

He was her husband now.