Unexpected Promises

Epilogue ✓

Atifa's pov:

It had been a few days since we came to Savusavu and today was our reception. Saad's family wanted to keep it early, and I don't blame them. It had been so long since we got married and they didn't even get to attend their own son's nikkah!

And how can we forget that people here were quick to start gossiping about anything and everything?

Although when we left, our topic died down after a while, but when I returned, it resurfaced. And it wasn't a pretty sight. The things spoken about us weren't pretty… decent at all. But what could we do? It wasn't like we could stop each and everyone from saying something. It wasn't in our hands.

But we were doing what we could do. And that was holding a reception.

On an honest note, I didn't think it would stop them from gossiping at all. Because gossiping is like, talking about a hot topic for a while, until it starts to lose its charm and cools down. Then they find another topic to gossip about. And when they get another topic, they leave this one behind, until they get some spicy news related to it again.

Back to the point at hand, even though I tried my best to stay calm, my jittery nerves wouldn't let me be. The ruksati had taken place when we were coming here from Suva.

When mamu got to know that we were going to meet Saad's family, he decided it was best to do my ruksati quietly. It was also because ammi insisted on having it before we left. He gave my hand in his, a ritual which usually the bride's father does when she's about to leave for her new home. 

And unintentionally, even though I tried my best to stay collected, a few tears had slipped from my eyes, reminding me of my abbu. Oh how much I wished for him to be there! To look at his princess finally getting married to the prince of her dreams!

But no matter what, we cannot turn back time, we cannot bring back what we have lost. We can only pray, for them, for our future, for everything.

"You are looking beautiful! It's a shame that not everyone will be able to see you" Bhabi complimented while setting my bridal veil on my shoulder.

"Jazak Allahu Khairan." With warm cheeks, I mumbled, not knowing what else to reply.

I was wearing a maroon Indian wedding dress which had golden thread work on its sleeves, neckline and border. It was a knee length top with a lehenga underneath it. The dress was simple, elegant, not too heavy, just the way I liked it. I had paired it up with a golden hijab and a separate maroon veil to use it as a ghunghat to cover my face. Even though the function was being held separately for ladies and gents, we couldn't stop everyone from taking pictures. And as a niqabi, I couldn't take the risk of my pictures circulating on WhatsApp.

(Lehenga - Long skirt with a wide flare.)
(Ghunghat - A veil used to cover one's face.)

A knock on the door interrupted us, making me anxious. Glancing at bhabi in panic, I silently asked her if it was time for us to leave. We were getting ready in the wedding hall, having left the house three hours back already.

Most of the weddings were held in the open here, in the morning or afternoon, but since I was uncomfortable with that idea, we had booked a hall, and the reception was in the evening.

Glancing at her wristwatch, she frowned while looking at me, making me confused.

But it wasn't for long since another knock came on the door, this time more urgent. And before any of us could open the door, bhabi's phone started ringing.

Picking it up, she made her way towards the door. "Is everything okay?"

As soon as she opened the door, bhai's annoyed voice came as she lowered her phone. "What took you so long to open the door? Abhi baba bula lenge wapas, itni mushkil se to ise yaha chup chupa ke leke aaya hu mai! Baccho ko bhi double fees deni padegi agar zyada time lagega to! Aur phir-"