In Love with Neighbour

Chapter 25

The next 2 weeks went on preparing for the nikah. Zain and Samaira both wanted a simple nikah. So it was decided that the nikah will be held on a nearby mosque followed by a dinner at the Sheikh's house. Since there were not many relatives in New Zealand, they decided to hold the dinner in their backyard.

With three days left till the nikah, Sahil and Zaif had already started to decorate the backyard. Zain was banned from contacting Samaira in any way, so he gave all his time to their business. Yazan had access to both houses though, to help out with everything, which irked Zain. Yazan also didn't leave any chance to tease him.

Ayesha had dragged Samaira to buy something for herself but she ended up buying few pairs of cufflinks for Zain, Hannan and Rashed. She also bought the ring for Zain with her own earnings as they had decided to buy each other's rings themselves. Because their parents weren't letting them spend money on anything else.

Today, Hafiza and Zara came to the Sheikh's with everything. But, Samaira was not allowed to see her dress till the day of the nikah. She wasn't worried, she trusted Hafiza and Farida's choice. They bought both the bride and groom's outfit together, so that they match. Samaira was sure excited.

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Samaira was lying on her bed, staring at her henna cladded hands, it was a simple design done by her cousins today. She couldn't believe that she will be a married woman at this time the next day InShaAllah. She was nervous. The fact that she'll be marrying Zain was a relief for her. But she was nervous thinking if she'd be able to be a good wife and a daughter-in-law. All her life she has been a responsible girl. But yet, she always felt that she lacked in everything. The same thing was happening right now also. Her insecurities were getting to her. She was thinking about all the possible negative scenarios when a knock on the door broke her trance and she sat up, seeing Farida enter with a plate full of food.

Farida smiled at her,
"You didn't eat anything since lunch, dear. Come, I'll feed you today."

Samaira obliged without any word. She was eating absent mindedly when Farida, sensing her lack of attention, asked her what's wrong.

Samaira sighed,

"I'm scared ammi. Will I be able to do everything? What if I mess up?", she asked like a child.

Farida smiled and cupped her cheek,

"You've been the best daughter to us dear. And I know you'll be a good wife and a daughter-in-law too InShaAllah. You might stumble on the way, but I'll be assured because Zain will always be there to help you. Hmm?"

Samaira nodded with a relieved smile. She knew Farida was telling the truth.

After feeding Samaira, Farida kissed her forhead,

"I'll go see what your siblings are up to. They said they were making a cake for you," she said with amusement in her voice.

Samaira also got surprised,

"Sahil and Sara are baking a cake?"

The only one among them to go to the kitchen frequently was Samaira, even though she baked more than cooking. The other two could only cook instant noodles and eggs. That also, after making quite a mess in the kitchen. So she couldn't believe what her mother told her. Also, she felt bad for her mother's kitchen, so she quickly told Farida to go and check what they were up to. Though she herself wanted to go and see them in a messy state, Farida had strictly prohibited her from getting out of her room, at least for this night.

Several minutes later, a knock was heard and Sara and Sahil entered with a cake pan and three spoons. They all said Salam to each other and the younger ones made their way to the balcony and sat on the floor beside Samaira. Samaira was sitting there, watching stars. Her face lit up seeing that they actually baked something, but when Sahil put the pan down, she frowned and looked at them for an explanation.

The cake, which Samaira was hoping a chocolate cake, was burnt on the top.

"Umm, we might have overbaked it a little bit,", Sahil said sheepishly and Sara gave a nervous smile.

Samaira chuckled at them, but said,

"It's fine. At least you didn't burn down the whole kitchen and actually baked something! Also, burnt chocolate cakes taste better," and took a spoonful of cake and ate it. Her mehendi was dried out.

"It's not bad, MaShaAllah! I'm proud of you guys!"

Sahil and Sara sighed in relief and all dig in.

"Well, what did you do to ammi's kitchen though? Is it bad?", Samaira again asked.

"It's....interesting. But nothing hard for us to clean up, InShaAllah," Sara said, muttering the last word nervously.

"I'll also help, don't worry," Samaira took another spoonful.

"NO! Are you mad! Don't you want us to attend your wedding? Ammi's going to kill us!", Sahil shrieked.

Samaira laughed,

"Okay, fine."

They were reminiscing their childhood while finishing the cake. Samaira sighed thinking that soon, she'll have to live without them. Sara had just left her room with the utensils after giving her a hug. Sahil came out of her washroom after washing his hands. He looked at her and sighed.

He knew she will become someone else's too tomorrow InShaAllah. She'll have another family. He'll have to share her with others but he was glad that they were also people who loved her. He knew they'd keep her happy InShaAllah.

He went towards her and engulfed her in a bear hug. Samaira hugged him back. She suddenly felt emotional and her eyes teared up a bit.

After few minutes he broke the hug and said,

"Sleep now. We wouldn't want Zain bhai to run away after seeing a witch instead of his bride, right?"

Samaira chuckled through her tears and hit him playfully,

"Good night. Allah Hafiz."

Sahil kissed her forhead and went downstairs to join Sara, they had a nasty kitchen to clean.

Samaira's smiled sadly and went to sleep after praying 2 rakats Tahajjud. She prayed that everything goes smoothly tomorrow.