Stubborn Hearts (Rewriting)

The wedding

The big day had finally come. Syed just stood there beside the hujur, hands clasped behind his back waiting for Ayesha to come. To climb up the platform and sign the nikkah that lay there. He was clad in a black suit and out of stress he would adjust his bow every now and then. 

He looked around him, trying to distract himself from his racing heart. People were bustling about, making sure everything was in order. The sound of conversations and laughter filled the air. His eyes kept darting to the entrance, watching and waiting for Ayesha to arrive. He needed to get this over with fast so this guilt like feeling would go away.

Syed's heart skipped a beat at the sight of her. She was like a vision, a beautiful fairy descending from the heavens. The light pink gown clung to her curves, and the simple makeup accentuated her natural beauty. Her curls fell gently on her shoulders, framing her delicate face.

He couldn't tear his eyes away from her as she approached, flanked by her female cousins. He could hear the whispers around him, the murmurs of how beautiful she looked. This was going to be even harder when she literally looked like an angel.

The hujur spoke. 'Welcome family, friends, and loved ones. Please be seated. We gather here together in the sight of Allah and of you as witnesses to join the hands of Syed and Ayesha in marriage.'

This was it. The moment he had been both anticipating and dreading was finally here.

'We will all bear witness to this commitment, and we will promise in the sight of Allah to hold Syed and Ayesha up in faith as they journey through the rest of their lives together.'

The hujur turned to them, his voice getting deeper and solemn. 'Ayesha, Syed, the agreement you make today is sacred. You make it in the sight of Allah, and of these witnesses. It is not to be taken lightly, nor broken easily. It is a sacred trust, built on faith and love, and it's yours to keep, protect, and honor.'

The two nodded. The hujur then turned to the congregation, to the crowd of family members. 'Now it's time for the Meher, which starts in Muslim tradition with an offering by the groom to the bride. Today we use a ring as this offering.'

He turned to Syed and said, 'You will now give the ring to Ayesha as a symbol of promise to provide for her, and of her freedom with the marriage.'

He took a shaky breath as he fished out the ring from his suit pocket. His hands trembled as he took her hand, which was designed in beautiful mehendi patterns. Their eyes met and he saw her swallow, she was terrified as him. The hujur turned to Syed. 'Syed, you're about to enter a sacred covenant with Ayesha and Allah, with these loved ones and myself as witnesses. Will you give her this ring as a symbol of your promise to honor and provide for her the rest of her life, and as a symbol of her freedom as your wife?'

He took a deep breath and answered firmly, 'Yes, I will.'

He struggled to slide the ring onto her finger, his hands trembling slightly. But finally, he managed to slip it on, the ring fitting perfectly on her elegant slender finger.

'Ayesha, Syed, in the site of these witnesses and before Allah, are you ready to pledge yourselves to one another?'

The two both said in unison, 'We are.'

The two both signed the nikkah and the two witnesses who were Siam and Ayesha's father signed too.

After the speech they exchanged vows. Syed spoke first, 'I, Syed offer you myself to you Ayesha in marriage, bound by the instructions of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him. I pledge, in honesty and with sincerity, to be for you an obedient and faithful partner.'