With Love

Chapter 27: resolutions

When her family appeared by her side, tears instantly sprung to her eyes. She got up and walked to her father, holding his hands firmly in hers.

"Baba, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. Please?! I promise, I'll never upset you again. Mujhe naraaz ho ke naa bhejein, please." (Don't send me away while you're angry at me, please)

Water filled his eyes too, and he immediately pulled her into his warm embrace, kissing her temple. "Nhi beta, you did nothing wrong. Nothing. There's nothing to be sorry about. Badbakht to mein hu ke mein apni beti ko wo khushiya nhi de paaya jiski tum haqdaar thi. Humesha ye guilt rahega mujhe. I'm sorry beta." (I've been unfortunate, because I couldn't give my daughter all the happiness you deserved. I'll always feel guilty about it)

"Nhi, baba. Nhi. I love you so much."

"I love you too meri jaan. I love you too."

In his embrace, Israh could see her brother turning his face to the other side, away from her, trying to subtly wipe his tears too. She disentangled herself from her father's embrace and stepped toward Jamal, who before she could even utter a word, shook his head softly.

"Abbu keh rahe hain na, you did nothing wrong." (Like dad said, you did nothing wrong) Israh squeezed shut her eyes in both sadness and gratitude, but Jamal sighed and cupped her face in his hands, rubbing his thumbs gently over her cheeks to wipe her tears. "Ro mat, make up khraab ho jaayega." (Don't cry, your make will get ruined)

Israh chuckled, sniffled then nodded her head. "Only if you- if you promise to change, bhai. I don't wanna see you so disturbed again, okay?"

"Haan, haan, I promise. I've learnt my lesson." He glanced at Shakeela who smiled softly, before he turned back to Israh. "I won't let my anger get the best of me again."

Israh smiled, now reassured. Maybe this had to happen. Maybe this was Allah's way of fixing things. Maybe now, happiness would return to her family again.

She'd embraced Shakeela bhabhi too, who had whispered in her ear a thank you. Israh hugged her tighter to show her that she was here for her always and forever.

"Chalo, bss. Message aagya hai mujhe. Qazi sahab aagye hain." Okay, enough. I've got the message. The qazi is here) Sikander spoke, turning to Tamannah and Noor in the corner. "Ldkiyo, meri beti ka make up sahi karo. Roti hui bilkul acchi nhi lgti ye." (Girls, fix my daughter's make up. She doesn't look good crying at all)

Israh laughed as did her parents. Sikander placed a hand over her head for a moment, before heading out the room, Jamal bhai leaving with him as well.

As they waited for the qazi to be brought to the bridal room, reading her nikah nama (marriage certificate) Israh really started feeling the nerves getting to her.

She really was going to get married now. She was going to be a wife, and have a husband and this whole new family that'd be hers beside the one she'd known all her life. A new house, a new city, a whole different life ahead. Her palms began sweating, her skin itching and if Tamannah and Noorie didn't sit beside her and offer her water and a reassuring hug, she probably would have crumbled into a panic attack sooner or later.

This was really happening...

Aliya's call came in just at the right time. She couldn't attend in person, because Rehan bhai had fallen ill and she didn't want to fly back here leaving him behind. But Israh really missed her, even though it hadn't been that long since she'd left.

Aliya soothed her with kind words, telling her that the nerves were normal and that everything would be fine, InnShaAllah.

She showed her husband who'd been watching his own phone, seeing his friend through the video call at his Nikaah. At the sight of Israh, Rehan smiled gleefully, greeted her and wished her good luck. He turned his own phone so Israh could see the scene.