Where Shadows Reach

The Celebrations

The Khan Haveli was once again busy getting ready for a wedding.

This one was on a much smaller scale than Murtasim's, as Anwar and Shameen wanted just a small group of family and friends to attend their function.

They wanted it to be an intimate gathering with Shameen's grown up children, their kids and her brother Faris, who was flying home, just for the wedding.

Also in attendance would be Anwar's family including Waqas and Aneela, along with a few select friends.

Meerab and Mariyam were busy directing the rearrangement of Anwar's home inside the Khan Haveli.

They were adding a few feminine touches to a place where he had lived on his own ever since his wife passed away.
It had become a masculine den except for a few things Ma Begum had added over the years.

They did not remove any of Nadia's memories as those would be dealt with by Shameen and Anwar once she moved in.

On the other side of the Haveli, the green lawn was being decorated with fairy lights and pots with arches of flowers for the couple to walk through.

The path would leas up to the place where diwans were placed for them to sit during the ceremony.

They did not want to have all the usual pre wedding celebrations except the henna application which was to be in the morning of the wedding day.

The marriage ceremony at night was to be followed by the reception.

The lawn was set up with tables and chairs for the guests to enjoy their dinner.

Meerab and Mariyam chatted away as they exited the house and walked towards the lawn where the workers were busy setting up.

"Meerab, what kind of person do you think I will marry?"
Mariyam asked.

"Mari..."
Meerab's voice trailed off, making Mariyam turn around with a "What?"

She saw Meerab holding her head with her eyes closed.

One hand held onto a nearby tree as she tried to keep her balance.

"You ok?" Mariyam rushed back to Meerab's, holding her up until they reached a shaded spot with chairs.

Ever since Meerab had returned after her treatment, Mariyam had kept a careful eye on Meerab, just to make sure she was all right.

"Just felt a little dizzy. I really should not have skipped lunch. Let's get something to eat."

"We should tell Bhai." Mariyam insisted.

"I will tell him when he comes back tomorrow."
Meerab assured Mariyam.

Her husband was away at the estate giving Anwar a much needed break to prep for his wedding.

Even if tired, the festive, happy air about the Haveli brought memories of another recent wedding.

Meerab already felt nostalgic even though it had not been that long since her own nuptials.

Ever since her ruqya treatment with Shameen, Meerab had stopped seeing almost all the signs of jinns and their random interference in her life.

Meerab still did not feel like her old self, she felt tired, irritated and emotional.

Her body felt like it did just before her periods began.

Speaking of periods, Meerab had missed her period during the treatment.

Shameen had explained that it happens for some people during the treatment.

Meerab had been feeling like something was off about herself but she did not want to see another doctor so soon.

She had seen enough doctors past few months to make her feel sick of them.

.
Meerab chose to go for a drive after her meal with Mariyam.

She needed some time for herself, to clear her head and take a break.

There were enough people at the Haveli to take care of the preparations, she was not really needed there.

 
                    
.
The next day Meerab waited eagerly for Murtasim to show up but he kept getting delayed.

He was finally able to reach home in the afternoon, giving Meerab a quick hug he headed off in search of his uncle Anwar to see if he needed any help.

Murtasim was excited for Anwar, happy that he was able to find someone to share his life with, after being on his own for so long.

Murtasim was helping his uncle get ready that evening, making sure he looked his best.
Teasing him about being the blushing groom.

Their roles reversed as Murtasim and his father in law stayed with Anwar while he got ready just as he had been there for Murtasim at his wedding.

As they were walking out of Anwar's room to head towards the lawn, Meerab appeared.
After greeting and congratulating Anwar she pulled Murtasim aside, letting her father walk ahead with Anwar.

She whispered something in Murtasim's ear, he stopped in his tracks.
"What?"

"Yes." Meerab said laughing as he pulled her into Anwar's room to give her a proper hug and to kiss her thoroughly.

"Are you sure?" He finally asked breathelessly.

"I am sure!" Her eyes sparkled. "But we should wait until after the celebration is over to make an announcement."

                  __________

The day after the wedding, they were all seated for breakfast except for
Shameen and Anwar.
They had opted to travel to her home town to celebrate their union with her friends and family there.

Meerab cleared her throat and began. "Since we are celebrating new beginnings, I have some news too."

Taking Murtasim's hand that was lying next to her, she said with a slight tremor in her voice.

"We are expecting."

Before anyone could react Mariyam looked at them confused.
"Expecting? Expecting what?"

All of them laughed, except Murtasim. He was too busy staring at his wife with a goofy smile on his lips.

Everyone else watched Mariyam's face till the moment realization dawned on her and her expression went from confusion to elation in a split second.

"Aaaaaah!!! Meeerab!!! I'll be Aunty Mari!"

"Mariyam! Can you keep your voice a little bit lower, I think my eardrums just tore with that scream."
Ma Begum admonished, but her face was all smiles and her tone more teasing than angry.

"Aneela, Didn't I tell you when I came to visit? Masha Allah Meerab. May Allah bless you with an easy pregnancy."

"Yes you did Bhabhi Begum, you noticed the glow on her when you came to visit."
Aneela confirmed, hugging Meerab and congratulating Murtasim.

Waqas quietly wiped a tear that had escaped his eyes, while no one was looking.
Then got up, shared his well wishes and prayers for the couple.
He bear hugged Murtasim, patting him on the back.
"Welcome to fatherhood my son, it begins long before the baby is born."