Mending Hearts

|Nikah|

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرحمنِ الرَّحيم
Chapter—4
Nikah

"Do you, Madiha bint Abdullah, take Mustafa bin Zakariaya as your lawfully wedded husband with mahr 35,000 Dhs?”

*Mahr is a gift or contribution made by the husband to his bride, as a mark of respect for the bride, and as recognition of her independence.

“I do.” Madiha replied three times before she signed the paper with a shaky hand and glossy eyes.

The weather was calm and warm. Leaves on trees were briskly swaying and many leaves fall out of the branch. Kids were laughing and playing around the only large tress near the Mosque.

As the Imam, the man who performed the Nikah, left with her father and grandfather, her family surrounded her. Hysterically crying and weeping but she didn't shed a tear.

She smiled and consoled everyone. It was a shock to her but her heart ache was unbearable and her tears wouldn't justify it so she didn't cry and create a difficult situation for her or her parents.

“Promise me,” Her mother kept her hand on her head, “You won't hide and pretend everything is okay.” She gulped and tried to pull her hand but her mother's grip was tight.

“Breaking a promise in Islam is a big sin, ammi but I can promise you that, I will definitely come to you for any help after Allah. I promise and this time, I won't let anyone walk over me. Even if it's my husband.”

Masooma, her mother, wasn't satisfied but she didn't force her and put her in grave sin. She wiped her tears and kissed Madiha's forehead. Madiha then hugged her sisters who didn't let her go.

“I am just 20 minutes away, I will keep coming.” She joked, lightened up the mood and most of them chuckled.

“Please don't.” Mahira said between her tears. “I am already happy and tears won't stop coming.” Madiha grinned and pulled her cheeks.

“Take care.” Seema said and smiled at her, eyes almost teary because if anyone could read her mind right now, it was her cousin.

“I will.” She hugged her and clenched her tightly.

Seema felt as if someone squeezed her heart, unbearably yet strong enough to control her emotions for the sake of Madiha. Few words yet their eyes spoke a lot. Seems broke the hug and stepped back.

Everything went smooth or she thought because as soon was put on Abaya and taken out, her father walked to her. The man who Allah blessed her, her first love, her hero and her savior from all the misery.

“Beta.” He gently said but the amount of emotions it carried, no one felt but him and her heart which she felt would burst.

“Abba.” And she let it out.

She hugged and started sobbing. Her voice grew louder but he patted her head, trying to calm her down. He tried to form words but except the voice of silent cries, nothing came out.

“Bhai.” Farzana kept her hand on her brother's shoulder who shook his head, expressing his pain. “Bhai, come one.”

He took a heavy breath, controlling his tears and pulled her back. She couldn't and was still hysterically crying. Her cry made almost everyone cry, even Mustafa couldn't bring himself to walk to them.