"Amina, a devout niqabi Muslim and final-year medical student from India, has always held her faith close. She has come to London to complete her studies, but life takes a turn when she finds herself in an arranged marriage with Zayd, a wealthy Lond...
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Amina's wedding dress
Amina adjusted her her niqab, making sure it was perfectly in place. Her hands trembled slightly as she clasped them together. She was about to marry a man she barely knew, a man whom her heart had no connection to. But she trusted in Allah's will, and this was what He had decreed for her.
Her mother had always reminded her: "Trust in Allah's plan, my daughter, even when you cannot see it." So, as she stood in the quiet of her room, preparing for the life-altering moment that awaited her, she repeated a prayer under her breath: "Oh Allah, guide me, and help me to be the wife that pleases You."
She didn't know much about Zayd. He was rich, successful beyond measure, but the life he led seemed cold and empty. And yet, her family, particularly her mother, believed that perhaps she could be the one to pull him back to the straight path.
The sound of a door opening broke her reverie. Her mother entered, her expression one of anxious excitement. "Amina, it's time," she said softly.
Amina nodded, not trusting her voice to speak. She stood and allowed her mother to adjust thefolds of her dress, to ensure that everything was perfect. The gold embroidery on the edges glimmered faintly under the soft light.
The wedding ceremony was simple, as was customary for someone like Amina. Her faith was her identity; wealth and grandeur meant little to her. As they made their way to the venue, Amina felt a knot of unease tighten in her stomach. Was this truly the right decision? Her mother's reassuring words, "Allah's will," echoed in her mind, but doubt lingered.
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Nikah ceremony held in the softly lit room of Mrs. Sarah's mansion, an intimate gathering that mirrored Amina's modest nature. Mrs. Sarah had arranged for the essentials—a local imam to officiate, a small gathering of family, and simple floral decorations. Though the setting was a world away from the traditional celebrations Amina's family might have held back home in India, it held an undeniable warmth and sincerity. Her parents, dressed in their finest, stood near Amina, quietly grateful to Mrs. Sarah for organizing the ceremony so quickly.
Zayd was striking, his presence commanding the room with an effortless grace. Tall and broad-shouldered, he seemed sculpted from elegance and strength, his posture exuding a quiet confidence that hinted at the power he held within. His dark, intense eyes—now shadowed with a hint of reluctance—were the kind that seemed to peer straight through to the soul, full of depth and mystery. Thick lashes framed his gaze, and a slight furrow sat between his brows, adding an air of brooding that only intensified his allure.
His jawline was sharp and defined, softened only by a slight stubble that lent him an edge of ruggedness. Underneath the tailored, modest wedding attire, his figure was athletic yet refined, every line of him crafted with care. Zayd's thick, slightly curly, black hair was swept back, adding a touch of sophistication that contrasted with the rawness in his eyes. His presence felt almost ethereal, as though he'd stepped straight from another world into this one—handsome in a way that felt otherworldly, as if touched by a hand of heaven.
