Silent Ties: Fusion Of Hearts

Chapter 36

Zia's POV:

Today was supposed to be one of the happiest days of my life. I was getting married, and I should have been feeling excited, happy, or at least a little anxious. But none of these emotions surfaced. Instead, I felt scared. Despite knowing how wonderful Azlan was, I couldn't shake the fear that he wouldn't be able to handle this version of me-the gloomy, mistrustful me who flinched at even the gentlest touch. How long would he be able to tolerate this? I had no idea when I would finally heal, but would he be willing to wait until then? What if everything fell apart? My mind spun with negative thoughts, and I knew I should stop overthinking, but I couldn't.

Just then, my phone rang, snapping me out of my thoughts. It was Mom. I picked up, and she spoke quickly, "Zia, don't worry about coming here. Freshen up, eat something first, and then go directly to the venue by 3. It's chaotic here, and with so many people around, you won't get a chance to rest. Since you'll be up all night, it's better to relax now."

"Okay, Mumma, no problem," I replied. As I hung up, I breathed a sigh of relief. I didn't want to be around so many people, putting on a fake smile. After ordering breakfast for everyone, we ate together, and soon Tessa began urging me to get ready.

Curious, I asked why, but she just smiled and insisted. "Just get ready, no questions." I complied, but as I dressed, I told her, "We're supposed to be at the venue by 3, so I hope wherever you're taking me doesn't take too long." She nodded, saying she had already cleared it with my mom.

We drove to a nearby mall, and I was apprehensive at first, wondering why we'd come here on such a busy day. But then I saw where we were heading: a spa. As soon as I entered, I felt my tension start to melt away. We all enjoyed the spa, and my spirits lifted considerably.

On our way to the venue, I asked them, "How did you two plan this so suddenly? I really needed it."

They smiled, and Aarya teased, "I'd love to take the credit, but we didn't plan this. Your dear husband did. He wanted you to relax, and we just got lucky enough to benefit from it too."

I smiled, feeling a wave of warmth wash over me. Here I was, letting my fears consume me, and Azlan, even after everything, had never once blamed me. Despite my mistake of not telling him about Ahaan sooner, he hadn't questioned me or even hesitated. After the incident, he hadn't run away, and he didn't ask his parents to call off the wedding. Many others would have doubted me, but he didn't. Even seeing my torn clothes, he never hesitated to cover me up and comfort me, telling me it wasn't my fault. He respected my boundaries, stopping whenever I needed space. He told me he could wait, and look at me now-wasn't I betraying his faith by drowning in self-doubt?

I realized that by wallowing in my fear, I was letting Ahaan win. I was letting him destroy a day that was meant to be special for both Azlan and me. I needed to be stronger, not just for myself, but for us-for the future we had ahead of us.

With renewed resolve, I took a deep breath, determined to focus on the positive. Azlan had stood by me through my darkest moments, and today was the start of a new chapter for us. The future was uncertain, but I was ready to face it, hand in hand with the man who loved me unconditionally.

As we approached the venue, my heart raced. Despite the lingering fear, I felt a flicker of excitement slowly building within me. Today was not just the beginning of a new chapter; it was the start of our life together-a life I wanted to cherish, nurture, and protect.

When we arrived, the decorations took my breath away. The place looked magical, adorned with flowers and lights that seemed to shimmer with joy. As I stepped out of the car, I was greeted by familiar faces-family and friends who had gathered to celebrate with us. Their smiles and warm wishes felt like a soothing embrace, easing my anxious heart.

Tessa and Aarya hurried me along to the dressing room. I spotted my mother rushing about, directing everyone. When she saw me, she bustled over, urging me to start getting ready. In the dressing room, my friends helped me prepare, fussing over every detail. I could see the love and care in their eyes, and it made me feel incredibly grateful.

Standing in front of the mirror, I took a moment to really look at myself. The woman staring back at me wasn't the same broken girl who had stood here just moments ago. I had come a long way, and though the scars were still there, they were a testament to my strength and resilience.

Azlan's words echoed in my mind: "I can wait." Today, I wanted to show him that his love and patience had not been in vain. Soon, I heard loud cheers, announcing his arrival. My cousins rushed in, exclaiming that the barat was here. My friends wanted to go see the procession but were reluctant to leave me. Assuring them that I was fine, I encouraged them to enjoy the moment.

After they left, I felt an overwhelming urge to catch a glimpse of Azlan. I moved to the nearby window. My mom had chosen a perfect room on the top floor, and I could see the procession from my window.

I was peeking out when someone gently patted me on the back. Startled, I turned to find my dad, smiling at me with a teasing glint in his eyes. "You won't be able to see him just yet; he's a little further back," he said.

Feeling slightly embarrassed, I replied, "I was just...checking, Papa. And you should be at the gate, welcoming them. Mumma will scold you if she catches you here."

Dad chuckled. "Yes, I know. But I thought my daughter might need some help. But since you're just 'checking,' I suppose I'll leave this." He waved his phone, hinting at its camera. "I thought you might want to zoom in to see the barat clearly. But it seems you don't need it."

Feeling my cheeks flush, I stammered, trying to think of a response. He handed me the phone, a soft smile on his face. "I'm so happy for you, Zia. I'm proud to see you here, smiling genuinely. I know you always shied away from marriage, and I didn't want you to ever feel forced. But I also didn't want you to miss out on the beauty of marriage, like the one I've had with your mom. We've had our ups and downs, but we've stayed together. I wanted you to have someone who would stand by you, and Azlan is a good man. So don't give up easily. Fight for him, and fight with him if you need to."

He kissed my forehead, wiping a tear before it fell, and walked away, saying he had to get back before Mom noticed he was missing. I laughed softly, feeling a mix of gratitude and emotion.

Just then, fireworks began, signaling Azlan's arrival. Remembering Dad's phone, I peered through the window, zooming in on the crowd. And there he was, sitting on the chariot, looking more handsome than I'd ever seen him. He looked breathtaking.

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