Eng.Version - One Moment More

Chapter One

Chapter 1 - A New Beginning

"Ayaat Afreen Ahmed, do you agree to this marriage?" The Sheikh asked me.

I closed my eyes and remembered his harsh words "I will destroy your sister if you don't agree to this marriage, I will make her life a living hell!"

"I agree," I whispered.

I opened my eyes to see the new future that lay ahead of me.

Everyone in front of me were cheering and congratulating one another and I could clearly see the happiness reflecting from their faces. But my eyes drifted and laid upon only one person, my sister.

She was hugging my mother and I could see how happy she was. Her eyes met mine and a grin appeared upon her lips. I smiled back at her and laid my eyes back upon the rosy red carpet floor I sat upon.

I have no idea on what my new future brings forth for me. I really couldn't care less about myself.

I did this for her, my sister. She is my life, my world, without her there would be no me.

I sighed softly.

I heard somebody call my name I looked up to see my mother and sister who stood in front of me both holding big grins upon both their faces. I prepared to stand up but the weight of the red and green bridal dress I was wearing was so heavy for me to stand. As I struggled, I looked at my sister for help, she understood, she always understood me. She held out her hand out, I held on to her and slowly stood up.

"Ayaat, my daughter!" My mother explained as she pulled me into a hug.

She never showed me affection before, never in my life has she hugged me at all. I hesitantly wrapped my hands around her as she spoke again.

"You have no idea how much happiness you have given me by accepting this marriage!"

Her nails dug into my back I could feel the pain building into me. I bit my inner lip and tried to move away from her. But she only dug her nails into me deeper

I whimpered and softly spoke in her ear "please let me go, it hurts!"

She whispered back "I am holding you to only for you will leave me, don't ever think about returning to our house again and you already know the outcome of what will happen when you will return. Today is your last day, from tomorrow I will no longer see your face or hear your name!"

She laughed and let go of me and spoke excitedly "today is a day full of loads and loads of happiness!"

And once again pulled me into her and whispered "I can proudly say with happiness that I have only had one daughter, you have never been my daughter."

I was holding on to her harsh words, they hurt, they hurt like hell. It was like a knife was just stabbed into me. I pushed back tears and let go and my sister pulled me into a hug. She whispered so many things to me but I didn't listen to anything she said. I just held onto her tightly and closed my eyes wishing I could never let her go. She let go and told me to come and sit on the red decorated chair beside the stage. She held onto my hand and I held the side of my dress slightly lifting it up and walking towards the chair. The chair wasn't that far but the weight of my whole outfit was pulling me down. I sat upon the chair and my sister fixed my dress and made sure everything on me looked perfect. And she stood back and smiled. She told me she will be back and left me sitting on the stage.

There were lights so many of them, cameraman, so many people but yet amongst all this I felt so alone, so crumbled, so torn up.

I looked up and my eyes met with the man I agreed to marry, he was laughing and smiling with my sister, they both were walking up towards to where I sat. He was an amazingly dashing looking young man, he's smile reflected how happy he was. They were about to climb the stairs to the stage when I placed my gaze upon the ground. I felt him sit in the seat beside me.

The rest of the night was a blur.

People congratulated both of us, explaining how wonderful we look together.

There's this strange theory that runs through our household which explains when a bride's henna turns out dark especially on her wedding day, it is known to be said that the groom has so much love for her, he will always love and support her until the very end. Everybody kept telling me how much my "husband" will love and support me based on how dark my henna turned out.

Before I knew it, it was time to leave the marriage hall, I once again stood up but this time my husband held my hand, we looked briefly at each other.

He squeezed my hand and gave me an assuring smile. I didn't know what it meant but it felt good.

We walked down the stairs and it was time to say goodbye.

The first person that held me into their arms was by no surprise my sister.

She cried and said "be happy Ayaat, always stay how you are, never change for anyone, no matter what happens I'm always here for you, I'll miss you, I'll miss you so much!"

"Don't cry didi (sister), I'll miss you too," I replied forcing back my emotions

She kissed my forehead and spoke to my husband "if ever you hurt my little sister, in any way her eyes are filled with tears, then I will not just break your bones but I will destroy you!"

He laughed and said "didi (sister), do not take any tension, I will take care of Ayaat like my own life depends on it, I promise you."

My sister smiled and pulled us both into a hug and spoke "May Allah keep both of you happy and keep you away from the evil eyes of others, Ameen, Suma Ameen".

With that we walked towards the car and sat inside. My husband followed and sat beside me as we drove off to begin my new married life.