The Marriage Demands (#Wattys2017)

Chapter 6

So I'm married.

Wow, I have to say that it went pretty quickly. Gran was happy with my decision. And she really liked Amber. And as for Amber; no doubt that she is plain looking but on our Nikah day, I was stunned when I saw her—dressed in a simple red dress with her hair set casually aside and putting on light makeup, with a slight liner rimming her dark eyes, her naturally blushing cheeks and blood red painted lips—I just couldn't wait to claim them. she looked so ravishing.

And those lips were indeed sweet and warm. I was right in choosing her. She's my wife now. And this side of her is something that I got to see means that she is only going to reserve it for me.

After the nikah, we exchanged numbers only although I insisted that she move in with me however, she was adamant on maintaining her freedom till I moved in with her to Pakistan. I had no problem with that. Alhamdulillah, I had already applied for visa for Pakistan and the process was fastened as soon as I issued in my marriage certificate. I made all the necessary arrangement for my shift to Pakistan. Especially for Gran—if something were to happen then thank God, I can make it in time back to her. I didn't sell my apartment of my insurances though—I wanted to keep some links still intact after all New York city was my home. It was a big step on my part and at first I myself was surprised at my decision but I'm glad for it.

That night after my talk with Gran; I performed the istakhara. And when I woke up, I just knew what I wanted to do—I was so sure about it like I was never sure about anything else. I had a good feeling about Amber because I trusted my case to Allah.

On my wedding day, I called my brother—he hasn't spoken to me in so long and I was glad that he attended my call and I was even happier when he agreed to attend my wedding ceremony. However, I was surprised that Amber only invited friends but not family—and I couldn't even her ask her about it because of her marriage demands.

Time just flowed—Amber left after two weeks for Pakistan, claiming that she needed to make preparation for my arrivals. All I could do was agree with her while deep down inside, I was panicking—when I dropped her off at the airport, I felt her giving me the cold shoulder—and I've been feeling this way ever since I met her. I feel like she doesn't care that much about our marriage like she's halfhearted about it or something. Bu I haven't bore it much mind.

I don't know how it happened but two months passed by in a blur. And before I knew it, I hugged Gran good bye at JFK airport and I was boarded on my flight. My heart wrenched at because I was leaving my home and my one and only family behind—I had never imagined in my whole life that I would be living outside of the US. I was comfortable in New York because I had spent my whole life there. I never even tried to leave the city. Forget that, I never even wanted to leave; but I don't know what made me marry Amber or what made me agree to her ridiculous request. But now I'm married to her, I have no choice but to respect my wife's wishes.

After a long seventeen hour flight, I finally made it to Karachi. As soon as I exited the plane, I was greeted by hot and humid gushes of air and strong sun. it was really hot even though it was September. After everything cleared up and I had my luggage, I made it for the exit and started looking for Amber in the crowd. But I couldn't locate her. I dipped my hand in my pocket and fished out my phone.

"Hey!" I heard someone shout in my general direction. I looked behind me and there she was—walking towards me in a casual white shirt and blue jeans with a long white cloth loosely covering her head. She took her shades off that were covering her eyes.

"Hey," I smiled and adjusted my laptop strap on my shoulder. "Arent you going to give me a welcome kiss?" I teased and opened my arms for her. She shook her head. "Best to save such things for a more private area." She asserted.