Sa'eed - The Warrior

The wedding

"I am not taking no for an answer", said Saira plonking herself beside Maa on the bed as Dayima made tea.

"Saira, please. I am not interested. Dayima say something", I whined.

Dayima got the tea cups on a plate and served me one. "I say you ought to go. Don't you think so Haleema?"

Maa sipped her hot tea and nodded.

"Yay! Get ready Saeed we are going!" Saira did a little jig. I got up with a sigh accepting defeat. "I'll get ready then".

I sat in the backyard drying my hair in the bright sunlight after taking bath. Saira was busy dressing herself inside. What will I do at the wedding? It seemed too boring to attend. I will be better off taking care of Maa at home. But everyone had teamed up against me telling I needed a break from the household chores and attending the wedding would do me a lot of good. Duh! We'll see about that.

"You are wearing this", said Saira handing me my best dress. Much as I would like to go in my present dress I put on the one she has handed me. I did not want to disturb what little peace I had with another argument. I quickly put on my abaya and niqab so Saira doesn't force me into more fineries. She looked pretty with a floral dress and a locket. Her hair tied in an elegant updo before being hidden behind the hijab. I wanted to look pretty as well but nothing motivated me enough to take the pains of beautifying myself. I found the job troublesome.

We walk to Aaminah's house hand in hand. Saira has a spring in her step. What's wrong with this girl? "Saira, walk slowly"

"I can't help it. My friend is getting married". It made me smile to see her so happy. Her excitement was infectious.

Aaminah's house had been decorated beautifully with seating arrangement for males in the lawn. I follow Saira faithfully, literally stepping into her footsteps. I am not very comfortable at social gatherings. She spotted someone and squealed. "Naajiyah! Maryam! How are you both?". After the initial greetings and hugs I sat with a flock of girls surrounding Aaminah.

"MashaAllah Aaminah! Daniyal Akhi will not be able to look away", exclaimed Maryam.

Saira noticed Aaminah pale under the pressure of the compliment. "She is already nervous don't make her more".

Falah came running in. "Qazi Saheb is here. Aaminah Ukhti, Maa is calling you in the main hall".

She looked tensed and happy at the same time. We helped her to the hall which had been separated in between by a long see through curtain. The males of the family with the groom and Qazi Saheb were already seated behind it.

After the bride took her place Qazi Saheb gave a small sermon. Finally it was time for the bride and groom to give their consent. It made my hair stand on end. Silly how I was reacting to someone else's wedding but my heart continued to thud as Aaminah said Alhamdulillah in a teary voice. And they were married!

Marriages are such a blessing. Allah knew we would find it hard to journey through this life alone. So he made sure we get paired up through marriage so there is a constant companion by our side that can divide our worries and multiply our joys. I know it must be strange to hear all this from a girl who does not favor marriage but hey, I am not to blame because people have forgotten the actual meaning of wedding. The society has complicated, twisted and turned it so much that I can't process the thought of marriage until and unless I find a spouse who is ready to do everything exactly like how it should be done and will uphold all the values like how they should be upholded. If this was guaranteed, then who wouldn't want to get married?

I am not very interested in the gossip around me. I tucked in a few morsels and looked forward to leave. "Saira, can we go now?"

Though she wanted to stay back, she took one look at my miserable face and got up. "Aaminah, may Allah bless your married life". Even I hug her goodbye.