Divine Affinity

Nikaah - the union

It has been a week since I had accepted the proposal. Mum was still a little upset about my consent, but after days of explaining, I've managed to convince her that this would be a good thing and that it was truly my own choice. It was now Friday and preparations to receive our guests were on in full force. Mr Qurayshi had called and said that Rayhaan's plane would be landing Saturday morning and since we had no intention nor the time to delay wedding, it was to take place tomorrow night. Yes, his name is Rayhaan. I honestly don't know what to expect, I mean I'm not expecting a prince or any such thing but, I hope he'd make a good friend, at the very least... Dispelling these thoughts quickly I knew that I was just wasting time dwelling on this. I was doing this for my family and under the belief that my father would have probably been very pleased.

Mum: Aasmaa, have you decided what you are to wear for the Nikaah? You look beautiful in your purple cloak, you should wear it.

The cloak made me look much older than I was but in an attempt to keep mother's heart, I didn't protest.

I had been asked if I wanted to meet Rayhaan before the marriage but I had no interest in doing so, waking up with a nervous yet positive feeling on Saturday morning, I decided to leave it all in my Lord's capable hands. Dawn dimmed into dusk quite magically and before I knew it mum and my aunt were getting me ready. The purple velvet material caressed my skin setting my nerves on fire, matching my inner state oh so perfectly. Some eyeliner, a light gloss, my scarf donned arabic style and I was ready, ready for the rest of my life... I heard a car pull up and my heart did a double somersault. I've read novels and novels about this moment but not a single description was able to capture what I felt right now. The door was opened and Mr and Mrs Qurayshi stepped inside. A moment or so later a heard another pair of footsteps. A tall, lean, slightly muscular individual came into sight, he had messy brown hair and wore a suit in a manner that looked almost proud. Despite his classy appearance, it was his sea green eyes that rattled me to the core, they reminded me of a terrible storm, they were truly the mirror to my restless heart. His eyes suddenly found mine as I quickly lowered my gaze and proceeded to join my mother near the area in which the women were seated.

We had decided to perform the wedding in a Pakistani manner. The men sat on one side of the curtain and the women on the other. The religious leader set with the men and he began the proceedings. A very beautiful recitation from The Quraan, followed by a lovely quote on marriage and finally the vow. I gave my consent via my uncle who spoke it on my behalf and finally, it was his turn

Religious leader: Rayhaan Qurayshi,  son of Ahmed Qurayshi. Do you accept this marriage to Aasmaa Sayed? Kya ye nikaah Qubool hai? (do you accept?)

Closing my eyes to grasp a falling tear, I heard a slight, gentle, very melodious voice reply:

Rayhaan: Qubool hai, Qubool hai, Qubool Hai...