Short glimpse into the story:
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I ever so gently tilted her head up with my fingertips under her chin until our eyes met and she smiled. I cupped her cheeks, letting my thumb explore each crevice of her soft face, gently caressing her skin.
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Zahra's PoV: I look at my reflection in the mirror as the kind salon lady has finally finished transforming me into a traditional elegant Pakistani bride and I simply cannot seem to believe my eyes. I look stunning, which has never happened before. I was beyond nervous about today, I mean, it was overwhelming to think about how my life was about to change. So instead, I thought about every halal and kind word exchanged between me and Ali thus far and his each thoughtful gesture made me smile.
I thank the lady and give her a hug with tears brimming in my eyes which I refuse to let fall as they might ruin my makeup. "You are a beautiful dhulan, dear." She remarked softly as she made final adjustments to the veil/dupatta on top of my hijab.
Just then, my mum and my best friend rush in before they look at me and stop in their tracks. My mum is dressed in a beautiful shimmery silver shalwar kameez and Mariah is in a gorgeous rosy soft pink shalwar kameez. Mum has tears in her eyes and is smiling. "Mum please don't cry." I plead, scared that her tears will cause my own tears to fall. "Sweetie, these are tears of happiness." Mum whispers as she cups my face and kisses the top of my head. "You look absolutely gorgeous, do you know that, Zahra." Mariah beams at me.
For my nikkah, I chose to wear a red coloured full sleeve full length lehenga dress with a red hijab and dupatta draped over it to cover myself. A golden and ruby coloured tika rested against my forehead, as bangles adorned on my wrists jingled and jangled with each light movement. A golden necklace was layered atop my hijab. This was it, today was the day I had been dreaming about and praying for since I was a teenager and now it was here.
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Ali's PoV: I was all dressed up in my wedding suit. Wow today was the day, the day I would marry Zahra and she would forever be known as my wife, our names and hearts forever intertwined. I was feeling such a mixed rush of emotions, excitement, happiness, anxiety, fear. I ran my finger through my hair as I walked out my hotel room's back door which led to the balcony, leaning my back against the doorframe as I examined the beautiful scenery and felt the wind lightly blowing through my raven hair, sighing contently at the beauty created by God as I held the wedding present that I had got for Zahra in my hand, my finger tracing it.
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