For the rest of my life

FIFTEEN | Nerves and excitement

- Dawood's PoV

The day had finally come. It was 4 a.m. and I had just woken up for my fajr prayer. I was yet to get up and perform my wudhu, but I just wanted a few more minutes in my warm blankets. For me, waking up for the dawn salah was always difficult, but after all the trials and difficulties that I had faced in the last few years, I'd prayed to Allah to make me punctual in turning to him, and now this was my time in my busy schedule to cry to my Lord and ask him for everything that I want and need in my life.

Today was special. Today, I was going to leave my house the same young man that I am and return as a married man, a husband.

I feel so blessed, so honoured, so excited, so nervous.

I wonder what she must be feeling? Sumaiya... the name brought a warm feeling to me. I know that today is going to be a day which we will cherish forever InshaAllah, and one which will be showered with blessings.

With that in mind, I tumble out of the bed – not my normal comfortable bed in my own bedroom, but on a makeshift bed in my younger brother's room. My own room was out of bounds for me yesterday, my family have been in and out of there non-stop though. They tell me they're preparing it for me and Sumaiya for when we stay after returning from our walima tomorrow. I also could not stay in any of the guest rooms as I had both sets of my grandparents staying over – which meant the only place I would half-willingly stay was in Junaid's room.

As I walk into the bathroom and look at myself in the mirror, I remind myself that today is going to be a good day, a fantastic day, one full of memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life.