Caged Crown

◇33

Naeef-

Counting the stars isn't my hobby, Hiba does. I always wondered what did she gain counting the countless twinkling stars amidst the massive dark sky. I waited her until she finishes counting the star as if they're her friends who had come to see her. Unfortunately, my assumptions were correct hearing her speak. "Hey there! Why didn't you come last night? I'd been waiting for you, but your younger siblings were all present. They said, you can't come." She said looking up to the sky, while I followed her gaze and found two other stars. I wondered which one she was speaking to. Crazy

I took out my phone, hoping a reply from Laiha. She had left my last text unanswered. Didn't she like my reply? Perhaps, her cousins might've distracted her. I smiled thinking about today. Her reaction when she saw me beside her. That was priceless. She's such a gem and I'm really thankful for this day. I stood up to thank Allah by praying 2 units of prayer.

As I completed, I started making dua for our eternity. I heard ambulance siren in my street, but I didn't pay heed and continued making dua. Soon, my phone began ringing and I smiled seeing Junaid's name.

"What happened?"

"N...Naeef...come quick. D..Dad is taken to the hospital."

**

My eyes flit to aunt Juvairiya sobbing and Laiha's arms circled around her. Her eyes were deprived of emotions. She looked tired, resting her head on her mother. I peeked into the room and found uncle lying, unconsiously. Tubes and wires were connected to his nose and chest.

"What did the doctor say?" I asked to Jabir.

"Since we reached here on time, they tried CPR and cardiac shocks. But then, they had taken him inside for analysing."

I stayed there for some time and heard that he regained consiousness. I saw Laiha sprint from her seat and barged into the room. I peeked in and found her talking to him, sobbing and assuring that everything is alright. I saw his eyes flit to me. He nodded his head, gesturing me to go near him and I stood next to Laiha beside him.

"Son, I want you to marry my daughter as soon as possible. I don't want to delay her wedding. Alhamdulillah, I'd witnessed all the blessing and I would finally feel justified once I marry off my daughter." He held his chest in pain.

"Dad, please don't talk much." Laiha said caressing his hand.

"Right after I get back home, I'd ask Jabir to arrange everything for your nikah. I want it to be simple and beautiful."

I stole a glance of Laiha and realized that she was lost somewhere in her thoughts.

Two days had pass and uncle got discharged from the hospital. Like he said, he was so adamant in getting us nikahified. So both the families were busy preparing for our nikah. Two days left and then she'll be mine.

I signed onto my laptop and was welcomed by the wallpaper of mine and Jasmine's photo. She carried that grumpy expression in every selfie. I doubted from the beginning that Allah has replaced Jasmine by Laiha, something between them were relatable. Finally, it's time to change my wallpaper. I can't forget Jasmine and I'm sure I won't get the chance either because every gestures in Laiha depicted of Jasmine and marrying Laiha is as marrying two person in single soul. How could they both be the same?

My gaze shifted to Hiba, who showed me her simple shopping for our nikah. I got a phone call and answered it. "What's it Junaid?"

"Man, could you please ask Laiha why Laiha's care taker hasn't reached as of yet from her hometown?"

I giggled at his tone. "Why don't you ask her yourself, huh?"

"I don't know, if I do then she'd start pulling my legs, gagging and teasing me. You ask her."

"Wait, why are you interested in Laiha's caretaker?"

"Huh...it's...it's her nikah and how could she leave her patient at times like this."

"Fiona is her home nurse, not a bridesmaid." I teased him.

"You know what, Naeef? You're no less than Laiha." saying that, he hang up. I smiled at his reaction that I could see even during the phone call.

I checked my phone and found pictures of Laiha and her family applying henna on her hands. I looked at her tired face, her face lost its natural glow due to stress and poor diet. She has completely changed after her surgery.
A smile appeared in my lips seeing my name in her hands. Laiha♡Naeef

Our names inked close together

Not just in her hands, but in heart.

I wish the stain remains forever

**

Due to the wedding, our street buzzed in enthusiasm. The distinct noises came from both the house. All my relatives filled my house, talking and laughing. I could hear indistinct chatters everywhere as I looked myself in the mirror. Today is the day that I finally going to surrender my heart to someone I love. I finally am getting married. I'd no longer be single in less than a hour. I can't believe that finally I'm getting married to someone that I set my eyes already. To someone I thought slipped from my hands. To someone I lost hope with. But little did I know that, Allah gave strength to hold my grip so tight that she can't slip out again.

"Bhai, what are you doing? Everybody is waiting and don't forget it's your nikah."

"How am I supposed to forget my nikah?" I said to my sister.

"Talks the one who forgot his exam and went to his college to attend the regular classes."

"That was exam, and this is my wedding." I emphasized the word wedding, smacking her head. I headed down and saw guests looking at me. The venue took place in Laiha's home. I sat next to my dad and a Qazi. I contemplated every word he uttered and speech of wedding. I could see Laiha seated away from me, her face veiled. She wore a white simple gown. I could see her expression behind her veils.

As the procedures began, I was keen on listening to the sermon and my tongue tied as I heard the Qazi ask. The whole incident flashed in my mind. Jasmine running away from me and promising to be there on Junaid's graduation day. Her dead body lingered in my mind. The laughter echoed everywhere in the room filled with guests. I looked everywhere and I heard her laughter.

''Say yes, Naeef." I heard her speak and she laughed. My eyes fell on Laiha, my soon to be wife. I felt ease when I saw her sitting anticipatedly waiting for my reply. My tongue released soon after I laid my eyes on her.

"Qubool"

"Qubool"

"Qubool"

**

I sat next to my wife, who was busy rambling something to Fiona on her phone. I chuckled hearing her scold Fiona and my eyes landed on Junaid, whose focus was on her phone call. As he saw me looking at him, he looked away flushed in red.

Since it's just the simple nikah and I was asked to let Laiha stay in her own house until she finally recovers and it didn't matter to me after all, we are just a compound away. I could see her from my window and she could either. I was afraid that she would be snatched away from me anytime, but I'm relieved now. Unlike other days, I can climb into her balcony without any restrictions. I can take her out anytime and anywhere because she is mine.

Me: Do you miss me?

Laiha: Why would I miss you when you're lying on my plate.

She sent me a photo of chicken, that was in her plate. I rolled my eyes at her and said,

Me: I'm coming. Open the door.

Laiha: Stop giving me panic attack and go to bed. Besides, I won't open the door😏

Me: You can't do that. I'm your husband.

She didn't reply anything and slowly my eyes shut, sleep took me to unconsiouness. Little did I know that, she was blushing seeing my text.

I'm your husband.

Laiha: Yes, I'm all yours.