Author's PoV:

Ashiya woke up for fajr and sat on the prayer mat long after she was done. She looked at her henna clad hands and they were beautiful. Just below the index finger of her right hand, a name was written. A name that the Almighty had written next to hers fifty thousand years before the sky was introduced to the sea. It was his name written beautifully in Arabic. A smile appeared on her lips as soon as she thought about him. She stood up, folded the mat and placed it on the table. She then went and stood in front of her mirror.

Her reflection beamed. Her hair was messy but looked good, thanks to the spa girl, her face glowed because of her mother's home remedies and her lips were curved into a smile. That smile was because of one man, her man. The thought made her blush.

Ahan, on the other hand, had just returned from the mosque when he decided to go the terrace to get a smell of dawn air. When he reached there, the view mesmerised him. It was still dark and the city looked asleep. The street lights glowed and he could hear cool breeze singing to him. Closing his eyes he murmured an Alhamdulillah for this view, his family, his health, wealth and most importantly, his Ashiya. The thought of her put a beautiful smile on his face and he murmured a hundred more Alhamdulillahs.

Ashiya's PoV:

The whole house was full of chatters from aunties, youngsters and kids. I could hear Ammi scolding someone in the hallway and I shook my head with a sigh. I was sitting in my room with Shifa, Saira, Sam, Lucky and my cousins, Areefa, Jiya and Dua. I was wearing my nikah dress with very little make up on my face. The ladies around me kept teasing me every now and then, talking about adult stuff and laughing whenever my eyes went wide with astonishment.

They were all dressed up in pretty dresses and it was safe to say that we all looked no less than angels.

"I must say Ahan is a lucky man," Dua commented with a smirk. "He's going to get a treat tonight," she winked and everyone cheered making me red from head to toe. What is their obsession with embarrassing me all the time?

"In that sense," Shifa spoke," Ashiya is lucky too. You see, Ahan is a handsome man and I bet he has got six pack abs." Has he?

"I don't think these two will be coming out of their room for at least a week," Jiya grinned.

"Stop it, I warn you guys," I glared and they just laughed.

Suddenly we heard someone running and the door of my room flew open. Isra, my eight year old distant cousin entered, holding the wall for support and panting for breath.

"Baraat aagayi appi," She managed to say and my heart almost came to my mouth.

.

.

.

I sat with the nikah papers kept in front of me which I had just signed. I sighed under my veil and looked up. Ammi stood a few steps away from me, her eyes looked misty. She was smiling at me and I smiled back at her. It felt a little weird. I felt myself being engulfed in a hug and realised it was Mariam Khala. She kissed my forehead and patted my cheeks.

"Welcome to the family," she said with a grin and I smiled back. She then got up and went to hug Ammi. Both of them looked so happy and so contented. Khala said something to Ammi and they both chuckled.

"Appi!" I heard a whisper and saw that Areefa was leaning towards my ear. "Just so you know, Jiju is looking handsome as hell tonight. I hope you don't drool over him," She giggled and moved back before I could smack her. I was then hugged by my relatives and friends and they all congratulated me.

"Feast time!" Dua exclaimed and we all laughed at her.

"Yes, let's go out and let the bride and the groom have their meal together," Khala said and in a minute I was left alone in my room after a random aunty brought food to me. I tried to calm myself down, drank water and assured myself that it was no big deal.

Relax, it's not like he's going to eat you.

I regretted saying that to myself as I remembered what he had told me earlier.

I'm not going to eat you...not until we get our nikah done.

The nikah was done. We were legally husband and wife now. And it meant that he can....he might try to do things right now. No no no... I'm not ready yet. I will tell him to wait. Yes. He's a good guy and I'm sure he'll understand me.

But what if he doesn't?

My mouth felt dry. I got up and paced around the room, trying to assure myself that he'd do nothing without my consent. I was so busy in talking to myself that I didn't hear the door being opened and someone entering into my room.

"Assalamoalaikum," I heard a manly voice and halted in my steps. My back was facing him so I couldn't see how he looked. My chest heaved up and down as I tried taking deep breaths. Slowly, I turned around and my eyes met his.

Ahan's PoV:

My breath hitched as my mind registered her image. Dressed in a beautiful white sharara with golden embroidery and red ghoongat placed perfectly over her already hijab covered head, she looked perfect. Her big beautiful brown eyes stared at me, and I could see how nervous she was. She eyed me from top to bottom and I understood that she was checking me out so I smirked. She realised what she just did so she dropped her head and started playing with her fingers.

I took slow steps towards her and with each step I could sense her nervousness growing more and more. I stopped and stood in front of her, her fragrance intoxicating me."Assalamoalaikum," I repeated and she looked up.

"Walaikum Assalam," she answered in a low voice. Her eyes are going to be the death of me someday.

"Nikaah Mubarak," I smiled at her,"biwi."

She blushed hard and I felt myself melting for her. I noticed that she had make up on her face which enhanced her features. Her pointed nose looked cute and her lips...Gosh! They seemed to be teasing me with their fullness. She was still playing with her hands so I grabbed them to make her stop. She was startled at this sudden move and I'm sure she felt the same tingle in her skin that I felt. Her hands were so soft and warm that I brought her hands to my lips and kissed them. She looked stunned and tried to pull away but my grip was firm and I pulled her closer.

"Ahan..." she breathed and I swear my name never sounded so beautiful before.

"Yes," I mused as she tried to create some space between us. "Are you nervous, angel eyes?" It was so fun to see her all flushed. She shook her head in negative but I knew she was lying.

"Let's... let's have food," she stuttered and looked at me with hope in her eyes.

"I'd rather have you, dear wifey," I whispered and saw her desperately trying to hide her reddening cheeks.

"Please," she pleaded and I just kept looking at her. She was mine and I so wanted to do everything I had ever imagined doing to her right there right then but I understood her situation. She was nervous and worried. It was new for both of us but she was a woman so I had to give her more time. Sighing, I let go of her and she took few steps back.

"Let's eat," I smiled and she nodded with relief, running to where the food was kept.

We sat beside each other on the couch, and I intentionally leaned closer to her to tease her. She filled our plates with food and we started eating. I wasn't really a fan of rich delicacies but this tasted really very good.

"I have a request," she said out of the blue and I stopped eating and nodded to give her my full attention. "I know we're married and...you have all the right over me but...," She looked down and I understood what she was trying to say. "I just...I mean I'm only asking if..."

"I will never force myself on you," I said and she blinked twice, probably confused. "I'm not an animal, Ashiya. You're my wife, not a sex toy and you deserve better." Her cheeks flushed on hearing my explicit language and I took hold of her hands. "I promise you, Ashiya, I will never be the cause of your pain. I want you to voice your concerns to me and I assure you that I'll listen to them. You don't have to worry about anything as long as I'm with you," I saw the nervousness fading in her as she looked up.

"Okay," she smiled her usual breathtaking smile and I fell for her, all over again.