Like she had imagined and dreamt, it was quite a family affair, their Nikah. The wedding invites were designed by Kainat on Canva as simple as they could have been. The Nikah was supposed to take place in their lawn. Valima- a sunnat was on a much grander and bigger scale but it was to be held two days later. Zoya had even argued on that, but Irtaza said 'itnay paisay mainay qabr main nai lay k jane.' (The money is not coming with me in the grave....)

Zoya wore her mother's golden gharara, a new custom shirt that was designed by her sister in law -Meena for the nikkah. They decided to donate. Zoya didn't want the designer clothes or the expensive jewelry. She didn't even like jewelry apart from the nath, that was her nanhiyal's heirloom. Her nani wore it to her nikkah, then her mother and now it was her turn. And the jumkay that were her mother in law's.

The makeup was done by her Alizey and Kainat who were no less than the professionals.

Her friends occupying her room, talking senseless stuff and laughing at not so funny things was the best memory of last night. A smile touched her lips as she remembered the last night.

"Shit..." Alizey had cursed and all of them had looked at her.

"Yaar ...yeh shadi nai ho sakti... (This shadi can't take place.)" She said in all seriousness.

"Kyun?" Kainat had voiced the question which everyone was too scared to ask.

"Irtaza nay Zoya say ek baat chupai hai... (Irtaza have hidden something from Zoya.) Alizey declared and Zoya felt her color drain.

"Zoya it's alright. Pareshan nai ho na, Allah behtar karay ga. (Don't worry, Allah will make ease.) Fazeela said as she came to hold Zoya's cold hands.

In her mind, Zoya had been shouting TELLL TELLL TELLL !!!

"What is it." Kainat spat.

"He didn't tell her that he doesn't like chai. And Zoya had always wanted a chai partner." Alizey said cheekily and all her friends laughed as Zoya threw the cushion at Alizey who ducked it.

Jaan nikal the. (Scared the life out of me)

Bish!

"What? You said, you won't marry a guy who didn't like chai." Alizey told her. And that was how Kaiant, Fazeela and Alizey had started teasing her.

Zoya was sitting in her room, blushing reminiscing the last night. The last night that she had spent in this room was so memorable that she wanted to preserve it. Record it, somehow (Without camera making every one conscious) when Minaal bolted through the room.

"Minaal! What are you doing here. Barat agae? (Is Barat here)" Fazeela asked with disappointment. They had to be there to welcome barat.

"No, I came early! I had too. Chalain Bhabi. Apko Barat dekhaon. (Come bhabi. You need to see it.)"

Minaal said grabbing Zoya's henna adorned hands. The henna which she had difficulty getting as her sweaty palms didn't let the henna dry. Zoya had blushed with embarrassment every time the henna artist dabbed that sweat of her hand with a tissue.

"Par Mama...."

"Are Aunty kuch nai kahin ge. Humaray ghar ki rasam hoti hai"(Aunty wouldn't say a thing. It's a ritual of our family) Minaal replied as she pulled Zoya along with her while Alizey, Fazeela and Kainat followed.

Her friends, she was blessed to have them. The girl power right they. They were super hurt that Zoya didn't let them in about her issues but had forgiven her without any excess drama. Alizey was super hurt, and she felt like a sucker friend. All of them felt bad for making Zoya feel like a failure. Although it wasn't their fault, but they still apologized. After the apologizes were exchanged they were all back to normal. Zoya had feared that the secret reveal would change the way her friends looked at her. But it didn't. They were her same old stupid friends, but their bond had become stronger.

"Another one of your fantasy just got fulfilled.", Alizey remarked as all of them stood at the roof top looking at the Barat. Irtaza was still in the car. Everyone was dancing including Hashim and his parents. They all were doing bangra, the shehains echoed.

"Yes, turns out he is a Punjabi and have this rasam." Zoya said as she looked at her mother-in-law who was laughing as she tried to do Bhangra with Hashim and failed miserably courtesy to her old joints.

She was indeed blessed. Even the stupidest of her fantasies had come alive since she had begun doing Sabr and Shukr. She had realized that it was like a key to happiness.

When is he going to come out! She wanted to shout. 5 minutes had passed and still there was no sign of him. They had been standing on the terrace waiting for the groom to get out of the car.

"Look at Azeem. Is he trying to do Bangra?" Kaiant said as she laughed followed by Fazeela and Alizey. But Zoya was too busy looking at Irtaza who had finally graced her with his presence, to look anywhere. He wore a plain white shalwar kameez and still managed to stand out amongst all the people who she was pretty sure were wearing designer suits.

Feeling someone's gaze on himself, he looked upwards at the terrace to find his bride with her friends. He couldn't see her face because it was covered but seeing her in the golden dress took his breath away. His wife, she was about to become his wife. And he was eager for it. Winking in her direction, he joined rest of his family in the bangra. The laughs and the beat of dhool resonated through the air as the Barat entered.

To say Zoya was nervous at the time of nikkah would be an understatement. She was like a live wire, with her neurons colliding. Her palms were getting wetter with every passing second. She was going to leave her mom and Baba Jani behind. Not seeing, Baba Jani sipping his chai with the newspaper in his hand, made her heart sink. And Mama, who used to have breakfast with her every single day, and those sham ki chais and the discussions. She was going to leave everything behind. What about Billu? Zoya was confused between taking Billu with her and leaving Billu with her Mama who could use a responsibility, after Zoya was gone. The room was getting tighter and air locked as she thought about leaving.

"Shhh, you look pale, Zoe. Do you want me to get you some water? It's going to be okay. Come sit down." Alizey sat as she held Zoya's flowy lengha while Fazeela dashed for the glass of water.

"Don't cry Zoya, you are going to ruin the makeup!" came Kaiant's voice.

"Mujhe nai jana Alizey. (I don't want to go.) I don't want to get married. Mama and Baba Jani are going to be alone without me. Mustafa Bhai ki posting hoti hai wahan hote hain. Aur Billu beechara, usko dekh k Mama ko meri yaad aye ge, phir woh royen ge. Aur Baba Jani, who kuch kahain ga nai par ek damn say ronay lagain gay mujhe yaad kar k." Zoya said as the tears welled up in her eyes.

(Mustufa bhai is always posted in remote areas. Billu will remind Mama of me and then she will cry. And Baba wouldn't say a thing but start tearing up before you know it.)

"Zoya, shhhhh!!! Asa sub k sath hota hai. (It happens to everyone.)"

"Sub k sath nai hota. (Not everyone) Irtaza doesn't have to leave his mother. Mujhe nai karni shadi. Main Mama aur Baba Jani k sath rehna chahti hoon. Humesha!"

( I don't want to get married. I want to live with Mama and Baba. Forever)

"Zoeeee! shhhh! Acha na karo shadi. Rona tu band karo (Okay don't get married. Atleast stop crying)" patted Alizey, as she took Zoya in a bone crushing hug.

This is not what you are supposed to say, Alizey.

You are supposed to convince me that it's going to be all right.

What is this? "Na karo shadi." (Don't get married)

"Haan thek keh rahi ho. Zoya k sath zabaradasti nai karni chahiye...." Kainat voiced her agreement.

(Yes, you are right. We shouldn't force Zoya)

"But what about Irtaza, he doesn't deserve it...Zoya..." Fazeela said looking at Zoya with hopeful eyes and Zoya wanted to hug her.

You are my only friend.

Irtaza doesn't deserve it.

I will have to marry him.

Its okay.

It's okay.

"Tension not. Zoya ki woh cousin hai na. Kya naam tha uska? Areeba! Woh, tyar hai Irtaza say shadi karnay ko. Poch bhi rahi the Irtaaza say k apka koi bhai hai tu batain. Usko bol detay hain Zoya nay inkar kar diya hai. Tumhain Irtaaza Mubarak ho!" (That cousin of Zoya's what was her name? Areeba. She liked Irtaza, even asked him if he had a brother. She will marry him, lets inform her that Zoya had refused.)

"Naiiiiiii (NO)...." came her spontaneous reply and everyone laughed.

When the Moulana Sahab came for the Nikkah, Zoya was beyond herself. Everything happened in a blur. Only thing she remembered was she heard Molana Sahab say Irtaza's name, her hesitant eyes finding her brother's glistening one. Seeing him with tears in his eyes, she felt like sobbing. And then she said her 'Qabool hai' in a heartbeat as he gave her a nod.

Her father kissed her head as he subtly tried to wipe his tears. Her mother kissed her forehead and hugged her. After her family left, it was just her and her friends- who shouted "LAST ONE DOWN" as they went for a group hug!!

The hurrah- the moment, it was precious.

"Have Aunty told you about the bird and the bees? Or do you want us to give you that prep talk?" Kainat asked as she raised her right eyebrow.

"Haan! We all are experienced woman. We can help you in this department." Alizey chimed.

"Bakwas nai karo! (Stop this nonsense)" Zoya replied as she turned scarlet.

This was embarrassing. She was glad that her mother didn't give her the bird and bees talk. It would have been awkward as hell. THANK you, Mrs. Shamim, for explaining all the biology and all the romance novels that she had read.

"Dulhan kyun sharmayeeee..."(Why is the bride blushing) Fazeela began and the room was echoing with the carless laughter and their karaoke.

After 10 minutes, Zoya was called outside. Her brother Mustafa held her hand and lead her to the stage that was set in the lawn while, her friends held the corners of the dupatta. She couldn't see a thing since her face was covered with the red dupatta. The dupatta was so heavily embroidered that she knew she was going to have a neck strain.

Staring down at the floor, she took slow steps as she moved forward guided by her brother. All this time, she repeated her "Don't trip mantra." First the lehnga, then the heels Alizey had forced on her, lastly the Dupaattta increased the chances of her falling and embarrassing herself.

Zoya, if you fall you are going to be viral. Dhulan falling as she made her way to her dulha.

Nai nai nai. I am not falling.

No!

Thankfully, she made it to the stage in one piece. Zoya patiently waited for someone to remove the veil.

Its suffocating! Amiii! Jaldi hatain na yeh ghogat. (Ammi please remove the veil quickly)

Zoya, but this is your favorite rasam!

It is. It was. The idea was. But now that I have to stay in ghogaht, I don't like it.

"Aunty, rasam kar lain ab? (Can we do the rasam)" said Minaal and Zoya would have kissed her if she wasn't super conscious right now.

They both were seated on the floor facing each other.

"Irtaza Arabi parh letay ho na? (Irtaza, do you know Arabic?)" Alizey joked as they placed Quran and the mirror between them. After reciting the Surah from the Quran Irtaza was asked to write Surah Ikhlas on her forehead with his shadhat(index) finger. He still couldn't see her face.

Zoya felt his cold finger collide with her forehead. The simple touch of his rattled her insides. The fact that it was the first time he was touching her as her mahram was enough to meet her. Slowly the dupatta covering her head was pulled up.

Her eyes meet his, through the mirror and she saw his lips move as he whispered "MashAllah". His hoarse voice and the darkness of his eyes made her woozy. She steeled them away refusing to look at his eyes. Her cheeks were burning.

A second later she looked back to find his eyes still on her but once again his eyes caught hers. But this time, she didn't look away, she stared back shamelessly, after all he was her husband. And he gave her a loopy grin.

Sharma raheen hain nazrain, tere chehray say jo guzrain...

Phir kesay kehdoon dil ki yeh dastan

Ishq hothoon say hota nai bayaan

isliye pyar main Ankhein bani zuban.... (NOTLike everyone had expected her, Zoya was a one shy bride. Her face was flaming red, when he held her hand in his as he pulled her closer to himself, not liking the space she had left between them on the sofa.

"Haath tu chor dain please.... (Leave my hand) Bhai dekh rahay hain (Bhai is looking) ..." She said in a hushed whisper.

"Tu (So.)" He asked cocking a brow.

"So, I am getting embarrassed." She replied mimicking.

"I missed the part where that is my problem." He replied as he smiled at the camera and everyone.

"You know he is my favorite Spiderman. Tobey!!! Bully Maguire!!! MY heart..." She replied in a whisper.

"So, you have always had a thing for the bullies and the badies?" He asked.

"Always!" She replied as she decided to lean her head on his shoulder. She had been wanting to do this forever. And finally, finally she was able to. Alhumdulialah.

"So, it has nothing to do with my height or my handsomeness?" He asked.

"Umm...No... Definitely not with the height. Maybe with the jawline..."

"Look at them, and she was hating on me for booking a flight. The moment I met her on the airport, she pinched me real hard for making her come by air." Alizey announced with pride.

"Yes, if it weren't I and Alizey, these two would still be miserable and sad." chimed Hashim.

"Stop taking all the credits. If Azeem wouldn't have been a sucker dancer, Zoya and Irtaza never would have been paired. And we all know when they fell for each other." Kainat claimed as she gave her signature, I-am-too-modest smile while Azeem Bhai gave an embarrassed smile.

"App log side pay hoon. (You all get aside) It's all because of Moiez and me. Hum dono ki shadi pay inki dosti hue the. (They become friends on our wedding)" Minnal claimed and everyone rolled their eyes kyunke larai bhi Minnal ki he shadi pay hoe the. (Because they broke up on their wedding)

She smiled as she shook her head at all of them. Smiling she let Irtaza do the talking. After all he was a lawyer, it was his job to argue. But in her heart, she knew that it was Allah who had matched her with Irtaza. Everything led her to him!

When the wedding portraits were taken her Nani was helped on staged by Irtaza. She had been busy talking with her friends when he had disentangled himself and gotten down to help Nani. And in that moment, she knew, her naseeb couldn't get any better. He was perfect. And he was hers!

"Nani Ami!" Zoya had cooed.

"Zoya!" She kissed her forehead as she sat beside her.

"What did I tell you, huh? " She asked as she eyed Irtaza and then her and Zoya blushed realizing what her Nani was talking about. She was referring to the day Zoya had outpoured her emotions. The day Nani had told her that Zoya was going to get so blessed that she would find it super unbelievable. That she'd feel like pinching herself because everything would seem surreal.

"App nay thek kaha tha Nani, Allah bohat Meharban hai (You were right, Allah is indeed benevolent)" Zoya replied as her gaze travelled to Irtaza who was now talking to her brother, Mustafa. He turned to look at her keeping the conversation with her brother. With quizzical eyes he gestured asking if everything was all right. And she had smiled nodding in approval.

Nani kissed her forehead as she left the stage, which was soon occupied by the Alizey who held the glass that was decorated with mirrors, Fazeela and Kainat. Alizey had to do the "doodh pilai" rasam since Zoya didn't had any sister.

"Chalain Dhula bhai, wapis ajain apni jagah pay. (Come on Mr. Groom take your place.)" Alizey said holding that glass of milk, waiting for Irtaza to take his place beside Zoya.

"Alizey I am already the part of your family. Tum barati ho. Bhool rahi ho. Hashim sumbhalo Alizey ko. Aur Meenu, sharam karo bhai ki dodh pila karo ge!"

(Alizey you are from the groom's side, or have you forgotten? Hashim, control your wife. And Meena have some shame. I am your brother, you can't do this rasam.)

"Bhabhi behan hoti hai. Karoon ge!" Minnal replied giving him the not sorry smile.

(Sister in law is like sister... So, I will do it.)

"Don't be a cheapskate. Cash!!! We want cash. " Alizey mocked as she forwarded the glass which Irtaza took despite all the protests from his boy gang.

" Yeh lo 100 rupay! Apas main bant lena" replied Moiez.

(Take this 100 and distribute it among yourself)

"Yeh Aloo piyaz ki rari nai lagae hum nay jo 100 rupay day raho ho. Apnay pass he rakho!" Minaal countered. It was such a frenzy.

( This is not a fruit and vegetable stall. Keep your 100 rupees to yourself.)

"Irtaza bhaiii, yaar kuch dollar nikalain naaaaaa!!!(Irtaza bhai, show us some dollars)" said one of her cousins.

Dollar nikalain? Nikal he na lay yeh dollar kahain! (Show the dollars? As if he is ever going to do that) Zoya thought as she bit the inside of her cheeks to stop herself from smiling.

"Irataza, raaz ki baat hai. apki begum sahiba nay tu inkaar he kar diya tha, nikkah say. Woh tu hum nay bari mushkil say convince kiya hai issay" Fazeela chimed in.

( Irtaza let me tell you a secret. Your wife had refused initially. We had to convince her for the nikkah)

"Yaar haar shadi pay Zoe k secrets leak horay hote hain...." Hashim claimed and everyone laughed. It was true.

(On every wedding people are leaking Zoya's secrets.)

"App nay manayya? (You convinced her?)"

"Jeee! (yes)"

"Phir tu inam banta hai apka? (It makes you liable for a reward)" he said looking at his mother who smiled before talking the envelope out of her purse and handing it over to him.

"Yeh lain! (Here)" He replied holding it out for Alizey who took it gladly.