*Unedited*

I woke up with the loud sound of an alarm and found Aimen next to me. Her soft breath filled my ears. Do you know what's the best feeling? Waking up in the morning and finding your loved ones next to you. It is the best feeling anyone could have.

I smiled at her. She looked innocent. But trust me, she is not innocent. She is a wildcat. Do you know what she did when I proposed to her?

"Will you marry me?" I asked.

She looked at me confused as if I said it was snowing here in Bangalore!

"Aimen?" I searched to meet her gaze.

"Huh?" She was busy platting Gulab Jamuns brought by dadi. She looked zoned out.

It was like she didn't hear me. How could she not hear such an important thing? Still, I asked it again. "Will you marry me?"

"Are you crazy?" She yelled.

"Shoot!" She bombards me with questions.

"Are you crazy? I was weak yesterday. I was in trouble. I needed help. You helped me....."

"Whoa..hold on!" I was afraid of her. Yes, I was. Because she had a knife in her hand. I don't know when she took a knife.

"Why should I hold on?" She brought the knife closer to my face. I took a step back.

"I was admitted to hospital yesterday. I told you, my sad story. You helped me out of my grief. You may be my lifesaver, but " She pointed the knife frequently and yelled the last part not so loud to reach the living room.

"The knife" I whispered. She instantly kept it apart saying sorry.

A tear slipped from her eyes "I can't marry you"

I don't know why she was not willing to marry me then, but now seeing her by my side brought me great happiness.

I too was not willing to marry at that time. You will question me then why I proposed to her. So here's the answer.

Mom and dadi were persuading me to get married with all their emotional dialogues. Women and their tricks. But I was not willing. What? I was still in my college and why should I get settled at such a young age? At least I'm not in college now and handling dad's business like a big man.

Dadi was sick and it was a great push. The only girl I had on my mind was Aimen. The one who couldn't dare to leave. I wanted to ask her by myself because if I left those matters in my family's hands then they would shower me with questions. But she rejected it instantly. That made me firm on delaying the marriage. Never mind, the past is past and I have her now.

I was bought back to reality by the sound of Fajr azaan. I went to the bathroom finished all the routine stuff and did wudhu.

"Aimen wake up!" I tried to wake her up. But she didn't budge.

"Aimen time for Fajr Salah. Get up!"

"Get out Sarim. Let me sleep" She said and turned to the other side.

What? Sarim? Does she think I'm her brother? "Aimen get up. I'm Rehan, not Sarim".

She finally opened her eyes. She looked around and then at me. "Time for fajr salah," I said softly.

"Hmm" She got up rubbing her eyes. She looks so cute.

"I'm going to the mosque. Bye," I said and went. Before that, I saw Aimen unwillingly moving toward the bathroom.

I mentally smiled. I'm a heavy sleeper and will not wake up even if there's an explosion, seems like my wife has the same habit.

******

I returned and found Aimen reading Quran. From my knowledge, I could say she was reading Surah Yaseen. Her melodious voice filled my ears.

I stood at the entrance of the room and watched her and when she closed the Qur'an, I went to her and said "Assalamualaikum"

"Walaikumassalam!" She said.

There was an awkward silence. "Let's get some sleep, it gonna be a long day".

"How about this? No, we should pin it" Sidra was trying to pin my dupatta in different styles.

"Leave it. I will manage" I said.

"No! There's a thing called fashion" She denied and after her many experiments, I was finally ready for my reception.

I was wearing a long navy blue dress. It had stonework at the top and waist. It was a simple one but it looked royal. Thank God it is not as heavy as the lehenga. I matched it with a blue hijab and applied light makeup.

"You are looking amazing" She complimented me and I returned a smile. "You are not any less amazing, many boys are gonna fall for you" I winked.

She rolled her eyes. We heard a knock at the door "Who's it?" Sidra yelled.

"Your only brother! Open the door" came Rehan's voice.

"No!" She replied.

"What? Just open it, idiot"

"You are ready, then why do you need to get into the room? Get lost" I smiled at their argument.

"It's my room and I have my stuff in it. Wait till I lay my hands on you" He yelled back.

"Open the door Sidra. He might need something" I said between my laughs.

"Can't wait to meet your husband, huh?" I blushed "Fine I'll let him in just for you" she winked.

She opened and Rehan smacked her head. "Ahh... it's a mistake by letting you in" She groaned.

"Yes. It is. Now go" Rehan tried to smack her again but ducked and danced sticking out her tongue.

I smiled at her behavior "Bye" Saying that she left.

Rehan stood midway. He looked at me and took small steps toward me.

To my surprise, he planted a small kiss on my cheek. "You are so beautiful as always" He whispered. I stood there in shock with my red cheeks and weird tingles in my stomach.

"Let's go," he said buttoning his sleeves.

*******

"How are you doing?" Maryam and Safa gave me a big hug.

"One can't be good if she cannot breathe," I said and they instantly pulled out not because of my words, but because they were checking my outfit.

We arrived at the venue where the reception was being held. It was already filled with guests and many family members.

"How is my daughter?" came Ammi's voice.

I hugged her and she kissed my forehead "My daughter has finally become so big" She had tears in her eyes.

"Please stop being emotional" I wiped the tears for her.

"Your dress is so pretty," Aisha said. I hugged her carefully mindful of her bump.

I missed them even when I was with them yesterday. "So you missed me?" I asked ruffling Sarim's hair.

"This is why I don't miss you," he said spreading his hands through the hair. I laughed and ruffled it again which made him leave us.

"Girls take care of her. I'm going" ammi said.

"Take her to the stage. I am going to sit somewhere, augh! my legs are hurting" Aisha left us.

After having the mini-reunion with a few of my aunts, Maryam and Safa took me to the stage, where Rehan was already there along with his friends.

"How was our small gift?" Safa whispered.

I gave her a deadliest glare saying "You guys got to pay for it"

"Will see!" She replied. All this time Maryam was super silent which was so unlike her.

Once we reached the stage Rehan immediately stood up like a real gentleman.

"Assalamualaikum bhabhi" His friends greeted in unison.

I gave them a short nod replying "walaikumassalam"

"Hey, Maryam!" Javid winked at her.

Aha! This is why she was silent. Here comes our craziest couple.

"Hey!" She replied. You know what? They are getting engaged next week.

"How are you?" He asked.

"Fine," She said. I could say she is annoyed or will get in a few minutes.

"You know, it is our engagement next week?" He said which was more like a question.

As their conversation started, the other two friends of Rehan left us. Saba whispered "All the best" in my ears and went to Aisha.

"Thank God! You reminded me, it slipped my mind" Maryam replied sarcastically.

Here they go. They are like Tom & Jerry. They never leave a moment to insult each other and will irritate other people with all their ramblings.

"You will not forget anything when I'm here, shortie," Javid said controlling a laugh.

I looked at Rehan who held an annoyed look.

"Never call me that big...." Maryam started.

"Will you guys stop it?" Rehan and I said in unison. They obeyed us.

"You have such a beautiful wife, Rehan!" A man in his late fifties said shaking hands with him.

"Thank you Mr.Chopra" he replied.

"He is our business partner and also a great man," He said to me. I just nodded.

Then it continued, unknown people came to congratulate us, gave us gifts, bouquets, etc.

In all these busy things, Rehan leaned towards me and whispered "I have a surprise for you!"