*Unedited *

I smiled looking at my friend, Maryam. She was very beautiful in her red colour wedding lehenga. She was standing next to her soulmate, Javid. It was evident that they love each other a lot. She blushed as Javid kept on teasing her.

A hand slipped in my waist. I jerked at a sudden touch but the touch was familiar and it was none other than my husband. "We were standing there a few days back," he said. I nodded. "But you are the same beautiful" he whispered in my ear. I smiled shifting my gaze to the bridegroom with the red cheeks. Why does he have so much effect on me?

We came back from our honeymoon, yesterday. All the time Rehan was cursing Javid for spoiling it. It was very hectic yesterday. Maryam was nagging the whole time. Can you believe it? She delayed her Mehendi ceremony because she wanted to go on shopping with us while she is still single. Trust me it was the worst shopping I ever had, cause she ate my brain saying 'I'm nervous. I'm nervous' all the time. Thankfully Safa managed to shut her up.

It was a small wedding with few family members but the house was packed with many. Javid has a big family and Maryam's no less. Since Maryam is related to me from my ammi's side, a few of my aunts and uncles were here.

"Aimen" Aisha called. Rehan released his grasp. I went to the place where Aisha was seated with her baby. "Can you hold him? I want to congratulate the couple" she said holding out Hammad.

I took him carefully in my hands and rocked him a little. Thanks to Allah, Hammad didn't cry. Aisha was scared that he won't adapt to the new surrounding and also the crowd like usually how the babies do but seem like Hammad is a good boy. He didn't cry and mingled with everyone.

"He is so much like Aisha," Safa said kissing his hand. I nodded agreeing with her.

"You are next!" I said nudging Safa.

"Yeah!" She said in a low voice.

My eyes widened. "Do you have anyone?" I squealed.

She hushed me. "Do you really have anyone?" This time I said in low voice. She blushed. "Who is that lucky person?"

"Shh...Aimen! It's nothing like that. Today Razia aunty asked my hand for his son Yusuf" she said smiling continuously.

"Yusuf? As in your cousin Yusuf? I mean the one whom you like?" She hit my arm and silenced me. "Aww...Safa, that's awesome. What did you say?" She had a big-time crush on her cousin Yusuf and they would be so cute together inshaallah.

"I came to know this only today, so hold on," she said.

"Of course you would say yes".

"Shut up!" She smacked my hand.

*******

Once we got home, Rehan collapsed in the bed " I'm so tired"

"Can you do the effort of saying what made you tired?" I asked unpinning my hijab.

"Nothing but this whole day was so tiresome," he said yawning "I just need some sleep"

"Come on change first," I said.

"Nooo...I want to sleep" he placed a pillow in his face. He is so childish and so handsome.

"If you want to sleep in your tuxedo then fine" I gave him a shrug.

"Fine" with a huff he grabbed the clothes and disappeared into the bathroom.

I tried to remove the necklace but my hair got stuck in it. "Let me" came Rehan's voice.

His fingers touched my neck. The weird tingles arose in my stomach. "Here," he handed me the necklace. I felt his soft lips press against my neck sending the shiver down me.

He turned me to face him and my eyes landed on his perfect body. He was shirtless. He was damn sexy. I looked everywhere but him. He grabbed my chin and made me look at him. "I love you," he said.

I looked at his eyes, the most beautiful pair of eyes for few minutes and I don't know what made me do this, but I did. I tiptoed and kissed him on his cheek. He stared at me with his mouth slightly hung down with a red tilt in his face, then he engulfed me in a hug. "I love you" he whispered again not before kissing my head.

I rest my head in his bare chest listening to his soothing heartbeat. He smelled so awesome. We stood there in silence until he spoke "Is Paris okay for you?"

"What for?" I asked still in his arms.

"For our second honeymoon, love" he spread his fingers through my hairs. Love? Is that a new name for me?

"If it's okay for you then I'm fine"

"Good. We will be going on twenty one"

"Twenty-one?"

"Yeah! Twenty-one of this month. Two weeks from now" I broke the hug. Why does this twenty-one sound familiar? Is there something on that day?

"I think there's something on that day" I spoke my thought.

He pulled me against him "Doesn't matter" he said caressing my cheek.

"Wear some shirt" I whispered but he heard me. A big smirk appeared on his face."Why? Don't you like it? My perfect abs?" I gave him a sly smile.

I released myself from his hold and took the phone. I checked the calendar for any reminder and frowned. How can I forget it? "Twenty-one, my exams!" I said holding out my phone.

"Augh! Can't you avoid it?"

Why is everyone behind my studies? "Rehan, I want to complete my studies?" I was afraid that he would stop.

"Of course you can, love," he said cupping my face in his hand. "When does it ends?"

"Umm... the first week of next month"

"Then next month it is. Good night, love" he kissed my cheek. Again, love. I think I should get used to it. With that, he laid in the bed. I watched him for few minutes and went to the bathroom.

The girl I wished for, the girl I was attracted to, the girl I loved, was standing next to me. With her hands in mine. The girl who loves me. Yes, she admitted she loves me just after the nikah. It gives a great feeling even if I think of it.

I was afraid that Maryam's family will not accept this change of dates all of a sudden and also this small wedding. Since Maryam was their only daughter they had their dreams for her wedding. But they agreed with everything, thankfully.

There stood my friends. I don't know why they ditched me but I liked how they have given me space with my wife. Of course, I would never leave any of my friends at their wedding. I would tease them until I got on their nerves. My friends are different or should I say more civilized. Rayan and Aadil were busy talking with other friends of mine as for Rehan, he was busy with his wife. Speaking of Rehan, he gave me a hard time yesterday with all his blabbering "You spoiled my honeymoon" and all that. I didn't beg him to come. Yeah, I would have killed him or beat the crap out of him and to be sure would have destroyed his eardrums by complaining of not coming to my wedding all through his life.

"Javid!" Came the voice of my favourite Uncle Jabar. He finally managed to fly back to the country.

"Assalamualaikum! It's good to see you" I said giving him a manly hug.

"How can I miss your wedding? Ah! You got a pretty wife" he smiled at Maryam.

"Don't lay eyes on my mine. Go, deal with your own wife" I said pulling Maryam towards me.

He laughed "I won't leave Humera even for your pretty doll," he said with a wink. "I'll see you later" and he left.

After the continuous thanking to everyone who congratulated us and also after a long drive, our car came to halt before the hotel. We bid bye to baji.

We were on the elevator with few others. Maryam was super quiet all the time. It's the first time I saw her like that. I mean she would always think of a way to answer my annoying questions.

"You are finally mine, Shortie" I whispered in her ears. She slightly blushed and gave a small smack on my arm.

"Oww....this is what a man gets after getting married" I whispered/yelled avoiding the glares of the people.

"Don't call me by that name!" She gritted. Aha! Finally, my Maryam is back.

The elevator's door opened, I scooped her in arms. She screamed at my sudden action "Put me down. Everyone's watching. Put me down" she hit my chest. I ignored her as well as the stares of the people.

"I'm carrying my wife, dear. No offense in it" she hit few times and finally gave in. I adjusted her to open the door. Once in the room, I let her down.

"You hit so much, shortie"

"Didn't I tell you not to call me by that name?" She crossed her arms over her chest. Aww...she looks more beautiful when she is angry.

"Is cutie-pie, sugarplum, cupcake okay for you?"

"They are so gross!" She said rolling her eyes.

I took her from the ground by her knees "I love you. I love you. I love you. And I'm so happy, you are finally with me"

"Put me down, you idiot" she slapped my shoulder and laughed.

"Say you love me"

"Put me down" she demanded.

I hugged her and confessed it again. She hugged me back and whispered "I love you, Javid" but it was loud enough for me to hear.

I smiled at how she can be too shy and too open sometimes. "Let's pray" I took her hand and kissed it. The one thing I know for sure, life was never better.