Alhamdulilah!! I had officially completed half of my deen! Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) stated "When a man marries he has fulfilled half of his religion, so let him fear Allah Swt regarding the remaining half".

I could hear shuffling behind the curtain, I was soo nervous! The palms of my hands were sweating like mad. Don't even get started on my heartbeat, it was racing!! "Bismillah", I quickly said before opening the curtain.

My eyes met with the most beautiful woman I have ever laid my eyes on. Ahlam had luscious, long golden brown hair. The colour of Ahlam's hair was similar to my own. Her hair was curled from the bottom. I had to refrain from running my hands through it! Ahlam's face was angelic, her full pink lips and alluring hazel eyes. Her nose was small and symmetrical. She must be thinking what a weirdo he's just staring at my face.

I took a step closer, I really wanted to just wrap my arms around her and pull her into my embrace. But I don't want to cross any boundaries that she wouldn't like so I decided to ask, before actually doing to what I wanted to do. "Mashallah you are soooo beautiful Ahlam!! You look incredible". I looked to see a blush forming on her pale skin. "Thank you, you look very handsome too". "Can I hug you?". Before I could anticipate her answer, I felt a weight collide into my body. Arms wrapped around my torso. I looked down, my eyes met with Ahlam's hazel eyes filled with tears!! "Ahlam, why are you crying?". She could hear the concern in my voice. "Ohhh no I'm not crying because I'm sad, your letter was soo heartfelt. I have never had someone do something soo thoughtful for me". My hands lifted on their own accord, I wiped away her tears.

I felt her lean into my touch, I had to prevent myself from cooing at her adorableness. "I heard from my sources, that you like keeping memories, so I decided to write you a letter. This is only one of many! Prepare to be wooed with my letter writing skills!" I chucked. "Well I'll be waiting for those letters! Mr Haq". Ahlam teased

"Challo! lets get going, they must be waiting for us at home, I think the car should be waiting outside". Ahlam began rewrapping her hijab, I stood by the door, admiring her. She must be thinking what a creep, But I don't care! Every chance I'm going to get i'll remind her of how beautiful she is, not just her outward beauty, but her character is what is truly beautiful!

"Come on then let's go, see all of the judgy Pakistani aunties!". "Hahaha yeah soo true, they're always going to have something to say, we'll just have to deal with it for a few hours!!". Ahlam spoke in her sweet voice. "Can I hold your hand? I feel like I'm going to fall, because I literally never wear heels!". I held my hand out to her in response. When she joined the two of our hands together, I know it sounds cliche but I felt sparks when our hands connected.

The driver was outside waiting! I opened the door for Ahlam and helped her get into the car, "why thank you, kind sir!!". Ahlam joked. "It was my pleasure madam!". Before I knew it, we were at Ahlam's house where the party was being held. All of the guests were helping themselves to the food in the garden. The setup was amazing it was a white and rose gold theme. I looked to see Ahlam mingling with the guests. I went to go and socialise with some of the guests! social settings are totally not my scene. I feel so awkward. Thank god the party is not that big, I guess its better than having to sit in front of hundreds of guests at a wedding hall.

I went to see Uncle Yaqub and baba who were sitting and chatting, whilst munching on pizza and chips. I sat down with my plate of food and began eating, Ahlam's choice of food served at the party was perfect because, all of the younger guests at the party seem to be enjoying themselves. I have never seen Uncle Yaqub look soo sad and emotional, I decided to make a promise to him. "Uncle Yaqub i'm not a father as of yet, but I can imagine how you are feeling right now, as you are giving your daughter away. But one thing that I promise is, that I will treat Ahlam like a queen with every living breath in me. I promise to keep her happy and smiling!".

The hours passed before I knew it, I was so engrossed in catching up with friends I hadn't seen in ages, I didn't even realise where Ahlam had disappeared to. I decided to go and ask Afiyah if she knew where Ahlam was. "Afiyah, do you know where Ahlam is?". "The last I saw her she was running inside". I walked inside the house to see where Ahlam was. I had no clue where to even start looking for Ahlam. I saw aunty Yasmin walking down the stairs with teary eyes!. "Aunty, do you know where I could find Ahlam?". "Yeah beta, she's upstairs in her room". I fast walked up the stairs. I heard whimpering behind Ahlam's room door. I knocked before going inside.

I walked inside to see Ahlam crying. This time I didn't ask whether I could hug her I just pulled her into my chest. It hurt seeing her cry, I wiped away her tears and pecked her forehead. "Ahlam why are you crying jaan?". "To be honest i'm not even sure myself! you must be thinking you've married a crying mess. I never anticipated that i'd be this emotional, mama is going to get soo lonely. Baba works long hours almost all week". "Firstly no your not a crying mess, its understandable why you are feeling this way, and secondly this marriage is no dictatorship! come as you please to your parents house I am never going to stop you!

"Now lets wipe those tears off, that beautiful face of yours!". I went to get some tissue for her face and dabbed away her tears. "Thank you for putting up with my emotional self I really appreciate it". "Its okay sweetheart, I promise to always be here through the good the bad". I was shocked when I felt her lips kiss my cheek. I was like a giddy teenage girl!

When we walked outside into the garden again, most of the guests had cleared away. It was time for us to leave. Im soo exited to tell Ahlam about the gift I got her!! Ahlam said her goodbyes. We had arrived home! Mama and baba were leaving to Pakistan tomorrow for three weeks because mama's mum was ill. I waited for Ahlam to leave the ensuite, so I could make wudhu to pray Isha salah. I'm pretty sure Ahlam was making wudhu because the water has been running for quite some time now. Ahlam came out of the bathroom clear of makeup, she looked stunning. "Can we pray Isha together? its been one of my dreams since I was a teen, also not to mention your voice when reciting the Quran is absolutely phenomenal!".

"Thank you Ahlam! I'll happily recite for you any time you request and whatever Surah you want. Also I was going to ask you exactly the same question, I'll quickly make wudhu! put out the prayer mats. I'll be out in a few minutes!".

I quickly made wudhu and brushed my teeth, combed my hair and sprayed some perfume. This was a Sunnah of our prophet Muhammad (pbuh). It is narrated that Messenger of Allah Swt, always used to wear perfume to smell good for his wives. As this will attract your spouse always and inject affection into the marriage.

I walked out of the bathroom to see, Ahlam waiting patiently. "Come", I held out my hand to Ahlam. I began leading the salah! And just like that before I knew it, Isha salah was complete. "I know Surah Mulk, Sajdah and Muzammil by heart! Let's recite together!". We began reciting and Ahlam leaned her head on my shoulder and my heart was racing.

"Mashallah! Ahlam your recitation is perfect!, how did you manage to learn them by heart?". "Well seeing as I don't listen to music I listen to quran recitation, so I just listen time and time again and that's how, I learnt these Surahs by heart!". 😊

Ahlam I got you a wedding gift and I really hope that you like it! Come here". I patted on the bed besides me. "I decided to get you a gift that's not just beneficial for now however it will benefit you lots in the hereafter inshallah! Soo the Ummah Appeal are going to drill a water well in your name! And inshallah inshallah you will get lots of reward from it". I held my breath waiting for her reaction.

I heard squealing, the next thing I fell back on the bed when I felt Ahlam on top of me, squeezing the life out of me. I was trying soo hard to get my breathing under control. My heart was about to jump out of my chest. "Thank you sooooo much, your soo thoughtful! it's only been a few hours of being married to you and, I have never smiled soo much in my life, so thank you!!". She kissed my cheek.

"I have a gift for you as well, it's not as thoughtful compared to yours but, I found out that you like making memories and taking pictures soo I got you this!". I took the wrapped present out of Ahlam's hands. "Firstly thank you for getting me this, and secondly you didn't have to, save your money and use it for a more useful cause. Isn't it the man is supposed to spoiled the woman, not the other way round".

"Well I wanted to and it's following the actions of prophet Munammad (pbuh) it is narrated from Aishah (RA) used to accept gifts and make return for it. "Okay now open it!!". She urged. I ripped off the beautifully wrapped gift and, it revealed an baby blue instax camera. "Thank you sooo much I love it, similar to you I have never received a gift which has put soo much thought into buying the present!". I pecked her nose.

"Let's take our first ever selfie together, so I can label it with the date and time! Something to show the kids one day inshallah, inshallah". "Smile!". I took the picture and waited for it to come out. I pulled out my sharpie and wrote the date and the time at the bottom of the picture.

Ahlam suddenly looked afraid or hesitant I'm not really sure why. "Ahlam, what's wrong?". She wouldn't reply, what could be the problem I thought. I was cringing soo hard but I had to ask if I wanted to know what's wrong with her. "Ahlam is this about the wedding night BS". "Yes", she replied in a meek voice. "I'm not sure what you have been hearing, but I swear I would never ever put you in a position where you don't give consent to anything, I'm willing to wait however long, you want. We will take everything at your pace jaan". "Does that make you feel better?". "Yeah thank you, it was wrong on my part to even think something like that to be honest".

"No it's okay, marriage is all about learning about each other!". Ahlam was in her night clothes she looked cute in her over sized t - shirt , it looked like she was drowning in it because of skinny figure. We were both laying next to each other in a comfortable silence. I heard shifting, Ahlam laid her head on my chest. I'm pretty sure she could hear how fast my heart was beating because she asked. "Is someone nervous!". "Nahh my hearts just getting a bit excited because I've never had such a beautiful woman near me before". Ahlam had fallen asleep on my chest. I'm scared because I've never felt soo attached to someone soo quickly. Is this normal?

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