Dua-e-Khair - Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Kabira played as Saba descended the staircase, greeted by her family and friends during her intimate dholki plus mayoun, just a day before her nikkah with Ahil. The dreams were truly materializing as fairy lights illuminated the Lodhi house. Inside, the grills were adorned with a blend of white flowers and fairy lights. The house was enveloped in love with mithai (sweets), mehndi, rose petals, and gifts. The scene was truly magnificent. Saba, the happiest in the crowd, radiated joy reminiscent of olden days. She looked exceptionally beautiful in her light pink suit adorned with silver embroidery. Nano, Mama, Baba, and even her best friends shed tears of happiness for her. It was an unforgettable night for all.
(The intimate dholki/mayon decor)
(Saba's outfit)
[Ahil calling]
"Bolo" Saba said as soon as she picked his call.
"Assalam o Alaikum my wife to be" He responded after a second or two.
"Walaikum Assalam.... Jee farmayein.... My husband to be" she replied in a meeky voice.
"That's like a good wifey" Ahil smiled over the phone.
"Why did you call?.... All good?" She asked while lowering her voice.
"Haan everything's fine.... Bahir aao.... I'm outside your house" he said.
"Ahil tum-" before she could even say her words, Ahil cut her out:
"Before you even start yelling at me, mein bata deta hun that I've parked my car two houses away from yours.... Plus I know everyone's in the backyard so please ajana.... I'm waiting" after that he hung up.
Saba could'nt stop smiling, the way he always read her mind was incredible. She loved him even more in instances like these.
"Bohat mushkil sy aye hun uff" Saba said as she shut the passenger seat's door.
"Bolo kia howa?.... Waisay kal nikkah hai, I expected you to be patient atleast" She added. Ahil was staring at her from the moment she was walking towards the car till the very moment she sat beside him.
"Oye?.... What happened?" Saba snapped a finger infront of his eyes.
"Kuch nahi.... Tum sy milne aya hun aur kuch dene bhi" He spoke.
"Kia?" She countered.
Ahil opened the centre console of the car and pulled out a small box and handed over to her.
"See yourself" he said.
Saba opened the box and saw a beautiful pair of customise gajre (garlands) inside which surprisingly matched well with her outfit. They were a blend of white and pink flowers that were neatly tied together. As she took a whiff, she realised that they smelled exactly like her favourite perfume. Saba could'nt stop herself from melting righ there and then.
"Your favourite scent" Ahil said.
Saba with tears in her eyes looked at his face.
"You remember" She replied.
"Ofcourse I do" Ahil took the gajre from her hands and started to place them one by one on each of her wrists.
"Tum sy related har baat rati hoti hai.... Yeh toh phir tumhari favourite scent hai" His words showered so much affection.
Saba smiled shyly while moving the gajra around with her fingers.
"Thankyou.... I love these way too much" She replied.
"You're always welcome Ma'am" Ahil answered as he placed his palm on his chest in order to show respect.
"Acha ab I gotta go.... Nano ny dantna hai bohat" She said in a hurry.
Before she could even open the door properly, Ahil grabbed her hand and leaned closer to her, whispering in her ears he said:
"Jitni aap haseen lag rahi haina aaj.... Dil chah raha hai abhi bhaaga ly jaoun"
Saba turned crimson. Her cheeks gave out. She didn't know what to do next.
"Acha?.... Roka kis ny hai?" She shut the door again. She wasn't going to back down so instead she decided to challenge him.
Ahil ignited the car's engine, got hold of the steering and was about to press the accelator when Saba intruded.
"Oye nahi.... Mein mazaak kar rahi thi, Ahil stop the car" She begged.
"Laikin mein toh serious tha" He didn't turn of the engine.
"Kal aa toh rahi hun tumhare paas mein" Saba said softly as she placed her hand on his arm. Ahil instantly stopped the car and faced at her.
"Hmm.... Jahan itna intezar kiya hai wahan aik din aur sahi" He retreated.
"That's like my good husband" Teasingly, she adjusted the hair falling on his forehead with a gentle touch. Shortly after, their eyes met with an intense emotion. They couldn't stop staring in eachother's eyes. It seemed as if the world had gone static, as if it was just him and her only.
"I.... I should get going" Saba said while breaking the spell.
"Yeah you should.... Warna mujh sy wakai aik din kiya aik second bhi mazeed intezar nahi hona tha" Ahil replied abruptly without even thinking. His replied made her laugh like crazy.
"Wattpad kam parha karo Ahil" She answered as she opened the door.
"Only if you come around" He winked.
"24 hours!" She responded with the same wink and closed the door after her.
Ahil went away as soon as Saba went inside her house. She was still reliving the past few minutes all over again just when Nano intervened.
"Kidher thein?" She asked furiously.
"Idh-Idher he thi.... Kidher jana tha mein ny" Saba responded nervously.
"Acha ajao sab dhoond rahay hain tumhein andar" Nano replied, gesturing her to come inside. Saba started to walk when Nano said:
"Yeh gajre kidher sy aye?....Yeh hum ny toh nahi banwaye thy"
"Woh parcel mein aye thy kuch dair pehle.... Shayad tabhi you don't know about these" Saba lied. She knew Nano would be angry if she found out that they both met few minutes ago because she had banned all sorts of their meetings before their Nikkah.
"Khoob samjhti hun isskeh parcel mein" Nano said to herself when Saba ran inside after avoiding the topic.
(Her first and most favourite pair of gajras)
"Qabool Hai"
"Qabool Hai"
"Qabool Hai"
Saba spoke the words slowly. Each time, these words penetrated deep inside her heart, making her shiver down the spine. This was the beginning of a new chapter in her life, a chapter that meant everything to her, a decision about which she was a hundred and ten percent sure. The most awaited day had finally come, with her loved ones around, she took the pen in her hands and signed away the Nikkah Nama (marriage documents). Nano, Amma, Baba, and few of her best friends couldn't stop themselves from crying. Every single one present in the room was genuinely happy as they made '' for the couple and prayed for their everlasting journey together.
After the nikkah, Saba joined Ahil in the front garden of the venue where all the guests were present. As she walked towards the love of her life, her 'naseeb', she couldn't stop thanking Allah for such huge blessing. The glow of happiness was real because Saba looked absolutely breathtaking in her white gharara with gold embroidery. Her minimalistic look won not only the hearts of the audience but also left her husband awestruck. With all his due right, Ahil first shook hands with his wife, kissed her on the corner of her forhead and then pulled her in for a tight hug. Everyone was so emotional in the moment which turned out to be picture perfect.