Dua-e-Khair - Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Mehru and Salar's Baat Paki:
"Mehru beta tiyaar ho gaye ho?.... Neechay sab agaye hain" Shahista raised her voice as she entered Mehru's room.
Mehru who was adjusting her dupatta looked at her mother. She wore a sky blue suit which had silver embroidery on it along with her mother's diamond earings that looked absolutely gorgeous on her. With her hair all straightened up she seemed stunning.
(Mehru in her stunning icy blue outfit)
Shahista stared at her daughter with watery eyes. She came closer towards her daughter and held her arms.
"MashaAllah.... You look so beautiful.... Mujhay kabhi kabhi yaad he nahi rehta keh meri Mehru itni bari ho gaye hai keh ab woh apny ghar chali jaye gi" Shahista tried her best to control her tears.
"Maa aap please royein mat warna mujhy bhi rona ajaye ga" Mehru hugged her mother and both of them made their way downstairs.
Mehru's heart was in her throat the whole time while she took every step towards the lounge. She wasn't ready for it, for the interaction, for the talk, and basically pretty much for HIM.
As she was about to made her entry in the room, all rose from their seats. Giving her such protocol, embracing her, complimenting her on how beautiful she looked, Mehru was overwhelmed.
Finally she was face to face with Salar, who looked breath-taking in a navy blue kurta paired with a black waist coat. How could this man nail every single outfit that he wears? Mehru flushed as he smiled at her softly.
(Salar in his cruel boy era)
Mehru sat beside him. Shahista helped Mehru in covering her head with the dupatta. Everyone in the room raised their hands in order to perform for the new couple. After the completion of the prayer, all hugged one and another, Meethai (sweets) were distributed and at last the couples exchanged engagement rings.
A few minutes later, Aliya suggested that Mehru and Salar should talk privately in order to become more familiar with one and other, till then all the elders would fix their wedding dates and other matters.
"Ab kia mujhy aapko 'Mehru' kehny ki ijazat hai yah nahi?" Salar broke the silence between them as they strolled in the front lawn.
"Marzi hai aapki.... I..won't...mind" Mehru hesitated while speaking because she remembered how she insulted him when he called her 'Mehru' the last time. Embarrassment crept into her. That's what she was afraid of, being awkward and embarrassed around him.
"Shukar hai.... Warna mujhy toh laga tha dobara mujhy dant paray gi" he grinned.
Silence. Silence. Complete silence as they walked for another few minutes looking here and there until they sat on the bench.
"Tum ab bhi chup raho gi?" Salar asked her politely.
"Toh kia boloun mein?" Mehru replied shyly. She knew he was staring at her like crazy but never once did she look at him.
"Kuch bhi.... I am sure you must be having some questions for me" Salar said.
"Umm..." Mehru knew what she wanted to ask him but was second guessing herself.
"Aaj he jawaab chahyay mujhy" Salar questioned her again because she was still thinking hard.
Mehru faced him saying "Aap mujh sy shadi kiyoun karna chahtay hain?" She asked in a serious tone.
"Kia matlab kiyoun karna chahta hun?.... Tum achi lagti ho mujhy.... Koi aur waja chahyay hoti hai insan ko kisi sy shadi karny keh liyay?" Salar spoke each and every word as he looked in her eyes.
"Mein ny aap sy kabhi tameez sy baat nahi ki then why did you send a proposal for me?.... Aap mujh sy badla toh nahi ly rahay?" Mehru finally said what she had in her mind all along.
"Tumhein wakai lagta hai mein tum sy badla ly raha houn?" Salar leaned a bit more towards her and was pretty shocked at what he heard.
Mehru sat still looking at his face as he laughed so hard. It was the most prettiest sight she had ever seen. She had never seen Salar Yousafzai laugh this hard. It surely was a treat to her eyes.
"Iss mein itna hassny wali kia baat hai?" She finally asked.
"Mujhy yakeen nahi araha keh you were thinking about this the whole time" Salar chuckled.
"Agar mein kahoun keh haan tum sy badla lenay keh liyay shadi kar raha houn.... Phir kia karo gi tum?" Salar said as he raised his eyebrows.
"Phir mein nikkah keh wakt inkaar kar doungi.... aap phir shoq sy kisi aur sy shadi kar lejiyay ga" Mehru spoke reluctantly.
Salar, closing the distance even more, grabbed her hand and said "Ohhh.... I see.... Acha nahi karo gi tum mere saath..... Kiyoun keh shadi toh tum sy he karna chahta hun mein.... Muhabat jo karta hun tumsy" Salar smiled softly as he kept the eye contact while his fingers were still entangled with hers.
(Salar definitely not coming slow)
Mehru lost herself in his eyes. His touch was filled with warmth. The way he spoke showed sincerity and truth only. Any girl would have been lucky if she marries him, she thought to herself.
"Laikin khair tum kahan samjho gi.... Tumhein muhabat jo nahi hoi mujh sy abhi" Salar sighed, breaking the eye contact, he looked at the sky above, he left her hand in her lap.
Mehru looked like a tomato, she was hot and red. She didn't expect him to be this upfront. But he was Salar Yousafzai, you should expect anything from him.
"Agar aap donoun ka hogia ho toh andar ajayein, Nikkah ki date fix ho gaye hai" Affan barged in.
Mehru thanked for this intrusion as she couldn't bear Salar's flirting now. She didn't talk to Affan for three days after the day of the proposal because he kept such a big thing from her, but eventually she forgave him, he was her bestest friend after all, how could she not? Plus that secret turned out to be a life changing one for her.
"Bohat he ghalat timing hai iss insan ki" Salar mumbled but Mehru heard it. She giggled and seeing her, he did too.
Three of them went inside. The Nikkah was decided to be held exactly after one month on the same day i.e. Friday. Aliya didn't want to delay things any further neither did she demand any sort of dowry from the bride's family. Just a minimalistic and an intimate kind of Nikkah was all they agreed upon which would later lead to a grand Walima (Reception).
Mehru and Salar met a few times before their Nikkah, he used to come to her house and they would talk in the lawn or on the roof. Both of them didn't find it appropriate to meet outside the house as they wanted to keep things private at all levels. Salar would call her when he wanted to hear her voice. They kept it halal and simple because they knew that they are to be tied together for the rest of their lives, so all they did was wait.
Mehru and Salar's Nikkah:
"Qabool hai.... Qabool hai.... Qabool hai" Mehru shivered as she spoke these words. She signed the papers knowing that nothing could be undone now, she is stuck with him forever. He is her everything now. Tears rolled down her cheeks, tightening her grip around her Mama and Baba's hand she tried to calm herself down.
(The most precious moment in a girl's life, this is when the real womanhood starts)
Everyone embraced and cried including little Mustafa who knew that no one will now chase him in this entire house like the way Mehru did. She kissed him, hugged him and assured him that no one could ever replace him and he will always be his dearest Moofa.
After the crying session, it was finally time for the bride and groom to see each other. Once in a lifetime moment, it had to be perfect.
Mehru entered the room with a huge smile on her face. As soon as Salar turned around to face her, he couldn't believe his own eyes, the woman standing there, the most gorgeous woman in the room right now, was his. His only. He instantly marched towards her steadily. He looked deeply into her eyes and held her hands saying,
"Shadi Mubarak Mrs.Salar Yousafzai"
She let out a laugh this time. He hugged her and kissed her forehead. The moment froze for them as if they achieved everything they ever wanted. Salar pulled himself away from her. He wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. He was crying. Yes, Salar Yousafzai cried for the love of his life. Mehru kept gazing at him. She melted as she leaned into him, putting her head on his shoulder, she felt as if no one loved him more than that man standing there right beside her. Her husband.
That evening was surely the most memorable one in everyone's life. For once, nothing turned out to be chaotic in Mehru's life. Every single thing was perfect as if it was meant to be. The bride and groom along with their families had a wholesome photoshoot and a splendid dinner afterwards. Mehru never expected that fate would take her on a roller coaster ride with this man, from hating him to liking him, getting fond of him and eventually being his wife, it was still a dream to her. Salar placed his hand on her knee and with a smile she held it with her's. She wasn't letting it go, not now not ever.