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35

The sun was beaming through the windows, and my black Abaya glistened in the light. I gently wrapped the Maroon hijab over my head and went downstairs. My last Jummah before getting engaged. It was surreal; I never would've imagined me getting engaged. I always knew Marriage was essential but couldn't see myself in one. Mama always teased me about how all girls say they won't ever get married, but in the end, they do. I never liked hearing that I was content with being unmarried. But completing half of my deen has never sounded more promising. Zayn was a good guy. He would make an excellent husband and maybe even a good father. Inshallah

Voices could be heard from downstairs, Baba telling all of us to hurry up or we'll be late. After all, going early to Jummah was sunnah*. Trying not to trip over my Abaya, I ran downstairs, excited for what was yet to come.

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I sat on the cold marble floor, fiddling with the hem of my Abaya, as I listened to the Khutbah. Coincidentally, today's topic was marriage.

"Make sure you listen. This is important," Mama whispered with a wink when she heard the word "Marriage."

"Having a pious spouse is very rare to see among the youth these days. In a world full of premarital relationships and Zina, finding someone pious is hard. For the good men, Women impure are for men impure, and men impure for women impure, and women of purity are for men of purity, and men of purity are for women**...

All things around me were a blur. The feeling of tranquility while listening to the Khutbah and the calmness while praying. It felt amazing. All the butterflies in my stomach every bit of nervousness gone. 

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"Gajar ki hawla check, Rasmalai check. Mama, we forgot to make Suji Halwa!" I yelled, quickly grabbing the ingredients for the Halwa. Baking was my therapy. I was so anxious for the upcoming evening that I completely went crazy, making desserts. As I was mixing the Ghee, Bhabi and Maryam came to give me company. Bhabi insisted on helping me cook, but no one else is allowed in when I'm in the kitchen.

"Wow, Saima, already fattening up your fiance," Bhabi said teasingly as she played with Maryam.

"Not my fiance," I muttered, waiting for the water to heat up.

I heard a little "Not yet" from Bhabi but was too busy waiting for the water to boil to make a sarcastic remark.

"Look at your fupi. She's going all crazy for your Fufa," Bhabi whispered to Maryam, who let out a little cry. I let the Halwa sit and went over to little Maryam. She was absolutely adorable. With her rosy skin and button nose, I just wanted to eat her up.

"How are you feeling, Saima?" Bhabi asked, a slight tease in her voice.

That was a good question, "Nervous," I said, playing with Maryam's coarse black hair. I tried not to think about everything that would go disastrous, but it was tough not to.

"All will go well, Inshallah," Bhabi mumbled.

I hummed in response and continued on my Halwa.

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"Okay, game plan, when they arrive, Saima stays in the kitchen until we call you in so you have a grand entrance. Then, Zara, you bring the tea and cookies, and we do some chit chat. After that, Aunty Asma will probably give you the ring, and we'll all take pictures and talk then we eat!" Bhai said, making us all huddle like we're in a football game.

"Okay, enough of this, let's get you ready," Mama said, tugging me upstairs.

I walked in to find a sleeping Maryam, Beside her lay a beautiful lilac Salwar Kameez with the cutest Palazzo pants. The lace detailing was absolutely mesmerizing. Beside that was a Silver hijab and a pair of flats.

"I have to wear shoes? Inside my own home?!" I said as quietly as possible, trying not to wake up Maryam.

"You don't want him to run away once he sees your toes," Zara whispered sarcastically, from behind me.

I rolled my eyes at that comment, my toes were not that gross. I started to get ready, a new chapter of my life was slowly beginning and all I could feel was nervousness. 

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 Murmurs of Mashallah and "Wow Saima, you look beautiful" were heard as I walked down the stairs, lifting the long dress, trying not to trip. Mama came up to me and gave me a long hug. I could tell she was on the verge of tears. If she's like this today, it's going to be very tough on my actual wedding day. I pulled away, trying to console her. She gently wiped the side of my lightly glittered eyelids. "You're all grown up," She whispered. At this rate, I would start crying. The ring of the doorbell made us all jump. Bhai started ushering me to go to the kitchen, so I slowly did with Zara behind me. I was patiently waiting in the kitchen, munching on some chips, waiting to be called. Once I was called, I quickly wiped the crumbs off of my dress and ignored Bhabi scolding me for being so immature, I went to the living room where everyone was seated.

 "Assalamualaikum" I greeted everyone, my eyes on everyone but my soon to be husband. I never thought I'd be this shy and awkward. But turns out getting married brings out a side of you that you've never imagined.

I heard Rukaiya gasp, making me slightly giggle. "My! You look so beautiful!" Aunty Asma said, hugging me. I sat down, and everyone began to converse. Slowly my eyes ended up on Zayn. A smirk on his face as he met my eyes. My cheeks started to heat up, so I quickly looked away.

"Saima Beta, this is for you, Zayn's pick," Asma Aunty said with a wink as she sat beside me, opening a ring box. I let out a little gasp. It was stunning. Princess Diamond cut ring, with rose gold entwined with silver and at the top sat a beautiful diamond. It was very simple and not too extravagant, which I liked. She gently placed it on my middle finger.

"Jazakallah," I mumbled, not knowing what else to say. It was so beautiful.

"Saima, Zayn, do you both have any preferences for when the wedding should be?" Uncle asked, looking at both of us. We both shook our heads,

"I think they'd like it as soon as possible right guys?" Bhai said with a smirk wiggling his eyebrows. I closed my eyes, trying not to start laughing.

"I wouldn't mind that," Zayn said with a smirk, making my already reddened cheeks even redder. Everyone laughed as I was trying not to die.

"Okay, what about the Nikah the Friday after Eid?" Baba suggested. Ramadan was in a couple of days, so that would make the wedding in a little over a month.

"That's good," Aunty Asma said, "A simple Nikah and then after we can plan out the Walima."

We then discussed the specifics of the Nikah. To be honest, I didn't pay attention that much unless I was asked something because the sparkly ring on my finger kept me entertained. It was so beautiful whenever the light hit it. It shined so brightly. It had me mesmerized.

"Saima? Helloo Saima?" Mama asked

"Ji," I replied in a daze.

"Are you okay with that?" She asked, holding back a laugh,

"Sure," I said, not quite knowing what she was talking about.

"Okay, it's settled," Baba clapped, "The Nikah the Friday after Eid and the Walima a couple of days later" Everyone started to cheer and congratulate when I was shocked. What happened to the Walima being months later?

I looked up at Zayn, sending him a glare. He was trying to stifle laughter. As everyone was leaving, he whispered, "Should've paid attention."

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"What color scheme should the Walima be" Bhabi discussed with Zara, Rukaiya and Fatima. We were all seated in the living room while the adults chatted in the other room.

"I think Green and Yellow," Bhai pitched, earning "Ew's" and gags across the room. He rolled his eyes and looked at his daughter. "Maryam likes Daddy's idea, right?" He cooed,

"No, she doesn't. She has a nice taste like her mother," Bhabi said, taking her daughter, who wide-eyed stared at her parents foolishness.

"Appi, what about Pink and Gold?" Fatima suggested, showing me a picture on her phone of a pink and gold wedding. "It's up to you guys, but that is pretty," I simply said. I didn't care much for the actual wedding planning. I knew the girls in my family would figure it out, and I knew I'd love whatever the decided to do.

"So, you're not gonna be a bridezilla?" Zayn teased amused, as he looked up from his phone.

"Definitely not a Bridezilla," I said, rolling my eyes, "The simpler, the better."

He nodded, "I like that idea."

"Of course you do. That's why you two are getting married," Bhai stated like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Ignoring his comment and the "Aws" that came with it, we continued eating Mishti and discussed the details of the wedding.

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"Do you like the ring?" Zayn asked as he was heading out, 

"Yes I love it Jazakallah" I said still fiddling with it,

 He grinned, "Wa iyyak, well I'm glad, Anum Appi said you liked simplicity so I thought you'd like it" He said, gazing at the ring that sat on my finger.

"Well you have amazing taste" I said truthfully, staring at the ring. I couldn't take my eyes off of it.

"I'm glad, so you wouldn't mind if we had a green and yellow wedding?" He teased

Rolling my eyes, "If that were the case call the wedding off" I joked, "Assalamualaikum" I said waving him off. 

"Waalikumsalam" 

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*Bukhari 929
** surah nur, verse 26