CHAPTER 6 'NIKAH'

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CHAPTER 6 *Unedited

'Nikah' 

 

I stared at myself in the full-length mirror. The reflection I saw was nothing like me, my eyes were empty and lacked any warmth, my long hair dull and lifeless. I wore a dark red silk shalwar kameez. The long detailed scarf was draped over my head. 

It was nothing, nothing like I thought. I always dreamed of a lavish wedding, with flowers, color schemes, fancy cream cakes and beautiful bridal attire. But look where I stood. I was in my room making the biggest decision of my life.

I was marrying the man who was bound to my sister by love and by law.

Tears once again rimmed my eyes, as my eyes continued to bore into the mirror, I felt nothing but fear and pity in myself. My train of thought was broken apart as the door opened and I watched my mother from the mirror walk towards. My eyes stayed trained on her figure as she reached me.

“Come,” She whispered as she wound her hand around my arm gently. I shrugged away from her touch and avoided the hurt, which leaked from her bloodshot eyes.

Her hands moved towards the heavy detailed scarf and she moved it over my face concealing my eyes from view. I squeezed my eyes shut willing the tears in. It’s too late to back out, all would be done in due time. 

I had taken the decision and I would go by it. 

“Remember Aliyah, we love you…” She whispered into the silence and gently took my arm tugging me behind her.

Every step felt like I was nearing death.

My mother continued to tug my limp form towards the step, through the thin material of the scarf I caught Laila, as she moved towards me and descended the stairs alongside me. Her eyes screamed worry, as she kept glancing at me.  

The stairs opened up the lounge where Uncle Shah stood at the bottom of the stairs looking up at me with admiration. My blood boiled with fury as I stared at the man who had personally set up my deathbed. 

“I’m proud of you daughter,” He spoke softly and backed away walking into the living area. My heart thumped at an unhealthy pace as I neared the wooden door, which was wide open.

I stopped on my steps. My heart raced and blood pounded in my ears, as my eyes froze on the opened door. I couldn’t hear anything but the constant ringing in my ear.

What was I doing? 

I was broken from stance as my mother harshly shook me snapping my gaze from the door to the worry etched on her face.

“There waiting,” she whispered as her gaze dropped to the floor in shame. I was once again interrupted as Laila ran her hand down my arm in a soothing manner. 

“Are you ok?” She asked me as her eyes followed my every move.

“Yes,” I breathed out and made a move towards the door. I couldn’t back out now it was far too late. Everyone was depending on me. Zaisha’s gurgling and smiling face flashed across my face. Her smile willed my a step forward.

My mother and Laila silently trudged alongside me, I could make out everyone’s silent and tense forms as I entered the room.

My eyes through the thin veil of the scarf landed on Zayn. He didn’t look up. His eyes remained down and his form was hunched over. His dark hair hid those inky blue eyes from my view, as my mother silently walked me towards the empty spot near him.

I softly sat down on the couch, keeping my emotions bottled in. His eyes remained down, not once did he look over to me.

In that moment I realized that Zayn Shah would never look towards me with love or adoration in his eyes, but I still sat there letting them all rule out my life.

….

The man with the lengthy beard who sat silently observing me was the imam. He broke the silence with his enticing voice and read from the Quran, reciting powerful and meaningful verses. I listened to every word he pronounced with care, every time he uttered another word the life in me continued to drain. My hands clasped together and the tears gathered in my eyes demanding to be let go. 

The imam faced Zayn’s still form.

“Do you accept the Nikah and accept the bride Aliyah Khan as your wife?” He deep voice directed towards Zayn.

The room filled with silence as everyone waiting for his approval. The silence periced my ears as my nails dug into my sweaty palm.

He could say no. He could disagree and I would be set free.

“I accept her in my marriage.” He whispered as his head snapped up towards the imam.

My heart broke and a lone tear escaped. The imam’s eyes then turned towards my shielded eyes. His eyes bore into my form, making my heart thump louder.

“Kabool hai?” The imam turned towards our mother tongue, and once again asked him but keeping his intense gaze lingering on me. His eyes seem to burn me and caused my skin to prickle up.

“Kabool hai,” He repeated keeping his gaze on the imam only. 

He accepted. 

The imam then directed the question towards me. The blood raced in me and my mind hazed up. I felt numb my mouth wouldn’t move. I sat frozen in my seat.

“Do you agree to this Nikah Aliyah Khan?” He asked aloud in the pitch silence. 

I remained quite.

I could back out. This is my last opportunity, I could say no and walk away from this, return to England, return to my life and return to Rizvan.

“No matter what you know I’ll always be your best friend first, right?” He said lightly as he stood in the small kitchen of the university flat overpowering the kitchen counter as he leaned over it.

“I know, but what if they don’t agree?” I winced as I stirred the sugar into the coffee cup. My parents were unpredictable. 

“Then we won’t marry.” He simply stated, as his deep chocolate brown eyes shone with sadness. 

“What?” I shouted as I turned from stirring the coffee to watch him run his hands through his thick jet-black hair. His squared jaw was covered with a slight stubble.

“You heard it. If you parents don’t agree then I won’t make you do stupid things like run away with me. You’ve known your parents for your whole life and you’ve only known me for what? Like a year.” His words made sense. But how could someone be so kind hearted so positive minded.

He didn’t think about himself. He always put others ahead of himself.

“If you really loved me you would make me run,” I stated, as my mouth fell open at the sincerity and honesty of his words. 

“No I wouldn’t, because we both come from respectable families. I would want your parents blessings and love not the hatred or curses.” He stated firmly.

“So you’d let them marry me off to someone else?” I questioned. 

“If you wanted to be set free I would let you go. But I would stay and wait. I would never marry anyone else but you.” He shot me a small, heart-quenching smile. 

And this is why I fell head over heels in love with Rizvan. 

He understood me.

 

Before a word could be uttered from my mouth, Zaisha’s wail erupted in the silence and broke my thoughts from Rizvan. My eyes moved from staring deeply into the silk of my kameez to snap towards Zaisha who shuffled around in my mother’s weak arms. My father ushered my mother and Zaisha out of the room.

Once again silence filled the room and all eyes moved to me. Their gazes pierced my skin.

“I accept,” I whispered, as broken voice etched into the silence.

“Kabool hai?” He questioned once again.

“Kabool hai.” I repeated firmly and the final tears leaked from my eyes. 

I was now Aliyah Shah.

….

It was done. The Nikah was read, done and finalized. I was now officially married to Zayn Shah.

The imam showered his blessing and left the room as the others left the room, leaving my frozen form, Zayn and Laila.

My mother walked in cradling a crying Zaisha, she handed over the struggling form to Laila and turned towards me. The smile plastered on her face betrayed the hurt and pain shining in her dull eyes. 

“I’m packing your things Aliyah, would you like me to pack anything in particular?” She questioned.

I hung my head lower, avoiding her words. She left the room in defeat. 

“You should forgive her,” Laila whispered towards me, as Zayn abruptly stood from the sofa. His eyes locked on to mine and shone with anger as he stalked out of the room.

Zaisha once again erupted into tears as Laila tried to sway her gently. I tugged of the scarf from my head and reached out for her.

I smiled down at her and gently swayed her in my arms as she looked up at me in awe. Her cried died down as her chubby fingers dug into my kameez.

“Aliyah, your flying to Canada tonight.” Laila said softly as her arms came around me.

“Uncle Shah feels there’s to many memories here in New York and he’s expanding his business to Canada, so he’s sending you all there to settle down.” 

“Ok,” I whispered as my hands gently rubbed Zaisha’s head and she gurgled in happiness at the feeling. I would live for this, I would live to see Zaisha smile. 

“Maybe if he’s far away from here, he’ll let you in,” She convinced me referring to Zayn.

“No Laila, Malika lives in his heart. No matter where he goes. He’ll always take his heart with him.”

__________

And yes I know the Nikah bit may have been written wrong, know that I only briefly researched and tried writing it up as best as I could. It was tricky. + to those who don’t know what ‘kabool hai’ means I didn’t know either apparently it means I agree.

 

THE STORY’S JUST GETTING STARTED. SO PLEASE BE KIND ENOUGH TO LEAVE A VOTE + COMMENT 

- remember this is no love at first sight story. You never know what might just happen.

 

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