Inaya's POV

A big smile grace my lips, as i watch the henna artist nibbling her fingers professionally while applying the mehendi on my hand.

I just got done with my left hand, and now she's working on my right one.

Many hours have passed but my mehendi is still not done. My back feels so stiff after sitting in the same position for hours. I just want her to get the work done quickly.

"What's the name of the groom?" she asks.

I tell her and she writes Rayan's name on the inside of my ring finger, making sure it's hidden and not found easily.

I wonder how long will it take for him to find his name on my mehendi.

To be honest, being a bride is not at all easy. There are soo many things you have to do. But not gonna lie, i do love the pampering i get by everyone.

"How long will it take?" i ask the girl who is applying henna.

"Just an hour more" she says casually.

Great, another hour of trying my best not to break my back.

I am also starving right now. I had light breakfast, which was i think six hours ago now.

I lift my gaze, and search around the crowd to look for ami or alizeh, but find none of them.

Ami came to check up on me an hour ago, but i can't see her anywhere now. And i have no idea where Alizeh went. That girl is probably taking pictures somewhere.

I try to find Eman or Riya, but they are lost too. Oh my god, does no one care about the bride? What if she starves to death!?

I sigh in disappointment when i see none of my friends or family. The mehendi is almost done, so maybe i can wait for a little more.

"Hey sweetheart," just then i hear Rayan's voice and look up to see him coming near me.

He takes a look at the mehendi and then sits besides me while grinning.

"It looks beautiful," he compliments looking at the mehendi.

"Hmm" i have zero energy to say anything.

He looks at me and frown. After searching my face for a minute, he gets up and says "i'll be back in a moment."

Not having the energy to ask him where he is going, i nod and wait for him.

Just like he said, he comes back soon but this time holding a plate full of delicious looking food.

I give him a surprised look, he smiles at me while breaking a morsel of roti and forwards it in front of me.

I take the bite and instantly feel better by the rich and spicy taste of food.

He keeps feeding me and in between i ask, "Did you eat?"

He shakes his head negatively and i frown at him. "Then you should eat too."

"It's ok sweetheart, i'm fine" he refuse so i turn my head away when he brings another bite in front of me.

"I will not take another bite if you don't eat yourself too!" i exclaim stubbornly.

He chuckles and then takes a bite of food, "Happy?"

I smile and nod. He feeds me one bite and then take one himself.

"Thank you," i smile at him when we are done eating.

He puts away the empty plate, and just then my henna is also finished.

I thank the girl for applying such an beautiful mehendi on my hands.

"Oh my god, the mehendi looks beautiful!" i hear Eman exclaim loudly and lift my gaze to see the girls coming towards us.

"Indeed," Riya says with a huge smile.

"True, let me take a picture!" Alizeh says while holding her phone.

I chuckle at their excitement. Just then our family also joins us.

"Bhai, can you find your name on Inaya's mehendi?" Eman asks turning towards Rayan.

"Yes, sure i can" Rayan says confidently which has me raising my eyebrows at him.

"Oh we bet you can't," the girls says all together, teasing him.

"Are you guys challenging me?" Rayan says getting a little competitive.

"Mhm, we challenge you to find your name on her mehendi under five minutes!" the girls smile mischievously.

"Challenge accepted!" Rayan nods and then turns his body, so he's sitting just in front of me.

I forward both my hands in front of him and give him a look which says, 'are you sure you can find it?'

His gaze says, 'just wait and watch sweetheart.'

I shrug and Eman starts the timer. "Come on Rayan beta, you can do it!" ma cheers for him.

All his focus is on my henna cladded hands as he searches for his name.

He first examines my left hand whole, from each finger to the inside of my palm.

After finding nothing, he turns his attention on my right hand.

"Time is running bhai!" Eman says in between and i can feel him get tense a little, as he is still not able to find it.

"One minute left..."

He heaves a sigh, almost losing his hopes.

"10"

"9"

"8 -"

"Found it!" he exclaims with the biggest smile ever on his face, as if he's just won a lottery ticket and points towards where his name is written.

Everyone claps for him and when his gaze meets mine, i give him a proud smile to which he smirks.

___________♡

Two hours have passed but my mehendi is still not dry completely.

Ami strictly warned me not to wash my hands before it is fully dried.

So, i am not able to do much work as my hands are full and i can't destroy the mehendi.

It was getting too boring to just sit around in one place and wait for it to dry, so i came in my room to find my phone.

Just as i i'm doing that, i hear the door open but don't bother to look, thinking it must be one of the girl's.

But to my surprise, i find (when i turn around and almost bump into the person) that it is none other than my husband.

Before i even get a chance to say something, he starts moving forward, while instinctively i take steps back.

"Uhh, do you need something?" i ask while trying my best not to get intimidated by our close proximity.

"Yes. You" i gasp as his words hit my ears. I'm too surprised to say anything.

He smirks, "Don't you think i deserve an reward for completing the challenge?"

He moves near, while i move backwards. Our little game continues till i hit my back on the wall.

"Rayan, anyone can walk in at any moment" i explain to him but it has no effect on him.

I can't even stop him as i have mehendi on my hands

"You're taking advantage of me," i say while biting my lips.

Suddenly, he yanks me against him wrapping his hand around my waist, but also making sure that my hands don't touch him.

"Am i, sweetheart?" he leans closer and gives me his hot smirk which has me losing all my senses.

Our faces are just inches apart, i gulp and lick my lips.

"Just one little kiss, please?" he looks at me almost pleading and i know i can't ever refuse him, so i nod.

He captures my lips against his, and i feel myself melting into him.

He pulls back, leaving me breathless and joins our foreheads. I close my eyes when he pecks my nose.

"Adorable, my wife" he mutters and when i open my eyes to lock my gaze on his, all i see is love in his ocean eyes, drowning myself in them.

___________♡

Rayan's POV

Today is the day, i'll be bringing my wife home.

From this day, we will spend every moment of our lives together.

It is a huge day for both of us.

And i can't wait to bring my wife home. I can't wait to share my everything with her. She will now be a part of every moment of my life.

I smile while imagining her sleeping besides me, waking up to see her face the first thing in the morning, her clothes in my wardrobe besides mine, and most importantly being always there to admire her whenever she's doing something or is reading one of her books.

These are all the thoughts that run through my mind, as i'm standing at the stage while waiting for my wife.

Just when i start to get a little impatient, the light dims and i see my wife.

She is looking majestic, dressed in a beautiful traditional red bridal lehenga. The smile on her face, and her eyes shinning with unshed tears makes her more beautiful.

Her ami is walking her down the aisle and i get more and more impatient with each step she takes.

Her ami hugs her and takes a hold of her hand placing it on mine and says with teary eyes, "I'm giving you the most precious and special part of my life, promise me you will always take care of her."

I look at her and vow to her, "Inaya is my everything, i promise to love and honour her for all eternity. She will always be my priority, i will always support her in her dreams and i will be there for her whenever she needs me. I vow to withstand with my wife through laughters and tears, in joy and in sorrow."

Her ami gives me a reassuring smile and steps away.

I take a hold of my wife, pulling her on the stage and look at her.

A tear is falling down from her eyes but i catch it before it falls. "So beautiful like always, my wife."

We both smile at each other, and i am sure of the fact that,

"My whole world resides in her from now on."

___________♡

The time passes by soon. Our family amd friends come one by one on stage to congratulate us and give us their wishes.

The photographers are taking dozens of pictures of us.

"Bride please move a little more closer towards the groom," one of the photographer says.

Inaya takes another step closer and i use this opportunity to wrap my hands around her waist.

"How long will this photo session be?" she whispers in an annoyed tone.

"Why? You don't like it?"

"No, it's just that my heels are killing me" she groans in frustration.

"You shouldn't have worn heels," i say but then regret because she gives me a dead glare.

"Yeah, i wouldn't if my husband didn't have the height of a giraffe!" she exclaims making me chuckle at her statement.

"Seriously? Giraffe?" i laugh.

"Aur nahi toh kya!" she pouts in anger.

She's about to say something else but her words turns into a gasp when i pick her up in my arms.

Her eyes widen like saucers as she looks at me.

"W-what? Rayan put me down, everyone is watching!" she slaps her palm on my chest.

I chuckle and say, "No sweetheart, i don't want my wife to be in pain because of me."

"Rayannnn pleaseeee..." she whisper shouts but i don't put her down.

"That's perfect, just stay like this!" the photographer exclaims making Inaya groan and hide her face in my chest.

"You can put me down now!" she says when he is done taking pictures of us.

"I don't mind staying like this for the rest of the time," i smirk at her.

"Rayan!" she glares at me.

"Ok ok," i put her down carefully and fix her lehenga from the front.

Her cheeks turn pink and i smile at her cuteness.

___________♡

"Don't you dare forget us!" Alizeh warns Inaya when she goes near her to say goodbye to her.

They both chuckle even through the tears. The event just ended and now it was time for the rukhsati.

This must be the most difficult part for any women. Leaving her family is a huge thing. I look at my wife admiringly as she greets everyone with a smile, trying her best not to cry but fails.

My heart aches seeing the tears in her eyes, but i can't stop them. She is leaving her family, for me. She will now be a part of my family and will have to accept them as her own family. I couldn't be more grateful of her for this.

After she's done meeting her family and it's time to leave, i open the door of the car and make her sit carefully before taking a seat myself.

She looks back as the car drives away, and waves at them until they are out of sight.

"Are you ok sweetheart?" i ask forwarding the handkerchief when i hear her sniffle.

"Yeah, i'll be fine" she smiles, though the tears keep falling.

I embrace her in a comforting hug and she cries silently in my arms. I can't stop her from crying, but i try my best to comfort her and tell her that i am here for her.

After few minutes her breathing turns slower and i take a look at her to see that she's fallen asleep.

I kiss her forehead and hug her tighter while she sleeps in my arms.

The car comes to a stop when we reach. I take a look at my sleeping wife and do not have the heart to wake her up from her peaceful sleep.

"Sweetheart.." i whisper softly.

She moves a little while opening her eyes slowly.

"We have reached," i explain when she gives me an confusing look.

I get out of the car, and rush towards her side to help her out.

A small smile hovers over her lips when she steps out and takes in the decorations.

"Shall we?" i ask forwarding my hand in front of her.

She smiles while placing her hand in mine and i hold it tight.

"Welcome to our family!" just as we enter, everyone exclaims loudly.

Inaya flinch a little when flowers fall over us from above.

Ma comes forward and hug Inaya, "Welcome to your new home beta."

"You are our daughter now, feel free to ask if you need anything," dadi says this time.

"Yes, we will be always here for you." dad and ayan bhai nods.

"Finally! Welcome Inaya!" Eman and bhabhi exclaims in excitement.

"Welcome chachi, you are so pletty," Saad says in his cute voice making Inaya adore him.

"Thank you little munchkin," she pecks his cheeks and he erupts in giggles.

"What happened beta? Is something wrong?" ma asks when Inaya stares at everyone and her eyes fill with tears.

"No, actually it was all too overwhelming. Thank you everyone, i'm so lucky to get such an loving family!" she says with her teary smile.

Ma engulfs her in a motherly hug and i can see her melting into her arms.

Everyone keeps showering her with their love and can't do much to hide their excitement.

To be honest, i feel like my family's been more excited than me to welcome her.

___________♡

Three hours later, i finally get to go in my room.

Ever since we came, everyone's attention has been on Inaya.

The ladies kept her busy, telling her stories and even giving her a tour of the full house.

Dad and bhai took me with them for some pep talk, which lasted for an hour.

I've been waiting impatiently to finally get some privacy with my wife.

But just as i was about to enter my room, Eman comes in front of my way and stops me.

"Itni jaldi kis baat ki hai, bhai?" she says mischievously.

"What do you want?"

"Seedha baat no bakwas, ok so if you want to meet your wife, you would have to pay me first!" she exclaims forwarding her hand.

I sigh and take out my wallet and place it on her hand.

"Here you go, take as much as you want. Now can i please go see my wife?" i say way too eagerly.

"Sure, by the way thanks brother" she winks and moves away from my way.

I shake my head with a smile and enter my room.

I lock the door before turning, and see my wife. I move towards her as she gives me a tiring smile.

It's been a long day today.

I sit in front of her and take a hold of her hands.

I gently kiss the knuckles of both her hands, before turning it to kiss her palms and the place where my name is written on her hand.

I stare at my beautiful wife, and can't help but smile.

"I love you so much, my wife" i can't stop calling her 'my wife.'

"I love you too, my husband" she smiles and my heart feels like exploding with all the love i have for her.

I peck her lips once before saying, "You must be tired, go take a shower and change into something comfortable."

She nods and goes to the washroom after taking out her clothes from her suitcase.

I'll tell ma to get someone to arrange her clothes in my wardrobe.

She comes back after showering, and i can see the relief in her face.

"I'll be back too after showering" i say as i peck her forehead and go to take a relaxing shower.

I change into my t-shirt and trousers, and leave the washroom while drying my hair with the towel.

I frown when i see Inaya standing besides the bed.

"What happened sweetheart?" i ask.

"Oh, i didn't knew which was your side" she says.

"I sleep on the right side, but you can take any side you like" i say and she nods while going towards the left side. I chuckle.

I place the wet towel away in the laundry and turn off the lights- only light of side lamp was on, before sitting on the bed.

"Uhm- so we are just gonna sleep?" she asks while biting he rlips and fidgeting with her fingers.

"Yes what else - " i stop when i see a hint of blush on her cheeks.

I smirk while leaning a little closer to her, "Why sweetheart, you want to do something else?"

"H-huh no!" her eyes widen while her cheeks turn flaming red.

"You see, i wouldn't mind-" i tease her while giving her a wink but she cuts me off.

"Shut up!" she pulls the covers above her and lay down turning her back towards me.

I chuckle finding her adorable and turn off the lamp before laying down on my back.

Few minutes pass before i turn sideways facing her back.

"Sweetheart..?"

"Hmm?"

"Can i hold you in my arms while sleeping?" i ask hoping she wouldn't refuse.

She turns around and moves closer to me. I wrap my arms around her and she place her head on my chest.

I nestle closer towards her neck, loving the feeling of her like this in my arms.

"Rayan.."

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"You don't have to ask for my permission for everything. I'm your wife and you have all the rights on me" she lifts her head to look at me, the moonlight from the balcony glows her face.

"I know sweetheart, but i wouldn't ever do anything without your consent" i smile and press a small kiss on her forehead.

I hear her sigh and then she kisses me. This is the first time she initiated the kiss which makes me both surprised and happy.

Before the kiss turns more deep i pull back and stop her, "You should sleep sweetheart, before i loose my patience."

"Rayan... please," she breathes against my lips.

"I love you.." she pecks my nose making me close my eyes.

"I love you more sweetheart," i say and prove my words to her.

__________♡