Love Starts After Nikkah Chapter 28

"Assalam o Alaikum, Saba! How are you?" 

Asma's mother's gentle voice resonated in her ears at which she feigned a smile toward her, ignoring Asma.

They were standing on the threshold of Mr. Akram's house, and Asma's family were the sudden guests who intervened in the meetup of Saba with her parents.

"Walaikum Assalam, Aunty! Come, please!" 

She let them into the house where Saba's parents became a bit shocked at seeing them. Nevertheless, flashing smiles and greeting them, they gave the full respect a guest deserved.

Saba went to the kitchen for refreshments, Asma immersed herself in the mobile while her mother became busy with Saba's parents.

"I have come here for inviting all of you to Fatima's marriage which is going to be held after two weeks in our village." 

Asma's mother announced her eldest daughter's marriage while fishing out two invitation cards from her bag.

On one, it was written Mr. and Mrs. Akram while on the other it was scribbled, Mr. and Mrs. Sahir. 

Saba came out of the kitchen with a tea trolley when these words fall upon her ears.

"How is your married life going on, Saba?" Asma's mother asked her at which Asma raised orbs and gazed at her curiously. 

"Alhamdulillah! Sahir is supportive and in-laws are the nicest ones!" 

Saba replied while gazing at Asma's face where a frown was etched. Fury rippled in her blood, and a lump of tears formed a bit which she swiftly gulped down. Hatred coming from the other person is always painful.

"That's great! You should attend the marriage. I will be waiting for you." 

Asma's mother emphasized with a gentle smile at which she smiled and assured them, but doubts were lurking in her being as she was unsure of Sahir's response to this invitation. 

………………

 

"We will surely attend this marriage as it is your near one's marriage." 

Sahir said in a casual tone when Saba asked him. They both were sitting in the room, Saba was on the couch while Sahir was on the bed.

"Yeah. You know Asma, right?" She again asked, unsure whether he remembered her or not.

"I know her, Saba. But, I want to forget the past and focus on the future. Just move on from that incident."

Sahir said with a smile but Saba's face became expressionless. Sahir saw pain pulsing in her orbs and pain gripped his heart.

Taking a deep sigh, he decided that it is the ideal time to resolve all the disputes and questions so that distance between them could be overcome.

Standing from the bed, he went near to the couch and sat beside her. Saba's gaze was silently following his actions, waiting for him to speak. 

"So, it is time to move on from the past." 

A deep silence followed by Sahir's words. The intense silence prevailing in the atmosphere, the whole world halted, gazing at both individuals while holding their breath. There was impatience etched on Saba's face while thoughtful expressions were on Sahir's.

"An incident happened with me in the university during my BS years." 

Saba'a gaze focused on his face who was speaking while looking ahead, ignoring her gaze.

"I was deceived by my fiance because my financial condition was unable to fulfill her dreams." 

He turned around toward her who was gazing at her with round orbs. "That incident deeply hurt my trust in love and females. It fills my being with different fears."

A pall of gloom settled on Saba's being at his words. Pain penetrated deep into her being at listening to Sahir's past.

"Rejecting this marriage and getting rude to you was my reaction. It was the result of all those fears which were like vultures that had grabbed my being, and would not leave until it had gorged itself on every last trace of joy and hope."

Lines of pain became evident in his orbs at which Saba's eyes welled up with tears.

"But now, my heart is yearning for happiness in the world. My heart wants a peaceful life with the loveliest girl in the world."

A small trace of a smile emerged on Sahir's face while gazing at her whose orbs lit up at this confession. Her heart careened about in her chest, and she felt her knees becoming weak.

Sahir waited for her to speak but there was deep silence from her side. It seemed she was in deep thought, unable to understand what to say.

"You don't want to say anything?" He asked at which she bit her lips.

"I don't know what to say." She loudly whispered which echoed in the silent room.

"It's okay, Saba. Take your time. I don't want you to decide at this moment. Think about it, and later on tell me your decision." 

His heart was thundering with anxiety which he concealed with a smile.

She nodded her head while avoiding his gaze.

"Can we be friends from now on?" He asked while extending his hand toward her. She gazed at the hand, and after a few seconds, intertwined her hand with his.

"Sure." She mumbled while shaking hands with him as a sign of friendship. 

………………….

She stepped into the room with hot cups of coffee and found Sahir plugging USB into the LCD. 

"In the happiness of our friendship, let's watch a movie." 

Sahir said while smiling at which Saba also nodded her head enthusiastically. 

"Let's snuggle up in bed to have the best view of LCD," Sahir suggested at which confusion and hesitation laced Saba's face.

"From the couch, you have to tilt your neck which will be an uncomfortable position. So, relax in bed and enjoy the movie."

He suggested with a warm smile at which her shoulders relaxed and a smile broke down on her face.

"Okay." 

She went toward the other side of the bed and sat there with a hot cup of coffee in hand.

Silence, new friendship, and a warm attitude of Sahir made her excited for the movie night, but all of her excitement finished when saw the title on the LCD. 

It was a horror movie, and Saba hated this genre.

Her eyes rounded, uneasiness skated through her being, and from her peripheral view, she saw Sahir's excited expressions which told her that this genre is his favorite.

Gulping and steeling her nerves, she gazed at the screen where the movie had started. 

She capped her fear through determination but, at the scene when the ghost killed a man by cutting his neck, a shriek emerged from her lips, and she came near to Sahir who became startled by the shriek. Her arms were around his neck and her head was resting on his chest.

"What happened?" He asked, pausing the movie and gazing at her with worrisome expressions.

"I am afraid of horror movies." She confessed while concealing her face in his chest.

A burst of laughter was impatient to tumble out of his lips which he stopped and chose to smile only.

"You should tell me." He said while switching off the LCD. 

As soon as fear left her body, embarrassment hit her and she swiftly sustained a reasonable distance between them. Deep blush was on her cheeks at which a chuckle emerged from his lips.

Saba gazed at his face and a chuckle also emerged from her lips at which Sahir laughed hard. 

In the silence of the night, the lively laughters of two loved ones were echoing, telling the world that the hearts of two loved ones have been bonded together.

……………………

"We are so glad to be with our children now." 

Mrs. Amna's voice echoed into the lounge where all the members of the family were sitting, and different carry bags were scattered.

"We are also glad that you have performed Umrah and have come back soundly," Sahir replied while sipping the tea.

"Do you know what have I missed a lot?" Everyone curiously gazed at Mr. Sikandar after his question.

"Luddo! Let's play luddo everyone." He said with sparkling orbs at which everyone smiled, and Saba fetched luddo.

Sitting all around it, everyone started playing it.

There was a moment in the game when Sahir could make Saba out of the game, but he didn't choose to do it. 

A smile etched on Saba's lips at this and waves of laughter tumbled out of parents' lips.

The walls of the house immersed the waves of laughter of their loved ones into them and witnessed love and happiness dancing into it.

……………..

"So, Saba tell me the concept of marriage in Jane Austen's writings." 

Sahir's voice echoed into the classroom at which Saba swiftly started telling him the answer.

While telling, she noticed a smirk on Nimra's face and her doing whisperings into the ear of Iqra. 

After telling her answer, she quietly noticed her friends who were smiling and whispering while gazing at Sahir and Saba. A red alarm blared into her mind and a shiver coursed down her spine.

……………..

Worrisome thoughts about her friends were running through her mind while she was packing the luggage to leave for the village. She was so much indulged in her thoughts and packing that she didn't notice Sahir coming into the room and standing beside her.

"Ahh!" she turned around and hit her head into his chest.

"Where your mind is busy?" Sahir smirked at her shriek and asked.

"In a lot of places." She replied with a slightly irritated tone and kept doing her work.

"For example?" He asked, frowning at her anxious expression.

A few seconds of silence prevailed between them while she bit her lower lip, contemplating how to voice her thoughts.

"I think people start doubting us." Sahir's lips set into a tight line at these words, and his mind swiftly understood the meaning of these words.

"Don't think about this, Saba. We will sort out this problem so shook away all worrisome thoughts and focus on this trip." 

He said while holding her shoulders, and gazing at her with gentle orbs.

She gazed at his assuring smile and flashed a small smile toward him while nodding her head.

"Be quick now." 

He said in a gentle tone and turned around to step out of the bedroom. But, as soon as he turned around, lineaments of worry embossed his features, while his mind was a hodgepodge of worrisome thoughts.

…………………..

Cold breeze full of Jasmine fragrance kissed their faces as their car entered the territory of Village. Green patches were here and there, peace was in the meadows where the cows grazed, and the silence of the village was stirred by a rooster crowing, a cow mooing, or a dog barking. Their car was traveling on an uneven path which was beaten out by wheels and hooves of droshkies, trucks, and tractors traveling in and out of the village throughout the year.

A smile adorned Saba's face at feeling the serenity of this area of the country. The hustle and tensions of daily life vanished from her mind, making her focused on the beauties of nature around her.

At last, the car stopped in front of a haveli (mansion) and Sahir put his hand on the horn.

Gates hinges creaked and welcoming faces of hosts emerged in front of their eyes.

Saba flashed a warm smile toward them and gave side hugs to the female members while Sahir shook hands with the male members.

"Saba!" Fatima squealed with happiness as soon as Saba stepped into the hall. A bright smile etched on her face while hugging her friend and bride-to-be.

Asma gazed at this whole scene while rolling her orbs and lips set into a tight line. Her gaze was continuously moving toward the gate as if waiting for someone.

Sahir went into the drawing room where all the male guests were seated while Saba remained in the hall.

"How is your married life going on, Saba?" One of the female members asked her at which the curious gaze of everyone went toward her.

"Alhamdulillah!" A genuine smile etched on her face, capping her gratitude and happiness.

"Even after that incident?" Another asked with curiosity at which her smile dropped for a second and wave of anger hit her.

"Yes, aunty! Sahir is a broad-minded and cool-minded person." She replied with a smile at which aunties nodded their heads.

"You both should take some rest now." 

Asma's mother said to Saba at which she nodded her head, taking a sigh of relief.

…………………..

As soon as she stepped into the bedroom, her smile dropped and she gulped with anxiety.

There was no couch in the room, only a bed.

Flashes of her previous encounter with Sahir on the bed illuminated in front of her orbs at which she took a deep sigh, and prepared herself for the night.

"Uff! May I won't be in an embarrassing position today." 

She murmured and turned around to find Sahir standing behind her with a broad smile and a glint in his orbs.

"But, I wish the opposite of it." He murmured at which her cheeks became red and she lowered her gaze.

"I want to be with my wife now. Do you want to be with your husband?" He asked at which her heart skipped a beat and her knees became weak.

 "I…"

She was going to say something but was interrupted by the phone. Sahir's mobile was ringing at which he took a frustrated sigh. Hisham's call was coming so he put the mobile on silent.

"What were you saying?" He turned his gaze toward her and again asked with glinty orbs.

"Umm.. I.." 

Again, the mobile rang at which frustration etched on Sahir's face and a burst of laughter tumbled out of Saba's lips.

Her mobile was ringing and Mr. Akram's call was coming so she attended it and told them about her safe arrival.

"My parents are coming in an hour, so we have to freshen up swiftly." She replied after hanging up the call and went toward the washroom, avoiding Sahir's gaze who was shooting daggers at her. 

………………

"Fatima Ehsan, do you accept this marriage?"

The stage was crowded where Nikkah was going on. Saba was standing behind the seats of the bride and groom while Sahir was sitting in front of those chairs. Nikkah had started and Maulvi asked Fatima. 

As soon as these words were uttered, Saba's gaze went toward Sahir whose eyes also went toward her. Eyes clashed and they both gazed at each other's orbs while flashes of their nikkah came in front of them.

"I do!" Fatima's voice echoed at which Saba lowered her gaze, spreading a smile on Sahir's face.

Later on, when everyone was busy with dinner in the garden, Saba went into the house to use the washroom. There was silence prevailing in the house as everyone was outside. 

She was passing the corridor when a whispering sound came into her ears. Her eyes rounded, and her gaze went toward the corner of the lounge where Asma was sitting with a boy and was laughing with him.

She instantly recognized that boy. He was the same one whom she saw in the cafe with Asma.

Narrowing her eyes, she gazed at the couple who was immersed in the conversation. Shooking her head, and frowning at them, she went toward the washroom.

………………

Lineaments of tiredness embossed her features as she stepped into the bedroom. Standing in front of a mirror, she gazed at her reflection where fawn colored hijab was tied around her face. Fawn color long maxi and hijab with makeup was making her beautiful and different from others.

Unpinning her hijab, she let her hair loose which covered her back. Slowly, she started removing her jewelry when Sahir entered the room. Her hands stopped, and her gaze went toward the bed which they had to share for the night. Her heart thundered at the thought.

Sahir gazed toward her eyes direction and instantly understand what was going into her mind. A smile adorned his face at this as he stepped toward her.

He stood behind her at which they were in one frame. They both could see each other through the mirror's reflection.

"You were looking amazing!" he leaned forward and whispered into her ears at which a smile adorned her face and she lowered her gaze.

"Saba, do you want to be with me?" He again whispered at which she gazed at his reflection.

Again mobile rang which was on the dressing table, but Sahir didn't let it come in between them. He leaned forward and switched off the mobile while his gaze remained on Saba whose face was red and eyes were lowered.

Putting his hands on her shoulders, she turned around and gazed at her face.

"Please answer me." 

Fear started rippling in his body and it gripped his heart. Past flashes of Zahra and Haseeb came in front of him at which he felt his heart drowning in the pit of pain.

"Yes."

Saba whispered loudly at which he took a sigh of relief, and a smile adorned his face. 

The new moon of the month was gazing at the couple while a smile on its face. He could see happiness, love, and shyness dancing on the faces of two lovers who had become one. 

Sahir stepped toward the window and put the curtains in front of it, blocking the moon's view.

The next day, Sahir's eyes opened when sunlight hit his face. Slowly opening his orbs, he turned his face toward the other direction where there was no one.

Opening his orbs fully, he gazed toward the window where Saba was standing, looking outside with a smile on her face. Her wet hair was lying on her back, indicating that she had recently taken a shower.

"What are you doing?" 

He whispered near her ear at which he became startled but then a smile adorned her face.

"Looking at the morning. Isn't it beautiful?" 

She replied enthusiastically at which a smile adorned his face.

"Today is the first morning of our relationship. That's why it is special." 

He replied to which she smiled and nodded her head.

Gazing at each other, there were smiles on their faces.

……………

The family members along with Saba's family were sitting in the lounge, having their breakfast. They were immersed in the discussion when they heard a ruckus coming from Asma's room.

Shock and fear whipped across Asma's parents as they stepped toward the room while flashes of Asma with a boy came in front of Saba's eyes.

She stood from her place and gazed at everyone who was going toward Asma's room.

"Are you okay?" Sahir asked her at which she gazed at her with a pale face.

He saw flashes of fear in her orbs at which he narrowed his eyes.

Different voices were still coming from Asma's room.

………………….