Hello Everyone 🤗
Here's the next chapter of this SS. And you can thank Azraa01 for this update being here today. Here comment was so sweet and encouraging that I just HAD to update the next chapter. Sometimes the low-readership of this SS gets to me but there are always awesome people who encourage me into continuing 😳
This update is also dedicated to madhvi4gurti and the other Fari (-LiveLoveLaugh-) for always leaving lovely and encouraging comments on my work 🤗 I love you both!! 😳
CHAPTER 6:
The Khan Villa was dressed like a glittering bride with fairy lights twinkling on every tree and wall of the huge mansion. The atmosphere inside the house was almost chaotic with people running around decorating or making sure the preparations were being done up to mark. The lounge had been converted into what looked like an elegant and splendid marriage hall with satin-draped chairs and tables arranged around the breathtakingly gorgeous stage, which was set at a slightly elevated position at the centre to ensure better view to the guests. White blossoms and red roses hung in garlands all over the place, dripping with long lines of white gossamer ribbons, their fragrant infusing the air with a wonderful scent that was almost intoxicating.
Zoha's room was crowded by her entire family. The makeup artist had arrived and it was only a matter of seconds before all the boys would get shooed away. Asad and Zoya were doing all they could to keep their daughter happy, to not slip and show how much this was costing them. They were not going to ruin their daughter's happiness with long faces on her most special day.
"Ready to see your wedding dress, sweetie?" Asad asked his daughter with a smile who nodded earnestly.
"Of course, Abbu! I'm dying to! It's funny how almost everyone in this family has seen it except me! My friends think I'm crazy when they ask about my wedding dress and I tell them I'm just as clueless as they are!" She laughed. "And then I quickly explain it's because my brother insists on keeping his creation a surprise!" Zoha beamed, pride and love dripping with her every word.
"You know your friends probably envy you for having such a talented and awesome brother!" Ahsan smirked.
"You flatter yourself too much, Bhaiya!" Zoha retorted knowing fully well he was right and how impressed all her friends had been when they had learnt that her brother was designing her wedding outfit himself, being one of the most famous fashion designers in the country.
"Ok, close your eyes, kid!" Ahsan instructed as he gestured his Ammi to get the dress from the wardrobe.
"Hope you'll like it!" Asad added in a slightly uncertain voice.
"You'd better! I spent hours designing it and Ammi Abbu spent days freaking out about it!" Ahsan threatened, chuckling. "It's the only work I've been doing in office for the past month! Ammi and Abbu wanted their little Princess to be the most beautiful bride on Earth. I told him for that, I'd have to design you a new face as well!" Ahsan guffawed and Hamza hit him on the head to stop teasing Zoha who was his best friend since childhood.
"Ahsan stop pulling your sister's leg. Zoha sweetie, you can open your eyes now!" Zoya sang out excitedly.
Zoha heard Humaira and her daughter, Hafsa's squeals of delight and quickly opened her eyes to gasp in shock and wonder. It was without a doubt, the most beautiful and elegant looking dress she had ever set her eyes upon... It was a Maroon and Champagne colored lehenga, traditional but somehow managing to look one of its kind.
The blouse was champagne colored with heavy work done on its cap-sleeves, neck and bottom while the lehenga and dupatta were a bright maroon with intricate silver and gold zarri work done all over it. The beautiful gemstones studded all over the dress glittered and shimmered with each and every small movement. Zoha was speechless and Ahsan smiled adoringly on seeing her expression.
"Do you like it, sweetie?" Asad's worried voice jarred her out of her staring session.
Zoha turned to look at her family, all of looking at her with identical expectant expressions and she didn't know what to say. The dress was so beautiful it had robbed her of the ability to speak. She just didn't have the right words to explain how much she loved it. Tears of extreme happiness flooded her eyes as she threw her arms around her parents, hugging them both tightly.
"Zoha? Sweetie? You didn't like it? I can get you another one right away! Don't worry! Everything will be fine." Asad blabbered on, in a highly panicked voice. It was quite obvious how flustered he was this day.
Before Zoha could reply, Ahsan answered his father laughing wholeheartedly, "Calm down, Abbu! You know it's impossible that Ahsan Ahmed Khan designs an outfit and someone doesn't like it. Of course, she likes it... You see, Zoha has a slight glitch in her brain, she cries when she's extremely happy. And when she's happy, her pea-sized brain is too busy rejoicing to think of an answer so she just jumps at the person in front of her. So... whenever she pounces at someone for a hug, it's safe to assume she's very happy." Ahsan explained, sniggering when Ayaan caught hold of his ear and smacked him lightly on his head.
"I love it, Abbu! It's... It's perfect!" She whispered while Asad patted her head lovingly, relieved.
"Oh hello! I'm the one who designed it! The praises should be directed towards me! Everything about this outfit is my hard work. I thought of everything." Zoya cleared her throat loudly at this. Her son wasn't being hundred percent true because the color combination was Zoya's idea.
"Well, I deserve some thanks too." Ahsan grinned cheekily at his sister, spreading his arms for a hug as well.
"You deserve a slap!" Zoha said, showing him her hand. "I've a glitch in my brain, do I?" She asked in a playful manner but went up to him nevertheless; letting him give her one of his usual tight one-arm hugs. "I think it's the most gorgeous dress I've ever seen. Thanks Bhaiya. I truly love it." She whispered in an emotional voice.
"I know. After all, it has been designed by me. It was destined to be breathtaking." He replied in his usual cheerful manner.
"Excuse me?" The makeup artist intruded at that moment. "I need to start getting the bride ready. Can all the boys please leave?" She asked them sweetly.
"Of course, I understand how difficult and time taking it will be to transform her into something presentable." Ahsan said nodding seriously while the corner of his mouth twitched. Fawad and Hammad laughed loudly at this.
"You'll never grow up!" Najma laughed, ruffling her favorite nephew's hair.
"I want my granddaughter to be the prettiest bride ever, ok?" Dilshad told the makeup artist, kissing Zoha's forehead.
"Daadi, she's here to do make up, not magic!" Ahsan spoke up once again, snickering.
"Hamza, do me a favor, will you?" Zoha turned to her cousin cum friend. "Punch in Bhaiya's teeth in for me!" She instructed making everyone laugh.
"Would have gladly done the honors had it not been your wedding tonight. The bride's brother has to look presentable, you see!" Hamza reasoned winking and before Ahsan got think of a good come back, the makeup artist shooed them all out.
***
Hassaan had made a grand entrance with a huge Baraat in tow and was given an extremely warm welcome by the Khan family, including being showered with roses. Asad would've laughed at that time, had he not been so overwhelmed with grief. Fawad and Hammad were throwing the roses with such precision that all of them seemed to be bouncing off Hassaan's face.
After Hassaan was led to the stage, Asad got busy with the guests trying to make some conversation absent-mindedly when a sudden hush over the crowd and a gentle squeeze of Zoya's hand on top of his, informed him of his daughter's arrival. His eyes moistened on seeing his little girl dressed in bridal attire being led down the stairs by her cousins.
She looked absolutely beautiful; there was simply no other word apt enough to describe her.
It was obvious at first sight that her dress had been designed with only her in mind. The colors set off with her skin perfectly making it glow like cream and roses. Her brown eyes, framed with thick lashes shone with joy and excitement. Her shimmering maroon lehenga flowed down her slender body like a waterfall, flaring out subtly at the bottom making her every movement elegant and graceful. Asad felt tears prickling his eyes, threatening to overflow.
Zoha's eyes seemed to be searching for them as she scanned the hall anxiously and on spotting them, her face lit up with a dazzling smile, reminding Asad of the one, which would grace her face when he would go to pick her from her school as a child.
Zoya stepped forward as Zoha ended her descent down the stairs and she gently engulfed her daughter in a long hug, her eyes brimming with tears, not uttering a single word - afraid that she'd burst into tears if she dared open her mouth. She kissed her forehead and Zoha gave her a teary smile in return; her Ammi's emotional state rubbing off on her.
After Zoya stepped back, Zoha launched herself in her father's arms before he could even take a step forward making the crowd go aww.
"How do I look?" She asked them both as soon as she pulled away.
In answer, Asad turned to Zoya and asked, "Remember I always used to say you were the prettiest bride I had ever set my eyes upon? Sorry, but today our daughter stole that title away from you..." He said in a hoarse voice, smiling with misted eyes and Zoya nodded vigorously fighting her own tears.
"Yes," Ahsan piped in, "When she was walking down the stairs, I actually thought the makeup artist sent some other girl down here by mistake! This beautiful looking bride just doesn't look the girl we picked from the trash bin all those years ago." He laughed as his sister gave him a frown before he gave her a tight but careful hug, not wanting to tear or ruin anything.
"Is this OUR Zoha Aapi?" Najma's son, Hammad turned to his twin, his mouth hanging visibly open, his eyes twinkling.
"Nah!" Fawad answered, waving his hand as if discarding the thought, "This one's too pretty! The last time I checked we were the only good-looking ones in the family." Zoha laughed shaking her head, used to their antics.
Hassaan was already standing at the stage waiting for his bride. Dressed in a cream sherwani with gold and maroon intricate thread work done on its collar and extending all the way down its front, he matched his bride perfectly. He was also supporting a maroon turban, which set off very nicely with his fair but tanned skin making him look exceedingly handsome.
Asad and Zoya then proceeded to walk their daughter towards the stage where Hassaan offered his hand to Zoha to help her up the two steps, leading to the stage and Asad had placed his daughter's hands in Hassaan's sure hands after seeing the reassuring look in Hassaan's olive green eyes and his gentle encouraging nod. He would've said something if he hadn't been choking on the painful lump in his throat and fighting to keep his tears at bay. As Zoha stood beside Hassaan there was no doubt in anyone's mind that they made one of the loveliest couples ever.
The ceremonies started almost immediately. Asad felt something clench his heart painfully when Zoha looked at him before signing the Nikah form as if seeking his permission and he nodded with a soft smile while winding his arm around Zoya, seeking comfort as well as providing her with the same.
His mind seemed hazy and clouded as he watched all the ceremonies taking place with a preoccupied mind. The only thing that kept him going was the blissful happiness on his daughter's face and he knew that he had made the right decision no matter how much it was costing him. He would live with it, if it kept his daughter happy.
Before he knew it, all the rituals were taken care of and it was time for her Rukhsati as everyone made their way towards the decorated car, which would escort her to her new home.
He felt Zoya resting her head on his shoulder, seeking comfort and he wound his arm tightly around her as they watched their daughter with misted eyes, saying her final goodbyes to their whole family, getting kissed and hugged and gathering their blessings.
Zoha now launched herself in her brother's arms who hugged her back fiercely, tears brimming his eyes and the painful lump in his throat making it impossible for him to speak.
"Bhaiya, I love you very much, you know that, right?" She asked him in a small voice against his chest and he just nodded, unable to speak.
"And Bhaiya take care of Ammi and Abbu, especially Ammi because she'll be too busy worrying about Abbu to take care of herself." She added.
"You stop worrying about everyone, kid! You do know that when you start talking about such sensible stuff, I get worried about what has happened to my sister?" He teased her hoarsely.
"Bhaiya!" She whined softly, smiling a little through her tears. "You'll never change!"
"You say that like its possible!" He smiled half-heartedly, trying to swallow the lump in his throat but failing miserably.
"And Bhaiya," She continued in an undertone, "Get married! I know no one can replace me but Mahera will be a nice compensation!" She said with a smile dawning on her face and Ahsan couldn't help grinning with misted eyes as he whispered in a secretive voice, "Don't make me chase you outta here kid, this is not my bedroom, you know!"
Zoha laughed lightly, smacking his arm before turning to her mother and enveloping her in a warm hug, saying nothing, as she knew no words were needed. After gently extracting herself from her mother's arms, she added in a shaky voice with a mischievous glint in her tear-filled eyes, "Please Ammi, go light on the Pizza tonight." She said, making Zoya laugh through her tears and nod her head.
"Abbu!" Instead of throwing her arms around him as she usually did, she rested her head on his chest, letting him engulf her tightly in his arms as he placed his head on top of her's.
"Abbu, I don't want to go away from you!" She said in a broken whisper.
"Then don't go, na." He replied childishly in a thick voice and someone in the crowd sniffed loudly.
"Well, we can always send Hassaan Bhai back all by himself! No problems there." Fawad said shrugging his shoulder causally but his eyes glinted mischievously causing both Asad and Zoha to crack a smile.
Releasing her from the longest hug so far, Asad placed a loving kiss on her forehead and Zoha's eyes twinkled as she said softly with a frown, "Abbu, your cheek is so scratchy!" before smiling and blinking furiously to keep her tears in check.
This was something she used to complain about as a kid.
Asad laughed a hard chuckle as he hugged her again and he asked her the next question that would always follow the previous one, "Do you want me to shave it?"
"No, I like the way you are!" She answered smiling as a lone tear managed to trickle down her cheek as she placed a kiss on his stubble.
"I love you Abbu. Forever and ever." She whispered.
"Me too, sweetie! Always have and always will." Asad replied in a voice so choked up with emotions that it was low as a whisper.
Meanwhile, Hassaan came forward to say his goodbyes. Ahsan hugged him as a friend before saying with a laugh, "This is the first and the last time Zoe's crying because of you, ok? After this, if you make her cry, I'll make you cry!" Although the words were uttered with a laugh, there was a clear underlying warning that no one missed.
"Yes Bhaiya! I don't doubt that at all. I'll take care of her. Don't worry." Hassaan answered smiling reassuringly.
Zoya blessed him after Ahsan and patted his shoulders lovingly, "I fully believe you'll keep her very happy otherwise I would've never agreed to this marriage in the first place. Just... never prove me wrong." She added and Hassaan nodded, his eyes shining with sincerity, "Never Ammi. I promise."
Asad hugged his son-in-law tightly, before looking into his eyes and saying in a thick voice, "She's my little Princess, you know. I'm giving away my most precious thing to you. Always remember that... And take care of her." He ordered, "And always remember what I told you." Asad added.
Hassaan nodded as Asad's voice from their first meeting echoed in his head, "Always be that type of man with MY daughter that you would want your own daughter to be with!"
Hassaan smiled giving him a reassuring look and said in a voice dripping with so much honestly and sincerity that Asad couldn't help trusting his every word, "Abbu, I love her more than anything in this world, more than life itself. I'll always take care of her. And besides, I don't want to get my face broken, do I?" He smiled, giving Ahsan a pointed look and Asad smiled.
Asad helped his daughter into the car that was decorated with more flowers that trailed in streamers along its length and long gossamer ribbons while Hassaan got in from the other side.
The engine purred as the car came to life and started moving slowly. Zoha waved out the window and called out, 'I love you all' as the whole family smiled and waved back furiously. Fawad and Hammad were busy throwing flying kisses her way.
Asad could feel the tears making their way down his face and Zoya's light sobs. He wanted to reassure her but how could he when he was the one who needed reassurance himself? When his own heart was crying?
He just wound his arms tighter around Zoya who hugged him back fiercely, both seeking support as well as providing each other with the same.
Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Ahsan roughly wiping his eyes as he waved back to his sister, a fake smile, which looked more like a grimace, intact on his face. He noticed Mahera discreetly movingly forwards and grabbing his hand making Ahsan look down and give her a small but genuine smile making Asad smile ever so slightly as well. Looked like his son had found his soul mate as well.
He turned his attention back to the car when it stopped slightly and in her bridal attire, Zoha leaned out of the window and yelled, "Tata Abbu!"
Asad couldn't help the throaty chuckle that left his mouth even with the tears streaming down his face. He could hear Zoya's half-choked laughter beside him too. This was something she used to do every morning before leaving for school.
And for the first time Asad was hopeful that this wasn't going to be as bad as he had anticipated...
***
Okay, I had thought that this was the last update for this SS but people are demanding another part so I'm think of continuing with just one more update... What do you people think? 🤗
Love,
Fari ❤️
Edited by SmileyStar - 11 years ago
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