The air was thick with anticipation.

The baraat had arrived with the perfect blend of elegance and emotion. No loud music, no excessive noise — just a caravan of joy led by Akif’s calm presence, his eyes silently searching for a glimpse of her. He looked like a king in white and gold, his sherwani adorned with subtle embroidery and a soft pink safa tied neatly around his head.

As soon as he stepped out of the car, the world seemed to still.

Inside, Zoya waited.

Her palms were clammy despite the cool AC. Her jewelry jingled softly every time she moved. Her jhoomar tickled her temple. Her heartbeat? Wild.

“She’s ready,” Aarfa whispered, her voice trembling slightly. “She’s really ready.”

---

The Nikah setup was breathtaking.

A soft ivory backdrop with golden flowers. Cushions laid out in a traditional style. The maulana sat patiently in the center, documents ready, pen poised.

Zoya was led to the women’s side, her hands clenched in Nida’s. Her face was partially covered with a blush-pink veil, but her eyes glimmered.

Akif was on the men’s side, just across the curtain separating them.

He closed his eyes.

“Ready?” the maulana asked.

“Yes,” Akif whispered, his voice low but steady.

The maulana repeated the khutbah— verses from the Quran about love, mercy, and the sacred bond of marriage. Every word fell like petals in the air.

Then, the moment came.

“Akif Malik, do you accept Zoya Iqbal as your lawfully wedded wife, with the agreed mahr of one silver ring and her lifelong happiness?”

Akif’s lips curled into the softest smile.

“Qubool hai.”

(“I accept.”)

“Do you accept?”

“Qubool hai.”

“And again—?”

“Qubool hai.”

The paper was signed.

He was hers. She was his. Forever.

---

Now it was her turn.

Behind the curtain, Zoya’s breath was shaky. Nida held her hand tight.

“Zoya Iqbal, do you accept Akif Malik as your lawfully wedded husband, with the agreed mahr?”

Zoya’s lips quivered.

“Qubool hai.”

Once.

“Qubool hai.”

Twice.

“Qubool hai.”

Thrice.

And just like that—two hearts, two souls, two wanderers… bound forever under the eyes of Allah and the sky.

---

Tears. Everywhere.

Zoya broke first. Her tears came silently, but heavily. She turned to Aarfa and buried her face in her best friend’s shoulder.

“I’m married,” she whispered, voice cracking. “I’m really married.”

Aarfa hugged her tight. “I know. And you’re glowing.”

On the other side, Ayaan pulled Akif into a hug.

“Damn bro, we’re really grown-ups now,” he laughed through misty eyes. “You’re married. My best friend is a husband!”

Akif wiped his eyes and grinned.

“A husband… to her. Can you believe it?”

---

The moment of the veil.

The curtain was drawn.

Zoya sat shyly, her head lowered. Akif walked in slowly, his steps unsure, like approaching something sacred.

And there she was.

His bride.

His Zoya.

He sat beside her, heart thudding like a boy seeing his first crush.

Her eyes lifted to meet his — shy, nervous, sparkling.

He didn’t say anything. Just reached into his pocket… and pulled out the most delicate silver ring.

“Your mahr,” he whispered. “And my promise.”

He slipped it onto her finger.

Their fingers brushed. Time froze.

Zoya looked up, her lips parting to speak — but Akif leaned in just a little.

“Not a kiss,” he whispered cheekily, “but I can stare at you forever, can’t I?”

Zoya’s cheeks flushed deep crimson.

“You’re embarrassing me,” she murmured.

He smiled.

“You’re my wife now. Get used to it.”

---

The night ended in a blur of laughter, food, dancing, and teasing.

Cousins smuggled laddoos, aunties passed tissues to one another as they wiped happy tears. Ayaan sang an awful love song, Aarfa danced like a queen, and Akif and Zoya?

They sat in a quiet corner.

No words. Just eyes. And a thousand unspoken dreams.

“I’m scared,” she admitted, her voice a whisper in the wind.

“So am I,” he replied, holding her hand under the table. “But with you... I’m home.”

And as the stars blinked awake in the night sky, so did a love story that would now begin its forever.

---

“Sarii duniya se jeet k mai aya hun idhar...tere aage hi mai Hara Kiya tune kya asar?”

"Mai Dil ka raaz kehti hu k jab jab sanse leti hu...Tera hi naam leti hu”

«“Ye tune kya kiya~”»

~Anniewrites😌✨