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Chapter 7
Gaiti and her Khala escorted Zubiya to the stage. Asfi stood on the raised platform, his eyes glued onto his bride. Her slow, approaching footsteps giving a rhythmic feel to his heartbeat. The lights in the background were slowly guiding his vision back to normal. As she reached the steps of the stage, Asfi came forward and stretched out his hand. Gracefully, she entrusted her palm in his grasp and climbed the steps.
The photographers were lined close to the stage, gesturing for the bride and groom to come closer and pose for the camera. After a brief photo session, they were told to sit down. His hand on Zubiya's back, Asfi guided her to take a seat and lowered himself on to the sofa beside her.
"Tum bohat khubsoorat lag rahi ho," he whispered to her, "Aur mujhe pata hai ke tum ye line roz roz meray mun se sun ke thak jao gi."
"Aapki taareefon se main kabhi nahi thakne wali," she said, her cheeks colouring. "Aur aap jab bhi black pehente hain tou meri saansein wesay hi ruk jati hain aapko dekh ke, bohat ache lag rahe hain aap."
They met countless guests that night. Some were familiar faces, while others were completely alien. Gaiti had already told Asfi and Zubiya that no matter how much every couple looked forward to their wedding day, it ended up being the most tiring event for them. Meeting relatives, friends, colleagues, accepting their wishes, smiling at their compliments, posing for pictures with all of them. Zubiya almost felt like her jaw had frozen into a permanent smile by the end of the function. The weight of her heavy clothes and accessories were straining her neck and making her back ache.
The piercing camera lights had started to make Asfi's eyes water, resulting in Dr. Haroon's humorous teasing.
"Rukhsati tou Dr. Zubiya ki hone wali hai aur aapko rona araha hai Dr. Asfandyar!" Dr. Haroon chuckled.
"Mujhe agar thora bhi idea hota ke camera ki lights main dekh ke meri aankhon ki ye halat hogi, tou main roz ek ghanta camera ke samne beth ke practice kar leta," Asfi replied, his voice reflecting a hint of annoyance.
"Chalo Asfandyar zyada nakhray mat karo," Dr. Asifa said, walking towards them with a beautifully decorated glass. "Doodh pilai ki rasam ke liye ready ho jao."
There really had been no separate bride's side or groom's side in their wedding. Everyone had sided on both sides, participating with equal enthusiasm for both of them. Mainly because most of Zubiya's relatives had not come from Karachi, Lubna Aunty and Gaiti made sure to make her feel welcome and comfortable with them. Similarly, the doodh pilai rasam was traditionally supposed to be done by the bride's sister or cousins, however Dr. Asifa had eagerly volunteered to do it.
Asfi peeped into the glass when she brought it close to him. It was some sort of coloured or flavoured milk. He absolutely detested flavoured milk, his fast lifestyle and health consciousness in America had made him used to plain milk, without sugar.
"Mujhe ye poora glass peena hoga kia?" He asked with a frown.
"Chalo beta Asfi, tumhara asli test ab shuru hua! Patients ko roz karwi medicines dete ho, staff ko har waqt daante ho, ab zara ye doodh khatam kar ke dikhao humain," Gaiti teased him.
"Haan Asfandyar, jaldi jaldi khatam karo!" Dr. Asifa also said.
Before taking the first sip, he looked at Zubiya. Her face was bright with silent laughter, she was trying very hard to control herself from breaking into giggles. Giving her a tumhe-tou-main-baad-main-dekhta-hun look, he finally started to gulp down the milk.
****
Most of the guests had left by 11 pm. A few close friends and relatives were sitting around and socialising. Asfi and Zubiya had just had their dinner and finished the last bit of their photoshoot.
"Zubiya, beta rukhsati ka waqt hone wala hai, aur ghar wapsi ka raasta bhi lamba hai, tou agar tumhe washroom waghera use karna hai tou please kar lo," Lubna Aunty spoke to her softly.
"Ji ji, mujhe thora freshen up hona hai," Zubiya replied.
"Gaiti, beta please Zubiya ki help kar do," Lubna Aunty called out.
Gaiti came and helped Zubiya with handling her heavy sharara. Asfi stood up as they walked towards the exit, making their way to the ladies room. He observed the departing form of his wife. He was dreading the next half hour with his entire being. He knew Zubiya was trying to be strong about the whole rukhsati deal, but he had seen her eyes roaming all over the place, as if she was searching for something. She clearly had years of experience in hiding her emotions, he knew she believed that no one was able to sense her uneasiness until she allowed them to. But this time it was evident to him. He wanted to be there for her, he didn't want her to hold back her emotions. And he knew it was going to be hard this time because she wasn't just bidding farewell to her Khala and brother, she was also bidding farewell to two souls high up in the heavens.
****
The car waited in front of them. Zubiya had been holding Asfi's hand through the walk from their hotel hall to the entrance. Asfi could feel the coldness of her palm, her hand clutching his very tightly.
Zubiya's Khala came forward, her expression strained with sorrow.
"Meri bachi, aaj ke din ko hargiz apni rukhsati na samjhna. Tum dunya ke dastoor ke hisaab se rukhsat zaroor horahi ho, lekin aaj se tumhari zindagi ki ek nayi shurwat hone ja rahi hai. Tum ek haseen gharanay main ja rahi ho jahan ka har fard tum se bohat mohabbat karta hai. Bas apne aap ko kamzor nahi parne dena."
Zubiya hurriedly crashed into her Khala's embrace.
"Khala Ammi main aap ko bohat yaad karungi. Meray pas aapka shukria ada karne ke liye alfaz bhi nahi hain," she managed to say through her tears.
"Allah na kare ke tumhe mera shukria ada karna pare, meri jaan. Tum meri beti ho. Meri jaan ho. Tum hamesha meri duaon ka ehem hissa rahogi beta. Aur yaad rakhna, tumhare ammi aur abbi bhi hamesha tumhare sath rahenge."
Zubiya held onto her Khala, her tears soaking into her Khala's dupatta. Lubna Aunty came from behind and lay her arm on Zubiya's shoulder.
"Zubiya tum tou meri itni strong beti ho na, tum tou itni samajdar ho," she said, "Apne aap ko sambhalo beta."
Stepping back, she held her Khala's hand and whispered in a shaky voice, "Khudahafiz Khala Ammi".
"Khudahafiz meri jaan, apna khayal rakhna." She replied.
Just as her Khala had moved aside, Rehan bhai came forward. Coming close to Zubiya, he held her hands.
"Zubiya, mere pas na tumse maafi maangne ke liye koi alfaz hain, aur na hi tumhe koi acha sala dene ke liye alfaz hain," he said softly, "Main sirf tumhara shukria ada kar sakta hun, ke tumne apni zindagi main mujhe phir se jagah di."
Zubiya looked down, unable to meet his eyes.
"Main dua karta hun ke tum hamesha khush raho, hamesha. Apna khayal rakhna." He put his arm around her shoulders and said goodbye.
Asfi's parents came in front of Zubiya's Khala and brother, their eyes moist with tears.
"Aap logon ka bohat bohat shukriya. Ye kehne ki baat tou nahi hai lekin aap log Zubiya ke liye pareshan mat hoyega, hum uska bohat khayal rakhenge," Usman Sahab said.
"Aray humain maloom hai ke aap log Zubiya ko apni beti ki tarah rakhenge," her Khala said. "Har cheez ke liye bohat shukriya."
Rehan bhai held the Holy Quran over Zubiya's head as she walked towards the car. Asfi held her hand, the mere contact reassuring Zubiya more than any words could have.
Asfi waited for her to settle in as Gaiti assembled the folds of Zubiya's dress into the car. Closing the door next to Zubiya's side, he said his goodbyes to Zubiya's family and made his way to the other side of the car.
Settling in next to her, he instantly reached out for her hand. Her eyes glinting with tears, she looked up at him. He softly pressed his palms into her hold, the warmth of his hand finally felt like home to her.
The photographers were lined close to the stage, gesturing for the bride and groom to come closer and pose for the camera. After a brief photo session, they were told to sit down. His hand on Zubiya's back, Asfi guided her to take a seat and lowered himself on to the sofa beside her.
"Tum bohat khubsoorat lag rahi ho," he whispered to her, "Aur mujhe pata hai ke tum ye line roz roz meray mun se sun ke thak jao gi."
"Aapki taareefon se main kabhi nahi thakne wali," she said, her cheeks colouring. "Aur aap jab bhi black pehente hain tou meri saansein wesay hi ruk jati hain aapko dekh ke, bohat ache lag rahe hain aap."
They met countless guests that night. Some were familiar faces, while others were completely alien. Gaiti had already told Asfi and Zubiya that no matter how much every couple looked forward to their wedding day, it ended up being the most tiring event for them. Meeting relatives, friends, colleagues, accepting their wishes, smiling at their compliments, posing for pictures with all of them. Zubiya almost felt like her jaw had frozen into a permanent smile by the end of the function. The weight of her heavy clothes and accessories were straining her neck and making her back ache.
The piercing camera lights had started to make Asfi's eyes water, resulting in Dr. Haroon's humorous teasing.
"Rukhsati tou Dr. Zubiya ki hone wali hai aur aapko rona araha hai Dr. Asfandyar!" Dr. Haroon chuckled.
"Mujhe agar thora bhi idea hota ke camera ki lights main dekh ke meri aankhon ki ye halat hogi, tou main roz ek ghanta camera ke samne beth ke practice kar leta," Asfi replied, his voice reflecting a hint of annoyance.
"Chalo Asfandyar zyada nakhray mat karo," Dr. Asifa said, walking towards them with a beautifully decorated glass. "Doodh pilai ki rasam ke liye ready ho jao."
There really had been no separate bride's side or groom's side in their wedding. Everyone had sided on both sides, participating with equal enthusiasm for both of them. Mainly because most of Zubiya's relatives had not come from Karachi, Lubna Aunty and Gaiti made sure to make her feel welcome and comfortable with them. Similarly, the doodh pilai rasam was traditionally supposed to be done by the bride's sister or cousins, however Dr. Asifa had eagerly volunteered to do it.
Asfi peeped into the glass when she brought it close to him. It was some sort of coloured or flavoured milk. He absolutely detested flavoured milk, his fast lifestyle and health consciousness in America had made him used to plain milk, without sugar.
"Mujhe ye poora glass peena hoga kia?" He asked with a frown.
"Chalo beta Asfi, tumhara asli test ab shuru hua! Patients ko roz karwi medicines dete ho, staff ko har waqt daante ho, ab zara ye doodh khatam kar ke dikhao humain," Gaiti teased him.
"Haan Asfandyar, jaldi jaldi khatam karo!" Dr. Asifa also said.
Before taking the first sip, he looked at Zubiya. Her face was bright with silent laughter, she was trying very hard to control herself from breaking into giggles. Giving her a tumhe-tou-main-baad-main-dekhta-hun look, he finally started to gulp down the milk.
****
Most of the guests had left by 11 pm. A few close friends and relatives were sitting around and socialising. Asfi and Zubiya had just had their dinner and finished the last bit of their photoshoot.
"Zubiya, beta rukhsati ka waqt hone wala hai, aur ghar wapsi ka raasta bhi lamba hai, tou agar tumhe washroom waghera use karna hai tou please kar lo," Lubna Aunty spoke to her softly.
"Ji ji, mujhe thora freshen up hona hai," Zubiya replied.
"Gaiti, beta please Zubiya ki help kar do," Lubna Aunty called out.
Gaiti came and helped Zubiya with handling her heavy sharara. Asfi stood up as they walked towards the exit, making their way to the ladies room. He observed the departing form of his wife. He was dreading the next half hour with his entire being. He knew Zubiya was trying to be strong about the whole rukhsati deal, but he had seen her eyes roaming all over the place, as if she was searching for something. She clearly had years of experience in hiding her emotions, he knew she believed that no one was able to sense her uneasiness until she allowed them to. But this time it was evident to him. He wanted to be there for her, he didn't want her to hold back her emotions. And he knew it was going to be hard this time because she wasn't just bidding farewell to her Khala and brother, she was also bidding farewell to two souls high up in the heavens.
****
The car waited in front of them. Zubiya had been holding Asfi's hand through the walk from their hotel hall to the entrance. Asfi could feel the coldness of her palm, her hand clutching his very tightly.
Zubiya's Khala came forward, her expression strained with sorrow.
"Meri bachi, aaj ke din ko hargiz apni rukhsati na samjhna. Tum dunya ke dastoor ke hisaab se rukhsat zaroor horahi ho, lekin aaj se tumhari zindagi ki ek nayi shurwat hone ja rahi hai. Tum ek haseen gharanay main ja rahi ho jahan ka har fard tum se bohat mohabbat karta hai. Bas apne aap ko kamzor nahi parne dena."
Zubiya hurriedly crashed into her Khala's embrace.
"Khala Ammi main aap ko bohat yaad karungi. Meray pas aapka shukria ada karne ke liye alfaz bhi nahi hain," she managed to say through her tears.
"Allah na kare ke tumhe mera shukria ada karna pare, meri jaan. Tum meri beti ho. Meri jaan ho. Tum hamesha meri duaon ka ehem hissa rahogi beta. Aur yaad rakhna, tumhare ammi aur abbi bhi hamesha tumhare sath rahenge."
Zubiya held onto her Khala, her tears soaking into her Khala's dupatta. Lubna Aunty came from behind and lay her arm on Zubiya's shoulder.
"Zubiya tum tou meri itni strong beti ho na, tum tou itni samajdar ho," she said, "Apne aap ko sambhalo beta."
Stepping back, she held her Khala's hand and whispered in a shaky voice, "Khudahafiz Khala Ammi".
"Khudahafiz meri jaan, apna khayal rakhna." She replied.
Just as her Khala had moved aside, Rehan bhai came forward. Coming close to Zubiya, he held her hands.
"Zubiya, mere pas na tumse maafi maangne ke liye koi alfaz hain, aur na hi tumhe koi acha sala dene ke liye alfaz hain," he said softly, "Main sirf tumhara shukria ada kar sakta hun, ke tumne apni zindagi main mujhe phir se jagah di."
Zubiya looked down, unable to meet his eyes.
"Main dua karta hun ke tum hamesha khush raho, hamesha. Apna khayal rakhna." He put his arm around her shoulders and said goodbye.
Asfi's parents came in front of Zubiya's Khala and brother, their eyes moist with tears.
"Aap logon ka bohat bohat shukriya. Ye kehne ki baat tou nahi hai lekin aap log Zubiya ke liye pareshan mat hoyega, hum uska bohat khayal rakhenge," Usman Sahab said.
"Aray humain maloom hai ke aap log Zubiya ko apni beti ki tarah rakhenge," her Khala said. "Har cheez ke liye bohat shukriya."
Rehan bhai held the Holy Quran over Zubiya's head as she walked towards the car. Asfi held her hand, the mere contact reassuring Zubiya more than any words could have.
Asfi waited for her to settle in as Gaiti assembled the folds of Zubiya's dress into the car. Closing the door next to Zubiya's side, he said his goodbyes to Zubiya's family and made his way to the other side of the car.
Settling in next to her, he instantly reached out for her hand. Her eyes glinting with tears, she looked up at him. He softly pressed his palms into her hold, the warmth of his hand finally felt like home to her.
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