Married To You?

The Last Event!

It was 6 in the morning when Qasim's and my own phone's alarms began ringing off making me groan and hide my face in the duvet as if that would cause the alarms to switch off automatically.

“Khadijah.. switch it off”

“Nooo, I'm not moving from here” I grumbled from under the duet

“It's so early” he mumbled as he shifted and two seconds later both alarms ringing were muted

“Why did you make me put two alarms on?”

“Because”

“Ok, great reason now get up, you're gonna take forever to get ready”

“The event is in the evening”I muttered angling for another hour of sleep

“Honey, you wanted to oversee the decoration, remember?”

“Noo, when did I say that?” I denied

“Last night, now get out” He pulled the duvet off me dragging it towards his side

“Fine” I scowled at his back as I slowly sat up then I leaned on him, “Qasim?”

“What?”

“Do I have to?”

“Yes” he turned around kissing my forehead, “now get off me please”

“Fine..”

I jumped out of bed, I wasn't going to iron any clothes, we'll just wear what we wore yesterday as we're going to be wearing our Walima outfits in a while.

I had a quick shower, it was freezing as the morning air rushed in the bathroom through the window. I was out in less than fifteen minutes and downstairs in five, no-one was downstairs making me feel irritated as Qasim forced me out so early, it was my fault though. I had a quick cup of tea deciding I would get treated with Costa from Abid and Qasim as I deserve it for being so amazing. I quickly did the morning chores; hoovering, mopping and organising the sofa sheets etc as they were a mess from last night as we all spent half the night lying around and talking. I then got in the kitchen and began preparing the things for breakfast so when everyone came downstairs I would just have to quickly make it.

There wasn't much to do now that I had done my chores so I waited around for someone to wake up and my savior was the first to come down; Aneesah.

“Baj”

“Huh yes” I startled awake from a mini doze I fell into sitting on the sofa

“Why are you awake?”

“Your brother woke me up” I rolled my eyes making her laugh

“Why don't you lie down? I'll hoover while”

“Oh I've done that and the mopping etc.”

“Really? I didn't hear anything I must have been in some deep sleep”

“Yep I was bored”

“Have you had breakfast?”

“Nope, I had tea I'm gonna force Qasim and Abid to take me Costa”

“I want some” she grinned

“You're coming with us, aren't you?”

“I didn't think so but because you've already done all the chores I guess I can, I just need to iron mum's and aunty's outfits for today”

“Where are they?”

“In my room”

“Go and get them, I'll iron them while you have a quick breakfast”

“Are you sure? You look tired”

“I'm fine honestly, the quicker we finish our chores the earlier we can sneak out” I laughed at my ulterior motives

“Okay, I'll see you upstairs. The clothes are on my bed”

“Ok honey”

Once I got the clothes I placed them on the stair-rails so I began the last chore of the day (hopefully), the family slowly began waking up, first uncle was walking out of his room nodding at me, “Who's clothes are you ironing?”

“Auntie's” I said as I placed her dupatta on the hanger

“Why didn't you tell Aneesah to iron it? Is she awake yet? Wake her up”

I laughed, “She's awake, she's awake.. I have an ulterior motive for ironing these clothes”

“What is that?” he smiled

“The quicker Aneesah's chores are done the quicker we can force the boys to treat us to Costa today”

“Haha, spoken like a true daughter of the house” he laughed, “here you go, today's treat is on me” He handed me a ₤50 note, this guy is definitely loaded

“You don't have to, the whole point is they have to treat us and also this is way too much for us four”

“Keep it for next time”

“Honestly it's not neccesary”

“Stop being stubborn” he mock-scowled

I laughed, “Okay, thank you”

“No problem, beti”

I tucked the note in my phone cover for now as I was finishing up the clothes.

Next was aunty who smiled at me, “Morning aunty”

“Morning beti”

“Here are your clothes” I handed her the hanger

“Why did you iron it?”

“Because Aneesah is making breakfast for you and I decided to finish our chores, by the way, can Aneesah come with us to the hall?”

“Of course she can”

“Great”

“Okay let me go get some breakfast” she nodded at me walking back into her room with her outfit

Abid was next, smirking at me ironing aunty's clothes, “Getting used to your duties”

“Haha very funny”

“No seriously though, why are you ironing?”

“Finishing chores off so you and your brother can treat us on the way to the hall”

“What makes you think we're gonna do that?”

“Because I've been up since 6 am”

“Seriously?”

“Yes” I rolled my eyes at his shocked face

“Okay done we'll treat you” he grinned

“Good now do you have any thing to iron for today?”

“Nope thank you”

“Are you sure?”

“Yep”

Finally finishing up the second outfit I placed it in Aneesah's room and then walked into my own bedroom so I could wake Qasim up as it was nine and we needed to leave soon to get our jobs done before we get rushed to be ready.

“Qasim” I sat on his side of the bed poking his cheek

“What?” he muttered

“Get up”

“Why?”

“It's one o'clock”

“No it isn't I just checked my phone before you walked in but nice try though”

“Oh” I grinned at my fail

“I'm getting up in ten minutes”

“You have to treat me and Aneesah”

“Why?” he opened his eyes staring at me

“Because we've been up since ages”

“So?”

“I'm amazing?”

“You are amazing, ok ok we'll go”

“Good” I smiled kissing his cheek, “What do you want for breakfast?”

“Where do you guys want to go?”

“Costa I think?”

“Shall we not go for lunch? We'll go to the hall first, Haleena, Humaira and Naveed are coming there too to help us out and then we can go for lunch together?”

“Are they both coming?”

“Yep”

“Can we do that then?”

“Of course”

“But where are they getting ready?”

“Haleena and Humaira are getting ready with you and Aneesah at the parlour and Naveed is going to go back home to pick up everyone so I imagine he'll get ready at home”

“What?”

“Yep”

“How?”

“It's my treat for you four as the bill from the parlour will be one of my expenses and also because I know it'll be more fun for you if your mini beauticians are with you”

“You're amazing!”

“I know” he smirked

I hugged him, “Really, you are”

“Thank you” he muttered returning my hug

“What do you want for breakfast?”

“I just want some milk with cookies, have you had breakfast?”

“Okay and yeh I had some tea”

“Have breakfast again with me”

“What? Why?”

“Just” he smiled

“Whatever, get out of bed” I let go of him so he could get out of the bed and I could clean up somewhat. Getting up he grabbed his clothes off the futon and walked into the bathroom, “See ya downstairs”

I quickly set the bed and put my handbag, Qasim's watch and wallet and a fresh pair of socks on the bed so he could get ready and I could just grab my handbag when we left.

Sitting downstairs with the family around the dining-table was a sight to see as there was nearly a whole loaf of french toast on the table and two kettles of tea for the guests and we were all just staring at the master chef behind this, Aneesah who was smiling sheepishly at us, “Eat up everyone”

Laughing we all grabbed a piece of bread trying to lessen the pile, even the aunties did. Everyone had breakfast at quite a leisurely pace as we didn't seem to be bothered and we also needed the rest, well I did seeing I was up early as heck!

“Okay kids I know the girls are after a treat so I think you should get to the hall now” Uncle winked at me making me laugh

“Oh yeh the treat is from uncle today”

“What?”

“Uncle gave me money for the treat” I muttered as Qasim looked at me slightly confused

“Oh, that's good for my bank account”

“Haha but that money is not to be used today” Uncle said smiling at me, “The point of the treat is who gives it and it's not from me today, I'm afraid boys”

“Shame” Aneesah stuck her tongue out at Qasim who scowled at her shrugging his shoulders

It was finally time to leave, us girls grabbing our handbags and the boys their sunglasses, “Bye everyone” we all screamed banging the door behind us avoiding any extra tasks.

“Baj, to the front”

“Why?”

Abid rolled his eyes as he let himself in the car and gestured to the front seat making me scowl at him as I trudged my way around the car to the front making all three siblings laugh at me.

When we finally got to the hall (it was a forty-five min drive) we got busy quickly organising the chairs,the center-pieces how we want them and placing the wedding favours (small floral cardboard boxes filled with fake petals and a mix of chocolates; Lindor, Ferrero Rocher and Hershey Kisses) yes we ate some when placing them in their cute boxes, Naveed and Haleena joined us just ten minutes later than us (they had an early start; it was an hour and thirty minute drive from home), “Deedsss” they both said standing behind me making me whip around and jump right into their arms

“Oh I missed you Deeds” Naveed muttered in our mini hug

“I missed you too so much” I could feel tears pricking my eyes as my siblings hug was reminding me of everything I was missing out on, “so much I swear”

“Deeds”

“Jee baby”

“Can you come home now?” Haleena muttered into my neck

“Oh baby I wish” I hugged them tighter feeling my throat tighten as it was probably preparing for a mini sobfest

Nobody said anything as we stood in the middle of the red carpet hugging each other, Haleena was the first to cry, we broke up the hug so I could console her but it wasn't working as I just began to cry myself. It was a mess!

Qasim walked up to me holding my hands leading me away as Aneesah hugged Haleena trying to make her quiet, “It won't be long before you go to stay baby, I promise”

“I know, I just couldn't do anything, I didn't know what to say” I sighed as I looked at my sister who was being consoled by Abid who was looking at her and talking to her.

I didn't know what he was saying but whatever it was, it was working as she sighed and laughed then she walked towards the table he was setting up and began helping him, I looked at Naveed who was staring at the pair with narrowed eyes as if he just figured out what we all knew all along. He turned to me as if he felt my eyes on him and I just grinned at him making him roll his eyes and then walk off to Qasim to help him out.

With their help we were done quicker than I thought we would be especially as Qasim kept pulling flowers out of the centerpieces to hand them to me leading me to have a full bouquet of white roses by the end making me roll my eyes and forcing him to place them all back and Abid kept taking a break by sitting on the stage and making Haleena laugh and join him and if he wasn't taking a break he was trying to convince me not everyone needed a wedding favour and that he deserved the chocolates more making me roll my eyes and ignore him.

Once we were done we met with the hotel manager and the boys discussed a few things while us three girls sat on the stage waiting for them to get free. When we were finally all done we said bye to Naveed as he had to go home early because he had a few chores left and there wasn't that much time for him to join us. Haleena, however, was going to spend the next couple of days with us as aunty had rang my parents and persuaded them to let her stay for a few days as Qasim's aunties were still staying so they wanted some of my relatives and the only one who had no obligations was the immature child of the house; my very own baby sister. She grabbed her belonging from Naveed's car and handed them to Abid who had his hands out obediently waiting for her bags making all of us laugh, even Naveed laughed as he hid his face probably trying to hide the fact that he wasn't so over-protective as he tries to show off.

We were finally at Nando's and as excited as I was I couldn't help but overthink about the evening event; hoping we did everything perfectly today and that our clothes were alright. Yes, bridezilla doesn't really finish at wedding days in the Pakistani culture.

We had ordered quite quickly as we all knew what we wanted because I think this is the first time in a while each of us had a chance to have a relaxing lunch or even have lunch since the wedding preparations had began.The food arrived quite sooner than I thought it would because we were so busy laughing and enjoying ourselves, we were sat in a booth; me and Qasim on one side and the three idiots on the other and yes Aneesah was in the middle, fear not haram police!

Once the beautiful, oh so amazing and scrumptious food was placed on the table we all began snap-chatting our meals except Qasim who just rolled his eyes at our smart phone flashes going off, honestly the chicken looked so yum you would cry at how tasty it actually looked.. okay I guess I missed my Nando's more than I gave off. Once I got my Story worthy snap I began scarfing down my food, the Hot Peri-Peri marinated chicken just made me sigh out of happiness, paired with Peri Peri fries, ahh it was just pure ecstasy!

I looked up from my plate to see four pair of eyes staring at me, I just grinned at them, “I missed my Nando's k”

“Whatever” Abid muttered making me scowl at him

Once we were all done eating we sat around for a while because we were all in a mini food-coma, well I was as I ate my whole meal and I still stole half of Qasim's fries so I was definitely stuffed. Once we decided enough was enough, well Humaira texted me telling me she was near our house which made me rush everyone as we weren't sure if anyone was back home and I didn't want her to wait alone just because we were being lazy.

And now here we were, sitting in a private bridal dressing room at the parlour...

We had rushed in with a suitcase full of our clothes, accesssories, lashes (what? A girl has got to have her own falsies) and random other things we had decided we might need for us to be able to achieve the true definition of glow up as we all looked like tramps with dark eye-bags to match.

They had three makeup artists available for us four girls so they began their magic almost immediately after we got changed. I sat in front of the salon mirror station in my peach and silver kurti, I would put the lengha on later as I was feeling lazy, I looked at all the products placed in front of me and I was highly impressed, I was actually excited to see what they do to me as I had seen lots of their customer feedback on the way to the parlour and it was all positive. So here I was sitting in a black leather chair in front of a mirror that didn't deceive my reflection as I saw my dark eyebags, my red eyes and the tiredness as I stooped in my seat, wearing a beautifully embroidered kurti with grey leggings and a white hijab loosely wrapped around my head, I would wear my full outfit once my face was done. I was exhausted already and the event hasn't even started..

Two hours, lots of blending and at least a dozen q-tips discarded later I was finally ready with beautifully blended cut-creases and my lips were set with nude and a beautiful shimmer over the matte lipstick created by highlighter. My base makeup was exquisite if I do say so myself, my eyes were shining as if they don't really have two horrid dark bags hiding under the foundation. They even set my hijab in a similar fashion to the way I had it draped on my wedding day, the only difference was they didn't drape it across my body instead they pinned it up on one shoulder and let the other side go as it flowed behind me.. definitely going to be a lot of pins to pull out!

We were nearly all done when I got 'THE' phone-call from Abid who first complained at how long we took to get ready which made us all of us roll our eyes, I had put it on speaker as I pulled my bangles on, then he nagged at how all the boys were ready and how my parents were waiting for us back home which honestly made my heart surge with excitement, then he told us he was outside in Naveed's car and we “should be out in less than five minutes otherwise” making us roll our eyes yet again.. boys and their empty threats!

Ten minutes later we were welcomed into the car with a scowl and a roll of eyes except I'm pretty sure I saw Abid's mouth pop open as he looked at Haleena, well ogled at would be the right description. He didn't even blink making us all just sigh as the two love-birds blush as they finally realised they had an audience of three.. Finally, we got a move and now we were inside where I had just met my parents and my baby Umar who excitedly jumped into my arms where he stayed until we had to leave. Me, Qasim, Aneesah and Abid got into Abid's car as we would make the first entrance, my in-laws after us four and then my parents and siblings would make their entries.

As we drove towards the hall I sighed, this was the last crazy event to take place and then me and Qasim would create a routine and we would begin our life together, terrified was too small a word to describe the feeling I felt myself engulfed in.

Qasim looked at me and smiled, “You look even more beautiful than yesterday”

“Don't lie”

“I'm not, you look like a queen, my queen” He held my hand and kissed my knuckles making me laugh

“What?”

“Kiss the ring” I hissed placing the finger with the ring on in front of his lips

All three siblings began laughing making me scowl, “What's your problem?”

“Nothing, you're just so funny and yes Qasim is right, you look beautiful today Baj”Abid muttered smiling in the rear-view mirror

“Thank you”

When we finally got to the hall, Qasim and me walked together hand in hand as the camera-man was working his magic as he walked in front capturing our steps together to the stage which was exquisitely decorated. That's what Qasim and Naveed must have been talking about as the stage was now upgraded from the basic decorative chairs to two single seats and a wedding chaise which were pearly white with silver leather covering the actual seats. In front of the seating arrangement was a table covered with peach lace and on the ends of the table were silver wooden initials 'Q' and 'K', in the middle of the two decorative pieces was a three-tier cake which was decorated with silver lace and silver edible beads and on the last tier the entire circumference of the cake was surrounded with peach, pink and purple sugar flowers tying up our colour scheme. It looked so amazing and extra yummy, I didn't even know Aneesah had organised this..

“It was Haleena and Aneesah's idea”

“Really?” I smiled at Qasim who knew exactly what I was thinking

“Yep and they made lover boy Abid get it, well Haleena made him”

“How do you know?”

“I have my sources” He smiled at me as he helped me up the stage still holding my hand making the family members who were standing near the stage gush out loud

“Say Masha-Allah, thank you” Abid said walking up to the stage smiling at the aunties gather around

“What about you?” An aunty asked

“What about me?”

“When will we be saying Masha-Allah to you?”

“Oh aunty, you are after my heart” he said placing his hand over his chest, “I'm next”

“Are you really?” Qasim's mother said standing behind him as she pinched his cheek

“Oh mum, I'm ready. Find me someone who is just half the woman she is and I'm set for life” He said pointing at me which made me laugh as I searched for Haleena who's face was sure to be bright red and I was right, she was standing beside Humaira who was laughing probably doing all the teasing I would have done at the point

“Half the woman, Abid?” I asked

“Baj there's no-one better than you so whoever you and my beautiful mum agree on, she'll be the best person for me” he said winking at me making me laugh as me and Qasim took our seat on the stage

They had moved the table to the side so we could sit and get some photos taken by our camera-man and to allow anyone who wanted to take photos with us. My in-laws were first to take to the stage and they convinced my family to join them as “We are one family now” my father-in-law had said. Me and Qasim were sat on the chaise, our fathers on the one-seaters with our mothers standing behind them, Naveed, Zohrah, Haleena, Aneesah and Abid were stood behind us (in the chaise) in that order so the boys were standing next to their mothers and my darling nephew was sat in the middle of Qasim and me smiling as Qasim high-fived him. It was an adorable photo as I can prove thanks to Humaira for being my back-up photographer as she took the photos on her phone too. The extended family took their seats as soon as our parents and siblings had gotten off the stage after each of their own personal photo-shoot they all requested with the couple of the evening..

The Walima went by in a blur of photos, cake-cutting and yummy food. At the end of the evening I had two main problems, a splitting headache and I was extra stuffed thanks to my yummy plate of Gajrela (carrot dessert) with vanilla ice-cream and two servings of the yummy cake, not much to complain about but I was full!! The evening wound down itself once dinner was served and now it was just our two families and some extended family members who were all getting ready to come to our home for a while which I was excited about because I'd finally be able to sit with my family relaxed.

The car ride back home was faster than on the way to the hall as everyone hauled themselves into the car, Haleena had joined us for some reason that I could not remember which earned a scowl from Naveed probably at the fact that Abid was the driver, she had grabbed the aux cord as soon as she sat and began playing her random songs at which I zoned out and snuggled into Aneesah who was sitting beside me. I was exhausted.

Once we got home I went upstairs to get changed as soon as possible to minimize the minutes I waste not spending with my family, Qasim was close behind me as he closed the door, “Are you okay?”

“Yeh why?”

“You came upstairs really fast and you didn't speak in the car”

“Oh I was sleepy and Haleena's playlist was doing all the talking and I just wanna get out of these clothes” I grinned at him as I sat on the bed taking my heels off

“Ohh”

“Yep Qasim relax”

“Whatever, hey let's take a selfie”

“Okay”

I stood up and walked up to him as I opened the camera app on my phone, smiling I took a picture, then we started doing silly poses because we aren't normal.. He kissed my cheek, “You're amazing”

“I know right, now help me”

“With?”

“Taking this dupatta off”

He began laughing but stopped abruptly when I scowled up at him as I began tugging my dupatta. He helped me by unpinning the pins I couldn't reach and I chucked the dupatta on to the bed grateful the weight of the embroidery wasn't dragging my head down, I then grabbed my clothes, that I had got out before leaving for the parlour, walking off to the bathroom.

“You don't need any more help?” He winked at me smirking

“No thank you” I shut the door on his smirking face making him laugh

As soon as I was changed I stepped out discarding the clothes on the bed, “Shall we go dearest?” I muttered to Qasim who was changed into some comfy clothes and was currently watching yet another video on his phone.

“Let's” he stood up smiling holding his hand out to me, I placed my hand in his and we walked downstairs to the living room hand in hand where our family was sitting around in somewhat comfortable clothes, Umar was the most comfiest as he lay down in my mum's lap with a SpiderMan onesie on and a milk bottle in hand.

We spent the rest of the night talking amongst ourselves, my father-in-law succeeded in convincing my parents to go home late as they were ready to leave when the extended family were leaving, so here I was with my head in my mother's lap as she patted my head whilst talking to everyone around us. Umar was fast asleep on another sofa as the rest of us talked somewhat quietly around him. We had cans of Red Bull and a kettle full of tea for the elder group with a plate full of some leftover cake on the table that we happily gorged on. The night came to an end at midnight when my parents insisted they should leave, they tried to convince Haleena to go with them but Qasim spoke up for her and insisted on the fact that she should stay, he reassured them she would be dropped off two days from now, with me as I would be going to visit home too.

Once my parents, Naveed, Zohrah and Umar had left, my father-in-law and mother-in-law said their good-nights and left the living-room to us youngsters. Abid disappeared upstairs as soon as we had settled on the sofas our bodies more than happily portraying our need to relax as we each claimed a sofa for ourselves except me and Qasim shared as there were only three sofas, so yes my legs were on Qasim's lap.. What? I was more tired than him, I've been up since six.

Abid re-appeared with a Monopoly board game at which I grinned at, family nights were best with board games. He roped Aneesah and Haleena into getting rid of the dishes and grabbing new cans of Red Bull which at first they scowled at then just complied. We all gathered around the table and began playing Monopoly, I was the Top Hat of course. Qasim won the game, I was the second to lose after Aneesah as we both kept landing on Qasim or Abid's property, then it was Abid who I think lost on purpose to Haleena but unfortunately Qasim wasn't the generous type while playing so he gladly forced Haleena to give up property after property until she was broke.

“You are ruthless, Bhai Qasim”

“That's the point of the game duh” he grinned at her taking the last property card of her making her stick her tongue out at him

“Okay, let's play a game”

“Which game?”

“I'm out, you guys play” I said to them as I lay back down grinning

“Of course, you just don't wanna lose”

“Whatever you think honey” I stuck my tongue at Abid

They began playing some game where they had to guess the person they were thinking of, they split into two teams, first they had decided it was girls vs boys but according to Abid he didn't want to be unfair so they decided Abid would be teamed up with Haleena and the other paired up, which made me smirk at his so blatant move. I got bored of focusing on their game so I opened up Netflix and began watching the series that I loved so much I'm watching it for the third time; How To Get Away With Murder! I was basically Netflix and chilling with myself, some Red Bull and a second helping of cake.. it was so yum!

I must have fell asleep because I woke up when Qasim shook my shoulder, “Khadijah.. Khadijah”

“Hmm” I groaned covering my face with my pillow

“Let's go to bed” he grabbed the pillow and held my hand helping me up as I scowled at him

“Fine” I muttered as I grabbed my phone, “where are the rest?”

“They just went upstairs”

“Oh okay.. oh my god, did I snore?”

“Haha, no baby, you didn't, it's just been fifteen minutes”

“Oh good”

He was still holding my hand as we walked up the stairs and entered our bedroom, he made me sit on the bed as he locked our bedroom door and came to sit beside me. I smiled at him and placed my head on his shoulders as I held his hand weaving our fingers together.

“Thank you for getting Haleena to stay”

“No worries baby”

He kissed my forehead making me smile, he placed an arm over my shoulders making me snuggle into him, feeling the warmth emanating from him. We stayed like that for five minutes until I needed to get to the bathroom making me escape his hug, I grabbed my night-clothes and got changed whilst in the bathroom. I walked out to see Qasim changed and waiting for me I guess because as soon as I stepped out he stood up, he held his hand out to me, “Wanna dance?”

“Really?”

“Yes why?”

“Because,” I grimaced remembering the reflection of myself I just stared at not ten seconds ago, my hair was in a messy bun, I was wearing My Little Pony onesie and my eye bags were out to declare war apparently, “I look a state and aren't you tired anyways?”

“Never tired for a dance with my wife and also you are the epitome of beautiful”

I blushed at his statement and placed my hand in his as he grabbed me and began dancing with me, “There's no music” I laughed

“We don't need music, the air around us is our audience, your laughter is the symphony, our hands together is the composer and you, my love are my muse, the cause of all things beautiful in my life.”

“Did you get that from the internet?” I blushed staring up at him through the strands of hair that escaped from my bun

“No, I promise”

“Seriously?”

“I swear” he grinned at me

“Wow”

“Wow?” he questioned

“I didn't know you were such a romantic”

“I am not but for you I will be everything you desire"

I blushed, “okay, that's enough”

“Yes my queen”

We stayed dancing like that in the night, in each others arms, for god knows how long. I stared at his eyes as they stared back at me full to the brim with love and happiness and everything good in life.

When we let go of each other and got into bed we fell asleep faster than we could say 'I love you' well I did, I was so tired and those Red Bulls were nothing compared to my sleep.