Chapter 7
Author's POV:
The hall echoed with the sound of women crying as Aayat's rukhsati preparations began. The bride's side was in tears, while the groom's family waited with quiet smiles, trying not to show impatience.
Aayat's dupatta was fixed once again, her father kissed her forehead, and her mother clung to her as though letting her go meant letting go of her own heart.
"Ammi please... bas kijiye," Aayat whispered, her own tears spilling.
Her mother shook her head, voice breaking.
"Betiyan toh ek din parayi ho hi jaati hain... lekin tujhe chhod kar mera dil hi toot raha hai."
Rashid (Aayat's father), tried to lighten the moment. "Arrey, meri ladli roye gi toh damad sahab kya sochenge? Yeh roti hui dulhan ghar le kar ja rahay hain?"
The room chuckled softly despite the tears. Rayyan, who stood quietly near his parents, glanced at Aayat - his heart tightening at the sight of her tears. He wanted to walk over, to comfort her, but tradition kept him restrained.
Hayaat hugged her sister tightly, sobbing. "appi... mujhe chhod kar mat jao."
Aayat wiped her little sister's tears. "Pagal, kya main jaa rahi hoon chhod kar? Roz samne wale ghar se tumhe dikhai nahi doon gi kya?"
Everyone laughed through their tears.
As Aayat was escorted towards the car, her brothers Saad and Sameer teased to hide their emotions.
"Rayyan bhai," Saad smirked, "hamari behen ka khayal rakhna... warna hum aapke ghar ke saamne hi hain."
Sameer added dramatically, "Haan, aur agar ek aansoo bhi nikla na iski aankh se toh... you know what we'll do."
Rayyan's lips curved into the faintest smile. "Don't worry. Ab se wo nahi roye gy... kabhi nahi."
The sincerity in his tone silenced them both, leaving them momentarily speechless.
Aayat, hearing him, felt her cheeks flush beneath the bridal veil.
The rukhsati began. Rose petals showered. The family's cries grew louder. As the car door closed, Aayat's teary eyes looked back at her family, clutching her dupatta tightly.
Inside, Rayyan sat beside her, hands resting calmly on his lap. For a long moment, silence hung heavy. Only the soft sobs of Aayat filled the space.
Finally, his voice broke the silence, quiet but firm.
"Stop crying, Aayat. Tumhe rulaane ke liye main nahi le ja raha hoon."
She looked at him, startled, then quickly turned her face away, embarrassed.
The Malik mansion on Rayyan's side was alive with light and laughter. Women ululated as the car pulled up, welcoming the new bride. His mother rushed forward, her eyes moist but smiling, while relatives crowded around to get a glimpse of the dulhan.
Ramsha, standing among the cousins, watched silently - her nails digging into her palms. Every laugh, every congratulations for Aayat felt like daggers in her chest. She forced a smile, but her eyes never left Rayyan, whose gaze remained on the ground, only briefly glancing at his bride.
"Dulhan ko andar le jao!" someone cheered.
Inside, Aayat was led to Rayyan's room - decorated with flowers, candles softly glowing, the air heavy with the fragrance of roses and jasmine. Her heart raced. She sat on the edge of the bed, veil covering her face, hands trembling in her lap.
The door opened softly. Rayyan entered, his tall frame casting a shadow against the golden glow of the lamps. He closed the door quietly, as though sealing away the noise of the world.
For a moment, he just stood there, watching her. His bride. The girl he had loved in silence for years was now sitting before him, veiled, nervous, his wife.
Slowly, he walked towards her, his footsteps echoing in the quiet room. He sat down at a measured distance, his deep voice breaking the silence.
"Tumhari roohani kitaabon mein likha hoga na... ke shaadi ek nayi zindagi ka aaghaz hota hai?" His lips curved slightly. "Toh... aaj tumhari nayi zindagi shuru ho rahi hai."
Aayat's fingers tightened around the edge of her dupatta. She whispered, "Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha... sab itni jaldi ho gaya."
Rayyan tilted his head, studying her. "Jaldi? Maine toh iss din ke liye saalon intezaar kiya hai."
Her breath caught. She turned sharply to look at him. "Kya kaha aapne?"
But Rayyan didn't elaborate. Instead, he reached forward, gently lifting her bridal veil. Their eyes met - hers wide with nervousness, his steady, intense, yet filled with warmth.
For a moment, silence. The kind that carries a thousand unsaid emotions.
"You don't need to be afraid," Rayyan said softly. "Main tum par kabhi koi mushkil nahi anay duga."
Her lips trembled into a nervous smile. "Aap itne serious kyu rehte hain? Shaadi ki pehli raat hai... thoda normal behave karein."
For the first time in the day, Rayyan chuckled quietly - a sound so rare it made Aayat blink in surprise.
"Normal? Tum mujhe normal banana chahti ho?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his otherwise deep tone.
She looked down shyly, then whispered, "Bas... thoda muskara liya kijiye."
Rayyan leaned slightly closer, his voice low, almost a promise.
"For you... I will try."
To ease the tension, Aayat pointed at the elaborate floral decorations around the bed. "Itni phoolon ki zarurat kya thi? Mere sar mein dard ho raha hai."
Rayyan smirked. "Tumhari anai ki sabko itni khushi thi,islye phoolon se suhagat kiya... aur tumhein sirf sar dard yaad aa raha hai?"
She giggled, covering her mouth. "Main serious hoon!"
He shook his head, standing up. "Theek hai. Tumhe sirf comfort chahiye na? Main phool hata deta hoon."
Before she could stop him, he actually began removing some of the garlands, his sherwani sleeve brushing against her shoulder as he reached up. She stared at him in surprise - Rayyan Malik, the serious, untouchable businessman, removing flowers just because she complained.
Her heart warmed unknowingly.
When he returned to sit beside her, he noticed her staring. "Kya dekh rahi ho?"
She quickly looked down, flustered. "Kuch nahi..."
Rayyan's lips curved in a rare, soft smile. "Acha hai. Tumhari aankhon mein jo bhi hai, mujhe dekhne do."
Her cheeks flushed crimson. She whispered, "Aap bohot ajeeb hain."
"Shayad," he admitted calmly, his gaze lingering on her. "Lekin ab se... jaisa be hoon main sirf tumhara hoon."
I took her hands and kissed her knuckles.
"Did I tell you how much beautiful my wife is looking today."
She made a pout and shook her head.
"No."
I popped her nose and she giggled.
"You're looking a goddess today." saying that I kissed her forehead. "So beautiful."
She pressed her lips.
"Thank you." and smiled.
I took the jewellery box from my side drawer and gave
her.
"What is this?"
"Your wedding night gift."
"Awww..." and she opened the box.
It's a diamond necklace.
"Oh god it's so beautiful." She looked at the necklace with the shining eyes.
"you like it. "
"I love it. Thank you,ray... She smiled at me.
"Ray?"
She smiled shyly.
I Couldn't control myself and hugged her.
"Thank you for coming in my life."
She rubbed my back.
"Thank you for making my life so beautiful."
I pulled out from the hug and looked at her.
She smiled.
I lowered her nose ring and kissed her both cheeks.
"I loved this soft cheeks so much."
She giggled.
I cupped her face.
" Aayat?"
"Hmm."
"Do you want t-"
Before I could complete, she nodded.
"Yes."
I smiled and started taking off her accessories .I took off her dupatta from her head and nuzzled my nose on her neck. Her jesmine scent filled my nostrils.
She closed her eyes in sensation and bite her lower lip harder.
I placed my hand on her waist and she clutched it tightly.Pressing a kiss on her neck, I pulled out.
Kissing her forehead, I cupped her face and looked at her eyes which are filled with love.
She became shy because of my gaze and lowered her eyes. I leaned and whispered.
" Aj sharmana nahi chalay ga aayat."
She bite her lower lip.
And then I crashed my lips on her.
The night stretched ahead, heavy with unspoken promises, nervous laughter, and the beginning of a love Aayat had yet to realize - but Rayyan had carried for years.
Outside, the world slept. Inside, two hearts began the fragile journey of learning each other.