Chapter 68
The wedding hall was glowing.
Every corner was drenched in shades of yellow and green-marigold garlands hung from the ceiling, fairy lights shimmered softly, and fresh flowers filled the air with a gentle fragrance. The mehndi function had transformed the hall into something straight out of a dream.
At the center of it all sat Aayat.
She wore a bright yellow lehenga, delicately embroidered, its dupatta draped gracefully over her shoulder. Mehndi adorned her hands-deep, intricate patterns blooming across her palms and fingers. Bangles clinked softly on her wrists as she laughed, her cheeks glowing, eyes sparkling with happiness.
She was surrounded by Aaliya, Ayaan's cousins, and her own siblings-Hayaat, Saad, and Huzaif. The guests had all arrived, and the atmosphere was filled with laughter, music, and playful chaos.
And then it began.
Someone shouted from the crowd,
"Aayat bhabhi!"
Another voice followed, louder,
"Ayaan ki aayat!"
Dholki beats started echoing through the hall-dhamak, dhamak-as women gathered around Aayat, clapping rhythmically, teasing her without mercy.
" Aayat Ayaan Khan... Ayaan ki jaan..." they sang in unison.
" oh babhi sharma gaye...."
Aayat lowered her gaze, hiding her face behind her dupatta, but her blush betrayed her instantly.
Aaliya leaned closer, whispering loudly on purpose,
"ayaan ka naam sunte hi iska dil dhak dhak karta hain."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Hayaat clapped dramatically.
"Aray api, Apne jazbaton mein kabu rakhiya. Bas ek din ki baat hain. Phir toh__"
The teasing only intensified. Women danced around her, dholki beating faster, songs growing louder.
" mehandi laga kay rakhna"
" Dholi saja kay rakhna"
" Laine tujy aayat, aye gay tere Ayaan raja."
And just then-
Ayaan walked in.
He entered the hall with Danish and Arjun beside him, laughing about something-until his eyes landed on Aayat.
And everything stopped.
His steps slowed... then completely froze.
She was laughing.
Blushing.
Her hands decorated with mehndi.
Her face glowing under the lights.
For a moment, Ayaan forgot how to breathe.
Arjun cleared his throat loudly.
Danish followed with exaggerated seriousness.
"Bhai... muh band kar le," Danish said. "Makhi ghus jaayegi."
Ayaan blinked, then smiled softly, almost in disbelief.
"Yaar... mujhe yaqeen hi nahi ho raha. Meri shaadi ho rahi hai... aur woh bhi Aayat se."
Arjun suddenly slapped his arm.
"Ab hua!"
"Shukar kar aaj mood acha hai mera," he warned playfuly. "Isliye tujhe zinda chhor raha hoon."
They laughed and walked toward the gathering.
The moment Aayat sensed Ayaan's presence, she looked up-and their eyes met.
Her heart skipped.
She immediately lowered her gaze, pretending to focus on her mehndi.
Hayaat leaned close to her ear and whispered wickedly,
"Api, abhi se itni sharm rahi ho... toh kal raat ko kya karogi?"
Aayat turned crimson.
Before she could react, Aaliya chimed in from the other side, eyes twinkling.
"Kal toh Aayat kahegi-"
And suddenly she started singing loudly, completely off-key on purpose,
"Na sharam, na lihaz, ek baar aaya hai...
Aaj phir tum pe pyaar aaya hai!"
The hall exploded with laughter.
Aayat hid her face completely now.
Sonia Khan shook her head, smiling helplessly.
"Kyun bechari ko itna tang kar rahe ho sab?"
Sameer Khan stood up immediately.
"Khabardar," he announced jokingly but firmly, "kisi ne meri beti ko sataya toh-"
Ayaan watched everything with a smirk, arms folded.
He looked at Hayaat and Aaliya and said calmly,
"Ab mujhe jagah milegi kya bethne ke liye?"
Hayaat raised an eyebrow.
"Aap meri behan ke paas bethoge?"
"Haan," Ayaan replied innocently. "Mere haathi."
The hall echoed with laughter.
Hayaat gasped dramatically.
"Tumhari saali hoon main! Tehzeeb se baat karo."
Ayaan placed a hand on his heart, bowed slightly.
"Mere pyare se haathi," he said sweetly, "kya aap mujhe apni pari jaisi behan ke paas bethne ki ijazat denge?"
Everyone laughed harder.
Hayaat stood up, hands on her waist, full drama mode.
"Nahi!"
Ayaan subtly signaled Danish.L
Before Hayaat could react, Danish grabbed her by the arm and pulled her aside.
"Dracula , vampire... King of Antarctica... Masla kya hain tumhara!" she protested.
" Don't you dare.." danish warned.
And in that exact moment, Ayaan smoothly slipped into the empty space beside Aayat.
Mission successful
.
Aayat peeked at him from under her lashes.
He leaned closer.
"Finally," he whispered. "Jagah mil hi gayi."
She tried to move away, but he was already settled.
Soon, the music changed.
Hayaat was pushed to the center first.
" saali sahiba!" everyone cheered.
She danced freely, spinning, laughing, making faces. Aayat laughed so hard her eyes watered.
Ayaan watched her happiness quietly-and without thinking, gently slipped his hand into hers.
Aayat stiffened, then tried to pull away.
Ayaan gave her a fake glare.
"Agar haath chhoda... toh."
She smiled, defeated, and tightened her grip on his hand instead.
Sonia Khan joined the dance next, stunning everyone with her energy.
"Mama!" Aayat laughed loudly.
Soon, Sonia Khan dragged everyone to the stage-Aaliya, Hayaat, Arjun, Danish, Sameer Khan, Saad, Huzaif-everyone dancing together, laughing, clapping, forgetting everything else.
Aayat couldn't stop laughing.
Ayaan leaned closer to her ear and whispered softly,
"Bohot pyari lagti ho... haste hue."
She looked at him.
For a few seconds, the noise faded. It was just them. Eyes locked. Hearts racing.
Then Hayaat suddenly appeared, grabbed both their hands.
"Bas bohot ho gaya romance," she announced. " Kal kay liye be kuch chodo aur chalo mere saath!"
They were pulled into the madness.
Music blared. Laughter echoed.
Sameer Khan stepped toward Aayat and held out his hand.
She placed hers in his.
Father and daughter danced slowly, the world watching silently.
Ayaan stood aside, smiling softly.
He knew.
He always knew.
That even without blood, the bond between Aayat and her Baba was unbreakable. It wasn't written in veins-it was carved into the heart.
Eventually, the night ended.
Guests left. The hall quieted.
~
Later that night, Aayat changed into her night clothes and sat on her bed, exhaustion finally settling in.
Her phone rang.
She smiled the moment she saw the name.
She picked up, pretending to be annoyed.
"Itni late call kyun ki?" she said. "Do baj chuke hain. Mujhe neend aa rahi hai."
Ayaan laughed on the other side.
"Yahan tumhein dekhe baghair mujhse raha nahi jaa raha," he teased. "Aur tumhein neend ki padi hai?"
"Sach mein," she replied softly. "Main thak gayi hoon, Ayaan."
He took a deep breath.
"Aayat..."
"Hmmm?"
"Tum khush toh ho na?"
She smiled, cheeks warming.
"Haan. Main khush hoon, Ayaan. Balkay... bohot khush hoon."
A pause.
Then softly,
"Phir theek hai," he said. "So jao. Kal hamara nikah bhi hai."
"Okay. Good night."
He chuckled.
"Good night. Love you, meri jaan."
Her heart skipped.
She immediately cut the call, flustered, hugging her pillow, smiling to herself.
Bas aaj ki raat...
Kal se hamare raaste ek ho jaayenge, Ayaan.
She fell back onto the bed, eyes closing, heart full.
And miles away, Ayaan lay awake, staring at the ceiling.
Sleep refused to come.
All he could think of was-
Subah kab hogi?
~
The entire day slipped by unnoticed.
No one realized when morning turned into afternoon, and afternoon melted into evening.
The house remained alive with constant movement-voices calling out instructions, footsteps rushing from one room to another, laughter mixing with nervous excitement.
Somewhere between makeup touches, outfit changes, silent prayers, and stolen glances at the clock, the day disappeared.
And now... it was evening.
The marriage hall shimmered under warm golden lights. White and ivory drapes flowed softly, fresh flowers framed the stage, and a calm yet emotional air wrapped itself around everyone present.
On the stage sat Ayaan.
Dressed in a black sherwani, perfectly tailored, he looked composed-but his eyes betrayed him. Again and again, they moved toward the entrance.
Saad placed a firm hand on Ayaan's shoulder and said quietly,
"Humein pata hai humein kehne ki zaroorat nahi hai... Aayat ka khayal rakhna."
Ayaan nodded, listening intently.
Saad continued, his voice steady but emotional,
"Jab hum sab nahi thay ... tab tum hi thay uske saath. Phir bhi kehna zaroori samajhta hoon."
He paused.
"Usne bohot takleefein jheli hain. Tum jaante ho. Isliye usey hamesha khush rakhna."
Huzaif looked away, swallowing hard.
Saad smiled faintly.
"Woh bohot shararti hai.
Kabhi kabhi choti choti baat ko bhi bada bana leti hai.
Lekin uska dil bohot saaf hai. Hamein yakeen hain tum humein hamari wo aayat wapas la kar do gay.
Per tumhein warn be kar rahay hain, kaan kha janay hain us ne tumhare.
Bolna shuru hoti hain phir rukti nahi hain wo. Bohut shararti hain wo."
He sighed.
"Islye Uski nadaniyon ko maaf kar dena hamesha ayaan."
Ayaan's lips curved into a soft smile.
"Woh tumhare saath reh kar pehle jaise aayat wapas hoti jaa rahi hai," Saad added. "Isliye keh raha hoon... us wali Aayat ke saath abhi tum rahay nahi ho na."
Ayaan chuckled lightly and replied honestly,
"Raha toh nahi hoon... lekin ab rehna chahta hoon."
He looked toward the stage lights, eyes distant yet sure.
"Jab main us Aayat se pehli baar mila tha na... toh pehli mulaqat mein hi woh mere dil mein bas gayi thi."
He smiled.
"Isliye main usey phir se waisa hi dekhna chahta hoon."
Saad's eyes softened. He nodded, satisfied.
Before another word could be spoken, movement stirred on the other side of the hall.
Sonia Khan, Hayaat, and Aaliya entered-bringing Aayat with them.
She was seated behind the curtain, hidden from Ayaan's view.
The hall quieted.
Sameer Khan stood and spoke to the Maulvi Sahab,
"Ab nikah shuru karte hain."
Everyone moved to their places.
Silence fell-heavy, sacred.
The Maulvi Sahab began reciting the Khutbah-e-Nikah. His voice echoed gently through the hall as verses from the Qur'an filled the air.
Ayaan sat upright, heart pounding.
On the other side of the curtain, Aayat clutched the edge of her dupatta. Her hands trembled slightly.
The Maulvi Sahab turned to Ayaan.
"Ayaan Khan bin Sameer Khan, kya aap Aayat Malik bint rashid Malik kay saath apna nikkah qabool karte hain?"
Ayaan didn't hesitate for even a second.
"Qabool hai."
The words were firm. Certain.
The Maulvi Sahab repeated the question.
Again,
"Qabool hai."
The third time-
Ayaan's voice grew even steadier,
"Qabool hai."
On the other side, the Maulvi Sahab asked Aayat through her Wali.
Her heart thundered in her chest.
After a brief pause, her soft reply came,
"Qabool hai."
The words sealed everything.
Prayers were recited.
Duas whispered.
And just like that-
Ayaan Khan and Aayat Malik were bound in Nikah.
Smiles spread. Quiet tears fell. Gratitude filled hearts.
~
Aayat stood near the exit, her eyes red, her heart heavy yet full.
Saad and Huzaif embraced her tightly.
Both men were crying openly now.
Aayat clung to them, her own tears falling freely.
Hayaat hugged her next, sobbing into her shoulder.
Then Saad gently took Aayat's hand and placed it into Ayaan's.
Looking at Ayaan, he said,
"Umeed hai... jaise aaj tak hamari behan ka khayal rakhte aaye ho, aage bhi waise hi rakhoge."
Ayaan closed his fingers around Aayat's hand and replied without hesitation,
"Us se bhi zyada rakhunga."
He met Saad's eyes.
"Pareshan na ho."
Saad smiled through tears.
Everyone was happy.
Everyone... except one.
From a distant corner of the hall, hidden from sight-
Rayyan stood watching.
His hands were clenched. His chest felt tight.
Tears streamed down his face, silently.
He watched Aayat walk away... with someone else.
And when it became unbearable-
He turned and left.
Without a word.