Chapter thirty eighth

Nikkah day,
At Zara's parent's residence
The Nikkah was performed, the imam pronounced Zara and Fawwaz husband and wife then Amir and Sumayya. All the happy moment that was going on in the house wasn't inferred to Zara as she was curled up in her room feeling completely down. The thought of leaving her parent's house has been bugging her since the time they had the conversation with Sumayya. She knew one day she would have to leave their house to her own house as a married woman and now that the day has come, she's feeling all weak. The door was pulled open followed by her Mom who was looking elegant dressed in a mint green gown her face was held in a smile as she walks to the bed where Zara was seated, back rested on the bed rest. And that is what it takes to let out the tears she had been holding up all the while. Farah's eyes widened seeing her daughter in tears.
"What happened Zara? Why are you crying? Are you unwell?" She bombards at once cupping her daughter's face. Zara snuggled in her mother's body as she continues sniffing. The tears kept flowing on their own and she didn't intend to stop them. She needed them to feel better.
"Shh, I'm here. Tell me is there something you don't like. Is it because of the friends I invited?" She inquired once again.
"Mom, can't I stay for some days before leaving?" She said amidst sob. Farah let out a smile realizing what her daughter cries are all about. Pulling her out of the embrace, she cupped her face wiping off the tear from her face. Her makeup is almost ruined.
"You know that is not possible. You have to. I know you will miss me just like I've started feeling empty but I'm happy knowing that my daughter is going to her own marital home into a well reputable family, someone I know. I have a hundred percent trust in Fawwaz and his parents. He loves you and will take care of you, so as for them. So don't ruin today's happiness. Fawwaz is waiting for you. Sumayya is already downstairs waiting." Using the back of her palms to wipe off her face once again, she supports her up as Zara readjusts the veil on her head. Just as they made their way towards the door, Farah stopped.
"And one thing, when we descend down, I don't want to see these tears. Sumayya has already finished her own. I don't want to get emotional again. Now come" Farah ushered taking her daughter's hand and they descend downstairs. She knows for the fact that her heart clench as her daughter would be leaving but she stood brave. If she let her guard down, probably she would cry so she decided to hold everything in at the moment.
By the time they ambled down, Zara's eyes met with her father who was talking with Marwan. She bites her bottom lip trying to control herself. She doesn't want to cry.
"Alhamdulillah. Finally, my granddaughter is married" Ma cheered holding Zara by the arm. "Time sure travels fast. I remembered the time you guys were little and now see." She added. Zara and Sumayya were instructed to go to Ma so that she can give her advice and blessing.
"Alhamdulillah. All gratitude to Allah for making us witness this day of happiness. May Allah bless your new home."
"Ameen". They both answered.
"May he protect you, your husband's and your entire family from all evil. You are now leaving your parents' house to your husband's house. You are now their responsibilities. I wish you a blissful married life" All answered with Ameen. The guest have left already. Only family members present.
"Thank you, Ma" Zara directed.
After a little farewell from family and friends, when it was finally time to part ways, the tears she had been bottling up, made their escape out of her eyes.
"No don't Zara. It's not like you're leaving us forever. Even if you're married, you will still be my princess. My Little princess. I want you to be obedient, don't put Fawwaz into trouble" Jawad's eyes went behind her where Fawwaz was standing watching them.
"Dad, mom. I will miss you all and my little brother Majeed" she guided. The two embrace their daughter in a hug. Each feeling empty deep down. Pulling apart, Farah cupped her face. "Listen to me Zara, you're now a married woman and someone's responsibilities. Take care of yourself and your new family"
"Insha Allah mom. And you should keep praying for me. For us"
"We will" Jawad chirped in placing her arms on his wife's shoulder.
"Shall we?" Manal voice revamped to her ear interrupting their little moment. She took one last look at her parents and they offered her a smile. For some known reason, she felt calm seeing the happiness on their faces.
"Fawwaz has been throwing daggers in my direction since. It seems he cannot wait to go away with his wife." Manal teasingly whispered to her ear which Zara ignored in return. Before getting inside the car, her eyes went to the other car which belongs to Amir.
"And worry not Sumayya is okay. She's just... You know emotional" Zara replied with an 'okay' before getting inside the car. She knows that Sumayya would be emotional since her mom is not present to send her off to her marital home but her father and Aunt have been there for her. Fawwaz got into the car too, igniting the engine. Zara peeked at her family waving at them not missing the lone tear that fell from her mom's eyes. She knew it. She knew her mom would cry. She just doesn't want to cry in front of her daughter. Her face was still on the window until she could no more see their house in sight. She felt something warm or rather someone's warm hands on hers resulting in her to turn her face. Fawwaz squeezed her hands in a comforting way. Since then, no words were uttered between them again up to their house.
~~
"Zara"
"Zara" Fawwaz faint voice beat to her eardrums. Peeling her eyes open, she was met with a beautiful yet unfamiliar house.
"Wake up we've reached our destination" Came his voice again. A yawn escapes her as she access the place.
"Where is this place?" She finds herself asking. She thought they were supposed to go to Aunt Myrah's house.
His lips broke into a smile. "Where? Of course your new home. Our new home" he declared pointing at the modern house few miles away from them. Her lips form an 'O'. Leaping forward to hop out of the car, a pain shot through her leg which didn't go unnoticed by Fawwaz.
"What happened? Are you okay?" He asked his brows slightly knitted. Zara bit her bottom lip feeling the pain on her ankle. She knows the reason for the pain it was caused due to her endless movement throughout the Walima and Nikkah.
"Yeah, just some pain in the ankle but I can ma-" the words didn't get themselves out of her mouth when her body was being into Fawwaz's arms.
"You have nothing to worry about. We are now legally and lawfully married so I can touch you the way I want and whenever I feel like. So get yourself prepared" Zara couldn't help the chuckle that resonates out of her lips. Circling her arms around his neck, she snuggles into his body as they made their way towards the entrance door.
Zara couldn't contain her surprise seeing the inside. The walls, couch, and marble floor are in milky color while the center table and some parts of the surrounding are in light brown color.
"Do you like it?" Fawwaz uttered his eyes watching the surroundings too.
"I love it Fawwaz. How did you come up with this beautiful design" Zara said in astonishment.
"Thanks to your mom, my mom, and Aunt Yasmin. They planned it all" he led them inside with Zara still in his arms.
"Can you put me down now? As you know, I have both legs to walk with"
"I prefer to hold you like this. In my arms"
"Fawwaz why do you always flatter me. Put me down" she commanded but it seems he isn't ready to heed to her words making his way up to the room. Their new room. He pushed the door open. Entering inside the room, he placed her gently on the bed. Crouching down on the floor, he reached for her foot and softly massage the area. A shriek made it way out of her lips.
"And you're saying you can manage when you cannot even hold in the pain" he mumbled
"I heard you and yes I can manage. Right now I'm very tired what I need right now is good and peaceful sleep." Fawwaz's eyes slightly widened as she said the words.
"What?" She asked sensing his sudden expression.
"It's our wedding night and you're talking about sleep"
"Then what do I talk about?" She pushes back her brows furrowing in question.
"Do you expect us to just sleep it off without consummating our marriage?"
"Consu-". She places her palms on her mouth when the realization hit her and she finds herself avoiding eye contact with him. Fawwaz rises up from his position and in a minute, he was on the bed close to her body. Close enough to increase her already beating heart. Are they doing it? Her inner mind tells ask her.
"I have been waiting for this day and now that it has come I don't think I would be able to skip it"
"What do you mean waiting for this day? What are you talking about? " Her voice came out raspy and slow.
"I want to kiss you Princess" came his unexpected statement. Before she could process what was happening, her body was being pushed into a hard chest and in a swift moment, his lips were on hers.