9. 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙉𝙪𝙧 𝘼𝙮𝙣

The Walima, also known as the marriage banquet, stands as the second important part of an Islamic wedding, following the Nikkah. It can be traced to the Arabic word 'awlama' signifying the act of gathering and assembling.

As we approached my house, we were greeted by the sight of several cars already neatly parked in front of it.

I turned to look at Hassan, who retrieved the car keys from the ignition. A soft, knowing smile graced his lips as he met my eyes.

"Are you ready, my beautiful?" he whispered, as though the intimacy of the moment extended beyond just the two of us in the car.

"As ready as I'll ever be," I replied softly with a tender smile.

-

As we made our entrance, the room erupted in cheers and heartfelt congratulations. Hassan and I found ourselves drawn in separate directions, with men extending handshakes and giving him hugs and women also enveloping me in warm hugs and kisses.

The house was a beautiful sight, bathed in a palette of white and gold, with butterfly lights adorning the ceiling. In our living room was a centerpiece bearing the words "Nikkah Mubarak", I loved it so much.

The Walimah was, as intended, an intimate affair, but it quickly turned into an unforgettable celebration. My cherished cousins and closest friends gathered around me, and the atmosphere was one of joy and togetherness.

Then there was the food. My favorite part so far. All my favorites graced the table, and though I attempted to eat with grace, I still had stains on my dress, but in the company of loved ones, it hardly seemed to matter.

Later, a grand white cake, adorned with intricate gold designs and three layers, graced our celebration. Across the cake, the words "Nikkah Mubarak H&H". It was all so cute.

Hassan and I cut into the cake together, and the room erupted with joyous cheers. The applause loudening when I playfully fed him a piece, and he, in return, carefully lifted the lower edge of my niqab to offer me a taste.

After that we again seemed to be pulled into different directions. Hassan conversing with the dads and uncles while I was engrossed in conversation with my cousins.

A little while later as we were still speaking, a shadow cast over me, and as I looked up, I saw Hassan, and he was holding a big white box with a regal gold ribbon on top.

My Mahr.

A hush fell over the room as I anxiously received the box from him. Its weight filled me with anticipation, leaving me eager to unveil its contents. As I gingerly lifted the lid, what lay before me moved me to tears.

It was perfection.

The very first sight was a personalized light blue Qur'an, featuring my name elegantly scripted in Arabic. I remember having mentioned my love for the color light blue, and Hassan had apparently remembered. Accompanying the Qur'an was crafted holder and a customized prayer mat.

A ruby red box revealed a diamond jewelry set, comprising a necklace in the form of delicate petals, a bracelet, and earrings. It was so elegant and looked very expensive which left me wondering about the extent of Hassan's wealth.

At the bottom of the box, my gaze was drawn to a slender, delicate container. Carefully, I lifted the certificate from its confines, and unfurled the parchment with beautiful calligraphy. As I read through, my breath hitched in shock. Subhana'Allah.

I was declared the proud owner of a mosque currently under construction in the heart of Iran. As I finished reading, my eyes widen in sheer astonishment.

The weight of this gesture and the realization that I was contributing to the spiritual and communal welfare of a place so distant from my own left me deeply moved. Tears welled up, and I was overwhelmed by an intense sense of responsibility and connection to my faith.

The room was abuzz with my family, their excited whispers filling the air as they too understood the significance of the certificate.

But before I could fully absorb the magnitude of what had just occurred, I sensed a shadow cast over me. Hassan stepped closer, his hand extended towards mine. My own hand trembled slightly as I placed it atop his warm, gentle palm, and I watched as he slipped a ring onto my ring finger. As the beautiful ring is gently slid onto my finger, I feel a rush of emotions. I feel a mixture of joy, excitement and serenity.

Overflowing with happiness and gratitude, I hastily set the white box on Ayesha's lap to give hassan a hug, a playful groan coming from her.

We held each other tightly, with no need for words as he spun me gently. Cheers erupted around us, some in the room echoing "BarakAllah" in unison.

Gently, Hassan set me down, and as he gazed into my eyes, it was evident that the time had come.

Taking his hand in mine, I guided him to my room, my now old sanctuary. Ignoring the curious glances from others, we found ourselves standing in the center of the room.

My room was a reflection of my simple, yet comfortable life. A queen-sized bed adorned with white covers nearly buried beneath a multitude of pillows in various shades of blue and two plush blankets. A regular-sized wardrobe brimming with an assortment of abayas, dresses, jilbabs, veils, and niqabs. A study desk and chair, cluttered with books, notes, my laptop, and a jar overflowing with pens, pencils, and erasers. A closet of shoes, many of which my mother insisted I part with, including the infamous crocs. A full-length mirror that had borne witness to countless outfit changes. And then there was my bookshelf, a sturdy piece of furniture that miraculously hadn't crumbled under the weight of the hundred-plus books it held.

I couldn't help but notice Hassan's rapt attention fixed on the verses adorning my light blue walls. Delicately painted in various places were my favorite Quranic verses, but one particular passage stood out – 93:7 "And He found you lost and guided you." This verse held a special place in my heart, evident from its larger size. It showed the mercy of Allah, how He continued to guide us even in our moments of wandering. Truly, He is Ar Rahman, the Most Merciful.

A soft, contemplative smile played on Hassan's lips as he observed my wall art. Then, he turned his gaze toward me.

As the moment of unveiling drew near, a surge of nervousness coursed through me, causing my body to tremble slightly. Lost in my own thoughts, I was startled when Hassan reached out and gently took hold of my hands. His reassuring squeeze and the understanding look in his eyes instantly eased my apprehension, a silent acknowledgment of the fear that had gripped me.

"May I?" He asked gently.

I gave him a shaky nod and Hassan slowly raised his hands to the area just below my neck, where the end of my niqab. Time seemed to stop as he gently lifted the cloth, unveiling my face that had been a mystery to him until this very moment.

On instinct, I tightly shut my eyes, feeling the cool breeze from the open window brushing gently against my skin as I held my breath in anticipation.

His fingers brushed my cheek with a feathery touch, my heart pounding loudly in my ears.

"Open your eyes habibti," he whispered huskily.

Slowly, I obeyed his command, and time slowed as our gazes locked. My cheeks flushed with an immediate blush, Hassan's green eyes reflecting a whirlwind of emotions. There was awe, admiration, fascination, and so much more, all intertwined and indecipherable. In different circumstances, I might have unraveled his expressions, but not now, when my heart threatened to escape my chest.

No one had ever looked at me this way, and I was torn between wanting to cry and wanting to hide.

"I have never seen anyone as stunning as you, Nur Ayn," he spoke with sincerity.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and my heart swelled with emotion. At that moment, there was no choice; I simply let the tears fall.

Deep-seated insecurities about my appearance had long been a part of me. So, him telling me these words with sincerity, it meant so much to me. In that instant, I felt like more than I had ever believed myself to be. The way he regarded me, his eyes filled with admiration, made me feel like a queen. It was the first time in my life that I truly saw myself as beautiful.

Overcome with happiness, I once again hugged him spontaneously, our laughter blending in harmony as he spun me around. When the laughter subsided, he gently set me on my feet, and in the softness of his gaze and the tenderness of his expression, I found myself hooked.

Gradually, his hands found their place around my waist, pulling me closer. An involuntary gasp escaped me as our chests met, his firm, chiseled strength contrasting with my own.

As he drew nearer, I inclined my head ever so slightly. In seconds that stretched into an eternity, our lips met. Attempting to describe the depth of emotions I experienced at that moment would be futile, for words could scarcely capture it.

In that fleeting instant, it felt as though the world had stopped turning. My thoughts receded as we connected, I can only describe it with the classic cliche - fireworks. Yes, that was exactly how it felt.

Everything else faded into insignificance, leaving just the two of us, cocooned in a cloud of shared emotions.

We pulled apart gazing into each other's eyes with broad smiles etched across our faces.

I noticed his dimples and with difficulty, kept my squeal in.

All I was really certain of was my readiness to embark on this journey with a man who, in a really short time had broken down all my walls.

~

He's finally seen our beautiful halimah🥺, this chapter was so cute and is one of my favorite chapters🫶🏾

On a more serious note, I'm sure we all know what's been happening despite the world's efforts to hide the truth. It really is disheartening to witness how much of the world has abandoned Palestine. But we find solace in the knowledge that Allah is the ultimate source of strength we require and verily with every hardship comes ease. Please keep Palestine in your duas. #FREE PALESTINE🇵🇸❤️