I stood nervously as the ladies in the closed room did their 'security checks' by patting me down. Seeing I'm clear, they let me through. Walking with my mum on one side and my soon to be mother in law on the other, I fiddled with my fingers nervously as we made our way to Bainul Haramain.
Cladded in a cream Iraqi abaya (awkwardly standing out from every other woman there wearing black) I zoned out on the conversations around me between my mum and my soon to be in-laws.
Soon to be in-laws? Oh my god this is too real! I'm actually getting married!
We got to the place closer to Imam Hussain's shrine, where my Baba and uncle were standing with the men of my new family. The maulana was there too. And so was one other person, who I didn't dare look up to. I was too nervous. But nervous in a good way. Does that even make sense?
We sat seperatly and (despite the constant tingling in my stomach) after some dua's and promises, I was now married to the man sitting near me. Yet again, I didn't dare to look up at him.
My mother in law (yes I could call her that now) embraced me in a hug, welcoming me to the family. My mum and other women in my family did the same, giving me duas and blessings for my new life.
"Beta, come and speak to your husband. You have to pray together too".
I looked up at him, a dozen questions in my mind.
"He is happy right? No second thoughts or anything? Do I look good? Damn I knew I should've worn the white netted socks instead! Wait, what am I going to say to him?"
Nervously I looked up, meeting with an unusual pair of green eyes fixated on me. I let my eyes dart around the face. Brown beard, smile on lips and cute nose. Perfect.
I looked back at him to see him now smirking a little. Yup, I got caught staring!
"Assalamu Alaikum" he said, the now-turned smile never leaving his lips.
I replied to him along with a small smile of my own.
"MashAllah, I know this sounds cliche, but you look absolutely breathtaking!
Cliche my cotton socks! He better stop talking ASAP 'cause my legs are pretty much resembling a plate of jelly right now.
"Jazakallah Khair" I managed to reply. Not knowing where to look, I set my eyes on the clear buttons of his thobe.
Well ain't this the dream! Looking at the buttons and not at him. Smooth girl, real smooth...
I stiffened at the sudden contact of his hand on mine. He laced our fingers and turned slightly to face the shrine of Hazrat e Abbas. Aware that our families were watching, I felt extremely shy.
"Do you know something? I've always seen Hazrat e Abbas as an inspiration. His respect for women, love for his family and kids. I aspire to follow his steps in life In Sha Allah. Standing here right now I promise you, I'll do my best to keep you happy and give you the love and respect you deserve. I'm wife-ing you not just for this world hayati, but in the other too".
Feeling my cheeks warm up and eyes a tad watery, I gave our laced hands a soft squeeze. I had no idea what to say to that, and looking at the reassuring smile on my husband's face and the sparkle in his eyes, I didn't need to; for that single gesture held many emotions and unspoken promises. A promise he made on the day of our Nikkah on the land of Karbala -
I was his hayati, his life, for both this world and the other.
- silencereveals
