That night had passed in peace.
After Fajr azaan, Zavian woke up. He walked to the bathroom, performed wudu & returned to the prayer mat. The world outside was quiet like his heart.
He stood in prayer for Fajr & after his final sajdah, he raised his hands, eyes closed & whispered a quiet dua.
"Ay mere Rabb, is kainat ko chalany waly,
(O my Lord, the One who runs this universe,)
Jo na thakta hai na mayoos hota hai hukmarani mei,
(Who never tires nor despairs in His rule,)
Jo sb sambhaly hue hai, jo asmaan ko thamy hue hai
(Who holds everything in balance, who holds the skies in place)
Mai teri zaat ka bht shukar guzaar hun mere Rabb
(I am deeply grateful to You, my Lord)
Tu ny esy esy rasty bnaye jin ka mai ny kabi gumaan b na kiya tha
(You created ways for me that I had never even imagined)
Beshak Tu behtareen Kaar-saz hai, behtareen rasty bnany wala hai"
(Indeed, You are the best of planners, the maker of the finest paths)
The room was still dim, the prayer mat slightly warm beneath his knees & his heart full, not of wishes this time but of gratefulness.
That peaceful morning carried with it more than sunlight.
Zavian slowly folded his prayer mat, set it aside & walked back to his bed. The world was still quiet but his heart wasn't. It beat with purpose now. He picked up his phone.
"Good morning, Begum Sahiba"
After sending it, he opened the balcony door. The air was soft. He stepped out, sat down on the chair & looked up at the sky clouds floating slowly like the peace in his chest.
On the other side of the same moment...
His newly wedded wife, Mahek, sat on her own prayer mat.
A soft dupatta was wrapped gently around her head, eyes filled with tears but they weren't of sadness. They were soaked in shukr.
Her lips moved in gratitude, forehead just lifted from sajdah, her heart full of nothing but the remembrance of the One who made it all happen.
"Ay mere Rabb, zameeno or asmano ke Rabb..."
(O my Lord, the Lord of the skies & the earth...)
"Mai tera shukar ada krti hun, beshak sirf teri zaat hai jiska shukar ada kiya jata hai"
(I thank You, for only You deserve to be thanked)
"Tere ilawa esa koi dar nai jiska sajdah kiya jaye, jis sy umeed lgai jaye"
(There is no other door worthy of sajdah, of hope)
"Mere Rabb, Tu ny hamari umeedon sy barh kar ata kiya hai"
(My Lord, You have given beyond what we hoped for)
"Beshak Tu jb b deta hai, apny khazany mei sy waseeh deta hai"
(Indeed, when You give, You give from the vastness of Your treasures)
"Mere Rabb, hamary is faislay mei jis mei Tu saathi hai, isko hamesha sambhaly rakhna"
(My Lord, in this decision that You have blessed &been part of, keep it always protected)
"Hamein kabi ghalat raah py na chlny dena. Beshak Tu behtareen rasty bnany wala hai"
(Never let us walk on a wrong path. Indeed, You are the best of those who make the way)
She wiped her eyes with the edge of her dupatta & smiled faintly. Her phone lit up. One notification.
"Good morning, Begum Sahiba"
She held the phone to her chest for a moment, whispered another Alhamdulillah & typed back.
"Good morning, hubby"
Her message lit up Zav's phone.
He smiled softly, like a secret joy only hearts in love know.
"Kesi hain?" he typed.
(How are you?)
She replied within moments,
"Alhamdulillah, ap batayein?"
(All praise to Allah, you tell me?)
He softly smiled & replied,
"Ap thk, hum thk"
(If you're okay, I'm okay)
That one line made Mahek blush a little. The simplicity, the sweetness it was him.
"Chai pi lein?" she asked, almost casually.
(Shall we have tea?)
"Chlein, ek sath peetay hain" (Let's have it together)
He replied, imagining her sitting on the other side of the screen, sipping tea with him.
After a few minutes, both were sipping their tea warm cups in their hands, hearts warmer.
Zavian softly said to her,
"Wesy begum, it's our first day after nikkah"
(By the way, my wife, it's our first day after the nikkah)
She smiled & replied,
"I know, Zavi"
He smiled,
"Toh?"
(So?)
She raised her brow playfully,
"Toh kya?"
(So what?)
He teased her with a smirk,
"Achi begum banein"
(Be a good wife)
She made a pout,
"Kya mai achi nai hun?"
(Am I not a good one?)
He melted,
"Bht achi hain, bht pyari hain, meri jaan hain"
(You're very good, very beautiful you're my life)
She laughed softly & teased back,
"Toh phr miya ji, kehna kya chahty hain?"
(Then what are you trying to say, Mr. Husband?)
He become a little shy, rubbed the back of his neck & said quietly,
"Tayar hi ho jayein thora sa, koi saree?"
(Maybe get ready a little, in a saree?)
Mahek smiled softly on the other side, her cheeks tinting with blush.
"Ahan, bht urh nai rhy ap?"
(Oh? Aren't you flying a little too high?)
Zavian chuckled & replied,
"Wear saree, begum I'll be waiting"
His tone was playful but filled with that familiar softness Mahek always melted for. He never demanded. Always asked gently, requested with love, he always cared for her comfort.
He knew her too well, Mahek would never deny a request made with such love. Especially not when Zavian asked with eyes full of softness & words dipped in respect. It wasn't just a saree he wanted to see it was his wife, the woman he waited & prayed for, smiling, happy, glowing in love that was finally halal.
Mahek stood up, walking to her wardrobe, fingers grazing over hangers till they landed on the deep maroon & black saree. Her heart beating a little faster.
Zavian sat at his desk, fingers moving over the keyboard. He tried to focus but his heart was going back to his beautiful wife. He knew his Mahek, he knew she'd be getting ready with that soft, thoughtful grace she always carried.
On the other side, Mahek stood in front of her mirror, adjusting her dark maroon saree. The black blouse, simple & elegant with half sleeves, contrasted beautifully. Her fingers carefully curled the ends of her long hair just the way he liked it, slightly wavy.
She putted a little kajal around her eyes, a touch of tint on her lips & that was it. Light makeup, because she remembered what he once said,
"I love the face that represents my Mahek , not behind makeup"
She gave one last glance to the mirror, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear & smiled to herself. It wasn't just the look it was the meaning behind it. She was getting ready for her husband. Her Zavian.
A notification blinked on Zavian's laptop.
"Ready"
It was Mahek.
He pushed the laptop slightly aside, heart skipping.
"Call?" he typed back.
Zavian's fingers shivered just a little as he hit the video call button. The screen rang once, twice...
And then she appeared.
The moment the camera opened, Zavian froze. His breath caught. There she was his wife, wrapped in deep maroon saree, eyes lined softly, hair falling in graceful waves just as he imagined. A small, shy smile tugged at her lips & her eyes looked everywhere but not at him.
She softly asked,
"Kesi lag rhi hun?"
(How do I look?)
Zavian didn't answer immediately.
His eyes were gently locked on hers, soaking in every detail the way her hair framed her face, the way she carried that maroon saree, the softness in her voice.
He blinked once, then whispered with a slight smile on his lips:
"Meri lg rhi ho"
(You look like mine)
Mahek's breath caught for a second. She didn't answer just lowered her eyes in shyness, she looked at him & found him lost in her eyes, she asked
"Kya hua?" (What happened?)
He softly whispered, his voice barely reaching her through the speaker but carrying all the weight of love in his heart:
"Mahek you look so mine"
Her lips parted slightly, eyes locking with his for a few seconds that felt like a lifetime. There was no poetry needed.
She blinked slowly, her cheeks glowing pink again.
"I am yours, Zavian," she replied
"From the moment I said Qubool hai, I belonged nowhere else"
The screen between them was still there, miles still between them but at that moment?
They were in the same room. Same space.
Heart to heart. Soul to soul.
He was completely lost in her eyes, his heart was skipping beats again & again.
He leaned back slightly, smiled, & said:
"Aurat jisy chaha jaye, pyar diya jaye, woh toh rooh ban jati hai"
(A woman who is loved, who is wanted becomes your soul)
And Mahek knew, she wasn't just a wife now.
She was his home.
His calm.
His answered prayer.
A strand of Mahek's hair brushing across her cheek. She didn't move it maybe because she knew he'd notice.
Zavian did.
His hand slowly reached out toward the screen, a quiet softness in his eyes. His fingers gently hovered over her face on the video call, almost as if the screen wasn't there between them.
In a low voice, he whispered,
"Mahi I wanna tuck your hair behind your ear, Wanna touch those beautiful jhumke of yours, begum"
Mahek's smile widened, a blush spreading across her cheeks. She tilted her head slightly, letting that single lock of hair fall a little more almost teasing him through the screen.
"Zavi..." she murmured, her voice melting into his.
He gave a small chuckle, resting his chin on his hand, still looking at her as if she were the only thing that existed.
"You're turning this call into the most beautiful distance ever, begum"
Mahek blushed badly this time, her voice was like a whisper:
"I love you, Zavian"
Zavian closed his eyes for a moment, as if her words entered straight into his soul. Then, in a voice filled with love & gentleness, he said.
"I really hope this distance ends soon, so I can sit on my knees in front of you, hold your beautiful feet in my hand & kiss them"
There was silence for a second, her eyes wide, face burning.
She quickly said,
"Astaghfirullah Zavian, I won't let you touch my feet"
He leaned slightly closer to the camera, voice soft & full of love,
"I just want to honor what Allah has made a blessing in my life"
Zavian smiled gently, shaking his head.
"I love you, Mahek" he whispered softly
She leaned closer to the camera, her eyes shining with love.
"I love you more" she laughed softly.
Zavian was lost in her, adoring her soft laugh, her smile, her lips.
He whispered,
"Jaan leni hai na meri?"
(You want to take my life, right?)
She giggled & replied,
"Allah na kry, Zavian"
(May Allah forbid, Zavian)
His eyes grew sadder & his expression changed.
"Mahi, paas aa jao," he said quietly, closing his eyes as a tear slipped down his cheek.
(Mahi, come close to me)
Mahek's heart stopped for a moment. She quickly asked,
"Zav, meri jaan, ro mat. Hamara nikkah ho gaya hai na? Mai paas aa jaungi"
(Zav, my love, don't cry. Our nikkah has happened, right? I will come close to you)
Zavian looked deeply into her eyes.
"Mahi, mai bht akela feel krta hun. I want you here with me"
(Mahi, I feel very lonely)
She smiled warmly,
"I promise I'll be there with you soon. We'll make a small beautiful family & then you won't be alone anymore"
Zavian smiled softly,
"A family?"
She nodded, her eyes sparkling with hope,
"Yes, our family, Zav"
They both faded into the warmth of that beautiful call & peaceful night.
Zavian's POV:
When I looked at her for the first time in that saree…
My heart skipped a beat, like always.
But this time, it didn’t just skip, it stopped for a moment.
My eyes just froze.
Got locked into hers.
I wasn’t able to look anywhere else not the screen, not my hands, not even myself.
Just her.
She was looking like a hoor
No, more beautiful than a hoor.
The kind of beauty that makes time stop.
The kind of presence that makes you forget your pain.
The kind of softness that humbles a man.
Her maroon saree, her lightly curled hair, those jhumke sparkling with every small movement
She wasn't wearing much makeup, just her natural glow.
And it was blinding.
For a moment, I forgot the distance, the screen, the world.
It was just her & my heart, on its knees.
I whispered to myself,
"How can someone look this much mine, this much meant to be"
I gave sadqa of her that night.
I didn’t want even a shadow of the evil eye to touch her.
Not even unintentionally.
Not even from me.
Because sometimes beauty this rare, this soft it attracts not just admiration but harm too.
And she’s too precious for me to take even the smallest risk.
Even my own eyes scared me.
She’s not just my wife.
She’s my dua, my amanat, my reason to stay gentle in a world that breaks men.
And no harm, no glance, not even fate itself will ever take her from me InShaAllah.
On the next morning,
Mahek was quietly cleaning her room, her dupatta loosely wrapped around her shoulders.
Suddenly, the door opened & her mother walked in.
Without a greeting, she began
"Mahek, you did that nikkah with your father's will, not mine. I won't accept this nikkah like this"
Her tone was cold, her words were sharp.
"You know loving someone is not a good thing. We never raised you for this. We never allowed this kind of behavior & yet you still did it"
Mahek stood frozen, her hands still, eyes lowered.
She had no defense, no anger only silent tears that started to fill her eyes.
But even in that pain, she softly grabbed her phone & texted Zavian:
"I need you"
Zavian's phone buzzed.
He picked it up quickly.
"I need you"
His heart dropped. Without wasting a second, he dialed her number.
But she didn't pick up.
He quickly texted her,
"Are you crying, Mahi? Who made you cry?"
A few seconds passed. Then her reply came:
"Zavian... they scolded me a lot., just for loving someone"
Zavian didn’t reply to Mahek’s message.
He didn’t say a single word to her. Instead, he took a deep breath, clenched his jaw & dialed a different number.
Mahek’s father.
The phone rang only once before it was picked up.
“Assalamualaikum baba,” Zavian said, calmly but there was something sharp in his voice.
Mahek’s father replied, sensing the tension,
“Walaikum Assalam beta, sb khair?” (All okay?)
Zavian didn’t waste time.
“Baba, mai ny apki zimmedari pr, apki marzi or ijazat sy Mahek sy nikkah kiya tha,”
(Baba, I married Mahek under your responsibility, with your permission & blessing)
His tone remained polite but it was clear he was not speaking as a son in law right now. He was speaking as Mahek’s husband.
“Ab meri biwi ko ap k ghar k log baatein suna rhy hain or mai bht tahammul sy ap sy guzarish kr rha hun,”
(Now, my wife is being hurt & scolded in your house & I’m very patiently making a request)
He paused.
His next words were not a threat but a line drawn clearly in love & protection.
“Agr aindaa meri biwi ki aankhon mei ansu aye toh mai sb kuch tehas nehas kr dunga”
(If ever again my wife has tears in her eyes, I will destroy everything)
“Is liye please, samjhayein unhein”
(So please, make them understand this)
There was silence on the other side of the call.
Zavian didn’t wait for a reply. He ended the call.
Not out of disrespect but because he had said what needed to be said.
After the call with her father ended, Zavian didn’t waste a second.
He immediately dialed Mahek’s number.
She picked up after a few rings.
Her voice was low, clearly holding back tears
“Hmm?”
Zavian’s voice softened, not even a trace of the anger he had a minute ago.
Mahek stayed silent at first only the soft sound of her breathing came through.
Zavian didn’t rush her.
His voice came low, careful, like he was holding her heart with care in his rough hands.
"Mahi..."
She didn’t respond with words but he knew she was listening. That was enough.
"Mai hun yhn, ap k sath" he whispered.
(I'm right here with you)
There was a pause then her breath hitched, almost like a sob she swallowed back.
Zavian’s tone became even softer.
“Ro mat please”
(Don't cry please)
Mahek said through quiet sobs, her voice shaking, childlike
"Zavian... I need you here with me. I wanna hug you, Zav"
There was desperation in her tone not dramatic but pure.
"Zav, they all are so bad... I just want you"
"I’m your wife now, na? Take me with you"
Her words broke his heart. She wasn’t demanding she was crying requesting like a baby, the way only someone in pain does when they miss their home & he was her home now.
She was crying softly like a baby & Zavian’s heart was hurting on the other side of the call.
He closed his eyes for a second, held back his own tears, then whispered gently, so gently it felt like a promise.
"I promise..."
"Mai apko apny pas ly aunga, Mahek"
(I will bring you to me, Mahek)
"Hamesha k liye"
(Forever)
"Not just in this world but every time, every place, every lifetime if even a piece of my soul exists, it belongs to you, Mahi"
There was silence & on the other side, Mahek stopped crying for a moment.
"Promise?" she whispered, like a child asking again just to be sure.
Zavian gently nodded, his voice was calm:
"I swear by the Lord who wrote you into my destiny"
And in that one sentence, she felt safe again.
They started talking softly again. Zavian was gently teasing her, dropping little flirty lines that made her cheeks blush & her lips curl into that smile he adored. His voice was light, intentionally playful he knew exactly how to bring her back from her tears.
"Even a crying Mahi looks beautiful but a smiling Mahi? Allah"
She covered her face shyly & said,
"Zavvvvv, stop it"
But she was smiling.
And if you looked outside their separate windows, across cities & miles...
Grey clouds had taken over the sky. The light had dimmed slightly.
Then, it started to rain.
Not wildly but softly, like mercy falling from the heavens.
Raindrops kissed rooftops & leaves alike. A kind of peace settled with it.
Mahek turned to look out her window, her voice softened,
“Zav it’s raining”
He said softly, his voice almost like a whisper.
"Mahi, if you were here na with me, I’d be making chai for us"
"We’d be sitting in our balcony, on that small sofa you in my arms, wrapped in a shawl maybe, your head resting on my chest"
"And we’d just sit quietly watching the rain fall from the sky"
He paused, his tone softened even more.
"You’d be adoring the beautiful rain & I’d be adoring my beautiful wife"
Mahek had gone quiet on the other side. Her lips turned into a smile & her heart filled, full of love, of dreams stitched with rain & warmth.
"Zav…" she whispered, her voice wrapped in emotion.
He gently said,
"Mahi, One day this won't just be a thought. It’ll be us chai, rain & you in my arms"
The rain continued outside.
But inside both hearts, filled with love, with dreams...
I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Stay tuned for the next part...🤍📚
Write a comment ...