Page 44 of First Comes Marriage
He lifted one hand and gently ran the tip of his index finger from her temple down her cheek, leaving a tingling trail in its wake. Reshma slowly pulled away and felt Zafar pull his hands away from her at the last moment, as if he was reluctant to let her go.
His heated gaze made her feel a resurgence of the desire she’d felt earlier on the beach but had made a conscious effort to bank. With each day, they were making progress in their relationship, but she couldn’t help the slight hesitancy that always crept in, keeping her from fully committing herself to what she was feeling.
She was saved from pondering on any more thoughts because the event manager came up to her, smiling. ‘I’m glad you’re still here. I just wanted to confirm that thecaterers are setting up on the paved terrace and we’ve set up table arrangements there too. We’ll serve starters after the ceremony.’
‘Perfect. Could you just make sure there’s enough space for wheelchair users to get to the tables comfortably and that there are high chairs for the little VIPs.’
‘Absolutely.’ The manager left and Reshma found Zafar staring at her, a half-smile on his face.
‘What?’
He shook his head. ‘I just find it amazing how you think of every tiny detail. Who even remembers setting up high chairs at a henna ceremony?’
Reshma lifted her chin playfully. ‘I do. It’s a nice touch to think of the smaller details. Not that high chairs are a small detail to those who need them. They’re a lifesaver, I’m sure.’
He nodded in acknowledgement. ‘Is there anything left for you to do now?’
‘Nope. We just wait for the others to arrive.’
They didn’t have to wait long. Within five minutes, loud voices preceded the arrival of the bridal party. Everyone except the bride – who would make a grand entrance of her own – was there and busy marvelling at how wonderful everyone looked in their finery.
Daadi came up to her and Zafar on Uncle Jawad’s arm, smiling broadly.
‘Don’t my children look especially lovely today, Jawad?’ She pulled some currency out of her purse and ushered Reshma and Zafar forward. ‘Step forward together and lower your heads. That’s it.’ She circled the money around their heads a few times and then put the money back in her purse. ‘Remind me to give that money to charity. I’m not going to risk anyone casting an evil eye on my children.’
Uncle Jawad stepped forward, holding Reshma by her shoulders. ‘My girl looks like an absolute angel today.’
In no time, Daadi pulled her phone out of her bag and demanded selfies with all of them and then had Uncle Jawad taking pictures of just Reshma and Zafar.
He pulled her close to his side in front of everyone and she gasped. They’d never even held hands in front of their families. ‘What are you doing?’ She spoke through her smile.
‘Taking pictures with my wife.’ He winked at her.
The comment was simple enough, but the resulting flutter she felt had her thinking that her heart might fly right out of her chest. There was a tenderness in his eyes and smile, his touch and his words, and Reshma wanted to bask in it, but the moment was soon over. Auntie Ruqayyah was ushering everyone inside because Nomaan and his family had arrived and she wanted everyone in place to greet them.
There was much fanfare as the groom arrived and took his place, followed by the bride. Family members surrounded them as they sat on the bench together and Auntie Ruqayyah and Nomaan’s mother took no time in getting the ceremony started.
They invited Saleema and Nomaan’s grandmothers to participate and then Auntie Bilqis took Daadi up with her. Daadi greeted both Saleema and Nomaan and then put a piece of sweetmeat in each of their mouths. She took a small amount of henna and brushed it on the henna leaf Saleema had rested on her palm and then she did the same with Nomaan. She then smeared a few drops of oil on their hairlines and, lastly, she circled money around their heads and placed it in a platter. All the money collected would be donated to charity.
Auntie Ruqayyah, Nomaan’s mum and then various aunties stepped forward to take part in the ceremony and then her aunt called to her and all of Saleema and Nomaan’s cousin sisters to come and perform the same ritual, followed by any other guests who wished to join in.
It was a predominantly female-led tradition but lately there had been a shift, which saw some male relatives of the bride and groom join in, which is how Khalil and Shoaib were found in the mix, smearing henna on Saleema’s arm instead of her hand and pouring a generous amount of oil over Nomaan’s hair after stuffing their faces with enough sweetmeat that they couldn’t open their mouths without it falling out, much to some of the crowd’s amusement. Auntie Ruqayyah wasn’t best pleased.
Once the ceremony had wrapped up with a great deal of laughter and pictures, the guests moved as one towards the dining area, where the catering team were waiting to begin serving the food, while Nomaan and Saleema went back to the villa to get cleaned up to re-join the celebration afterwards.
After dinner, some of the chairs were moved to create a makeshift dance floor and Khalil and Haniya wasted no time in making use of it. The DJ played upbeat music which had people making their way to the dance floor and it wasn’t long before Haniya dragged Reshma and Zafar onto the dance floor.
They stood beside each other awkwardly, Zafar scrubbing his hand along the back of his neck, while Reshma pretended to adjust her dupatta, which was exactly where she’d pinned it earlier. Aside from dancing with each other at their own wedding reception, Reshma hadn’t danced with Zafar since, and the idea of doing it now had her feeling as though her feet had been encased in ice blocks.She couldn’t move. He appeared to be equally frozen in place and she knew they probably looked incredibly silly, but she still didn’t move.
Reshma felt an arm drop across her shoulder and turned to find Khalil standing next to her, though he kept his body moving in time with the music as he bellowed in her ear. ‘Allow me to introduce you. This is your husband, Zafar Saeed. You’re supposed to be dancing with him.’ He pushed her forward, and in her ridiculous high heels, Reshma tottered across the short distance until she felt Zafar’s arms close around her waist. Her hands landed on his chest and she felt it rumble as he spoke to Khalil.
‘Easy, mate. She could have fallen.’ There was a terseness in his voice.
‘Nah. You’d never let that happen.’
Reshma looked over her shoulder as Khalil winked and then danced away from them. When she turned her head back, it was to find Zafar looking down at her, his arms still around her.
Gradually, she felt his body relax under her touch and then he began swaying in time with the music. He moved his hands from her waist to her elbows before running his fingers from there to her wrists and then her hands. He held them in his and raised them above her shoulders, bringing her body closer to his as he started moving his feet, making her move with the momentum.
