Meri Pehchan

•the wedding - hidden•

The thin white jasmine bracelets covered her wrists in a tight grip. The string that held them together dug into her soft skin as she toyed with her hair. The usually open hair had been pushed into an elaborate bun, white roses covering it from all sides. In the centre of her forehead was a bronze headpiece, it cradled her hairline and the emerald green beads along with the lava red ones sat as a bright contrast against her skin. The dress made of muslin and brocade was one of the finest she had ever worn. A long maroon frock with a plunging neckline and gold embroidery wrapped her slender frame. A flowing skirt accompanied the dress, and she was surprised to not see her new shoes peak through.

The expensive veil that sat on her head allowed for a translucent sight of the thick ink black locks underneath. A heavy gold necklace covered her swan like neck, covering the distance between her collarbones and the dress's neckline tastefully. Her shoulders were on display as the sleeves began an inch below the joint, flowing till the ends of her thin fingers. The insides of her mocha palms, were fair and covered in henna — a long lived tradition. Samra rubbed the rose petals behind her ears, she had always loved the scent of the natural flower over the concentrated natural perfumes her father got for her on the rare occasions.

A thin nose pin covered a larger part of her face. She felt uncomfortable at the cold touch but did little to put it out of way. A small ruby was encrusted at the edge of the thin circle where the long jagged metal string met the nose pin. It was pinned behind her ear and large earrings, that had been hung over the shell of her ear dangled dangerously close to the ends of her neck. She felt the hair their stand up in anticipation, her kohl lined eyes like the deepest of mysteries. Samra was surprised to see herself carry the heavy dress so well. It was an unusual sight, nevertheless, she felt giddy on being able to live her childhood dreams. She fiddled with the clasps of the thin bangles her parents had gifted her with, waiting for the groom, her groom to arrive.

A gentle knock on the cracking door of her bedroom pulled her out of her endless thoughts. Her mother's figure, covered in a lavender brocade anarkali, stepped inside. She wiped the tears from her eye, taking slow steps towards her daughter. Yumna's maternal heart was overwhelmed with love and affection. Taking a seat beside her on the thin mattress she kissed her on her forehead. Her heart skipped a beat on the realization of her daughter being old enough to marry.

"Oh Samra!" She whimpered.

"Pl-please don't cry," Samra spoke.

The young bride forced her own-self to hold her tears back. There was a light pain inside her heart too, she had always been her parents only child now she would become the wife of a much sought after general.

"These are tears of happiness," she shook her head.

Yumna kissed the side of Samra's head. Helping her off of the lounging chair, she straightened her dress. It was exquisitely crafted, and she knew even if her husband worked for ten more lifetimes he would not have been able to afford even one end of the dress.

"Everyone is here, are you ready?" She patted her face.

The clouds outside had parted after hours of rain. Sunshine finally falling on the wet grass and the birds had taken flight once more. Their large wingspans covered the pale blue sky, the stormy harshness crumbled like a child in it's mother's embrace. Leaves on the plenty trees inside the Palace stood with their spirits anew. Bright green contrasted with the tangy reds of the bricked Palace. Amongst the noisy chirping, the strong winds could be heard too. The windows rattling and the dust that flew around with it in fine waves, covered the table tops.

"I am. Let's go," Samra slid her hand inside her mother's.

Her father must have been busy helping the groom and his entourage settle in. Why else would he of course, miss out the chance of giving her one last sound advice? He had already done much of that in these past few hours. From explaining to her Fadahunsi's importance and her role in his life, he had trudged on to the topic of privacy and love. Letting her mother take over when it came over to explaining what was expected of the couple on their first night together. Hearing which, Samra had turned the shade of ripe apples.