It was his big day.
Funnily enough, none of the Elite Five were here.
Not even Kay.
In truth, he didn't invite them.
News of his wedding would most likely hit the newspapers, and the headlines would scream about this fairytale wedding.
He didn't want his brothers and sister to be here.
This farce of a wedding.
If he had been marrying Sophia, he would have had them come a week before the wedding, have those stag party (with one girl along) and basically hang out with his brothers till the actual day.
They would dress him up, poke fun at him and all that.
He couldn't bring up such feelings of joy and excitement, so why bother having them come?
He hadn't even told them he was getting married, so he could imagine the backlash from there.
That would be for another day.
For now, he just wanted to get this day through.
Ali took a deep breath as he looked at himself in the mirror.
He had bathed in the specially prepared bath water, trimmed his beard and mustache, combed his hair neatly, and dressed properly.
He looked like a proper groom, in his traditional wedding outfit.
The only thing missing was the spark in his eyes.
There was a knock on the door, and his mother entered after.
She put a hand on her mouth upon seeing her handsome son in all his wedding finery, "MashaAllah,* my son."
Ali gave his mother a genuine and warm smile, seeing the tears of joy in her eyes. He went over to her and gave her a hug.
"Thank you, my son," she said softly in his ear as she hugged him back.
She knew how much he was relunctant for this wedding, yet, he had not caused any trouble. He had kept his word and had been the perfect son. He would be the perfect husband, as well.
His wife-to-be was very lucky indeed, and soon, Ali would also know how lucky he is as well in their choice for him.
Ali knew what his mother was thanking him for and he was silent.
Breaking apart, she smoothened his shirt and smiled, saying, "The bride has already arrived, and is waiting in the room."
Ali nodded.
This was a slight deviation from the normal tradition.
Usually, the wedding ceremony would be done at the bride's house.
The bridegroom would arrive, bearing gifts on trays, and place it in the main hall, in front of the gifts that the bride reciprocates with. The number of gifts varies, but it would need to be in odd numbers with the girl giving less.
Ali's family was giving 19 gifts, while the bride was reciprocating with 17 gifts.
There was the dowry, which was $10,000 and the banknotes of $50, $100, $1000 had been folded and arranged to create a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
The wedding rings were on another tray, nestled and shining brilliantly in its casing.
The other trays were clothes (traditional clothes, formal dress), a pair of shoes, a handbag, jewellery set (earrings and necklace), make-up, perfume, Godiva chocolates, a fruit basket of exotic fruits, the Al-Quran (holy book of Muslims), a prayer mat, two sets of prayer outfits (one simple, one with intricate designs), a car key, a house key, a bankbook with a deposit of $500,000 and a traditional item known as 'tepak sirih' [1].
Every single tray had been decorated lavishly, with ribbons and small pastel flowers and baby breaths. Every single item was from well-known brands.
Thus, having the bride come to Ali's mansion was breaking tradition, and Raika had explained it was because the girl's family was not around.
Ali had been curious about that, but not curious enough to inquire further.
In the current times, the girl would be witnessing the wedding vows.
However, since they were already deviating from the main tradition of going to the bride's house, Ali's family decided on maintaining as much tradition as possible. Thus, the bride would be waiting in the room.
"It's time," announced Haleema, the youngest.
Ali took a deep breath and stepped forward.
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In the hall, everyone's eyes was fixed on the handsome young man sitting on the intricate cushion. He was holding the hand of the Imam (Muslim cleric), the one who was officiating the wedding.
There is traditionally, no wedding vows in Muslim marriages. All that is required is for the bridegroom to recite the words signifying his acceptance to the marriage.
The bride would have been asked by the Imam about her willingness to enter into the marriage, and signed the marriage contract.
The Imam had first given a whole speech to Ali about his responsibilities as a husband, and sternly told him that he was the protector who had to treat his wife well. Then, the ceremony began.
"Do you, Muhammad Ali bin Johan, take Nur Sofiya binti Abdullah, to be your legally wedded wife?"
"I, Muhammad Ali bin Johan, do take Nur Sofiya binti Abdullah, to be my legally wedded wife."
The Imam looked to his right and the witness declared, "Valid". The Imam looked to his left and the witness declared, "Valid".
The Imam smiled and nodded, "Valid." before letting go of Ali's hand.
Everyone shouted in joy and the Imam gave a doa for the couple.
Ali brought his hands together, listening and thought, 'I am married now.'
Ali signed the wedding contract, received the rings from the tray and walked over to the bedroom where his wife was waiting.
He stood at the doorway.
His wife was sitting on the bed, dressed in the traditional wedding outfit and her face covered in a veil.
When he reached her side, she took his hand and kissed it in greeting. He slipped the ring on her finger, and she slipped the ring on his.
Finally, he lifted the veil.
"Sophia?!" Ali shouted in absolute shock.
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