Bibi looked up and gazed at Virk. Their eyes met. Bibi blushed and immediately looked away. Shahida giggled. Allah Rakha lifted his hands, thanking Allah. After a very long time, their home was filled with sounds of joy and happiness. Seeing her husband pray, Shahida’s eyes filled up and she wiped them with the back of her hands. Their joy knew no bounds. Their prayers had been answered. Her wrinkled cheeks glowed with happiness.

Soon, the day of the wedding was upon them. Allah Rakha and Pandit Kishan Kaul reached the gurdwara early in the morning to oversee the preparations. Bibi and Virk walked in together at the scheduled time. She was dressed in a beautiful red lehnga and he in a heavily embroidered kurta pyjama. She was radiant. Her flawless skin gleamed and her almond-shaped eyes shone with happiness. In spite of the bridal fineries, the red bindi between her beautifully shaped brows stood out. Growing up, she had seen her mother wearing one. But she had never had the opportunity to do so herself. While getting ready a few hours ago, her hands had trembled as she had placed the thin brush on her forehead to make the dot, but the mirror in front had reflected her mother’s smiling face. Her eyes had filled up as she thought of her family that should’ve been a part of the celebrations. Standing close by, Shahida had read her mind and, taking the brush out of her hand, had painted the round red dot. ‘It’s all destiny, my dear daughter, all destiny. Let it go. It’s time to welcome a bright future. I am sure your mother is watching you dress up from up there and giving you a thousand blessings,’ she had said, holding Bibi’s hands in hers, reassuring her.

Bibi and Virk took their positions to walk around the holy book. The two elderly men, from different religions, stood like pillars and blessed the couple. Led by her husband, like a dutiful wife, she went around it four times, holding in her hands the long cloth that tied the two together, the other end of which was held by her husband. At the fourth round, as the two bowed before the holy Granth, the entire hall, filled to the brim with villagers, began showering the couple with flowers. There were tears of joy in everyone’s eyes. They knew how important the occasion was for Bibi. They too had prayed for her.

As the two stepped out of the gurdwara, groups of young girls encircled them, dancing and singing the traditional Kashmiri bidai (farewell) folk song while the elders clapped in unison. Military vehicles stood lined up on the tarmac behind the decorated olive-green car. On cue, all the assembled uniformed personnel saluted the bride. The two made a powerful couple, much adored by those around them.