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When leaving from my home in the UK to America, my heart was filled with a strange restlessness. On one hand, there was the excitement of stepping onto American soil and the eagerness to attend my niece’s wedding, but on the other hand, there was the sorrow of separation, a part of every expatriate’s life.

Many questions were swirling in my mind. What would the wedding have been like if it had taken place on Pakistan’s soil? As I sat in the plane and closed my eyes, the colorful scenes of weddings in Pakistan began to play in my mind like memories.

The long 13-hour flight began. As the plane ascended, the beautiful views of the land below came into view. Tall buildings looked like small toys. The flight attendants’ pleasant demeanor and the calm inside the plane were momentarily wiping away my tired thoughts.

When I gazed out the window, the vast ocean, mountain peaks, and sun rays amidst the clouds seemed like part of a dream. These beautiful sights of nature brought peace to my heart, but the constant thought of my niece’s wedding preparations and the absence of family kept making my heart feel heavy.

When I closed my eyes on the plane, the streets of Lahore came to mind, where on wedding days, young people dance to the beat of the dhol, women sing their unique songs, and every street is filled with joy.

The delicious food at wedding feasts, the laughter of children, and the joyful scenes of elders seem like dreams in the land of expatriates. In Pakistan, a wedding is not just the union of two hearts but a celebration for every family member.

When the plane landed at Denver Airport, the chilly winds were a welcoming sign. A light layer of snow on the ground and snowflakes falling from the sky looked like a scene from a movie. My heart was glad to have the chance to share in my niece’s joy.

Nayab, who had gone to America after completing her education in the Finland, was starting a new chapter of her life with her partner in a beautiful church. However, this wedding lacked the grandeur of weddings in Pakistan. Her mother and siblings, watching through a video call from Pakistan, had tears in their eyes but smiles on their faces.

It is important to praise Nayab’s mother, who imparted not only an excellent education but also good morals and values to her daughter. It was a result of her upbringing that Nayab was now starting a successful and independent life.

Only those who have experienced the pain of living abroad can truly understand the hardships of expatriates. Life here may seem full of comforts, but the reality is that every expatriate yearns for the closeness of their loved ones. The desolation of festivals and the lack of joy are the harshest truths of living abroad.

On the day of Nayab’s wedding, watching her parents on a video call as they sent their daughter off was a moment that shook my heart. They were praying that this moment could have been in Pakistan, where the sounds of joy are heard everywhere.

Nayab, Huma, Hina, Noria, Sumbul, and my daughter Samar worked together to finalize all the arrangements and carried out the wedding rituals with great skill, making it feel as if we had returned to our homeland. The participation of Romail Pious and Mrs. Sameena Irshad made the occasion even more memorable and beautiful.

This wedding was also a lesson for me that happiness feels incomplete without loved ones. I pray that every expatriate gets the chance to spend joyful moments of life with their family on their own land. Expatriates work day and night for their families, but their own happiness often remains in the background.

My heart wishes for the new generation to have opportunities where they won’t need to go abroad, and they can celebrate life’s joyous moments with their land, family, and traditions.

Written by: Javed Inayat
Senior Journalist, Leicester, UK
Feedback: javedinayat2003@yahoo.co.uk