7

Aamiya's mother returned to her room and sat on the bed, beside her husband, "Have you seen Asfand? Your daughter is hurting herself and my son by doing all this." She said, exasperated.

Aamiya's father sighed, "I don't think Aamiya is going to see reason like this. We are going to have to intertwine."

"If the marriage is held now, with all customs. Maybe she wouldn't put up a fight anymore. She may accept him in the nearer future." Her mother took a deep breath. "I can't see them like this anymore, hurting so much. Make Aamiya agree somehow, even if you have to be strict for now." Dad nodded.

The next evening, Aamiya was reading a book when her father knocked on her door and walked in. She sat up, let her legs hang off the bed. Her father came and sat near her.

"Aamiya, why are you doing all this?" Dad asked her gently.

Tears filled her eyes, "What am I doing, Dad? I can't accept what all of you are saying." 

Her father sighed, "He is your husband. You'll have to face the truth someday, be it today or tomorrow."

"No! I will never accept it." Her voice rose. 

"We have decided it is time for your marriage to come out into the world. Your wedding will be held in 15 days. Invite whoever you want." Her father confirmed and stood up, prompting her to stand up as well.

"You can't force me into doing something like this." She declared, making her father halt in his exit.

"If you ever loved us, or considered us to be your family, then you will do as I've asked." He spoke coldly and left the room. Aamiya plopped on the bed, crying her heart out.

After shedding tears for a while, she rose from the bed and marched to Asfand's room. He was running a comb through his hair when he saw her walking towards him, making him set the comb down and turn to her.

To his immense surprise, she began beating on his chest with all her might. While shedding monstrous tears, simultaneously.

"It's all your fault, this is all your fault. Dad is forcing me to marry you in 15 days, this is your fault." 

Asfand was surprised to hear that, he knew nothing of what she talked about. When Aamiya was finally tired of hitting him, she fell on his chest and sobbed.

"It's all your fault." She mumbled against his chest.

Asfand wrapped his arms around her and gently stroked her hair, it pained him to see her cry, "Shh..Don't cry, baby. Don't cry.." He tried to relax her, with her face hidden in his chest. He was the reason for her tears, yet she still took comfort from him. She didn't know what else to do, going to him in times of pain and hurt was only natural to her. His voice, his touch calmed her down.

When she felt better, she looked up at him. Asfand wiped her tears and placed a kiss on her forehead. She was the one crying, but it seemed as if he was the one hurting from it. She was brought out of her trance and took notice of their position. She moved away quickly and looked up at him, confused.

"Now. Calmly tell me what happened?" Asfand said.

Aamiya looked at him with rage, "Dad wants us to marry in 15 days, and I have no say in it." 

Asfand inhaled a deep breath. "You are already in my Nikah. It doesn't matter, Aamiya. Just do as you're told, we will discuss everything later."