CHAPTER -2

“What do you mean by saying that your daughter eloped with someone, Mr. Asif Siddiqui? How can that happen? How can she run away under your nose? Were you all sleeping? If she loves someone else why didn't you tell us before about it? Then today our reputation won't be at stake.”

Wasim Shouted to Asif after knowing the matter.

“Wasim, nothing is going to change by your yelling so be quiet. Now what is important is our reputation. The whole society will laugh at us if we go back without a bride. And I can't let that happen.” Abdul Rashid, Aadil’s grandfather said and started thinking how to save their reputation.

“I don't know how Aadil will react when he comes to know that the love of his life has eloped with her boyfriend. He is crazy about her.” Mansha, Aadil's mother said, throwing daggers with her eyes on Warda. And poor Warda kept standing there with her head low.

“It's not only about our reputation, your reputation is also at stake. I have come up with a solution which can save both the families reputation.” Abdul Rashid said and everyone looked at him in confusion who were present there.

"What are you trying to say, Dad?" Wasim asked him.

“Asif, I want to ask for your younger daughter’s hand for our Aadil. It's your fault now you have to take the responsibility. It's the only solution left for us. Otherwise, you know what the consequences will be.” It was a clear threat to him and there was no going back for Asif Siddiqui.

“How can I spoil my daughter’s life, Mr. Waziri? What's her fault in this?” Asif said to him.

“You are right. She is not at fault but sometimes we have to bear the consequences of our loved ones. It's her fate. Maybe they weren't meant to be together, that's why all these things happen. It's God’s plan. And he knows the best. Don't forget what happens, happens for the good. Maybe, they are meant to be together.” Abdul Rashid said.

"I think you are right." Asif agreed with his decision.

"Baba, I also agree with your decision." Wasim also agreed to this.

“Okay, you all make your decision now, what about Aadil? Do you think he will agree to marry Inayat? He will definitely say no to this arrangement.” Mansha said to her husband.

“Mansha, it's my responsibility to make him agree to this marriage. You don't worry about it.” Waseem said to his wife by holding her hand in his.

"Asif, you also talk to Inayat." Abdul Rashid said to him and Asif walked out from the room after giving a look to his wife. Warda also followed him.

"Aadil," Wasim called him. Who was happily talking with his friends.

“Yes, Dad." He responded and came towards them.

“Dear, come with me. I have some important matters to talk about with you.” Wasim said and dragged him by holding his hand.

“Dad, is everything alright? Why are you looking so worried?” Aadil asked him when he noticed his father's tension- filled face.

“You just listen to me carefully.” He said and took a deep breath before facing him to talk.

“You are getting married to Inayat not Kainaat.” He didn't know how to explain this serious and sensitive matter to his son. So he just somehow started but his one sentence was enough for Aadil to lose his mind.

“Have you lost your mind, Dad? Do you even know what you are saying?” Aadil shouted at his Dad and looked at his Mom.

“Mom, I think Dad is not feeling well, that's why he's talking nonsense. Please take him to have some rest.”

Mansha left a sarcastic chuckle and said to her son. “Dear, your Dad is absolutely fine. But I'm sure, what he's going to say to you, you will lose your mind.” Wasim glared at her and she just ignored that.

“Aadil, there is a reason why I'm asking you to get married to Inayat. And the reason is Kainaat. She ran away with her boyfriend.” His words shook him to the core. He felt like the world crumbled around him. Aadil stumbled back and was about to fall when his mother held him.

“Pull yourself together son. She doesn't deserve you. She lost a gem in the search for gold. I'm sure she will regret her decision. She will never be happy in her life. She has broken your heart may Allah also make her go through the same pain you are going through.” Tears were rolong down from her eyes seeing her son’s condition.

Tears welled up in Aadil’s eyes. He felt like someone tore his heart apart from him. The pain was so painful that he was clutching his chest tightly. He shook his head and looked at his Mom with his tearfilled eyes. Seeing his condition his mother's heart broke.

“It can't be possible. No. No, she can't do this to me. You all are lying. She can never do such a thing. I know my Kainaat. She's not like this. She loves me. Then why would she leave me for someone. Mom, tell me that Dad is lying.”

But his mother's words broke him totally. “No, he's telling the truth only.”

He was about to fall but his Mother and Father caught him and made him sat on the chair. His father also sat on another chair in front of him.

“Son, you wanted to marry Kainaat and we fixed your marriage. We did what you wanted. Because your happiness mattered to us. But she ran away with her lover. It's neither your fault nor ours.”

He placed her hand on his shoulder and tried to make him understand. “Believe in God’s plan. He's the best planner. And always remember, what happens, happens for the good. We agreed with your decision and fixed your marriage with Kainaat. Now it's your turn you have to accept our decision.”

“You have to agree to marry Inayat. For the sake of the Waziri family’s reputation. And let me tell you the decision wasn't mine. It’s your Granddad’s decision. You can't disrespect him by refusing this arrangement.” Wasim said and walked out from the room leaving the broken soul and his mother.

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"Asif, what are you doing? Are you in your senses? How can you do this to Inayat? It's unfair to her." Warda was talking to her husband while walking behind him.

"You are making the wrong decision in anger. You can't punish your daughter for the crime done by your other daughter. What's her fault that you are sacrificing her life to save your reputation?” Warda said in rage.

Asif stopped in his tracks and turned towards his wife. “I didn't make any decision in rage. I have taken the decision after careful consideration. She knew about her affair with that guy, but she hid it from us. Now she has to bear the consequences. I can't help it.” He said in anger. It was the first time Warda witnessed a totally different Asif infront of her she never saw. She couldn't believe it was the same Asif she knew all her life.

“You know how Innu is. She has no knowledge about how to handle relationships, responsibilities and Marriage. She won't be able to handle this marriage. Moreover, you know Aadil loves Kainaat. Will he accept Inayat as his wife from heart? Will he be able to love her? He can't keep my daughter happy. She will never be happy with him. Don't ruin her life, Asif. Because of her one mistake you can't ruin her whole life. This mother is requesting you, please don't ruin my daughter’s life.”

She said, joining her palms in front of him. She was crying like a helpless mother.

"It's God’s wish. I can't help it." Saying that he started walking, leaving Warda behind. She kept watching her husband's retreating figure with a heavy heart and disappointment. Then she also followed him to where Inayat was.

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“Inayat, today your father wants to ask you something from you. I hope you won't disappoint me.” Asif asked her while stroking her hair in a loving way. And she nodded, getting confused.

"I have given you full independence in your life. I never stopped you from doing what you wanted. People used to say don't give so much freedom to the girl's they will spoil but I never give any attention to their words because I had full faith in my daughters that they will never do such things which will let me down. But I was proved wrong today. Kainaat has not only crossed the threshold of this house but has also crossed the threshold of our hearts. There is no place for her in my house, not even in my heart. She didn't just break my trust, she has broken my heart too. I have no other way, only you can save our family’s reputation.” He said holding Inayat's hand in his with his teary eyes.

"You will listen to your Dad, right?" He asked her. And she nodded unaware of his intention.

"What's going on in his mind? I'm not having a good feeling from his tone.”She thought in her mind.

“Innu, please get married to Aadil" Asif said in one breath. Inayat was so shocked that she kept sitting there like a statue.

“What?” She exclaimed with pure shock.

“Dad, what are you saying?” She asked and took a look at her mother to say something but she stayed mum.

“Dad, I won't get married to him. Never. If you would have asked me to die I would have happily done that but don't tell me to marry Aadil. No way. I can't do that. And you know the reason very well." She said sternly standing from the bed.

Her father also stood up from the chair and looked at her angrily.

"Yes, I know that. But you have to sacrifice that for my sake." Her father said in a cold tone again made her sit on the bed. And he also sat with her.

"Dad, how can you say that? It's been my dream since childhood. I worked so hard to get that. And now you are simply saying I have to sacrifice my dream for your sake. For you I can immolate my life." She said praying to the God made him understand her point of view.

"I can't do that." She declared adamantly.

“Moreover, I don't want to ruin someone else's life because of me. I don't want to put someone's family in danger. I'm a jinx. I don't want to bring trouble in others' lives. I can't do that. And I can't even mention this to Dad. He will never believe it.” She thought in her mind.

"So you are refusing this marriage? And it's your final decision?" Asif asked her and she nodded stubbornly.

“Okay, if you can't save my reputation in my bad times then from today onwards I disowned you as my daughter. I have no children. Now you are free. Go wherever you want, do whatever you want. But keep that in your mind from today onwards your father is dead for you. I can't live with this stigma.” Saying that he got up from bed to leave the room but stopped at Inayat’s call.

"Dad," Inayat ran to him and held his hand to stop him.

"Dad, I can't stand their expectations. I won't be able to take the wife's responsibility nor the daughter in law's duty. And I'm pretty sure that if this nikah happened it won't work. Please try to understand, Dad." Inayat said to her father in hope. But he shook his head and cupped her face.

“You will be able to fulfill your responsibilities very well. I have full faith in you.” He smiled at her as he knew that his daughter can't deny him. Just he have to put in some effort to make her agree. And see what happened. She agreed reluctantly.

"Does Aadil have no objection to this marriage?” She asked him expectantly.

“I don't know. But his father has gone to talk to him.” His words brought a new hope in her. There was a hope that the marriage won't happen as she believes that Aadil will refuse this arrangement.

“Asif, you have convinced your daughter to agree to this Nikaah. It would be better if you give it a second thought so that you don't have to regret this decision for the rest of your life.” After a long time of drama, Warda begum open her mouth to say something to her husband.

"I believe I won't regret my decision. Mark my word, our daughter will be happy there.” Saying that Asif walked out from the room after closing the door shut leaving the mother and daughter alone there.

Warda sat beside her daughter and stroked her hair. Inayat was holding her tears with very much difficulty. But when her mother hugged her she broke in her embrace while sobbing hard and after it turned to her sniffers. Her mother was also crying with her.

"Sshh...shh...Don't cry. You are my strong girl. Your father made you agree to this marriage by manipulating you. Please forgive your mother for not being able to do something for you. I'm helpless, dear. But I don't think Aadil will agree to marry you. Only he can save you from this marriage. He is our last hope. Let's hope for the best.” Warda rubbed her back to make her feel good.

"I hope so." Inayat said in her cracking voice, still hugging her mother tightly.