Chapter-7

After two days

Author's p.o.v

" Api, stop crying. You will ruin your makeup," Eshal said fixing the dupatta on Erina's head. Then, Eshal helped Erina to wear jewellery. After all, today is her wedding.

Erina is looking breathtakingly gorgeous in her red Sharara Kurti with golden colour dupatta. The jewellery suited her perfectly. Her milky white hands and feet are covered with beautiful Alta( red dye which many Indian brides use while wedding). Her honey brown colour waist length hairs are combed in aside. Moreover, she is looking like a perfect bride.

Her outer shell is glowing but she is shattered from inside. She is feeling like to leave everything and escape from here with Amaan. She tried her best to not remember Amaan but she couldn't. Amaan's thought is always flashing in front of her making her more broken.

Erina wiped her tears and stayed silent. She has become mute after the engagement ceremony. She is just doing everything like a puppet whatever she is being told. She knows that she has failed to fulfil her dream and she has to move on with whatever she has.

" Api, aap kitni kismatwali ho. Itni badi ghar me apki Nikah Jo ho rahi he(Sis, you are so lucky that you are being married to a great house)," Eshita said excitedly remembering Zayed's house which she had seen in TV. She has seen a glimpse of Zayed's house and already in love with it.

Erina remains silent while Eshita continued bubbling about Zayed's name, fame and money. She has already a huge crush on Zayed.

" Agaar ham apki jaga hoti to khushi se pagal he ho jati. Aap kyu itna ro rahi hey. Ayshe amir shawhar bohot kismat se milti hey( if I was in your place then I would have gone crazy because of happiness. Why are you crying so much? Getting this type of rich husband is all about luck)," Eshita said excitedly and Erina just took a deep breath. Her gloomy face is now having a longing expression.

Erina replied looking at her dolled up reflection in the mirror," Sukar karo ki tum hamari jaga pe nahi ho( be grateful to God that you are not in my place).

Eshal understood Erina's condition and scolded Eshita," Will you just shut up? Aren't you seeing that Api is upset?"

" I don't need your permission to talk," Eshita replied glaring at Eshal and Eshal also glared back.

Erina remained silent but she already knows that she is going to miss her tom & Jerry so much. Erina mentally laughed a little seeing her sisters quarrelling.

Then, Eshita asked Erina with her sparkling eyes," Api, aap to kitni mehenga bed par suyengi! Bohut sari kimti jebwarat or kapre bhi pehnengi! Aap to rani ban kar rahengi( Sis, you will sleep on a luxurious bed! You will have so many expensive jewelleries and dresses to wear. You are going to lead a life of a queen). I am so happy for you."

" Eshita, please. Kindly stop talking about all this," Erina said annoyingly and Eshita just pouted her mouth.

Erina sighed and said looking down," Money can't buy every happiness."

" Eshal and Eshita. Leave the room right now. I have something to talk with Erina," The sisters heard their mother voice from behind who is standing at the door.

Eshal and Eshita obliged their mother and left the room immediately.

Erina's mother came towards Erina and sat beside her. Then, she raised Erina's face using her thumb and index finger.

She said smiling," Kitni pyaari lag rahi he hamari beti( My daughter is looking so sweet). MASHALLAH."

Erina kept looking down with her sad eyes when her mother said holding her hand," Beta(dear). I know everything is difficult for you to accept. As your mother, I will advise you to accept everything and move on. We should be happy with whatever we had."

" Ammi, woh admi hame sahi nehi lagta.( mother, I don't like that man). He is strange," Erina said worriedly remembering Zayed's actions at their engagement ceremony.

Erina's mother said assuring Erina," You are feeling like that because you don't know him. If you come to know about him properly then you will not feel like that. You have to understand your husband. You have to fulfil every duty of a wife. You have to make your marriage successful so that your sisters can learn from you. You have to make me proud."

Erina's mother advised her like every typical mother.

Then, she asked Erina," Promise me that you will be a good wife? Promise me that you will not let anyone raise fingers on my upbringing?"

" I will try my best," Erina said timidly and closed her eyes to control her tears. She already knew that she can't be happy after breaking Amaan's heart. She is feeling guilty and hating herself for not being able to do anything. She knew that Amaan will obviously think of herself as a gold-digger and will hate her.

'Amaan will hate her' this thought is making Erina's condition worst. She can't help stopping her heart from craving for Amaan. A few moments later, she will be someone else's wife. After that, thinking about Amaan will be a sin for her. As a religious girl, she can't do it. So, she decided to accept this marriage.

" Beta(dear), try to love your husband.  If you don't love him then you will not also get love in return. Always remember that everyone is like your father," Erina's mother said softly and she sighed without understanding how to react or say anything.

Erina's mother is advising her about the married life when they heard Erina's father's hoarse voice which echoed through the whole room like a thunderstorm.

" Guphtogo khatam hogayi hey to chale? ( If you are done with your talking then shall we go?). Zayed sir is already here," Erina's father informed irritatingly.

Erina's mother replied hurriedly," Aap chaliye. Ham Erina ko lekar aate hey( you go. I am coming with Erina)."

" Chalo beta( let's go dear)," Erina's mother said and Erina felt like her heart is beating so fast. Her palm started sweating because of nervousness. She is feeling scared as well without any reason.

" Allah, please. Help me to handle this situation," Erina prayed mentally.

Erina's p.o.v

"Qubool hai(I accept)," I said with great difficulty and a lone tear escaped from my eyes.

I heard everyone is congratulating and praying for the new couple's future.

And that's it. I have become Mrs Qureshi now. My fate is now joined with a stranger. I don't know what's written in my Destiny. I just hope everything goes well. Also, I am praying to Allah for Amaan. I just hope he will get over the heartbreak soon and move on.

Now, I looked at my husband and found him smiling at me. His smile was so mysterious and unusual which created a shiver in my whole system. He is wearing a sherwani which a bridegroom should wear. And I have to admit that he is looking handsome. But, I know that looks can be deceiving. I don't know why I am feeling so insecure about him.

The moulvi(priest) then asked about his consent and he gave it without any hesitation. He said Qubool hai(I accept) three times like he is in hurry.

After that, we both fed each other sweets and everybody prayed for us. While I was sitting beside him, I felt so uncomfortable as he was almost brushing his body with mine. But, I couldn't say anything thinking that I have to get used to him.

At the time of Rukhsati(sending off the bride), my mother requested to my husband," Please, take care of her."

" Don't worry. I will love her and take care of her so much that she will forget her own family," He replied chuckling but I felt something fishy in his voice.

Will he really love me and take care of me the way he is promising my mother? I don't know.

I am now crying my eyes out hugging my mother. She is consoling me but my crying isn't stopping. I am not feeling like leaving my mother.

" Api," I heard my sisters and hugged them as well. They are crying and saying many things to console me.

I said caressing their cheeks with a sad smile," I will miss my tom & Jerry."

" We will miss you too," They said in unison and hugged me again.

After that, I looked at my father who is already looking at me with his cold expression. I thought that at least for today he will care for me. He will say something consoling to me. But, my heart broke into tiny pieces hearing his rude words.

" At least make yourself worthy for your husband," My father said rudely and more tears escaped from my eyes. I don't know how can someone behave so cruelly to his own daughter.

I replied wiping my tears," Take care, Abbu."

I wanted to hug him like all the daughters hug their fathers. But, in my case, everything is just messed up.

" It's time. We can't be late more," I heard my husband saying and I just burst into more tears.

Finally, I am now sitting inside the car with my husband. I am just looking outside through the window with longing eyes. I kept looking behind seeing my family getting away from me. Leaving my family behind was the most painful thing for me.

I am now hiccupping and soaking my cheeks with my tears. My family's thought is coming inside my head making my condition worse. I am already missing them. I don't know how I will live without my sisters and mother.

I am still crying when I felt that someone is wiping my tears with a handkerchief. I looked beside and found my husband looking at me softly.

" Don't cry. You aren't leaving them forever," He said wiping my tears.

I didn't reply when he held my one hand and said softly," Don't cry so much. You will hurt your eyes badly."

" I am just missing them badly," I replied meekly.

He sighed and said softly," Every girl has to leave their house one day. It's the rule. But, I promise you that I will love you so much that you will forget every sorrow."

I just looked at him with my wide eyes. I saw his eyes are holding truthfulness. Is he saying the truth? No evilness can be visible in his eyes.

Maybe he is really a good person. Maybe everyone is right. I think I was overthinking. Did I judge him so early?

" You are my Jaan(love). I will not let you cry for someone else," He said wiping my tears again. I felt really awkward and shy hearing the word jaan.

I replied lowering my head," Thanks for your concern."

"Welcome and no need to cry. You will meet your family again. Don't worry," he said assuring me and held my hand.

I didn't say anything to him seeing his genuine concern. I think I just judged him early. He is a good man.

Author's p.o.v

Very soon Zayed's car entered through the main gate of his mansion. It stopped in front of the main door of the mansion.

Zayed and Erina came out of the car and Erina became amused seeing the whole mansion. She couldn't stop herself admiring it mentally. The mansion is looking like any kind of palace.

" You can admire the house later as it's your house also. So, let's go," Zayed said noticing Erina's open mouth and amused expression.

Then, he held her right hand and almost dragged her to the main door. She just followed him like a lost puppy.

Zayed rang the doorbell and Fatima Khala opened it hurriedly with a big smile on her lips.

" Welcome, Zayed baba," Fatima khala said happily.

Zayed only nodded his head and introduced Erina while holding Erina's shoulder," Fatima Khala, meet my wife Erina."

But, Fatima khala's smiling face turned into a shocked face after seeing Erina. She couldn't believe her eyes. She is just blinking her eyes repeatedly being dumbfounded.

Erina noticed Fatima Khala's reaction and became confused. She isn't understanding why this old lady is looking at her shockingly.

Erina thought mentally," Am I looking weird?"

" Erina, this is Fatima Khala. Caretaker of my whole household," Zayed introduced Fatima Khala to Erina.

Erina masked her shocking expression with an awkward smile and replied," Nice to meet you, Fatima Khala."

Fatima Khala is still looking at Erina with her shocked eyes and didn't say anything. She is looking at Erina like she has seen any kind of ghost.

" Take her to my room. I will be back," Zayed ordered Fatima Khala about Erina.

Then, he left the area hurriedly. Well, he is going to send the remaining money to Erina's father's account.

On the other hand, Fatima Khala said to Erina awkwardly," Please, come."

Erina is now following Fatima Khala. She became surprised seeing the inside of the house.

She became more amused after seeing the living room. Every corner of it is screaming luxury. Erina has only seen this type of house on the TV. She is looking at everything with awe.

Fatima Khala took Erina to Zayed's bedroom and seeing the bedroom Erina's mouth is now hung open. The bedroom is huge with a master bed. The whole bedroom is stuffed with luxurious furniture. All modern facilities are available here. She also noticed that the bed is covered with rose petals. She understood the meaning of all this.

" This is Zayed Baba's bedroom," Fatima Khala informed Erina.

Then, she showed her the washroom and Erina felt like she is in any kind of dreamland.

The washroom is double in size then Erina's bedroom. Her mouth got hung open while watching everything.

After settling Erina on the bed, Fatima Khala is now ready to leave the room. Before leaving the room she said to Erina," If you need anything else then kindly call me."

" Umm, why did you look shocked after seeing me? Erina asked Fatima Khala curiously.

Fatima Khala replied without any emotion on her face," have a good time."

Saying that she left the room without glancing back. Erina didn't understand the cold behaviour of Fatima Khala.

Erina is now awkwardly sitting on the bed with her racing heartbeat. She is sweating profusely only thinking about what will happen next. Seeing the rose petals on the bed, Erina gulped down her saliva because of fear. She doesn't know Zayed will take her consent or not about intimacy.

She is a little bit optimistic after seeing Zayed's gentle behaviour in the car.

" He will take my consent," Erina said to herself though she is hell nervous.

Erina is thinking about something deeply when Zayed entered the room with a big plate made of brass. The plate is covered with a red cloth. Erina became confused about seeing the plate.

Zayed came towards Erina and sat beside her. He put the plate in front of Erina. She flinched a little as she is too much nervous and shy around him.

Zayed complimented Erina with a smile," You are so cute and beautiful."

Unknowingly Erina blushed hearing his words. She just looked down shyly.

" Do you know what's the base of the husband and wife's relationship?" He asked Erina with his dominating voice.

Erina nodded her head in negative. She thought to say love but stopped thinking that she doesn't love him. Then, how can she say him about love?

Zayed chuckled seeing Erina's reaction. He replied sternly," Loyalty. It's the base of a husband & wife's relationship."

Erina didn't say anything as she isn't understanding what she should. So, she prepared herself to keep quiet.

" First comes loyalty and then love," Zayed declared and held Erina by her shoulder.

Erina wriggled a little to free herself but stopped immediately seeing Zayed's dangerous facial expression.

He caressed Erina's cheeks and ordered her," Today you will prove your loyalty and love for me."

Erina looked at him with her questioning eyes when he held the plate in front of her. He said to her sweetly," Jaan, remove the cloth. Your mo dikhai (wedding gift) is here."

With shaky hands, Erina removed the cloth nervously wondering what's on the plate.

A gasp escaped from her mouth seeing the content on the plate. Adrenaline rushed through her whole system making her worried as well as shocked. She looked at Zayed with her shocked expression and found him smirking.

He asked laughing," Didn't you like your wedding gift?"

" What do you want me to do with all this?" Erina asked with her panicked voice. She isn't understanding Zayed's motive.

Zayed replied with a proud smile," You are going to prove your love and loyalty by all these."