I W A S N E V E R T H E O N E T O O B E Y

I am extremely sorry. I know I am late. I was busy, after all it's ramadaan ☺

I stared at my roof top as a lone tear escaped my eyes. My life was miserable and despondent. I had caused misery to Uzair too. "You have to get ready. The guests will start arriving soon." Maliha heckled my trail of thoughts while folding my clothes neatly.

"I don't want to go." I replied, my voice sharper than ever. Almost a week had passed by and I had no news of Uzair's well being.

The only good thing that happened was that soon after the 'forbidden thing' had happened, Humza left the town for some business purpose. I had not seen him ever since. I guess my lie had worked on him. He thinks he wasn't my first but I don't understand how that must have ticked him off. As far as I know he detests and loathes me.

"If the party was to be held at some other place, you could have done that but you know it's being held in this house itself." Maliha started placing my clothes in the wooden wardrobe.

"What is this party even for?" I huffed, frustratedly.

"I am not quite sure but maybe it's because of some deal Humza bhai grabbed." She answered thoughtfully.

I found myself slowly turning around, away from the comfort and solace of the large cream walls, as I now stared at Maliha only to find her staring back at me, her eyes narrowing at me.

I heaved a dejected sigh.

Fine!

After half an hour, my skin didn't look pale anymore. Instead it was dazzling and scintillating. I don't know how exactly she did it but Maliha was a pro at make up.

I looked pretty good as the golden eye shadow with flecks of black on it, made my eyes stand out more. My lips were now a shade of red which made it look all the more plump. The gold earing was also a plus point.

My dress was a 2 piece. The long navy blue skirt was decorated and enhanced with golden beads and sequences. My top which reached just above my knee was also of the same color, decorated in the same manner. I further added my matching hijab to it and well let's just say that I looked better than before. Whoever bought this dress for me had a great choice for sure.

"The guests are already here. We have to go down now." Maliha spoke anxiously. She was too excited and thrilled. I was never the one for parties. I didn't like much crowd and I definitely didn't like attention. To add to my misery, I had to face him today as well. I was going to ask for my phone though. How did I survive without it so far was beyond me.

"Go ahead I'll be there soon." I tried looking busy as I searched for absolutely nothing in the chest of drawers near the television. I didn't want to go down as yet.

Much to my fortune, she did buy my excuse and abandoned me.

I could hear a lot of voices as I am sure the foyer must be full of people, dangerous people to be precise.

It's but obvious that his friends would be just like him and about the deal, well I don't even want to think about it.

After ten minutes, I was finally leaving my room when certain familiar voices from the corridor had me stopping abruptly. I ceased my footsteps near the door almost leaning on to it so that I could eavesdrop.

"Keep an eye on her. I want you to guard her with your life." This voice surely belonged to the one and only monster, Humza. Listening to it after so long gave me goosebumps. My heart beat sped up due to an unknown emotion swirling up in the back of my mind. The question arising though was that who did they want to protect.

"Be careful." Another male voice spoke. I Was clueless. What are they even talking about?

I could have heard more but my heels must have thought 'How about we embarrass her', as the next thing I know is that my legs got twisted and I ended up stepping outside my room, stumbling awkwardly trying to maintain my balance.

Two pairs of eyes immediately snapped at me making me groan inwardly.

I smiled sheepishly at them.

Humza stared at me, a sea of emotions dancing in his eyes. If I would just let my angry self subside, I would like to accept that he looked incredibly handsome. He was wearing a navy blue tuxedo with white shirt underneath which fitted perfectly against his built figure making him look like a fallen angel, walking in the dark. Everything fitted him to perfection. He looked mesmerizingly handsome. His golden watch adorned his broad wrist and his shoes were pointed. Now that I look at him, all the hatred flew out of the window. What's wrong with me?

"Assalamo Alaikum." Humza blurted out and immediately a look of terror paassed through his face as if he had said something forbidden, something he wasn't supposed to say. His eyes darkened immediately as he cursed under his breathe. His nostrils were now flaring and Huzaifa frowned at him too. I couldn't understand what wrong did he do? Or did I do something?

"Walaikum assalam?" It came off more as a question. Humza's eyes scanned me from head to toe and then settled itself on my face. His fist curling up into a ball now.

"Malika." He roared and I realized they were standing outside her room. As if on cue she came out of her room looking as elegant as ever.

"I am so sorry babe. I was just doing the last minute touch up." She smiled seductively while Humza's eyes were still trained on me.

He extended his elbow like a gentleman that he wasn't and she slipped her hand into the gap. Now they looked like a perfect couple.

"What is she even wearing?" Malika mocked and I immediately fell myself being enraged.

"Modesty. Something you have never heard of." I smiled smugly when a frown captured her face. I swear I might have seen a small smile conquering Humza's face. The corner of his lips had twitched but it was gone before I could be sure.

Unlike him, Huzaifa grinned from ear to ear.

"Now listen women. I'll be telling everyone that she is my wife and you are Huzaifa's cousin. You have to stick by this too. Any smartness from you and you know what toys I possess." Humza slightly moved his tux so that the gun in his waistband could be visible to me. I shuddered at the sight of it. He shot Uzair with it. No doubt he can shoot me too.

I nodded my head but without displaying any sorts of expression. To be honest it did hurt. He was so ashamed of me. He didn't even want people to know that I was his wife. Maybe because I wear a hijab, no maybe because of my clothing. Aggh! I don't know.

He then sauntered away with Malika. I looked at their retreating back, admiring how perfect they looked.

"Sorry about that." My eyes shifted to Huzaifa who looked at me with sympathy. I clenched my teeth. Like I've said before, sympathy is something I hate.

"We must get going." I reminded him. We cascaded down the staircase. The foyer had changed overnight. It didn't seem like I was in the same foyer. It was crammed with a lot of people. The party was like any other party to me, boring. Different colored lights flashed in the darkness. Waiters moved around with refreshments and drinks.

Huzaifa lead me to a safe place at the further end where I sat comfortably. He then excused himself.

My eyes searched for Humza and I found him speaking to 3 men. They were dressed up like him. Each one spoke of wealth and each one looked dangerous.

Women were scrutinizing me with their gaze and men were ogling me. I shifted uncomfortably. All his mistresses were present today, caked up like a doll.

I couldn't help but look at Humza and Malika. Why did they look so perfect?

"Assalamo alaikum." My head turned immediately towards the known voice. I was too shocked to find Ahad here.

"What are you doing here?" I squealed like a kid unable to hide my happiness and glee. "Your husband invited me." He chortled and I couldn't believe Humza would do that.

"Waao! you must have done something really good." I mocked. I was grateful he was here. The night didn't seem to be that bad at all now.

Ahad and I were having fun and I had kind of forgotten about Humza as well. We talked about almost everything we had missed in each other's life.

Humza didn't glance at me the whole evening, that was until people began to dance. When people gathered near the centre, he called Huzaifa and whispered something in his ear. Huzaifa nodded his head to whatever he must have said and then he disappeared into the crowd. Humza and Malika were the first one to begin the dance. A lot of people followed their lead. Soft music echoed throughout the hall.

Ahad and I were sitting on the love seats like a fool, watching other people dance. We were hopeless. I couldn't help but stare at Humza. He was holding her waist tightly. Their bodies were almost flushed against each other. He looked at her, the way he was supposed to look at me. Her head was resting on his chest and all the people around them were busy admiring the couple.

I was staring at him when suddenly his eyes met mine holding me captive in place. I couldn't shift my gaze. We both stared at each other shamelessly. His hands then traveled up and down her back as if he was trying to tease me. The corner of his mouth twitched and I looked away trying to stop myself from acting like I actually cared.

I felt a pang of jealousy, I wouldn't lie. The kiss had messed up everything.

I was amazed because nobody approached me. I searched for Maliha who was busy with her cousins but couldn't find her. I turned around and almost jumped when I saw Huzaifa standing right behind me.

"What are you doing here? You almost scared me." I placed my hand on my rapidly beating heart, as if it would calm me down.

"I was right here all this while. I don't like the crowd." He spoke slightly uncertain of what exactly he was saying. I gave him a skeptical look.

"What?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Nothing." I responded turning to my front again. Humza was no more looking at me, he was busy with his lady.

"This party is so boring. Let's dance." Ahad proposed and I couldn't help but agree.

"It's already crowded. You shouldn't be going there." Huzaifa spoke from behind.

"Why not? We are going Huzaifa." He gave me a disapproving look but I didn't wait for him to say something else.

Ahad and I ambled towards the center where everyone was busy dancing.

From the corner of my eyes I could see Humza staring at me intently but I decided to ignore him.

Ahad and I laughed at our horrible dance moves. Neither of us knew how to dance. We were not exactly dancing but we were doing something close to it.

"We are horrible dancers." He laughed, his perfect set of white teeth visible.

"I know but you know what? You should get married." I told him.

"So that I may suffer like you. No. Thankyou!" He chuckled as I fake hit his shoulder.

"Let's exchange partners." A man around the age of Humza spoke. He was quite large and intimidating, almost predatory like. His left hand was tightly gripping on his partner's waist. The color of his blazer was similar to Humza's, the material scrunching against his muscular built.

"No. Let's keep it this way." Humza spoke almost immediately.

"It'll be fun Humza. Stop being so possessive about your wife." The man tittered and Humza gritted his teeth. The other couples on the floor also agreed with the man. Humza turned to me. This time I let myself to look at him. His gaze locked with mine. His eyes were dark and threatening. It was as if he was warning me to leave.

But he didn't know, I was never the one to obey.

E D I T E D on 27.1.2018