Maaz was surprised to see his room lit with scented candles. He looked around and found someone standing beside the bed. She was dressed in emerald green crop blouse which had golden leave patchwork and maroon transparent saree wrapped around her frame. The end of the Pallu covering her head. Maaz smiled to himself as he walked towards her. As he neared her, she took a step back and he frowned.

'What happened, Mrs. Hussain?' He asked with a smile. He noticed her shake her head and wondered if he said something wrong. He took cautiously took a step towards her while his heartbeat increased as he lifted her veil. Slowly, she looked up. Maaz inhaled deeply as he stared into her kohl laced grey eyes.

Beautiful – He thought to himself. The first time, he had complimented someone besides himself. He held her hand in a soft grip and felt her stiffen.

Oh, so she is scared. Probably she is a virgin too – This made him more excited. He held her hand tightly but to his surprise, Anaya pulled her hand away and his smile instantly dropped.

'What happened?' – He asked again and then took a step closer, - 'Tonight is our wedding night.' He said seductively. Anaya looked away. He stood a few distances from her and admired her. Her sleek brown hair was tied in a mid-parted twisted bun. He moved his gaze all over whilst she stood awkwardly. In her heart, she was hoping she could run away.

'Mrs. Hussain?' He said uncertainly. Anaya looked at him. She was quiet but her expressions looked like she was very, very uncomfortable.

Maaz took a step forward and she stepped back again, and he frowned, - 'Mrs. Hussain, I am your husband and not your boss. Why are you getting scared?' – He paused and smiled, - 'I won't bite.' He held her hand. She gasped and twisted her hand to free herself. All this was turning him off. Why was she hesitating so much? What was wrong with her? Maaz felt frustrated. He wanted to just enjoy the night but with her resistance and drama, he was losing his patience.

'Mrs. Hussain?'

Anaya jerked her hand free from his hand and he clenched his jaw tightly. Maaz took an angry step towards her but this time she stood her ground.

'Why are you wasting time? Don't you want to do anything?' He asked angrily. Anaya's grey eyes widened for a second. She realized his intentions and felt worried.

Slowly, she shook her head, - 'No.' She said firmly and Maaz was infuriated. She gulped looking at his clenched fists.

'Why?' He hissed. Anaya stared boldly into his eyes.

'Because I don't want to.' She said simply. Maaz was taken aback by her answer. He wasn't used to taking No for an answer and moreover he was used to be rejected. He felt his blood boil as his ego was hurt. He walked angrily towards her and Anaya squeezed her eyes shut. She could feel her muscle tense up and her feet rooted fearing he would hit her.

But to her surprise, he walked right past her. She wasn't expecting this. Whenever she had defied her father, she had always faced the consequences. She turned around and watched Maaz rumbling through the cupboard. She stood firmly on her ground and stared anxiously at him.

Is he going to hit me with his belt? - She wondered. Maaz turned around and she stiffened. Anaya relaxed when she noticed two packs in his hands. He walked angrily towards her and threw one packet on the floor and clenched the other one tightly.

'I am going to Lisa.' He said angrily.

Anaya looked perplexed. He straightened with his chest out, - 'My girlfriend.' He informed, and she was mildly surprised. Indeed, Maaz was good looking but no girl can be with him without losing her mind.

'I am not going to be lonely on my wedding night.' – He paused and then added with pride, - 'I have many girlfriends to keep me happy.' He said, and Anaya cringed.

What type of guy is he? – She felt slightly disgusted.

She watched him undo his sherwani button and angrily tossed the embroider cloth on the bed. He huffed and glared at her before walking out, slamming the door shut behind him. Anaya placed her palm on her chest and exhaled deeply. She looked down at the packet and kneeled. She picked it up and realized it was a packet of condoms. Out of fear of what he had planned, she felt her heart jump to her throat. She got up and walked up to the cupboard. She placed the packet in his drawer.

Anaya wasn't comfortable with Maaz because obviously she didn't know him. He was a stranger to her and moreover she had zero feelings for him whatsoever. Also, she would have consummated the marriage, if not tonight then some night, but that was when they didn't have any deal between them. Now, Anaya was sure she won't give her virginity to a man who had planned to divorce her. That way, she would be just used and not loved. But now she realized how disgusting he was, as he plays with so many women, even after being married. She cringed thinking about him.

Quickly, she removed her bangles, heavy necklace, earrings and looked at her reflection in the mirror. She had thought she married a decent man, even though he was annoying. But tonight, she saw another side of him. This made her fearful and disgusted.

▪⎯⎯⎯∞⎯⎯⎯▪

Maaz angrily climbed stairs to the terrace and walked in. He dug his palm into his Kurtha pocket and took out a packet of cigarettes and a lighter. He sat on the parapet and lit his cigarette. He took a puff and ran his fingers through his hair. Right now, he wished he had Lisa and that she was not an imaginary girlfriend he just made up in front of Anaya. His ego was hurt, and he didn't want her to know that he was a virgin too.

He looked front at the night sky and took another puff. He had fantasized so much about his exciting wedding night, instead, he will be spending a lonely night.

In anger and frustration, he had almost finished the entire cigarette packet. He looked at his watch and realized it was 3 am in the night. He threw the packet on the ground and for a moment stared at it as lay lifelessly among piles of used cigarette butts. Maaz sighed and turned around. By now he was a bit calm.

He entered his room. All the candle lights were now extinguished, and the room was dark. He took out lighter from his pocket and made his way towards the bed. He leaned and switched on the night lamp. He was surprised to find the bed empty. Reflexively, he looked around and was taken aback upon seeing Anaya sleeping on the double couch. She was wearing her nightclothes and quivering in the cold. He looked up and found the AC was on. Then, he looked back and found her blanket lying on the ground.

Why should I worry about her? - He thought bitterly. He began unbuttoning his Kurtha and looked at her again. She was sleeping in a fetal position with her arms wrapped around herself. He wanted to look away but for some reason, he couldn't. He sighed and walked towards his wardrobe. He searched for a while before leaning forward and taking out a duvet. He gathered the duvet and carried it to her. He unfolded it and gently placed it over her. He retracted his hand when she pulled the duvet till her chin. Maaz kept looking at her for a while before walking away.

Finally, he removed his Kurtha from over his head and dropped it along with his Shervani. Then, he sat on his bed and once again glanced at Anaya. Now, she was smiling in her sleep. He lay on his bed and switched off the lights. He placed his arm over his forehead and stared at the ceiling.