His grip on the steering wheel tightened until his knuckles had turned white. His breathing had laboured. His jaw was clenched strongly and there was blood in eyes. He was determined to kill. First the revenge on business and now the asshole had eyes on his girl. He knew exactly where the asshole would be on Sunday afternoon. He pushed hard on the accelerator, the engine roared and the speedometer bounced. He was on a mission. A deadly mission.

When he reached his destination, he carelessly parked the car. Running out of the heavy European car, he banged the door behind him and treaded firmly to the entrance of the gym. The astonished receptionist scrutinized the aggressive man. But there was no stopping him. He stepped in the exercise area where all the latest gym equipment was displayed. Sweaty men and women were panting as they exerted themselves on the various machines. His eyes rummaged for that one figure. There were people from all walks of life, age and gender. His eyes wandered until he found him. With deadly determination, he strode towards his prey.

Daud was on the treadmill and was jogging fast. He was in his own thoughts with the headphones on listening to fast music. Strong arms pushed him off the treadmill that he jerked and fell sideways.

"What the fuck!!" Daud groaned.

Before, he could recollect as to what had happened a six feet muscular body pounced at him and punched him on the face. But years of kickboxing had improved his reflexes, he was prepared for the next blow and blocked the fist with his hand. With the other arm he wiped his sweaty eyes and then his vision cleared. Salman. He knew why his reckless younger cousin was determined to fight. He was not shying away either. He punched Salman on the stomach hard that made him bend over. Daud stood up and ready to attack his cousin.

"Don't mess with me Salman you fucking know who is the stronger one." Daud hissed and kicked him hard on his leg.

Salman winced and grabbed Daud's t-shirt. Their noses inches away, blue eyes clashing with black ones. "You think you can have her. I won't fuckin let you."

Daud lips curled in a smirk, "Why don't we let her choose then?"

Salman eyes widened slightly, "You bastard!! Have you been seducing her?"

A wild animal was loose then. Salman had lost it. Blinded by rage, he punched Daud's face until his nose was bleeding and lip had torn. But Daud didn't give up, he pushed the younger man to the mirrored wall hard. Salman's body crashed into the glass wall. His head banged on the wall. The mirror cracked. Daud retaliated and kicked him in the groin and continued to punch his stomach until the gym authorities had to come and break the pair apart.

They were both heaving and glaring at each other.

"Back off. No fighting. You have problems take it outside not in the gym." Yelled the gym manager. He turned to the receptionist, "Get their names I don't want to see them here. Temporarily suspend their membership." The nervous receptionist nodded and rushed back to her desk.

Salman shrugged away the hands that were clutching his arms but the men tightened their hold on him.

"Escort them outside," ordered the furious manager.

When they were left alone, on the cold winter afternoon, they both faced each other.

"I am warning you Daud stay the fuck away from her." Salman growled pointing at his chest.

"Try me Salman. You fuckin try and I will show your fucking place." Daud seethed. A sly smile crossed his face, "As for Nawal. She will choose me over you anytime." With that he whirled around and lazily sauntered to his car.

Daud's parting words shattered Salman's heart. Standing in the sub-zero temperatures, he was oblivious to the freezing winds or the blood that dripped down his face or the terrible ache at his stomach. All that mattered was that Daud had done his best to influence the young naïve girl. His shoulders slumped as a big realization hit him. He was in a losing battle now. Shutting his eyes, his heart cried,

How did it come down to this?

His dreams from childhood...

His eyes opened and lifted up to the heavens,

Ya Allah, I can't see her with another man. Don't make me endure this.

****

Wearing her crocks and wrapped in a Kashmiri shawl, Nawal hugged herself as she strolled at the backyard lost in her thoughts.

Pregnant?

Her mother had accused her the worse accusation for a girl. Her steps faltered and her eyes welled up. How could her own mother think this way about her? All she wanted was to marry the man she chose. A right she had in Islam. But in the last two days, her mother had been adamant to make a point that she was not happy as to what was transpiring at home. She was not in talking terms with her husband and as for Nawal. She was completely ignoring her.

Her eyes scanned the bare trees, the thorny bushes and the withered plants. A tear trickled down her cheek. She can't marry him. How much she tried to think, she can't. She knew her mother was forcing her because she wanted to maintain her relationship with her sister. But Nawal knew, her khala was very understanding she would never force her to make a decision where there was no happiness.

Someone touched her shoulder and she turned. Faraz stood there behind her. Seeing her beloved brother tears trickled down her face, she wasn't able to control her emotions. He gathered her in his arms and hugged her. She clutched his jacket and cried. He rubbed her hair and back soothingly he murmured, "Bas Nawal."

If there was anyone after her father who she could blindly trust and love, it was Faraz. A brother who had always stood by her side and understood her. A brother who had not only pampered her but also gently explained her what was good for her and what was not. A brother who would do anything for his little sister.

Kissing the crown of her head, he pulled back. "My sister is much stronger than this." He brushed away her tears. "You should be happy; you have not one but two marriage proposals. Some girls don't even get any."

Despite her tears, Nawal chuckled at her brother's logic.

"That's better. I don't want to see tears in my little sister's eyes." He gazed around and continued, "C'mon let's go inside I am cold." Encircling his arm around her shoulders, together they walked to the house.

Shabbir had asked his both married sons to come over that Sunday evening to discuss the matter regarding Nawal's marriage proposal. After dinner, the adults were seated in the living room. Faraz and Shahbaz waited eagerly for their father to start discussing.

"I am sure both of you know about Salman and Daud's marriage proposals for Nawal," Shabbir started. Shahbaz and Faraz nodded. While their wives quietly listened to their father in law. Ghazala was silent sitting in the corner of the room observing her children and husband discuss the matter.

"Your mother and I were keen on getting Nawal married to Salman as we know the boy since he was a child and I trust him. But" he exhaled deeply, "Nawal shows interest in Daud and has given her consent to marry him." His gaze flickered to his wife who was frowning, "Your mother doesn't approve and she believes Salman is the better choice."

All this time, Nawal sat quietly beside her father, her head bowed and her hands on her lap. Biting her lip, heart thudding loudly, she waited for the verdict.

"What do you have to say?" Shabbir asked both his elder sons.

Shahbaz spoke first, "Salman is a very good man. He will indeed take care of Nawal. I am with Mom in this I agree she should marry him. Above all, if we reject the proposal this may create a rift between Mom and Seema Khala. I wouldn't want relations being spoilt."

Faraz eyebrows rose, "You mean to say for the sake of relations we let our sister sacrifice her happiness." He slowly shook his head, "We should respect her choice. It is her right to whom she marries. But that doesn't mean she can marry any Tom, Dick or Harry. I honestly believe Daud is a good man and if her choice is Daud I support her decision."

Shahbaz turned to his older brother, "Bhai in matters of marriage we should leave our decisions to our parents. I did" he glanced at his wife Fiza and smiled slightly, "and alhumdulilah I am happy today."

Faraz scoffed, "Well I made my own decision and I am happy as well alhumduillah. That is not logical reasoning Shahbaz. You can't back off from the fact she has the right to choose. You cannot force her at all." Samreen placed her hand on his arm trying to soften his temper as she could see her husband was riling up.

"I am not forcing her," Shahbaz bit out, "But I am telling her what is good for her."

"What makes you think Salman will be a good husband? Just because he is a good son and brother doesn't mean he will turn out to be a good husband," Faraz countered back.

Glaring at his elder brother, Shahbaz said the words that always not only hurt Faraz but also Nawal, "She is spoiled only because of you. You have pampered her way too much. If only you would understand what you have made her into."

Nawal head shot up, her eyebrows knotted, "Shahbaz bhai I haven't done anything wrong. So don't say things which are untrue."

Faraz glanced at his sister and fumed, "Shahbaz stop bickering about Nawal. The point is you want her to marry Salman because he is your mate isn't it? It makes no damn difference to you what Nawal wants."

Shahbaz opened his mouth to argue back but Shabbir interceded, "Bas" he held up his hand to emphasis his statement.

The younger men glared at each other and then finally Shahbaz turned away.

"I see the household is divided in the choices. Then I will say my final word. Nawal will marry Daud. End of matter."

Nawal closed her eyes and silently prayed,

Alhumdulilah!!!

Ghazala scowled and decided there was a need for further manipulation to change her husband's mind.

****

Daud stared at himself in the mirror. His face had turned black-blue and was swollen. It had taken ages for the bleeding to stop from his nose. He had to go to the hospital to ensure it wasn't fractured. But thank God nothing was broken. His lip had split open and now it was damn painful to eat anything and forget about drinking tea. He clenched his fist but winced, punching Salman multiple times had swollen his knuckles.

The bastard!!! He thinks he can fucking get away with this.

He picked his phone and dialled the number he had been thinking for many days. It was time to make his next move. When the person answered the call, Daud greeted the man.

"Assalam u alaikum. How are you?"

"Walaikum salaam. I had been waiting for your call. I am good. So what is your decision?"

He knew his next words will increase rivalry but he fucking damn care anymore.

"Yes let us start this partnership. But you know my terms and conditions."

"Don't worry letter was sent to Irish Halal Food Centre a week ago. I will personally meet Mr Salman and end our contract with him."

"Then I will be waiting for our contract to be signed." Daud said the final words.

The words that will break the family forever.

****

"Haye Allah look at you? Why did you go to that rascal?" screeched Seema staring at her son's face.

Salman had quietly come back home after the incident at the gym and stayed in his room the rest of the day. But the next day as he sauntered in the kitchen for breakfast, Seema had to suppress a scream after looking at her son's face.

Grabbing his chin, she turned his face to observe the different marks on his face, "What did he do to you? Look at you!!!"

"Ammi please leave me. I am fine. They are light bruises in a couple of days I will be fine." Salman said wincing as his mother's hold on the chin strengthened. Seeing Salman's reaction, Seema immediately released his jaw.

"You are going to the hospital right this minute." Seema demanded.

"No I am not. I am fine. I have been taking pain killers and they are more than enough." Salman said sitting on the kitchen chair.

Seema was going to argue more but her mobile phone ringtone distracted her. She answered her sister's call and spoke to her in hushed tone.

Salman was too tired and in pain to bother listening what his mother and khala were speaking about. In a few minutes Seema disconnected the call and she turned to her son, "Get up we are going to Baji's right this moment."

Salman frowned but grimaced again as it hurt to even move facial muscles, "Why?"

"To tell the truth about Daud. I want Shabbir bhai to know what Daud did to my son."