Were the sentence that changed her life yet again

It wasn't a choice, no, she was never given a choice in her life. Like a month ago, her sister ran away from her own marriage to some rich guy that her parents had selected for her. Leaving her, to be the victim of yet another misdeed of her.

Her life changed, from her parents barely interested in her life choices to choosing everything. At least, she had a liberty to wear what she wanted, freely move around and study what she liked. She is an 18-years-old and her final exam where in five months from now.

Her namesake husband doesn't like her neither does she.

He was a new torment she had to bear for the rest of her life. They lived in their own house so she was content that she doesn't have to act behind the closed door. It was already unbearable being out with him and since he was the rich guy it was even harder.

Anyway, she hadn't informed anyone besides her friend who had been with her since ages about the whole chaos only to be slapped for being stupid and jumping into saving her parents who never cared for her. They never cared for anything but their money and to be able to make more which the rich guy will help them with.

"So, how is to be back after a month?". Her friend - Riva asked

She sighs, "I just wish to end this year quietly".

"Cheer up, Safa, I am here with you". Riva said holding her hand dragging her to her class

She was done with her classes and by the end of her she had tons of work and no will do it. She wasn't interested in studying she had to do it because her parents will have her head otherwise. She walked towards the one class she loves to stay at.

Art.

She had been into it since she was young. She would draw random pictures at first she was not that good but by the time she improved and now she has her collection of drawings.

"Isn't it my only favourite student". Her teacher- Hassan said smiling

He was a man in his late 30s but he was just as passionate about his work as her.

"Yeah, it's me. I wanted to know if there were any replies?". She asked nervously

Hassan chuckles, "You know, you will have the reply any day now and still, you ask me. But, the question is, will you do it?".

Hassan knew barely about her family involvement and their controlling behaviour towards her. She didn't reply instead choose to head back home before a disaster strike. She wasn't in the mood to have a session with anyone today. The question Hassan asked had ruined her mood and her strength was gone.

"Where are you coming from?". She heard her father angry voice

She looked at him scared, "School?".

"You are late. I think I taught you to be punctual". Her father seethe in anger

She stepped back scared of being hit by him, "Sorry".

"You are lucky you are not in my house". Her father said

He was about to say something more when he saw Mahr (her husband) walking downstairs towards them.

"We will confirm the deal tomorrow". He said nonchalantly

Her father nodded as they speak some more she decided to walk away since business never appeals to her. Art, however, was a different story. She can draw at any given time. She is in love with art. It brings her life a little light each time she draws something.

She sighs.

She lay down on her bed looking at the plain white ceiling. She loves colours and wanted to do so much to the dull walls of this house but she didn't. She wouldn't like to angry a man she barely knew and her chances of possibly get hurt. She moved to the kitchen to cook his meal since she wasn't exactly in the mood to eat.

Once, she was done she walked towards his study knocking on the door then entering once she had his approval. She would be lying if she says she wasn't affected each time by his presence.

He is intimidating.

And handsome but she wouldn't tell anyone that not even her friend who teases her to live with a guy who many women fall on. She was better off having a man who no one knows if it meant he would respect her and take care of her. Not like him, who didn't acknowledge her the first day he brought her here neither show her room or ever spoken more than two words.

"Food is ready". She said softly

It was her habit to do cooking for him. Even if he is bad at being a husband beside that he was providing for her needs and never asked her to actually do anything. She likes working for him in some way. She wasn't sure but the sense of comfort for cooking him a meal or the three meals a day felt good.

He nodded.

She wasn't exactly expecting words anyways so she walked away like every other time. She walked to her room where her plain canvas looked back at her. She holds the colours she had secretly hidden from everyone and started painting. She doesn't like to be a specific kind of artist. She wishes to try every single thing that is on earth about art. Being specific is killing the vibes for her.

The painting stopped and she looked at her word admiring it. The picture for any outsider who isn't in the art may just seem another work. For her, it was a girl with a world of wonders and stories inside her head that no one knows about. Like her.

She walked towards the terrace looking at the clear sky hoping her mind could be that clear. She stayed there in her thoughts until she was drained enough to sleep the night.

The next day, she was awake before him. After being done with his food she walked towards the door to find her friend car. The day went by and she didn't meet her art teacher not sure about her answer.

"What is it?". Riva asked

"You asked me to apply there and I am just scared". She confessed

"Scared of their answer or your parents?". Riva asked sipping her juice

"Both. If it's a no I will be broken, if it's a yes, my parents will not let me and that is even more heartbreaking". She said sadly

"What if it's a yes and you can do it?. You are not at your parent's house". Riva pointed out

She sighs, "I am more then ever under their control".

"You have to be at the house now?". Riva asked hugging her for comfort

"Unfortunately". She replied hugging her back tightly, "I wish I could do what I love for once and not be a second choice at everything".

"How are you doing, Anaya?". She asked holding the little girl in her hand

Anaya was the daughter of Mahr's sister. His parents and sister had come to visit them which her husband suddenly dropped home saying they were coming. If it was normal she might have been angry a little but she knows it was of no use. She had no right.

"I'm good. You?". She said softly

"I am fine". Safa replied smiling, "Do you want to eat something?".

"You said you cook good so I wanted to try. I asked mommy to bring me here so I could". She said smiling

"You remember that?". Safa said surprised Anaya nodded, "So, what do you want to eat?".

"You don't have to cook". His sister said interrupting them

Safa hadn't realised until now that everyone else was here and looking at her. She was already a children girl she would spend her free time in one of her favourite orphanage playing with kids.

She blushes lightly, "No, I would love to". She turned to Anaya, "Come on, let's go to the kitchen".

She excuses herself walking to the kitchen. She was glad that there was a kid she can connect to because she wasn't sure about his other family member. It seems forced and awkward she wasn't her sister and they had wished for her sister. Her being her replacement seems weird.

"What do you want to eat?". She asked softly

"Cake?". Anaya said smiling

"What are you doing, Mahr?". His sister asked strictly, "Don't even think about lying I can see through them".

He sighs, "I don't know".

"You are wasting time with your dense thoughts. Why didn't you speak to her?". She asked

"It doesn't seem right, ok, she is 18 and I am 27. She has her dreams, wishes and maybe she wanted to find her own love. Now, she is forced into marrying me. This is not right". He said frustrated

Her sister slapped the back of his head, "Thank God, Anaya wanted to come here or we wouldn't have known you are this dense. Have you spoken to her to know what she wants?. Does she looks like her sister who doesn't value relationship or anything?. You are comparing her".

"Her sister ran away from her own wedding". He said ignorant

"She is not her sister". She said each word slowly, "If she was she wouldn't have married you too. She had a free chance to say no to you but she didn't. Does that mean anything to you?. She had committed to be your wife forever and here you are taking her for granted because of her sister".

"But-". He started but was cut off when his sister hold his hand dragging him towards the kitchen

"Look at that". His sister said pointing to Anaya laughing with Safa at something she does on a paper, "Do you think she is a girl who would run away like her sister?. Do you think someone who saved her father honour and yours will do that?".

He looked at the heartwarming sight as Anaya was about to run away from Safa but she holds her back placing some cream on her cheeks as she giggles.

"She is not her sister. You are wasting both your time by distancing yourself from her. You will never know her dreams until you find them, her passion or her love. You will have to work to help her fulfil her wishes each one of them and then to have her accept you as her husband and lover". His sister explained, "You see that smile on her face. That is precious you need to save that from the world but before that from yourself".

"How do you draw so good?". Amna asked curiously

She smiled, "I love arts".

"So, you draw a lot?". She asked

"Yes, I do". Safa replied smiling

"Do you take classes?". His sister asked

She looked at her nodding, "I was taking classes until a few months ago".

"Why leave?". His sister asked curiously

She bites her lips not sure how to lie, "Ah, I just had to?".

She doesn't seem convinced but Safa was relieved when she didn't ask for more. She started her work and after she fed everyone and bid her goodbye she walked inside not before looking at Mahr who looked angry while speaking to his sister.

"What?". He asked as his sister pulled him to the side

"You said about lover right?. If you don't act right she can find one". His sister said slyly walking her brother face hardened

"What do you mean?". His voice strained

"She studies in a co-education do you think there will be no boys after her?". She asked smirking as his face turned red

"She is married". He stated

She shrugged, "No one knows in her school neither you have accepted it so she doesn't have to acknowledge it either".

The next day, he spent with his brain clouding with each word her sister had said a day before. He couldn't stop wondering what he had noticed her cooking his meals even some more work even though he had never done anything for her or even said a word to her.

She fulfilled her duties.

He wasn't anywhere near that he involved himself in his work that he didn't even care. But, a reality check, perhaps had him on edge now. He couldn't stop imagining boys after her. That thought angers him to no bond. Maybe, if he sees even a single one around her he will go on a rampage.

His fist clenched.

"What is this I am hearing my workaholic friend is not attending any of his work?". He heard his close friend- Zeeshan say

He turned to him and his eyes still filled with anger.

"Woah! Who messed with you?". His friend asked amused

"No one". He replied

"Sure thing. Is it about bhabhi (sister-in-law)?". His friend asked

Zeeshan saw a flying object he dodges it looking at his friend with a smirk.

"So, it is". He smirked, "As far as I know you don't actually care about this marriage so why the anger?".

"Shut up". He said angrily

"If you don't mind I like her so can I-". Zeeshan started but was cut off when he was grabbed by his collar

"I said, Shut up". He growled angrily, "Stay away from her. Friend or not I will kill you".

"You don't consider her as your wife so please as to why this possessiveness?". Zeeshan asked smirking

"She is my wife no matter what". He said

Zeeshan shrugged, "No one knows about her and you don't want this marriage. I don't see why I cannot go ahead".

"Zeeshan". He warned

"No, you need to sort yourself. If you want this marriage work on it instead you sitting here and lurking. If you want to know you have to ask her. If you want to see her you have to go. If you want to have her you will have to win her over. This, is not going anywhere until you step up". Zeeshan said walking away

It was late at night he returned home even if he wanted to do what his heart says he didn't want to do anything until he was clear what he needed. He was clear he just needed a sign.

He walked inside the house finding the lights on and he walked towards the lounge where the television sound was coming from. He walked inside to find a small figure curled on the couch with a blanket over her. He saw her sleeping peacefully. He switched off the television bending down to the ground looking at her. He admired how she looks beautiful even while sleeping.

He saw her shaking in her sleep groaning a little. He moved back not wanting to be caught as he saw her opening her eyes slowly he found her simple act fluttering.

"I will heat the dinner". She said softly

His heart fluttered.

He walked away leaving her behind to work but his heart started working this time. He knows that he had to do something now.

"Please, sit down. I know you haven't eaten anything". He said as he saw her walking away

She looked at him shocked this was the first time he had asked her and her heart flutters.

The next day, he actually was awake before her and on the table saying he wanted to cook for them. After breakfast, he left her at her school and went away.

Her classes ended, she was walking away to go back home when her class project partner stopped her.

"Ali, what is it?". She asked confused

"I wanted your email to send you the work I have done". He said

She nodded quickly giving him her email and turned around walking away. She bumped into someone and tensed as she looked at him.

"Mahr". He said