night sky filled with nothing at all besides the moon.

No stars.

She frowns not liking that as she came out to look at them because they always revive her stress. Something so small and insignificant still shining so brightly beside a big moon is something she finds calming.

What is her problem at the moment?.

There are many, to begin with, her marriage perhaps remains the top of them.

She is eighteen and married.

She wishes her birthday wasn't at the start of the year as her husband so she wouldn't be married before her senior year. The year she thought she will concur the world and here she is tied down to him.

He isn't that big of a problem.

They have barely spoken beside when their families convinced them to accept each other (Nikkah) but that is pretty much it.

And she is thankful.

But, her existence crises doesn't end there. To not have anymore goals as she had in her junior year is making her want to go back and punch her husband for accepting this marriage.

Why was she married?.

That's a great story, her grandfather before she was even born bound her to her friend's son's son that is her husband now.

Great, isn't it?.

Not really because her grandfather was a very emotional and short-sighted man. What if she had a person she liked?. Or that she doesn't want to marry?. And most of all, what if her future husband was a drug addict or something else?.

Well, he isn't but what if.

He is 18 same as her age and his name is Azaan. That is all she knows and truly care about.

Unfortunately, his cousin (as they live in a joint family) is getting married and his grandfather asked for her and her family presence. She knows this is their way of making her stay here (in her husband house) from now onwards.

She isn't that much of a child for her age.

Since she did get married with a condition that she will follow her dream now they are working around it to have her immense in anything besides her dream.

Honestly speaking, it's about two people who are on it- his grandfather and his mother.

Add in her parents who stays quiet and nod to them as if they are some high and mighty.

Though she never truly interacted with his grandfather his mere presence shows off his pride and arrogance far too much to be able to build a villa from scratch by opening his own business without any education background.

Pretty much why he doesn't understand her dream.

But, the thing is what is her dream?.

She doesn't have one for now and she doesn't know the reason for her existence. What is she meant to do?. What is her purpose in life?.

She exhales heavily looking at her feet when a hand wrapped around her wrist making her shriek.

"I can lessen your worries if you want". She heard his disgusted voice

By his, she means her husband's cousin Amir who was a walking talking filth on this earth. His hand and eyes are on every woman who walks the earth and the way his eyes looks at them- he has no fear of being caught in the act or any other fear for that matter.

She pushes his hand away glaring at him, "I told you to stay the hell away from me".

She starts to rush towards the door that leads back inside the house as she enters inside she bumps into someone making her break down.

She has been here for a month and in this month she has been harassed by Amir more times than she can count. The fear was growing inside of her every single day and the images and words don't let her rest one bit. She is even scared to walk on her own in this house. No matter how much she bears it saying to herself that it's just for another month, it is still hard to not feel his disgusting touch on her body.

"Why are you crying?". Azaan asked confused watching her weep badly and he had never seen her cry

"Ask him to stop touching me". She said wiping her tears as she looks at him expectantly

He frowns, "Who?".

"Oh! I am sorry I scared you, bhabhi (sister in law)". Amir said coming behind her and she immediately hides behind Azaan, "I thought she is Izza and hold her hand--".

"Why do you think holding Izza Appi (sister) hand is ok?". Azaan asked narrowing his eyes at him

"She is my cousin". Amir said smiling charmingly

Azaan raised his eyebrows, "Exactly my point. Appi (sister) is your cousin and that relationship comes with it's own boundaries. You cannot go around and hold hands of any women in this house including my wife. I don't ever want a repeat of this, do you hear me?".

"Of course. Don't worry. It won't happen again". Amir said walking away hurriedly leaving them behind

He turns around looking at her wrist wiping it aggressively with her dupatta (scarf) which made little scratches on it. He holds her hand stopping her movement holding on the wrist she was hurting.

She raises her tears filled eyes looking at him as he speaks, "It was a mistake he won't do it again".

"You are blind if you think that". She said snatching her hand away

"What do you mean?".

"Why don't you open your eyes for once and pay more attention to things around and you might understand better!?". She said angrily walking away towards her room

She doesn't share a room with him for now.

Just as she reached the floor she finds Amir standing there smirking at her making her heart pounds rapidly in fear.

"You think you telling on me will do you any good?". He asked chuckling lowly, "Everyone will blame your character and no one will ever trust you. They will all abandon you even that husband of yours. Don't ever think about using your mouth against me or I will turn the world on you".

With that, he left her in the never-ending cycle of terror. That is the exact reason why she didn't tell her husband about Amir's activities or anyone else because she knows the society she lives in they will question her from her birth to this day on what she was wearing to what she was doing and the end conclusions will be that she tried to trap a full-grown man.

Amir is a 28 years old man who is not married and think of every woman as his personal property.

She enters inside her room trying to stop her racing heart but the terror doesn't sit well with her and her anxiety only made it worse.

The next day she walks out to find Izza walking soulless towards the stairs. If she knows something this woman doesn't talk or even smile. She is always lost in her old world and she is only 24 years old.

She starts to head down when two of his other cousin- Aqsa and Iqra (22) joined her. Those two were twin sisters born under his third uncle while Izza was born under second and Azaan was born under the last one.

The one on top remains his aunt who has one son-Amir.

That sure isn't a blessing.

She talks among the girls about everything about the wedding because these two were crazy about it unlike her. She doesn't know why anyone needs to bring 2000 people who they barely meet in years and will barely meet in the coming year to entertain for no reason spending unhealthy amounts on things none of the guests will ever be satisfied.

Good thing she didn't have a wedding.

They only did a small function within their family only of their Nikkah.

She walks inside the dining room watching everyone working around placing things on the table while the men of the house remain seated beside her husband of course. For some reason, all the women will be in the kitchen and her husband will be there with them working. If she knows right, her grandfather doesn't like it but since he is the last and only grandson he has, he doesn't object it.

Also one of the reasons why his grandfather asked her grandfather for her hand. They wanted their one grandson to be bounded so he doesn't do what he desires for or anything for that matter.

But, she likes that he doesn't allow the toxicity to enter inside of him and continue to happily work with the women. She sits down knowing the men were frowning as to why she wasn't in the kitchen even when her mother is there but she doesn't care enough to do what they wish for.

Defying is something she is scared of and find thrilling at the same time.

It's not that she is one of those who doesn't like a kitchen or doing the work. No, she likes it but she doesn't like it being forced on her as if she was liable to do it.

She will much rather have few pair of eyes glaring into her then walk to the kitchen.

She waited until her husband sits beside her and everyone else settled down to begin eating. She wasn't even a few pieces in when she feels something on her leg making her jolt and everyone's eyes turning towards her.

She bites her lips embarrassed continuing to eat while she heard her husband snicker-ing so she turns around narrowing her eyes at him while he gives her a sweet smile for no reason.

She raises her eyebrows turning back to her food trying to let her heart know that his smile isn't sweet at all but who is she lying to?.

In this month, he has taken a few steps towards her like trying to talk to her but she honestly doesn't know how to speak to men even if it's her husband. Imagine for 18 years being away from any such communication and being told to stay away until suddenly to have one man who belongs to you?.

It is not easy.

But is right.

She tries to come up with words to talk back but his one smile with his words makes every word die down her throat leaving her blank.

She is such a wuss.

She continues eating until something hit her leg again making her frown this time as she feels something going up to her leg and down. It took her a moment to realise that it is someone feet and another moment to find the person behind it.

Amir.

He was smirking at her making her shrink back in her seat as she moves her chair back to be out of his reach. The feeling of disgust filled her senses making her lose her appetite.

He looks at her moving closer to him which is very rare because she is always running away from him excluding the scene last night which reminded him that he went out when he saw her standing all alone wanting to start a conversation about anything because even if she runs away it is all fun to him.

That shyness in her is very unique.

However, he didn't expect her to start crying holding his hand which he knows she didn't realise in her break down but watching her crying doesn't sit well with him. He knows she is stressed and even he was with having such huge responsibilities thrown at him but he wasn't the one to run from them.

But, her words and accusations made him think all night. It took him a lot of struggle to go back to sleep after watching her in that way.

He narrows his eyes at her moving her chair back while she leans into his side. He frowns trying to find the reason for her action.

Why don't you open your eyes for once and pay more attention to things around and you might understand better.

Her words made him turn his eyes towards his cousin looking at him as he found his eyes with a glint looking at his wife. He knows exactly what the glint in his eyes held. He had seen many boys around him and men having that look of hunger in their eyes.

That made him sick.

Why is that these men were out like an untamed animal?.

The human was given power over everyone and everything then how is that a man couldn't control himself?.

Perhaps because the human around them made them that way. They made them think whatever they do, they will always support them.

That power over a human being is the most dangerous thing in this world.

He leans closer to her whispering in her ear, "Don't hide".

She frowns looking at him and his face was merely inches away making her forget everything she felt just a moment ago.

"Don't move back from him because if you do, he will become more confident". He said looking into her beautiful eyes that held that terror so many women go through

"He will hurt me". She whispers lowly

"Not on my watch". He said smiling lightly

"Promise?".

"Yes".

She nodded turning back to face Amir closing her eyes as she took a deep breath opening them again with the fire burning deep inside of them from all the trauma she had faced because of him.

She moves her chair forward continuing to eat while she sends a glare at Amir not caring about him anymore.

"That's my girl". Her husband said in a hushed tone making her giggle

His eyes turn to Amir knowing he will come for his wife again he moves his feet in front of her blocking Amir altogether. Knowing people like him when someone of their power stands against them, they move back faster.

When one looks them in their eyes, they move their eyes away.

And that is what needed to be done.

Not individually but it's a battle both genders needs to fight together.

"Have some shame". His grandfather said making them startle

"What?". He asked confused because he hasn't done anything wrong

"There are children and elder around you and you both are sitting this close". His grandfather clarified

"I think the children here who you meant are both of us and we are married". He replied smiling charmingly

"That doesn't mean anything. When you are in public you need to stay away". His grandfather ordered

"Don't argue". His father said angrily, "Elders knows what's best".

"So being married doesn't amount to anything then?". She asked gathering her courage looking at his grandfather

"Being married means whatever you have stays private. No need to spoil other people". His grandfather said angrily walking away

"You should mind your tongue. This is not your parent's house". His mother said glaring at her

"But it is my husband's house". She said shrugging, "Doesn't that give me enough rights?".

He hides his smile watching the elder leaving the table looking at her proudly. He had always hated the double standards in his house and worked against them. Now that his wife is the same as him, it will be more fun.

After the chaotic breakfast, she went back to her room hearing her phone ringing and her friend- Urooj calling.

"How is my married friend?". Urooj asked as soon as she answered

"You have fun doing that, don't you?". She asked sighing as she throws herself on the bed

"Lots". Urooj laughed, "What I want to know is are you ready for the first day of senior year?".

"Not really".

"Why not?".

"Because I am confused about everything in my life".

"Just go with the flow".

"Woah! I never thought of that. Such valuable piece of advice".

"You're welcome. Ok, I need to leave my Baba (father) isn't feeling well today".

"What's wrong?".

"The usual. Bye".

She looks at her phone sighing knowing her father health is distorting every day and she never thought about her parents or anyone parents being in such situations. Watching parents being strong and running around most of our lives, we tend to forget they will fall one day.

Which is why everything hurts so much.

She heard her door opening and her angry mother coming in.

"How many times do I have to say to not speak back to them?".

"And why not?".

"Because they are not your parents who will deal with it. They are your husband family and you need to bear these petty things".

"What if I don't want to?".

"Then don't come to us when something happens".

Her heart stilled, "So, you are telling me that if anything in my life goes down from now onwards you don't exist for me?. Was I a burden you threw away the first chance you had?. Is that why you married me by force?".

"Don't make me slap you".

"What's stopping you?. You have already told me where I stand. Go ahead and slap me too. But, no matter what you do, I will not back down".

That's when she was slapped.

"You will shame us one day".

There was no lie in it.