The bright moonlight is illuminating already gleaming Hamadani Haveli more brightly like a happy bride. Guests were pouring inside participating in the happiness of Hamadanis. Tonight is the very first function; Its Haniya's Mayun and to everyone's surprise Zayan and Muskaan's engagement. All the elites, politicians, tycoons and every big face is present there to bestow their blessings on couples.

Bijaan is the happiest among all, she is happy to the extent where even Mahi's presence in function isn't bothering her. If anything the stoney look Mahi has well practiced and plastered on her face is amusing her. She is working and running like a robot detached from every emotion and feel. Its already hard for her but for her own sake she has to be strong; she is going through her trial and her Allah won't burden more than she could handle. She has faith in Him.

"Mahi! aap bhi Rahila or Pari k sath jaye or Muskaan ko le aae."

(Mahi, you also go with Rahila and Pari to bring Muskaan for her engagement.)

Bijaan has that wicked smile on her face. She finds peace in Mahi's discomfort and this is the best she could do to torture Mahi, taunting of her relation everytime.

"Ji bijaan!" Mahi nodded without lifting her head and ran upstairs with Rahila and Pari on toes.

(Sure Bijaan!)

"

(Mahi don't you feel bad? I mean you will be sharing Zayan with Muskaan from now moreover whom Zayan has chosen for himself.)

Pari asked in amusement when they were reaching Muskaan's room because she can't digest it. Pari is still shook by the rejection and tonight her cousin is going to be engaged to the person she has been dreaming about since birth is making her uneasy then how can Mahi be this calm when she is already married to Zayan and now he is getting married to another woman.

"Pari fark use parta hai jiske wajood ki koi ehmiyat ho. Meri na is haveli me kbhi koi ehmiyat thi or na hi Zayan k kareeb meri koi ehmiyat hai. Hamara rishta bs naam ka hai. Jo rishta kabhi qayam hi nahi hua uske liye afsoos kya karna." She smiled gently at Pari before getting inside Muskaan's room leaving Pari stupified.

(Pari it will bother someone who was treasured. I neither have value in this haveli nor close to Zayan. We have just namesake relations, it was never meaningful to anyone then why mourn?)

******

It was already time to exchange rings when everyone gathered around the couple. Muskaan is sitting there in her pink lehenga smiling shyly at everyone. Happiness is radiating from her beautiful face meanwhile Zayan was looking around anxiously for someone in his black sherwani looking like a deep blue ocean at stormy night; scary, mysterious, intimidating and beguiling.

"Zayan, its time!" Zayan's mother whispered in his ears seeing him so lost looking around for something. His mother presence near him startled him; realization hit him when he saw his mother standing there with the beautiful diamond ring. He sighed defeatedly not seeing the woman present there his eyes are searching for desperately. Before looking around one last time he put the ring in Muskaan's finger while everyone clapped for them.

When it was Muskaan's turn to put ring he felt the noise around him fading away. He was too numb but the only thing he feels on him suddenly, it was the same captivating eyes that he is now feeling on himself. He is certain about the person. His heart flipped desperately like a dying man trying to catch his breath.

His eyes shot up to the balcony but there was no one. However he noticed a shadow moving away so fast and he is sure who it was there. His desperate eyes were still stuck there in balcony until he feel the cold metal on his finger. He stared at the ring dumbly then blushing face of Muskaan who is looking genuinely happy. This beautiful ring now feeling like a heavy chain in his finger, happy faces of his family and guests are haunting him; his sherwani now suffocating him. He wanted to run away from there leaving everything; so without caring about anything, he got up and run away from there leaving everyone in shock and Muskaan hurt.

*****

Thankfully, no one bothered to check up on him after the way he left from his own engagement party because everyone got busy with Haniya's mayun by then.

He was lying on his bed in his dark room, deep in thought with his eyes closed. The only face flashing in his mind was of Mahira's. He was feeling uneasy since Muskaan made him wore that ring and the first thing he did after getting inside his room was to remove it. The very genius and shrewd Nawab Zayan Asr Hamadani couldn't comprehend his own emotions. At this stage he doesn't know what he wants anymore; he is now in a serious dilemma.

One way; its Bijaan, Hamadani's pride and honour while on other hand its constant thought of Mahira clouding his mind, guilt of his action. He is feeling like a sinner despite knowing it was meant to happen and he never valued Mahira. Polygamy isn't a sin in islam then why his seems like one? Why his heart isn't at piece after his decision?

But as a dutiful Nawab he has to do this, this Haveli needs its Badi begum along with his Bade Nawab. He is doing this for his family legacy.

Taming his depressing thoughts he finally got up and checked the time in his phone. Its been an hour since he is locked in his room. Before everyone start suspecting something is wrong with him, he quickly fix up himself and come down stairs after changing in black pathani suit.

He was descending the stairs looking around the place now filled with girls and women laughing while men of the family crowding on a far corner busy in some serious discussion. When his eyes fell on the figure he was craving to see since this morning, he forgot to breathe for a moment.

Serving drinks to guests in a beautiful white simple suit looking like a hoor, her brown hairs tied in a tight bun and her ear adorning with golden jhumkas, her makeup is neutral. In a crowd of women caked with makeup, jewelleries and heavy dresses she was simplest yet the most beautiful woman there. His heart swelled with pride witnessing women around her giving her appreciating looks, admiring her beauty. His man ego shot up to a new level , after all this alluring woman is his.

""

(Look Muskaan! Even brother Zayan is here now.)

A high pitched voice of Rahila reached Zayan's ears grabbing his attention to them. Muskaan started blushing, staring at him under her lashes meanwhile the girls around him started teasing her.

He was standing there clueless when Rahila came in front of him with a teasing smile, grabbing him by his arm taking him to Muskaan who started blushing even more when everyone hooted but his eyes was already struck on his beautiful wife across the room who got startled by sudden hooting and then their eyes met, locking with eachother.

Hers are blank with nothing in them and His filled with some kind of emotion that she doesn't want to read anymore, so she instantly averted it getting back to her task leaving him restless and bothered with her lack of attention and her empty eyes; the one he wanted to read and find the answers of how she is feeling about all this.

"Where were you?" Muskaan whispered to him when he took his position beside her.

"little headache."

It was a short answer, he wasn't interested to entertain her or anyone right now nevertheless he still did for the sake of intrusive guests already staring at them. His eyes not even once shifted towards Muskaan because he was busy in watching a really busy Mahira smiling beautifully to everyone.

"I will give you a massage right after the ceremony. Don't worry." Muskaan's feminine grip on his bicep startled him, pushing her a little away from him in response, shocking her and her eyes flashed hurt and he didn't take an effort to clear the air avoiding her again, going back to his business, staring in same direction.

Entire night Muskaan waited for him to compliment her, say something romantic to her but he was so quite and cold. Perhaps, he is just respecting her space and hesitant to be so casual before wedding. After all he always have been popular for his obedience and reserved nature.

Meanwhile Zayan didn't even wish to look at Muskaan entire night even after hearing compliments and teases about her looks. People telling him hoe lucky he is to get such s beautiful woman beside him but unaware to them he already got lucky a long time ago and he can't bring himself avert his eyes from her.

Woman of the house are dancing, laughing, cracking jokes. After sometime even Muskaan left with her other cousins to where everyone was gathered around Haniya, leaving him alone after getting constantly ignored by him.

"

Assalam Walaikum Bijaan! Congratulations to you)

"Walaikum Fatima Begum! bohot shukria aap ka hmari khushiyo me shariq hone k liye "

(Oh thank you so much for joining in our happiness Her Grace Fatima!)

Bijaan smiled at the elderly woman, who was same as her in age. She has same grace and aura of authority around her just like Bijaan. Her eyes shining with experience. After all the both are the Royalty.

"He is Zayan my grandson and Zayan she is the Choti Begum (Duchess) of sitarapur; " Bijaan introduced Zayan to Fatima.

"Mashaalllah!" Fatima praised the good looking man in front of her, so powerful and looking every inch of royalty, staring at him in admiration.

"Assalam Walaikum!" he greeted in his deep voice.

"Walaikum Assalam! khush raho."

(Stay blessed!)

Smiling at him lovingly she then turn to Saira Begum again with her friendly smile sitting beside Bijaan who was settled right beside Zayan on his left.

"Saira begum waise vo ladki kon hai?" (who's that girl by the way?)

Fatima asked curiously looking in a distance to Bijaan in audible whisper.

"?" (that?) Bijaan asked frowning. "Mahira hai, meri nawasi." Bijaan replied distastefully but her name caught Zayan's attention who suddenly got interested in there conversation.

(Mahira, my grand daughter)

"Mujhe laga hi tha!" Fatima squealed delightful while Bijaan and Zayan gave her the weird look.

(I guessed that..)

"Mashaalllah!" She sighed in admiration. "Khush safed rangat, itni masoom or sada, Hoor jaisa roop. Hamadani khandaan ki hi ho sakti hai esi beti to. " Fatima Begum praised.

(skin white as snow, so innocent and nice. Such daughters only belong to Hamadani.)

Bijaan smiled in pride meanwhile Zayan who wasn't interested in their conversation suddenly got curious and his chest puffing in pride hearing her remark on his wife.

"Saira Begum mere potey Azlaan k bare me kya khayal hai Mahira k liye?"

(So Saira, what do you say about my grandson Azlaan for your Mahira?)

She offered the proposal of his grandson leaving them both in shock and horror. Bijaan was tongue tied while Zayan just clenched his jaw in anger before he realised he stood up abruptly from his place and left from there after answering Fatima Begum with finality.

"So sorry to disappoint you but Mahira is already promised to someone else. Excuse me now please."

Zayan was furious is an understatement, he is seeing red now. He is boiling inside like volcano right before eruption. He is furious on his own helplessness where he can't own his wife openly. Hiding their relationship sounding toxic to him now.

For Allah sake! now women will be coming with proposals for Mahira who already belongs to him; him. His Mahira. He knew that look elderly women were giving his Mahira when he came down but a part of him didn't want to admit it. The look that said they all wanted Mahira for their sons. He ignored that voice within him.

Ignoring everyone giving him weird looks he reached where everyone is gathered around a happy blushing Haniya. His all cousins are singing and dancing enjoying the occasion.

But the irony was instead of feeling peace and happiness , However, the scene he witnessed there right in front of his eyes blasted every vein of his entire nervous system. His body started to shake with his fist and jaw clenched. He was enraged; if fantasies were true he would have turned into a dragon by now breathing fire from his nose.

Haami was twirling a laughing Mahira by her finger, forcing her to dance with him who was pushing him away to free herself. It is only around Haami, she is always this happy and they look so comfortable together.

"Stay away from her!"

Zayan didn't realized when he yelled pushing Haami away roughly from Mahira, glaring at him with murderous eyes. Everyone gasped in shock at sudden turn of event, watching an angry Zayan in utter confusion. Music and noises everything fell silent.

"You..." His hands balled in fist, jaw clenched.

"Nahiii!"

(No!!)

Before he can punch Haami Mahira stopped him and pulled him away from there while everyone is silently watching the drama not getting what has triggered Zayan to behave like this.

"

(Zayan please leave from here.)

Her voice was low and stern, trying to control herself, baffling Zayan and then turn around facing Haami with an apologetic face.

"Sorry Haami vo...aahhhh"

Before she can finish her sentence she yelped in shock, feeling herself being dragged by a furious Zayan. It was a limit for Zayan when he saw that apologetic and gentle expression on Mahira's face for Haami while she was upset with him and avoiding him. It burned him. Looks like world is really against him tonight.

*****

"Ye Zayan Mahi ko aise kaha lekar gaya?"

(Where did Zayan drag Mahi like that?)

"Ye to Muskaan se engaged haina fir ye kis ladki ko yu le gaya hai apne sath?"

(He is engaged to Muskaan, right? Then who was the girl he dragged her with him?)

"Ye ladki kon thi?"

(who was that girl?)

Guests started whispering among themselves in shock and surprise after Zayan took Mahi with him leaving Hamadanis troubled and embarrassed while Haami was clueless and feeling like a fool.

"Arey kuch nahi hua vo bs Zayan Mahi ko leke thoda zada protective hai. Bhai ka dil hai bin maa baap ki beti hai to hamdardi zada hai thodi usse

Oh it was nothing! Zayan is a bit overprotective about Mahi. After all she is an orphan so she has most of his sympathy. Always kicking Zayan's brotherly side.)

Zayan's mother, Jahan Begum came front smiling at everyone making excuse about the drama that Zayan created a moment ago. She mentally asked forgiveness to her God for the sin she commited by calling him her brother. Everyone nodded in understanding getting back to enjoy themselves again as if nothing happened. While Bijaan passed an appreciative smile to her daughter in law.

******

"Zayan cho..choriye mujhe!"

(Zayan leave me!)

"choriye mujhe please!"

(leave me please!)

"Mera hath choriye

(leave my hand!)

She was struggling to free herself from his harsh grip but he has no effect of her pleas on him. Either he is really deaf or he is good at blocking out voices.

"Maine kaha chore mera hath Zayan!"

(I said leave my hand!)

When it was finally they are in his room, he losen his grip on her.This is the first time she is in his room, the shade of his room is as dark and mysterious as him. she took it as an opportunity and jerked his hand away from her yelling at him angrily. It infuriated him even more and the next moment she was pinned to the locked door of his room.

"kyu?" (why?) he is breathless. He has her pinned to the door by her arms, he was all over her, leaving no space to escape. "Uske hath pakdne pr to bohot hansi aa rahi thi tumne?" His voice sounding deep and rough with anger. His eyes are red in rage and jealousy and hers are nervous.

(You were laughing when it was him holding your hand?)

She could feel his heart beating rapidly in his chest, his intoxicating cologne tickling her nose, clouding her senses. The taut muscles underneath his thin fabric of kurta. She can feel him on her every inch and its making her weak right now to win her battle against him. She wanted to leave everything and just stay like this with him. His proximity is making everything really hard for her, paralyzing her brain.

"Apko kyu farq parta hai She answered avoiding his eyes. Her voice sounded sore due to desires and emotions she is feeling right now but she has to be strong for herself.

(Why do you care?)

"Wow!" He mocked " mujhe kyu farq parta hai!" He slammed his hand beside her while clenching his jaw.

(Why do I care?)