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In Ariana's room, Ariana was crying hard and Shazain consoling her. She threw everything around her. If it was in her hands she would have killed Seher.

"You said that your wife was no one just a surrogate and what I see is a beautiful young girl who was insulting me since I arrived

you along with your wife made fun of me Xain. Why did you do that? You both must have laughed thinking what a fool Ariana is" she looked like a madwoman having the outburst.

" No Ariana, I wanted to tell you. Trust me " Shazain was holding her from the back. Trying to calm her.

" Tell me when? I will go back.

Did you forget your promise to my father?"

" No Ariana please understand I don't even care for her"

"Xain why did you marry such a young girl?do you want to rub it on my face that you can get a young and beautiful bride? Did you fall for her?"

He himself did not know how to answer this. He was the one who forcefully married Seher.

"I told you Ariana it's only you who has my heart."

"Xain tell me you married her just for kids?"

"Ariana please don't be insecure, since you came did you see me giving her importance?"

"Xain did you not see how she insulted me, She called me, your Ariana, Aunty and you did not even correct her once"

"Ariana she is young and grandmother has spoiled her I know how to tame her. don't worry about that"

"Xain I will forgive you if you make her apologize to me"

"I will do anything for you"

"Xain do you still love me?"

"My heart never changed Ariana, You are going to be my queen and I did not expect you to react to such small things"

"Yes my dad said that there will be many women and only one Queen"

She calmed down recalling her mother's words. She can't throw away all the benefits that come with Shazain. She can't spoil her father's years of planning and she definitely can't let Shazain go away.

She wiped her tears "I love you Xain, I will tolerate everything for you"

"Yes and you are the one, Now please give me a smile. I will take you to beach today evening Just you and me." she hugged him.

Something evil cropped in her brain.

"Xain, honey can we take along that wife of yours. You know now anyhow I have to live with her in harmony why not I start the initiative"

"Oh ! Ariana, you are my stress buster. How happy you made me. You understand me very well. I will ask her to come along"

Ariana's had satisfaction in her eyes. I will make sure that woman knows her place in our lives. that is beneath my feet

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Seher was in tears looking at Shazain's love for Ariana.

" See Grandmother I told you he loves only her do you still think I should stay here."

Najma felt guilty Looking at Seher, She did not Like Shazain going after Ariana. It was all her upbringing to blame.

"Come hear, Seher. " he made her sit next to her.

"You are his wife and that woman is not his wife.

"I can't wait for that day I know that day will never come. you said to fight for my love what is the point when the other person does not even acknowledge your presence"

"I am at fault Seher, I did not raise him well. I am your culprit" Najma was in tears.

"Its not your fault, He is responsible for his own actions"

"You don't know Seher, about my sins, you will hate me If I disclose all my wrongdoings."

Seher forgot her pain and was looking at the woman crying in front of her.

" grandmother but what you did wrong is between you and God and surely he will forgive you if you beg him"

"Seher, I will tell you something that no one knows not even your mother.

we are closely related than you can imagine. did your mother tell you about her birth mother's family?"

"I think my grandmother was an orphan and was raised by her relatives after she died nobody contacted and we don't even know anyone"

"your late grandmother was my cousin. It was my parents who raised her, Her father was commander in the army he died in the war and his wife soon followed. My father was a distant cousin when nobody came forward to look after her my father took her in.

she was just like you soft and sweet. Shameer Afdali, My husband fell for her and sent a proposal to our house as I was the eldest and only girl my parents thought it was for me.

My husband was shocked to see a different girl as his bride. He was not a man of good character. I wanted to go back to my parents but an abandoned woman did not have any place in society. I did not have the heart to bring shame to my family. I saw how things were going around and decided to stick as queen and correct things. " Najma Begum was in tears recalling all humiliation she went through in hands of her husband. Seher Hugged her.

"I once saw Anjum speaking to Shameer when I visited my parents. I burned in jealousy and after returning my husband forced me to ask my parents for his and Anjum's marriage. I don't know if Anjum led him or it was him. I straight away refused. Things were strained between us Shazeb was born soon after and Shameer kept on pressurizing me.

To my shock Anjum was married to King Hamad by my parents, Shahmeer was very angry he married many women later on. I miscarried many times because of stress. Then one day my miseries ended when Shameer Died. I took control and my son was the rightful her to the throne. I crushed all the rebels."

"What did my mother have to do with this? Why did you hate her?"

"Anjum was like a close chapter. I don't know if she led Shameer or what happened I hated her. I was glad she was no more. I wanted to do nothing with her but my fate, My only son Shazeb fell for Nur Jahan, Anjum Ara's daughter. All my insecurities came back. All I had was my son and Nur Jahan came between us. He went against me to marry her.

I now think I was wrong all along. Nur Jahan had nothing to do with anything, but for me, she was Anjum Ara's daughter. You already know what happened between your mother and me. My hatred cost me my only son's life. I wanted to keep Anjum Ara's legacy far away from my family and blamed Nur but look Shazain ended up marrying the same Anjum ara's granddaughter."

Seher understood what Najma begum might have felt" Grandmother you should have confronted your cousin? maybe it was your husband's fault."

"forget it, Seher, there will be many ifs and buts when I look back. Seher you changed me, you taught me past is past. You accepted Shazain knowing that he hated you. I was stuck in past you pulled me out."

Seher hugged her." I respected you because of your age but now I love you as my grandmother" she kissed Najma begums palms.

after some time Najma Begum addressed Seher."Seher please stay for four months. I just don't want to regret thinking I should have tried more. You are the Queen this kingdom needs. You are the Only woman Shazain needs."

"He won't change grandmother he loves that Ariana"

"I promise you if things don't improve I will separate you and Shazain and get you married to your cousin or anyone who will love you."

Seher never thought that she will marry again for her marriage was once in a lifetime affair even if she left Shazain she will not have another man.

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Shazain stormed into his grandmother's room but was halted when he heard his grandmother's last words.

" Grandmother how can you say to my wife that you will marry her elsewhere when I am still alive"

he glared at Seher" You are shameless, after all, taking divorce and marrying again runs in your blood"

" Shazain mind your tongue, you are a ruthless monster. what runs in your blood? lust. you are from a family of womanizers."

He dragged Seher to their room. Ignoring Najma Begums call.

he threw her on the bed.

"Was I not clear enough Seher, You have grown your wings and I know how to cut them"

"I did not do anything Shazain"

"Why did you insult Ariana?"

"Oh, This was about hurting your beloved."

he dangerously hovered over her

"You are jealous of her Seher"

"Why would I be jealous of her. I hardly know her" she stood up.

"I know you envy her because I love her that is why you called her aunty"

"Why can't you just leave me alone, Why Shazain, Just tell me Why?

I went against my family and stayed with you, But for you, it was just a revenge game.

I cried seeing you injured that day my heart almost stopped seeing you nearly dead, I realized that that I have madly fallen in love with you and can never see myself living without you but what you did you crushed me.

Did you ever think about what will my family will do if they came to know how you are treating me? There will be a blood bath "

"Repeat again" Shazain pulled her closer by her waist and lifted her chin.

"My brothers will not leave you" he wiped her tears, a smile formed on his lips. shazain hardly smiled and he was happy that Seher amitted her love.

"Tell me again Seher that you love me."

She looked at him, her heart screamed in pain why did you confess Seher why.

"You have Ariana to say that to you. forget what I said"

"Seher I am not deaf I heard clearly what you said. I know you love me. I know you are mine"

Shazain felt over the moon the confession of love from Seher gave him peace.

"Please Seher say it again, " he wiped her tears and kissed her eyes.

Seher felt helpless "Shazain leave me alone, go away, go to your Ariana she must be crying, or who knows she will be upset knowing that you are with me"

"Repeat again and I will leave"

"forget what I said it was just in heat of a moment I did mean it and I am sure it did not mean anything to you"

"please once" Shazain who always commanded was pleading with her.

" I admit that I am the biggest fool on earth to fall in love with my abuser, Happy now leave"

Instead of leaving Shazain was kissing her. Seher tried pushing him but his grip was strong.

"You said you will leave if I repeat, I love you, I love you, now leave me"

he sucked her lower lip.

"What are you doing? you monster just leave"

"You only said that these things happen when couples love each other and since you love me I am showing you, mine"

"You are a lustful Oger, go show your love to your Ariana"

"You are my wife not her and it is your duty to keep your husband content" he kept on ravishing her.

They were intimate many times but this was the first time Seher was feeling guilty, he loved someone else. she tried pushing him.

"Seher let's make love, accept me, honey. " This was the first time he was asking her.

Her body betrayed her and she gave in to his assaults.

It is true that love makes you weak. you can never control your heart. Seher did not know where this will lead.

*******************************************************************

"Seher be ready in the evening we will go to the beach" Shazain informed her while changing his Clothes.

Seher was taken back but Shazain's next words sucked her soul.

"Ariana suggested to take you along. You will get t know her better"

"I am not going anywhere, Shazain. Keep me away from your personal drama."

"Stop being so stubborn Seher, Look Ariana has taken initiative, why can't you be like her stop being rigid, for my sake be ready"

Shazain knew one thing he had to be patient with Seher. Shazain was not aware that Seher was different and will never be happy being someone's second choice. She felt angry for giving Shazain an upper hand by confessing her love, but the irony was he never admitted that he loved her.

You always act like a fool Seher he will never admit that he loves you back because it's Ariana who he wants.

The maids packed a small picnic basket for them. Ariana ordered that it should be just three of them. "Xain lets us go alone I don't want gossip from the maids" She had made plans to insult Seher.

Ariana wore a beautiful pastel green summer dress. She took hours to get ready she wanted to prove that she is equally beautiful and Shazain's only love.

Seher got ready with the least interest. She never wanted to Join Shazain's Mimi circus. She wore a baby pink dress with white flowers. Her mother personally brought and customized this dress for her. She was free of any jewelry, still, she was looking breathtaking.

Najma begum requested her to visit before leaving. when Seher entered her room she couldn't stop herself from praising her.

"You look stunning my child, There is something missing" she took a pair of pearl and diamond studs and made Seher wear them.

Seher properly covered her head and entered the coach where Shazain and Ariana were already seated.

Ariana felt so angry looking at beautiful Seher it was like her personality was dimmed in her presence. Shazain was unable to take his eyes of Seher.

"Hello Seher, It is good that you joined us "Ariana started her conversation she was sitting next to Shazain holding his hands.

"Yes," replied and started looking outside.

Shazain noticed how Quiet Seher was for the first time Ariana talking was irritating him, He just wanted to look at his wife.

"Seher, is it the first time you are visiting the beach isn't it?" Shazain asked remembering their first ride back home.

"Yes," She replied. She was following Najma Begum's advice to ignore Shazain and his mistress.

"remember Seher you are his wife Ariana is the mistress" Najma begum reminded her before leaving.

Ariana thought that Seher was someone from a poor family who married her off to Shazain who was quite older than her for sake of money.

" where did you get this dress from? I am sure grandmother must have selected for you"

Seher Just ignored her. She Knew Ariana was trying to undermine her status by holding Shazain's arm, Talking to him as if she did not exist. It was only when Shazain was gawking at her She threw random questions at her.

Shazain and Ariana got down when the carriage halted. It was not a long journey just going down the hill. Shazain offered Seher his hand to help her get down before she could react Ariana called for him. "Xain quickly come here"

he left Seher and went to Ariana. "Look Xain what a beautiful seashell"

This was the reality, Seher thought. First love is always true love. The lover is always important and takes over wife. Look at Her Baba who loved her mother unconditionally and never ignored her mother. Even after so many years she was his world and her baba always displayed it.

Seher got down from the carriage and looked around, Shazain was standing close to Ariana and talking god knows what. Seher saw a huge rock and went and sat on it.

She always enjoyed watching stars but looking at the beach, blue waters, and crashing of the waves were more appealing to her eyes.

Shazain's eyes were fixed on Seher who was looking like a sea nymph who can lure innocent sailors.

Ariana was jealous looking at Shazain who was admiring seher. Her green eyes had a evil glint and it was the time to put her plan in action. She turned towards Shazain.

" Xain, I am hungry can we eat something?"

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