Arsalan

Sitting in the car, I inhaled in a long breath.Running my hand through my dark strands, I pulled at them.Resting my head on the steering wheel, I tried to absorb all the events that happened ten minutes ago.

Uff..

The vibration of my phone, had me distracted as I pulled it out to see Salah's name flash across the screen.Sliding the green button, I pressed it against my ear.

"Asskam O Alaikum"He greeted first.I greeted back when he said,

"Where have you been man?I have called you so many times you didn't pick up-"

"I was busy, everything is good there?"I cut off his rant and asked.

There was a long pause before he said.

"I messed up big time.I left Shahwar so that she could marry someone else and not a jerk thickhead like me but now I think made a huge mistake.I don't know how to solve this all.I need your help."I could hear the sadness and stress behind his words.

"I think I have a plan."I said thinking for a moment.

"Great.You have to come to Pakistan."He said almost instantly as if reading my mind.

Brother instincts.

While driving my car through the busy roads of London, I thought how ALLAH makes connection.No matter how tangled all the issues are to us, He, the creator has it all solved.I didn't know how my life led me here, but somewhere inside myself , I knew I was content.

I didn't had any regrets, I didn't worry what future holds for me.All I knew was the present.And the present was that, I had agreed to marry a girl without knowing her name.

I sighed as I pressed the brake on a red light signal.

Two people cross each other's paths for a reason, at the right moment, at the right time.

I had often heard the urban saying, yet my believe on it brightened more.I had met Amal so long ago, but had I ever thought that I'd me sitting in her living room, talking about her disastrous marriage.Who knew-

But again we men are unassisted at the hands of nature.All we have in control is the worldly power whereas the universal power belongs to someone else.Thinking hard, my mind pressed on Amal's marriage.

I should have known that day when I saw tears in her eyes, when she silently pleaded.

Please go away.

I should have not let her go alone inside that building that might have been prison to her.But again this all was meant to happen.

Opening the apartment door, I hurried to find my black bag.Stuffing a pair of casual cloths, I pulled out my black suit.Taking out all the necessary papers,I kept it in my bag.Sending a quick message to Bashar, I was out of the door.Locking it.

Well I had a quick flight to catch.

A night later

Salah's proposing plan was a hit.Shahwar was really happy and well Salah was already smitten.I couldn't help but feel happiness for my cousins.When I landed here in Pakistan to execute the big plan with Salah, ammi had kissed me a multiple of ten times for giving a surprise visit.

And as now everyone sat in the large hall watching the video Imraan had made of the proposal ceremony, I felt the urge to pull ammi aside.

Deciding for a minute, I shifted on the place next to Daadi Ma.Tapping ammi's shoulder lightly, I signaled her to come with me.She hesitated for a minute, her eyes filling with worry before she got up to follow me.

I sat patiently on the bed waiting for my mother, who strolled in a second later.

"Arsalan, shehzaday what is it?"She asked sitting besides me.

I held onto her hand and told her everything:four years before when I saw Amal for the first time, when I helped her in the rain, and everything that happened in London.

The woman listened calmly and when I stopped, she smiled.

"Shehzaday, just know that its a great responsibility.ALLAH knows you better thats why He has given you a chance.Out of all the men, He has chosen you.Remember, your decision was wise in helping the one in need, but my son never take advantage of this."She said softly cupping my cheek.I frowned at her reaction.

"And by the way I already like my daughter-in-law Amal."She smiled making me look down at my hands.

"I wish you were there."I said quietly.

"Arsalan, I am always there with you but I am fine here, this is the place I love and I have all the beautiful memories with my husband here."The softness in her tone didn't waver although her gaze did.

"Just know that we all support you.Your Uncles wouldn't mind.Do what is right."She stated firmly and I nodded kissing her palms.

"I love you ammi jaan."I said smiling.

"I love you too, mere jaan."

I stood up, walking to the door.

"I should take my leave, though I'll be in my room.I have a flight to catch at six in the morning."I said, twisting the knob seeing the woman still rooted to her place.

My words seemed unfazed as she stood up hurriedly, making her way to her closet.Ammi ruffled through some stuff before she emerged back with a black jewellery box.I automatically walked back to my previous place, sitting down.She opened the box forwarding it to me,

"I got this made beforehand.When she comes home, give it to her from my side."I was just offmmppp.

Taking the box silently, I exited her room going back to mine.Falling down on the bed, a sudden click happened within my mind.

Amal

Amal

Amal

Amal

Could it be possible that the woman with the veiled face I dreamt about, who always happened to be in danger, was AMAL.

"Like shit man!How could you just disappear for a day and return back."Bashar was walking back and froth in my office room as I watched him amused.

He was riling up.No big deal.

Taking another bite from his apple, he walked up to his seat before slumping down.

"What the plan?"He asked grumpily.

"Wait and watch."I stated and picked up my phone.

Scrolling through the contacts, I found the name before pressing call.A beat later the call was picked and Sikander's voice filled my ears.

"Asslam O Alaikum Sir."

"Walaikum Assalam.Everything fine?"

"Yes Sir, everything is good here."He informed.

"Okay-"

I paused looking over at Bashar.

"I've decided for a simple nikah in the mosque.I actually wanted to come over today so that we could decide over the date."I scratched the back of my neck as Bashar stared at me in boredom.

"Yes, yes Sir, whenever you feel right." Sikander was quick to reply and after a formal goodbye, the line went dead.

A smirk covered by lips as I rose my eyebrows at the sulking man before me.

"Whatever."He muttered.

Shaking my head with a chuckle, I stood up.Gathering my car keys, I walked out of the office with Bashar trailing behind me.

Hours later I stood before the light brown door in the finest of my suits.Ready to knock.But something had changed from the last time I've had been here.I had changed.My reasons had changed.

I knocked softly not trying to be harsh.The door opened seconds later and the old woman smiled warmly.I greeted her before she welcome me in her home.

The apartment was silent as always as I sat on the couch.Aunty Shahana sat opposite to me before offering me a glass of water.

"Is Sikander not home?"I asked not finding the man in my sight.

"He's out.He'll be here shortly."She said softly and I nodded.

As on que, the front door opened and the man walked in with grocery bags in his hands.Aunty Shahana stood up to help him and disappeared in the kitchen while Sikander shook my hand warmly before sitting with me.

"We will take atleast a week time before the nikah."He started making me lean forward in my seat.

"Yes, sure."Aunty Shahana came out of the kitchen, occupying her previous seat.She smiled politely at me and said,

"I hope we are not pressurizing you into this."This made a small smile to cover my lips.

"No Aunty, you are not pressurizing me into anything.I've made my mind.My mother knows about however my family doesnot lives here."

Aunty hummed silently and then said,

"It took me some time to convince Amal.She doesnot wants to elope however she does not know the society.I hope she behave with you."I chuckled out loud.Making aunty and Sikander smile.

"Believe me, I am not doing this because I pity you.I want a normal marriage and I promise to-"

"to protect her and never hurt her.I will try my best to be the husband she deserved in the first place."

Not the bastard she was married to before.

The nikah date decided quickly and I was to get married a week later.On a saturday afternoon.Shahwar and Salah were also getting married the following week but they would be married before saturday.After the casual discussion about the nikah, Aunty Shahana asked if I would like to meet Amal once before the nikah.

They obviously didn't know that I had already seen her but decided against in telling them.I nodded and she got up to inform Amal.

Minutes later Aunty came and helped me to the bedroom door.She left me here as I stood waiting.Waiting for something.Passing a good two minutes outside the closed door, I braced myself for...for meeting her.

I knocked two times and waited for a response.When I didn't get any from the woman, I twisted the knob.Entering the room.

The walls were white.The ceiling was white.The bed was made of light brown wood and the pale cream bedsheets covered the bed.The window had white curtains that swayed with the cool night wind.A vanity table was present but it was devoid of anything cosmetic.

My charcoal eyes stopped on the only human present in the room besides me.And there she was.

Dressed in black shalwar kameez, her long dupatta covered her.Not an inch of her hair visible making me wonder what colour her hair would be.Dismissing the thoughts away for now, I focused on her.

And only her.

I could see the side of her face, but her dupatta teased me as if would sway on her side.Hiding away the only visible skin of her face.From all the whiteness in the room, she remained in black.

Even the lights did not illuminate the room enough than how she illuminated.Glowing in beauty, she left me mesmerized.

She was aware of my presence through the way she breathed.Completely motionless, she stood in the far corner of the room.And at that time as looked like a-

A fallen angel.

"Aunty why?"I asked softly.

The mother figure woman cupped my cheeks and wiped my tears.Her soft voice brushing against my ears.

"Amal.You are my responsibility.I am not throwing you away but I am protecting you, my dear.He is a good man."She nodded at me and I turned my face away.

"Listen Amal.You cannot stop living.Life doesnot ends here.The world awaits you.You have your whole life ahead.So try to understand.I'll always be with you.Okay?"

I nodded still not facing her, though I felt her shift.She kissed my head and walked to the bedroom door,her voice filling all of the room,

"I am sending him in, be nice to the man."

The door closed behind her as I sat on the bed fiddling with my fingers.A gnawing feeling pushed up my chest for what awaits me.I closed my eyes tightly, I heard the knocks.

Standing up from the bed, I moved to the corner.My heart thudded loudly in my ribcage.I fixed my eyes on the plain white walls before me, standing completely motionless.

I felt him enter the room.Invading all of my space.I didn't turn to him though I could feel his eyes bore into me.I felt scared.Scared to be living in hell again.Scared to be made fun of.Scared to be harassed.Scared to be-

"Amal."The deep voice filled all around me.I gasped and snapped my eyes to the man at the sudden intrusion in my chain of thoughts.

He stood by the doorframe.His tall and intimidating figure leaning against it.Clad in a jet black suit he seemed to be the model of some expensive brand that I may have not seen or touched even.

My eyes stopped at his eyes.The charcoal orbs staring right at me.I breathed in shakily feeling the familiarity of them pass through me.

Abottabad.Rain.Jalal.Driving away.Helpess Amal.KhanBaba.Help.Crying.A gentleman.A car ride.More crying.Jalal Khan's mansion.A whisper.Amal.

"You."I pointed my finger at him.My tone wasn't soft but rather harsh.

His eyes widened for a fraction of second before a smirk curved his mouth.

"You do remember."He nodded slowly to himself.

I remained silent not knowing how to even form a sentence.Words had disappeared from my mind.Peeling my eyes from the man,I stared down at the floor beneath me.

If only it could open up and swallow me.

"I cannot marry you."I whispered quiet softly this time.

"Sorry."His words seemed shocked.

"I.cannot.marry.you."I said a little louder this time.My grey eyes clashed with his charcoal ones.His jaw hardened and a dark look covered the playful one.

Seeing the change, I pressed my body close to the wall.Though there was so much gap between us I still left very intimidated my him.

"I don't think you have much choice."He said out frowning.

My eyes moved to the crease on his forehead.Not meeting his eyes again.

"It doesnot matter what I have and what I don't."Harshness dissolved my voice as I turned to face him.

He narrowed his eyes at me.And I gasped out lowly.

"Say no to aunty.Tell her you cannot marry me."I said fearing the man but dared to say.

"And why would I do that."His words were almost quick.

"Because-"

I swallowed down my dry throat.

"Because you cannot marry me."

"Amal."His words were a warning silencing me.

"Please try to understand."I whispered the words out looking the other way.When he remained silent, I continued

"I am not normal.I am only darkness."I breathed out looking up at him.Tears burning the back of my eyes.

The darkness suddenly vanished from his face as a soft smile covered his face, even his voice was soft,

"Amal, you are the light."

I shook my head.Wetting my lips, I tried again, to make him understand.

"Say no to Aunty."

"Why?"

My eyes remained on his.The words were supposed to be a whisper but they filled all of the room.

"Because I am carrying his child."

***

Wallah !!

I was so tempted to write the next scene but on purposes decided to stop..

Your requests made me update quickly .. :) :)

Thank You for the awesome comments on the last chapter .. :)

Don't forget to vote , comment, share and follow..

Hope you enjoyed the long chapter

.. It was a little fast forwarded ..

What do you think about the last sentence of this chapter .. ?? ;) ;)

Until Next Time,

_Hafsa