I placed my head on the pillow before connecting my phone with the charger.I was through and through on Skype with Zarah and Imraan as the wedding festivities of Salah and Shahwar were in full swing.They could call me up any time and I'd enjoy the functions sitting here.

Mom was super excited and joyous as she got a simple wedding dress made for my bride and had parcelled it this morning.She didn't even inform me that she was sending something and only called three hours before the parcel reached here.I was astounded that how quickly she had managed to get the dress ready.

While phoning me she told me that it was a simple dress that she wanted to send as a present for her daughter-in-law.I did object inspecting the parcel but then I let go only for her happiness.Afterall her only son was getting married.

I hadn't opened the dress and dropped it off to its rightful owner before coming home.My heart was at peace knowing that my mother had already informed the family members and they all didn't seem to mind.Zarah was excited to meet Amal, and she was insisting me to visit Pakistan soon with my wife.

I sighed audibly, turning on my side and facing the bedroom door.A yawn escaped my lips, I was super exhausted today.My day was passed being angry at employees, yelling orders, signing papers and attending meetings.

Today I had also confirmed the contract of a new apartment I had especially bought for Sikander and his mother.I didn't want them staying in the old wrecked building so I decided to help them find a new place.I also promoted Sikander to the head of technician faculty because he was a hard worker and a pro in his field.Upon discussion with the faculty I got to know that he really deserved to be the leader.But these two secrets were yet to reveal.

I knew that they wouldn't accept the apartment complex I found for them, but they were from the company's side and I really wanted a better place for them.Aunty Shahana would object greatly refusing straight to me, and to avoid all the fuss, I bought it without their assistance.Their resistance would die down when they have the key in their hands.

Amal.

In my meeting with her, I had known that she was a little stubborn and resistant.How she cowered away in the farthest corner, how distant she looked.But when she said, she was bearing a child, I couldn't hold back.Pure anger had puffed through my veins only thinking of another man touching her.I wouldn't allow anyone to touch her now.

But sadly, my anger wasn't all directed on her words, but her.How could she even say something about bearing a man's child who didn't want her?How could that stupid woman even think about something like this.

I hated to digest her words but got amused to see her lying so innocently stupid that she didn't even know what she was saying.

Innocent Amal.

Ya Allah.

Another yawn left my lips as I closed my eyes.Thinking what awaits me in the coming days and what awaits me tomorrow, I drift off to sleep.

Rinsing off another plate, I dried it with a towel before keeping it aside.My gaze flickering to the window in the kitchen that gave a view of the skyscrapers that remained far from us.Although the building stood proud touching the sky, they didn't fascinate me.They seemed too distant to me.So unreachable.Since the past weeks I had been here, I hadn't stepped out of the house.Not because of I didn't want to go but because I was afraid.Afraid to face the world.

Pulling out a chair in the kitchen, I sat down with my eyes stilled outside the window.

Never in my life, I thought I'd end up in London.But here I was.I missed home.I missed Abbottabd.The land where I grew up.The land that was evident of the pain I suffered.

I missed the green land scattered with large trees and fresh meadows.The mountains that stood proud surrounding the valleys.Even the wind there had a particular scent.Being in Jalal Khan's cage, I had only given all my attention to the earth.To the lands that spoke to me, that shared my tears with me.And I had found my solace in nature.

But here in London, everything seemed too fast.Everyone was running and yet I was still standing.Life had an energy here, and I wasn't quiet prepared to allow myself to feel the energy.

Aunty Shahana came strolling with a magazine in her hand.She had all of her attention in reading the context that she didn't even notice me sitting.Peeling her eyes away from the paper she looked around until she spotted me behind her.

Smiling down at me, she passed me the magazine.Taking it from her hands, I raised my brows confused as to what to do with it,

"Read it."She ushered going over to the stove.

Looking down at the magazine my eyes widened.

Arsalan Khan.

It was an interview of him, which was recorded two weeks ago.Turning my eyes to aunty, I found her busy cooking.Placing the magazine on the table, I got up.Silently walking out from the kitchen, I opened my bedroom door.

Pulling of my white dupatta, I sat down on the bed, sighing.

Marwa's words kept repeating in my head as I reached towards the black box.Opening it I found my eyes land on the red material.It was neatly folded as the stone embellished stared at me shyly.I gulped running my hand over the smooth and soft fabric.

Biting my lower lip, I pulled the fabric out.It was a shirt made from plane red cloth with light stone embroidery on the sleeves.Folding it back neatly, I peeked in the box again to find a colourful material decorated with embroidery.Unfolding it, I tensed.The skirt dancing before my eyes.

Beautiful was an understatement for this masterpiece.

The dupatta was no less adorned with all the beautifulness.A piece of paper made me reach forward.It was an envelope.Opening it, I found the neat handwriting read,

A small gift Amal, from your mother-in-law.I wish you all the happiness in the world may ALLAH bless you with the best.

Love,

Naheed Khan.

Tensing suddenly, I folded every fabric and placed it back in the box.The envelope was still in my hands as I played with the paper.

I never had a mother-in-law before.It was always Jalal Khan.

Rubbing the thoughts away from my mind, I worried about day that awaited me.That awaited me to be a bride again.My heart raced against my ribcage as I paced around the room thinking of tomorrow.

The wedding day.

I hadn't moved in half an hour.My body was stiff and breaths racing.My heart wasn't calming down.I was drowning.My bones were shouting for me to change my sitting position.But I was stiff.

The whitish cream tiles stared at me and I stared back.Aunty Shahana's arms were around me as she hugged me to herself for the hundredth of time.But I remained numb in her arms.I couldn't even think of anything properly except for the images that kept repeating in my head.

Nikah with Jalal Khan.

Nikah with Jalal Khan.

Nikah with Jalal Khan.

My throat was dried and a lump had formed and yet I couldn't even find my voice to utter a word out.Stepping out from the apartment, I hadn't casted my gaze upwards until I sat in the luxurious car.Only then did I notice the driver and Sikander bhai.The drive to the mosque was very quiet yet the silence shouted at me.

The small room where I sat in the mosque was crowded with ladies when I arrived here.There were also here for the nikah with loads of people.Everyone seemed happy with smiles covering their faces.Even the bride glowed with happiness.But I-

A nudge made me turn to the side.A glass of water was forwarded to me by Aunty Shahana and I gratefully took it from her with my shivering hand.Gulping down the cool content, I gave the glass away,

"Are you okay Amal?"The sweet voice filled my ears but I dared not look up from the ground.

Nodding at my aunty, I heard the door being opened and footsteps approaching.

"Ammi , he is here."It was a whisper but it echoed loudly like my heartbeats.Clutching the red fabric of the long dupatta tightly, I felt Sikander bhai leave the room.

Aunty's arm came around my shoulder and she pressed me towards her, her whisper ringing in my ears.

"Take deep breaths Amal."

Minutes later, the door opened and an elderly voice said,

"Shall we begin?"

***

Sorry for the late update ..

Will update soon IN SHAA ALLAH

Loads of love,

Until next time,

_Hafsa