My eyelashes were so heavy being devoid of any makeup, I couldn't look up from the tiled floor.Blood was pumping through my veins causing my heart to run erratically.My head was pounding as new voices filled my ears.The men were settled now from across me, I could feel that.

But what I could hear and see more were them.

Jalal Khan's friend were mocking me.

They were laughing at me.

Jalal Khan was drunk high, as he staggered towards me.

His posture was wobbly and a sick sinister smirk decorated his lips.

"Beautiful."

His words echoed all around me.

"Amal Dawood daughter of late Dawood Maqsood, do you accept Arsalan Khan son of Junaid Khan in your nikah-"

"Oh beautiful, my beautiful."

My dry lips were sealed.He was standing before me.Just before me.My breaths weren't normal by now.I was breathless.

"Amal.."My hand was nudged.

Taking my hand in his, he dig his nails in my palm.I was weak, I couldn't move away.

"Amal Dawood daughter of late Dawood Maqsood, do you accept Arsalan Khan son of Junaid Khan in your nikah-"

Aunty's voice seemed too distant, I couldn't even reach her.She was being pulled far away from me.I couldn't reach her.

"Amal-"

My shoulders were shaken, making me slump back against the cushions pressed behind my back.My eyes collided with the charcoal ones that burned me down to ashes.My hand was in his, the soft contact making me wince internally.The veil between us didn't hide the concern written on his face, making me look away from him.I gulped seeing the old man look shocked at me, Sikander bhai too was worried as he handed me a glass of water.

"Can't believe I'll be attending a muslim wedding today.Finally!"The man sighed heavily from besides me making me bite back a chuckle.

The fingers fondled with the black kurta's button.I couldn't explain what I was feeling.Nervousness was coursing through my body.Hell I didn't even know if I was doing the right thing or not but I had asked ALLAH for His guidance.

My eyes darted back to the crowded hall of the mosque seeing the sea of men rush around.A grand nikah of a couple was taking place very traditionally so all of the family was gathered.The qazi was also a little busy as I waited patiently against the white pillar.

It had been almost good fifteen minutes when the old man dressed in all white walked towards me and Bashar.

"I am sorry, I was a little busy."He looked back at the crowd before passing me a gentle smile.

"I understand.Its okay."I replied.

"Um..I am afraid that- we would have to do the Nikah in the female room because here in the rush-it would distract all of us."He stated and just then Sikander walked to us.

Telling him about the arrangement, he went in to inform his mother.As we walked to the door, Bashar nudged me in the ribs.

"God, I am so nervous."I narrowed by eyes at him.

"Excuse me, I am the groom here."He chuckled shaking his head.

The room wasn't very spacious, filled with sofas.A wooden partition remained between the room, separating the women and men.Settling down on the sofa, I blinked rapidly.

Before coming to the mosque, I had phoned ammi and she assured me and blessed me with her duas.But I felt a void in my being.I was alone and I had such a big responsibility on my shoulder.I had to make a decision for me alone.

I wish Abbo was here.

The qazi moved behind the partition and the nikah started.Some men who I knew from the mosque were glad to be the witness of our nikah.

I pinched my eyes close hearing the old man's voice echo all around the room.My ears were waiting for an answer but it never came.Aunty Shahana's voice was all I got to hear as she called out to Amal.

Sikander too cast me a glance behind walking behind the partition.I would sense the worry behind Aunty's voice, so getting up from the sofa, I looked down at Bashar.He seemed concerned too and motioned for me to go around the wooden doors.

Moving forward, I rounded the partition seeing the scene unfold before my eyes.Amal visibly looked numb.Her pale skin peeked at me from under the thin fabric of the veil that covered her half face.

Aunty Shahana looked up at me, worried.Amal was in a daze.She wasn't even listening to Aunty.All the worries of the world vanished from my mind as I kneeled before her.Qazi was in a shock as he only looked between us.

Amal eyes were filled with silent tears as they spilled down her cheeks, making me tense.Rubbing the back of my neck, I held her cold hand in mine.I was just holding her hand not even pressing or squeezing it.Aunty Shahana shook her shoulders and as if cold water was spilled on her, she came out of her nightmare.

Her glassy grey eyes met mine.

A collision that rocked my soul.

Her cold hand was shaking in my grip making me stare at her.Realization dawned on her and she broke contact with me looking up at the others.Sikander passed her water and she gulped down the cool liquid.Tensing at her state, I stood up to my feet and walked back to the sofa I previously occupied but not before seeing Aunty Shahana's palms pressed together as she silently pleaded the bride.

Bashar patted my back, making me give him a nod.

"Amal Dawood daughter of late Dawood Maqsood, do you accept Arsalan Khan son of Junaid Khan in your nikah-"

The qazi asked again and this time I did hear a very shaky 'Yes'.

After the witness sighed they came to my side and I accepted her in my nikah.

"Arsalan Khan son of late Junaid Khan, do you accept Amal Dawood daughter of late Dawood Maqsood in your nikah?"

"Yes I accept her."

Tapping my feet against the concrete, I waited for her to come out.Bashar was already gone and I waited outside the mosque besides my car.Aunty Shahana came out with her son and Amal.

Dressed in red, she looked like a rose.No doubt ammi had selected the bestest dress for her.I smiled as Aunty came to stand before me.

"It would have been great if you had dinner with us."She said looking up at me.

"In Shaa ALLAH next time.We'll be going home from here."I declined politely.She nodded giving me another smile before hugging Amal.Sikander placed his hand on Amal's head before embracing me in a brotherly hug.Aunty Shahana too patted my head lovingly.They turned around to go leaving the red beauty to stand before me.

Opening the car door for her, I moved aside.She moved so lightly that I feared if she tried to move even faster she'll break.

I smiled to no one in particular before shutting her door.Opening the back door of car, I grabbed the file from the car seat before closing the door.Casting a glance at the woman in the car, I rushed to Aunty and Sikander before informing her I'll be back in a min.

Aunty and Sikander were seated in the car I had arranged for their pick up.Handing the file to Sikander, I said,

"It was the best I could do."

A confused looked passed through his face before he rose his brows.

"The key is inside and shift as soon as possible."Saying that I turned towards my car leaving them on their own.

Once I was seated, I pressed the gas and started the journey.

A journey of us.

Amal was utterly quiet not even moving.I decided to remain quiet too.It was almost dark as I parked my car in the parking.

"We are here."I stated.She faintly nodded before getting out of the car.I tensed at her behaviour.Locking the car, I rounded the vehicle before clasping Amal hand.Neither of us were prepared for this, she gasped flinching back making me instantly regret but I didn't let her hand go.I couldn't just allow her to stroll behind me in a red dress.

Pulling her with me into the elevator, I pressed the floor 14.

He inserted the key before twisting the knob.The dark wooden door opened and he stepped in.Holding the door open for me, he allowed me to walk in.My eyes roamed around the house as I swallowed down my throat.

My eyes looking for-

-any pregnant woman waiting for me.I shook the thought away.

Everything was dark and light.

The living room walls were grey.The dark grey sofa set was lined against the wall adjacent to the windowed wall.The windows were large, almost wall sized with navy blue and black curtains contrasted well with white decorated with them.The large room had a white chest of drawers that set with the wall opposite to the windows and besides the main door.

Wooden shelves were staked with books above the sofa set.A dark coffee table and a white plush rug remained in the centre of the room.The dark wooden flooring only added to the sophisticated interior.My eyes stopped on the hallways that shined with dim lightening.

The man shifted from behind me, making me gulp.Keeping away his keys and phone he asked,

"Dinner?"

I only nodded looking down at the floor.I was hungry.The large man walked from besides me to the open kitchen area making me follow behind him.

The kitchen was no less.Everything was white and dark brown.The wooden cabinets and shining marble slabs.I folded my fingers against each other, as the man spoke.

"You can look around the house.Its yours too now."I could sense the playfulness behind his words as he worked his way in the kitchen but I decided to ignore it.

The open kitchen area was joined with a mini hall or dining area that had a table with four chairs, it lead to a hallways that was lined with doors.I opened the first door finding it filled with darkness and empty.

The twisted the knob of the door from opposite the first but found it locked.Exhaling out a breath, I walked to the end of the hallway finding the last room's door ajar.Pushing the door further, I felt my breath hitch.

The bedroom was large.The walls were dark grey.The bed was covered with midnight blue covers and duvet.A table and chair remained in one side of the room.The wall length window that gave a perfect view of London city was accompanied with grey and white silky curtains that danced against the glass window.A window seat was also present decorated with black,blue and grey cushions.

I was impressed with the whole interior.The house looked exquisite.Ofcourse it had to be.This was London's elite area.I had observed through my drive here that how the scenery changed.The place where Sikander bhai lived had no comparison with this place.

I sighed sadly missing my family already.Walking back to the hall, I heard the clink of spoons and utensils.Taking a seat at the dining table, I saw the man work skillfully around the kitchen.Stirring pots and tasting sauces, he looked different.

His eyes suddenly met mine and I immediately looked away.His gaze still burned me but I dared not look back.A white door caught my attention making me realize that it lead to the balcony.

Minutes passed before the man served dinner.When the platter of Chinese Rice and Red sauce came before my eyes I almost fainted.

How quickly had he managed to fix dinner for us?

Filling my plate with food, I ate quietly.He remained quiet too and the usual clinks of our spoons filled our silence.

Taking the last bite of my food, I saw him seated relaxed in his chair and staring at me.Feeling conscious, I wiped my mouth, but then a smirk plastered his lips as his words rang around me,

"You enjoyed the food?"

I looked down at my plate, tensing.

"Sorry, I hadn't eaten properly in a while."I stated truthfully looking up at him.Everything changed and the smirk wiped off his face.A thick ice formed around us as he looked away.I stood up taking my plate with me to the sink.Later when he went inside the room, I cleaned the kitchen, taking it as my responsibility.

My dress fitted perfectly against my figure but it had started to bite at my flesh and I wanted to change it as soon as possible.

Entering the room at the end of the hallway, I found praying.

Alhamdulillah that he prayed.Now he wouldn't have a problem with me praying like Jal-

"You suitcase is here.And the washroom is that door,you can change."The deep voice spoke freezing my thoughts.

I nodded.

He folded the prayer mat before keeping it on the table.Taking the other side, he left the windowed side of the bed for me.I hesitated in praying in front of him.

Nothing looked natural.

Nothing looked real.

I prayed when he slept and cried to ALLAH, asking for forgiveness and guidance.

I cried

And cried

Till I no longer wanted to..

***

Hope you enjoyed.. It almost took me 3 and an half hour to write it down so show me some love my commenting alot ..

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Until next Time,

_Hafsa