Once I reached the premises of my room I took a deep breath trying to think. Is she freaking serious? It hasn't even been even two weeks into this marriage and she's already keen on me giving her a grandchild. What the hell!

I tried to calm down and think positive. There's no way they can force me into this. After everything now that I've been through, there's no way I would let this happen.

I'm pretty sure neither is Haider interested in this as well. Based on his reaction he didn't seem to be happy about it either.

I stayed in my room for five minutes until I heard someone knock on my door. "Who is it?" I asked, getting up to check. "It's me, Haider," he said on the other side.

I have to tell him that whatever his mother was talking about can't happen and I won't let it happen. I walked up to the door and opened it. He walked in right away, without even asking.

He walked around my room examining it for a few minutes saying nothing and then walked towards my bed sitting on the edge. I stared at him distraughtly waiting for him to say something.

"Are you not going to say anything?" I asked furiously. I stood there by the door still, closing it and then facing him waiting for a reply but he stayed silent.

"What? There is nothing wrong in what my mother said, after all it's your rightful duty" he blankly stated.

"What right are you talking about, huh? You told me the day after our wedding night that you don't consider this whole relationship as a marriage at all, that we aren't a normal married couple then how the hell is it my duty" I said, raising my voice a little.

"More importantly you said that there won't be any sort of expectations and we'd only be bound by a Nikha (marriage certificate)" I murmured.

He got up standing in front of me, grabbing me by my upper arm, pushing me up against his hard chest as he stared right into my eyes and gritted "expectations, huh? I think you didn't get my full point when I stated that."

"I told you to not have any expectations from me, only. You still need to fulfill your duties" he spoke angrily as I tried to push him away.

The close proximity was making me more nervous and scared, but I didn't want to give up this time. I won't let him affect me that easily.

"Why are you doing this? You know I didn't want this, then why?..... you asked me on our wedding night why I married you right?" I asked looking back at his eyes as my eyes became glossy and I tried to hold back my tears.

"The day Abu told me about you, I completely declined. I was waiting for the right moment, I wanted to let him know that I wasn't happy about all of this but instead he requested me to agree. For the first time in his life he had asked something from me so I had no choice Haider as I didn't want Abu to be disappointed in me" I sobbed.

"The only reason I agreed was because Abu had told me that you and your family will let me complete my further studies after marriage as that was more important to me, more than anything else. Now your mother and you talking about kids all of a sudden is not helping at all, it's making everything more complicated for me" I spoke harshly.

"You should be thankful that my father gave you permission for your education because if it was in my hands I would let you rot in hell for the rest of your life. Cultured girls like you can only be good housewives, some good quick fucks, and that's all" he hissed.

"Now get a grip of yourself and be ready to please your husband tonight, you can think of it as our wedding night. I want to fulfill my mothers wish. So be a good wife or else you won't like the outcome, oblige to my commands'' he instructed, rubbing my left cheek with his right arm giving my right upper arm a hard squeeze.

I wheezed from the pain he caused my arm as more tears streamed down my face. I tried as much as I could to hold back my tears but I couldn't.

"I'll be flying to Chicago tomorrow, if that makes you happy not seeing me after our fuck session then" he said sarcastically as if that would make anything easier for me but I payed no heed, I didn't want him changing the topic; I needed to sort this out.

If he thinks that he could use this card on me by stating that I need to fulfill my duties as a wife then he's dreaming. There's not a chance I would let him ruin my life any further. I won't be scared anymore.

"I won't. I won't listen to you, Do whatever you want but I won't listen to this damn order of yours, and if you dare to even hurt me I'll call up my brothers right now and tell them everything" I threaten pushing him away from me.

I headed towards the door but before I could reach the doorknob he grabbed me by my upper arm again harshly, throwing me onto my bed facing down.

He stood at the edge of my bed grabbing my left ankle. He raised his hand ready to strike at me but suddenly stopped midway because of the knock on my door.

"Zara?" Called Armaan bhai. He quickly got off me, placing a finger on his lips, indicating that I better not say a word. I quickly got up tidying myself making sure he doesn't see me in this messed up state.

Haider walked to the door, opening it for him. Armaan bhai stood in the doorway as Haider walked out without saying a word. He walked in my room with a confused look upon seeing Haider with a tense look on his face.

"Zara, gaulle (flower) are you alright?" Asked Armaan bhai in his concerned voice. "Is everything alright?" He asked again.

"Jee bhai (yes), everything's fine" I said, turning my back towards him sitting at the edge of my bed.

Should I stay here tonight? I don't want to go back to his house after what he just said. I should ask Ami and Abu if I could stay here since he'll be flying to Chicago.

What if Abu says no, then I won't have any choice but to leave with him. Like usual he would give me a whole lecture on how I need to learn to live where my husband resides. That I'm married and have to care for my husband, like seriously?

I mean this is the type of shit that mothers would say to their daughter, I'm not saying that Ami doesn't hurt my head with these already but I didn't expect them from Abu. I mean it still doesn't hurt to ask though I thought.

"Zara, kya soch rahi ho? (What are you thinking about?)" Armaan bhai asked, sitting beside me. Then I got the perfect idea, why not get Armaan bhai to make them agree. If he agrees I'm pretty sure Abu won't be able to decline.

"Bhai, I was thinking..I mean ... c-can I stay here f-for a few days? ....I mean Haider will be leaving for Chicago and I was wondering if I just stay here until he's back, I'll get really bored plus I miss you guys so much please" I wined, hoping that he would agree.

"Yeah, why not. No need to ask, this still is your home" he said smiling putting his left arm around my neck hugging me front the side.

"You think Abu will agree?" I asked him, raising my eyebrows at him. Sporting a smile on his face he exclaimed "why wouldn't he? He's leaving in three days for Pakistan anyways and if he still doesn't agree I'll make him."

I gave him a bone crushing hug thanking him over and over again. We soon retrieved back to the family room as uncle and aunty were getting ready to leave along with Haider.

Before Haider instructed me to follow him, Armaan bhai interrupted, informing them that I'll be staying here since Haither will be leaving for his trip.

Obviously Nazri aunty had to butt in and ask why I wasn't going home with her son, as well as Abu and Feroze bhai.

I wasn't paying attention to what all of them were saying because my main focus was on haider. He stared at me with his scrutinizing gaze knowing exactly why I wanted to stay as he clenched his jaw tight.

He probably thought that I'll give up so easily submitting to him and his demands but there's no way in hell I will. I won't let him ruin my dreams I thought as I walked back to my room.

I didn't care what my family thought at this point and just hoped that Armaan bhai would handle everything after me.

My first semester of nursing school will be starting less than a week, I should be preparing myself for that instead of having to worry about all of this.

Nursing school has started for me, as of today it's my second week. I'm already stressed out with so much work.

My professor already assigned so much just in that first week. I have finish up reading on some chapters as well as three case studies. Thank god I already did the two worksheets that one of my other professors assigned.

I'm happy that I got settled really well for the first two weeks of my semester. Now I just hope that it goes by as smoothly as possible, I don't want any obstacles in the way.

That thought reminded me of Haider right away as he is one I thought. He'll be back from Chicago today and I am not ready to go back with him.

That day when he, uncle and aunty left Abu shouted at me for why I didn't leave with him, but thank god Armaan bhai was there to save me from another scolding.

He explained to him why I wanted to stay and that too for so long. Abu wasn't too happy about it but stayed quiet after Armaan bhai convinced him to let me stay.

These two weeks have to be the best days of my life honestly. Although I was super stressed about the shit going on in my personal life and nursing school, it would all disappear once I'd sneak out with my brother's for a little adventure or talk with my friends.

I was able to meet Noor a couple of times during my stay here without any problems. We got to spend quite some time hanging out but without Kate.

For some reason she had to fly out of state urgently right after my reception day because of a family emergency.

She didn't really explain to us what actually happened other than the fact that it was regarding her father and that she'll be back in a month or so.

I hope everything's alright with her and her family. I mean like seriously this girl has been getting on my nerves with her devious behavior.

She thinks she's sly. I smirked to myself. I know she's up to something, I'd just have to find out. She's been acting really sus.

Noor and I would call her sometime's and she would straight up decline our calls, like that's so unusual of her.

If it had something to do with her family she would've been told us but I doubt it is. Not that I know too much about her family as she says that she doesn't want to speak about them because of their healthy relationship.

I hope everything's alright with her father though, which makes it more odd to me because if I remember correctly she doesn't even get along with her father.

"This girl is seriously getting on my nerves now" I muttered to myself. I tried to relax back in my seat as hamdan bhai drove; unknown of our destination for a new adventure.

Having this little bit of freedom had brought some fun into my life I thought. Everyday after university Hamadan and Azaan bhai would pick me up from school and we'd go on a little stroll around Long Island.

We'd explore new places and enjoy different cuisine from around the world. Yesterday we went to a hidden garden, which was full of various varieties of flowers.

It was breathtaking and beautiful. Later on that day we went to a Mexican restaurant trying out all the different foods I dreamed of trying one day. Sure enough that wish came true.

We ended up having to leave quickly because I got a call from Haider saying that he's coming to pick me up and that I'd better be ready on time.

At first I was a bit surprised by him calling me, but as soon as he muttered what he had to say ruined my mood. Now on my way back home my mind was occupied with all sorts of scenarios.

Once I'm back with him, I wonder what he'll do. I know the day I announced that I wanted to stay back with my family he did not seem too pleased with my decision.

For now I can just pray to Allah that he doesn't go too far like last time. I just hope he understands my feelings as well as try to acknowledge my choices I thought.

Once we reached back home, I quickly got out of the car walking up the front steps to ring the bell on our main door.

As I waited for Ami or Alizey bhabi to open the door, I turned my head back just in time to see Haider driving up our pavement. Stepping out of his car he walked upon greeting us.

"Assalam alaikum" he greeted, shaking hands with Hamadan and Azaan bhai. I turned my attention back to the door as Ami greeted us and invited him in.

He informed me that he doesn't have enough time to waste here as he needs to get back to work so I'd have to hurry.

I quickly grabbed all my belongings and essentials, placed it in a bag, and got ready. I seriously did not want to leave but I had no choice.

Seems like I have lived through this hell for now until I'm able to fight by myself somehow. I know there is no other way but I know that this is a test from Allah, after all he is the best of planners for us.

I'll just have to make sure he doesn't come anywhere near me and just focus on my studies. Even if I have to fight, I will.

If he wanted to have kids that badly then maybe he shouldn't have married me for that then cause it would never happen; at least not until I have my full education and able to stand on my own two feet.

"Zara, Haider's waiting. Come on, he's in a hurry" bhabi snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Jee bhabi, main aa rahi hoon (yes, I'm coming)" I said, grabbing my bag to head down. Saying my goodbyes to everyone and leaving as a Haider let the way.

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