𝑯𝒊𝒔 𝑺𝒖𝒃𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝑩𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒆

➋ ʜɪꜱ ᴘᴀɪɴꜰᴜʟ ʟɪꜰᴇ

Arham's POV:

I woke up to the soothing sound of the Azan. Lying on my back, I closed my eyes for a moment longer, letting the peaceful voice of the muezzin wash over me. It was a comforting reminder of the calm I so desperately needed right now. After a few minutes, I pushed myself out of bed and went to perform ablution, the cold water refreshing my senses. I dressed quickly and made my way to the mosque for the Fajr prayer.

At the mosque, Fahad Bhai, Asad Bhai, Haroon, and Hassan joined me. We prayed together, After the prayer, we exchanged quiet greetings before heading back home. I went straight to my room and lay down on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. The calm I felt during the prayer was quickly replaced by the tension that had been building for days. I had come to Islamabad for my wedding, an occasion that should have filled me with excitement or at least some sense of anticipation. But instead, I felt conflicted.

I usually lived in Karachi, where I worked and had built a life for myself. My marriage to Zara, Uncle Raza's daughter, had been arranged by Fahad Bhai, and while I respected his judgment, I couldn’t shake the uncertainty I felt. Uncle Raza had been one of my father’s closest friends, and it was Abbu’s wish that I marry Zara. It was meant to honor that old friendship, to fulfill a promise made years ago. And I agreed, not out of love or desire, but out of duty. I wanted to honor my father’s wish, even if deep down, I wasn’t sure it was the right path for me.

Since meeting Zara, I've started to believe she's the right match for me. She's everything I hoped for—bold, confident, and independent. I’ve always preferred a woman who wouldn’t interfere in my life, especially after everything that happened with Ammi and Abbu. Their deaths left me feeling raw and alone, and I’ve cherished my solitude ever since. It was in a tragic plane crash that I lost them, and since that day, I’ve made it a point to keep people at a distance, afraid to let anyone too close or disrupt the walls I’ve built around myself.

But despite that, after their passing, Fahad Bhai stepped in like a rock, taking me in when I had no one else. He supported me in ways I’ll never forget, guiding me through those dark days, pushing me to grow into the man I am now. Asad Bhai, Hassan, Saba Bhabi, Haroon, and Anum—they all stood by me too, holding me up when I thought I would fall apart. I owe them everything, and their love and loyalty have been my foundation.

I’ve never been one to wear my emotions on my sleeve, but I hold them all close to my heart. I’d do anything to make them happy, and it’s for that reason I’ve agreed to this marriage without hesitation. Fahad Bhai has always wanted to see me settled, and it was also my father's wish to see me married to Uncle Raza’s daughter. So here I am, preparing to move forward with it. I’ve convinced myself that this is the right decision, that Zara will be a good partner for me. Maybe, with time, I can feel something more.

Tomorrow is the Mehndi ceremony, and I hope everything goes smoothly. It’s going to be held at Uncle Raza’s house, and then, the next day, we’ll have the Nikkah. The reception will follow the day after. I’m not one for grand celebrations, though. I prefer simplicity, and thankfully, so does Zara.

I can’t deny the anxiety stirring within me. As much as I’ve convinced myself this is right, there’s still that nagging uncertainty. But for now, I push it aside. This is what everyone wants. This is what I’ve agreed to, and I’ll see it through.

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Here's the Second Chapter of His Substitute bride I know it's a short one but I wanted to Separate both of their POV's.

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