Mannat

14 | Mrs. Zayaan Zaidi

Qulsum

With me repeating 'Qubool hai' [I do ] thrice I now became Qulsum Zayaan Zaidi.

I shut my eyes firmly while hot tears streamed down my cheeks. I clutch my dress firmly when my dad whispered "I am sorry" in my ears.
Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined this day to turn out like this. A subsided sob escaped my lips as Shiza's gleaming face traversed in my mind.

Sluggishly I heave my damp eyelids and peek at the other side of garland partition through the netted veil which was covering my face. My misty-eyes clashed with his; hurt and sympathy evident in his eyes. I had to do this for my family and for Shiza. I can't let anyone taint her character with displeasing assumptions.

Zayaan peered at me for a second and mouthed 'I'm sorry' making me sniff. I slowly shake my head to and fro whilst wiping tears from back of my hand. It wasn't his mistake. None of it was.

Our eyes contact was broken when his ringtone boomed with an incoming call. In a swift motion he stood up picking up the call.

"I need to go dad" he said looking at his dad and then stormed out without sparing another glance at me.

My heart clenched, an uneasy feeling settling in. She will always remain his first choice and that was when I decided I will return Shiza her happiness.

Mom and dad didn't speak a word about my Nikkah.
I raised my hands sitting on prayer mat and prayed for her safety.

Walking down the stairs I amble towards the couch. I felt numb from within, we didn't have any news about Shiza yet and I was too scared to even think where Zayaan and I stood in this relationship.

°°

Zayaan

"Any news?" I burst the door open and walk inside.
Asad eyes narrowed at the laptop screen, "You will not like what I am about to say." He started turning the laptop towards me he pointed at the red dot beeping at some deserted place.

"Two hours ago this was the location of the tracker which was installed in Shiza's bracelet. I think they got to know about the tracker." Asad mumbled making me slap my palm on table harshly.

When I and my parents had visited Irani mansion last time, I had practically begged my mom to make Shiza and Qulsum wear the identical bracelets with trackers installed in them. They did seem suspicious and started bombarding mom with questions but somehow mom managed to make them wear it.

"Fuck, what do we do now?" I rubbed my temples. "Check the CCTV footage of the camera which is at the end of street. Inspect the details of every vehicle which has passed the street." I announce at my team and plop on chair next to Asad.

♡♡

I recline my head backwards and rub the back of my neck. My entire body was aching, I have been sitting in the same position for five hours now.

"Zayaan you should leave now. I'll be here, if I get any news I will inform you." Asad said taking his seat. I had asked him and other team member to take a break for few hours.

"I won't be able to sleep Asad. Shiza needs me, I need to find her at any cost." I zeroed my eyes at the laptop screen.

"Someone else needs you too, Zayaan." He mumbled reminding of a certain brown eyed beauty who had become an important part of my life now.

"Fuck" I curse burying my face in my palms.

Right after our Nikkah when I got a call from Asad saying the tracker had finally started to show location, I rushed out without sparing another glance at anyone.

Somewhere amidst all this I forgot that Qulsum needed me the most at that time. Her sister went missing and she got married to a guy she never thought she will. At least I knew I was getting married but she on the other hand never expected this to happen. She sacrificed her happiness for Shiza and I while I acted selfish. The least I could have done for her is give her an assurance that she did matter to me. I remember the look in her eyes and that was enough to fill my heart with agony.

Looking at my wrist watch I stood up, "Let me know if you find anything and send me this file. I will look into it later at night." I said rushing outside.

As soon as I stepped inside the Irani Mansion I was surrounded by dismal atmosphere. A terrible anguish brimmed my heart when my eyes registered the sight in front of me.

Qulsum was sleeping on one side with her body bent in fetal position; her legs drawn upwards closer to her chest. Her head bowed downwards and was resting on her mothers lap. She was clutching her scarf with both hands. Her face looked innocent just like a child.

"I am sorry I was busy with investigation that I lost the track of time." I said before they could ask me anything.

"It's okay we understand. I know your at most priority is finding Shiza but I also want to remind you that my other daughter is now related to you and I don't want her to be left alone or feel sad; not when she sacrificed her life for our sake." Neil Irani said standing up. He patted on my shoulder, "I know you will bring my Shiza back and I have faith in Allah; he will keep my daughter safe."

I gave him a nod, the guilt I felt earlier increased enormously when I saw Qulsum like this.

I slowly made my way towards her and scooched down to her level. She muttered something incoherent under her breath and shifted in her position.
"I will carry her to room." I state looking at Mrs. Irani who didn't seem to like the idea of me touching Qulsum. She had one of her hand placed on Qulsum head while the other was resting her waist.

Coming from a traditional Muslim family I know Shiza and Qulsum are raised in most Islamic way possible. A person who is non mahram [ someone who is not related by blood, by marriage or by suckling.] is not supposed to touch.

But Qulsum was my wife now and I know Mrs. Irani in fact everyone needs time to accept the fact that I am Qulsum's husband.

"Can I?" I asked her permission once more and this time she looked up at Neil Irani who gave her a nod. Sighing she removed her hands from Qulsum.

I slip one my hand around Qulsum's waist and another around her shoulder and pick her up in bridal style.

❤...