It was destiny ✨

Chapter 11

"Faris, I want your daughter to be mine," 

Tehmina explained the entire situation to the Khans and politely asked for Haya's hand. They were visibly shocked by the sudden bomb that was dropped on them. Haya's parents adored Azlan, but the problem was the "tooti mangni". Faris was not sure how Haya would react to this. Plenty of rishtas came for Haya, but they never found that person who deserved Haya.

She was the apple of her father's eyes, and Faris wanted the perfect man for her, which Azlan was according to him.

 "Dekho Faris, I know it is too soon, especially considering how the mangni broke just 2 weeks ago, but I have always wanted Haya for him. Now that I have that chance, I don't want to let it go from my hands," 

"Khoor, we both love Azlan and want this alliance to happen but the decision is Haya's, and we won't pressure her on this. If it's a no from her, then it's a no." 

The next couple of days involved Haya's mother putting pressure on her, but when Faris found out about Haya's answer, he let Tehmina know immediately that it was a "No" from her side. Tehmina let Faris know she wanted to meet Haya one last time. Tehmina went to Haya's room to have a candid and private conversation with her. 

"Haya, could you share it with me?" 

"Share what phuppo?" 

"The reason you're not agreeing to this rishta. I'm not here to force you into anything. Forget I'm Azlan's mother or Faris's Khoor, I'm here as your friend so talk to me comfortably" 

"Phuppo, I cannot marry a guy who is someone else's, Azlan loved Zaina and I'm sure he still does,"  So what if she was getting her love, she couldn't be this selfish to herself because of her stupid heart and feelings. She was more important to her than anyone else. Sharing a small space in Azlan's heart with Zaina? No, a big no. 

"Oh my sweet child, don't you remember what I said the first day? Azlan and Zaina were engaged because they thought they were compatible with each other. I don't think there was 'love' involved... Even if there was, I would never accept her into my family again." 

Seeing that Haya was quiet, Tehmina continued "You've seen how respectful my Azlan is, right? I would've never considered this alliance if I wasn't sure that you two were perfect for one another. Please Haya, give your answer after thinking about it rationally." 

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Haya sat behind a floral wall of light pink-petalled roses, which separated the groom and bride's side, and a red veil over her head, which served no purpose other than adding a crimson hue to her vision.

"Haya Faris Khan, kiya apko Azlan Yousafzai apnei Nikkah mei qubool hain?"  The Maulvi who was now at Haya's side asked her the same question he had asked Azlan earlier. 

This was where Haya was supposed to say "Qubool hai" 3 times, but she felt as if her throat was closing in and it was difficult for her tongue to roll out those 2 words. All she could recall at that moment were Erhan's words. 

"You're getting your childhood love, Haya. Only a few people in this world are lucky enough to experience that. I don't get why you're taking too long to say yes" Haya is like an open book for the people who know her inside out. That day at the coffee shop, her eyes changed, and it was easy for Erhan to understand the genuine emotion behind that masked behavior.

"Haya"  Erhan nudged her from the side to break her out of her reverie. Haya swallowed the knot forming in the back of her throat and let out a hoarse  ''Qubool hai'' . She signed off the paper and the destiny in her hand. As of now, Haya's last name was no longer 'Faris Khan' now it's 'Azlan Yousafzai'. 'Haya Azlan Yousafzai', it pinched her heart.  

When the flower wall was put aside, Azlan was supposed to lift the red veil over Haya's head and then sit beside her on the beige, cushioned royal bench. He took two small strides, and kneeled down beside her; although he could see Haya's face with a red tint because of the veil; one thing he couldn't was her deep set of eyes. He held the hem of the veil with his sturdy fingers and lifted it up in a blink of an eye. Haya lifted her eyes as a reflex action, and what Azlan saw this time differed from the last time. It rather startled him. It was the emptiness in those glassy eyes. Those same green eyes which stole his sleep were now a well of nothingness. 

It was the exact situation Azlan was dreading: forcing this marriage on Haya. He was afraid for her, knowing the type of community she lives in. This situation was common. He wanted to back out at that moment, but the Nikah sealed the relationship between these two souls.

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By the time Rukhsati and Rasmein ended, it was past 1 am; Haya wanted to run and retire to her new room from the unknown aunties because of her drained social battery. She looked at Sana, who was sitting just beside her with droopy eyes, and that signal was enough for her to shoo all these aunties back to their houses.

Haya entered Azlan's room, to be exact: her room, and a fresh floral smell wafted through her nose. Shades of brown and beige infused the interior of the room. The dense and invigorating white shades of the petals were popping against the deep contrast of the sepia wooden floor. They had wrapped the mattress and pillows in a taupe silk bedsheet, which reflected off the light on the high ceiling.

She took off her cream-white kinari dupatta, folded it neatly, and placed it on the bed. Thankfully, she did not go to a salon to get ready and that made it easy for her to remove everything. Her own makeup skills weren't any less than professional. She grabbed out the small bottle of cleanser and a pair of lawn shalwar kurta from her luggage and dashed into the washroom. She had no energy to wait for Azlan and show off her bridal look, or to spend those shy moments with her husband, just like every bride. Even if she had some left, why should she wait for him? Wasn't he Zaina's?

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It was almost 4 am when Azlan opened the door hesitantly and tiptoed inside. The only source of light coming was from the tall antique lamp placed at the left end of the room, and that dim incandescent light was highlighting Haya's sleeping figure and facial contours, on the right.

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