Their Arranged Love (18+)

10.

The moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across Harleen's room. It was 10 PM, and Harleen lay in bed, her mind restless. She had agreed to marry Mahbir, a man she barely knew, but who had already stirred something in her heart. She picked up her phone, hesitating for a moment before deciding to call him. She assumed he must be asleep by now, but her fingers dialed his number almost involuntarily.

As the phone rang, she felt a rush of anxiety. What would she say? How would he react? Before she could second-guess herself, Mahbir answered.

"Hello? Kon?" Mahbir spoke with a groggy and hard voice

(Hello?Who is there?)

Harleen's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected him to answer.

"Mahbir?" She spoke

Mahbir's heart danced with happiness as he heard her voice

"Sorry,je mai thanu utha ditta.Mai socheya hi sutte hovoge" She spoke punching her head

(Sorry if I woke you up.I thought you must be sleeping)

Mahbir, who had been looking at a picture of Harleen on his phone like a lovesick teenager, smiled at the sound of her voice.

"Naa naa koyi chakkr ni,mai jagda c hle" He smiled

(No no it's fine,I wasn't sleeping btw)

Harleen took a deep breath, feeling her nerves settle at the gentleness in his tone.

"Accha thik,mai bss gal krna chaundi hi thade nal.Eh sabb kuj nwa mre lyi"

(Okay,I just... I don't know. I guess I wanted to talk to you. This whole thing is so new to me.)

Mahbir's heart warmed at her honesty. He had been thinking about her non-stop since their engagement was decided.

"Hanji hanji,vaise v apne doha lyi ikk duje nu janan'na zruri a pehla" Mahbir smiled

(Yes,moreover we both need to know a lot about each other)

There was a comforting silence as they both took in the moment. Harleen felt a sense of relief knowing he was just as invested in making this relationship work as she was.

"Accha tuc mnu apne baare kuj hor das skde mtlb thonu ki ki psnd a,thode goals kuj eve" Mahbir continued

Harleen smiled.They talked for 3 hours and then slept

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Harleen woke up with a renewed sense of optimism. She got ready for the day, her mind still replaying the conversation with Mahbir. As she made her way downstairs, she noticed something unusual at the doorway.

She frowned as there was no one present in the house.Harsifat and Jaskaran went to their aunt's house whereas others are in the garden spending their family time.

Harleen went to check out the parcel.A small box and a letter were placed neatly on the doorstep. Harleen's curiosity was piqued as she picked up the items and brought them inside. She opened the letter first, recognizing the handwriting immediately. It was from her ex, a man she had hoped never to hear from again.

Letter: "Harleen mai vapis a gya va.Tenu ki lga tenu aini chetti shdd du mai? Kde v nhi.Tenu reminder ditta bas hle mai"

(Harleen, I'm back. Did you think you could move on so easily? I won't let that happen. Here's a little reminder of what we had.)

A ;)

Harleen felt a shiver run down her spine as she set the letter aside and opened the box. Inside was a doll, its white dress soaked in what looked like blood. The sight of it made her stomach turn, and she stumbled back, her hand covering her mouth as nausea overtook her.

Noor and Amber, who had come over for their usual morning visit, found Harleen standing in the living room, pale and shaken. The box lay open on the coffee table.

"Harleen,Ki hoeya?" Amber asked concerning

(Harleen,what happened?)

"Haye rabba,aah ki a?" Noor spoke noticing the box

(Oh my god,what is this?)

Harleen couldn't speak. She just pointed to the box, tears welling up in her eyes. Noor and Amber exchanged worried glances before approaching the box. Noor gasped, and Amber's face hardened with anger.

"Kinne bhejeya eh?" Noor asked softly

(Who sent this?)

They lead her to her room.

"Pkka tere oh psycho ex ne bhejeya hona.Hnu Mahbir nu dsna chahida es baare" Amber said furiously

(This has to be from that psycho ex of yours. We need to call Mahbir. He needs to know about this.)

Harleen shook her head vehemently, tears spilling over.

 "Nahi,mai ohnu eh sabb ch ghaseetna ni chaundi.Koyi lod ni ohnu dssn di"
(No. I can't drag him into this. He doesn't need to know.)

Noor and Amber weren't convinced. They knew how dangerous Harleen's ex could be and didn't want her to face this alone.

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After few days

Noor and Amber sat with Harleen, their expressions serious. They had spent the morning trying to convince her to tell Mahbir about her ex, but she remained adamant in her refusal.

No one was at home except them.

"Harleen,eh koyi chotti cheez ni a jedi tu kehni aap handle karni,Mahbir nu pta hona chahida ki chalda" Noor told frustrated

(Harleen, this isn't something you can handle on your own. Mahbir needs to know what's going on.)

"Tera mangetar aa oh.Ohda haqq bnda puura tn jo tenu bcha ske oh" Amber pleaded

(He's your fiancé. He has a right to know, and he can help protect you.)

Harleen shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes.

Noor and Amber exchanged a worried glance, but before they could say more, the sound of gunshots shattered the air. The living room windows exploded, sending glass flying. The three women screamed and ducked for cover.

Harleen's heart raced as she crouched behind the couch, her breathing erratic. The sound of gunfire echoed in her ears, and she felt a surge of panic. She struggled to breathe, her vision blurring.

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