"You walked into the lion's den, sweetheart," he whispered, stepping closer. "And lions don't let go so easily."
He looked down at her leg, at her trembling hands, and the fear in her eyes.
"A beautiful young girl like you," he chuckled, "shouldn't...
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"What do you mean Zara's nikah is going to be held here?"
Aaliyah said, voice sharp enough to slice glass. Her eyes darted to her mother-in-law who was calmly folding a dupatta, as if this massive news wasn't a grenade in their peaceful lives.
"You know what troublemakers they are, ammijan," she continued, folding her arms tightly. "I don't expect anything good to come from that side of the family."
Shama begum sighed like a woman who'd lived ten lifetimes of drama. "Beta, sometimes... we have to open our doors even when we want to lock the whole world out."
But Aaliyah wasn't done. Oh no. Not even close.
"Do you remember my wedding?!" she snapped, eyes glinting with raw pain. "Bua was spreading lies about my past like she was being paid to ruin me! She tried to poison my haldi, ammijan. Poison. Who does that?!"
The old woman stayed quiet, letting her daughter-in-law speak. Because this wasn't just a rant-it was a wound that still bled.
"She ripped my bridal dress. She locked me in a storeroom before my nikah, hoping I'd miss the damn thing altogether," her voice cracked, softer now. "But Ershad... he chose me. Again and again. That woman almost died that day. If it wasn't for his love... I swear..."
"I understand, beta. Truly. When your father-in-law was just a factory worker, I was called names you wouldn't believe. But people like that... they never go away. They just pass their poison to the next generation."
"I just don't want this house filled with noise and hate again. Not even for a few days."
"Let's not worry right now," Ammijan smiled gently. "Tell me about your work trip."
And just like that, Aaliyah melted into her mother-in-law's arms like a child needing comfort. Her strong facade broke, revealing the fragile softness underneath.
"I missed you. And your cooking. Look at me, I've lost weight, I'm practically wasting away," she pouted, half-joking.
Ammijan tsk'd. "You do look thin. I'll make Desi ghee paratha right now."
"You're too sweet," Aaliyah whispered, eyes misty. "Thank you... for accepting me. For not judging me like the rest of the world did."
"It was never your fault," Shama (Ammijan) said, brushing Aaliyah's hair softly. "You kept this family together after Ershad left us."
But Aaliyah couldn't hold it back anymore.
Her tears fell, and with them came the memories.
The red light. The chains. The betrayal. The screams.
Her own father-her own blood-had sold her into a world darker than nightmares. All for what? Money? Power?
Aaliyah remembered the nights with no food. The times she was forced to smile, painted like a doll, paraded like a thing-not a girl.
