Faurah

Chapter 12

As a pathetic low iron girly I winced thinking about how Arfan helped me to the car.

Astagfirallah. I felt so bad!

Guilt crawled under my skin when the car came to a halt. I looked over at Arfan and his face was expressionless. All of his emotions hiding behind a mask.

I looked outside of the window and saw that we were outside of my house. Relief flooded through my veins. All I wanted was my bed and a good book in my hands.

Arfan staired ahead, I could never read him and know what he's up to. Everything was a mess. His mind was a tangled web of wonders. Wonders which I'd love to pick apart and explore.

"Let's go," he broke the silence and without a word I followed his lead and got out of the car. He walked over to the passages side and held the door open while I tumbled out. He offered a hand but I refused, feeling guilt wasn't a feeling I enjoyed. He bowed his head ever so slightly out of respect which I would've missed if I blinked in that second. He walked ahead and knocked on the door.

I looked around him at the door, "it's probably open, you know. I can go inside from here but, um, thanks."

I expected him to move out of the way but he didn't budge. He did, however, lean slightly to the left to cover the little view I had of the door. I rolled my eyes and just stood behind him. A pout on my lips, feeling like a child.

No doubt he's going to 'escort' me inside and tell my parents off for letting me leave the house. Or tell my parents to chain me to my bed.

The door swings open and my mother looks bewildered. I went out to meet Riaz yet I came back with Arfan who dips his head through the doorframe and makes his way inside after saying Salam to my mum.

She looks at me with confusion but I don't know anything myself and shrug at her. We scurry inside to sit on the living room sofa, watching the stare off Arfan was having with the back of my dad's head.

He clears his throat and my dad turns from his seat at the table. His eyes squint but nevertheless he replies to Arfan's Salaam.

"How are you doing, beta? What brings you here?"

"Uncle, I'm taking your daughter's hand in marriage." Arfan's words blew me back. My eyes bulged out of my head.

My dad lets out a malicious chuckle. I've never heard him laugh like that before. He stands up to his full frame which was half a foot shorter than Arfan. "I think we've had enough marriage arrangements done with your family."

"I wasn't asking."

"I'm her wali," my father takes a step forward. He glanced at me and then back at Arfan. "Iman doesn't want anything to do with you and your brother." He retorts. "Who's to say you're not both the same?"

"I am not my brother."

The tension in the room rises. It's so thick I could cut it with a knife.

But the statement rang in my ear. Iman doesn't want anything to do with you.

He's been on my mind for the past... ages. He just doesn't leave. But no- no, my dad is right. I've had enough with Layla's brothers but a part of me sours at the thought. There's something about Arfan that's just so tempting.

My father huffs out his chest and politely asks Arfan to leave the house.

"Not without Iman."

"He's a good man." My mother interjects. "How long has Iman worked for him? He treats his employees well. Besides, who else will marry her now that Haroon can ruin her image. Our whole family can be brought down by him."

Of course my mother was concerned about image. But she wasn't wrong about his treating his employees well.

My mother looked challengingly at my father. She grabbed hold of my hand and squeezed reassuringly.

"I promise I will take good care of your daughter. I will protect her and never let any harm reach her."

My dad's demeanour falters but he tried to stay tall. "A promise isn't enough."

In no part of this conversation do I interject or am asked for my opinion but courage sparks in my stomach and makes me speak up, "I trust him," is all I say.

I see a smile appear on Arfan's lips but it disappears as quick as it came.

My dad huffs out a breath and brings his hand to his forehead deep in thought. "If you ever hurt her then I guarantee that you will not survive the following 24 hours."

Arfan agrees and shakes my father's hand as if it were a mere business deal. Tension hits the back of my head like a ton of bricks. What just happened?

I'm getting married.

I'm getting married to Arfan.