Ravaged souls

I already feel suffocated

Walid's POV

"Will you marry me Zahra?" My words were clear and loud enough to silence the whole room, I was so sure of my decision that I didn't even tried to reconsider what I was saying and yes I'm aware that she will scream a big NO on my face but a part in me says it's her only, there is no Walid after Zahra, I waited for her answer while caressing her cheek and her answer was not what I was expecting but it was what I needed "Yes" It took me a perfect minute to realise that she said yes, SHE SAID YES, NO WAY SHE SAID YES, okay okay back to normal Walid back to normal. As I was celebrating internally all my hyperactive thoughts were interrupted by a loud thud, as I saw Zahra falling on ground and in the span of two seconds my hand was behind her head and she was on my lap, as I pat her cheeks "Zahra, Zahra wake up, are you okay?" I started panicking and Aiman and faria approached me "bhai let us handle this" and they placed her on bed letting her rest, the room was still filled with people and tension.

I approached Zahra's father who was devastated with all this and I saw imran and his mother crying, I've never seen imran crying, He trusted her, "Uncle? Can I have a word with you please?" His eyes were teary but then he saw in my direction and nodded in approval "Um do I have your permission to marry your daughter? I know this is not the right time to ask this but the circumstances made me helpless" I asked him with a low voice knowing it well that he will agree because of his so called 'reputation' in society.

Uncle started crying and said "Thank you so much beta for doing this, You know I am so ashamed in front of everyone because of her, thank you for saving my reputation" he hugged me and I heard someone some people talking bad about my wife-to-be, from the crowd.

"How can he marry her she just slept with some guy"

"I told y'all she wore jeans too, to impress boys"

"That's why I don't send my daughters to college or work"

"I pity that handsome guy who agreed to marry that whore"

"Huh I always told her mother not to give her so much freedom, now they are facing the consequences"

All the old aunties making comments on her character which was getting unbearable for me and that's it, I pulled my gun from my waist and pointed it on ceiling, "Attention ladies and gentlemen, the girl y'all are talking about is my wife-to-be, and I'm not someone who will entertain the comments on her, so if something happens to any of you, it's because of your own tongue, and I trust her and whatever we just witnessed is a trap, and uncle how can you not trust your own daughter? Y'all blamed her on the basis of audio, complete foolishness, as much as I remember the Islamic laws, To prove that she committed this act with Abdul Rehman, we need 4 male eye-witnesses who can describe the scene, is there anyone here who witnessed the exact scenario? No one, then no one has any rights to speak a word on her character, anyways if I heard any other words against her, I won't hesitate to shoot" as I ended my monologue and all I heard was complete silence, I appreciate my gun for this as someone slapped my arm, "bhai keep that down you just scared the shit out of everyone, I told you not to pull any stupid stuff but I swear bhai, we will talk at home about this" it was Aiman.

"SHE IS OPENING HER EYES" I heard faria screaming and I rushed towards her.....

****************
Zahra's POV

My eyes flickered open on hearing my name. Someone from the crowd now surrounding me handed me a glass of water. I felt sick, wishing I could get out of this nightmare.

I heard Father clearing his throat. "I announce my daughter's nikah next week with Walid Ahmed khan." People cheered but his face was emotionless, and didn't spare me a single glance. Tears welled up again when I felt the disappointment in his voice, the way he thinks I am the one who ruined his respect among others.

At this moment, I knew the rest of my life will go as the nawab sahab pleases.
This time reality slapped me harder than anyone else. I lost all my hopes, my dreams, my sanity after my approval for the proposal.

I am never getting my 'happily ever after'.

Why is reality so cruel?

"Not next week, it's today, here at the same place where engagement was, does anybody object to this?" Walid announced it, it was not a request it was an clear announcement which I never wished for before I could speak my father confirmed walid's words as if he was bound to obey him "As you wish, Let's get back to hall" after whatever he said everyone started moving out of my room and it was just faria, Aiman and my mother.

"Mom please I don't want to marry him, at least not right now please-" before I could complete anything she slapped me "is this what we taught you Zahra? You just played with our reputation and now you are saying that you don't want to marry him? We are not giving you choices here, you should be grateful that he is holding your hand, fix yourself it's your nikah in 30 minutes, and after your send off don't you ever show your face to us, you are dead for us" My heart shattered in millions of pieces after hearing my own mother saying this, I definitely had no choice..

*********

Exactly after 30 minutes I was sitting on the same seat where I was supposed to get engaged, someone else was sitting next to me where humza was supposed to be sitting, but he was standing in the crowd without breaking eye-contact with me and the person sitting next to me was non other than the guy I hate, I wonder what was my fault in all this?

"Do you, Zahra Hassan accept Walid Ahmed as your husband?"

I stared straight into humza's orbs, as my mind and heart struggled to give me an answer.
'Humza left you Zahra'
'but I love him'
'Walid trusted you Zahra'
'but I hate him'
my subconsciousness was in a debate but I realised I have no choice as everyone was waiting for my reply.

"I do, I do, I do..." I finally replied.

And with those words began my downhill journey in a spiralling mess.
From this moment onwards, I would be in my personal hell with my personal devil. Because where else do you expect me to be when the person I absolutely hate becomes my husband?

He was asked the same question and he replied with the same answer, I heard people cheering and everyone hugging each other, but my eyes were still stuck on humza, his face was unbothered as if he never felt anything for me, wow how everyone here changed in just span of two hours.

I looked towards Walid and he was already looking at me, his gaze was soft and his face was no more expressionless, he was smiling, this time it was me who's face was blank, I stared at him with empty eyes waiting for his next command, I'm sure he married me to make me suffer, but atleast we are even, he is a famous playboy whereas I'm carrying a tag of whore, as my dignity was crushed few hours ago. "Zahra I wa-" before he could command me his phone rang and he answered it "What do you want now Nashra?" He said to the caller who was some girl named nashra, maybe it's one of his girlfriends.

His expression changed as that girl said something on call which shocked him, he cancelled the call and rushed towards Imran bhai, whispered something to him and he... left?, he left me here? 'what did you expect from the devil who hates you?' my subconsciousness is not helping here at all, Imran bhai was upset with me too, he didn't even looked in my direction, I wish I never recieved that call, I just wish to be dead.

My father informed everyone that Walid left for some important work and they are sending me off to his home directly, it's been barely 10 minutes in this marriage and I already feel suffocated........

Well did I just introduced a new character? Oh I did well, don't forget to comment your thoughts and yes it's a DOUBLE UPDATE, we are on sad phase right now but we are starting a new new new rollercoaster from next chapter, stay tuned 💗