Selfish LOVE

Part 8

As Akram, Rehan, and Ahsan arrived at Dilawar Mansion, the opulence of the surroundings seemed to mock the simplicity they were accustomed to. The guard at the gate stopped them and at first refused to let them inside. After much argument and wrangling, they were let in.
The security at the mansion was increased after the incident at the reception. All three men were frisked, patted down and the guards took their phones and wallets. One of the security guards then accompanied them inside the mansion. He left them at the mansion's foyer of the with another attendant.
"This way please." The man directed them, he was dressed smartly in a white shirt and black pants, incidentally matching Ahsan.
Mehak's father and uncle were baffled and a little intimidated by all the protocol. They passed the sitting room, and through a wide corridor with numerous rooms on its side, entered a dim, rich room.
Mr. Dilawar, tall and imposing, greeted them with thinly veiled disdain.He was standing near the fireplace, smoking a pipe.

Mr. Dilawar: "What brings you here, Akram? I hope this isn't another attempt to disrupt our lives." Not bothering to ask them to come in or sit. Akram ignored his tone, and stepped inside the room, his brother following him.

Akram, maintaining composure, replied: "We're here for our daughter, Mr. Dilawar. We want to take her home, Mehak has been through enough."

Mr. Dilawar, scoffed: "She's been here for just two days and already your daughter has brought chaos into our lives. I seriously regret this marriage."
Rehan, trying to pacify him, added: "Mehak is innocent, none of this is her fault. Please, let her come home with us."

Ahsan, who was standing near the doorway spoke up. "We don't have any enemies, we are normal people, guns and conspiracies are not part of our lives."
Nawabzada Dilawar smiled at that, "Yes, we all know, how little you matter in society, no need to remind us." Then he chuckled looking at their shocked faces.
He finally decided: "Very well, take her with you. I won't stop you. Maybe it's for the best."
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Mehak couldn't believe that she was free to go, this was an impossibility, that somehow had become possible. She didn't knew what Shamsher would do, but at the moment she didn't care. She just wanted to be away from this suffocating place, and their relationship.

As the gates closed behind them, Mehak stepped into the cool night air, leaving behind the world of opulence that held more pain than joy. She looked back at the gates that had just closed on her and all she felt was the sweet sense of freedom. She knew that Nawabzada Dilwar was probably blaming her for everything that had happened. In her short time, she had accepted that for them, she would always be the enemy, they thought she had lured Shamsher and trapped him in a marriage. They will never question this, because to them people of lower classes are just greedy, back stabbing demons that deserve poverty and death. And by that logic, being upper class means that they are entitled to wealth  and privilege. So questioning is out of question, they are comfortable in their lies and Mehak didn't care enough to change their minds.

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The moment Shamsher stepped inside the mansion, he could tell something was amiss. He quickly went to his bedroom, because that's usually Mehak was, she hardly ever ventured outside. But she wasn't there, he then stormed into various rooms searching for her. Each empty space intensified his frustration. Her absence struck him like a blow. Confusion gripped him as he went to his father's study, both Farwa and Mr. Dilawar were there.

Shamsher, asked "Where is Mehak?"

Farwa, feigning innocence, replied: "She left, Shamsher. Your precious bride chose to go with her parents. They took her away."

Mr. Dilawar, adding fuel to the fire, said coldly: "It seems your charming bride preferred the comfort of her own kind. Perhaps she never belonged here."

Shamsher clenched his fists, eyes narrowing in rage.

Shamsher: "Did you ask her to leave? Mehak wouldn't leave on her own." He was sure about that.

Farwa, smirked: "Oh, we had nothing to do with it. She just realized she couldn't handle this life."
Shamsher walks away, without replying.
"Where are you going?" Dilawar saheb asks.
"To bring Mehak, back"
"She left on her own. She should have been here supporting her family, but she chose to runaway, so no need to bring her back." Nawabzada Dilawar growled.
"Mehak didn't run away, I know this. She is my wife and I won't hear a word against her."
Nawabzada Dilawar fumes as he watches Shamsher, Farwa goes after him.

Farwa: "You're being naive, Shamsher. She's not cut out for this life."
Shamsher: "That's not for you to decide. Mehak is my wife, and I won't let anyone talk down about her." He asks the guard to open the gate as he comes down the steps.
Farwa: "You're blinded by your infatuation, Shamsher. Open your eyes and see the reality." Shamsher opens the door of the car and says,
"The only reality I see is that I love her, and I'll do whatever it takes to make things right."

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After bringing her home, and making sure that she was alright physically, Mehak's parents hadn't asked her much. They didn't want her to breakdown, instead they had a very late dinner, joking snd talking as they used to around the table and then they all turned in for the night.

Mehak couldn't sleep, but she closed her eyes and breathed in the peace and quiet of her home. Nida was breathing softly, in her bed, next to her and Mehak couldn't help smiling. She was happy to be home. Comforting, familiar and loving home.

In their bedroom, Mehak's parents were discussing the situation they found themselves in.
Mr. Akram, spoke in hushed tones to his wife,
Mr. Akram: "I never wanted her to go through this."
Naheed, her worry etched on her face, replied: "Akram, we couldn't do anything.  She'll be safe here, don't worry."
Mr. Akram sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping with the weight of worry. "I know, but seeing her caught up in this mess breaks my heart. She's always been our joy, and now she's facing such challenges."

Naheed nodded, she was concerned but determined . "We'll protect her, Akram. She's our daughter, and we won't let anything harm her."
Mr. Akram, his voice tinged with frustration, added, "I just wish things were different. This marriage has brought nothing but trouble."

Naheed placed a reassuring hand on his arm. "We'll figure it out together. Mehak is strong, and we'll support her through this storm."
The sound of the doorbell interrupted their conversation, prompting both of them to exchange worried glances. Naheed hurriedly got up to answer the door, unsure of who could be visiting at such a late hour.
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Shamsher drives through the quiet streets, his mind filled with thoughts of Mehak and their tumultuous situation. The clock in his car shows almost two in the morning, but time seems irrelevant in the urgency of his mission.

As he pulls up to Mehak's place, he notices the familiar surroundings that once seemed so distant. The modest neighborhood stands in stark contrast to the opulence of Dilawar Mansion, yet it holds a sense of familiarity and comfort that he's been longing for, maybe because he knows Mehak is here.

Taking a deep breath, Shamsher steps out of the car and walks up to the door. He hesitates for a moment, wondering how Mehak will react to his unexpected arrival in the middle of the night. But his determination overrides any doubts, and he rings the doorbell, waiting anxiously for a response.