Anaa - a tale of ego and love

Chapter 15

Altamash's POV:

Kabir finally found his voice, but it came out as a furious roar. "You can't be serious!" His hands balled into fists, trembling with rage. "Izza and I—"

"Are nothing," Altamash cut him off, his voice cold as steel. "A man who doesn't even fight for the woman he is supposed to marry doesn't deserve her."

Kabir's face twisted with fury, veins pulsing in his temples. He took a threatening step forward, his voice rising in anger. "You think you can just come in here and rip her away from me? She is promised to me!"

"Not by her choice!" Altamash snapped, his voice rising to match Kabir's.

Before Kabir could lunge at Altamash, his mother stepped in, her voice dripping with venom. "You think you can just walk in here and take whatever you want?" she spat. "You think your money and power can get you everything?"

Altamash glanced down at her, unfazed, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. The woman had been getting on his nerves all evening. He was in no mood to show her any respect. "Money and power? That's too easy." He paused, tapping his chin as if in mock contemplation. "But you know what? Sometimes, charm works wonders." He flashed a grin, but the threat behind his words was unmistakable. Much to Altamash's satisfaction, Kabir's mother turned red with fury.

The tension in the backyard was palpable. Izza stood frozen between them all, her face pale. Altamash silently wished she would tell Kabir to go to hell, but she seemed too unravelled to say a word.

Izza's father stepped forward, his face still flushed with anger. "This is my daughter's life! You can't just decide—"

Altamash, cool and unbothered, turned to the older man. "Sir, trust me. Your daughter doesn't want to marry Kabir."

Izza's mother, Nazia, gasped again, stepping forward in disbelief. "You need to leave!" she exclaimed, her voice shaking. "Her Nikkah to Kabir is in six days!"

Altamash turned to her, his voice calm but resolute. "With all due respect, auntie, this engagement won't happen. Not as long as I'm here."

Azham, clearly fed up with Altamash's antics, growled, "This isn't a movie or some TV show. You can't just barge in here and demand my daughter's hand. Have you lost your mind?!"

Altamash's expression remained cold and unaffected. Internally, he thought, You'd be surprised what I can do when I set my mind to it, uncle. He didn't say it out loud, not wanting to provoke the older man further.

Izza snapped out of her trance, her face flushed with fury. "Stop creating a scene, please," she hissed, her voice low but sharp.

Just then, Kabir's mother, her tone dripping with venom, made a snide remark from the shadows. "It's no wonder she has so many men after her—acting like a proper little sl—"

Altamash's gaze snapped to Kabir's mother, stopping her mid-sentence. "Watch your mouth, lady," he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Izza has only one suitor. And that's me."

Kabir's fists clenched, his frustration boiling over. "Shut up! Don't you dare use that tone with my mother!"

Altamash raised an amused eyebrow, his voice steeped in mockery. "Oh, now your ghairat kicks in? How convenient." He tilted his head, giving Kabir a pitying look. "You didn't say a word when your mother insulted your so-called fiancée. You didn't even try to stop me when I dragged her outside in front of everyone. A man who stands by like a statue..." He paused, "Are you the decoration for this engagement, or the groom?"