His Prisoner 21+

22

Emaan was lying on the bed with her hair scattered all over it. Today is the day she feared the most; her wedding day. Her eyes were all red and swollen. She hadn't slept at all, the whole night she kept on crying and praying to God for a miracle that would prevent this marriage from happening.

Her eyes fell on the red lehenga that was hung up neatly. She closed her eyes, letting her tears flow unrestrained.

"Emaan." She quickly wiped her tears and turned toward the voice. Her mother and sister stood there, accompanied by a few other women who were probably beauticians to help her prepare. With a heavy sigh, she got out of bed and approached them.

Fatima cupped her cheeks lovingly, "Taiyaar hoke neeche aja, me aur Anum baaki ki taiyaariyaan dekhte hain." (Get ready and come downstairs, Anum and I will take care of the remaining preparations.)

With a slight nod, Emaan followed the beauticians, feeling a bit more nervous.

۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵

Emaan looked at her reflection in the mirror. They had indeed done a wonderful job on her makeup, yet she felt suffocated as if heavy layers had been placed on her face. Even her lehenga was heavy with all the embellished diamond stone embroidery, and not to mention the heavy jewelry that adorned her. But more than any of that, her heart weighed the heaviest of all. She didn't want any of this, never had. Just eighteen not long ago, and now she was sealing her life away to someone—a true devil. "Kehte hain ke shaadi ke baad Mohabbat ho hi jati hai, par aise shaks koi kaisa apna dil dedun?" ("They say that love inevitably grows after marriage, but how can I give my heart to such a person?")

The sudden door opening broke her trance, and she looked at her sister approaching her. "Let's go, it's time," Anum said gently. Blinking her tears away, Emaan quietly made her way outside with her, steeling herself for what lay ahead.

۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷۷

Soon, they arrived at the wedding venue. Her eyes widened in surprise as she realized that it was Arzal's house. With each passing second, her heart pounded harder. Emaan and her family made their way inside the huge, castle-like mansion, which itself was beautifully decorated like a bride. Some of the guards, dressed in formal uniforms, guided them through the spacious halls and corridors. They finally reached a magnificent ballroom, where the wedding ceremony was to take place. The room was filled with elegant flowers and shimmering lights. To her relief, there were only a few people present, including some close family members. She nervously clenched her lehenga as all eyes turned towards her. Anum gently supported her, helping her walk to her seat and making sure she was comfortable.

Her breath hitched when she felt someone sit beside her. She didn't have to look to know who it was. She was thankful for the netted veil that covered half of her face. Even though her face was still visible through it, the thin, transparent cloth provided her with a sense of protection from him.

A priest came forward and took a seat on a chair close to them.

"Do you, Emaan Chaudhary, take Arzal Malik to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

Gulping, she replied in a thin voice, "I do." There was no point in wasting time when she knew that nothing could be done.

"Do you, Arzal Malik, take Emaan Chaudhary to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

Silence was all that could be heard in the room. Why is he taking so long? Does he not want to marry her now? Thoughts raced through her mind as she looked at him through the veil, only to find him already staring at her with a blank face. Was this his motive? To humiliate her and her family in front of everyone? Tears brimmed in her eyes.

"I do."

She silently sighed in relief after hearing him. She didn't even realize when everyone began clapping and congratulating them. The sound of applause and cheerful voices brought her back to the present, reminding her that the ceremony was now complete.

A few hours passed like a few minutes. Emaan was feeling very tired and suffocated. She decided to go outside to get some fresh air; it's not like anyone would object since they were all busy enjoying themselves. Her "husband" had been occupied talking to some men about God knows what. She felt weird addressing him as her husband.

She quietly slipped out of the room and started walking towards the garden to get some fresh air. As she made her way, lost in her thoughts, she was suddenly grabbed and spun around, startling her.

"Are you trying to run away, princess?" His eyes were hard like steel.

"N-no, I was just- Aah!

A low scream escaped her mouth when he pulled her hair harshly. "Fucking bitch! Do you really think you can get away from me? My eyes are always on you."

"I-I..I wasn't going..a-anyw-where.."

"Shut up." He caught her hand in his, dragging her inside, and pushed her in one of the room.

He shoved a tissue box in her hands that was placed on the dresser "Me tumhe teen minute deta hun, apna huliya theek kar ke wapis ao." (I'm giving you three minutes, come back after fixing your appearance.) He slammed the door on his way out after warning her.

She didn't even do anything to warrant his anger. Is this going to be her everyday life? Emaan took a tissue from the box and gently dabbed it on her face to wipe away her tears without smudging her makeup. After calming herself with a few prayers, Emaan left the room and headed towards the ballroom. Only her family members were present there along with Arzal.

"Agayi. Kahan thi Emaan?" Fatima asked, approaching her with a smile. (Here she is. Where were you, Emaan?)

"I..I was in the washroom ami."

"Okay. Ab hamare jaane ka time hogaya hai." Her mother said to her with a teary eye. (Now it's our time to leave.)

Tears brimmed in Emaan's eyes, she quickly hugged her mother, crying her heart out.

"Bas. Chup hoja mera bacha." Fatima rubbed her back to console her. (That's it. Stop crying my child.)

"Don't leave me ami."

Arzal came forward and forcefully separated Emaan from Fatima. "Relax. Tum pareshan kar rahi ho unko." He said with a chuckle. (Relax. You're worrying them.)

Swallowing her tears, she bid goodbye to her family, feeling the weight of a heavy rock on her heart. Soon, they all left, leaving her alone with the devil.

"Uzma!" His sudden loud voice made her jump in fear.

A middle-aged woman came running into the room. "Ji saheb?"

"Take Madam to her room," he instructed the housemaid, who nodded obediently.

He pinched Emaan's chin to tilt her head towards his. "Bahir ja raha hun kuch kaam se, jald hi wapis aunga. Mera intezaar karna." With a gentle kiss on her forehead, he left the room. (I'm going out for some work, I'll be back soon. Wait for me.)

Emaan closed her eyes immediately, feeling embarrassed that he had done such a thing to her right in front of someone!