Unwanted Relations

First chapter

It was in the midst of December. With the increasing cold everyday, nights were becoming longer, darker and more lonely like every year. Although Today, it was an exception. He came home after months, happy, contend, successful, mature and being a lawyer. He was more than happy, who would not be? So happy that he forgot to thank god, to thank him for everything he has gave him. For his success, for his abilities. And that's the nature of human beings, we forgot the ones who help us in times of need. He was also a human being, he also made these mistakes. Sitting in his most beloved room, his mother's room, with her in front of him. He was smiling today, his dark brown eyes were telling everyone how happy he was. But, does happiness last long? If it does? Then till when? Well, in his case, it didn't last long. Only one sentence was enough to snatch his happiness. His life. His decisions. He was quiet for a moment, processing what he had just heard. He looked at his mother, again, this time there was no smile on his face. " What are you saying? I cannot do this. Never." He refused. His mother looked at her son, he was the one whom she believed in the most, she sat up in the bed, her pale skin, weak body was showing her illness. " I know this is very unfair to you but I'm hopeless here. She is my niece, more like my daughter. I cannot leave her alone in this mansion. She won't be able to survive without me." She stopped for a moment to regain her breath. He was silent. Listening without any words.
" If I die, she will be all alone. No one to look after her. After me your grandmother will be here only as an elder and she, she doesn't look at her without hatred. She will make her life hell." She said again. Her voice pleading. He was silent, more than a second. He looked at his mother. " don't say this. You are not going anywhere. I will not let anything happen to you. You are coming with me to the city and I will have you treated to the most renowned doctors. You will get better." He promised. He wasn't ready for the reality she painted.
" Umer." She called him. He looked at his mother.
" You know I cannot escape from this illness. I have cancer. Doctors have already lost hope. Accept it." Her words were like daggers to him. Seeing his mother, with different kinds of machine in her room to help her keep alive was the most painful experience he ever had. He tried to deny her words but he couldn't, because he also knew it was the reality. " I-I will take care of her. But I will not marry her. She is very young." Umer announced his decision.
" and from which right you will take care of her? You do not have any right to her. Do you think all these people will let you take care of her without any relation? They will not let you live peacefully nor her." Her words silenced him. He couldn't argue.
" Umer, I know she is very young, barely an adult. And that's the reason I want you to marry her. I know you can take her responsibility, you can shape her future. You are different Umer, because you are my son." She said with hope. He was quiet. He looked around the room. She sigh, her energy was low, her eyes were hopeless, there was unwillingness, helplessness, duty, selfishness in the air. " I will not force you. It is your life. I know I'm asking for a very big sacrifice but I cannot go against you. Never." She said accepting her defeat. Umer was silent, despite wearing a warm coat he felt cold. The weather was affecting him. There was silence. He again looked at her, he again looked around at the machines. He again looked at his life. " I-I'm ready. I will marry her." He said, this time he accepted defeat. She was surprised at his words. She was stuck between happiness and sadness. Happiness for that he accepted her request and sadness for being unfair to him. She smiled unknowingly, her eyes were filled with slight tears. And now, there was happiness, hope, defeat in the air. " alhamdulillah. Thank god. Umer thank you. You are...you have made me relieved now." She said with satisfaction. He couldn't say anything. He slightly smiled. He was surprised to see his mother so happy, so contend. Was this so important to her? Is that girl so important to her? Why? He questioned himself.

*....*...*...*

It was a small room, barely anything was there except a bed and a wardrobe. Although, its cleanliness was making it a little better. She was sitting on her bed, reading a book under with the help of sunlight. Her dark brown hair was looking even more beautiful as the sunlight makes them shin. She was beautiful, with a brown complexion but...her face showed her age and innocence. Suddenly, the door opened. She was startled. She quickly hide the book under the pillow. Her heart was beating faster now. " Noor?" Someone opened the door and came inside. Noor looked at who it was. And all her fear go away in a second upon seeing Mehr, her cousin and best friend. She sigh in relief and take the book out from under the pillow again. " you were reading. How many times I've told you not to read at day." Mehr scolded her, she closed the door and sat on the bed. Noor rolled her eyes at her scolding. " what is your problem. Can't I even read in fear of our hitler grandmother?" She asked playfully, Mehr quickly put her hand on Noor's mouth, silencing her. " stupid. You will get me in trouble also." Noor removed Mehr's hand. " anyways, why are you here?" She asked.
" oh yeah. Mom is calling for you." Mehr replied and Noor's face was lit up with happiness as Mehr mentioned her aunt. She stood up in hurry. " Okay I will go to her now."
Mehr looked at her. " and one more thing brother had also came today from city." Mehr mentioned. Noor stopped in her tracks, she looked at Mehr in confusion. " whose brother?"
Mehr rolled her eyes at the question. " My brother Noor or whose brother will come. Umer. He has come and he is a lawyer now Mashallah." Mehr said with proud. Noor nods as she remembered Umer, she still couldn't remember his face correctly, she only met him a few time in these 10 years. He would barely come home. " oh that's nice. Congratulations." Noor replied warmly but there was a hint of envy in her eyes. Envy from Umer? She didn't know. Mehr smiled. " okay I will go now." Noor said and left the room.