Silent Hearts: A Marriage of Arrangements

Silent Hearts: A Marriage of Arrangements : 1

Zara and Asfandyar's marriage was arranged by their families, a union brought about by tradition rather than love. Zara, full of hope and expectations, had entered this new chapter with a willingness to embrace her role as a wife. However, Asfandyar, a man of few words and an icy demeanor, made it clear from the very first night that this was not a marriage of hearts, but merely a contract in his eyes. His cold indifference left Zara grappling with the reality that she was married to a man who had no intentions of building a life with her. Instead, they lived under the same roof, bound by a formal commitment, but separated by an emotional chasm.

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*Author's POV*

Zara sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers twisting nervously in the fabric of her wedding dress. The night had been long, filled with rituals, laughter, and blessings from family and friends. Yet here, in the silence of their bedroom, the reality of what her life was to become began to settle in.

Asfandyar entered the room with a measured step, his expression as unreadable as ever. His tall, imposing figure cast a shadow over the dimly lit room. He stood by the window, his back to her, as if the weight of the night was something he was eager to escape.

Zara's heart raced, the silence between them thick with anticipation. She had heard stories of awkwardness between newlyweds, the initial shyness that would soon give way to understanding and affection. But Asfandyar's presence carried none of the warmth she had hoped for.

Without turning to face her, Asfandyar finally spoke, his voice cold and detached. "I think we should set some things straight," he said, his tone devoid of emotion.

Zara's breath caught in her throat. She had expected this night to be different, perhaps the beginning of a new bond, but the distance in his voice felt like a slap.

"This marriage..." he continued, turning slightly to glance at her, "it's just a contract to me. Nothing more."

His words hung in the air, heavy and final. Zara blinked, struggling to process what he was saying. "What do you mean?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Asfandyar finally turned to face her fully, his dark eyes meeting hers without a trace of warmth. "We did this for our families, not for us. I don't expect anything from you, and you should expect nothing from me. We'll play our roles in front of everyone, but beyond that, this is just an arrangement. There is no room for emotions here."

Zara felt her heart sink, a wave of coldness washing over her. She had entered this marriage with hope, despite the formalities of the arrangement. She had believed that, in time, they could grow to care for each other, to build a life together. But Asfandyar's words left no room for such dreams.

She swallowed hard, trying to keep her voice steady. "So, that's it? We just live together for appearances?"

Asfandyar nodded, his expression unchanging. "Exactly. You don't need to worry about anything else. I won't interfere in your life, and I expect the same from you."

Zara lowered her gaze, her chest tight with the weight of his words. She had always been strong, but the coldness in his voice chipped away at the walls she had built around her heart. She had married a stranger, but even strangers could become something more. Not with Asfandyar, though. He had drawn a line between them, and it seemed he had no intention of ever crossing it.

In that moment, Zara realized that her marriage to Asfandyar was not the beginning of a partnership, but the start of a long, lonely road. And though she would play her part in front of the world, behind closed doors, they were nothing more than two people living separate lives.

As Asfandyar turned away again, retreating into his own world, Zara fought to keep her tears at bay. This was not the life she had imagined, but it was the one she had now. And she would have to find a way to live with it.

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~Author_nooriii