Ishq-e-Junoon

25. Hifaazat

-Haathon se koi cheen jaaye toh afsos na kar,
Taqdeer ka likha har haath se hokar wapas aata hain

☾

Dilara sat quietly in her room, lost in thought, when the door burst open. Wahida stormed in, her face twisted with disdain. "Tum abhi tak taiyaar kyun nahi hui?" she demanded, her voice sharp.

[Why aren't you ready yet?]

Before Dilara could respond, Wahida's lips curled into a sneer. "Kya tumhara bhi apni behen ki tarah bhaagne ka iraada hain?" She didn't wait for an answer. Grabbing Dilara's wrist tightly, she yanked her to her feet.

[Do you also intend to run away like your sister?]

"Sochna bhi mat, warna tumhara aur tumhari maa ka aisa haal karungi ke duniya dekhti reh jayegi. Taiyaar nahi hona? Toh mat ho, chalo aise hi!" Wahida's voice was venomous as she began dragging Dilara out of her room.

[Don't even think about it, or I will make sure that you and your mother face such a fate that the world will watch in shock. If you don't want to get ready, then don't. Let's go as you are!]

"Chachi, kya kar rahi hain aap?" Dilara panicked, her mind racing. She was already married to Wahaj. How could she stop this? Fear twisted in her stomach as Wahida pulled her down the hallway, closer to the living room.

[Chachi, what are you doing?]

In the living room, Aina was standing, arguing with Zaakir. Zareena and Ansar sat nearby. Ansar's lips curled into a smirk as his eyes landed on Dilara. Wahida pushed her into the room, and Dilara's heart began to pound. Where were Wahaj and Zayan?

"Jaldi se Qazi sahab ko bulayein," Wahida barked at Zaakir.

[Call the Qazi sahab quickly.]

"Bas aa rahe hain," Zaakir said with grim finality. "Yeh nikkah kisi bhi haalat mein hoke rahega."

[He's on the way. This marriage will take place under any circumstances.]

Suddenly, a voice boomed through the room. "Kya tamasha laga rakha hain?" Wahaj strode into the room, his expression fierce.

[What kind of drama is this?]

"Tamasha nahi, nikkah hain. Par lag toh tamasha hi raha hain", Zareena said in a bored tone.

[This isn't drama; it's a marriage. But it feels just like a drama.]

Zaakir's face twisted in anger. "Kitni dafa kaha hain tumse, inn mamlat se door raho. Ab kya isse bhi bhagane aaye ho?"

[How many times have I told you to stay away from these matters? Now have you come here to make her run away too?]

Wahaj stood tall, his voice steady. "Meri biwi kyun bhagegi bhala?"

[Why would my wife run away?]

Gasps echoed in the room. Shock rippled through everyone. Wahida's face paled, her steps faltering as she approached Wahaj. "Nahi, yeh nahi ho sakta," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Keh do ke yeh jhoot hain."

[No this cannot be, say that it is a lie.]

Wahaj's expression was unwavering. "Jhoot nahi hain, Ammi. Sach hain. Dilara meri biwi hain, mere nikkah mein hain. Aur aapko itna toh ilm hoga ke nikkah pe nikkah jayaz nahi hain."

[It's not a lie, Ammi. It's the truth. Dilara is my wife, she is married to me. And you must know that marriage upon marriage is not permissible.]

Zaakir exploded with rage. "Yeh kya kar diya tumne, ladke? Iss ladki se nikkah kar liya?"