Arranged or love?

Chapter 23: She grows a backbone

Hi guys I'm so sorry that I haven't updated since September last year!! Aargh!!!

I started working and was also studying and had no time to update this neglected sorry. Hopefully I'll get it back on track.

I might begin editing it as I don't really like the start of the story. What are your thoughts?

Also please remember to vote, comment and recommend this story, your votes and comments are my motivation and I'm not really getting a lot lol.

What did you guys like/dislike etc., remember to let me know. Peace out!

Hope your enjoy it!!!!!!

Zubaida's POV:

Adnan and Lyba's raised voices startled me out of my Adam induced trance; the volume increasing each second as they argued about something. It wasn't normal and it had gotten my feet moving so fast I had barely realised I was downstairs.

The scene in front of me would have been comical if it wasn't for the serious tone in both their voices, both were bright red in the face and if Adam let go of Lyba I was betting she would have lunged for Adnan and clawed his face off. That was how angry she was at him. Rahim and Adam were the acting referees but were failing to calm them down; I opened my mouth to scream at them both to shut up before Adnan said something he regretted or Lyba actually ended up damaging my brother. But before I could say anything Lyba screamed "there's no way Zubaida will ever agree to marry Adam, you idiot!".

My mouth fell open; I was gobsmacked as her words replayed in my head. Marriage? To Adam? What was wrong with the men in my family? Anger coursed through my body as I glared at Adnan. "Are you mad!" I exclaimed as soon as I controlled my anger enough to speak.

All heads swivelled towards me and Lyba smirked at m dumb brother, crossing her arms satisfy that her point was made. My hands clenched and unclenched as I tried my best to resist the impulse of throwing the vase close to me at Adnan's thick head. Adnan at least had the audacity to look ashamed and Rahim glared at him whilst muttering something under his breath.

" I will only say this to you once, am I clear?" I asked bitterly, raising my eyebrow at the men stood in front of me. They looked at me as I looked at them, they waited to hear what I had to say and I braced myself for the harsh words that needed to be said.

"I am a free person, smart enough, old enough, independent enough to decide if I want to get married, who I want to marry and when I want to marry. Stop thinking you have a right to tell me who I can and can't live my life with" I told them, looking Adnan square in the eye. I was sick of being everyone's project, my life was mine; even if it was messed up. I was capable of making my own decisions.

"You're acting exactly like dad, what is the difference between the two of you? He decided who I was going to marry and tried to force me into it but you saved me. Now it's your turn, but who's going to save me from you guys?" I snapped at him. They flinched at the harshness of my tone; I closed my eyes trying to get a grasp on my anger. Taking a few deep breaths, I forced myself to calm down and talk in a rational and mature manner.

"Since when has marriage been used to solve life problems, marriage is the union of two people, their heart, mind, body and soul, don't treat it like a joke. Don't mock my current state by forcing me to marry someone who probably is better off without me, I can't handle any more pressure" I pleaded with him, my voice breaking as I fought to keep control over my emotions, knowing that if I started crying there would be no end.

"I'm sorry that my fucked up life has messed all of your lives, you guys have stopped living and enjoying your lives and have focused on me for the past few weeks and I am so grateful" I whispered as I moved towards them. I truly was grateful, they were my rocks, that had kept me alive and safe. I could never thank them enough. They were my saviours.

"I know watching me struggle and try to cope with whatever has happened in the past and recently has hurt you guys too, you shouldn't have to live with this," I told them, and stood in front of Adnan. I looked at him, he had aged so much since the last couple of weeks and it broke my heart knowing it was because he was stressed out because of me. Yet here I was yelling at them for thinking about my future, I felt like crap. The guilt was beginning to build inside of me and I had never felt like an ungrateful much until today. It was as it he could read my mind; he gave me a small smile and I moved forward and buried my face in Adnan's shoulder and wrapped my arms around his waist.

"You guys have been amazing, you made me feel loved and protected, you guys made me feel safe and wanted," I mumbled into him as I hugged him. He wrapped his arms around me, stroking my hair softly, like he used to when I was little. It was so relaxing and it still was.

I moved back, and held his hand. "But Adnan, please don't force me into marriage, or force someone to sacrifice their live to support me, I won't allow it. I'm d-d-damaged, physically, mentally and e-e-emotionally, and I can't sentence someone to a lifelong punishment for my own selfish reasons," I pleaded. My tears began to run down my face as my voice broke, my throat tightened as I uttered the words; my harsh reality. Adnan shook his head, he wasn't ready to here it; he didn't want to see me as damaged but he had to face reality. I was a mess.

I turned to Adam and gave him a watery smile. Taking a deep breath, I gathered my courage and energy and bared my heart to him. "Adam you're a great guy, and a heart of gold; actually you're the complete opposite of your brother. But I can't allow you to be forced into something you don't want," I began. There it was; a voice inside my head telling me he would never want to be with me willingly.

"If I am honest with you, then yes I like you, you've made me laugh, made me smile and when I'm with you I forget my problems. I don't know what to call these feelings but they're there," I told him, my face warming as I uttered the words. He was stunned at my confession, it was are to say everyone was; you could hear a pin drop and Lyba's gasp confirmed her shock. I ploughed on through though, not wanting to be interrupted.

"But another harsh truth is if you're with me your family will definitely hate me and maybe you. I don't want that for you; I don't want you to choose, I won't let you choose," I whispered, I searched his face as he searched mine. I could swear on all that I hold dear his eyes lit up when I told him of my feelings for him.

His eyes held so many emotions, it took my breath away; his gaze had me hypnotised, but Lyba's discreet cough had snapped me out of it. I took a step back away from his alluring presence.

"You don't need a burden in your life, and I would probably be the biggest burden of your life," I muttered as I continued taking a step back. He sucked in a harsh breath at my revelation, his face clouding with anger, he scowled and his eyebrows creased together as he made clear that he was unhappy about calling myself a burden.

I smiled at him again and turned towards the door, ready to make a hasty exit before the rapid fire family round began. I would deal with Lyba after I managed to stop my body from trembling from the electrifying confession I had made. Ladies and gentlemen welcome to the 21st century; where women are confessing their feelings out in the open.

But I was stopped by a large, warm, firm hand around my wrist. My heartbeat accelerated from normal to 100mph, and my breath hitched at the contact, I knew it was him; it was Adam who had grabbed my wrist in a gentle but firm grasp. "What the-" muttered Rehan, before being forcefully shut up, I was assuming by Lyba.

"So you get to barge in here and tell everyone your opinion but you're not prepared to listen to anyone else? Aren't you a little hypocrite?" His deep voice frayed my already fraught nerves. His words had me frowning and I turned around, facing him.

"Why am I a hypocrite?" I asked him, shocked to see that he was pissed off and he was close to losing his cool. He gave a bitter laugh and released my hand.

"She's asking why she's a hypocrite, are you for real?" he snapped as he stepped closer. I opened my mouth and then closed it just as quick, I was dumbfounded. What had I done wrong? Why was he so angry at me?

"You barge in here and have a go at your brother for making your important decisions for you, yet you have done the exact same thing!" he yelled as he raised his hands up in an exasperated manner. I flinched at his loudness, but I still didn't understand what I had done wrong!