ARRANGED MARRIAGE- 1950's Love Story (COMPLETED)✔

CHAPTER 18

One month has passed, everyone moved on except Amreen and Faizaan. Losing their baby was the biggest loss for them to recover quickly. Faizaan was doing slightly better than Amreen, who was showing signs of depression. Faizaan had also send Amreen to stay with her Chacha and Chachi for one week, but she returned to him within few days as she couldn't sleep at night. Every time she did, the haunting memories comes flashing before her eyes.

Faizaan was concerned for her; his worry was that Amreen might spoil her health in all this. He has lost his child and now he doesn't want to lose his wife as well.

Fiza had started bride hunting for her son, stating Amreen is a hopeless case.

'She will either die or become mental.' She always says. But she was clever enough to not let Faizaan get a whiff of what she is planning.

Meanwhile, Farheen also got married.

'How is Amreen?' Amreen's Chacha, Afzal asked Faizaan over the phone.

'No improvement. She is the same.' Faizaan massaged his forehead with exasperation.

Afzal Chacha sighed, he then got an idea.

'Beta!'

'Yes.'

Amreen stood by the window staring out. She smiled sadly on seeing a mother carrying her one-year-old daughter. Tears filled her eyes as she imagined she too would have been carrying her daughter. She then looked sadly at her empty arms.

'Amreen!' she turned around on hearing Faizaan's voice. She rushed to him.

'I will get you water.' She said taking the briefcase from his hand. Faizaan held her hand and she looked at him.

'There is something for you.' he said

'What?' Amreen didn't sound as excited or curious as she used to be earlier. Faizaan took out a form and handed it to her

'Fill this.' He said

'What is it?' Amreen asked. Faizaan didn't say, she looked at it and her eyes widened as she read the form, it is a college admission form.

'This.... why?' she asked surprised.

'Your Chacha called, he said you had wanted to do BA. Why didn't you tell me this? We could have gotten you in college earlier. I am disappointed in you, Amreen.' Faizaan said.

Amreen lowered her head, 'I had lost hopes of studying after our marriage was fixed. I found my happiness here with you and...Afrah...' she bit her lower-lip to stop herself from crying.

Faizaan placed his palms on her shoulder, 'Koi baath nahin, there isn't much time lost, thankfully.' He said

'But Ammijan, Abbu. What will they say?' Amreen sounded fearful.

'Let them say whatever they want.' Faizaan said. Losing his baby has made him stronger and immune to things like "What will people say." He simply doesn't care anymore.

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As expected Fiza revolted with the idea of Amreen going to college, "Humare Ghar ki ladki bahr nahin jati." She had reasoned.

Faizaan stood firm by his decision to have Amreen study further. Fiza was helpless when her husband sided with Faizaan and Amreen, he stated Amreen needed a distraction.

As decided Faizaan will drop Amreen in the college also pick her up, but due to work soon Amreen used to take rickshaw back home.

Amreen didn't mind, she was content with the fact that she is getting to study further. Now, she could see her dreams of being a professor come true.

As time passed, Amreen slowly returned to normal. Faizaan was more than happy. Most of the time she spends studying also some of her time catering for her husband. Amreen was very good in multi-tasking.

During Exams, like always she used to get nervous. Faizaan was a strict teacher, he used to conduct mock exams for her and was stingy in giving marks. Amreen took it as a challenge, just like how Faizaan had intended. Faizaan was surprised with Amreen's improvement, she had a very sharp brain. Faizaan is happy that her intelligence is being used, it would have been a shame if it was wasted doing only home-chores.

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One Year later,

Amreen had returned from exam, this one was tough. She had her eyes on the question paper when she entered her house. She stopped in her track when she heard wailing sound. Her heart dropped for a second. Amreen quickly shoved the question paper into her bag and removed her Burkha veil. She hurried inside.

In the living room, Farheen is crying and beside her is Fiza who is also crying, Feroz's wife, Shazia, held on Farheen giving her a comforting hug.

Amreen's father-in-law stood in front and looked clearly displeased. Amreen wondered what happened.

'Farheen, are you fine?' Amreen asked, softly.

She looked up at her and returned to cry, this time against her mother. Shazia walked towards Amreen, 'Farheen wants divorce from her husband.' She said

Amreen's eyes widened, Divorce? Though divorce was permitted yet back then it was still alien to them. Amreen had tears in her eyes as she recollected Farheen's blushing face back when she was getting married, she looked so happy then, what happened now?

'Her in laws are torturing her for dowry. Even Aamir has sided with them. Also, did you know Aarif is Farheen's second child. Her first was a girl, they had aborted the fetus. Farheen is saying this now.' Shazia completed.

Amreen felt her pain, she could relate to Farheen's pain after all she too had lost a child. Shazia went on to explain that Aamir and his family had initially only tortured her mentally but now he had started physically abusing her and it is then Farheen decided she had had enough.

Amreen bit her lower-lip as tears made their way down her cheek. She walked towards Farheen and sat beside her. She placed her hand over her shoulder, 'Farheen, please don't cry. Sab theek ho jayega.' Amreen assured her.

'What will happen now? My poor baby. What wrong have I done to see this day.' Fiza cried hugging her daughter tightly.

Amreen side-hugged Farheen hoping she comfort her.

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'Farheen is right, she doesn't have to be in this marriage.' Faizaan was mad with rage when Amreen told him everything. He expressed his opinion at dining table at dinner. Feroz and Amreen nodded in agreement. His father shook his head, 'It is not that easy.' He said grimly

'Why not? Both her brothers are lawyers.' Faizaan argued back. Amreen held his shoulder silently asking him to lower his tone, Faizaan didn't care, he is too concerned for his sister.

'Okay, we will get divorced. Then what? Who will marry her? No one in our family has ever taken a divorce.' Fiza cried.

Faizaan shook his head, 'If no one has done it doesn't mean Farheen will suffer.' He reasoned.

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The debate went on for days, during this time Amreen would make sure she spared time to spend consoling and motivating Farheen, she also looked after Aarif, being with a child Amreen felt the happiest. She felt like she is playing with Afrah. She missed her daughter.

Fiza slowly began realizing that Amreen has a pure soul, after what ever happened she doesn't hold grudges. Fiza felt guilty.

'I am sorry, Amreen Beta. Please forgive me.' Fiza pleaded in front of Amreen, her palms joined together.

'Ammijan, why are you saying sorry? Please don't. We have to stay strong, we have to support Farheen.' Amreen said and hugged her mother-in-law. Fiza felt relieved, she hugged Amreen and promised to never upset her again, she decided to repent.