Hidden Alliance

Chapter 16 *The truth*

The atmosphere of the hall resembled to that of a grave yard after the screen went blank. It was as if an earthquake came and destroyed everything. Alvira was standing like a statue with her gaze still fixed on the floor. Asher was still holding her hand. The family was staring blankly on the screen. No one ever expected that Alvira and Asher would be tied up in a sacred bond like marriage. After taking a deep breath and removing his freshly formed tears, Asher spoke once again – breaking the deathly silence of the room.

"What happened aunty? Why are you not speaking now? Did you get out of words? Or are you still left with some accusations and allegations?

I agree that you were not aware of our relationship status. I agree that you were furious after you learned that she slept with me in my room after getting drunk, but for once did you think that what if there was a solid reason behind all this? For once did you think of calling her and me alone somewhere and discussing this matter privately? You could have just asked Fariha aunty and Shahab uncle to join you for the interrogation because you just addressed them only since the time you entered the hall. "

Samina had guilt in her eyes. She knew she did wrong and thus she was standing still like a culprit. Asher's voice was shaking due to anger and grief. He tried to stable his voice and continued speaking.

"Why did you only blame her aunty? You could have come here and shouted at me for letting a girl sleep in my room. Why did you not for once thought that I could have spiked her drink or drugged her and then brought her to my room to take advantage of her. Why didn't you think like this for once samina aunty? "

Samina remained silent. She didn't know what to answer Asher. Sameer was proudly smiling at his brother now for speaking for Alvira. The other family members were also provoked to think about the questions Asher raised.

"I'll tell you why Aunty. It's because Mothers don't teach their sons to respect women, instead they are taught exactly what you said a while ago;

"That since I am a boy, I don't need to worry about anything but she is a girl. Even if she was drugged and then raped, it's still her fault and she is a shame to the family "

"Why don't we tell our sons that if they ever commit a sin then they will also bring shame to the family? Why don't we ask our sons the same question we ask our daughters? Why are men always the pride of the family and women always a shame?"

After Asher paused for a minute, the hall echoed with Alvira's sobs. She finally responded to all the drama. Her eyes were flowing rivers if tears. She was not crying because she was blamed for committing a sin. These tears were flowing because of Asher's words.

The moment Asher felt her tears on his hand; he glanced at her quickly and then started speaking again. This was the perfect time to tell everyone the whole truth, including Sameer.

"Look at this girl standing beside me. Don't you see innocence and purity in her eyes?

Do you know what she did for me and my family?

Mom always loved Alvira like her own daughter. The day Alvira was born; Mom took a promise from Alvira's mom that Alvira will become her daughter in law when she grows up. We were raised together. We use to spend our whole day with each other trying to irritate the other person. We were best friends since the beginning.  Alvira's mother died when she was 10 and after her Dad died of a heart attack, Alvira came to live with us in our house because Mom and Dad were nominated as her legal guardians. After one and a half year of her Dad's death and her stay in our house, my mother was diagnosed with cancer. She was on her last stage. The doctors said that there was no treatment available in Pakistan and if we want her survival then she had to be taken to United States for the surgery.

The whole family was devastated at that time. This girl standing in front of you took the charge of the whole house. She made sure no one looses hope. After losing her family, we thought this news will break her into pieces, But she stood up- for us, for mom. She was our constant mental support.

Then two days prior to Mom's flight for USA, she asked for something strange. She called me and Alvira to her room and asked us to get married in front of her. She wanted to see us tied before she leaves for her surgery;she said it was her last wish.

This girl, she did not even think for once before saying a yes. She didn't care about her future. All she cared at that moment was about my Mom. It was not like she was dependent on us financially and that's why she agreed to sacrifice. She had her Father's money deposited in her bank account and it was enough for her to live a lavish life for decades.

Alvira was now crying bitterly. She could once again feel all the pain she felt one year ago. The rest of the family was also in tears. Asher himself had tears flowing down his cheeks. He did not stop here and once again the hall was filled with his voice.

"Alvira was always my best friend and thus I made a promise to myself of not getting involved with her in any other way. I knew she was our responsibility and I did not want the world to talk ill about her so I always made sure that I don't develop feelings for her. I was told by my friends that if we ever get married then the society will think that we must have had an affair or in other words we must have had committed a sin since we stayed under one roof. I could never imagine Alvira facing all this thus I never thought of her in that way. I guess I was wrong. I did fall in love with her but the society's pressure overtook my brain and I started believing that she is nothing more than a friend to me.

When mom asked us about our consent, I told her to ask Alvira first and if she agrees then I don't have any problem. I thought Alvira would never agree but she surprised me by saying a yes immediately.

"She did all this for my family, but you know what I did with her?

After we got married privately, Mom was taken abroad by Dad and Sameer. Alvira and I were left here alone. The same night Mom departed, I asked her to leave my house. "

Asher paused once again. Alvira was now crying badly. Minahil, Zara and Amara quickly came forward and hugged her to calm her down. The family was as motionless as they were a while ago. It was extremely hard for them to swallow so many revelations. Sameer who was proud of Asher a while ago now had Shock replaced on his face. He didn't know about this part of the story.

"Asher asked Alvira to leave the house!!!" He was unable to comprehend anything.

Asher lifted his eyes to take a glimpse of Alvira and after seeing her secure with her friends he continued.

"That night, after the family left for the Airport, Alvira came to me to make sure I was fine. It was the most terrible time of my life. She came to offer me moral support but you know what I did with her?

I blamed her for this condition of my mother. I blamed her for something she didn't even do. I told her that she was a bad omen and after taking her parent's life she is here to destroy my family with her bad luck. I told her that I hate her face and I can't even stand her for one minute. I asked her to leave my house immediately.

She was broken with my words. She was broken because the person she considered her best friend and was now her husband, insulted her and accused her of something she didn't do.

Asher then pointed towards Alvira and said.

"You know what she did? She packed her bags and left my house leaving a note that She signed the marriage papers to make sure Mom gets her treatment from Abroad and that she cannot accept me as her husband and thus she is leaving. She even mentioned that if we tried to find her then she will leave Pakistan forever. This selfless girl didn't even put the blame on me and left quietly without even asking me anything."

After telling the truth Asher was now feeling light. He finally confessed. Before anyone could have reacted they all heard Minahil's scream.

"Alvira, Alvira open your eyes love. Alvira can you hear me "

Alvira was lying lifelessly in Minahil's Arms.

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LOVE

-KAYA