TAWAKKUL

3. Unveiling The Truth

I shot up from the bed, my anger burning through the suffocating silence between us.

Azlan looked stunned, probably unable to comprehend why I was reacting this way. He stepped forward, his hands reaching for my shoulders in a weak attempt to console me, but I pushed them away, my glare searing into him.

"Stop the drama already, Azlan!" My voice came out sharper than I intended, but I didn't care. "Why are you pretending to be so caring and empathetic? Weren't you just about to tell me that you never wanted this marriage? That it would never be what I had imagined?!"

Azlan stood frozen, his face betraying his shock.

"Tawakkul... I... I was—" he stuttered.

I let out a hollow, bitter laugh.

"I know everything, Azlan. You don't have to cover up anything anymore. Just say it outright." My voice was laced with sarcasm.

His brows furrowed. "Who told you?"

I smirked, shaking my head.

"Don't worry, it wasn't Fariha. It's just that I happened to overhear your sweet little conversation with her during the mehndi ceremony."

His face stiffened.

I still remembered it all too clearly.

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Flashback: The Mehndi Ceremony

I hadn't meant to eavesdrop. But fate had played its hand when Fariha, furious and desperate, had pulled Azlan into the very room I was in.

"How can you marry that ugly b**, Azlan?!"** she spat, her voice dripping with venom. "How?! Your mom gave me hope all these years, only to humiliate me by getting you married to some darkened piece of s*? You all cheated me!"**

Her words had stung—so cruel, so dehumanizing.

Azlan, however, remained eerily calm. "It's not up to me anymore, Fariha. I wasn't even allowed to make a decision. And let's get one thing straight—I never promised you anything. I never loved you. And I'm not interested in marrying Tawakkul either. But I can't do anything about it. And I'd rather not talk about this again."

And just like that, everything had shattered.

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I looked Azlan dead in the eyes, my voice laced with quiet rage.

"Surprised?" I tilted my head slightly. "If only Fariha had chosen a different room that night, things would've been different right now. But you know what they say—They plan, and Allah plans. And surely, Allah is the best of planners. And so, the truth found its way to me."

Azlan clenched his jaw, struggling to find words.

"It's not what you think, Tawakkul. You're assuming things based on what you heard. I'm sure you believe I'm in love with Fariha or something, but that's not the case."

I folded my arms, my patience wearing thin. "Then tell me, Azlan. Why did you marry me? Why did you drag us into a loveless marriage?"

Until now, his expression had carried a flicker of guilt. But the moment I accused him of trapping us in this marriage, something in him snapped.

His eyes darkened, his voice sharp. "I could ask you the same damn thing! Why did you marry me, Tawakkul, knowing full well I didn't want this marriage? Why didn't you come to me, ask me directly? Why didn't you call it off? Aren't you just as guilty?"

I stared at him, stunned.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" he continued, stepping closer. "Back in college, you never backed down from anything. You never needed anyone, never sought help from any guy. You were always so damn self-reliant! You did everything alone, never let anyone hold you back! You know, sometimes, I hated that about you. But at the same time, I admired you for it—because unlike other girls who chased guys for money and attention, you never did."

He let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. "So tell me, Tawakkul—why did you agree to this marriage? What happened to the proud, independent neurosurgeon I knew?"

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms.

"Should I even be surprised that you're turning this on me?" I scoffed. "You've always been like this, Azlan—never once trying to understand the person in front of you. Always convinced that your version of the truth is the only one that matters. But you know what? I don't owe you an explanation. Because I know you won't understand. And knowing you, you won't give me yours either."

His expression hardened. "I married you because I had no choice, Tawakkul!"

I took a step forward, meeting his gaze with equal intensity. "And do you think I had one?"

A heavy silence fell between us.

For the first time, Azlan looked unsettled. His eyes searched mine, as if hoping to find an answer. But I had none to give.

And when he finally turned away, I knew.

He had seen the despair in my eyes.

But instead of addressing it, he straightened his shoulders and spoke in a cold, decisive tone.

"Since you already know everything, this will make things easier. We'll set up the contract soon."

I blinked. "Contract?"

His silence confirmed it.

And in that moment, I realized—this marriage was nothing more than a transaction to him.