Chapter 34: 30. Run away bride

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I stood in the garden, my arms wrapped around myself as I tried to control the storm raging inside me. The cool night breeze brushed against my skin, but it did nothing to numb the burning betrayal, anger, and hurt  twisting in my chest.

I had given my trust. My heart. My life.

And Zeeshan had played with it like it meant nothing.

A lump rose in my throat, but I refused to let the tears fall. I had already wasted enough emotions on him.

The sound of footsteps snapped me back to reality. Mahira and Hala Zeeshan's Sister and sister in law.

I quickly wiped my tears, straightening my posture as they approached. I wouldn't let anyone see my weakness.

They won't see me broken.

Hala stepped forward first, offering me a water bottle. "Noor, please... drink some water. You need to calm down."

I looked at her and smacked it to the ground, the plastic bottle bouncing against the dirt.

Her eyes widened in shock.

"I don't need anything from this house." My voice was sharp, cutting through the night air. "For all I know, you two could be part of this disgusting plan too."

Hala gasped. "Noor! You really think we—"

"I don't know who to trust anymore." My hands curled into fists. "But one thing is clear—I will never forgive any of you."

"Noor, I know this is hard," Hala tried again, her voice laced with sympathy. "But believe me, we had no idea about Zeeshan's intentions. We—"

"I don't want to hear it." My patience snapped. I glared at her, feeling the sting of betrayal all over again. "You think it makes a difference now? You think your words will undo what's been done?"

Mahira finally stepped forward, her expression filled with guilt. "Noor, this is all my fault. I should've seen it coming. I should've stopped Zeeshan I didn't knew he would do something like this."

I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head. Too late. Too damn late.

"Don't apologize, Mahira, I know what my brother did. He was wrong to leave you on the wedding day but what's my fault in this? Why am I suffering? " I said, my voice quieter but just as sharp. " but I'm not weak. I won't cry over this."

I took a step closer, my voice dropping as I met her gaze.

"But do you know who will?"

Mahira froze.

I tilted my head slightly, my lips curling into a smirk.

"Your brother."

A flicker of nervousness crossed Mahira's face. Hala shifted uneasily beside her. They both knew I wasn't bluffing.

"I'll make sure Zeeshan regrets ever messing with me," I continued, my voice like steel. "He wanted revenge? Fine. But now, it's my turn."

Mahira inhaled sharply. "Noor—"

"No." I cut her off. "I trusted him. I believed in him. And what did he do? He humiliated me. He lied. He used me for his own selfish game." My voice cracked slightly, but I swallowed the lump in my throat and continued.

"I was nothing more than a pawn to him. But now?" I exhaled slowly, my eyes burning with determination. "Now, he'll understand what it feels like to lose."

A tense silence settled between us.

After a moment, Mahira hesitantly spoke. "Alright for now You should rest, Noor. Please, at least talk to Zeeshan once. Maybe he—"

I scoffed. "Talk? To him? Why? So he can spin more lies? So he can manipulate me again?" I shook my head. "No. I'm done listening to him."

Hala sighed. "But Noor—"

I lifted a hand, stopping her. Then, I took a deep breath, pretending to reconsider.

In reality, my decision had already been made.

"Atleast rest in the room for a while" Hala offered,   I forced a small, unreadable smile.

"Fine. I'll come."

Both girls looked at me in surprise.

only because I have my own plans.

And with that, I let them guide me toward Zeeshan's room—knowing full well that after tonight, everything would change.

I stepped into the room, and my breath caught in my throat.

Flowers. Candles. Rose petals.

The bed was decorated like this was some fairytale wedding night—a celebration of love, trust, and new beginnings.

What a joke.

A bitter laugh almost escaped my lips, but all I could feel was the sharp sting of betrayal slicing through me like a blade.

How dare he?

My hands clenched into fists, my nails digging into my palms. Did he really think this could make up for what he had done? That a few flowers and dim lights would erase the fact that he had tricked me, used me, ruined me?

I shook my head, my vision blurring with unshed tears. I wouldn't cry. Not for him. Not for anyone.

Then, without thinking—without caring—I let the storm inside me take over.

I lunged forward, grabbing the floral garlands and tearing them down, ripping them apart with the same force I wished I could use on Zeeshan's heart.

The soft scent of roses filled the air as petals scattered to the ground, but all I could smell was the stench of betrayal.

I turned to the bedside table, my chest heaving. The expensive scented candles, the delicate decorations—all of it sickened me.

With one furious sweep of my arm, I sent everything crashing to the floor.

The sharp sound of breaking glass echoed in the silence.

I didn't stop. I couldn't stop.

I grabbed my heavy earrings and tore them off, the sharp sting barely registering. My bangles? Gone. I ripped them off my wrists, watching as they shattered into tiny pieces.

I was done. Done pretending. Done being helpless.

My gaze flickered to the mirror.

And what I saw made my stomach twist.

A bride.

Draped in an extravagant outfit, glittering in heavy jewelry, dressed like she belonged in a love story. But her eyes told a different tale.

Pain. Humiliation. Anger.

I didn't recognize myself.

This wasn't me.

A shaky breath left my lips as I pressed my fingers against my temples.

I have to run away. Anyhow.

I couldn't stay here, in this room that felt like a prison, in this house that held nothing but deceit.

I looked toward the balcony. My pulse quickened.

It wasn't too high. If I could climb down without anyone seeing me... I could disappear.

My mind was racing.

Where would I go? How far could I get before they found me? Would I ever be free from him?

But before I could move, before I could take that first step toward escaping this nightmare—

The door handle twisted.

My heart stopped.

I turned around just as the door creaked open.

And there he was.

Zeeshan.

His eyes swept across the room, taking in the destruction. The broken jewelry. The torn flowers. The mess I had made.

The mess he had made of me.

And then, his gaze landed on me.

For a moment, we just stood there—two people who had once shared something, now standing on opposite sides of a battlefield.

I saw it. The guilt in his eyes. The regret. The hesitation.

Too late.

"Noor—" he started, his voice careful, cautious. As if he knew I was seconds away from running.

As if he knew I would never be the same again.

He took a step toward me.

Before he could reach me—before he could utter another word—before he could touch me-

I slapped him.

Hard.

The sharp sound echoed through the room.

His head snapped to the side, his cheek reddening from the impact.

But he didn't move.

He didn't even try to stop me.

Good.

For the first time since this nightmare began, I felt a flicker of satisfaction.

My hand was still trembling, but my voice? Steady. Cold. Unforgiving.

"Mujhe haath lagane ka socha bhi mat, samjhe?"

Slowly, he lifted his gaze, and for the first time, I saw something crack in his expression.

I didn't care.

Not anymore.

"Tumhein lagta hai ke tum meri zindagi barbaad karoge aur phir aisa zahir kar karoge jaise tumhein afsos hai?" I scoffed, stepping back as though even his presence disgusted me. "You think an apology will fix this?"

(You think you can ruin my life and then act like you regret it)

"Noor, please—" His voice was lower now, almost pleading.

I held up a hand, stopping him

.

"Don't. Just don't."

He exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over his face.

"I know I hurt you—"

"You destroyed me."

My voice trembled, but not from weakness

.

From rage. From defiance. From the storm he had unleashed within me.

"You tricked me. Used me like I was nothing more than a tool in your twisted revenge."

A bitter laugh escaped my lips as I shook my head. "And now you want to act remorseful?"

His jaw clenched. His hands curled into fists at his sides.

He knew I was right.

I took another step back, my lips curling into a smirk that held no amusement.

"Mein tumhe kabhi maaf nai karungi Zeeshan." I saw his body tense at my words, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed hard.

(I will never forgive you)

But I didn't wait for a reaction.

I turned and ran.

Straight to the balcony.

I heard him move behind me, panic in his voice.

"Noor—!"

I didn't stop.

I climbed onto the railing, the cold night air biting at my skin, I could feel the sharpness of the wind against my face, a tangible reminder of the freedom that lay just below, far away from the suffocating cage I had been trapped in for so long.

My heart pounded, not out of fear, but exhilaration. For the first time in so long, I felt alive.

I heard his footsteps—louder now, frantic, as he rushed toward me.

"Noor! Yeh kya karahi ho, meri galti ki itni badi saza mat do?!" His voice was thick with panic.

But I didn't turn back. I didn't even flinch. Freedom. That was all that mattered now.

Just as I was about to step off the edge, I felt his hands wrap around my waist, pulling me back with a force that jolted me.

And we both fell on the floor , me on the top of him, I stared at him, my eyes which used to have love for him now change to hatred, and hurt.

And his eyes held the same love, but filled with regret, I could feel his heart beat, He raised his hand to touch my cheek, and I realised that I was feeling weak by my feelings.

So I got up and pushed him, and got up, turned again to jump, but he held my both arms, and turned me to him.

"Have you gone mad? Pagal hogayi ho?" Zeeshan screamed, his voice laced with desperation, his breath hot against my ear as he tried to drag me away from the railing.

My blood boiled, rage coursing through me. How dare he?

Without thinking, I shoved him hard, the strength of my anger surprising even me.

"Do not touch me!" I screamed, my voice raw with fury. "Didn't you understand? Didn't you hear a word I said?"

Zeeshan stumbled back, a stunned expression washing over his face. He stood there, his eyes wide with disbelief, and for a moment, everything was silent between us.

He sighed, rubbing his temples, frustration and guilt evident in every line of his face.

"Noor..." He said, his voice softer now, almost pleading. "Please, don't do this. I... I don't want to lose you."

I shook my head, my chest rising and falling with each furious breath. "You already lost me the moment you decided to make me a part of your revenge," I spat, my hands trembling with emotion.

His jaw clenched, his eyes darkening as the truth of my words seemed to hit him. I didn't care. He had no right to be angry with me. No right at all.

"You think I don't know what this feels like?" His voice cracked slightly as he took a step closer. "I never wanted to hurt you, Noor. I never wanted to see you like this."

"But you did," I cut him off, my eyes fierce. "And now you want to act like the victim? You want me to save you from your own mess?"

Zeeshan stood there, visibly torn. His face softened with something like regret, but I wasn't moved. Not anymore.

I turned back toward the railing, my resolve hardening like stone. "I'm done. This isn't about you. It's about me. My life. My choice."

Before he could say anything more, I felt his hand grasp my arm, pulling me away from the edge.

"Noor, please!" His voice was desperate, breaking now, raw with emotion. "I... I can't lose you."

I jerked my arm out of his grip, my heart pounding with a mixture of fear and anger. "You already have," I whispered, my voice trembling. "You lost me the moment you decided to break me."

Let him chase after me. Let him beg if he wanted.

But this time, I wasn't his to control.

"Noor—please!, I know I have hurted but I am regretting, I am ashamed"

His voice broke through the silence, rough and filled with panic. I turned my head slightly, just enough to see him standing a few feet behind me, his eyes wide with regret.

Regret. It was too late for that.

I shook my head, my grip tightening on the cold iron of the balcony.

"You really thought you could keep me trapped forever, didn't you?" I said, my voice quiet but steady, colder than the air around us.

"You thought you could play your little revenge game and I'd just stand here, smiling like a good little bride, pretending like it didn't hurt. Pretending like I didn't know what you were doing."

He flinched at my words, but I wasn't done.

"I knew, Zeeshan. I knew it"

His expression faltered. "What... what are you talking about?"

I took a deep breath, steadying myself, the weight of the truth finally spilling out.

"I knew about your revenge plan. I heard you," I said, my voice cold, sharp.

"I heard you talk to your brother on the phone before the wedding. I heard you say that this was all just for revenge. That I was nothing more than a pawn in your little game."

Zeeshan took a step forward, his eyes wide with confusion and guilt. "Why? If you knew, then why—"

"Because I wanted to get out," I interrupted, my chest tightening with the emotions I had buried for so long. "I wanted to leave my father's house, Zeeshan. I wanted to get away from that cage they built for me. My father—"

I paused, the bitter taste of those words choking me for a moment, but I pushed through. "He would've forced me to marry some man he chose, someone I didn't even know.

Someone I couldn't stand. And I had no say in it. No choice and You were my ticket out, nothing more."

His face froze in disbelief, and for a moment, I almost felt guilty. But I couldn't. I wouldn't.

Zeeshan's footsteps faltered, and I could feel the weight of his shock.

I stepped closer to him, my eyes blazing with emotion.

"The only way out was you," I spat, as if the very thought of it disgusted me. "You were my escape, nothing more. And I knew exactly what you were doing, but I still chose it. I chose you because I was desperate to get out. To be free."

For the first time, I faced him fully, not as a wife, not as someone trying to please him.

I faced him as myself.

"I loved you, trusted you and I thought you were different," I said quietly, almost to myself. "But I guess I was wrong."

He opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off. "No. Don't say anything." I raised my hand, stopping him. "It's too late for apologies, too late for regret. You've already destroyed me."

Zeeshan's eyes softened, his expression crumbling. "Noor, I—"

"Don't." My voice cracked slightly, but I didn't let it show. "I don't need your apologies. I don't need your pity."

A long silence passed between us. I could feel the tension in the air, thick with everything unsaid, everything that had been shattered.

He took another step toward me, but I didn't back away. Not this time.

I was done running. Done being a victim. Done with the lies.

"I don't want to hear you beg, Zeeshan," I said quietly. "I don't want you to try to fix this, because nothing can fix it. I'll never forgive you. And even if you beg, I'll never forget what you did to me."

His chest rose and fell as he breathed deeply, his gaze falling to the ground. He didn't know what to say.

He was powerless now.

"And as for us... there is no 'us,'" I added softly, my voice low but final. "I think there never was, because you just pretended to fall in love, and I can't stay here anymore, it's suffocating me."

I turned away from him, but his voice stopped me, jagged and desperate.

"Noor... it was revenge... but I have truly fallen for you."

I froze, the words hanging in the air between us like a heavy weight.

I slowly turned back to face him, my eyes narrowing. Was he really saying this now? After everything?

"Truly fallen for me?" I echoed, a bitter laugh escaping my lips.

"Funny, Zeeshan. If you had truly fallen for me, you wouldn't have used me as a puppet in your little game."

He took a step toward me, his expression anguished. "Main jaanta hoon... main jaanta hoon ke jo kuch main ne kiya woh naqabable maafi hai. Main kabhi tumhein takleef dena nahi chahta tha, Noor. Main ne socha tha ke badla lene ke baad yeh sab khatam ho jayega, lekin phir... sab kuch badal gaya. Main badal gaya. Main waqai tumse mohabbat karne laga. Aur mujhe afsos hai, mujhe har cheez ke liye bohot zyada afsos hai."

(I know... I know what I did was unforgivable. I never wanted to hurt you, Noor. I thought this would be over after I got my revenge, but then... everything changed. I changed. I really did fall for you. And I'm sorry, I'm so sorry for everything.)

My chest tightened, and I felt the sting of fresh tears threatening to spill. I clenched my fists, fighting against the wave of hurt crashing over me. Why now? Why when it's too late?

"You think an apology is enough?" I whispered, my voice shaking. ""Kya tumhe lagta hai ke sab kuch hone ke baad sirf yeh kehna ke tum mujhse mohabbat karte ho, saari takleef mita dega?"

(You think saying you love me after everything is enough to undo the damage?)

He reached out, his hand hovering in the air as if unsure whether to touch me or not. "Noor, I know I can't undo the past, but I swear, I'll spend my whole life making it up to you. Please, just give me a chance."

I stepped back, shaking my head. "You had your chance, Zeeshan. You had it. And you threw it away."

The words cut deep. I saw his face falter, hia eyes moist, his shoulders slumping as he realized I wasn't going to give in.

"I can't keep living in this lie," I continued, my voice firmer now. "I married you because I had no choice. I had to escape my father's house. But I won't stay in this charade any longer. I'm done being your revenge. Done being used."

Zeeshan's eyes were wide with disbelief, his hands trembling as he tried to reach for me once more. "Noor, please..."

But I stepped back again, my gaze hard and unwavering.

"I'm leaving, Zeeshan. You wanted revenge, and you got it. But it's over. For both of us.

I turned back to the balcony, my heart pounding in my chest, the wind lifting my hair as I took in the night air.

I wasn't going back.

Not to him. Not to the house. Not to the life they had planned for me.

I stepped onto the railing. The world below seemed so small, so distant. And for the first time in so long, I felt like I could finally breathe.

Zeeshan's voice broke the moment.

"Noor... please... don't do this." I tried to shake off Zeeshan's grip, but he held me firm, his fingers digging into my wrist like a vice.

"I will and even you can't stop me" I screamed at him, He looked at me and took a deep breath, running his hand through his hair.

"Aise nai manogi tum zidi jo ho lekin Bohat hogaya, han meri galti hai lekin mein tumhe yeh pagal pan nai karne dunga chahe mujhe tumhe zabardasti yahan rokna pare," he growled, his eyes blazing with a fierce determination.

"Chalo andar sharafat se." I was shocked by his sudden change of behaviour when he held my wrist.

I struggled against his hold, but he dragged me inside, his strength overpowering mine.

"Zeeshan, leave me!" I screamed, trying to pry his fingers off my wrist. "Tum mere sath zabardasti nahi kar sakte!.

Zeeshan's face twisted in a scowl. "Mein ab tumhara shohar hoon, mujhe pura haq hai tumhe yahan rokne ka," he declared, his voice dripping with possessiveness.

"You're not my husband," I spat, trying to break free. "Not after what you've done."

Zeeshan's eyes flashed with anger. "Kya tumhe yaad hai maine kya kaha tha? Mein tumhe kabhi bhi nahi chhodunga, Noor."

I glared at him, my heart racing with fear.

"You're going to regret saying that." I said when he placed his both arms around my waist holding me tightly, I wriggled in his hold.

That's when I spotted the fruit basket on the nearby counter, the glint of the knife catching my eye.

With a surge of adrenaline, I grabbed the knife and plunged it into Zeeshan's rib. He flinched, his eyes widening in pain, as I glared at him with a fierce intensity.

"Kahan tha na maine agar dhoka diya tou jaan lelungi," I hissed, my voice trembling with rage and fear.

Zeeshan's hold loosened, and I pushed him away, sending him stumbling back. "Noor, wait!" he cried, clutching his injured side.

But I was already turning, sprinting towards the balcony. "I'll never go back to you!" I shouted, my voice echoing off the walls.

I took a deep breath, invoking Allah's name, and leapt over the railing, landing hard on the pavement below.

I didn't stop to look back, and didn't dare to. I kept running, my feet pounding the asphalt, as I disappeared into the night, unsure of where I was headed, but determined to escape the hell that had become my life.

I ran without looking backwards, my lungs burning and my legs aching. But I didn't stop. I couldn't stop. Not until I was sure I had left Zeeshan.

Finally, I slowed to a stop, gasping for breath. I looked around, trying to get my bearings. I was in an unfamiliar part of town, surrounded by dark alleys and crumbling buildings. But I didn't care. I was free.

As I caught my breath, I realized I had no idea where I was going or what I was going to do. I had no money, no phone, and no one to turn to. But I refused to let fear take over. I had to keep moving.

Some stones hit on my feet, I felt my ankle twisted, I fell on the floor with pain, but I can't stop. I had to get and run, but with difficulty I got up.

I started walking again, my eyes scanning the streets for any sign of safety. And then, in the distance, I saw a light.

A small café, still open despite the late hour. I quickened my pace, hope rising in my chest.

As I pushed open the door, a warm glow enveloped me. The café was cozy, with comfortable chairs and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. I spotted a kind-faced woman behind the counter and made my way towards her.

"Please," I said, my voice shaking. "I need help."

Pain ripped through my side, but I barely felt it. The wound was nothing compared to the fury burning inside me. She was gone. She ran from me. The thought sent a fresh wave of rage coursing through my veins.

I stumbled down the alley, my breaths ragged and uneven. The streets were slick with mist, the city stretching into darkness, but I didn't care. She was out there somewhere, alone, scared... and trying to escape me.

That wasn't going to happen.

"Find her," I growled, barely able to steady my voice against the raw frustration building inside me.

My guards hesitated for only a moment before scattering, disappearing into the night like shadows.

I wasn't going to sit back and wait. I needed more. I needed to shut down every escape route.

My fingers trembled as I yanked my phone from my pocket, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps.

My thumb hovered over Hayaan bhai's number—my SOS contact, my last resort. But I hesitated. Would he even pick up? Would he even care?

I couldn't afford to waste time. Shaking my head, I scrolled past his name and dialed Sufiyaan bhai instead.

The line rang once. Twice. Every second felt like a dagger twisting deeper into my chest. Then, finally—

Click.

"What do you want now, Zeeshan?"

His voice was laced with exhaustion, detached, as if he had no idea that my entire world was falling apart, slipping through my fingers like sand.

I gritted my teeth, forcing the words out, sharp and desperate. "I need you to block all the roads."

A pause. Then a scoff.

"The hell is that supposed to mean? Have you lost it?" Sufiyaan barked. "Neend mein hai kya? yeh pagalpan kab khatam hoga?"

I didn't have the time—or the patience—to explain.

"Bhai, Noor bhag gayi hai!" My voice cracked as I ran a trembling hand through my hair. The desperation clawing at my throat made it hard to breathe.

"I need to get her back. I can't explain more, please—just do this for me please I beg you!"

Silence. Then, movement. Shuffling. His breath quickened on the other end.

"What?" His tone shifted instantly. "Are you alright? Send me your location—I'm coming there right now."

"No!" I snapped, pacing along the curb, my pulse hammering in my ears. "I don't need backup.

Hayaan bhai's guards are already with me." My voice wavered, barely above a whisper now. "I just... I need you to do whatever it takes. I can't let her get away. Please, bhai."

Another pause. But this time, it was heavier.

Sufiyaan sighed. "Zeeshan, I can't do that without Hayaan bhai's help. It's too risky. The authorities will notice. We can't afford that kind of heat right now."

I clenched my jaw, my patience unraveling, raw frustration surging through my veins. He didn't understand. She wasn't just some girl. She was mine. My wife.

My grip tightened around the phone, my knuckles white. "I don't care about the authorities," I snarled.

I cared about finding her.

"I need my family 's support at this moment and you are refusing, seriously? " My voice dropped, dangerous now, laced with unrestrained fury.

"Zeeshan, calm down, I will help you.

"Then block the damn roads. Ask bhai. Ask Dad. I need to see the Sikandar family's power tonight. Do you understand me, bhai?"

A sharp breath.

Another stretch of silence, pressing against my skull, suffocating me.

Then—click.

I let the phone drop from my ear, my entire body rigid, my heart slamming against my ribs.

The world around me felt like it was closing in.

I had never felt this kind of fear before. A fear so raw, so suffocating, that it made my chest tighten, made my hands tremble, made my vision blur at the edges.

I wasn't just angry.

I was terrified.

And if I don't find her soon...

I didn't know what I would do.

I stood in the middle of the alley, my breaths coming fast, uneven. The cold night air burned my lungs, but I barely noticed. My vision blurred—not from the pain in my side, but from something much worse.

The realization sank into my chest like a blade, twisting deeper with each second that passed. My mind was spinning, consumed with images of her—alone, scared, running through these dark streets with nowhere to go.

What if someone found her before I did? What if she was hurt? What if she never came back? what if someone attacked her.

My throat tightened. No. I won't let that happen.

The distant echoes of my guards' footsteps brought me back to reality. They returned one by one, each shaking their head. No sign of her.

A sharp breath left me as I dragged a hand through my hair, gripping it tightly. Frustration burned inside me, but beneath it was something I refused to acknowledge—fear.

She wasn't just some possession. She was mine. And if I lost her now...

I swallowed hard, my fingers curling into fists at my sides. My vision darkened at the edges as panic clawed its way through my chest. I couldn't lose her. Not like this. Not ever.

I squeezed my eyes shut. Where are you? Noorie

A lump formed in my throat, something foreign, something I refused to name. My hands trembled. My breath hitched. Was I really this close to breaking?

I turned away from my men before they could see the raw desperation on my face. I had to find her.

The authorities started blocking the roads soon. Hayaan bhai did the work I know. I just had to hold on a little longer.

And when I found her—when I finally had her back in my arms—

I wasn't going to let her go again. No matter what.

A sharp exhale left me, my fists clenching at my sides. My jaw tightened, rage burning through me like wildfire. Where the hell was she?

I turned to Irfan, my most trusted guard. His expression was unreadable, but I knew he was waiting for orders.

"She's scared," I muttered, running a hand through my hair. "She's not thinking straight. She'll go somewhere that feels... safe."

Irfan nodded. "A hotel? A shelter?"

"No," I snapped. She wouldn't trust a place like that. I closed my eyes, forcing my mind to work past the frustration, past the rage. Think like her.

She had nothing—no money, no phone, nowhere to go. She was desperate, and desperation made people seek kindness.

Then it hit me.

My eyes flew open. "Cafés. Small shops. Places that stay open late." I gritted my teeth. "She'll be looking for help."

Irfan didn't hesitate. He barked orders into his radio, his men scattering into the streets once more.

I exhaled sharply, my fingers twitching with impatience.

I will find you.

"Sir a cafe nearby is still open" The guard informed me and without wasting any second I sat inside the car and stopped outside the cafe.

The moment I stepped inside, I knew.

The warm scent of freshly brewed tea clung to the air, masking the tension crackling beneath it. The café was small, dimly lit, with a quiet hum of late-night patrons. But I wasn't fooled.

She was here.

I could feel it.

The woman behind the counter—Mariam, her name tag read—glanced up, her expression careful. Too careful. She knew something.

I took a slow step forward, my presence shifting the energy in the room.

She didn't speak.

Smart woman.

My eyes swept across the space, scanning every corner.

My pulse hammered in my ears. My patience had worn thin—she was here. I could feel it. The warm glow of the café did nothing to soothe my temper.

My wound throbbed, my shirt was stained with blood, but none of it mattered.

Irfan stepped forward, addressing the woman behind the counter. "Have you seen a girl? brown hair, brown eyes in a wedding dress. She ran away and might be looking for help." I clenched my fists at my sides, studying the woman's reaction.

There was something in her eyes—hesitation. She knows something.

"Sir lots of people come in here," the woman replied smoothly. "Why? Is she in danger?" I took a slow step forward, My eyes dark she flinched at my act, my guard placed his hand in front of me.

"She's not well," Irfan continued. "Her family is worried sick. We just want to bring her home safely." I watched the woman's reaction carefully.

A flicker of doubt, a hint of protectiveness. My jaw tightened. I didn't have time for this.

"If you're lying to me, it won't end well," I warned, my patience razor-thin.

"She belongs with me. She is my wife. She belongs to the Sikandar family." The woman held my gaze, her expression unyielding.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Liar. My eyes flicked toward the half-open door at the back of the café. My pulse quickened. She was here—I could feel it.

With one sharp nod, I signaled Irfan to search. and I moved toward the door.

But before my men could react, everything erupted into chaos. A blur of movement. A sudden shove. Pain.

I stumbled back, momentarily caught off guard as a pair of small hands shoved at my chest with all their might. Noor.

My head snapped up just in time to see her—my wild, reckless wife—lifting the hem of her lehenga and running.

Straight for the back door. For a split second, I was frozen. Not in shock—in rage. She dared. She actually dared.

"Sit in the car and catch her fast" I ordered the guards to quickly sit in the car, as the car moved.

I spotted her in the distance, my breath caught in my throat. She was running, her steps frantic, her head twisting as if searching for an escape.

She thinks she can outrun me. My jaw tightened as I leaned forward. "Stop the car."

The SUV screeched to a halt beside her. Without hesitation, I threw the door open and stepped out.

She saw me. For a moment, time seemed to freeze. Her terrified eyes locked onto mine, wide and desperate. Then—she ran.

I swore under my breath before striding forward. Enough. With a few powerful steps, I closed the distance.

My hand shot out, gripping her wrist in an hold before she could get away. She tried twisting her hand, pulling it forcefully, but I wasn't letting go. Not this time.

"Let me go, Zeeshan!" she screamed, trying to pry my fingers off her wrist. My grip only tightened. "You are coming with me," I said, my voice calm but unyielding.

"I'd rather die!" she spat. My gaze darkened, my temper hanging by a thread. "You think I'll let that happen?"

She fought, pushing against me, her breath coming in ragged gasps. But no matter how hard she struggled, I was stronger. She was mine. And she wasn't going anywhere.

Just as I was about to drag her back to the car, the sound of a police siren pierced the night air. A patrol car pulled up beside us, its red and blue lights flashing.

Two uniformed officers stepped out, their expressions sharp as they assessed the situation.

"Is there a problem here?" one of them asked, his eyes shifting between me and the trembling woman in my grasp.

She gasped, as if seeing a chance, and yanked at my grip.

"Yes! Please help me—" I didn't loosen my hold as I turned to the officers, my face unreadable.

"This is my wife," I said, my voice smooth but firm. "She ran away from home, and I am taking her back where she belongs."

The officers exchanged a look. One of them turned to her.

"Ma'am, is this true?" She opened her mouth, desperation flashing across her face. But before she could say anything, I cut in, my voice steel.

"You can check the records. She is legally my wife. Sikandar family's daughter-in-law." I gestured to my men. "I have witnesses. She is not being kidnapped."

The officers hesitated. I was powerful, connected. I wasn't just some man on the street—I was a Sikandar. And in this city, the Sikandars were untouchable.

One officer sighed and turned back to her. "If he's your husband, then this is a personal matter. We can't interfere."

Her face crumpled. "No! You don't understand, I—" I took advantage of her moment of shock, my arm looping around her waist.

Leaning in, I whispered near her ear, my breath deliberately teasing.

"You're making a scene cupcake ."

Her body stiffened, and her head snapped towards me, eyes flaring with disbelief.

"Cupcake? Pagal ho gaye ho kya? Main koi cupcake nahi hoon, tumhari chhoro mujhe!" she hissed, jerking against my hold.

I tsked, shaking my head as if dealing with a stubborn child. "Sabke samne aise fight nahi karte, baby. Log dekh rahe hain."

"Toh? Koi award milega tumhe? 'Best Kidnapper Husband of the Year'?" she shot back, sarcasm dripping from every word.

I grinned. "Agar award mila toh speech bhi dunga. Special thanks to my wife jo apne husband ko marke bina permission ke bhaag jati hai."

She gasped in outrage and stomped on my foot. Hard.

"Oww! problem kya hai tumhari?" I yelped, hopping slightly.

"Meri problem? Meri problem yeh hai ki mera husband ek kidnapping ke shaukeen villain ki tarah behave kar raha hai! dimag kharab ho gaya hai tumhara han you need a doctor" she snapped.

"NO I NEED YOU"

She let out a frustrated groan, her hands balling into fists. Despite the fight in her, I could see the exhaustion weighing on her. Her breaths were uneven, her body trembling slightly.

I felt the tremble in her body, and saw the slight hitch in her breath. She was tired. Her desperation was turning into reluctant surrender.

The police stood at a distance, their expressions unreadable, their presence nothing more than silent spectators to our unspoken war. No one intervened. No one stopped me.

I sighed, shaking my head.

She was too weak to walk now. I could see it—the way her legs wobbled, the way she gritted her teeth to suppress a wince. Still, she refused to bow.

I turned her towards me, and she glared, her face flushed with anger. And yet, she had never looked more beautiful.

My wife.

Before she could react, I bent down and scooped her into my arms. A gasp escaped her lips, her body stiffening in surprise.

"Zeeshan!!!Kya kar rahe ho? Chhoro mujhe!" she shrieked, thrashing against me.

Her fists pounded against my chest, her legs kicked, but I barely flinched. Instead, I chuckled, adjusting her weight. "Aram se. Pehle se hi bahut bhari ho tum," I teased, knowing it would infuriate her.

And it did.

Her eyes blazed, and without hesitation, she wrapped an arm around my neck and dug her nails into my nape. I sucked in a sharp breath, hissing at the sting.

"Pehle knife maar chuki ho, aur ab yeh? Pura zakhmi karogi kya? Tumhare pyaar ka tareeka bada violent hai."I muttered, half-amused, half-exasperated.

"Pyaar? Zeeshan, main tumhe chhod ke bhaagi thi! Yeh hint kaafi nahi tha?"

I smirked. "Hint toh mila tha, par maine ignore kar diya. Kyunki mujhe tumhari 'bhaagna' wali aadat bilkul pasand nahi."

She shoved at my chest again, her small hands pressing against me with all the force she could muster. But I didn't budge.

"Maine tumhare jaise badtameez, beghairat aur nihayati besharam aadmi nahi dekha!" she screamed, her voice shaking with rage.

I smirked, unaffected by her fury. "Haan, nahi dekha toh ab dekh lo," I said, my voice dripping with amusement. "Kyunki mere jaisa koi hai bhi nahi."

Her breath hitched, her fingers curling into fists. "Tumhe sharam nahi aati, hai na?"

"Sharam?" I let out a low chuckle, moving even closer, watching her stiffen. "Mujhe woh cheez kabhi mili hi nahi."

Her eyes flashed. "Tumse nafrat karti hoon, samjhe?" she spat, her voice quieter but venomous.

"Toh karo, maine kab mana kiya, mein tou nai karta" I murmured, leaning in just enough to watch her reaction.

She sucked in a breath, her jaw tightening. "Bakwas band karo!"

"Tumhe yeh sab mazak lag raha hai, Zeeshan?" she snapped, her voice trembling with fury. "Yeh sab karne se situation sahi nahi hogi!"

I didn't respond.

The car door loomed ahead like the final barrier between her and inevitable captivity. I reached it, pulling it open with one hand before settling her inside.

She twisted, tried to lunge out, but the door slammed shut with a resounding finality.

She was mine again.

And this time...

I wouldn't let her go.

The ride back was silent, thick with tension. She sat stiffly beside me, her arms crossed, her face turned toward the window as if trying to pretend I wasn't there.

I exhaled slowly, my fingers tapping against my knee. I shouldn't have been furious, or angry at her. I have already hurted her enough but I had no choice because she ran away from me.

My voice cut through the silence, low and cold. "Why did you run?" She didn't answer. My patience snapped. "Why?"

Her head snapped toward me, her eyes blazing. "Because I don't want to be with you, Zeeshan! samjh nahi ata yeh phir jahil or behre hogaye ho, I can't live like this!"

My jaw tightened. "You're my wife."

She let out a bitter laugh. "That doesn't mean you own me."

I leaned closer, my voice deadly quiet. "You belong to me. You belong to the Sikandar family. You will never walk away from me again."

She fist her hand and refused to back down. "You can force me to come back. But you can't force me to love you again ." A muscle in my jaw twitched.

Our mansion loomed in the distance, and I stopped the car outside.

"Welcome back home darling wife.

Chapter Aesthetic

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