Chapter 13

Listen to the song it's one of my favorites. And press the star button on your screen.

Rameen

My makeup still required some finishing touches when mom entered my room along with Rania and Sheema, she asked the beautician to wait outside and then turned and said to me.

"Do you trust us, Mia?"

"What kind of question is that?" I asked.

"Just answer me", She said.

" Yes, of course. I trust you", I replied.

"Will you accept the decision of your elders?" She asked again.

Now I was freaking out, what was happening, are they planning to give half of the company to Imaad.

"Mom, you don't have to do this, I don't want to marry some greedy filthy piece of shit", I said, in other circumstances, my mom would have given me a dressing down for the use of my language but right now she ignored it.

" No, we don't want you near to that family again", She replied.

"Then why are you asking these weird questions?" I asked puzzled.

"Mia if we make a decision for your life, will you trust us and accept it?" She asked.

"Yes, I will", I replied immediately.

I know my family will always want the best for me, I know they loved me and they will do anything to see me happy.

" Good", She said and nodded to Sheema.

Sheema picked up the Dupatta (long scarf accompanied with traditional south Asian dresses) of my lehenga and covered my head with it, my mom asked me to follow her, there were so many questions in my mind that I was dying to ask Sheema and Rania, but I couldn't in the presence of my mom.

They took me to the living room where already a group of men were sitting, they made me sit beside Dada and my mom sat beside me on the couch.

A man started reciting some verses and spoke some words about the nikah, my heart sank "Who were they getting me married too?" I thought bewildered.

I didn't have to wait for long as Qazi asked me if I accept my nikah to Waleed Kamal in turn of Haq Mehr of 10 million in gold of the value of the current currency.

I couldn't believe I was getting married to Waleed Kamal, of all the people in the world, God chose Waleed Kamal for me?

I was feeling it difficult to breathe, how can I marry Waleed, I hated that guy, he was an arrogant asshole, and I can't stand him.

"Say yes Mia", Mom whispered in my ear, I wanted to cry no, but I couldn't I can't do this to my parents to my family, they will become a laughing stock.

" Yes," I murmured with a broken heart.

The Qazi repeated his words twice and I replied with a yes, my voice lower than the last time.

"Yes".

The Qazi repeated the words thrice, and I could hardly make out what he was saying as my head started to spin, I replied with a yes and passed out.

I don't know for how long I had been out, but when I woke up I was in my room surrounded by worried faces of the female members of our family.

" She woke up," Someone said and the chain started.

Mom hurried to me and gave me coconut water to drink and blew her breath on me after reciting some verses.

I gulped down the whole glass in a single breath as my throat was dry, I noticed everyone was looking at me with curious faces.

Then I remembered the scene before I had passed out, I was now officially Mrs. Waleed Kamal. I begged God that please may it be a nightmare, but I knew it was true, all of it was true. Fate has played the biggest joke on me, I was married to a man that I despised the most, no not most first was Imaad now, because of the mess that he and his family created I was married to a control freak.

Everyone started congratulating me, telling me how lucky I was to get married to the most eligible bachelor in town. I wanted to cry loudly and tell everyone how much I despised him, but I couldn't, I had to keep this facade for my parents for my family.

Rania and Sheema were silently reading my expressions, they knew how much I disliked Waleed, they are the only ones who understand what I was feeling right now, I wanted to be alone with them, to cry my heart out to them but I didn't get the chance, mom called the beautician inside my room and she started working on my face again.

I don't know how I managed to stay quiet and kept smiling, till she got me dressed, and Sheema and Rania helped me with the jewelry. The beautician set my dupatta on my head and fixed it with some pins, and before I got a chance to speak with any of my friends I was shoved into a car and was being driven to the hotel where the ceremony was arranged.

I kept my head bowed all through the ceremony unless the photographer asked me to raise my head for a photograph, I followed his instructions like a robot,  Umair's words that I would be a zombie bride had come true. I was really like a zombie dead from inside but I kept on doing as I was being instructed.

The ladies and gents' gatherings were separate, Waleed joined me at the end of the gathering. I heard the gasps and sensed the envious stares I was receiving from the unmarried female population because I had stolen the crush of half the girls of this town. If I could only tell them how eager I was to trade places with them.

I avoided looking at him, but I could sense his eyes on me, his intense gaze piercing through me, tingles erupted all over my body, and the sparks that traveled through my arm, when he held my hand in his, I heard the hootings of everyone around us when he took my hand, I won't lie but I skipped a heartbeat.

No matter how much I despised him I can't deny the fact how my body responds to his touch, it was a very foreign feeling for me, while Imaad's touch had repulsed me in the last few weeks, Waleed's, on the other hand, made me crave for more and this thought terrified me.

I don't know much about Waleed, I don't know anything about Waleed I panicked.

"Get a grip Mia, you have your whole life to get to know each other", My subconscious told me.

" Was I going to spend the rest of my life with Waleed Kamal?", I asked.

"Drama Queen", It retorted.

" Okay let's ask Mia", I heard someone say, I had zoned out and now I was wondering what they were discussing?

Waleed was still holding my hand his fingers tracing patterns on the back of my palm, I tried to pull my hand from him but his grip only got tighter, asshole I thought bitterly.

"Come on tell us, Mia", One of my cousins asked.

I didn't have a clue what they were talking about I looked at her puzzled, she understood by my expressions that I hadn't heard a word they had said.

" Who is hotter Waleed or Brad Pitt?" She asked.

I looked at her astonished there was no way I was answering this question, in front of Waleed. I just stayed quiet and ignored them.

"Silence means you think Waleed is hot", My other cousin teased me.

"What the fuck", I thought annoyed.

If I stayed silent they will keep teasing me, and if I replied with a no they will start teasing Waleed, and I was in no mood to tease him, knowing the consequences, the power he held over me now made me keep my mouth shut.

" Okay, so it's decided Mia thinks Waleed is hotter than Brad", My cousin said enthusiastically.

"So Waleed now tell us who is hot Mia or Megan Fox?" She asked.

"Mia, she is the hottest, prettiest, and sexiest woman in the whole world for me", He replied boldly, shamelessly ogling me.

Then he lifted my hand to his mouth and kissed the back of my hand. The whistles and the shooting were enough to bring down the roofs on our heads caused because of his words and actions.

" Kiss the bride", I heard a voice say.

I wanted to break the head of that person whoever it was, my whole body was on fire by just a peck of his lips on my hand. My heart was racing and I was sure I was blushing bright red.

"So I have permission?" I heard Waleed's mischievous voice.

I was going to kick him in his balls if he even thought of kissing me.

"Yes" Everyone screamed.

I looked at him terrified, afraid he would act on his wishes, but he just winked at me, his lips were curled up in a wolfish grin. I was going to kill this asshole with my bare hands, he just wanted me to look at him, he knew I was avoiding looking at him and he had done this to make me look at him, cocky bastard I cursed.

But I couldn't ignore the fact that he was looking yummilicious, in that cream Sherwani with a black scarf on his shoulders. My God, he was so hot I can't believe it, and he was all mine. For the first time, I felt it was something to be Mrs.Waleed Kamal.

Our eyes were locked for I don't remember how long, his grey eyes were darker than usual filled with an unknown and unreadable emotion. I couldn't look into them any longer as his gaze was awakening some unknown emotions in my heart. I blinked and turned and looked away from him, he pressed his hand on mine in a reassuring way, making it further difficult for me to divert my mind from the intensity of gaze.

The teasing and the hooting subsided as the elders approached us, there was the usual exchange of words from both sides, photographs were taken, the videographer was recording everything.

And finally, the time came when my family said their goodbyes to me and wished me for my bright future as I accompanied Waleed and his grandfather to the car waiting outside. Waleed had not left my hand all through these rituals no matter how much I tried to resist and pull it from his grip.

To my disappointment, his grandfather didn't join us in the car, Asjad was sitting on the driving seat, and Saad was beside him, Rania had joined us in the backseat. I was thankful she was coming with me, I needed someone for moral support.

Asjad kept teasing us the whole time till we arrived at Waleed's house, it was just not any house it was a splendid mansion on a really large estate. I was stunned by its splendor, and of this house, I would be the Mistress. Elizabeth Bennet's words echoed in my mind from The Pride and Prejudice.

We were greeted in the house by Saad and Asjad's families, they have arrived earlier for the preparation. Most of Waleed's relatives were abroad or lived in their native place. They didn't have any close relatives in the city and due to our sudden wedding, no one could come.

Rania directed me to Waleed's living room, we sat in the living room of his mansion for some time, I couldn't help but admire the beauty of the house it was grand, I felt like I was sitting in some palace. It was a dome on the roof of the living room, a staircase from the middle of the hall, going to the first floor, with galleries all around on the first floor. The dome was painted beautifully in the style of Ottoman architecture, the whole house was a living example of Ottoman architecture, I could not help but be impressed. A huge chandelier hung from the middle of the roof, the walls were decorated with expensive paintings, and the chest and tables were covered with expensive articrafts and vases.

I was looking at everything stunned when a lady approached us and told me that the arrangements in the room were completed.

Asjad's mom asked Rania and Asjad's sister to direct me to Waleed's bedroom, I was nervous even thinking about what was to come. I still could feel the warmth of his touch on my hand.

I followed them quietly to his room which was on the first floor, the staircase was as grand as the rest of the house. I held my breath as I entered his room, it was in contrast to the house, with a modern interior. The scent of flowers welcomed me as I stepped inside.

Every surface in the room was covered with flowers or rose petals. There were lighted candles everywhere, the floor was covered with rose petals, and the walls were decorated with flowers to an extent I couldn't make out the color on the walls.

I loved everything about the decorations, and that it was roses, made my heart leap in pleasure.

A large glass wall was to the opposite of the bed, which I assumed opened onto the terrace, I could make out only that much through the curtains.

Rania guided me to the bed, and helped me to sit on it, this lehenga was making each damn movement difficult for me.

"You know what happens right? Or do you want me to give you a prep talk?" Rania asked teasing.

I just glared at her, I wanted to break the vase on her head which was on the side table, but I knew by the time I reached that in this lehenga, Rania will be out of the room.

" I will just tell you to stay calm and not break that vase on his head" Rania pointed to the vase I was looking at a few seconds ago and teased me.

"I am going to kill you", I said through clenched teeth.

She smiled at me and looked into her handbag for something, when she pulled out her hand I saw the bracelet Waleed gifted me in her hand.

She smiled and clasped it around my wrist, I had told her and Sheema I was going to return it to Waleed. Who had thought I would be sitting in his bedroom with the bracelet clasped on my wrist not more than twelve hours later, fate is unpredictable.

She pulled back to turn and leave when I grabbed her hand and said.

" Please Rania, don't leave",

"Shhhhhh, you idiot. You are going to be alright, just don't freak out", She said patting my cheek.

But I was already freaking out, I didn't want to face Waleed not after how he had teased me and the mischievous smile that played on his lips, I was not ready for this, I was not ready for any of this.

Rania and Asjad's sister left me in the room, I sat there dreading what was to come, and then I felt like I was an idiot this was Waleed I was thinking about, I had handled him in the past and I could handle him now, it was no big deal I was panicking unnecessarily.

I walked to the closet, Asjad's sister had told me she had arranged my stuff there, it was a walk-in closet as large as my room in my parent's house, Waleeds clothes and other stuff was arranged at one side of the closet, while Sania has arranged my stuff on the opposite side, I walked towards the shelves was my clothes were arranged and started looking for a nightdress and to my horror, I couldn't find a single decent one.

Rania and Sheema had accompanied me shopping for buying lingerie and nightwear, and Rania had made me buy all these latest sexy kinds of night dresses. I was cursing her as I went through them horrified and this was how my husband found me on our wedding night.

Waleed

As I entered our bedroom, which was just mine till the last time I was in there, I was greeted by the scent of air freshener and fresh flowers. I looked at the bed but it was empty, I turned and looked at the couch she was not there, I looked at the glass door of the terrace they were locked, so where was my bride?

I had expected her to be waiting for me on the bed as it was the tradition, her face covered with a veil. But I was not married to any girl I was married to a wild and untamed lioness. I looked at the closet the sliding door was ajar, I took a deep breath and walked towards it. I halted in the door and looked inside.

She was looking for something on the shelves where her clothes were arranged, I cleared my throat to get her attention. She turned to me immediately hearing my voice, my heart skipped a heartbeat.

" Hi" She squealed looking at me.

"Hi" I greeted back.

I was shamelessly staring at her, that was what I was doing for the last few hours since the moment I walked into the hall and saw her in that red lehenga.

Her cousins and friends were teasing me for ogling her, but I didn't care. I would stare at her as much as I want since she was officially mine and no one can do anything about it, not even Daniyal.

I had grabbed her hand as soon as I got the chance and hadn't left it no matter how much she resisted, I deserve to hold her hand at least whenever I want.

I loved the way she blushed when I had placed a kiss on the back of her hand, and the terrified look she gave me when I teased her regarding the kiss. I was on cloud nine since I had married her, the only thing that was nagging me was how she was feeling about our marriage?

I had asked Rania, about her before coming to the bedroom if she was regretting the marriage or if she wanted to marry that asshole of a fiance.

And when Rania told me that Mia didn't want to marry her fiance after he had asked for her share in their family business, a burden was lifted from my heart. This means that she was not in love with him and was sensible enough to understand that the bastard didn't deserve her.

"I think I will have to borrow your clothes", she said after a few minutes turning towards me.

" But I think, Sania has arranged all your stuff", I replied puzzled.

"I know but I can't wear them", She replied, I felt she was a little embarrassed.

" Why," I asked arching my eyebrows.

"Are you giving me your clothes or should I sleep in these clothes?", She asked annoyed pointing at her lehenga.

" I would prefer if you didn't wear any", I replied with a wolfish grin.

She blushed but gave me a death glare, this was turning out to be more fun than I had imagined.

"Now come, I haven't even looked at you properly", I said as I walked towards her and grabbed her arm.

" Liar, you have been ogling me since the moment you set your foot in the hall of the hotel," She said as she tried to free her arm from me.

"Do you want to walk, or I rather carry you" My threat worked as she took a step towards the bedroom.

I suppressed my smile and led her to the bed, she sat on the edge of the bed and I sat beside her.

"We aren't doing this are we," She asked after some time, anxiously intertwining her fingers.

"You don't want to stay married to me," I asked in shock.

"No, I didn't mean that" She replied immediately.

"Then what?" I asked confused.

She didn't reply, just kept looking at me.

"Then what Mia?" I asked her.

She swallowed the lump in her throat, I looked at her fascinated as it traveled down her long neck. I felt the urge to touch her, to kiss her neck on the path that the lump had followed.

"The stuff that couples do on their wedding night", She replied blushing.

I roared with laughter, she was the best thing that ever happened to me, we have been married just for a few hours and I felt I was falling for her hard, I was completely whipped.

She stared at me in anger, I controlled my laughter with great difficulty and replied.

" We won't if you are not comfortable", I replied.

I understood it was difficult for her, she was going to get married to someone else but had got married to me at the last moment, she needed time to wrap her head around it.  And I was ready to wait for her as long as it took her to accept our relation. It was enough for me that she was in my house right now and she was mine forever.

"I will need time", She said bowing down her head and looking at her hennaed hands.

I took both her hands in mine and leaned in and smelled them, I loved the smell of henna. I remember when my mother used to apply henna to her hands, in my childhood I used to take her hands in mine and use to smell the scent of it for hours.

The scent of henna brought back the memories of my parents to my mind, I was sure they would have adored Mia.

" I can wait for you till eternity", I replied to her with my voice filled with emotions.

" Charmer", She retorted.

I laughed at her comment, I loved this quality of her, she was sassy and her mouth was vicious, and I was crazy about her.

She tried to pull her hands from me, I looked at her annoyed, I haven't even smelled them enough.

"I am tired Waleed", She said but I ignored her remark, my eyes were fixed on the bracelet I had gifted her and which she was wearing now.

I touched it and turned her hand and looked over it, the jeweler had done a great job, it had turned out prettier than I had imagined, I had gifted her this so she could remember all our meetings even after she got married, at that time I only wished she never forget she had met a Waleed Kamal at some point in her life.

" It's beautiful, thanks," She said as she noticed me looking at it.

"I am glad you liked it, I just wanted that you never forget me after you got married, so I had this made so that it will remind you of me whenever you look at it, and all our meeting", I said honestly.

" I know", She said smiling.

"Now can I have your clothes", She said angrily.

I smiled at her, my Mia was back, I thought as I walked into the closet and pulled out a tee-shirt and sweats and passed it to her, which she accepted with a thank you.

💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖

Do check out my other books as well.

I love writing Mafia Romance and my other three books are in that genre.

1. Venom - An age-gap, arranged marriage trope.

2. Diablo - An enemies to lovers trope.

3. Cian's Ruinous Love - A forbidden love trope.

💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖