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| Aryan |

I descended the stairs, prepared to face a furious Rohaan. Not the usual calm demeanour I expected from him, but then again, I did marry his sister without their consent. It was only natural for him to be this way.

"Where is my sister?" he seethed, each word dripping with anger. "Where is she?!" His voice echoed through the room. I was taken aback by how intimidating he actually was.

"Lower your voice, my wife is probably sleeping. I don't want you to disturb her," I responded, trying to stay composed, but his intense glare made it seem like he could shoot me on the spot.

"Where is my sister, Aryan Dawar Raees?!" he screamed, grabbing hold of my collar.

"Bhai!" Just then, I heard my wife timidly calling out to her brother. Rohaan pushed me away and rushed to her.

"This guy forced you into this, didn't he?" His accusation caught me off guard. Azara looked at him, then at me, clearly frightened. I gave her a reassuring smile, trying to convey that everything was alright.

Feeling reassured, she took him to another room. I didn't know what they needed to discuss privately, but I respected their need for privacy and waited for them in the hall.

_

|Author's pov|

"Tell me, Azara, did he force you?" Rohaan asked sincerely, his face etched with concern.

"Will you believe me if I tell you that he didn't force me, but I am here on my own will?" She questioned, tears welling up in her eyes as she witnessed disbelief in his gaze.

Rohaan pulled back and stared at her, as though he had been deceived. Then he let out a bitter laugh. "So now you're lying to me because of that bastard?" he seethed, his choice of words leaving Azara taken aback. His sudden change in demeanour frightened her.

"He is my husband; you can't talk about him in that manner." She fiercely defended Aryan.

"Are you insane, Azara? Do you even realize what you've done?" He screamed at her.

"Rohan bhai, please, I have done the right thing. I love Aryan, and I have done the right thing by marrying him." Her calm tone wasn't helping at all.

"You did right by eloping with some stranger? Fine, I get it. You love him. Why didn't you inform me? Didn't you trust me enough? I deserved to know it, Azara." He was right; he had always been by her side, supporting her when she needed it.

Azara's voice trembled with remorse as she uttered, "I am sorry bhai." Her grip on his hand tightened. Rohan withdrew his hand abruptly, his eyes filled with frustration.

"I spent the entire day searching for my sister like a madman, thinking she might be in danger. But no, here she is, happily revelling in her husband's company," he sneered.

"Shadi mubarak ho Azara Aryan Raees," he exclaimed angrily and walked out, leaving Azara devastated. Her beloved brother had abandoned her, and she knew his nature very well. Once you're off his heart, it's nearly impossible to regain a position in his life.

She cried even harder, fearing that Aryan would also abandon her once he discovered her truth.

He shot a fierce look at Aryan before storming out, overwhelmed with hurt and a sense of betrayal. "I failed as a brother, and that guy won," he muttered to himself as he roamed the streets.

-

Wazir haveli

J

ahanara, as always, was chilling in the garden after lunch. Usman, who had nothing to do, decided to annoy her. She was completely engrossed in a book filled with heart-wrenching shayaris, and her face reflected the emotions she read.

"Aryan ky shadi sy itni ghamgeen hogayi ky yeh ghisi piti shayari parhny lagi?" His tone dripped with sarcasm.

She was taken aback by his sudden arrival, causing her to lose grip of her book. With a furious gaze, she stared at him and questioned,

"Yeh kya harkat thi?" She clenched her teeth in frustration.

"Yeh hamari billi sherni kabsy bangayi?" He taunted her relentlessly, deriving pleasure from provoking her.

Jahanara, the obedient child, introverted and unconcerned with others, preferred solitude. But the fire in her eyes was only ignited by Usman, as he always managed to bring out the worst in her.

She didn't bother arguing with him and silently walked back into the haveli. Hastily entering her room, she delicately placed her book on the shelf.

"Pata nai kya samjhty hein khudko, aur mein bhala kiun udas hon kisi ky shadi hojany sy?" she huffed, her voice filled with frustration and defiance.

"Jahan, yahan ana zara," her mother's voice called out. Jahanara quickly composed herself, fixing her facial expressions before facing her mother.

Her mother requested her to make the evening tea, as everyone in the haveli loved the tea she made.

"Merey liye bhi aik cup bana dena aur merey kapry nikal dena, mujhy bahir jana hai." Usman stated as he walked in, his authoritative tone only adding to her irritation.

It had always been Jahanara's responsibility to ensure that Usman's attire was in order, as he never bothered to do it himself and always relied on her. While this responsibility used to be enjoyable when she was younger, but now she was exhausted by it.

"Apna kaam khud karny ki adat kiun nahi daalty aap." she remarked, still seething from their earlier exchange.

"Bas aik hi kaam karny ko kaha hai. Koi nai mein kisi aur sy keh deta." He replied with a dramatic flair, making a fake sad expression. He enjoyed getting a reaction from her.

"Jahan, buri baat hai." Her mother scolded her,

"Aur yeh jo mujhy baat baat py bulaty rehty hain woh bhi apny kamry mein, yeh buri baat nahi hai?" She remarked, and her mother laughed at her expression.

Their playful argument was a daily entertainment for everyone. She left the kitchen, leaving Jahanara and Usman alone.

"Biwi ayegi toh kya sochegi? Yeh bhi galat baat hai na ami?" She continued, unaware that her mother had left.

Usman walked forward, stopping just a few inches away from her. The gap that separated them was neither too close nor too distant.

"Apni biwi ko bulanay mein kya galat hai?" His voice was a mere whisper, his breath tickling her ear as he leaned in closer. Jahanara's heart skipped a beat as she turned to face him, her hands resting on his chest, a safe distance maintained between them, their faces mere inches apart and their breaths mingling in the air.

"Kon biwi?" Her voice trembled, a mix of shock and fear at the proximity between them.

"Tum." His gaze was intense, locking with hers as he gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Jahanara looked away, her voice barely a whisper, "But we're not married."

"Woh bhi hojayegi. Phir dekhoonga kesy mujhsy door bhagti ho." His playful reply hung in the air as he took a step back, breaking the spell between them.

"Han pehly kar lijiye phir dekhty hain." She slightly raised her voice, making sure he heard. Her voice was soft yet firm, a challenge thrown his way as he walked away, leaving her breathless.

_

Author's note

╰┈➤   I love writing about Usman and Jahanara, they're truly remarkable. I'm planning to write a little more about the side characters in the upcoming chapters, they're kinda interesting 🤌🏻✨️

Feel free to share your thoughts and leave votes and comments, it inspires me to write.

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