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Author's Pov.

Later that day,

Nourez had called Azara's family, informing them about their daughter's marriage with his grandson.

Asad had restricted everyone from having any contact with Azara. Azar wasn't interested in her neither Rohan was bothered as she broke his trust.

Her parents and Samar were concerned about her. They decided to go to the Raaes haveli and meet her.

They were seated in the elegant living room, surrounded by Aryan's family. Although Nourez was unaware of their presence, the other family members warmly welcomed them.

Shortly after, Aryan's mother guided her parents to Azara's bedroom, understanding their need for a private discussion with their daughter.

Samar sat there with the rest of the family. Dawar seemed impressed by his personality. After their little conversation he came to know that he is Azara's cousin and the eldest son of the Malik's.

Meanwhile, Azara was having a hard time with her parents. "Tumney aik baar humsey baat krna bhi zaroori nai samjha?" Her father asked, his tone was calmer than expected.

"As if you would've agreed to it. Apny toh mangni krwany sy pehly mujhy poochna bhi munasib nahi samjha tha baba. Aur toh taya abu ky kehny py mujhy usky sath bahir bhi bhej di. Did you even bother to know what kind of person he was? I had to no other option.

One of the main reasons to marry Aryan secretly was to save myself from being forcefully married off to someone like Shehzad. " she confessed. Her parents were shocked at her selfishness.

Sabira grabbed her daughter's hands, "Do you even realise how selfish you're  sounding right now, Azara? Did you really fall  in love with Aryan or it was all a pretence just to marry him and get away from your toxic fiancé?" She asked. Azara looked at her in disbelief.

"Ami! Of course I love Aryan. I just said it was one of the main reason  not the  only reason. And please don't discuss about Shehzad right now, Aryan might hear us." She said in a hushed tone.

Her father looked at her suspiciously, "What do you mean he might hear us? Did you not tell him about your engagement with Shehzad before your marriage?"

"No baba, he still doesn't know." She replies looking away from them. They gasped at her admittance. "Yeh dhokha hai Azara. Tumhy ab tak usey bata dena chahiye tha." Her father grits, "agar usey khudsy pata chal gaya na toh woh tumhy kabhi maaf nai karega." He added.

Azara tenses at her father's words. He was right, but she couldn't muster the courage to tell him about it. "Abhi bhi waqt hai usey bata do. It's not that he'll leave you." Her mother suggested. She just nods in return.

_

It's been two weeks to their nikkah and return to the Raaes haveli. Nourez was barely seen with the family. In the past two weeks, Nourez and Aryan have not seen each other. It was hard for Aryan to stay away from his dada. Every morning he'd go on a walk with Nourez. He missed those days.

Today Aryan was determined to get Nourez back to his old form. He knocked at door of Nourez's room, "come in."

Aryaan walked inside, Nourez was seated on his rocking chair, with his wife's shawl wrapped around his hand. He often sat with the shawl in his hand. He chuckled looking at the shawl his grandfather held.

Flashback.

Ten year old Aryan was running after his grandfather. Nourez ran around the house with a shawl in his hand, hushing away little Aryan. "Arey Dawar, samjhao apny iss magarmaach ko, yeh meri marhoom biwi ki akhri nishani hai aur yeh toh mein isey bilkul nahi deney wala." Nourez exclaimed.

"Yeh merey dado ka hai. Yeh mujhy do. Baba, aap apny budhy baap ko samjhao yeh meri dado ki shawl hai aur ab mera hai." Dawar was too stunned to speak. Imama tried to hush Aryan.  Their little banter went on until Aryan snatched the shawl and ran away and hid somewhere in the haveli.

Everyone went back to do their work but Nourez looked for him slightly annoyed and furious. "Hiee dada" Aryan walked to him with a cheeky smile. His hands behind him, as if hiding something from Nourez.

"Don't dada me. Meri biwi ki shawl wapis krdo." He hissed. Aryan still smiling forwarded his hand, giving a part of the shawl to Nourez. Nourez's eyes widened as he was handed half part of the shawl. Aryan had cut it into two pieces, keeping one for himself and the other for Nourez.

Little Aryan  thought of himself as a kind hearted person as he decided to give Nourez half of the shawl. "Abey o magarmach!! Yeh koi aam thori hai jo tuny doo hissa krdiya. Yaar meri biwi ka pehla tohfa tha meri taraf sy, itny pyar sy laya tha aur tuny iska doo hissa kardiya??" Nourez screams. Aryan rolled his eyes at the old man, "he's being very dramatic, yeh bhi nai dena chahiye tha" Aryan thought inwardly.

_

At present.

Nourez raised his eyes and saw Aryan standing at his door. He stared at Aryan in anger. Aryan walked to him with the same old cheeky smile. He  forwarded a bouquet of roses to Nourez, "yeh apni biwi ko do, mujhey nai chahiye." Nourez said,looking away.

"Nai darling yeh apky liye hain." Aryan could be this cheeky with Nourez only. "Mein tumhara dada hoon, dadi nai jo inn harkatoon sy maanjaon." Nourez snapped.

Aryan knew being cheeky wouldn't work this time. He kneeled infront of Nourez and held his hands. "Dada, you know na how much you mean to me. I'm sorry that my actions have hurt you. Please forgive me." He pleaded his grandfather. At this point Aryan really felt vulnerable. So did Nourez.

After his wife had passed away, he thought there was nobody for him, nobody he could rely on, nobody that would willingly spend time with him but Aryan proved him wrong.  Aryan never left him alone. At every point in life Aryan relied on his dada more than his parents.  He dedicates his every achievement and success to his grandfather.

"Ab maaf krdo na" he whined. Nourez chuckled, remembering how little Aryan would come running to his grandparents, whining about the slightest inconvenience.

"Yeh phool bohot pyare hain" Aryan smiled at his comment, "merey jaisey,haina?" He asked, "Nai meri biwi ki trhan" Nourez let out a laugh. "Am I forgiven?" Aryan asks,

"Ab meri jaan aisy mafi mangeyga toh mein naraz thori reh sakta. Par dekho Aryan, in future koi bhi decision leny sy pehly soch samjh kr lena. Har cheez mein jald baazi achi nahi hoti." Nourez patted his shoulder. Aryan nodded. They chatted for a while before Aryan left for his room.

As soon as he entered the room his demeanor changed. Azara was surprised to see him at home at this time. The past week, Aryan had busied him in the office, he'd return late at night. Azara was fine with it because she thought he had impending work as he took off, while he was with them in Murre.

She happily walked towards him to give him a hug but it seemed like he ignored her and walked into the closet. Azara didn't fret over it and sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for him to return.

Aryan walked back into the room, changing into something comfortable. His gaze went to the bouquet placed on the wardrobe, he clenched his jaw and looked at Azara, who seemed busy thinking about something.

He walked to her and sat besides her. "Azara, do you think there's something that you need to tell me?" He said, looking straight at the wall in front. She looked up and stared at him, "w-what?" She asked,

He then looked at her, as if swallowing his anger, "You're sure there's nothing?" He asks staring at her. She felt timid under his overpowering gaze. She shakes her head negatively.

Aryan leans in, he was so close that she could feel his breath on her face, "Achi baat hai biwi. Mujhy jhoot aur jhooty log nahi pasand." He whispers into her ear. She pretended not to be scared by what he said at the end.

"Azara!" She stared at him, lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear him call her until now, "your phone is ringing, continously." He said. She looked at the number and instantly turned her head towards Aryan, "w-woh wrong number hai." She gulped.

"Don't worry, aaj ky baad iss wrong number sy call nahi ayega." He replied, looking into her eyes, intensely. She didn't dare to look away from him. Just then Aryan walked out of the room.

"Does he know the truth?" Azara sat there and wondered what he meant. Just then a message pops up on her phone, from the same unknown number. Keeping her phone aside she turns her head to the flower bouquet. She grabs them and discards them in the trash can in the backyard of the haveli.

Aryan doesn't return home on time that night. Azara is tensed as the situation doesn't seem fit. Aryan's behaviour from the day made her feel scared.  She waited for him and fell asleep on the couch, Aryan came home late. Seeing her settled uncomfortably on the couch he carried her to bed. Azara was in a deep sleep, unaware of his arrival and presence.

Aryan couldn't sleep, his mind went back to the day when Azara told her parents the actual reason of their marriage.

Aryan.

Two weeks. It's been two weeks since I've heard her say the actual reason to her parents and till now I've been waiting for her to tell me the truth.

It breaks my heart that she chooses to keep this a secret. Didn't she trust me enough to tell me about it? It was all fine, I still waited for her to come and tell me when she feels comfortable until she started receiving anonymous calls and gifts everyday this week, even then she didn't think it's important to let me know.

I lay on the bed, staring at the white ceiling and didn't realize when I dozed off. Today I was determined to confront her. I will ask her one more time. One last time politely.

11 PM. Exactly at this time everyday, a maid walks in with a bouquet. I could feel my head burst in anger. I keep my laptop aside and walk upto her. She stood there, her shaking hands holding the bouquet. I take them from her and place it on the table.

"Are you alright, biwi?" I ask, trying to sound polite. She just nods. I kneel before her as she sits on the edge of the bed.

'One last time Aryan, maybe she will tell you now.' I keep telling myself.

"Tell me Azara, is there something that I should know?" I ask her and she doesn't even hesitate before shaking her head and whispering a 'no.' I stand up abruptly in anger.

'So you don't think it's necessary for me to know about your engagement?" I burst out. It was too much to handle now.

"You didn't even bother telling me that your ex keeps calling you, sending you these flowers every fucking day."

"Oh but why would you tell me? You just married me to save yourself from being forcefully married off to him,didn't you?"

"Everything was a lie. A fucking lie. Your love, you, everything is a lie." I could see her shiver, she came closer to me and tried to hold my hand, but I move back before she could.

"Aryan listen-"

"Not a word!" I cut her off.

"You are a selfish woman, Azara. You trapped me so that you could save yourself. You never loved me. I was just a pawn for you. You never loved me, nor trusted me." I keep my voice low so that what happens in the room stays in the room. I know my words are hurtful but what about me. I feel betrayed.

"I came to know about your engagement, the day your parents came. I overheard your conversation and still I waited for two fucking weeks just thinking that maybe you would come and tell me about it. But you didn't even bother to let me know when you were receiving anonymous calls, love letters, messages and bouquets from your ex."

"Remember this, you are a selfish woman. You just married me to save yourself and you never loved me." I wasn't in the sense to realise what I am blurting out and if it would hurt her. My own heart felt like it would explode in any minute.

_

Author's note

╰┈➤   Too much drama. Pr yeh toh bs shuruwat hai ;)