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Azar was staying in his penthouse, avoiding the mansion for the past two days. The opulence of his surroundings felt hollow, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within him. He was all too aware of his uncle's stubbornness; there was no way he'd allow Azar to marry Emara. The thought of being there while she tied the knot with someone else was unbearable, a dagger twisting in his heart.

He had spent countless nights dreaming of a future with her, imagining the laughter they would share, the adventures they would embark on, and the quiet moments of intimacy that would bind them together. But now, all those dreams felt like fragile glass, shattering at the mere thought of her walking down the aisle, for someone else.

The walls of the penthouse seemed to close in on him, suffocating him with the weight of his emotions. Today was the day she was getting married, and the uncertainty gnawed at him like a relentless hunger. Would he ever see her again after this? The question echoed in his mind, a haunting refrain that refused to fade.

Azar's heart ached at the thought. He had always known that his uncle's influence loomed large over their lives, a shadow that dictated their choices. But he had hoped, against hope, that love would prevail. He had thought that perhaps, just perhaps, his uncle would see the depth of his feelings for Emara and relent. But now, as the minutes ticked away, he realized that hope was a luxury he could no longer afford.

Azar sat on the edge of his bed. His phone nearby, kept ringing continously. Since the past two days, his parents called him multiple times but he didn't feel like talking to anyone. Annoyed, he grabbed his phone to shut it down, only to see that his  grandmother  was calling him.

He could not reject her call, so he answered. "Azar, I need you to be here. Within an hour." Asma ordered him. "You know it's hard for me yet you're ordering me around. You guys are so cruel." He remarked.

"Fine, if you want me to be there to see the love of my life get married to someone else and get broken beyond repair then I'll be there." He bitterly replied before disconnecting the call.

_

The Malik Mansion buzzed with excitement,  Colorful drapes hung from the walls, vibrant marigold flowers adorned every corner, and twinkling fairy lights created a magical atmosphere.

The air was filled with the rich aroma of spices from the kitchen, where family members prepared traditional dishes. A beautifully arranged table showcased sweets and snacks, inviting everyone to indulge. Laughter and chatter echoed as relatives gathered, all dressed in their finest attire, ready to celebrate the joyous nikkah.

An hour later, Azar stormed into his room, fuming. He was in a disheveled state. He was taken aback to  see Emara in his room. She stood there  all dolled up, ready to marry someone else. His heart twisted at the sight of her.

Emara wore a stunning white anarkali crafted from high-quality raw silk, featuring exquisite handwork of dabka nakshi and pearl embroidery. A delicate net dupatta draped over her head, serving as a veil, featured a wide, beautifully embroidered border, with gold stitching that brought a classy vibe to her entire outfit.

She complemented her outfit with a rich burgundy velvet shawl, embellished with gold nakshi and sparkling stones, that complemented her outfit.

"What the hell are you doing in my room?" He spoke bitterly. His anger increased seeing her there. Was she trying to mock him, standing all dolled up for someone else?

"Yeh, apky kapry-" she pointed at the outfit laid out on the bed. "Yeh tumhy nikalny ki kya zaroorat thi, koi aur nikal deta." He replied, turning his gaze away from her, walking over to inspect the outfit. It clearly wasn't suitable for a guest at the event. It looked more like a groom's sherwani.

"Jaldi sy tayyar hojaen Azar." He quickly dropped the outfit on the bed and turned to her. His expression was a mix of surprise and anger.

"Wah bhai, shadi kia ho rahi hai tum toh tameez hi bhool gayi. Azar bhai sy ab Azar." Azar gritted.

"Aur mein koi shadi attend karny nai aya hoon. Jao yahan sy." He yelled at her rudely. Hoping she would leave.

"Agar aap nahi ayengey toh shadi kesy hogi?" Her naive behavior fuels his rage. What is she trying to do?? Is she rubbing it on his face that she is going to marry someone else right in front of him?

"I'm not that important. Aisa nahi hai ky mery ghair majoodgi sy tumhari shadi nai honi." He stated. Emara stepped closer, grasped his hand, and turned him to face her.

"Dulhy ky baghar shadi kesy ho sakti hai? Isiliye keh rahi hoon tayyar hojaen." She murmured softly. Azar stared at her, bewildered, unable to grasp the words spilling from her lips.

"Aur han, hony waly shohar ko bhai thori keh sakty." She added, making his eyes widen. Before he could ask any question she ran out of his room.

"Oye ruko," he called out for her. Just then his grandmother Asma, walked in.

"Your granddaughter has gone crazy." He complained.

"Yahan baitho tum." She pulled him onto the bed and sat besides him.

Flashback to yesterday morning.

The house was being decorated for Emara's mehndi ceremony . Asma observed everything quietly, she sighed and walked to back to her room.

Asad walked into her room when she called for him. He noticed Araiz sitting next to her. The tension from their argument the night before hung in the air. Asad wondered if his mother had summoned him to resolve their conflict.

"Grow up Araiz, stop complaining about every single thing to amma." Asad reprimanded his brother.

"I called you here for something else Asad." Asma's voice sliced through the air, icy and commanding. "I trusted you to lead our family, believing you had wisdom and strength, but you've proven to be nothing but a fool." She spat the words with disdain.

"What have I done, Ami?" he asked, desperation in his voice. "What haven't you done?" she shot back, her eyes blazing. "You chose to marry our daughters to that man without a second thought. Did you even consider their feelings? You let Azara go with him, and when she came back, did you bother to ask if she was okay with Shehzad? Did you?" Asma unleashed a storm of questions, each one cutting deeper.

"He's not the one, Asad. Stop pushing your daughters to marry someone they don't want. Azar loves Emara; he's our blood, and we know him well. But that Shehzad guy? We don't know anything about him. All I can say is he's not the right choice. He wasn't for Azara, and he isn't for Emara either." Asma was trying hard to make her son understand.

"Why do you want to shatter their hearts, Asad? Azar is suffering, and Emara looks just as lost in this mess. For once, go and seek her true feelings. I bet she likes Azar too. Don't destroy their love and lives for your so-called image. They are in love and getting married; there's nothing wrong with that. It won't ruin your reputation". Asad pauses, contemplating his mother's words.

He then called Emara to the room. "Come sit here," Emara hesitated, then awkwardly settled between them. Asad cleared his throat, his voice steady but tense. "Are you happy with this arrangement, Emara?"

Emara glanced at her father, shocked that he was asking for her opinion. Asma held her hand tightly, urging her to speak honestly. "No baba. I don't feel positive about this arrangement. If it were up to me, I would never have said yes." Emara replied, avoiding her father's gaze, scared of how he might react.

Asma asked, "Beta, what are your thoughts on Azar?" She replied, "He's a good guy. He respects and cares for me. Honestly, he has always looked out for me more than he did for Azara, even when I had Samar bhai. He stood by me like a shield." She used to see him as just an overprotective cousin, but after he confessed his feelings, she understood his actions better.

Asad remained silent. Emara had left the room, leaving just the three of them again in the room. "Araiz, I am sorry. I almost ruined both of your children's life. I never thought about the outcome of my actions. Thanks to amma that she knocked some sense into me at the right time." Asad apologised.

"Now, will you get your daughter married to my grandson? He's one a billion, haina Araiz?" Asma commented playfully. "Jee bilkul." Asad agreed, laughing at his mother's antics.

"Pr uss lakhoon mein aik waly bachy ko ghar wapis kesy bulaein?" Araiz asked. "Tumhari maa abhi zinda hai, Asad jesy kharoos ko mana liya toh Azar ka bhi koi hal nikal sakti hoon." She replied, Asad frowned at her comment  about him.

"Chalo ab dono yahan sy bhago aur mujhey soney do." Asma said. The brothers laughed at their mother being dramatic and walked out of the room, letting her rest for a while before the mehndi starts.

When the function started Emara sat there, expressionless. She wondered why her father asked for her consent if he wanted to get her married to Shehzad, despite knowing her opinion.

She let out a forced smile when Asma asked her to smile. "let me tell you something, after this you won't be forcefully smiling." Saying this Asma whispers in her ear,

"You're getting married to Azar. Your grumpy father agreed for it." Emara was shocked, and it took a while for her to realise that her grandmother was serious.

_

"This is how I convinced you taya to be your father-in-law." Asma said. Azar hugged her out of happiness, "dadoo, you're the best!" He exclaimed.

"Qubool hai." Azar whispered for the last time, looking at Emara, accepting her as his wife.

He walked over to her and lifted her veil. Emara raised her eyes to look at him. Azar pressed his lips on her forehead and moved back. Everyone around cheered for them.

Deep within, Azara longed for her nikkah was done in this way. She yearned for a different reality where she and Aryan could have exchanged vows without the chaos that surrounded them. Yet, despite the turmoil, she felt a profound gratitude for the thoughtful arrangements Aryan orchestrated during their nikkah, ensuring she felt cherished.

Thinking about him, she looked around for him. He was nowhere to be seen. "Have you seen Aryan?" She asked Arslan, who was talking on the phone.  He nodded. Azara stood beside him, waiting for his call to end.

"He left due to some business issues. He asked me to drop you home whenever you want to leave." Azara was hurt that he left without informing her.

'Maybe he  thought it was unnecessary to inform you, just as you didn't bother to tell him about your ex-fiance.' Her inner voice taunted her relentlessly.

An hour later, she bids farewell to her family and heads to the haveli, her determination steadfast as she readies herself to face him and address their complicated problems.

Upon reaching the haveli, she walks into their bedroom, only to discover it vacant. She tries to contact Aryan, but her calls are met with silence. "Where is Aryan and when will he return home?" she asked Arslan.

"Bhai..he is in Murre and I don't know when he'll be back." Arslan hesitated a while before answering. As if Aryan didn't want her to know about his whereabouts.

Azara felt a deep sense of disappointment that he hadn't bothered to tell her or, at the very least, say goodbye before heading off to another city.

_

Author's note

╰┈➤ Ik this chapter is a bit dramatic but I love writing dramatic scenes 🥲

-Thanks for reading 🤍