30. For the best

*****

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(Continuation of ch.19)

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"Sorry to interrupt your sleep, dear fiancè."

If Laiha was sleepy before then now she was wide awake. A look of horror crossed her expressions as she gaped at a silently seething Marwan who wore the most sarcastic of smiles on his face.

"Aise kya dekh rahi ho? Matlab, sab ko pata hai I'm engaged apart from me. Ironic, isn't it?"

He walked past her and into the dimly lit room. Trying to keep his emotions in check, he switched on the lights and flopped on the bed. His eyes found themselves back on Laiha who stood frozen beside the door and rolling his eyes, Marwan clapped his hands loudly, making her jump in fright and surprise.

"I've not yet learnt how to talk to statues. Please, be a little considerate."

The sarcasm was on point and Laiha had to force her feet towards where he sat. A nervous chuckle left her lips as she observed the look on his face.

"K-kya bol rahe ho? Did you have a nightmare or something?"

The sweet smile that lifted on Marwan's lips could raise anyone's blood sugar level and right now, Laiha could feel her's thumping at a great speed.

"Imagine my surprise when Ziah asks me about my marriage date. Not just she was kind enough to enlighten me with the information that I have a fiancè. Ab woh fiance kaha se aayi hai, I don't know. Toh, which date would suit a grand wedding?"

Marwan made a thinking face and Laiha finally grumbled in annoyance. Throwing the duvet aside, she sat cross legged on the bed beside him and placed her cheeks in between her hands before looking at him with a solemn expression.

"Meri galti nahi hai."

"Of course, I chose you as my fiancè. Mujhe hi pagal kutte ne kata hoga."

"What do you mean by that?"

The indirect insult made Laiha narrow her eyes in slits at the man who just gave her a bored expression, clearly not at all amused with where all this was going.

"Laiha, mind revealing the pandora's box?"

"Pandora- what?"

Groaning in frustration, Marwan hit the back of her head and got up from the bed. Glaring at her, he stood in front of where she sat and crossed his arms across his chest, silently asking her to speak up before he decided to take matters in his own hands.

Laiha sobered up at the change in his demeanour and with a nervous breath, spoke about how much she knew.

"It wasn't even on my to-do list when I came here. Madiha aunty ne bola ki she needs a little help. Now, how would I know that the help she needed was for me to act as your fiancè? Unhone sirf mujhe bola ki it's for the best and I did as she asked. She looked upset about something aur unko na bhi nahi bol sakti thi aur- Hey! Kaha ja rahe ho?"

Laiha immediately sprang from her seat and tried to pull him back but Marwan was fast enough to walk out of the room in utmost confusion and slight indignation.

He did hear Laiha's panicked voice and her footsteps not far behind. Standing in front of his parent's room, he knocked a few times, a clear urgency with the way he hit the door and not seconds later did his mother come into view.

"Marwan, itni raat ko? Sab theek toh-"

"Aap se baat karni hai. Akele mein."

His father was a heavy sleeper and it was no surprise when he peeked a little over his mother's shoulder and found him still in bed, sleeping without any care.

Madiha's worried eyes found Laiha's panicked ones and an inkling of what her son might have to speak about trickled a nervous sweat on her forehead. Giving him a nod, she cautiously closed the door behind her and asked the two to follow her to Laiha's room.

"Main kyu bali ka bakra bani hu in sab mein?"

Laiha mumbled under her breath and Marwan gave her a side eye, clearly with a look that said, 'It's only you to blame'.

Seconds later, the trio sat in Laiha's room. Marwan watched his mother with a neutral expression but the cloud of confusion sure did surround his eyes.

"Fiancè. My fiancè? Kaha se mama?"

Madiha didn't react to his words. Her features were calm and so was her demeanour. She sat on the couch, opposite to the bed where Marwan and Laiha sat.

"It wasn't my intention, but it had to be done."

It was a small whisper, filled with a gentle tone. Marwan caught onto the fact that his mother was trying to avoid any unwanted frustration or flare of temper. He could feel the way she was trying to avoid the edges and the persuasive tone of hers gave it all away.

"You and your father aren't on good terms already, Marwan. The business isn't doing well nor are you ready to take the reins of it and I understand why not. Remember, the relations in the house are already crumbling and if your father came to know that you are in-"

"There's nothing like that."

Marwan interjected as quickly as Madiha made the assumption. The tip of his ears were inked in red when Madiha raised an eyebrow at him. Her eyes spoke with a lilt about things that he himself had a hard time accepting and he cleared his throat, silently asking for her to continue.

"We've no idea who she is. And by the looks of it, your father isn't fond of making his home a hotel. And times like this, agar unhe bhanak pad gayi ki tum dono ke beech kya chal raha hai, it'll only create more troubles for everyone. If I'm being honest, it's not about her, it's about the timing."

Laiha scrunched her nose at the reasoning. The Qureshi clan was always confusing to her but this was just another level.

"Marwan, think about it. You see something troubles her, don't you? She's battling memories against time aur hume pata bhi nahi hai ki woh hai kya. You need to give her a place to clear her haze. A confused mind can't make the right decisions especially if it's about relations. Let her win the war that she's indulged in with her past. Support her from the shadows and wait for the day when you feel that she's ready. The day when both of you are ready."

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(End of ch.19)

*****

"Nahi hai woh meri fiancè."

The words echoed next to her ears even now. Even when she was being dolled up as a bride. Amongst the bustle around, all she could hear was his confession, all she could see were his eyes. The bangles with which her wrists were being adorned seemed far when compared to his gentle grip, a fading memory that had left its mark on her skin.

"Masha'Allah, badi khubsurat dikh rahi ho."

Someone spoke from the hustle and bustle and Ziah could only offer a small smile of gratitude. Laiha sat on the couch beside Aliya, the two were busy in their own silence while Parizad adjusted the mang teeka Ziah wore and patted her head.

"Ab jab tayyar ho hi gayi hai, toh kyu na aap sab thodi der ke liye bahar chale jayein."

Laiha didn't suggest but asked the women to do so and with a bitter expression, the ladies emptied the place, leaving behind the bride, Malak and the three others.

"Malak, Badar kaha hai?"

Ziah spoke with urgency. The one who was asked to quickly said what she had heard from the many women- that he was getting ready in his room and a few of his friends were there too.

"I need to talk to him."

Aliya shared a look with Parizad and instantly dialed her husband's number. Ziah's expectant gaze was fixed on her as she spoke to Kabir.

"Kabir, mind doing a trick or two and getting Badar to be alone in his room? Usse kuch zaroori kaam hai."

The answer of course was what they had expected and silence befell the room. As they waited for Kabir to finish the task, Laiha cleared her throat and leisurely walked next to Ziah. leaning closer, she whispered cautiously next to her ears while Malak kept Aliya and Parizad busy with her ramblings about the banarsi chadar.

"He told you?"

Knowing well what Laiha was trying to imply, Ziah gave her a small smile and a nod. Ziah tsked in mock reprimand when a guilty expression took over Laiha's face. The former knew she didn't mean to do it and by what Marwan had said, it was probably for the best.

"Naraaz toh nahi ho na?"

"Ho jaungi, if you don't let go off this unnecessary guilt."

Ziah playfully glared at Laiha who snickered next to her. The sound made the other three people in the room stare at them with confused gazes and the two offered a sheepish smile in return.

Aliya looked at her phone's notif and sprang to her feet upon receiving a message from Kabir.

The task was done.

Her eyes found Ziah's and the latter took in a deep breath. Straightening the dupatta draped over her head, Ziah opened the drawer and slowly pulled out a little something- a little something that had kept her going. Clasping it in her palms, she got up from the seat and Malak handed over her phone to her.

"It's all set. Just a matter of words and timing."

Ziah mumbled to herself and adjusted a few settings on her phone. Laiha and Parizad shared a confused look while Aliya dialed a number and stepped aside to have a hushed conversation with the person. Ziah had briefed her on what she was about to do since it would play a huge role in what her future held for her.

Leaving the room and the others, Ziah cautiously tip-toed to Badar's room that was at a distance from hers. Her palms tightened the hold of the small something in between them and with a deep sigh, she knocked on the semi-closed doors, hearing a faint voice speak from behind them.

Opening it fully, she saw Badar whistling to himself and combing his hair. If not for the need of the situation, Ziah would've turned on her heels and vowed to not see the man's features ever again, but certain things demanded sacrifices and this time, it was her comfort.

"Ziah? Abhi tak toh nikah hua bhi nahi hai. I'm sure you can wait a little more."

The smugness in his voice made her want to vomit. The poisonous stare that made her skin crawl was inevitable to hide away from when she stepped in the room. Opening her palms a little, she took a peek of the small black cufflink with a 'M' engraved on it.

It was his cufflink.

The one that had fallen the day he had asked her for a promise.

How she knew it was his would be solely because of its scent- a little musk mixed with spicy sultriness. And maybe, because of how it soothed her worries every time she touched it.

"Kaha tha na tumne ki abbu ke baare mein kuch baat batani hai. Batao ab."

It was as though her words had no effect when he didn't respond and continued tying his wrist watch. Controlling the growing unease and agitation within her, Ziah asked him once again.

"Kar rahi hu na nikah? Please, what was it you wanted to tell?"

Slamming his palms on the dressing table, Badar had successfully made Ziah freak out at the sudden loud sound. Straightening her posture, she refused to walk out without any answers, especially when the sword was centimetres away from destroying her freedom and her sanity.

Badar's annoyed gaze met hers through the mirror and with a frustrated look, he motioned for her to close the door.

At an alarming pace, her eyes widened and she was about to say a stern 'no' but when he raised an eyebrow and his hands in surrender, Ziah reluctantly did as she was asked.

Closing her eyes for a second, she put her confidence in the front line, saving the fears for the last. Like her thoughts had said,

Sacrifices were needed.

*****

Sitting dazed in the now crowded hall, Ziah seemed dull and pale. Badar's words had reopened wounds, maybe casted new ones too and she knew a part of her was bleeding but whether it was her soul or her heart, she knew not.

Excited gleam could be seen on Khurshida Begum's face as she guided all the women to one side. The section was separated and most men were seated in the longue apart from the groom, the nawab of the place and the Qazi.

"Appi, you look sick."

Malak whispered worriedly next to her ears but Ziah couldn't care less about her health. The bride felt a hand on the crown of her head and robotically raising it, she found Khurshida begum smiling down at her.

A smile so venomous and dipped in red.

Crimson red.

"Kuch der aur."

"Kuch der aur."

Ziah repeated the words without any emotions. She could sense the way Khurshida begum stiffened at her lack of reaction but played it cool. Smiling one last time at the two, she walked round the place and checked on her son.

The Qazi spoke through the mic and the place was now silent. Clearing his throat, the older man spoke a few things about duties of the couple and the importance of the bond. After a few minutes, he asked the question of consent.

"Ziah Aslam binte Zarman Aslam, kya aapko aapka nikah Badar Sehani wald Kareem Sehani se sikkah rajul waqt mein 6 lakh meher, Qubool hai?"

A few beats of silence passed and no reply was heard.

The Qazi cleared his throat and repeated the question,

"Ziah Aslam binte Zarman Aslam, kya aapko aapka nikah Badar Sehani wald Kareem Sehani se sikkah rajul waqt mein 6 lakh meher, Qubool hai?"

Khurshida Begum let out a nervous chuckle and came to stand beside Ziah. applying a little pressure to the crown of Ziah's head, Khurshida begum hissed angrily next to her ears.

"Jawab do."

The Qazi spoke once again and just as the guests started murmuring amongst themselves, Ziah shared a look with Malak, giving her a small nod, she finally spoke.

"Nahi."

The answer was loud and clear and if the shock of her previous silence had wreaked havoc, her final answer had caused the whole haveli to fall into an uproar. Whispers and screams of disgraceful words were heard but Ziah could care less. Standing up, she loosened the dupatta over her head and smiled innocently at Khurshida begum who had frozen on her spot.

Badar's angry words were muffled and the barrier between the two sides was pulled apart.

Ziah faced her biggest nightmare with a neutral expression and this just added fuel to Badar's growing aggression.

"Kaha tha maine, yeh haveli mere abbu ki hai."

The words were repeated from the day when he had sold her. Dragged her out of the very same haveli as though she were a thing and not a person.

"You-"

Badar had just started when sirens were heard wailing not far away. They increased second by second and with a blink of an eye, men wearing khaki uniform stood at the doorway.

The haveli looked nothing less than a mela at that point. Women were scrambling while some stayed to see what was happening. Minute by minute, the crowd reduced to nothing and only a few were left.

After all, there was a saying ki wardi walo ki na dosti achi, na dushmani- though, Ziah did excel in the former.

Not far behind them, came in view a worried looking Marwan, Daiyan and Kabir. Rounding the officiers, Marwan came up to where Ziah stood, a heavy weight seemed to have been lifted from his shoulders when he saw the pale faces of the mother-son duo. Ziah hadn't assured him of much but what she did say was enough to secure his hope and heart back in place.

"Khurshida Sehani and Badar Sehani?"

One of the officers asked the remaining people in the room and a few fingers were pointed at the asked persons.

The initial shock wore off from the mother-son duo and a new one settled in. Putting on a clueless expression, Khurshida begum tried to hide the panic and alarm in her gaze as she faced the uniformed men.

The head officer looked at her and then gave a nod to one of the female constables who came forward only to cuff Khurshida begum's hands much to her resistance.

"K-kya kar rahe hai aap?! Kya kiya hai humne?"

She asked with an agitated tone. Her face flushed with embarrassment when a few women started whispering next to each other, their accusing gazes set on her even though they didn't know what the crime was as of yet.

Badar shrugged off the touch of the male constable, irritated with the way his hands were twisted behind his back but resisted saying anything that might wind up the men.

"Khurshida Sehani, you are under arrest according to section 302 under the act of murder and Badar Sehani, you are under arrest according to article 23 of the Indian constitution under the act of human exploitation."

*********

Done. Done. Donneee!

Ahhh, finally. Sari musibatein khatm or are they?!

Bas thoda action aur and then we'll get our happy ending. Not me legit excited to mark this book 'complete'. Like freaking finally. It was about time.

**********