I was born in the lap of luxury and wealth, power and privilege. From afar one would think my life was perfect and for a while even I believed it to be. I was the first daughter born in the Malik family after generations, needless to say I was adored. Sweets were distributed, sacrifices were offered, destitute were fed, feasts were held, shrines were decorated; all to celebrate the birth of a baby girl in the family.

As a young girl, I relished the power I had over my family. I was pampered and cherished, even my absurdist of demands met without objection. Life was perfect. I was spoilt.

As our political influence in the country grew, so did my social circle. Children clung around me, hoping to forge a friendship with the Malik heiress. I would love the attention I received, but soon it became apparent people didn't love me for who I was, but for the weight my surname carried in the country. A seed of resentment took root within me.

After my thirteenth birthday, I was no longer allowed to visit my friends or any public places. The occasional times I was allowed, Zaroon Bhai or Zayan would have to accompany me. It angered me. I began to envy the unbridled freedom my brothers enjoyed. The seed began to grow.

As I grew older, my demands were no longer entertained, instead my life was organised around an imaginary rule book. A rule book bound with the wires of morality, aimed at transforming me into a perfect docile woman. A woman who would one day be wedded off into a powerful, affluent family, to further cement our family's position in the country. I still remember the nauseating feeling that clawed my throat when I overheard my grandfather casually suggest the few families he was considering for his grandchildren. I was fifteen.

That was the day I realised, when politics becomes a profession, power becomes your dearest relationship. The small seed that day blossomed into a plant.

I knew my life would come to this one day, but I never thought my family would deceive me like this. My heart bled at the cold beguilement. They were well aware of my predilection for Yaar, yet they chose to keep me in the dark.

My heart beat quickened as the vortex of my stupidity came knocking over. I wanted to laugh at my naivety. Of course, Dada Jaan would want the scion of the Chaudhry party. Yaar had no political ambitions. He was as useless to our family as a candle is during the day.

Before I could say anything, a soft knock announced the end of our meeting. Huda walked in informing us that our presence was required downstairs. Shehryar nodded in acknowledgment, while I stood there frozen.

"Ammi is excited to meet you. She still can't believe Aliyaar Bhai is getting married." I could feel the hesitation waltz in his words. When I did not speak, he sighed softly taking my hands in his. "I didn't think your family wouldn't have informed you about Aliyaar Bhai. It was their demand after all."

His words slowly rang through me. "What do you mean?" I murmured.

Yaar ran his hand through his hair, settling back into the chair with a frustrated groan. "You really have no idea?"

I suddenly felt lost.

The expression on my face must have given it away, because Yaar shook his head in disapproval before continuing. "Abba had asked for your hand in marriage in return for the support our party would render in the upcoming elections. My family knows about our friendship; we thought your family wouldn't have a problem with the alliance. In fact, they never even mentioned it until yesterday afternoon."

My eyes widen as realisation finally dawned upon me. Dada Jaan had it all planned from the beginning. Suddenly all the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. My parents being called after lunch, Aliyaar's presence in the residential quarters, the absence of the Chaudhry family at the dinner last night, everything made complete sense. Dada Jaan had changed the plan last minute. He knew it was too late for them to back off now.

"Aliyaar Bhai and Abba were infuriated. But your grandfather left us with no option. We need this as much as your family does."

I shook my head vehemently, hoping it would get rid of all my thoughts. "I can't do this. I will talk to my grandfather right now." I said standing up, I won't let them ruin this.

I was about to leave when Yaar swiftly caught me, making me look at him. My vision blurred with searing tears.

"Stop it, Shanzae!" His stern voice calmed me down. "You can't create a scene right now. My family doesn't deserve this. My brother doesn't deserve this. I did all I could, but you have to understand, these circumstances are beyond us." He sighed, his face softening. "We should head down now. Ammi wanted to do a few rasams."

➰➰➰

Nothing, absolutely nothing in my life could have prepared me for this moment. My stomach churned in nervous anticipation, my treacherous tears threatening to spill. My mind was adrift with myriad conflicting thoughts. A feeling of loss and insecurity washed over me.

I felt a paralysing fear grip my heart. I wanted to run, but it felt like my bones were stripped off every strength, my muscle etiolated. I stood frozen, staring at the grand door of the main hall. My breath quickens as I heard loud laughter and cheerful chatter from the other side of the room. Everyone seemed happy.

"You can do this. It'll be alright." Yaar's silent whisper rang though me. He was right. I could not let my fear and anger weaken me, even if my end was near, plain and inevitable. I had to be tactful. It would be imbecile to create a spectacle right now. Yaar was right, his family didn't deserve this. My family had to be dealt with behind closed doors. Right now, I had to mask all my feelings behind a sedate smile.

I nodded, beckoning him to open the door.

The room was bustling with a joyous energy, the two families sat rejoicing the forthcoming union. The women sat comfortably towards the rear end of the hall. I noticed some of Yaar's extended family present as well. The long marble table, separating the male and female sitting area, overflowed with beautifully wrapped gifts, an offering from my future in-laws.

Covertly, I turn towards my right. Dada Jaan sat in his usual chair, sprawled like a king. Taya Abu and Dad sat besides him. Their faces drawn in a placid composure.

No one had noticed us enter the hall except a pair of stormy brown eyes. The deep pools of chocolatey swirls locked with mine, sending a shiver racing down my spine. I wanted to look away, but I found myself lost in his hypnotising gaze. The flecks of rustic gold, glistened with fervour and a hint of mystery.

Deep. Dangerous. Deadly.

"They're here." I heard Layla exclaim, breaking us out of our trance. The hall filled with a cheerful murmur.

The ladies gathered around me. Congratulating me with bone crushing hugs and kisses. Mother asked everyone to move to the main hall, the men coming in to join us. I was seated on the main divan, while Layla and a few girls fussed around me with the platters of sweets and flowers.

Yaar came to stand next to his brother, whose brooding gaze was still set upon my jittery form. Yaar patted his back, making him look towards him. A hushed exchange took place between the brothers and Aliyaar nodded at him, his eyes alternating between Yaar and me. I could not help but feel this conversation pertained to me.

Thankfully, their mother diverted my attention. "Mashallah! I couldn't have found a prettier bride for my son." She leaned down to kiss my forehead. "I can't explain how happy I'm. I thought I'd never be able to see Aliyaar's children." Everyone laughed at her words, while I flushed in mortification. This day couldn't get any worse.

"Why are you standing there? Come sit next to Shanzae. We need to exchange the rings." I tensed hearing her. I was not prepared for this. This was all too sudden. Too quick. I could feel my heart beat race, sending warm blood coursing through me.

Yaar patted his shoulder encouragingly, before passing me a placating smile.

Aliyaar walked up to me, slowly settling down besides me, my stomach knotted up. I could feel the tumultuous thudding of my heart, my body stiffened at the proximity. I clasped my hands tightly, slowly fiddling with my fingers in an attempt to ease my frazzled nerves. The world around me beginning to dissipate.

I felt lost in my surrounding. It slowly seeped in how much my life had changed within the past few hours. My reality was a distant cry from the dreamland I had created. The small spark of hope, that had been flickering within me had extinguished and all there was left were lies and uncertainty. I floated upon the empty feeling, till I felt a warm hand envelope my entwined ones, slowly loosening them from their grip.

I glanced at our intertwined hands, that now comfortably rested on his knee. Oddly it felt comfortable. I peeped up slightly. His rigid expression replaced with a languid smile. He didn't look at me, but I knew he was aware of my questioning eyes. He seemed unbothered, too interested in the frivolous, teasing remarks of his cousins.

The night dragged on. Rings were exchanged, gifts were passed around, sweets were distributed. All the men left after the ring exchange, but Aliyaar stayed for the rest of the ceremony. For a moment, I was thankful I didn't have suffer the agony alone. He hadn't said a word to me through the night, but his hand held mine in a vice grip.

I felt a sudden urge to cry. I did not know who this man was. I knew nothing more than his name, yet I was expected to spend the rest of my life with him. The empty feeling began to crawl back in.

Thankfully, mother announced it was time to dinner. I looked up to her with a silent plea and she blinked her eyes in silent acknowledgement.

Everyone started to make their way out, when mother walked over to us. "Why don't you go to your room? I'll have dinner sent over." She looked at us with a sickening smile. "The bride doesn't dine with the guests." She continued, looking at Aliyaar. He seemed to buy the excuse, because his hand finally left mine and I sprinted to the safety of my room.

➰➰➰

All my pent up emotions swirl around like a storm in the sea, deep and dangerous. Brick by brick, the walls I had so carefully erected began to crumble. I slummed besides the centre table in my room, my body slowly giving in. Unbidden tears spill down my face, my body pulsed with howls of misery. I tried to stifle my cries but I wracked with ferocious sobs. The noisy sobs echoing through my silent room. I clutched the glass vase in a firm grip, trying to wane away my anger and frustration.

"Apke haath se tou khoon araha hai." An aghast Huda stood by me, before pulling my hand away from the now broken case. "Yeh kya kar diya. Chorye."

[your hand is bleeding. | What have you done. Leave this.]

She settled besides me with a first aid kit, when a knocked sounded at the door. We both stood up and Huda looked at me questioningly. "Mother has probably sent dinner. Bring it out in the balcony. I feel suffocated in here." I walked out, small droplets of blood dripping down from my hand.

I sighed taking in the fresh air. A sweet floral scent filled the air relaxing my heart to a steadier rhythm. The cool summer breeze caressed my bare back.

"I wanted to..." I jumped in surprise, turning around to collide into a hard chest. I clutched my breast at the sudden fright, stumbling back towards the deck railing when a steady pair hands caught my waist, whirling me towards them. My eyes widen in shock. Tersely, I looked up, my breath caught in my throat at the sight.

Aliyaar.

His hawk like eyes scrutinising me with a predatory gleam. I swallowed the lump that formed at the back of throat, causing my throat to itch with a sudden dryness. I gaped, slightly opening my mouth to wet my parched lips, trying to mask the sudden thirst within me. 

His unwavering stare hardened, stopping at my lips before trailing back to my eyes. I felt myself breathless, unable to move — frozen. His hypnotising stare glistened with unsaid promises. Promises which had my inside quivering with an unknown emotion.

I stiffened at the thought. As if sensing the sudden change in my demeanour, his eyes narrowed but his grip on my waist tightened, tugging me closer. My generous chest snug against his hard muscled one, his hands leisurely travelled up. I felt my body sizzle with a jolt of electricity, when his fingertips languidly kissed the exposed skin of my back.

The static air around us palpable, drenched with a sudden torridness.

He was too bold, too indomitable, too enigmatic.

"Your hand is bleeding."

"Huh?" I was too lost to comprehend his words.

"Your hand. It's bleeding." He eyes settled on my hand, which was sandwiched between our chests. I wriggled at the realisation, and he finally let go, stepping back to put a decent distance between us.

"How did you come here?"

"You really love asking me questions?" He faced twisted with a lazy smirk.

"Can't a fiancé ask questions?" I sneered, surprised at the bitterness in my voice.

He let out a low chuckle. "Fiancé. Sure. Whatever pleases her."

I looked away, too tired. "Like anyone cares about that." I muttered. I'm not sure if he didn't hear me or chose to ignore it, but he remained silent for a while.

"You need to bandage your hand." He walked inside to fetch the kit lying on the table.

"You need not worry. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."

"I can see that." He said in a low growl, pulling my arm to examine my hand.

I tried pulling away, but his grip tightened. His eyes lit with annoyance. He left my hand shortly, to pull a chair beside me motioning me to sit. I sighed, too tired to argue. He kneeled on his knee, taking my hand to tie the bandage around it.

I stared at him, while he worked silently to dress my wound.

"Staring isn't considered very polite." He said his eyes still trained at my hand. I flushed at his cheeky remark, looking away. "Here all done."

"Thank you." He nodded. The tension between us cutting through the silence. "Why are you here?"

"I don't know." I looked at him surprised. This was not the answer I expected. "You know some relationships are like debts. An obligation. You need to repay them when the time comes. You might not like to, might not want to, might not even have the capacity to, but you have to repay them. And that is what we have to do."

I looked at him stupefied, his words jolting me to my core. He was as trapped as I was. We all were.

Three lives trapped in the game of power.

Everyone deserves a brother like Shehryar. 😢
Thoughts on today's chapter?

Also, please tell me if you're ok with the current pace of the story. Is it going too slow? I initially didn't plan it to be this way, but it's turning out to be a slow burn.

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