Haya always wanted to run away from her home, she wouldn't call that place home but it is what it is. She dreamt about it for ages and now that she was finally away from her hometown, it felt weird but that was it. There's no missing anything or anyone except her two best friends; Natasha and Farhan, who she keeps texting now and then.

She was yet to say about her marriage to Farhan and just the thought of it was making her feel worried. She didn't know how'd Farhan take this news especially when he has feelings for her, a strong one at that.
Haya couldn't think of it anymore. That surely did scare her so much.

She has also dreamt of having a real home, where she'd be loved and cherished. Will she ever find that kind of place? She doubts it.

Living in the Shah Haveli was like living on an entirely different planet. There you have few rules which are mandatory to follow. Haya who grew up with no restrictions found it hard to follow but she was getting used to it.

The Haveli was unusually big for just seven people which included Bi jaan and her two sons; Ibrahim and Jubair. And their respective wives Sarah and Bano. And not to forget their children, Abrar and Meruza.

And Haya being the newest addition to the family, found it a little difficult to adjust. How do they all expect her to get accustomed to the people who she had no idea of who they were until a few weeks ago? It was nearly impossible but Haya was trying.

She was trying to be the good daughter in law of the house and Bano Chachi took it upon herself to taunt her for anything or everything. And Abrar too wasn't any good at making her feel home, he hardly ever spends his time with her. They rarely talk and when they do, it's only arguing with each other. Nothing more or nothing less.

"Haya... Are you even listening to me?" Meruza who was talking nonstop paused as she observed Haya getting lost in her thoughts.

"What happened?" Haya blinked her eyes blankly and Meruza glared at her. Over time, they both have grown pretty close and mainly Meruza was so happy to finally have a girl company in her home. Which was a great thing considering she was kind of living an alone life until Haya came.

"I was asking about Ahil," Meruza replied with a curiosity filled voice.

"What about him?" Haya did not understand how the topic has changed from Meruza's college to her crushes to now Aahil. That girl is a gossip queen. No kidding.

"If you two are done with the gossiping, come to the kitchen and start preparing the meal. The men will be home soon." Bano interrupted them both with her unpleasant voice. Haya rolled her eyes as she got up from her seat. Meruza too joined her with a chuckle and they both headed off to the kitchen for preparing the lunch.

This has become a routine for Haya now; preparing food thrice a day for Abrar, who had no manners to even say a word of how the food was. Not even a small thank you. Her husband was rude like that and she wasn't very fond of him.

She had no idea that all of this will change one day for the better. Patience is the virtue after all.

•••

Abrar had been busy, he has seen how his father and his chachu worked day and night for their party and he too followed their footsteps. There's no doubt that the next president of the village will be him, with or without any elections but he wanted to make himself worthy of the post and that kept him motivated to work harder every day.

He was so busy that, he could not even spare a minute with his bride, who was he kidding with? It was of course lies. The truth is he made himself busy just so that he could stay away from her.

Coming back home is not his favourite thing anymore. He wanted to stay away from his wife as much as he could. He simply could not stand the sight of her. She hasn't done anything to make him hate her so much but he's just not ready. Not ready to accept any changes.

"Chote nawab, we've reached the Haveli." his driver's voice brings Abrar out of his thoughts. Without saying anything he got down from the car, closed it shut and walked straight to the backside of the Haveli. There was a lake over there, in which he likes to spend his time if his mind and heart were not at peace.

He took out his cigarette packet and lit one of them, on his way he signalled the guards to go away from there wanting to spend some alone time.

And now it was just him and the lake or so he thought. As he inhaled the smoke, his eyes land on her. Who had her legs slightly dipped in the water as she stared into the lake silently.

She looked beautiful but wait... He's not supposed to think like that.

"What are you doing here?" Abrar asked her in his intimidating voice which took her by surprise. She wasn't expecting anyone to come there at this time, as it was the lunch hours.

"None of your business." Haya ignored him as she enjoyed the feel of her legs dipped in the cold water.

"Don't you know that our family's girls aren't allowed to come to the lake? And what's with your dupatta? Why is it not on your head?" Abrar was furious, but Haya wasn't bothered by the tone of his voice. He did intimidate her but she wouldn't let him know that.

"I thought we got our freedom seventy years ago or something." Haya rolled her eyes as she got up from the land and dusted her back. Her palazzo was wet from being in the water, she did not mind it though.

Abrar puffed his cigarette and stomped it under his feet furiously. Haya was walking away from him when he pulled her wrists which brought her close to him. She looked at him wide-eyed as he took her dupatta which was on her shoulders and covered her head with it.

"You know the rules Haya, no roaming around in this house without your dupatta on the head," Abrar added firmly as he tucked her hair stands behind. His hands still held hers tightly. They both look at each other, their faces were mere inches away. It was the first-ever time they were so close like this.

She felt shivers running down her spine as he held her like that.
"First of all, don't pull my hands like that. And secondly, your breath smells gross. Get off me." Haya pulled away from his grip angrily. Abrar had never been insulted like that on his face and it did hurt his ego.

"Stop testing my patience, Hayat Ali," Abrar screamed at her which made her flinch a bit.

"How do you know that name?" Haya held his Kurta's collars angrily as she demanded the answer.

"Are you kidding me? The qazi repeated your name thrice during our nikkah and it was there in the documents of your house too." Abrar replied a bit confusedly, as he was slightly taken aback by her sudden change of attitude.

"You're not allowed to call me that... Abrar Shah. This should be the first and last time. No one's allowed to call me that. I'm only Haya for you. Just Haya!" she declared angrily and continued, "don't even talk about testing the patience or any shit like that. It's you who's testing my patience."

"Now what have I done to you?" he asked hoarsely, Haya glared at him as she looked into his charcoal eyes. Which was cold and furious.

"You know that I'm the one who's cooking food for you for the past few weeks. Doing all your works... Have you ever tried to appreciate me? I'm sure you don't even know the meaning of gratitude." Haya ranted angrily.

"So? You're my wife... of course, it's your duty to do that." Abrar pulled her hands away from his collars as he twisted them which made her hit on his chest. She looked at him in the eyes furiously.

"Wife, not a servant. I deserve some appreciation but wait, what else can I expect from a guy like you." Haya mumbled with an eye roll as she tried to pull away from him, but he held her tighter.

"What do you mean a guy like me? Who asked you to marry me then?" Abrar demanded furiously. He knew she didn't like him and that made him madder. She could have denied the wedding but she didn't.

"I wish I had a choice," Haya stated as a drop of tear rolled down her cheeks. Abrar immediately left her hands and in no time, she wiped off her tears.

He stood there awkwardly not knowing what to do, if there is something which he really cannot stand then it was seeing someone in tears.

Knowing that he was the reason for her tears only made him feel worse. He watched her walk away from there numbly, that should have happened long ago if only he didn't pull her like that and started the fight, all of this would not have happened now. He kicked the stone which lied in front of him angrily, which fell into the lake with a thud sound.

Damn, why did he agree to marry her?

***

Glossary:

Haveli= traditional townhouse or mansion.