Shaiq's POV

"What happened here?"

We both turn back to find Mom coming towards us. In fact, she gets a little taken aback when she notices Zainab. Zainab greets her but before she can greet her back, she stops beholding the wound on my face. Although I have spitted the blood, still there is some clotted blood under my lower lip.

Mom turns my face towards her as she softly touches my lower lip, "what is this, Shaiq?"

I flinch when her finger directly hits the bruised area. I open my mouth to say something but before I can do so, Zainab speaks which makes my eyes to get wide in astound.

"Aunt, he just fell on the ground, and that's when it happens. Right Shaiq?" She shows me eyes to say the same thing as her.

What a lie, Zainab.

"Yes, Mom. She is right, " I utter as I glare at her.

"Anyways, why are you still at home?" Mom asks her.

I hope she just leaves right away. It's such a pity that today I will lose my childhood friend. I won't be able to become the one who brings a smile at her face. But it's better than seeing her suffering. Her words in the hospital just prompt me to make a decision quickly.

"I am just going to the coffee shop for my part-time job but if you guys have come then I'll stay..."

"No Zainab, go," I interrupt and almost yell.

"What I meant is that we aren't coming to your house. We were just passing from here and we have to leave for an important place real quick. Right, Mom?" I look at my baffled Mom for the assertion.

"Yeah, he is right," Mom quickly replies.

Zainab stares at both of us with confusion. I am sure she isn't convinced of whatever we are saying.

"Okay then, I am going. Bye." Zainab waves at both of us as she walks away.

I let out a deep puff of air when she has gone.

Zainab, I am sorry!

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"Wait a minute, what did you just say?" Daniyal yells as he stands up from the sofa he is sitting.

I rub my forehead in frustration as I look at Mom. This guy seriously is a bomb and I never ever liked to talk to him. I never thought I will need to plead to him someday. I shrug my shoulders while my eyes are still on Mom. She slightly nods her head, a way for me to have the courage to say this.

If it weren't for Mom and her support, I won't be able to come here and discuss this topic. I remember when I first tell her about the whole situation, she doesn't even say anything. She soon understands Zainab's condition and without any reluctance, she agrees to come with me. Perhaps because she loves Zainab as her own daughter or because of me, she has done this.

I take a deep breath before opening my mouth again.

"I said, I want to marry Zainab. Her engagement which is going to happen this coming Friday, I want it to be with me."

"Why so?" Zainab's father inquires.

Now, what should I answer about this vague question? Should I myself say the thing which I have asked Mom to say? That's so difficult to even think of this; how will I manage to say this?

I cone out of my thoughts when I find Mom squeezing my hand with her.

I run my fingers through my hair as I try to wash away Zainab's face from my eyes.

"Because," I pause for a moment to again think about the words I am going to say.

I may get embarrassed after saying this thing but in this way, Zainab's life won't get ruined.

"Because I love Zainab; not as a friend, not as my cousin as well but as a girl."

I feel like doing something to just flee away from this world when I find Mom's hand again on my hand; slightly squeezing it.

I know Zainab's family will say yes now or then because of how greedy they are. I and my family are financially better than Shakir so there is a much bigger chance of them approving my proposal. They need the money and they won't think once about giving their daughter to anyone.

The pleasing look with faint smiles on Zainab's parent faces is enough for me to decipher that they will agree with it. Though Daniyal is still looking at me with a scowl.

"Wait a minute. Where was that love when you were so active in getting Zainab married to that jerk ex-boyfriend of her? Isn't it was you who was trying hard to make us accept him?" Daniyal smirks.

I glare at him with clenched jaws. I swear I feel like beating this guy till his death. before I can say something, Mom speaks.

"Love just happens, Daniyal. He was oblivious of his feelings for Zainab back then. And that's not a good thing to dig the old graves. We should think about present and future," Mom says in a stern voice.

"Fine then. We have no problem with this. Instead, it's more of a relief that she will be going to her Aunt's house," Zainab's father asserts.

I let out a deep breath at this. Thank God!

"Wait, I want to add something, " Daniyal suddenly speaks making all of us look at him.

"We want some proportion of Shaiq's property which he will be going to name to his wife, to directly named to us, not Zainab. If you agree on this thing then Zainab is yours," he shrugs his shoulders.

That's the particular reason, I hate this guy. I can't believe he is willing to sell his sister to anyone. I fold my fingers in a tight fist when his smirk goes deeper. I again look at Mom with a questionable stare. She again nods her head as she puts her hand on my shoulder.

"We have no problem. We will do as you guys will say," Mom replies instead of me.

There is a triumph grin on Daniyal's face as soon as Mom says. And seeing it, I feel like killing him.

"And we want all of this to happen today."

I again glare at Daniyal. How much greedy this guy is! He is not even giving a mind about the fact that he is talking  this crap to his mother's real sister.

"But Daniyal, that's not possible today. It takes time for all the paperwork," Mom complains.

"That's not my problem. Forget Zainab then if you can't do this," Daniyal smirks.

"But-"

"Wait Mom," I interrupt her as I glare at Daniyal.

"Fine. It will happen today but for this, I have a condition as well.." I deliberately stop and look at his shocked face.

"I want to do nikkah with Zainab today. Nikkah, Rukhsati, and whatever there is, should happen today, and then I will take her with me."

"We have no problem with this. As long as you are accepting our demand, she is yours and you can take her with you whenever you want, brother in law," Daniyal chuckles as he stands up.

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Zainab's POV

"Come inside."

I stare in confusion at Daniyal when he grabs my hand and drags me inside my room. As soon as I step inside the house, he is standing in front of the door like a ghost with a scowl.

"What are you doing?" I yell when he closes the door of my room.

Don't tell me he is going to beat me for what Armaan has done with him.

"I can't believe after flirting with unknown men you have statted flirting with your childhood friend, " he blurts as he grabs my jaw.

I gaze at him with shock in my eyes. What is he talking about?

"First you called that rich brat to come and beat me and now your other lover is here. For all these years, you have been making us fool by saying he is your friend." He slaps on my face hard.

Who is he even talking about? Which lover? Who friend?

He again raises his hand to slap me but this time, I grab his hand, "Daniyal, I have told you many times not to slap me."

"Huh? Because that spoiled arrogant jerk will again come to protect you?" He evilly laughs and shoves away my hand and again slaps me which makes me fall on my bed.

"Daniyal, at least stop all these beating things today. Will, she get married with a bruised face today?" Ammi says enters the room.

I look with uncertainty at her when I hear the word marriage from her mouth. The biggest shock I get when I see a red dress in her hand. Weren't they saying the engagement is on Friday then what's with this dress today?

Daniyal glares at me before leaving the room.

"Zainab, today is your nikkah. Go wear this dress," Ammi spreads the dress beside me on the bed.

I blankly stare at her and the dress.

"Why nikkah? Wasn't it engagement? And why today?" I ask, completely not understanding.

"You ask as if you don't know anything," she rolls her eyes.

"By the way, if you like him then you could have told us properly. All that fuss wouldn't have created, " she states.

"Who are you talking about? I don't like anyone," I almost yell.

"Now don't lie. I am at least happy that you are going to my sister's house. And most importantly he loves you. Now go and get ready." She tugs the dress in my hand.

Sister's house? Is it...?

No, it can't happen. I shake my head sideways as my eyes become filled with tears.

"Who...who are you talking about?" I ask her.

"Shaiq. Who else? He says he loves you. He was insistent on nikkah so he will take you with him today," she simply replies while unfolding the bridal dupatta.

It's like my head goes numb all of a sudden.

He says he loves you.

Your nikkah with Shaiq.

What is happening? I remain fixed in my position as my eyes are on Ammi but my mind is impassive.

I will marry you.

His words echos in my mind like the voice of an erupted volcano. I come back to reality when Ammi shakes my arms.

"Where are you lost?"

"No!" I yell as I abruptly stand up which induces the phone in my lap to fall with a thud.

"You...you guys are lying. He can't say this," I point my finger at her.

"Why would we lie? He himself said it. And don't act like you are naive. I am sure you are equally involved in this, " she lashes at me.

"He...he is lying. He doesn't love me. He is like a brother to me. I won't marry him. I am telling you," I yell the last line.

"Cousins are not brother, Zainab. And..."

"Why are you getting so noisy? First, you had an affair with him in the cover of calling him a brother like friend and now you are backing off?" Daniyal interrupts her and walks towards me.

"What do you seriously want? " He again slaps me and grabs my hair.

"Marry him without creating any scene or else I will dig your grave today," he whispers evilly.

"I won't marry Shaiq. I am telling you. I will say no during nikkah, " I shove him aside as I spew.

"Let's see what you can do," he pushes me aside.

I look at him with astound when he locks the room and goes out with Ammi.

"Open the door," I shout while knocking the door.

Despite knocking continuously which causes my hands to turn red, I fall on the floor as tears start cascading down my cheeks.

Shaiq, what have you done? You are ruining your own life with me as well. I have told you not to do something like this. I won't be able to forgive myself for destroying your life.

My eyes spot my phone laying on the floor. I hastily pick it up and dial Shaiq's number. But to my despair, his phone is turned off. I throw the phone harshly on the floor when after so many tries, there is no progress.

What will I do now? I don't care about myself but I can't let Shaiq do this. How will I be able to face him? My eyes notice the red bridal dupatta and an idea comes in my mind.

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Salam guys!

I am back with another chapter.

How is it?

What do you think Zainab will do? She is staring at the bridal dupatta so what do you think she has in her mind?

If you like the chapter, don't forget to vote and comment.