Maham

Excusing myself from the crowd, I pace to her. She runs to her room, closing the door. Thankfully she didn't lock it. Peeking inside, I find her standing on the balcony, gathering air into her lungs.

"Raiza what was th..." She hugs weakly mumbling sorry every one second. She loudly cries on my shoulder. "Shh meri bacchi (my dear). What's wrong?" I calmly ask.

"Appi he's Ibrahim." She says between her tears.

"Yes I know he's Ibrahim, Mr. Rahaman's bother. So what?"

"Appi he's that Ibrahim, whom I love." She says forcefully.

"What? What are you saying?" My mind is puzzled. "And you didn't know that before?"

"No. He never said much about his family and I didn't ask either." She is trembling with fear.

Ya Raab!

I rub my hand over face to comprehend everything she just said. Ibrahim is the son of Neela aunty and Raiza shares a love-relation with him. If Chacha- Chachi get the clue about this, it's not gonna end pretty for any of them. Disaster is the least thing I want to occur.

"Raiza look, there are guests out there and many questions are being asked. Clean yourself and come out with me. I'll handle it." She enters the washroom without any argument.

I'm pacing circle around the room. What excuse will I give them now?

Raiza what have you done?

Taking her out with me, everyone's eyes fall on her. Chachi interrogates her about her behavior. She replies nothing but sorry.

"Chachi she suddenly got a panic attack. I'm getting married so it's her return next. Those thoughts disturbs her a lot. It's nothing. She's fine." I lie to all. I don't have any other option.

I sit beside Mr. Rahaman. My mind is occupied with Raiza and Ibrahim. Does he know about them? I wanted to ask him but then I stop myself as there are many people Present. I don't want anyone to know about them now. I'm not worried about my marriage rather, I'm tensed about them and their future. I know Chacha well he'll kill her and bury her with any remorse. Her life will be doomed.

Soon the rings are being exchanged. My hands are trembling as I wear the ring to his finger. I'm one step ahead to a new life. As he slips the ring to my finger, he glance at him with amazement. The ring isn't an ordinary engagement ring. It's a ring that I dreamt of. Peridot stoned ring - my favourite.

How did he know?

The ceremony ends well without further issues.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Appi wake up! Wake up!" Deafening calls of Raiza and Bano butchered my sweet sleep.

Arrgh! Nobody let me sleep in this house. Now what's the fuss? I snug more into my pillow, tightly wrapping blanket around me.

"MISS MAHAM QAZI! It's your Nikkah today and you're sleeping like a bear now. GET UP!" Raiza's call jerks me from my dreamland.

Oh damn! I completely forgot about today.

Last night I'd a long conversation with her, consoling her. Therefore, I slept late at night. I instantly sit up. "I forgot about my Nikkah! What's the time?"

Those idiots are now laughing on my situation now. I run to the washroom, doing my daily routine. After I come out, Baba is waiting with a plate of breakfast in my room.

"Assalamu Alaikum Baba." I greet him.

"Walaikum Asalam beta. Come here. Today I'll feed my Mahru by my hand." My eyes moisten hearing him. I quickly sit down and he feeds me. I'm on the ninth cloud now. I barely keep my tears at pause.

"Baba what's the matter?" I ask. I'm sure he wants to say something. His eyes are looking guilty under the happiness floating.

"Nothing."

He leaves, kissing my forehead.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Appi, the make-up artists are here." Bano announces. It's time for me to get ready. As the time is coming close an uneasiness hovering over my chest. Baba's gestures in the morning adds more to my anxiety. His face was yelling that he's been keeping secrets, but his lips are sealed.

What are you hiding Baba?

"Oye idiot. Bano is calling you and you're sitting here like an idol." Afiya slaps my head.

Seeing my troublesome face she crooks her brows, "What happened? Are you still angry with me that I left before you engagement? I'm sorry na Mahru. Danish came home yesterday after two weeks so I needed to go and see him. I promise I'll be here with you until you Nikkah. Now come, you need to get ready."

"I'm scared Afi. Will marriage bring any good in my odd life? Will I be a good wife?" I grab her, burying my face on her stomach. "My past still haunts me. I don't know what to do. I can't forget him." I cry.

"Mahru stop it now. He isn't coming back. He is gone for good. You're heading into a new life. Leave him now. Enough talk. Come with me." She draws me to get ready into a bridal appearance.

Neela aunty has sent a gorgeous bridal dress. It's metallic golden lehanga with a blood-red veil.

The make-up artist has put my face on fire with the amount they have used. My attire is already so loud yet they did such heavy make-up. Thankfully, I chose to cover my head with a scarf otherwise they would've ruined my hair with their products. I'm not against make-up. I'm just not used to all this.

Pinning the veil, they finally stopped torturing me. Afiya comes with a pair of high-heels. I beg her not to make me wear such high heels. I can't walk on them properly and with this heavy attire, it's impossible for me. If I wear the heels, I'll surely fall on my face and create tomorrow's headline the bride of Rahaman family has fallen at her Nikkah wearing heels. No, no I don't want to embarrass myself.

After a long persuasion she let me wear flats. Moreover, no one will notice my leg as the dress is covering my feet.

"Beta." Baba calls. "Are you ready? The car is waiting."

"Yes." I plainly say. I feel no excitement but remorse and colossal amount of frighten hold me like a rope.

"Mash Allah, my Mahru is looking breathtaking." His compliments makes me smile. "I feel like to keep here with me and never let you go."

"Then don't na Baba. I don't wanna marry." I'm trying hard not to cry. If I ruin the make-up. My sisters will kill me.

"You are my one and only daughter and I have raised you with all my heart.I have been loving you even before you came in this world. You are the coolness of my eyes. You are the only person I have left now. You are very dear to me. " Baba grabs my hand lightly. "I am so afraid of letting you go but I know it's necessary.

"I love you with all that I have in me. You are among the few people I have cared the most for in my life. I can't see u in slightest pain and even a tear from your heart hurts me a lot. I want to give you all the happiness in this world. I want my princess to have a happy and blessed life."

I hug him feel weak inside. "I love you too Baba. How can I go leaving you alone?"

" You are my pride, my love, my life, my beti. I know you will never let me down. I trust you and I know how amazing I and your mother have raised you. If she would have been here she would have been proud of you and she would have loved you so much. She always wanted to see her little Mahru as a bride. She will be looking at you from heaven and she would be so happy. I know I am giving you to the right man and he will never leave you nor will he hurt you. Be a good wife and good daughter. May you get the best in life and May all you dreams come true. Forgive your baba for any thing I ever said or did to hurt you always remember your baba is nothing without you. My little princess. My Mahru."

He kisses my forehead. I wipe tears from his cheeks.

"What if he returns Baba? This one question I can't get any answers to." I desperately ask him.

"Whatever is stored for your future, that will take place. And about your past, Mahru you did something is wrong in every way and I said you this before. But it's done and said. Nothing will change it. So promise me not to make same mistakes. Don't hurt your husband. Always be honest with him."

"I promise." I mumble.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Rahaman Villa is decorated with every meaning of hypothesizing. I think the decoration looks more beautiful than the bride. Raiza drops the veil on my face and takes me where Mr. Rahaman is waiting as a groom. The partition blindfolded us so that we can't see each other before the Nikkah completes.

The Kazi Shaab soon starts the ceremony. My heart is beating super fast. Nervous and panic are grabbing me hard. It's happening. It's happening. I'm getting married. Within a few moments my entire identity would change. I'll be Mrs. Rahaman from Ms. Qazi.

Will I be successful at fulfilling all my wife duties? Will Mr. Rahaman be happy with me? Will this marriage work?

"Do you Rayan Ali Rahaman, the second son of Abbhaas Rahaman accept Maham Ferdous Qazi the only daughter of Emad Qazi as your lawfully wedded wife?" He asks to Mr. Rahaman.

Wait!

What did he just say?

Rayan?

That name. Why did he say that name? With whom I'm getting married? Who is he?

I'm screaming inside. No one is hearing me. I tightly press my hand to Afiya's. I'm seeing black dots everywhere.

All the icy cold water in the world has been dropped on me. I can't think straight.

Am I getting wedded to Rayan? Did he return? What's going on?

I need answers. I need answers.

"Do you Maham Ferdous Qazi, the only daughter of Emad Qazi accept Rayan Ali Rahaman the second son of Abbhaas Rahaman as your lawfully wedded husband?" He asks me.

Before I'd speak anything darkness take me into it's cage.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After I come to my senses, everyone ask me one question that I'm okay or not. But no one is answering my questions.

Mr. Rahaman doesn't look Rayan. So how can he be Rayan?

"Maham, beta are you alright?" Neela Aunty comes to me. "Hawwa bring a glass of juice. Her sugar level is low." She thoroughly checks me.

Drinking the juice the ceremony restarts. I'm stoned. I'm numb. I'm clueless.

I can see Mr. Rahaman's worried face. His face is a web of mystery. There are so much yet nothing. I need to talk to him.

"Do you Maham Ferdous Qazi, the only daughter of Emad Qazi accept Rayan Ali Rahaman the second son of Abbhaas Rahaman as your lawfully wedded husband?"

Kazi Shaab questions me again.

"Say yes." Afiya whispers in my ears.

With a small pause, I entitle my name with his. I'm married to him. I'm tied to him until my very last breathe.

I'm now Mrs. Rayan Ali Rahaman.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As the Nikkah completes everyone congratulates each other with joy and smiles. Laughter and music have filled the environment but emptiness in my heart. I feel betrayed. No one is telling me anything. All are busy at their own world. After the dinner, I come at the garden, thinking about my life and the changes occurs on Mr. Rahaman's entry.

"Assalamu Alaikum." Mr. Rahaman says.

I blankly stare at him. "Are you Rayan?" With hopelessness I question.

"Maham listen to me. I know there are so much we don't know about each other and I'm sorry you didn't know my name before. I'd have told you." He sighs. "There are some certain things you need to know more."

I gaze at him like a statue, saying no words. Just listening. He isn't my Rayan, which I'm relieved at least.

Life plays so funny games. The name I hate the most, today I'm associated with that name for the rest of my life. I've bear this name until I die. why it's always me? I know I did some grave sins in my past but will I be punished forever?

The more I wanna go away from my past, the closer my fate brings me. I don't wanna hear that name.

Before he'd say anything more, Afiya interupts us. "Mahru uncle is calling you inside." Without saying a word I walk away. She is throwing daggers at him which isn't missed by my notice. Her eyes are blaming him.

But for what?

"This won't end well. You've invited hell fire into yours and her life." She utters to him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The past two days goes by haze. I've returned to Islamabad, my hometown. After the Nikkah I haven't talked to Rayan though he calls me several times a day. I don't know whether I'm angry at him or my fate. There is no reason to be upset with though. It's not his fault that his name matches my past. I just hope only the resembles between is the name and nothing else.

"Mahru ajk tera Mayon hai. (Today is your turmeric ceremony) Why are you sulking?" Baba pokes my shoulder. "Go get dressed. They will here soon."

I wear a yellow outfit along with colorful bangles which I love. I keep my make-up to minimal and Bano comes to help with the rest of my decking-up.

Baba wanted my rukhsati to be held here. So we came back here. Neela aunty will be coming here at the afternoon for the ceremony. Later in the evening will be Mehendi ceremony.

It's gonna be a long day. All my cousins are busy preparing performances for today. Hafsa called me informing about their preparations and they are all excited for today.

Soon they arrive with such glee and jubilation all my worries vanish in mere second.

"Chachi I'll apply you turmeric." Abraham demands.

"Sure champ you will."I pull his nose.

Naargis Bhabi makes me sit at Rayan's left and the event begins. Baba first comes and apply turmeric on us. After that Neela aunty, Aabaash uncle and rest of the crowd finished the event with excitement.

But I did notice one matter when Afiya and Danish came to apply it on him, they both looked very unpleasant and their hatred was evident. Rayan gazed at them pleadingly like he wanted to say sorry or something to clarify himself.

Why are they behaving so strange? I need to ask Afiya.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I clean off the turmeric and get ready for Mehendi.

Allah!

When will all the ceremonies end? Marriage is not a kid's play now I learnt.

Baba has left no stone un-turn in the preparations of my wedding. From foods to decorations to each and every small details, he has checked himself.

Raiza and Bano did the opening dance of the ceremony. This super fun. Even Ibrahim whistle at her performance. Rayan shoots a glaring look at him and it's hilarious.

Then comes Naargris Bhabi and Umair Bhai.

Everything is going smooth and fun. Honestly I'm enjoying this a lot because my entire family is happy. I think I'd let go of my past and try to live once again.

"Bhai this ceremony won't end until you sing a song for Bhabi. Bhabi you'd listen to his singing. You'll instantly fall in love with him." Hafsa giggles.

"Yes Bhai come on. Here is you guitar." Ibrahim hands him his guitar.

"Okay okay fine." He finally agrees. I don't know why my heart beating so fast now.

https://youtu.be/YL4_cwdKZBU

As he starts to sing, a familiar voice rings into my mind but his eyes are at me. I try not to concentrate as I can't deal with another anxiety attack. Everything seems like a deja vu.

He ends the song and the surrounding covered with applauds and praises.

Out of curiosity or call it a an old habit I ask him, "Why did you sing that song?"

"Jo hum lafzoo may baaya na kar sakte ho gaane izhar karte. (Whatwe can't say in words, those can be expressed by songs)."

His reply once again relishes those moments which I want to forget. I stare at him and he winks just like him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Ayan baby!" A high pitched voice pains my head.

A girl comes rushing at him and jumps on him. The guests gasp at the scene and Rayan himself is dumbfounded. He harshly frees himself from her embrace. "What the hell Samara?" He yells.

"What you do you mean? You're about to marry me but instead you're marrying this cheap girl." Her comment stabs into my heart.

He was about to marry her? I uncertainly looks at him and runs away for there. He calls me but I didn't stop.

Everything is happening just like it happened five year ago.

Flashback Begins

"Afiya the ceremony is started already. Danish has reached. Get out from your room.NOW." This the third time I bang on her door.

Only Allah knows what she is doing their! How much time does she needs to get ready?

"Okay, okay. Lets go now." She opens the door and we attend everyone downstairs.

It's her mehendi night. I'm so excited and sad at the same time. Because tomorrow is her Rukhsati.

The ceremony has been going well until that idiot moron jerk, I mean Rayan begins to sing in his crow-ish tone.

Arrgh! Now I've to bear with this.

https://youtu.be/0-YrRDlV0Gg

His eyes never leaves mine until the very end of the song. He sings as if he is saying all the words to me. His eyes are expressing an unknown emotion for me.

Love.

Arrgh! What am I thinking?

After he ends, everyone claps for him.

"Did you like the song?" He murmurs into my ears startling me.

"You idiot. Haven't I warned you not to come close to me?" I push him away. "And why the hell you chose that song? That was my favorite and you ruined."

"Well my hoor (Fairy) Jo hum lafzoo may baaya na kar sakte ho gaane izhar karte. (Whatwe can't say in words, those can be expressed by songs)." He cares my cheeks.

"Rayan Baby!" A loud shout break our moment. "Baby what are you doing with this cheap girl?"

My anger burst my head. My fist is almost oozing blood out from my palms. Just because she is the daughter of Rishi Raichand that doesn't mean she can insult me like this. And that stupid douchebag is enjoying the little show.

"Listen Ms. Barbie doll, you might be a rich heiress but at least I've dignity that is higher than your status. So next time think twice before insulting me or else I won't take two minutes to smash your plastic face. Got it."

"Baby you heard. She just threatened your girlfriend." She wipes annoying to him

"What can I do Amrita?" He shrugs. Getting annoyed enough by his reply she storms away and we both burst out laughing.

"That was good you know." He says laughingly.

"I know right. I don't get it why are you dating that dumb head?" I ask.

"Because you don't accept my poor heart." He makes a puppy face. I glare at him smacking his shoulder. "Okay sorry. To be honest her father is the biggest investor of Baba's business and he wants her tie down with me. You know for more profits. It's all business."

"Oh. Who is your father by the way. I mean I never heard his name. I asked Afi about him and she said that he isn't a likable person the family." Curiosity captures me.

"Well that's true. No one likes him in this family. Despite being the eldest son of the house, everyone hates him." He reveals. "His name is Ahmed Haider. The owner of Skyline Enterprise." As he says it, my world stops momentarily.

He is the son of Ahmed. The person who ruined my family two years ago. Rayan his is son. That means, he is that son who killed my brother.

Allah!

The culprit of my family is standing in front of me. I run. I run with all my speed.

End of Flashback

That night when I revealed about him, I begin the plan to destroy him and his father just like they did to us. But little did I know, this plan would ruin me for life. If I knew I'm gonna suffer, I wouldn't done anything.

Someone grabs my arm and make me turn around.

It's Rayan.

"Maham I'm so sorry. I didn't know she was coming. It's what you're thinking. Let me explain please." He begs.

"I don't wanna hear anything. Let go of me." I struggle to escape.

"No first listen to me. Please. Once just hear me out." His pleadings are genuine.

Should I give him a chance to explain?

_________________________________________________________________________

Ahhh! Why all the troubles always come to their relationship?

A new character has enter their lives.

Is Samara a good news or bad?

Let me know in the comments.

Do please vote and share.

Until then take care cupcakes...