Edited

Zeyad was trying to fix his phone when Rehan came down the stairs in a rush. He stopped to spare one last look at him and then he was out the door.

Zeyad was about to resume back to mend his phone when he heard some commotion coming from upstairs.
He walked near the stairs to hear better.

"Mariam!!" Tanzeem shrieked. "Help, somebody!"

Mariam? What happened to her?
Oh, Allah! Please let her be okay.

Zeyad ran up the stairs, straight to Mariam's bedroom with his father and Mr. Waseem hot on his heels. The door to her room was open and they walked in. Crouched near the bed were Tanzeem and Khadija, Mariam cradled in Khadija's arms.

"What happened?" Omar, Mariam's father asked as he rushed towards his daughter.

"I don't know, Mamu. I came in here to check when I saw Rehan Bhai walking out. When I got in Aapa was swaying on her feet and was about to fall, I caught her before she fell and hurt herself." Khadija explained looking scared for her sister.

"We should put her on the bed," Zeyad suggested and moved to lift her up but stopped.
"May I?" He asked her parents. "Please, that would be better," Tanzeen said and moved out of his way.

He crouched next to her where she was cradled in Khadija's arms and looked at her face. She looked pained and troubled.

He carefully put his right arm under her legs and left arm under her shoulders to pick her up bridal style and laid her down on the bed, tucking a pillow under her head.
She was very light. Like a feather.

"Is she okay? Should we call a doctor?" Fatima asked looking worried too.

Zeyad was angry. He was really angry and he blamed them all for this. If they had just told her about this arrangement, all of this could have been avoided.  He couldn't understand why he felt so protective of her. They weren't even married yet. And he highly doubted that they ever would be now.

"I think we should all wait outside, let her have some rest. Besides, I'd like to speak with you all for a moment." He instructed, his tone authoritative leaving no space for negotiations. He looked every bit of the composed businessman that he was.

Everyone walked out of the room except Khadija who stayed back with Mariam.

They all moved to the study and took a seat on the couches. Zeyad didn't sit with them as he paced the study and all the elders watched him anxiously. His parents knew very well that he hardly ever lost his temper and that when he did, nothing or no one could calm him down. Omar also knew better than to interrupt him.

"I don't understand this," he began speaking after a few minutes that felt like forever.

"How can you do this to me? To her?
First of all, she has no idea who I am and what I am here for. Secondly, she has a fiancé that she clearly loves and who loves her, and lastly, she is too young. Like, ten years younger to me."

"I do not mean to disrespect you, Mr. And Mrs. Waseem, but do you know how much like a fool I felt when I found out that that girl," he said pointing towards her room, "out there had no idea about this whole situation".

"I'm sorry, son." Mr. Waseem spoke up, "We should have warned her first hand." He apologized.

"Do not apologize to me, Sir. Please apologize to your daughter. She deserves it." Zeyad said calmly. "Tell her why this was actually happening in the first place. Talk to her and explain to her everything."

"Until then, this arrangement is over. I will not force her into this wedlock. When she wakes up, I expect that you talk to her and ask her what she wants. If she agrees, then and only then will this wedding take place. "

"We'll leave now," Mr.Ali said and stood up.

Mariam was stood outside the study, shocked that he had taken her stand.
Zeyad stopped mid-step when he saw her standing there.

"I'm sorry about that." He said sincerely,
"I hope you forgive me for barging into your life just like that and make the right decision. You don't have to feel pressured. Take care of yourself, Allah Hafiz". With that said, he left.

Mariam ran back to her room. She was so confused and angry that she couldn't think straight.

***

That night her parents came into her room.

"Mariam," her mother called for her.
She was sitting in her balcony, staring at the sea in front of her.
"Yes, Mummy?" She called back and got up.

"Your father and I want to speak to you."

Even though Mariam was upset, she couldn't say no to them, they were her parents after all. Reluctantly she followed them to her bed and sat with them.

"I'm sorry." Omar spoke looking ashamed, "we're sorry. But it's not your mother's fault, she didn't really know. It was all me. I told her to keep it from you and she did as I asked her to.

There's a reason why I made such a big decision so soon. But you have to understand, Mariam that if I hadn't known that Zeyad was a very good man, I would never have made this arrangement."

"I understand, Papa, and I respect your decision but you should have told me before," Mariam mumbled feeling like a small child.

"I know, my child. I made a mistake and I will rectify it. But before that, you have to know the reason why I did it.

A few years back, our company suffered a major loss and we were about to go bankrupt. No company wanted to invest in us and save us. Then Mr.Ali came forward, he was a business colleague and he and his son both agreed to invest in us. Zeyad bought most of our shares and the rest were bought by Mr. Ali. Since then we've been close companions.

Two years ago, we got an invitation to their son's wedding but we couldn't go. Then a year and a half later we got the news that Zeyad's wife passed away and left a son behind. It was very heartbreaking to hear.
I called up Junaid to give my condolences and he told me that Zeyad was devastated. He told me that they wanted to get him remarried because Zahaan, his son was too young to be left without a mother."

So much had happened and Mariam had no idea. Her heart broke at the thought of a devastated Zeyad, and the poor child that lost his mother. She had tears filling her eyes.

Omar continued, "After speaking to Junaid, a thought occurred to me and then I called Rehan's father, Kamal.
We both talked and discussed it and came to the conclusion that I should offer your hand in marriage for Zeyad. Junaid and his wife were looking for a nice woman who would love Zahaan as her own and who better than you, my girl. It was the least I could have down for them after what they did to help us.  Kamal understood that too and so we proposed. You have to know this Mariam that if I wasn't sure that Zeyad was a decent man and that he would keep you happy, I would have never proposed it."

Now Mariam understood everything. So this was why they were here.

"You don't have to do it, though. " Omar added. "I understand if you refuse the proposal. No one will force you and your decision will be respected. But I want you to think it through."

And She was thinking. She thought about how nicely Zeyad had treated her and how respectful he was. He was sweet and kind, funny even. Although, a little intimidating and he didn't even talk much. His eyes, they were the most beautiful pair of eyes Mariam had ever seen. A beautiful light green that lit up every time he spoke of his son. The way his ears and cheeks tinged pink when he blushed, Mariam found her self smiling.

She couldn't understand this feeling, she had never felt this way about anyone before. Even with Rehan, she had taken her own sweet time liking him. They were to be married and it was decided long back when they were both young but she didn't really like him until her teen years. Even then, sometimes she felt that she was forced to love him.

She had decided. She knew what she had to do. "I agree to this marriage, Papa. I know you would never make a decision for me if it wasn't for my best. I will marry him and be the mother to his son." she said smiling proudly.

Both Tanzeem and Omar were happy and proud too. They had raised their daughters well. "We're proud of you, Mariam." her mother told her and hugged her. Her father pressed a kiss to her forehead and was about to go back when Mariam spoke again," I would like to speak with Zeyad again if that is possible." She requested.

She wanted to meet him and tell him that she was ready for this marriage and also wanted to ask some questions.

"As you wish, my wise daughter." With that said he went to his study to call the Alis and give them the news. He knew his daughter would make the right decision and he was proud of her.

Mariam went to bed afterward with a somewhat light heart and a warm feeling in her stomach. Though her eyes teared up at the thought of Rehan, she suppressed those feelings and prayed to Allah that her decision was the right one and asked him for patience and guidance.

______________________________________

Soo......now that the secret is out as to why they were to be married, what do you think?

Did she make the right choice?

Who else is in love with Zeyad?
I know I am ❤❤(sighs dreamily)

Gotta get me a Zeyad Ali Khan!

New Author's note: Okay, first of all, thank you for reading this book so far. If you have liked it till now then you will enjoy it further too. I think :p

Secondly, you guys need to stop making Mariam look like the bad guy here. I understand that it was unfair to Rehan, but Rehan had known even before she did, which means he was equally to blame. Of course, he had loved her more than she had loved him, but Mariam had her own reasons too. She understood why this had to be done. If it weren't for Zeyad and his dad, they would all have been on the road literally (liked Omar explained above). And let's not forget there is a child involved here. A LITTLE BABY! Mariam LOVES children. Deal with it.

Thank you

Enjoy!

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