AREESHA'S POV:

I was awoken by the loud sound of glass shattering, hurriedly, I wore my room coat and got down the stairs to the source of voice, "I told you to stay away, why did you come here? Get lost!" I heard uncle's loud voice, but before I could go there, Adil came running out of the dinning room and run past me, I tried to stop him, but he frees himself and run upstairs to my bedroom, I looked back at Uncle who was now busy eating his breakfast, still cursing, I went up to my room and gently knock the door, but Adil didn't open it,

"Hey! Buddy won't you let Api in?" I asked, he opened the door and peeked through it,

"Papa is not there right?" he asked,

"No, he is not, let me in Adil," I said, he widely opens the door and let me in,

"What happened?"I asked as I scooped him up in my arms, "Nothing, Api how I will live without you, I don't want to be here alone, can't you just stay for some more time?" he asked me with those big teary eyes, aching my heart as I saw those tears in his eyes,

"Hey! I am not going anywhere Buddy, you will live with me, I have talked to Maaz earlier and he agreed, he gave me permission to keep you with me after the marriage," I told him, kissing his chubby cheeks, he smiled,

"You serious!" he asked excitedly

"Yes, Maaz promised me,"

"Oh boy! I can't wait to get out of here! We won't have to live here and Papa will not hurt you anymore right?" he asked,

"Adil! What did I tell you before? You can't tell anyone about Uncle Javed, you have promised me," I scolded him,

"But Api! Why?" he asked,

"Just wait for the right time Buddy, but before that, we can't anyone know about him," I said,

"Okay," Adil said obediently,

"Come on, let's go, have some breakfast, I am starving, Alizeh and Haya will be here in just couple of hours and before that I have to clean the house as well," I said, opening the door and peeking out to look for uncle, but the coast was clear, so we both proceeded to the kitchen, which was a total mess right now, I quickly made some eggs and sandwiches for Adil and started cleaning the kitchen, when I was cleaning the dining room, I throw myself on the couch, exhausted from all the cleaning, Adil came to me running holding my cell phone,

"I am sorry for the last night,"

MJ

I was about to reply him, but there was a knock on the main door, I opened it and there was Maaz's driver, Jason, standing, holding a beautiful huge bouquet of white and light blue roses, I gasp, watching those beautiful flowers,

"Mr. Jafferi send these for you," he said and handed me that big bouquet,

"Thank you," I said and closed the door, inhaling the heavenly scent of these flowers, grinning ear to ear, hmmm.... He is not that bad at all, I thought, caressing the soft petals of a blue rose,

"Why are you smiling like that? And who sends you these flowers," Haya asked, entering the living room, with Alizeh and Adil,

"How did you guys got in?" I asked, a bit surprised to see them,

"Adil opened the back door!" Haya said, "we didn't want to disturb other people in the house," she said,

"Are these from Maaz?" Alizeh asked, I nodded and hide my face into the bouquet,

"Aww....that's so sweet of him," Alizeh said,

"Alizeh Api, don't say like that, man are not sweet!" Adil interrupted her, we all looked at him with a raised eyebrow,

"What? Maaz Bhai told me guys are not sweet," he said, making all of us laugh,

"Keep him away from Maaz, Areesha," Haya said picking Adil up,

"Come on, let's go, we must hurry now Nani ma will be waiting for us," Alizeh said,

"Just give me ten minutes," I said and sprinted to my bedroom,

We all reached to our destination in a meantime, where Nani ma was sitting on the leather sofa, sipping her herbal tea,

"Assalam O Alikum, Nani ma!" I greeted her,

"Walikum as Salam, my dear," she said kissing my forehead,

"Masha Allah, my daughter is looking so beautiful today," she said, I just smiled in response,

"Asslam O Alikum Nani ma," Adil said, standing beside me,

"Oh, here is my little man!"

Walikum as salam, beta, so are you excited for today?" she asked, sitting down on the sofa,

"Yes! Today my Api is going to Marry Maaz Bhai! I can' believe it!" he said excitedly,

"Nani ma, where is Maaz Bhai?" he asked,

"He was downstairs with his manager, he has to look into some matters, do you want to go to him?" she asked, Adil nodded,

"Sara! Beta take Adil to Maaz," she said to a girl standing next o the sofa,

"Yes, Ma'am," she said,

"Uff... how many times do I have to tell you, not to call me Ma'am," Nani ma said a bit irritated,

"Sorry Nani ma," she apologized and left the room with Adil,

" Come on now girls, what are you waiting for? We have to prepare the bride on time," Nani ma said, with a sly smile on her lips.

After spending a few hours getting ready for my big day, I looked at myself through the mirror, I couldn't believe it, it was me, this dress was totally gorgeous, my hairs were set into a beautiful braided bun, some strands were curled from my sides and were pinned up beautifully with flowers, my eyes were more prominent with this makeup making them more big and attractive and the diamond set, I was wearing was so heavy that it was really hard to wear it for a long time, I was staring at myself when Alex came into the room, holding a small black box in his hand, he was wearing a simple white and black kurta.

"Whoa! Jaferi is the luckiest man alive today," he said, eyeing me up and down, making me roll my eyes at his remarks,

"Why are you here?" I asked,

"If you are here to remind me about our deal, don't bother, I know what I have promised you, and I don't break my promises Alex, just relax, I will help you with anything you want," I said turning around, keeping my back to him,

"No, I am here to give you this Areesha, I know how badly, you miss your parents today," he said, handing me that small black box, I looked at him,

"What is it?" I asked,

"Just open it," he replied, I lifted the lid of the box and gasped loudly,

It was my mother's pendant with silver chain, the one which she passed over to me, it had our last family picture, I opened the pendant and saw that picture, in which I was standing beside my mother, who was sitting on a chair, with Baba behind her, his hand was on her shoulder and Mama was holding newborn Adil, it was the last picture which we had before Baba got into that dreadful accident which changed our lives.

I caressed the picture and closed the pendant, trying to control the traitor tears trying to escape from my eyes, it was the same locket which Uncle Javed took away from me, the time I tried to escape with Adil,

"I am sorry, I couldn't get your mother's ring, I don't know where dad has kept it, but I got this for you," he said, passing me my father's watch, I looked at him with tear filled eyes,

"Thank you so much Alex, you don't know what they mean to me," I said, he tapped my head,

"Come on, no need to cry," he said, lowering himself down to my eye level, wiping my tears,

"Why are you doing this?" I asked, he sighed,

"I want this madness to over Areesha, I don't want to be a part of my dad's plan anymore, I just want to go back to my old life, I want some peace in my life, but dad doesn't want me to go back to England, he wants me to be here with him and help him to get Jamshed Uncle's company and properties, I know my father is greedy but I don't want to be a part of anything," he told me blankly looking at his hands,

"Everything will be fine Alex," I said, he smiled a bit and turned around,

"Come on, let's go, it's getting late, Jaferi is waiting for you downstairs, you don't want to make him wait for you, do you?" he asked,

"No, let's go, but Alex, can you please do me a favor?" I asked, he looked at me with questioning eyes,

"Um.. Can you please get my degree and certificates from Uncle Javed? I really need them," I said,

"Why do you need it?" he asked,

"I need them to find a job after this marriage," I told him, he stared at me for a few minutes then throw his head back and laughed out loud,

"Oh my god!" he said between his laughs clutching his stomach, "hat is the best joke I ever heard Areesha," he said, I watched him with annoying expressions,

"Why are you laughing like a hyena?" I asked,

" Well, my stepsister, keep one thing in your mind, you are going to be Mrs Maaz Jaferi in the next few minutes and I am sure no one! I mean no one will ever hire you in any company, everyone knows who you are and whose wife you will be, so let go of that thought, and if Maaz got to know about this I am sure he will be so mad!" he said,

"Besides that, why do you want to find a job?" he asked,

"I want to get myself out of this miserable life Alex, I want to spend my rest of the life peacefully with Adil, this marriage is my only way out," I told him,

"Well, you are going to be an equal partner of Maaz's legacy and all his properties, you will have thirty percent shares in Jaferi Industries and in all his other companies across the world, you can use that money for yourself, why do you want to earn it?" he asked,

"I am not marrying him for his money Alex, as I told you before I just wanted to get out of this house and start my life again," I said, he looked at me strangely,

"Well, good luck for that," he said,

"Where is Adil?" I asked,

"He is with Maaz, he is so fond of him," Alex said,

"Here you are and we were looking all over for you, come on girl, it's time for Nikkah, all the guests have arrived," Alizeh said coming into the room,

I took a deep breath trying to relax my nerves but it was really hard for me to get myself relax at this time as I was getting so nervous, I wipe my wet palms and glanced at myself for one last time in the mirror and securely kept that black box in my clutch, and started to walk with Alizeh, she led me to the huge ball room, beautifully decorated with different flowers, ribbons, crystal and candles, Alizeh started walking on the asile where I could guests watching both of us with a sly mile and when we got down from the stairs all the lights were out and a spot light was on both of us, everyone cheered and Alizeh carefully hold my hand and led me to the end of the asile where Nani ma was standing with Uncle Javed, I couldn't see Maaz, neither I could find Adil,

"Oh Masha Allah, my child, you look so breathtakingly beautiful, May AllahSWT protect you with all evil," she said,

"Jazak Allah, Nani ma," I said, Uncle Javed came forward and hugged me so tightly that it got difficult for me to breath,

"Ah.. I can't believe my princess has grown up so fast, today she will leave her old man alone, Oh, my dear child, how I will live without you," he said, still hugging me,

"Will you cut your act and let the Nikkah begin," I heard Maaz's voice from my side, Uncle instantly let me free, I glanced at my side where I saw a huge veil separating us, I couldn't see who was behind it but I was aware of his presence,

"Mr, Javed, you should go back to men section," Nani ma said, Uncle nodded and left after giving me a kiss on my head, after which I felt so disgusted, I wipe my head and sat beside Nani ma,

"Shall we start," someone asked, Nani ma nodded and Qari Sahab started to recite some verses,

Few men came into the girls section with Alex, After ijab-e- qubool, Alex gave me some papers and told me where to sign, I took a long breath in and sign the papers with shaking hands, he left with men and I let go of the breath I don't know I was holding,

"Do you Maaz Jafferi, son of Aryan Jaferi accepts Areesha Bakht the daughter of Jamsh..."

"Yes, I accept her, where do I have to sign," I heard his voice, cutting Qari Sahab in between,

"Maaz!"Nani ma scolded him,

"What? I am signing these papers, what else do I have to do?" he said in an annoyed tone, making me feel a bit scared of his mood, why he is being this rude tonight? I thought, Qari sahab recited few more verses and after dua everyone greeted both of us, Alizeh and Haya took me across the veil and make me sit next to Maaz, without glancing at him I sat beside him, keeping a fair distance between us, I keep my gaze to the floor, not having enough courage to look up to him, but I was feeling his eyes on me, making me more nervous at this time, he tried to come closer but I got back trying to keep the space but he again came closer, I shut my eyes tightly,

"Why are you scared?" he asked in his husky voice, I slightly opened my eyes and looked at him and my god!

He was looking strikingly gorgeous with that black and silver suit with a beautiful silver brooch on his suit jacket, his beautiful sparkling gray eyes staring back at me, I lowered my gaze and sit up straight,

"No, I am not scared," I said in a low tone, he chuckles, "I bet you are and you should be," this time he said in a serious tone, I looked at him under my lashes, he was now busy talking with a man sitting next to him, after a few minutes talk, he holds my hand and led me down the stage, to introduce me to some people, he didn't let go of my hand all the time, he had a firm grip on my wrist, I tried several times to let my hand free but he didn't let it go,

"Api!" I heard Adil's voice from my side, I turn around to see him, he came running to me and hugged my legs, making me lose my balance, I was about to fall, when Maaz caught me with my shoulders,

"Hey Buddy! Careful," he said to Adil,

"I am so happy for you Api!" he said still hugging my legs,

"Thanks buddy, but can you let go of my legs," I said, he smiled and took a few steps back, he was looking so cute wearing a black tuxedo, thanks to Alizeh, I kissed is cheeks and run my fingers through his hairs,

"Api, don't kiss me here, there are girls, you know! And look you ruined my hairs," he said, trying to set his already set hairs,

"What?" I was totally taken back by his words, from where did he learn that? I looked at Maaz, who was smiling at Adil,

"Who told you that Adil?" I asked, "Maaz Bhai" he answered, oh god! I have to keep him away from Maaz.

"Maaz bhai, remember your promise," he said, pointing his finger to Maaz,

Maaz smiled and winked at him, "What is it? What are you two talking about?" I asked,

"It's between me and Adil," Maaz replied,

"Come on, Dinner is being served," he said and took me to the front table where Nani ma sitting with some ladies, Maaz pulled out a chair for me and took a seat right next to my chair,

"Did Mahrosh came?" I asked him, he shook his head,

"No, she didn't, I called Zaid earlier, but he told me Mahrosh was not feeling well and he and Ehteshaam are in Italy now a days for some business trip, so they won't be able to attend," he told me,

"What's wrong with her, is she okay?" I asked,

"I don't know, Zaid didn't tell me much, he was in a hurry," he replied, I was about to ask him about Ehteshasm when Uncle Javed came,

"Oh look at my girl, looking so happy, I wish your mother could be here today with you, I know my dear, how much you miss her, but don't worry, I am here with you, okay," he said, holding me by my shoulders, and cupped my face with his other hand, looking me with so much concern in his eyes, I was getting tired of his act, why can't he just let me go,

Maaz stood up from his chair and pulled me back with a force that I my back crush on his hard chest, I tried to steady myself, but he wrapped his arm over my waist so possessively making me feel relaxed and safe in his hold, Uncle watched him with wide eyes,

"She is mine now, You don't have to worry for her Mr. Bakht," he said and took me away from his leaving him standing there, he led me to Nani ma and made me sit next to her and took a seat next to my right, the dinner was served and my! It was so lavish and delicious that I can't stop myself from moaning at the Devine flavor, Maaz was still holding my hand under the table, I tried to get myself free but to failed as he tighten his grip as a warning and gave me hard stare,so I just let it go and answered few questions which some ladies were asking, sitting with us on our table, i searched for Adil and spot him standing next to chocolate fountain with some kids eating marshmellows and strawberries, they all were having fun, I smiled looking at them, at last Adil is happy today, but why I am scared today, I am having those feelings again, I just want this night to end quickly, I glanced back at Maaz, who was busy talking with Alizeh and some girls standing next to him.

"Come on beta, it's time for rukhsati," Nani ma came to me, I nodded in response and gulp harder, as I felt my legs go weak, I wipe my palms and took a deep breath in, and started to walk with Nani ma, to the exit door, where all guests were leaving after bidding us goodbye.

Alex hold Quran over my head when we all were walking outside, Nani ma draped a big shawl over me, covering me with it and kissed my forehead, "I will be right back," she said and left, I took a step forward, where Maaz was standing next to his car with Adil and Alex watching me and that's when Uncle Javed again started his act, this time he surprised me by putting his head on my shoulder and started to cry, I tried to get away from him, but he holds me tightly, and whispered in my ear,

"Don't do anything silly, Areesha, you know what I can do to you and to this little brat, so don't forget your place, if you try to do anything I will kill him right in front of your eyes, like I killed your father, you think it was an accident, I can assure you it wasn't an accident, so be careful," he threaten me, but I was stunned listening to his words, he killed my father! He killed him...

I looked at him, he was having a smirk plastered on his face, no remorse what he did to his own brother an to his family, I felt suffocated, I took a few steps back started to get away from him, but ears were blurring my eyes, I bumped into someone and took another step back trying to get myself away, "I am sorry," I apologized and looked up and saw Maaz looking me with concern in his eyes, he cupped my face and wipe my tears, "What happened Areesha? Did someone say anything to you,?" he asked, I shook my head and hold his arms, when I again felt Uncle Javed's hand on my shoulder, I abruptly move to Maaz, and hold him from his back, trying to hide myself from this murderer, tears were trailing down my cheeks, I hide my face in Maaz's back and cried, he holds me tightly, "Hey! What is it?" he asked, but I cried harder, he turned around and watched me, "What is it?" he asked me, but I was too scared to answer him as Uncle Javed was standing right in front of us, watching us with same smirk, "Oh, my dear, won't you say goodbye to your old man!" he said coming closer to me, but I pushed myself away from him, clutching Maaz's jacket in my hands,

"Dad!" There is something I want to show you, let them go, it's getting late," Alex said, taking him away from us, I let go of Maaz, who was surprisingly quiet all the time, I backed away from him, he turned around and looked at me, "Why you were scared of him?" he asked, holding my cold hands in his warm ones, I gulped harder and look around in search for Adil,

"Where is Adil?" I asked, ignoring his questioning glare,

"He is with Alizeh right now; he will stay with her tonight," he told me, "What? Why? Isn't he coming with us?" I asked, he shook his head, "Not tonight,"

"But why.." I was cut in between as paparazzi came to us taking pictures and throwing so many questions at us, Maaz, wrapped his arm around my waist and pull me into his car, his body guards making a line to keep all of the paparazzi away from us, after getting in the car, he motions his driver to go, I leaned back in the leather seat and watched the view out of the window, the sky was totally covered with clouds, indicating a rain tonight, I sighed and looked back at Maaz, who was watching me,

"What?" I asked, getting uncomfortable under his gaze, he didn't reply, just shrugged his shoulders and look away, I again sit back and watched outside, but this time I was a bit surprised as the driver drove through the airport and stopped the car in front of a private jet, as the car was stopped, Maaz got down from the car and went into the jet, leaving me behind totally confused and stupefied, I was watching at the door of jet and was about to get down from the car, when another car came and stopped right next to ours, I stopped and watched at the other car.

Nani ma got down from the car and thank her driver who opened the door for her, I move towards her to ask what is happening, she saw me and smiled,

"Oh, this boy! I told him to take you home, but he didn't listen to me," she said, as I came closer to her,

"What's going on Nani ma?" I asked her,

"Nothing, I am going back to New York beta," she told me,

"What? Why? Why do you have to leave today, can't you stay for more days?" I asked, getting a bit scared to be alone with Maaz in his house,

"I wish I could my child, but Sara is in very bad condition, I have to go," she told me,

"Who is Sara?" I asked her,

"She is ten years old, she is my seat mate, when I go to the dialysis, I got a call from her doctor few minutes ago, he told me Sara is hospitalized, she was in syncope, I have to go back, please pray for her Areesha, she is such a nice kid, suffering at this young age, Allah SWT grant her health and happiness," Nani ma said,

"Ameen," I said, in a low voice, feeling so bad for that little girl, I prayed for her in silence,

"Nani Ma, everything is ready, I have called Dr. Mark, he will be there, if you need anything, just give me a call, okay," Maaz said, coming to us, with two more guys trailing behind him, one was in pilot's uniform and other one was wearing a black suit, Maaz didn't look at me just hugged Nani ma and kissed her forehead,

"I am sorry beta, I have to leave today, I hope you understand," she said,

"It's okay Nani ma, we will be fine, take care of yourself and Sara, I will pray for her," I said, holding her soft hands in mine, she smiled and hugged me, we bid our goodbye and she entered the jet, that's when I saw a Jaferi written on the jet's fuselage, Nani ma wave and smiled looking at us, we both wave our hands and Maaz pull me closer to him, we stayed there until the jet took off.

"Let's go," he said and opened the door and got in, leaving me behind standing alone under the light of runway poles, I sighed and opened the door and got myself in the car and laid my head back on the seat, I opened my clutch and took out my cellphone and called Alizeh, to talk to Adil, I couldn't say proper goodbye to him, he sounded very happy and told me how he made friends in the wedding and right now he was watching the emoji movie it her in her home theater room, after talking to him for more few minutes and telling him to sleep early, I cut the call and put my phone back in my clutch, when I saw that black box which Alex gave me earlier, I pulled it out and opened it, I smiled looking at my father's watch and mother's pendant,

"I promise daddy, I will take revenge from Uncle Javed, he destroyed our family, he killed you, he took you away from us, but I promise I will make him pay, what he did to us, to mother and to you, and I will keep my promise Daddy till my last breath," I whispered holding his watch in my hands.

"What are you holding?" I heard Maaz's voice; I instantly keep that box back into my clutch,

"Nothing, just some of my things," I replied, he looks away and again focused his attention to his phone, I sighed, but he acted totally strange today, he was quiet all the time, and more importantly he wasn't angry at me,

"Are you okay?" I asked, "Yeah, why do you asked?" he asked me still looking at the screen, "Nothing," I replied and decided to stay quiet for the rest of the ride, we reached home after thirty minutes' drive, he got down from the car and came to my side, he offered his hand to me and I took it and carefully got down from the car and started walking towards the main entrance, he led me through the huge staircase and stopped right in front of the door, he pulled out the keys and unlocked the door and signaled me to enter, hesitantly, I entered and look around my surroundings, it wasn't the first time was here, but never have been on this side of his house, this place was so breathtakingly beautiful, somehow looked like a beautiful modern place, the interior was all so posh, luxurious a classy.

"Close your mouth Areesha," I heard him saying from my side, I saw him going upstairs, "Um..Where are you going?" I asked and followed him, "Serine!" he shouted and a maid came in, "Yes Sir," she said with her head bowed down,

"Show her room and don't disturb me," he said and climb upstairs without saying anything else, leaving me standing astonished at his behavior, what is wrong with him? I thought,

"Ma'am, please, this way," Maid said and led me to the other wing of his mansion, I looked back at the other staircase where he had gone, but shook my head, I should give him some time, I think, it's not the right time, maybe he is dealing with something important, I thought and stopped infront of the room where Serine was opening the door, she led me in,

"If you need anything, just give us a call through intercom, we will be there for you, take care Ma'am and good night," she said with a small smile and closed the door. I took a deep breath in and sat on the edge of this king size bed, and look at my surroundings, this room was triple in size of my entire living room back in my house, the room was in gray, black and silver theme, the whole room was elegant and stylish, everything in his house looks so classy and luxurious, I lay down on the bed which was covered with black and silver silk sheets with a white duvet, I closed my eyes and waited for him to come, but he didn't come back, I glanced at the wall clock, it's been two hours since I have been waiting for him, I decided to go look for him, getting a worried for him, but before I could get down from the bed, the door opens and Maaz came in with Zoya clinging on his arm, she looked at me and smiled, I got down from the bed and walked to him,

"Maaz, what's going on?" I asked, looking straight into his bloodshot eyes, he was staring at me, holding a glass in his hand, "he don't want to talk to you girl, just get out of this room, we need to sleep," Zoya said,

"I think, he can speak for himself, so why don't you keep your mouth shut and let him speak, and by the way, I was talking to my husband, not you," I answered, she watched me for a few minutes,

"How dare you say that to me? You gold-digger! I know what kind of girl you are! Just get out of here!" she shouted in her high-pitched voice, making both of us flinch, "Enough!" Maaz yelled, and gulp down the rest of the liquid in his glass and put it on the side table and came to me, "Ahh... here she is! My beautiful wife! Or I should say my enemy's daughter!" he said coming closer to me, but I backed away from him, totally scared of him right now, he is drunk again, no, please not this!

"Look Zoya! I got his most precious thing," he said,

"Maaz, please don't do this," I pleaded as he caught me from my elbow and pulled me closer to him,

"Look how scared she is, how badly she is shaking," he said, holding me now with both of his hands, I tried to wriggle free from his hold but he tightens it,

"Don't waste your energy my love!" he said,

"What are you going to do with her Maaz?" Zoya asked, eyeing me up and down.

"Throw her away just like his father did to me that night," he said and pushed me out of the room with a force that I stumble on my dress and fall down on the cold marble floor, I heard both of them laughing behind me, but I ignored it and looked at my elbows where I saw few drops of blood, I looked back at the door, but now it was locked, "Maaz!" I shouted,

"Maaz, you can't do this to me! Please let me in!" I said, but he did not open the door, I sat down again on the floor, not believing on the irony of my fate, after a few minutes I heard both of them yelling and then everything went quiet.

"Maaz! Please! Open the door!" I said for the last time, when darkness takes over my emotionally drenched senses.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*

So, how was it???

Do

Vote

Comment

And

Share

Until next time!

Iraj

Date: 3-8-17