Author POV,

Arshad stares at her making her shiver. He wasn't staring at her as a husband does, not even a man stares at a woman but a reason that she was the woman who could destroy his marriage. He was afraid. He was scared to death. He couldn't believe he married again with someone else. He married this little girl. What will happen when his family comes to know? What will happen if sofia comes to know? she will leave him.

"No" a whisper left his mouth. Isha stares at him with those innocent eyes. She didn't know what he was saying and what he was thinking at that moment. "I can't let that happen" Arshad spoke and look at Isha.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I can't accept you." He shook his head repeatedly. "Look girl, I had to save you. And I did. And for that, I had to marry you. And I did. But I can't accept you. I'm already married. I love my wife. I love my sofia. She is my everything. If she comes to know she will leave me. She won't understand why I did this. So please, please just forget about this marriage. Forget that it ever happened" Isha's eyes widened and tears filled up. Lips trembling but she controls it gulping the lump.

Forget it ever happened?

How could she forget that she was married to him? He was her husband and she was his wife. How could he say that he couldn't accept her?

"Look, Isha right? " after pacing back and forth for a minute he again spoke. she nodded.

"Isha, I know it wasn't your fault either. And don't worry, You can stay here. It's my apartment. And from now on it's yours. I will give you everything that you wants. I will take care of your expenses. I will help you with whatever you need. And when you're strong enough and if you want you can go wherever you want. I will divorce you. You can start your life over again" Isha turns her back to him as her face twisted painfully.

"Just please don't let anyone know about this marriage. I only told Adil about it. Cause he had the keys and his apartment is in front of mine. So if I wouldn't tell him he would've thought wrong about me. So you can tell him if you need anything. I'll send you money every month, okay? You don't have to worry about anything. Your my responsibility and I'm not going to back off" he explained himself while isha stood her back still facing him. Arshad waited to hear something from her but she was silent. He walks toward the table and took out some money and his card and put it on the table. "Here is some money and my card. If you need anything you can call me or ask help from Adil" he walks toward the door but turns around to see isha. Isha still had her back to him. He felt an uncomfortable feeling. His subconscious bugging him to talk to her. To know what she was thinking but he didn't want this. He wanted to be away from her so he just walks out closing the door.

As isha heard the door closing she falls on the ground as tears began falling from her eyes.

Is this what was written on my fate? Will I have to live like this? She wondered her innocent eyes to find no one only money on the table.

I don't want your money. I don't want anything from you, just a little support and love but I know you could never give me this. I have a husband but still, I'm alone in this world

she cried. Thinking about his words. It was night and He left her here alone. Not even think how would she adjust here? She was scared and no one was there to help her to make her comfortable. He didn't think for a second that she was just a 17 years old immature girl. How she was feeling?

Why would he care about me? Who am I to him? He was right. He had to marry me to save my life. He just saved my life and nothing else. And in return he wants me to seal my lips. He wants me to hide our marriage from this world. But if I stay here in his apartment then anyone could think wrong of him. I should give him what he wants. He saved me. And I can't ruin him in return.

She was alone. She had the most strong support in this world, a husband. but she was still alone.

she curls up and silently cried all night sitting on the floor while her innocent little heart was scared in this silent empty apartment. She cried missing her father who used to make her feel protected and used to love her. she weeps covering her face while praying to her almighty to give her strength and show her right path.

Isha didn't know what she was going to do but she knew she couldn't destroy his marriage with his first wife whom he loves so much. He saved her from being killed and she will always be indebted to him. So, she will always choose his happiness over her.

*******

Arshad's POV,

I come home with beating heart. I was afraid to face Sofia. I know what I did wasn't wrong. I did it only to save Isha but marrying her this thing won't endurable for sofia. I know, She will leave me that instant.

"Where the hell were you, Arshad!?" Sofia shouted as she comes into the living room and found me. She ran to me. "Where were you? Since yesterday I was calling you but your phone was off."

"I was stuck...."

"Stuck!? Do you know how embarrassing last night's party was for me!? That party was for us, Arshad! How could you...." She was shouting in anger but I hugged her tightly.

"I'm sorry baby. I'm very sorry. Trust me I was stuck. I was coming but then I found all the road blocked due to heavy rain so that's why I couldn't make it here. Please forgive me" I mumble in her neck. I know she was melting. She wrapped her arms around me. We pulled back after a couple of minutes.

"It's okay. I'm forgiving you because I've heard about the road blocking news. Or else I would've thought you were cheating on me with some other girl" My body stiff instantly and all colour drain out of my face as Isha's face appears in my mind. "Hahaha.. I was kidding. Why your face become pale?" she laughs and then asked.

"No..no... I was just tired" I tried to smile.

"Okay. Have you eaten anything?"

"I'm not hungry."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," I look around and asked. "Where is Amma jaan?"

"She retired for her room. She wasn't feeling good and was worried for you. so, I told her to take rest and I will inform her when you will come back" sofia informed me. I nodded and walk to my room with her beside me.

_____

"I was really worried about you Arshad. Please don't do this next time" Sofia said walking toward me as I walk out of the bathroom after taking shower. She wrapped her arms around my neck "Now give me my wedding anniversary gift" she demanded. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her closer.

"What gift you want?" I asked with a smile. I forget everything seeing her beautiful face.

"You promised me you will give me diamond neckless," she said with a grin on her face.

"Sorry baby. I couldn't get the time to buy it. But I promise I will buy it soon" I assured her.

"Okay. You can give me something else, for now" she smirks mischievously. I raised my eyebrows.

"What?" Sofia bites her lips and comes closer to me.

"Another passionate night" sofia whispers nibbling my earlobe. I smirk.

"As you say, my love" we connected our lips in a sensual kiss. "Happy anniversary baby" I whisper between the kiss. Even though our anniversary was yesterday but we will celebrating tonight.

"Happy anniversary to you too," she mumbled opening my shirt buttons.

_____

I was starting at the ceiling as sofia took her sleeping pills before going to sleep. I couldn't sleep. The thought of isha being alone in that apartment makes me uncomfortable. It's not like I think her as my wife, it just I was feeling bad for her, after all, she was a little girl. I heard she was just 17 years old.

I trusted Adil. He was my childhood best friend so, told him before going to sleep, go and check up on her door if it was locked or not without disturbing her. It was purely for humanity. Nothing else.

I tried all night but couldn't get any sleep as that nikkah and Isha was roaming in my mind. I sat up on the bed. It was 7 in the morning. I got out of the bed and slowly went to the balcony and closed the balcony door. I dialled Adil's number and waited for him to received. He didn't. I tried again but no response. I did it again and finally, he picked up.

"What the hell dude! What do you want from me at this time!?" H yelled from the other side. Seems like he was deep in slumber.

"Don't yell at me! Can't you receive my call at the first ring"

"Man! This is sleeping time and I kindly ignore every call at this time"

"It's 7 in the morning, Adil.. Anyway, uhm..have.. Have you check up on my apartment?" I asked hesitantly.

"Oh. You mean, on your wife's door?" He teases. But it makes my stomach churn. That thought of me hiding my second wife from my first wife like some kind of cheater husband makes me disgust.

"She is not my wife Azeem. I only have one wife and that's Sofia" I said in anger.

"Okay okay. And yes I did check up on her door and that was locked last night." He replied to my earlier question. I think for a second before saying.

"Can you please give her breakfast? we hadn't eaten anything since we met" I said in hesitate tone.

"Okay, But let me sleep for now. It's just 7 am. She must be sleeping" he said yawning.

"Okay.. But call me after that" we hung up and I went inside. Sofia was still sleeping. She won't wake up before 8:30 am. She had a problem with sleeping, so, without sleeping pills, she couldn't sleep.

I went to the kitchen to grab something to eat. I found some fruits and began eating. I couldn't tolerate my hunger.

"When you came?" I heard Amma jaan's voice. As she entered in The kitchen.

"Last night. You were sleeping" going toward her I said and then hugged her.

"I was really worried about you. I couldn't sleep the whole night" Amma jaan complaint.

"Sorry Amma jaan. I was stuck" I said and look away.

"Is everything okay Arsh?" Amma jaan asked. I look at her and felt my heartbeat skip seeing her suspicious look.

"Y..yes. Ev..everything is okay.. Why are you asking?" I asked tries to be normal but my heart was beating rapidly.

Amma jaan belong to that village it was possible that anyone could tell her that...that I marry someone there.

"You look pale. It seems something bothering you"

"No Amma jaan.. I was just hungry. And I can't find anything here so just..." I said with a convincing smile. She smiles making me relief.

"Okay, I will make something for you. as you know It will take time for the cook to come and your beautiful wife taking her beauty sleep can't come," she said chuckling while I joined her.

________________

After breakfast, I went to my room and got ready. It's better if I just check up on Isha. I'm not a heartless man. I always held soft corners for poor people.

"Where are you going?" Sofia woke up as I was about to walk out of the room.

"Uhm...i...I'm going to meet Adil" I hurriedly said. She nodded and again lay on the bed.

"Come soon. we need to go to my parent's place" she informed me closing her eyes.

"Okay baby" I kissed her forehead and walk out.

I drove toward my apartment with guilt and beating heartbeat. I was feeling guilty for lying to sofia and hiding all this. But how will I suppose to tell her? I can't tell her 'sofia I married someone to save her life' No. She will leave me that instant. She wouldn't even let me explain myself I know her.

Reaching there I was about to get out of the car when my phone rang.

"What Adil?" It was him.

"Yaar, your wife isn't opening the door" for the second sofia came in my mind and I got confused but then I realised he was talking about isha.

Even if I try to forget this. This man would never let me.

"I'm coming" I hang up.

I reach my apartment and saw Adil stood outside with a plastic bag on his hand. He saw me and walk toward me.

"Dude, your wife is so stubborn. I'm ringing the bell for the last 20 minutes now, but she won't open. Why you get a wives like them. First that stubborn and bold sofia and now she"

"Are you done?" I asked with my narrowed eyes. He raised his hands.

I took out my keys and open the door. I went inside with Adil. I look everywhere but couldn't find her.

Walking toward the bedroom I knock. "Isha" I called her when she didn't reply even after few knocks.

"Dekh kahi behosh vehosh to nahi hogayi bhook ke mare (see if she fainted due to hunger)" Adil mumble. I glared at him and walk inside. But she was not there I look everywhere but she was nowhere. I turn to Adil he also had the same worried look.

"Her suitcase and bag also not here," Adil said. We walk outside.

"What the hell? where has she gone?" I yelled in frustration. Can't that girl stay here without making me worried?

"Arshad look" I heard Adil's voice and look at him.

★★★★★★★★★★

How was it?

Where is Isha?

Will Arshad find her?

What Adil is showing Arshad?

To know... Wait until the next chapter and for that do votes and comments.

Love you all💞