When he told his family about that girl over the breakfast table, at first they were happy that he finally found someone for him. Although Aqia had so many nice proposals for him and some of them she even liked, still she was happy that Haider at last listened to them. However when he disclosed his unexpected nikkah, all of them were stunned. They were not expecting this. Where he wasn't willing to marry anyone for seven years, now suddenly did it.

"You did a nikkah with her and didn't even feel a need to tell us?" It was Aqia who was shocked to the core.

Haider scoffed. "It all happened in an emergency, Mom. Shahid, my friend, had to leave for abroad all of a sudden due to some personal issues. But she was alone here hence he asked me to marry her so that he could be freed from worry related to her."

"But why didn't you tell us? This hidden nikkah isn't coming in a good taste, Haider." Tashfeen joined the talk.

"When you guys were forcing me into marriage, I already had Shahid's sister as a better option in my eyes. I talked to him and he said yes. I was just about to inform you guys to take my proposal for her but the need never came since Shahid got burdened with his own difficulty related to some of his accounts his which got frozen and he had to reach the US for their renewal," he lied and perhaps that was the first time, he lied this much.

But what could Haider have done? Without this, there was no solution to this problem. At least he could force that girl however he wanted and wouldn't have to care for her rights and anything related to this marriage. She would always find herself intimidated by him because he got her a place to live.

He squared his shoulders and gave his astounded yet a bit angry parents a stern look. "Now I want you guys to properly hold our marriage."

"But how? Her brother isn't here and if there is no one in her family except him then what will we say to guests? And what about this already happened nikkah? What people will think?" Aqia asked in irritation.

Haider placed the fork on the plate back. "I did a nikkah Mom, not a sin about which you care about what people will think. You already were forcing me to marry and when I did it, you were again not happy. Then tell me what should I do?"

"Fine then," Tashfeen murmured and interrupted his wife with a hand as well who was just about to speak. "Nikkah is not a small thing. You already did it and now that girl is your wife. So rukhsati is an inevitable thing that should happen at any cost. We will hold the ferment of your official wedding this weekend with a proper barat."

Tashfeen and even now Aqia as well now made peace with the fact that Haider had married. It was them who were compelling him to do so as soon as possible. And it was good that he eventually got himself a wife. Yes, the circumstances weren't favorable and nice yet it was better than the life their son was currently living.

"What's her name?" Aqia asked.

Haider thought back to what that girl told him her name before speaking. "Ishmal."

His mother nodded. "That's a beautiful name. I want to meet her before the official wedding."

Haider's jaw dropped. "Why do you want to meet her?"

Aqia grimaced. "Of course now she is your wife and now she is going to be a part of our family so I need to talk to her so that I can at least get to know her."

"God, I am so happy. Finally, my number will come," Huzaifa chanted in excitation however he was looking like a rascal to Haider with his simmering smirk. He glared at him at which he cheekily grinned.

"Stay silent, Huzaifa. You are so shameless. Here your brother was repulsive of the mention of the marriage and there you are dying to wear the wedding suit," Aqia reprimanded him at which he laughed loudly.

"Of course, I am not a dull person like my dear brother. I like colors and you should be happy that I am asking for lawful colors," Huzaifa let out proudly earning a scowl from his mother. 

"Your mother is right, Haider. It's better if she meets and talks to her. Ishmal beti will also be feeling alone after her brother has gone," Tashfeen murmured, bringing the talks back to the topic. Their Haider made a distasteful face. She didn't even yet come here and they were so in favor of their daughter-in-law. God knew what would happen when she would be here. Did he really make a good decision by marrying at all?

"By the way, where is she right now?" Aqia questioned.

"She has been staying at my government house since last night," he told her.

"Fine then. I and Unaiza will meet her," Aqia enlightened him and then he couldn't say no.

                   __________________

After coming back into the room, she found many shopping bags placed on the bed. Ishmal walked ahead and sat on it. Delicately grabbing one of the bags, she opened it. It revealed a few dresses. The other one had boxes of sandals, heels, and slippers. And the last one had wrappers of jewelry.

She took out the dresses from the shopping bag. The colors were so dark and bright which she never liked. Ishmal always wore light colors. Although she was glad that at least they were simple long shirts and trousers with dupatta with every one of them. The person she got married to was a rich guy and those wealthy people loved weird and bold attire. What if the women in his family also used to have the same apparel? But here she was a bit relaxed to find those clothes.

She was still occupied with this when the door knocked. The knock was so loud and stern that she got to know right away who it would be.  Ishmal quickly slid away the things and stood up. "Come in."

And as she expected, Haider appeared. He gave her a tentative look before stepping inside.

Standing at a small distance from her, he tugged his hands in his pants pocket. "Our marriage is going to become official at this weekend. The proper ceremony you can say. And in this, your real work will start. Don't let anyone know what's the deal between us and I am pretty hopeful you can do that."

Ishmal swallowed a bulk down her throat. Suddenly her mind went back to her mother. What would be her condition? To find her daughter missing, what bad thoughts would be coming into her mind? And here she had just married someone.

"You can rest assured. You have given protection and you can count on me for what you entrusted to me," Ishmal replied, truthfully.

Haider gritted his brows in annoyance. Trust was the thing which he could never put on this gender. However, the misery of helplessness and the fragrance of money were beneficial and they could make anyone loyal. And that was what he believed was in this girl's case. Even if she wasn't going to have anything from him other than shelter, he knew very soon she would demand wealth, property, or cash.

"But what will your mother and sister talk to me? I mean, what should I say to them?" Her question made him come out of his thoughts.

He shrugged his shoulders. "They just want to meet you. You shouldn't get stressed over this. Just say what I asked you to. But yes don't over talk. Rest, I will handle."

"By asking me to do that, do you want me to act rudely with them?" Ishmal asked, the matter of factly

"That's what it is. How soon you make them realize that you are rude, snobbish, and careless, the easier it will be for me to let you go. In this way, you can go anywhere you want before time," he explained to her in a calm voice.

A bitter taste came in Ishmal's mouth. He wanted to get himself out of this situation by making her a culprit. But she nodded anyway.

That was her fate and she had to accept it how it was, no matter how dramatic it was.

           ________________________

As the afternoon commenced, she lazily left the bed to grab a shower. Haider's family would be here anytime soon. He had left the house after they talked about their official wedding. Since then, she has been alone here. She was getting bored but she had nothing to do. Her stomach was gutted due to so many bad thoughts. What had happened and how would she survive next?

Randomly choosing a less bright green colder dress, she got ready. But it was so loose on her. She then checked that every other clothes which he brought for her was also of the same size. Perhaps in the shawl, Haider couldn't get a correct idea of her size. He didn't even feel a need to ask her before going for shopping. And he had just bought whatever reached his eyes first. Nevertheless, now Ishmal had no other thing to wear so she had to survive in this.

She took her light green dupatta in a way that covered the extra amount of loose cloth from her back and front. Gently combing her hair, she tied it in a beautiful braid that reached to her waist. Wearing the same colored small earrings and necklace, she completed her look with a flat sandal. As she didn't have any makeup accessories, her face was without any embellishment. She didn't even used to do any makeup at her house as well so she thought it was fine.

All of a sudden, someone entered the room. And unlike usual, he came without knocking. Haider's gaze went on her figure and then he looked at her from head till toe. She was looking different and maybe it was the effect of the dress which he brought for her. She wasn't that drop-dead gorgeous but she had stunning brown eyes and thick golden hair which were a highlight of her personality.

She felt weird under his scrutiny. It felt like she was an actress who was just about to shoot a scene and he was a director who was just checking out whether she was looking appropriate for appearing on camera or not.

"That's good," he whispered. "My mother and sister. Come down."

She gulped. "Okay."

Haider led her downstairs but till they were alone and not the orbit of anyone's eyes, he was ahead of her one step. But as soon as they reached the stairs where his mother and Unaiza could easily look at them, he lessened this distance to not give any suspicion. 

She found the guests sitting in the lounge. One of them was a middle-aged lady and the other was a young teenage girl in glasses. They stood noticing her.

"AssalamoAlaikum," she greeted them.

Aqia smiled and then patted her head. "Walaikum Assalam. How are you beta?"

"I am fine. You sit, please," Ishmal asserted, respectfully.

They asked her a few questions of most whom were able to answer On Haider's demand, she even kept her response brief and to the point. Though she liked the lady and the girl both. They both were simple, polite, and easygoing. From their smiles and way of talking, it seemed like they were happy with her as well. She got a break from their attention when the maid arrived with the trolley of refreshment.

However, very soon Aqia asked her, sipping the tea. "Do you study?"

Ishmal shook her head. "No, I am done with my studies."

"Oh. What have you studied?" Aqia inquired gently.

"MA English literature," she said.

Aqia chirped. "Masha Allah."

That time Haider had excused himself to attend a call and perhaps that was a bad timing for both him and Ishmal. Aqia asked something which she had no idea how to respond. They had never discussed this thing and now she was silent because she didn't know what to say.

"When will your brother come back from the US, Ishmal?" Even though it was a simple question but it did make goosebumps rise on her skin.

What would she say now? If she said anything else that Haider didn't like, he would not be happy with him. And if he had already told something about this to them and her answer and his explanation wouldn't match, then it would be a big blunder.

                   __________________

AssalamoAlaikum/ Hi guys!

How are you guys!

Here's a new chapter.

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Till next one, Allah Hafiz/ Bye. ❤❤❤❤