Author pov

SEWAN
11:00 am

"Bhai-jaan! Api! Ap dono ne muma ka haircut dekha?!"

18 year old girl Ziva gasped loudly while making her way into main garden of house hurriedly, dressed in baby pink pyjamas those have white strips and her long raven hair tied up in messy ponytail. Judging by her condition and voice looks like she has just woken up from her sleep. That wasn't surprising for them anymore. When they all sits down for lunch she be like nashta den. As much as it's annoying for everyone. She's still most pampered and loved child in whole family

"Haircut?"

Came from zaafir who was out of breath as he just came from his daily morning run. He was dressed in Puma tracksuit, hair sweaty in which he run hand before snatching Ziya juice on which she let out yelp. Zaafir and Ziya both were on vacations from their university in London. Both were studying law and were in final year while Ziva has just cleared her 12th exams a month ago and now was enjoying her winter vacations in village with them and her parents

They rarely gets times to visit Sewan together, their parents do visit every month together because apparently their father gets separation anxiety when he stays away from his wife. Ziva can't leave her school in middle so she desperately waits for these vacation days so she could enjoy with her family and cousins also to see her grey eyed and jet black messy haired crush, who's always best friend of her elder sister Ziya and also way older than her. Who cares about age right? It's just crush it's not like she's marrying him

Back to current situation. Three of them were out of words because haircut was extremely forbidden for their mother. She does threatens her husband every time with this line mein haircut karwa lungi agar apne meri baat na mani Mir-sahab and not so surprisingly Mir shah would agree to her demands just for sake of those pretty hair. They surely had pretty huge fight or something-

"Shoulder length." Ziva says with grin looks it's more than huge fight. Ziya chuckled covering her mouth with wide eyes not exactly believing this

"Haircut hi toh hai." Zaafir commented even though he knows it's not just haircut

"Bro that's baba's jaan not just hair." 26 year old said rolling her eyes. True "Baba must be really pissed haina?" She asked her sister. She just came home this morning, last night she went to have sleepover at her aunty maham's house because, she really missed her favourite cousin Alizey, who's also youngest one among them

"Haven't seen him." Ziva shrugged cuddling up with her elder brother who offered her orange juice glass he snatched from Ziya. You can clearly tell who's his favourite sister

Zaafir signal them to look at door of garden and keep mouth zipped because their father made entry into garden, dressed in cream colour Ralph Lauren sweater that makes his chest and shoulder appear broader like huge man he is and royal blue colour pant trousers. His greyish hair wet from shower and slick back. Typical rich British man. He maybe have Pakistani roots and passport but he was certified British by his habits and accent only. His expressions never gave away anything and today was also same. He has poker face from which you can't tell if he's angry or not

He takes seat in one of sofa and grab newspaper from table. Ignoring all of them and their greetings. He's in no mood for that

Three of them looked at each other and both elders signal Ziva to talk to him because, only she can do this without getting scold by him. He has never even once snapped at Ziva, no matter how angry and frustrated he is. He would reply her with smile and other two would anyways complain that this is unfair but this sometimes does come to their favour. In situations like now

"Baba-jaani coffee banao apke liye?" She asked sweetly tilting her head in cute manner. This brings smile to his face as he lowers newspaper to look at her cute expressions

"Do you even know how to make it?" He has gentle tone and coldness on his face was long gone. She shook her head with pout. Ziya and Zaafir are in disbelief double standers and dare they try asking him something when he's in foul mood. He would give savage and sarcastic replies

"Apke liye try krlungi." She smiles

"You don't have to meri jaan." Shehnaaz says keeping tray of his coffee on table in front of him

She was dressed in beautiful blue shalwar kameez and Pearl earrings. Her hair were shoulder length and layered beautifully. She has one side tucked behind her ear. Her eyes met her husband's who's smile vanished when he looked at her. She has done him so wrong. How could she? He was extremely furious when he saw her haircut but he didn't utter a single word and walked out of room last night. How dare she cut those pretty hair? He mentally groan thinking now how would he run hand down those long hair and wrap them around his hand he's gonna make her pay to be honest, she does look really good in this but it was never about how beautiful they make her

"You look pretty muma." Zaafir commented winking at his mother, because he saw her expression after she just witness her husband looking away from her coldly

"So cute." Ziya awed

"Elegant! How does she look baba-jani!" Ziva asked and all of them turn to see his reaction and hear his answer

"I would rather not answer that." Argh

"Mir-sahab baal hi toh hain. Achaa sorry." She pouted

It wasn't her idea to have haircut. Story goes like, she was working with amna on this project started by her husband for woman who experience domestic abuse and last night. They were doing paper work and were done when amna asked her to stay since they were working at her house. She agreed, later amna saw one reel and begged her if she could try this haircut on her because, Shehnaaz has longest hair among them. She agreed on one condition that length shouldn't be gone. Amna nodded and make her sit in front of mirror. Next thing she knew was pair of scissors in middle of her hair

She didn't tell her husband real reason because, she doesn't know what he would have done to amna and also amna begged her to not

"Wapis lambe hojayege." She poke his arm with her finger to gain his attention

"So talk to me when they grow back until them don't even bother." He said that without looking up from newspaper. Zaafir had this urge to say something but they have been told to never interfere when both of them are fighting or speaking. They don't fight at all because their mother always give up before and agrees upon his wishes but when she doesn't it's always Mir shah who gives up

"And what about time when you promise to quit smoking and you have started again mein bhi baat krna chorduna." She says

"Chordo." He replies coldly

"Mir-sahabb choren na baat ko" She whine sitting beside him. He turned his face away on which she forcefully make him look at her by grabbing his arm and pulling him to face her

"Woah tayi-maa you look bom-Beautiful." Aly quickly corrected himself when he walked further and his eyes fell on his taya-abu sitting beside. 16 year old was dressed in Argentina football jersey and black shorts. He had curly hair which makes him look adorable

"Thank you Aly." She smiles at cute boy who now greeted Mir shah. In village their houses are like next to each other so you will often find them into each others house unannounced. It's been like this ever since they were toddlers

"Baji Ziya~"

He straight went to sit beside his Ziya baji and cuddle beside her. She awed at young boy and give him peck on cheek. She's favourite of every kid there because of her extrovert and loving nature. Either it's him. Alizey or twins of amna, they all find comfort in her and would literally fight for her attention. She once jokingly told her parents what if this baby fever of mine one day get me pregnant without marriage Sidharth looked at her blankly for whole minute as she burst into laughters. He was horrified and said I'm leaving everything aside and looking for your groom to which she replied finally baba! He can't be more surprised

"Mir-sahab kitni baar sorry keh diya hai mene ab maan jaye narazgi chorden na." She shakes his arm, making him unable to read but man didn't budge. Now Aly also joined them into watching her manao her Mir-Sahab. Aly wonders if it was his mother at her place. She would have reversed role by now and Zain would be one begging her for forgiveness over nothing

He ignored her and picked up call which was ringing. She didn't stop poking his arm but it didn't do much to him anyways. He ended call and called security gate closer

His security protocols haven been double ever since he has became saadar-e-Pakistan (president of Pakistan) since this is his family house he has to be more careful about security. Threats to his family has been higher ever since he has take post because he wasn't limited to provincial anymore. He had decided to leave politics when gabool took over party and Mr gabool retired but later he decided to stay for sake of Mr gabool. His elder daughter Ziya really hates politics and people in it

"Coffee toh peelen Mir-sahab." She calls as he leaves without even touching his coffee

"Muma you are in hot waters." Ziya chuckles

"I know." She murmurs with pout

"I'm sure baba-jaani's gonna speak to you soon you know he can't go without talking with you dekhna wo khud baat karenge." Ziva assures

"In Sha Allah."

They went back to having normal conversations when their house help came with one young girl beside her. She has her head covered with black shawl and is extremely beautiful with Bambi eyes but has bruises on her face here and there. Shehnaaz almost gasped seeing that which gain's other attention as well

Zaafir eyes fell on young girl and his heart dropped. He knows her. She's one he saw today when he went on run this morning. She was helping elder man in harvesting she's breathtaking and her beauty is just on another level. He looked away when he realise he was staring and got glimpses on bruises on her pretty face who did it? He clenched his fist feeling sudden urge to kill that bastard. Why are man this coward?

"Ya Allah mahanoor ko kya hua? Kisne kiya yeh nargis?" She asked elder woman who's also mother of Mahanooor

"Bibi-Jee iske shohar ne." She has husband Zaafir was beyond shock. She looks like she's 18 and already has husband

"Mene tumhe mana kiya tha bachi ki shaadi na karwao lekin tum log sunte kaha ho! 17 saal ki bachi ki shaadi karwadi legal bhi bhi nahi hui wo!" Shehnaaz lashes out at women as she pulls mahanoor for hug

"Aunty esi bhi kya majboori thi?" Ziya kept hands on her hips and glared at elder woman "Ap per toh case banta hai." She added on which woman wide her eyes and shook head

"Mene kaha choti bibi! Iske baap ne karwai zabardasti 40 saala admi se."

"40!" Ziva chocked on air. She's even younger than her

"Khuda ka kauf karen what have you done to your daughter." Zaafir spoke with utter seriousness and murder on his mind how can they be this much cruel to wed 17 year old girl with 40 year old man. This is absurd and disgusting

"Kismat mein jo likh-"

"Bikul apke jese maa-baap hi toh kismat ka bera gark krte hain bacho ki." He says

"Chote shah-sahab-"

"Where is her father huh?" He stands up furiously and rolled up his sleeves. Mahanooor wide her eyes and hides behind her mother as their eyes met

"Bhai-jaan ruken." Ziva sounded scared so did Shehnaaz as she grabs him by sleeves to stop him because, he very rarely gets this much angry and his rage scares all of them. He is one who act upon his impulsive thoughts when he's angry

"Zaafir you are lawyer and act like one. We are gonna send her father and husband both to jail after getting her divorced. No violence okay now relax." Ziya says calmly looking at him who has his jaw clenched

"No I'm gonna act like I should and beat the fuck out of her father and so called husband before getting her divorce."

"Zaafir please." Shehnaaz says getting panicked by his continues anger

"Muma look at her!"

"Meri jaan meri baat toh suno na. Hum violence ke bina bhi toh yeh matter solve karskate haina please don't do this." She tightly clutched his arm

"Fine but we are paying them visit right now I wanna hear what that shit of father and husband has to say about this." He nodded with jawline still clenched

"You will have your behaviour in check?"

"Hmm."

"Promise karo." Shehnaaz said

"Promise muma." He nodded

"I'll call Zain chachu to come with us and someone else to get us divorce documents then let's go." Ziya said grabbing her phone

Child marriages were very common practice in many Asian countries. Shehnaaz thought they would listen to her and won't get their flower like daughter married to some old man but she's surprised and angry both. And this domestic abuse is just too much on 16 year old girl. Her husband was absolutely right when he decided to open organisation for woman who are victim of domestic abuse

Ziva was left alone with Aly. Being 18 she was traumatised by news. How could a father do this to his own daughter. She's lucky to have father like hers. Not all fathers are heroes

She was playing tennis with Aly in their backyard tennis court when she was told Shayan Khokhar was here for Ziya. Grey eyed guy. She immediately throw her tennis racket and rushed into main hall which made Aly to let out groan loudly and he followed his elder cousin with annoyed expressions. On her way Ziva corrected her hair and shirt. She was wearing white polo shirt and white trousers

Shayan Khokhar is 6ft man with jet black hair and grey eyes. He only wears black and white colour and anyone would mistake him for some mafia boss's elder son. He is extremely handsome with introvert personality, only opens up with his mother and Ziya ever since always. Him and Ziya are childhood best friends. His village is also sewan and lives just few km away from them

"Where is your sister?" Shayan raised his eyebrow at young girl off course he will ask for her. Ziva didn't even hide her eye-roll as she folds her arm

"Call krlen."

"She's not picking calls. She's fine right?" He asked with concern in his eyes as he opens phone again to call Ziya. It would be wrong to be jealous of your own sister right? And they are just childhood friends right?

"She's fine just has gone somewhere ayen toh puch lena." She looked at him as he leaves when Ziya answered his call. Wow he didn't even once asked if she's doing fine or no hello. They are seeing each other after like whole year. He also studies London with her siblings. She won't lie this was heart breaking

"Delusion se niklo aur chalo khele tennis!" Aly whine behind her

—

"Izaat se keh raha hoon bachi ko divorce do aur niklo warna kutto ke jesi karuga." Zain glared at elder man more like some disgusting person who has dared to marry 16 year old who's hasn't even been legal yet. Zaafir behind stood with his fist clenched and rage in his eyes

"Shah sahab yeh humare ghar ka matter hai." Older man says

"Yeh illegal hai!" Ziya sighed with papers in her hand

"Sab chalta hai yahan choti bibi-Jee."

"Chachu we are calling police right now he's being uttering nonsense." Ziya was done hearing him utter nonsense. Zain wanted to get divorce first without any mess and later get this man arrested. He doesn't wanna young girl to go through court dates. They will ruin her reputation intentionally. He knows this system and people but these kids, they have no idea about these people

"Apko sharam nahi ayi apni beti apni umar se dugne mard ke sath shaadi karwate hue?" Shehnaaz asked father of girl who kept his head down with shame. He should be punished

"Bibi-Jee jayen yahan se humare ghar ke masle mein na dakhal den ap. mein Mir-sahab ki izaat krta hoon isliye kuch nahi keh raha warna-"

"Warna kya?" Zaafir clenched his jaw coming forward to face husband. He did felt terrified by young man's eyes because they resemble Mir shah and have same glint in them "Izaat se smjhne walo mein se nahi hoon tum haina?" He grabbed man by collar and Shehnaaz gasped while both Zain and Ziya groan

"Chote shah-"

"Zubani talaq doe abhi." He demanded looking at man with dead glares which had him shiver

"A-agar mene talaq di toh kisi aur ko shaadi nahi karne donga use." He declared

"Achaa."

"Mujhe rok sakoge?" Zaafir whispered only for him to hear raising his eyebrow with his lips curving slightly

"Huh?"

"Ziya bring her here and 3 tak ginu ga agar talaq nahi di tumne use phir tum mujhe bekhauf zindagi jeekr dekhao." He threatens on which husband wide his eyes. If he was smart he would do it because he literally lives where shahs rules and upsetting prince won't come as his favour

"Enough of this Zaafir."

Shehnaaz pulls her son back by his arm who's eyes didn't stop glaring at man. Husband was beyond scared and wipe of his sweat. Mahanoor was guided into room who looks really innocent and scared. She has her head down

"1"

"2"

"3-"

"Mein sign krta hoon talaq ke papers." After this time was time for his real petai

—

"Chalo this is Zaafir's first case as lawyer which he has won MashaAllah ." Maham smiled at young man and kissed on his head who was lost somewhere in deep thought

"By threatening man." Zain added

"Meri bhi help thi!" Ziya said pouting at them for not giving her any credit

"Off course." Maham kissed her head as well on which she smiled widely and hugged her

"Arif!"
"Atif!"

Amna shouted with hands on her hips as her both naughty twins run around huge living room. Creating mess everywhere. She was so done with them.Very much. She needs to throw them in some orphanage now. Ziya awed as they rushed towards her and jumped on her making her fall back on couch. She laughed and they also cartoons of the house and their leader. Ziva admire her sister. She's so cool and everyone loves her

"Ap log ek kaam karo sab apne bache mujhe dedo!" She says with giggle

"Rakhlo!" Amna says with grin

"Kyun bhai mujhe pyare hain mere beta! Tumhe bech doon mein!" Aryaan scoffed rolling eyes at his wife

"Mir-Sahab!" Here they go again. Shehnaaz has spend her whole day walking after her husband trying to make him talk to her. He has successfully ignored her till now "Mein rodugi ab bhut hua!" She says in cracked voice. He glanced at her and fuck her pretty eyes were filling with water

"You know what will happen if you cried Shehnaaz." He warned what will happen? Others wonder with frown. Only she and him knows what will happen if she did

"Amna ne haircut kiya mera galat mene kaha use length nahi jani chahiye." Shehnaaz pointed at her bestie while sniffing. She's done hiding and she's no good girl who always does good nah. Especially not when he's upset with her. She can throw anyone under bus to make up with him and have him back to normal. Amna wide her eyes

"Nahi Mir bhai mene nahi!" You are so gone amna this is getting better Ziha thought with grin and high-fives with Zain secretly

"You are getting bob cut."

"Nahi!" Amna groan

"Yes!" Aryaan snicker. She also gave him bad haircut now she will be getting her karma

"Are we good?"

Shehnaaz grabbed his shirt between her fingers tightly and looked at him through lashes. He locked eyes with her and let out sigh off course they are always gonna be good he wrapped arm around her and pulled her closer to kiss on her head. She controlled her eyes. He pulled back and gently wiped tears with his thumb. Their kids awwed. They really can't be separated for long