Laila

It's been a week since everything happened and I've been moved to Bashir Mansion now, Khaloo thinks the people who attacked us are still out there so it's not safe at all for me at least in that hospital Alaya and Khala are busy with the preparation of nikah and buying other dresses for me as we lost everything in that blast I cannot believe something like this will happen to me, I always thought if I have my parents no one can even touch me or hurt me in any way but I have lost that shield of mine and now my fears are coming over the surface what if someone kills me too, what if I never found out who is behind all this.

A knock on the door brings me out of my thoughts" Laila?" it was Zain, he has become overprotective towards me now, he brings food every day to my room, and gives me medicines Alaya helps me with bathing and the rest of my chores, Amaan well what should I tell about him I hardly see him but as what Alaya tells he is busy with finding who is behind all this security is been doubled now outside the mansion.
"How are you feeling today?" Zain asks sitting beside me with a tray full of food.
"Okay I guess," I tell him forcing a smile, I don't want them to see how broke I am now, I thought too much and came to a conclusion bottling up my emotions would be the best decision for me I cannot have everyone constantly worrying about me.

"Always remember this Laila, no matter what I'm always here whenever you want to talk to me," he says bringing a spoonful of soup near my mouth.
"How is college, how is everything with Miraal?" I ask ignoring what he said.
"Ignoring it won't help you heal Laila," he says sternly feeding me more soup, after giving me medicines he left the nikah is going to happen today in the evening, and Alaya's nikah is the day after tomorrow.

I never thought my life would change so quickly and I will not even have a chance to act or handle myself just then I was hit with the news of getting married to someone who I don't know a single thing about, all my hopes and dreams died in that blast everything I held dear died burned in that fire and I couldn't do anything about it.

Helpless and Angry is what I feel.

Everything is taken away from me but there was one thing that I thought wouldn't be taken away from me but Abba Jaan took that too, my freedom which he knew very well was important for me. No one had the right to bind my relationship with someone who is just a mere stranger to me, and now I have to spend my whole life with him.

I was pulled out of my thoughts again because of the knock on the door it was Alaya this time" hey Princess" she says entering inside with a large box in her hand.
"What's in that box?" I ask her shifting a little in the bed.
She looks at me hesitantly before speaking up" uh um it's your dress for nikah" she says keeping it on the edge of the bed I get stiffen at the mention of nikah I can not believe it is happening I have to move into Amaan's room and have to sleep in the same bed as him, have to do all the duties of a wife.

(Nikah -Wedding)

"What is bothering you, Laila?" She asks.
"Everything as a matter of fact" I mutter looking out the window, she sits taking the stool near my bed.
"I know none of us saw this coming or was ready for it but now that it has happened all we can do is accept it and try to move on because it will only hurt us if we reliving what has happened because doesn't matter how much we all want Khaloo, Khala and Danish Bhai Jaan isn't coming back" she states the harsh truth which deep down I'm aware they are never coming back but I cannot help it, they were my parents, not some strangers.

Warm tears streams down my cheek "Laila remember this you are not alone in this, we all are with you especially you will have Amaan Bhai beside you standing and protecting you" she says keeping her hand on mine.
"I don't need protection Alaya" I reply jerking my hand away they still think of me as some sort of fragile doll who will break.
"Trust me you do Laila, not now but you will in the future," she says giving me a tight-lipped smile.

"Come on let's get you ready, Qazi Ji will be coming soon to perform the marriage," she says unpacking the box she pulls out a beautiful heavy dress of ruby red colorfully embellished with embroidered work on it bridal shirt made of net with sequin encrusted with gota work, the lower border is heavily embroidered with crystals, dabka and hand made sequins, sleeves are full beautifully designed with dull gold embroidery, paired with red silk embroidered lehenga it has work of zardozi, resham and crafted stones and dupatta is sheer tulle embellished and embroidered. It was a really heavy dress, how I'm going to wear this with everything else wrapped around my body.

(Qazi Ji - Priest who performs the nikah)

"Oh I'm so sorry I brought the wrong dress, it's mine," she says laughing nervously.
I chuckle lowly "thanks to Allah, I can not wear it," I tell her.
"I'll get the dress just wait," she says and leaves taking the box with her.

She comes after a while with three black boxes in her hands of different size placing them on the bed she opens it taking out a beautiful dress, an embellished organza white shirt front and back, embroidered dupatta with golden pearls on the border, embroidered raw silk pants "it's beautiful" I heard Alaya gasping at the look of it.
"Yes, indeed it is, your choice of clothes is amazing," I tell her forcing a smile, it was simple yet beautiful.
"No, it's was picked out by Maan Bhai Jaan," she says keeping it on the bed she opens the other box it has white juttis in it with pearls on it and in the other box, there was jewelry a maang tika, earrings.

There was a knock on the door it was Khala she looks at me intently "Laila?" She says coming inside.
"Assalamalikum Khala" I greet her.
"Walikumassalam Bache Kaisa feel ho Raha Abhi?" she asks sitting beside me.
"Okay, I think," I said because I don't know what people want to know when they ask how I am feeling, are they asking how my health is emotionally or how I'm feeling physically.

(How are you feeling now?)

"Good to know, Alaya can I talk to Laila alone for a moment," she says Alaya leaves giving a nod.

"Look Laila, I know the way your life has turned upside down it isn't easy to survive all this all alone your Khaloo and I'm there but still you need someone to lean on, a shoulder to cry on and that shoulder can be Amaan and anyway it's better to be with someone who you know a little than being with some total stranger I'm not trying to justify the decision of your Abbu and Khaloo but I believe it's for the best" she states since they have broken this news to me, everyone is trying to make me understand the same thing as if they are scared I will have a meltdown and in the process might destroy everything how can they think of me so weak.

"I know Khala and all of you don't have to make me understand I'm not some two-year-old I understand the seriousness of the situation I know you all will help me find the culprit who did this to my family and will provide me the security," I said it came out a little harsh but I'm gone too far to care what people think of me now, cause all of them has already decided that Laila is some weak girl who cannot handle things on her own and won't understand anything so they are treating me as little girl but I don't care now, there is nothing left for me to care about I know they are my family but I cannot bring myself to go all soft again if I want to find who did this and I'm going to do this on my own doesn't matter Amaan helps me or not.

I will make them pay.

She pats on my forehead giving a small peck on the top of my head" I know you are a smart girl now get ready I will send Alaya in"she says giving me one last look and leaves the room.

Alaya comes in helping with the bath and everything else soon I was done with everything she did light makeup just to hide my bruises on the face though there is not going to many people only Khala, Khaloo, Zain, Phupho's family, Mamun's family Alaya, and her in-laws.

I was ready to go out on the terrace where all the arrangements have been made she helps me sit in the wheelchair because I still have the plaster on my leg along with all the other bruises she covers my face with my dupatta "you look so beautiful" applying a kajal behind my ear.

Everyone was present Phupo gives me a sympathetic look before walking over to me"Allah is looking over us everything will be fine" she says giving a kiss on my head.
I kept quiet in response if he was looking over us then he wouldn't have taken my Abba Jaan, Ammi, and Danish Bhai, there was a pardah Amaan and every other male of the family was sitting behind it and on the other side every woman of the family was sitting I saw Miraal with rest of the cousins they smiled at me fussing over something talking in hushed voices they must be thinking what kind of girl I am my parents just died and here I am getting married.

I was settled in between Qazi Ji comes and starts the ritual of nikah he recites the Quran while Khaloo offers Mehr seeking my consent.

"Qubool Hai". (I do)

"Qubool Hai".(I do)

" Qubool Hai".(I do)

We both said then we signed the nikah nama Mamun and Mumani were the witness from my side, Khala, and Khaloo from Amaan's side while the Khutba was recited followed by the vows in the Quran, then both the parents recited durud as their blessing for us. I kept quiet the whole time it's like I have lost the will to even say anything or think anything my mind is just blanks filled with more dangerous nothingness I'm aware of but what should I do I don't know.

(Nikah Nama is a legal contract that binds bride and groom in a relationship of marriage)

They all cheered in excitement giving us their blessings we were made to sit together Amaan was also quiet the whole time though I can feel his eyes on me which was making me a little uncomfortable his gaze is something I'm not used to scratch that I'm not use to any men's gaze like that on me it was making my heart race.

The dinner was served everyone around us was busy talking Alaya was standing in a corner along with Afan and Zain all the elders were sitting in one group in another corner and Miraal, Zoya, Iqra, Sara, Shayan, and Mahir were sitting in front of us discussing something Allah knows what but whenever I looked any of them they all gave me a sympathetic look, pity in their stares all I can give them back is cold stare because as I said there is nothing inside me or on my mind.

"Are you okay?" I heard a small voice beside me.
"People need to stop asking me that question even though they are very well aware that I'm not okay, because how am I supposed to I just lost everything if people want me to smile they should not expect cause I don't have it in me to pretend like others" I retort back at him, and try to get up from the wheelchair I'm weary from wearing this dress and sitting in the same posture for so long but my effort was wasted as I fell on the ground whimpering in pain.

Why do you have to be so stupid Laila?

"Uff Allah, Yeh Ladki bhi na kitni martaba samjhaya hai Dhyan se kya jarurat thi uthne ki," Khala says walking towards me before she could Amaan grabs my hand making me sit back on the wheelchair, he looks down at me with genuine concern in his eyes for the first time I noticed his face from so close his warm breath almost fanning on my face, he has black hair which was combed perfectly with a side partition and he has brown eyes which has warmth in them, but also they look like a storm is taking its place in them I felt compelled towards him which is new to me.

(This girl, how many times I have told you to be careful, what was the need to get up now)

"Maan beta take to your room Laila, she must be tired now" Khaloo's deep voice pulls us out of our trance clearing his throat he stands straight maintaining his stature.

He nods at him before strolling me through the corridors and it looks like he is taking me to his side of the room but didn't Khaloo said in my room "why are you taking me to your room?" I question him looking up.
"We are married now Laila, so I think my room is your room plus do you want to give reason to everyone to talk about us," he says in a serious tone.
I scoff at his response" I don't care what everyone thinks just take me to my room or else I can go by myself " I said, he didn't say anything and just turns the wheelchair around towards my room.

We walked past the terrace and Khaloo looks at us coming to the corridor" where are you taking her?" He asks Amaan.
"To my room" I reply before he could say anything.
"Why you both are married now and his room is yours and I expect for you not to argue on this just listen to me for once," he says looking at me then nods at Amaan.

I just roll my eyes at him in my head, of course, I don't want to hear any other lecture today I have had enough of drama, and the limit of me handling such is over, we entered his room which was bigger than mine I remember the room I had at my house it was my happy perfect place remembering it a tear slides down my cheek quickly wiping it I look at him"can you please send Alaya so she can help me change" I said whilst taking the beauty of the room in.

A big king-sized Parisian bed in the middle of the room with an upholstered headboard, handcrafted solid wood with the elegant carving on the legs of the bed with a bronze finish, the bed itself was looking so breathtaking I will sleep like a baby in this, two lamps on each side of the bed behind that along with windows curtains covering them a big chandelier in the middle of the room the whole room was colored in the subtle golden shade which was giving the feeling of peace and security too.

I was pulled out of my thoughts" here are your rest of the clothes "Alaya says walking inside the room.
"Thank you, Alaya so much," I said taking the clothes from her, she helps with the rest of my chores before tucking me in bed and the mattress felt heavenly beneath me.

"Good night Laila, and congratulations on your new start I hope Allah showers his blessings on both of you" she whispers turning off the lamp and leaves the room. I try to settle in the bed but suddenly the lights were turned on squinting my eyes I sat on the bed "sorry I disturbed you, but I wanted to give you something before going to sleep" he says walking towards the bed sitting at a nice distance from me.

I frowned at him, he takes out a small peach velvet box from his pocket opening he pulls out a beautiful solitaire ring which has a diamond on it and a thin band encrusted with small diamonds in it he extends his hand "your hand?" He says.
I hesitate a little so he takes my left hand and he slides the ring on the finger "it's not necessary" I said jerking mine away from him.
"It is you are my wife and it is a tradition to give something on the wedding night no matter under what circumstances we got married Laila but you are my wife now and I will fulfill all my duties towards you and don't worry I don't expect anything in return," he says I can see the honesty and sincerity in his eyes.

"Now go back to sleep," he says picking up a pillow and a blanket and goes over to the couch opposite the room, giving him one last look I turn off the lamp, and as soon as my head hits the pillow sleep engulfed me.

******

Hey Guys, how is everyone doing?

A long chapter after so long I hope you guys enjoyed it I don't know how was it please do comment and tell me what do you think about it.

What are your thoughts on Amaan?

What do you think about Laila?

I feel so bad for Laila, poor girl.💔😔

Anyway, till next time.

Keep Reading, Keep Smiling ❤❤😊

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