She didn't explain her statement further. One, his security team came at that time to take her fingerprints for the system. Two, because she just didn't speak and he didn't know what to ask.

She was married at seventeen. Married.

He wanted to ask so many questions because in no way being married at seventeen sounds good. It sounds all wrong. He remember when she ask him about intimacy. Was it because of her past trauma? Did someone hurt her? What was it!?

It shouldn't get under his skin, in fact, nothing gets under his skin. She did. She was piercing through his skin.

Today was the day he was getting married.

He didn't see the venue until the time that he enters it. His sister was in the bride room while he knows his wife is in another room. Their Nikkah was done in the morning.

He hadn't seen her since morning. He didn't even see her when they agreed or later. Apparently, his mother new heist is torturing people specifically her son. He wanted to see his wife yet he couldn't. He humour his mother only because his wife agreed to it.

He did see her dress since there were details he asks the designer to add in. This designer had been with them for years and he managed to pull out a perfect dress for his bride in time. The dress was the only thing he and his wife worked on. Some of the details of her dress are also on his suit. He wanted the details on his dress. To match with her.

He was anxious to see her.

She was anxious. She can't help shake the feeling of nausea. Because the experience she had in her teenage lives within her. She is scared out of her mind. She is just waiting it to be over with so she knows now what she has to live with.

Her parents were busy gushing over her brother so she didn't have anyone with her. She sits in the makeup room alone waiting for her turn. Ibrahim was here before he had to leave for preparations. So did her friend. The loneliness was sweeping into her and turning her sour. She should have expected it. She is just so pathetic.

It's over an hour and half already after her brother and her bride entry. The hunger was killing her. She had tried calling her family but she didn't get any replies. She leans in the chair feeling the weight on her shoulders.

She sighs.

She heard a knock and her heart kick starts as she imagine her family finally remembering her. She starts to stand when her dress stuck in something on the chair. She tries bending but the heavy jewellery starting hurting and she imagine it might fall if she bends more. While she was busy with the struggle the door open and she heard footsteps.

"Mama yeh dekhein yeh kahi phas gaya". She said irritated (Mama look it is stuck somewhere)

"Dekhaein". She heard his voice and her head immediately turns to him and her eyes widen as he bends on his knees in front of her, "Hum dekh layte hain". (I will check)

Her breathing hitched as he gently pulls the fabric from the chair before patting her clothes down. He stands in front of her towering over her and his eyes taking in all of her just as she was taking in all of him.

"Haseen". (Beautiful), he whispers as his hand glided over her cheeks, "Bohat khoobsurat lag rahi ho, Begum". (you look really beautiful, wife)

Her cheeks turns pink and a small smile appears on her lips, "Ap yaha?" (you here?)

He nodded, "I couldn't wait anymore to see you so I decided to come here".

"They forgot, didn't they?"

He didn't like the shake in her voice. She was his wife, his to protect, his to care for and everything of hers was his.

"Hum toh kabhi nahi bhool sakte". He replied as he takes her small hands in his hands (I can never forget you)

He couldn't help the shiver that course through him. Her hand fits perfectly. They are so soft that they hold his heart in a tight grip. He pauses looking down at the dark Henna she had on and remembers his sister crying this morning because the shade of her Henna was light which means her husband doesn't love her.

Her hands looks exquisite covered in Henna. The Henna of his name, for his name. That did something to him. Something he didn't expect. He saw his name in first try and his thumb rubs over it.

She felt her heart leaping out of her chest at his touch. His touch were innocent yet they put her skin on fire. She usually hates when someone touches her yet she couldn't help but enjoy his touch. What was happening to her?

"We are going to do a lot of different things". He spoke as he kisses over his name on her hands then raises his head gazing at her, "Starting with this wedding, we will walk to our stage together. Like leaders - like how King and Queen should be. You and me together, ok?"

She nodded.

He leans in kissing her forehead and his lips lingers for a moment before he pulls back, "I would have to donate half of my money today".

She frowns, "Why?"

"To make sure no evil eyes touches you".

She couldn't help the laugh that escape her and the giggle that follows as she looks at him.

"Don't be ridiculous". She said slapping his chest and she realize that she was leaning too close to him

He shrugged, "Ridiculous is the fact that you look so beautiful".

"You look good too".

"Just good?"

"Too good. I guess I have to donate my half too".

His lips twitch, "Thats cheating, Begum. You need to find your own punch lines".

She chuckles.

"I like it".

"Like what?"

"You, smiling, it's endearing".

She blushes some more.

He opens the door walking slowly so she can walk with ease. It takes a few minutes before they were standing behind the door waiting for their entrance.

"Head high, my queen". He whispers as she straighten her shoulder and enters the hall

It was an hour or so after their entrance and some very weird picture session that she sat on her seat. Her feet were killing her and so was her hunger. Her parents were busy miggling with everyone and barely spoke to her so did her brother.

She turns to her sister in law and smiles, "Welcome to our family".

"You are not my family or my husband's". His sister replied irritated, "Don't act like we are family. Your family kicked my husband out when he was a child just for you to live a luxurious life".

She sighs.

She settle back in her seat when she felt a hand over her hand and she turns her head to look at her husband glaring at his sister.

She turn her hand so their fingers were intertwined that made his eyes turn to her and soften.

"Its fine".

"No". He said a little too aggressively, and his eyes narrow at his sister, "She is my wife now. She is going to be the Queen soon. I don't care what your emotions are towards her, you will respect her".

"I didn't do anything. She started acting friendly to me. This is why you did it, didn't you? To make my brother angry at me at my wedding!". His sister yelled drawing attention to them

"What's going on?" Her brother asked

"Your sister is doing it again".

She massages her head feeling a headache coming up. She shouldn't have initiated anything. She is such a fool.

His hands tightened around her hand and she looks at the anger radiating off him at the cruel words her brother directed towards her.

"Lets go". Her husband said standing from his seat and gently he makes her stand too, "We are done with this".

"But-"

Her husband looks at her, "I am never going to stay at a place my wife isn't respected".

She quiten down after that. Apparently her brother and his wife decided they were done for the day too. She steps towards her parents who were busy consoling his sister who was weeping.

She steps back to stand beside her husband as she gulp to keep her emotions at bay.

Her parents still don't care about her. They didn't care the first time and they still don't.

His hand tightened further if that was even possible as he watches her parents exiting before she even step out of the hall. They enter their car right after her brother and his sister sat in their car to leave. They simply wave at her for a second before they were just gone.

He can't even imagine what she must be feeling right now because the anger he was feeling was overpowering everything. If their actions made him so angry, what must it feel like to her? They weren't even his parents yet he despice their actions.

He imagine having a daughter and sending her off to someone else house after taking care of her since the day she was born. He imagine his heart ripping at the mere thought of ever doing that. How did her parents just left her with him?

Even Ibrahim - her cousin and her friend confronted him. They had asked all the questions her parents should have asked when he came with a proposal. Ibrahim and her friend had warned him that if he ever hurt her - King or not - they will hurt him and he wouldn't take any less.

He was proud of them. He was a little happy that she has them. As they stand in the hall with everyone else. He looks down at her to find tears brimming in her eyes that she tries so hard to hold together. Her free hand was in tight fist.

"Do you mind?" He asked and she turns to look at him as he added, "I need a hug".

She frowns, "You need a hug?"

"Of course. Do you know how hard it was to send my sister off? I am barely holding on".

Lies.

Her eyes softened, "I promise my parents will be good to her. They were bad in the beginning and I am sorry. But I made sure that they don't repeat their behaviour".

"I still need a hug". He argued

She was the first to move in wrapping her hands around his waist. Her head landed on his chest and he wraps his arms around her, hugging her tightly. She feels perfect. She is perfect. He heard her sniff a few times and as his mother asks to get in the car, he finally bring himself to let her go.

He still holds her hand as they walk to the car, opened the door for her and then help her to get her dress in properly. He gesture to one of his guard as he brings a small basket keeping it in the back and securing it properly with a bag.

"Chalein, Begum?" (Shall we?)

"Ji". (yes)

He nodded. He starts the car as they leave the venue. She felt the tiredness washing over her as he drives. They stop at the signal when he opens the door and got out. He took something from the back seat before sitting on his seat.

"Here". He said handing her the sandals, "I know you feets hurts". He then brings a medicine, "I think this is for the pain because the Pharmacist said so".

She can't help the smile as she changes her shoes and take the medicine.

"I would love some tea". She said sighing

He stops the car after a few minutes near the tea stall before he asks the person for two tea. She sits there amazed at why he is listening to everything she is saying and everything she is not saying.

"I have the food from our wedding in the basket". He said as they wait for their tea, "I was planning that we can stop at seaside and have it. You didn't eat anything all day and you need to eat something".

"I am not sure if I like the food". She whispered

"What do you mean? Didn't they ask you what you like?" He frowns, "I specifically asked them to make sure you have half the menu to your liking".

He was angry again.

She makes a nervous sound, "I can't eat the 'normal' Desi foods".

"Why?"

"I have a health condition. If I don't take care of my diet, my health can get bad".

"What can you eat?"

"I can eat crabs. I just need to keep a measure of it. I was actually supposed to not skip my meals since they makes me fatigue and low on energy. But the day was just so long".

"Would you be able to eat samosas?"

"I can. Since I didn't have anything today".

He nodded. He ordered a samosas after their tea came. She drinks the tea as soon as it came since she loves eating things when they are hot. Her mouth burn from the heat and she makes a hissing sound causing his attention to come on her.

"Araam se". He said taking the tea from her hand to cool it, "Kahi nahi ja rahi". (slowly) (it is going no where)

"I love when food or drinks are hot. Even if they burn my mouth".

"You are weird".

He kept holding her tea because the samosas arrived. She inhale the food immediately and loves the taste of it. She loves food even if she needs to keep distance from it. She eats even his share but he didn't comment on it instead he keeps looking at her.

He sends the plates back and requested another cup of tea knowing she will love a hot tea and the one he had was cold. He takes a couple of tissue placing his hand on her chin turning it to him. He wipes the sauce from her lips and around it. It takes a moment to realize how close they were and how beautiful her lips looks in red. Tasty too.

A knock on the door break their moment as she takes the tea and he paid the person before driving away. It wasn't until a few minutes that she felt a sudden change in the air. She turns towards him and found his jaw clenched.

"Take my phone" He said and she immediately took his phone, "The password is 1612". She typed it, "Text Zeeshan and say we are followed and heading towards the other end. Send him the location and say to track the ring".

She did that trying to stay calm.

"Are they going to hurt us?" She was scared for him

"Listen to me". He commanded, "If they get us, you will run".

"No". She shouted as tears gathered her eyes

"Yes you will. I will fight them off and try to keep them away but you need to run. Don't look back or look for me. Just run".

"No!" She cried holding his hand

His eyes and body softened under her touch as he exhale, "Please, Begum. Please. I don't think I will be able to live if they did something to you".

She didn't get to say anything more as a car ramp into their side and their car swayed before coming to halt. Somehow, her husband hand moved in front of her pushing her back in her seat and covering her.

He exhale when the car finally stops and the door opens as he was ripped away from her, not without a fight and a minute later, she was ripped out too.

He fights against the men when he saw their hand on her and lunge at the man ripping his hand off and standing in front of her.

Everything centred around her. His protective instincts were killing him. He knows he will protect until his last breath.

That's when she spoke, "Sahil?" and he turns to look at her and the fear was clear on her face as she holds his hand, "My ex husband".