*knock*knock*

My face remained glued to the steering wheel but my eyes snapped open in surprise. Unconsciously, I took a gulp and slowly raised my head to the window to my side.

*knock*knock*

I watched blankly, as he furiously tried to say something. As if in a trance, or maybe in shock I continued to watch his face for another few moments, until he knocked again and motioned to turn down the glass.

"Yes, bibi? You can't see that I am asking you something?" He shot without wasting another second. I tried to say something but he opened my door. Thankfully it was locked.

"Get out." He ordered as he took a step back. I looked away to take a deep breath before stepping out of the car.

"Yes? What do you think you are doing here at this time of the night, bibi?" Before I could say anything in response, he cut me to it.

"Show me your papers." His tone violent now. I stared at him blankly as I started to realize that how I might look to him. Unintentionally, my thought went to the dupatta which was supposed to be in my neck but wasn't there. Nevermind that, I was in a t-shirt and jeans, with tears dried on my face.

"Oye, bibi. Papers?!" He shouted and caused me to jump in fright. I turned to the open door of my car and began searching for the papers only to realize moments later, this isn't my car. I had taken Mum's car in hurry.

As the realization dawned on me, I turned to face him, slowly and the look on his face told me everything.

Ya Allah.
~~~~~~~

I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing. Groggily, my hand went to the side table, where I always kept my phone. I brought it to my face and snapped one eye open to look at the caller ID.

"Zaira?" I thought out loud as I looked at the time, all signs of sleep disappearing. Taking the call, I sat up and turned on the side lamp.

"Hel—"Before I could say anything, a male voice cut me off.

"Is this Rayyan sahab?" The heavy voice on the other side inquired coldly. An unanticipated sense of panic fell over me.

"Yes, speaking. Who is this and where is Zaira—?" I inquired impatiently, whilst my mind whirred with unpleasant possibilities.

"This is sub inspector Shafeeq, speaking from the motorway police. There is a situation here that requires your presence." before he could say anything else, I cut him off.

"Where is Zaira? Is she okay?! Has something—-" The panic evident in my voice now. Before I could ask more, her voice sounded on the other end of  the line.

"Hello... Rayyan...?" My breath hitched in my throat before I could exhale a sigh of relief.

"Zaira?! Are you okay??!" I shot away at the first chance. She had sounded timid and scared but even before I could confirm anything, I was of the bed and was heading towards my car. However, I stopped in my tracks when I heard a sob in her voice.

"Ye—s. Sorry, but can you—come here—please? I can't leave unless someone comes to pick me—" My hand froze at the door as an unfamiliar wave of anger arose in me.

"Zaira, did they do anything to you? Are you harmed—" My grip tightening on the door handle of the car as I asked maintaining my composure.

"No! They didn't...but I need you to pick me up...." I felt relieved while her voice faltered.

"Zaira, give the phone to the officer." I could feel the muscles in my neck and jaw tighten as I pulled the car out of parking.

"Yes?" It was the inspector.

"Sir, sorry for the inconvenience but I will be there in 15 minutes. Until then, I am sure that my wife is not going to be troubled in anyway. I am clear, yes?"

"Yes. Crystal." He answered in a clipped tone and then proceeded to give me the location of the place.

"Can you give the phone to my wife?"

"Rayy—"

"I will be there in 10. Stay on the call." I said as I steered the car through the minimal traffic. Well aware that I was breaking the speeding rule, but considering I had just threatened a police officer, this seemed trivial.

A thousand reasons crossed my mind as to why she was at the police station at this time, each worse than the last one but hearing the sound of her breaths gave me a weird sense of comfort.

Stepping out of the car I quickly made my way inside but didn't end the call until I saw her sitting in a corner on the bench. A sudden wave of relief washed over me and I almost froze in my place but quickly composed myself.

She saw me coming in and had stood up as I closed the distance in few steps. I grabbed her by her shoulders and looked for any injuries but there seemed to be none. However, when I looked back at her face, there were tears pooling in her eyes.

"What happened?" This was all I could manage through clenched teeth. Unintentionally, my grip on her shoulders tightened and she gave a pained expression.

Instantly, I loosened my hold on her but she turned away from me.

"Excuse me sir, here." The inspector called me from the desk. I gave one final look before leaving her there.

"Your wife was overspeeding and didn't have her license on her. You kids should sort your marital troubles at your home. Its not safe out at this time of the night." He said as he handed me a slip and her car keys.

"Come and take the ID card tomorrow when you bring the car papers and license." I thanked him and turned to Zaira to find that she wasn't there. Before I turned wild in search of her, she bobbed her head through the door.

This woman...will be the death of me.

She waited by her car and didn't bother to look up when she saw me. I hope she isn't thinking of taking her car. Because even if she was allowed to, I wouldn't let her.

"My luggage.." she said looking up through dried and swollen eyes. The realisation dawned on me suddenly and left me speechless.

I put her luggage in my car and made way to her place. She didn't say anything the entire ride.

"Did you really have to run away?" She continued looking out the window. The sun was almost out now.

"I will call off the wedding." This is getting beyond absurd now. I was trying to convince them anyways, but it doesn't matter anymore. I will deal with Gramps and Nanna, they will understand.

Hopefully.

"Don't. Please. I want to go through with it." Her voice was hollow, as if it came from somewhere far away. She didn't meet my eyes, still. I gave out an exasperated sigh before continuing.

"You don't have to—-" I tried saying, but she cut me off, finally turning to me.

"If you really want to do something for me, can you give me a promise?" Her voice was devoid of any emotions. Before I could ask what she meant, she told me to drop her to hospital.

"I will let you know, when the time is right."

——————————-

When she didn't respond, I knocked on the balcony door again. However, she stood there silently in the cold night, cladded in her bridal dress; every bit a bride and ethereal.

"Zaira." I called out, coming to stand beside her. She stepped back with a start and almost tripped on her dress and fell back. On instinct, I grabbed at her arm, with my other hand on her waist and steadied her. She wasn't even properly on her feet but she pulled away so quickly as if my hand burnt her.

I looked between my hand and her face. Guilt dawned upon her face as she turned away.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." Or touch you, I completed in my head.

She slightly shook her head but didn't look at me, instead wrapped her arms around herself and leaned against the railing. I licked my lips and stuffed my hands in my sherwani pockets.

"It's cold. You should get in." I watched her face remain barren of emotions and then decided to leave her to it.

As I started walking away, a shaky voice stopped me.

"Rayyan—sorry—I didn't—" I waited for a moment to turn to her. When I did, she stood with hands clasped in front of her and slowly raised her eyes to look at me.

Oh. Even with tears pooling in her eyes, she was beautiful.

I almost took a step towards her but then stopped myself. Her eyes didn't leave my face and moments passed, but neither spoke or moved. I couldn't look away even though I knew in the back of my mind that I should. Finally she looked away first.

"I didn't mean to—right now—and also—for everything before—" She spoke with difficulty through a frown, as if trying to stop herself from breaking down; her eyes drifting between me and the ground. I don't know why, but I had this weird urge to wrap her frail figure in my arms and save her from falling apart. It happened last time too. Whenever she cried or felt hurt, I would get this strong urge to protect her.

"I know, you must've had some expectations of—and you ended up—with me." A lone tear escaped her eyes which she rubbed away roughly with the back of her hand. I did really marry her on my grandparents' compelling. But, there was also that matter with the debt.

"But—only 1 year. Until then, you have my word, I will try my best to not be a burden—" before she could continue, I cut her off and took a step closer.

"Doesn't matter. You can live your life however you want. I won't expect anything of you." By now, I had known that her sole reason for agreeing to marry me was because she assumed I didn't care to be in this relationship with her, as much as she didn't.

Her eyes met mine, filled with shock and for a moment she could only silently watch me, stunned. Raising an eyebrow, I questioned her. She nodded in response, startled. Satisfied, I turned to leave and had walked a few steps away from her, but then stopped and turned to face her.

"However, there's just one thing." I remarked carefully, making way to her. She looked at me, surprised.

"Why were you so against this marriage?" It had bugged me since the day she had tried to run away. Whatever had made her take such a drastic course of action? There must be a deeper reason than simply hating me. Her response wasn't exactly eager with Harris either.

Her face scrunched up in annoyance while she gaped at me speechless.

"It wasn't specifically you." She exclaimed annoyed. I couldn't help a smile in return, which obviously irked her more.

"No, of course not. And neither Harris, obviously—" I paused to close the distance between us. Her eyes widened at my move and she inched backward until her back touched the railing. I stopped in my tracks when there was just enough distance.

"So? Whatever made you run away?" My voice low as I watched her face illuminated in the moonlight and further closed the distance.

Her hands unconsciously grabbed at the railing and she visibly raked her mind for a response. The proximity was getting the best of her and she was too proud to admit it.

" I—I don't see the need to tell you—" She stopped mid sentence and gaped at me blankly before her gaze changed to that of disgust.

"You want to know if there was another guy? Don't you?" Her voice was sharp and angry as she pulled away from the railing with a jerk and inched closer until our faces were only a few inches away.

"You are far worse than my expectations, Rayyan." She said it with sheer abhorrence and then walked past me, her shoulders brushing against me.

I stood frozen in my place for a moment but just before she could leave I grabbed her hand and pulled her towards me. Her face a mixture of shock and anger while mine devoid of any.

"Don't put the blame of your expectations on me—I don't need this burden." I watched her frown deepen before dropping her hand and then stalked out without another word.

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