"—Now we have to listen to these driver maids slander us as well." I paused at the voice, outside the drawing room. My finger hovering over the message screen, as I blankly stared at my phone.

"They are just servants. This is what they do. You don't need to pay any mind to these small people." Her dad interjected and I looked up from my phone to the door, wondering whether to wait here outside the door or quietly leave from the main door.

"You think it's just them?! We have become a laughing stock! Our relatives and everyone in our circle are laughing behind our backs! It's all anyone talks about—Hameed and his wife could only manage this for their youngest daughter. Even out of caste is inexcusable—! But here, they got themselves 'angraiz' son-in-law and even that is someone's leftover scraps—"

Ah. I think I felt this one.

I thought, with a small sigh and almost turned to leave, but stopped at the sound of her voice.

"Mom!" She shouted but her complaint was unheard. I couldn't see her, sitting inside, but it was hard to miss the crack in her voice.

"I had told you before Hameed, that you're making a mistake but no—! You couldn't see anything besides the monetary benefits! Are you satisfied now that we have turned into a social embarrassment—" I decided to leave at this point and just then the door opened with a strong push and I stood face to face with her. Her damp eyes widened at my sight and a moment later her already flushed face became more red, as she gaped at me with trembling lips. I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but nothing came out and I watched her figure frozen in the doorway as she visibly struggled to come up with an explanation.

"Can't you keep it low?! Rayyan is just in the next room—" Her dad returned and her eyes darted back to the room. I silently watched her. I was used to all this, since long before but I am guessing, she isn't too used to this.

"Huh! It's not like that half blood can understand us anyways—" A sob broke out of her throat at this and she dashed out of the house. My eyes remained glued to the now shut door, even after a few moments passed since she left.

"No. It's not happening." My face remained deadpan, as I watched from one to the other but Gramps had shut his eyes altogether, whilst, Nan looked away with a sigh. I watched them for another moment and took a deep breath before continuing.

"Does this make any sense to you? I should marry Zaira, because Harris has got him another girl?" I waited expectantly for their response.

"Son, we only want your best interest." Gramps interjected solemnly and I looked at him with a smile, unable to conjure up an explanation that justifies to them, everything wrong with this whole situation.

"We don't wish to put you up to something you don't agree with, sweets." Nanna remarked sweetly as she came and took my hands in hers. Her eyes held worry, yet I couldn't help but look away.

"I know Nans....."

Except, when 'they' get involved.

I thought, but didn't say it out loud. Thinking back to the last time, when similar to the current situation, just to appease my Mum's last wish, I was left with them and still pay the price till date.

Pulling away one hand from her grasp, I patted her shrivelled hands, reassuringly. She smiled at me sadly, before I moved towards the window sill; staring down at the traffic moving outside the hospital. No one said anything for the longest time, while I tried to think of a way out of this mess. All paths leading up to a dead end. If it were anything else, there wouldn't even be a need for discussion, but not when it came to 'that family'.

"But this is wrong... Just because one bloke left her, it doesn't mean Zaira should put up with just any replacement. I still can't believe that her family actually agreed to this; to having me out of everyone as a partner for their daughter. And has anyone even bothered to ask her opinion?" I asked finally, with a sigh.

"Honey, don't think like that. If anything, you will only help her and her family out in this situation. And they won't do it without her consensus, surely." Nans added gleefully, feeling hopeful that I had agreed. I turned to them with a small smile.

"I don't know Nans... I reckon there is a better solution to this. Me and Zaira..? I actually don't think, she would like the sound of it.." I concluded, from what I knew of Zaira and 'us'.

"I think its brilliant, if anything! I had a soft spot for that sweet little darling, ever since that time we went there for your Mum. Such a dearie, always coming up with ways to chat you up." Gramps paused to chuckle and I smiled with them.

"And I could see that you carried a torch for the gal, no matter what you say now." He added with a roar of laughter and I sufficed to not comment on it.

If only they knew, that the only sparks that could fly between us would be gunshots.

Before I could come up with any other interjection, Nanna came up to me. She had to reach up to pat my cheek, so I bent down to her level; placing my hand atop hers.

"Rayyan.." Her eyes were glistening with unshed tears as she began. She only called me by my name, when I needed convincing or when I had got into trouble of any sort.

"If there were any other bird in your life, I know you would've told us by now and Zaira is a good lass. I sense this match will bring happiness to all of us....and bridge the gap between you and that family. It will bring you peace, love." I closed my eyes to her warm touch for a second before straightening up. Taking her hands in mine, I started with a sigh.

"Alright. But I am not making any promises. I will go there myself and ask her intention—" They both cheered in joy, but I was yet to finish.

"However, if there is even the slightest inclination of her disapproval, then this wedding is off. Okay?" But they had already stopped listening.

And it wasn't until after I visited her home that day to find out how Zaira and her parents were kept in dark about this arrangement until the very end. Even when Zaira called me that day to meet her in the cafe, I assumed that she knew the whole story, but until after I left her did I find out that she and her parents were unaware about the real truth—That I had returned only after becoming convinced by their lies, that Zaira was willing to marry me.

Uncle Zia knew the only way to get me to come back was by luring me in this trap. I was only called as a backup; that is if they didn't manage to convince Harris—Only, because Uncle Zia didn't want to give up on the business opportunities that would open for him after joining hands with Zaira's father. It was all a very carefully planned scheme that involved me and Zaira as the main commodities.

Shrugging off my thoughts with a sigh, I stepped outside and made my way towards the garden, which was completely dark, safe for the light coming from the courtyard.

I easily spotted her at the far end, on the swing, but stood in my place for a while, before finally walking up to her. She didn't look up when I stood in front of her; not even when I tugged at the chains to pull her to me. Instead, she dropped her face in her hands.

I was taken aback. There was nothing for her to be contrite about but she wouldn't stop crying.

Dropping to my knees, I tried to pull away her hands but she didn't budge. Her hands were damp with tears as she gasped for breath between hiccups.

"Zaira. Look at me." I spoke gently, to not scare her anymore than she already was, whilst pulling away her hands. This time she gave in after a moment's resistance, but still didn't meet my eyes.

"Zaira..." I caught her chin and slowly tugged it up. Her cries didn't stop and her eyes still remained downcast.

"Look at me." I said wiping away her tears with my hand.

Reluctantly, she looked up and watched me through hiccups and trembling lips.

"Ra—yy-" Her voice broke again and I stared at her with a small smile.

"Yes. Whatever has made you so upset? Won't you tell me?" I asked; tugging a loose strand of hair behind her ears. In return, she clutched at the collar of my jacket and struggled to speak between hiccups.

"I— I didn—-" She struggled with words between sobs, whilst her gaze wandered over my face, bewildered. I felt as if someone was squeezing my heart tightly in their palm.

"I—Ray—I—" She shuddered before dropping her head on my shoulder and letting her sobs loose. She cried like someone was tearing her heart apart and somehow, I was starting to feel it in my chest too.

"I am—sorry..." She cried between sobs, as she held onto me and kept repeating it over and over again.

I didn't do anything. Only, sat there on the damp grass and let her cry her heart out. The sense of someone else feeling heartbroken for me, somewhat, left me numb. I didn't know how to feel about it.

Wrapping my arms around her, in one swift movement; I pulled her into my lap on the dewy grass. She held onto my neck; silently setting her woes free in my arms. I didn't say anything; only, continued to pat the back of her head.

I am not sure how long we sat there outside in the cold but somewhere in between, her cries subsided and I could feel the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest.

She must've been exhausted. I guess she hasn't got proper sleep since the wedding and we even came to her parents home right after the reception party yesterday. There wasn't any time to spare for rest. No wonder she broke down.

I thought glancing at her sleeping face. She is still a little kid, I guess.

Right. Best get back before we both freeze to death. Got an early flight tomorrow morning.

Thinking this, I carried her back into the house. Thankfully her parents were already in bed. After putting her to bed, I moved to the couch to catch some sleep too, but maybe, in the middle of the night; since, it was so cold and I didn't have another blanket, I had snuggled beside her on the bed. Because, when I woke up in the morning, she was curled up comfortably in my arms.

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