After the troublesome encounter with Zakir, her headache showed face again.

Just when Zohal thought it was too much and that she should go to bed and clear her mind, Lateef came walking towards her from the large double doors which were opened halfway.

The moonlight from the open doors entered the hall, illuminating it with an eerie blue light.

"Zohal."

She looked up at his voice and greeted her brother.

"Salaam, Lateef. Where've you been? Aunt was asking if you were going to Islamabad tomorrow?"

He looked away, and his jaw hardened.

"Wa salam. I had to take care of some business,"

But he quickly composed himself and continued, "No, I'm not going, I will tell her." He said distractedly.

They both fell into silence, not knowing what to say. While Zohal wanted to say so much, she also didn't want her brother to shoulder her burden. He had enough problems for himself.

"Zohal, have you made you're decision?" He asked calmly.

Zohal looked up and met his intense eyes. "I don't know. When I think of one decision another thing keeps popping up. I can hardly imagine marrying again, I discarded the idea as soon as Zak-" she caught herself, before she made her brother angry. She cleared her throat and continued,

"-after the incident. Now that I have to marry again, it's hard to decide. Then again, how can I marry him? I don't know a thing about children. Heck, I don't even know how to live with another family.

Besides, Lateef, it's him, isn't it? Omar Salim Fatih? I know enough to not get involved with him. How can Dada consider this? How can Aunt, Uncle and everyone agree? Why did they even consider this? I know you all won't even let me keep a foot there. I am sure, Aman  would probably barricade me in my room before that happens. I am just lost, Lateef. What do I do?" Zohal asked tiredly.

Finally able to release her frustration and anxiety that she had bottled up.

Lateef whose jaws had clenched when Omar's name was mentioned, loosened. He smiled thinking of Aman. She was right, he wouldn't let her keep a foot there.

While  Nouman, Tanish, Zakir and himself had changed drastically after their teen, and now always thought before acting, Aman and Laeeq had turned to be the opposite. Their teenage traits still followed them. They were still impulsive and short tempered boys who'd plunge into danger to protect their loved ones whatever the consequence. Especially, since they had all lost their mother when they were small, it was a given.

But his face turned into a pained one, looking at his sister. His little Zohal. Who now had grown so much, who had been an innocent girl all through her life. But now, Turned into a young woman of scars and a painful past. No, he wasn't exaggerating.  When he said 'scars and past', it didn't end with Zakir. He knew, inside Zohals heart, there were doors he shouldn't knock on. Doors which were full of scars and despair. He had a glimpse of it. And he'd wait till she had the courage to open them.

"I wish you were still in London, Zohal. I wish I could keep you there, until I can find you a suitable man. A man who'd value your life more than his. I wish I could keep you safe from all this." He admitted sadly.

"Lateef, until when are you going to shield me? It's time I face my problems, brother." She smiled sadly.

He looked faraway, as if reminiscing the past.

"It was a relief when you said you were going to London. You don't know how relieved we all were. Aman wanted to send you to Sweden with Zakir, though I am glad that didn't happen.  Dad thought it'd be proper if we sent you to Riyadh, to Farida's house. But then you yourself told Dada about going to London. We just wanted to protect you. All of us.

We were sure when you'd return, Zakir would marry you, so nothing to worry about. But who'd have known, that the asshole would leave you, and that the devil himself would be coming and knocking on our door?

We weren't much worried about Nasreen, as she was married by that time. Then there is Farida who was engaged. Najma was abroad. So we were mostly worried about you. And now look."

He said in a grave tone.

It pained Zohal to think that her brothers were thinking over this matter so much that they were lost in their own misery.

"But Lateef, What has made you guys this anxious? Would they seriously go to such an extent to hurt your sisters? Do you think Dada will give me away to such a man?" She asked curiously, furrowing her brows. Her mind cooking up all kinds of things.

"He is someone capable of killing. He is worse than his brothers. His father is worse than him. You don't want to get involved with them. If he sets his mind, he might end up hurting us more than we can fathom. He just trample on our honour. Tie our hands so that we are incapable of fighting back. That bastard doesnt deserve you.

Though there has not been much happening lately, he hasn't changed. Since the time he had married, we never saw him much. But I am sure he hasn't changed. He isn't a man who'd change over a span of time. Dada has a reason to do this. But he doesn't know that man. This isn't just a rivalry between us. It's progressed to much more through the years. More than Dada could even imagine.

"You can't accept this, Zohal. You can't walk into this trap. I will try my best to convince Dada." He suddenly said determined, his eyes depicting a determination, which threw her off guard.

It had already been decided. She had already decided, days ago. And she wouldn't think other wise. "I won't."

"But, Lateef, how are you keeping all this under a tight wrap? Do you seriously think that Dada, wouldn't what's happening?"

Lateef's jaw ticked.

"That's not for you to know. Besides, when Omar is involved, it's a law. Nothing goes out. He is more than capable of doing that. I doubt even his own father knows about his son. I bet there's more to that widower than we know."

***

The two weeks time would be up. She'd have to tell her decision. She'd wanted to tell It beforehand, but her Dada had refused her, telling her that he'd given her two weeks to think, not few days. So he told her to come to him after the time was up.

She had talked to Samir, Suleima and even Salaam. But they were stubborn in their opinions and had told her to think for herself. But whatever she thought, she couldn't grasp the fact that she'd be a mother to a baby and a wife to a 'bastard', as told by Laeeq. Who in question had threatened her that if she dared to accept the marriage, he'd cut Omar Fatih up and offer his flesh to the lions. Nouman had reprimanded him for his words.

Days had gone by, and the treatment from other people were the same. Whenever Zohal went out, they would point their fingers at her, as if she was a disgrace. A woman who was ditched, a leftover, abondoned, they'd whisper. Zohal tried as much as possible to bear with them with a smile and be ignorant, despite hearing their whispers and hushed remarks behind her. But she hated it and at a point she thought maybe accepting this marriage and giving herself away to the 'bastard' was better.

She also had a hard time avoiding Zakir, because She feared he'd blabber something ridiculous again in front of everyone. She had a headache thinking of how to stop him from talking to Dada about this. No doubt, Dada would refuse him, he might even banish him form the house. But she was afraid that in the heat of the situation, her brothers would marry her off to him in the name of protecting her from Omar Fatih.  And she didn't want that. But then who else would she marry her?

Nobody.

Either the widower with the baby. Or the boy who had made her into a disgrace, the boy who betrayed her.

Why would anyone marry her when she  was a leftover? As good as a divorcee?

She wasnt exaggerating.  That's exactly what the lady told her husband, last time, when she was leaving her home. She had heard it.

One way or the other, only a broken man would marry her. Maybe a person who was divorced, maybe a person with a wife. That's how the society was, no mother in their right mind would want their son to marry a woman who was a leftover. If it was up to her, she'd never marry. But she knew one day eventually she'd have to. She would never survive without a family. Her family nor her Dada would allow her to die without anybody beside her.

Besides, just the day before, Lateef had made it clear that he'd marry her off to a suitable man. And Lateef never went back on his words.

Was this right then? Should she marry a man with a child instead of marrying a man with another wife?  Or a man who betrayed her? Her mind ran in circles.

That's just when she'd overheard her Dada talking with Samir Uncle.

"Samir, don't worry. You're doing the right thing. Let her decide what she wants."

"But Baba, what if she declines. What do I do then? How will I protect her then? Who will be there? Lateef, Aman, Laeeq, Nouman, Tanish and Zakir won't be there anymore. We will go away with time too.  Now as it is, nobody will accept her. Everyone is thinking my little Zohal was the reason Zakir left her. Nobody will accept her. How will I answer Kabir? Mahera, who nursed my own kids, when I was lost in times of despair? How will I answer God, if danger befalls her?

Infact, I don't trust Omar Fatih as well. I trust none with my girl. But still he has a child, Baba. Surely, He should be a man of responsibility? If indeed Zohal marries him, he would protect his own wife, won't he? If anything, I trust Salim Fatih on this.

The only thing I am worried about, is the child. I just hope Zohal will be able to care of it as her own.

Salim Fatih is a person who doesn't go back in his words, Baba. He will keep my Zohal safe. But, Baba, Lateef has been trying to persuade me into refusing this."

"Samir, believe me. I wouldn't give my jewel away to some random man.  I know my Zohal. She is wise enough to decide. Give her some time. If It's meant to be, it will definitely happen. Our boys and their boys have just some misunderstandings between themselves. With time, they'll learn to cooperate. And don't fear, Kabir. Even if Zohal declines this, I will go to the ends of earth to find her a suitable man. A man who'll protect her."

Darab's voice had darkened at the end. Zohal felt there was more to it.  More than she was aware.

She couldn't bear to listen anymore. So moving away, she had given the tray of hot tea, milk and almond filled bowl, to the maid, requesting her to give them to the elders. She couldn't face her Uncle and grandfather with a straight face. She was too ashamed.

So she, with quick steps, walked to her bedroom and locked the door.

She went near the balcony which encompased the whole view of the lake and the city. She sat on the wooden rocking chair outside. It was a present to her from Laeeq, when he had visited Turkey. He had seen it during a workshop in Istanbul. It was carved in swirls and curls of deep and intricate patterns, native to Turkish culture.  A chair which she now frequently sat on, thinking about her life.

How had her life turned to this? She had been living freely, having fun with her cousins and friends. She had lived a carefree life, with her loved ones. And now, she had lost them all. And she was pretty sure, if she married, she'd lose the tad bit freedom she had now. She didn't want to lose it. Hell, she didn't want to chain herself with a marriage. Her concept of marriage had been on a whole different plane. Because she had always thought she'd marry her own cousin, and hence, she'd live with her family. Perhaps in Sweden but she'd probably live with familiar people.

But now, she had no choice but to marry a stranger. Go to another house. However much she thought, her mind kept turning her to the path of refusing this.

So she went to her bathroom, and did Wudu. She put her praying attire and performed two rakaas of Istighaara. She prayed to Allah. Praying for guidance.

Almost an hour later, after she had completed reciting the Quran, and few duas, she hit the bed, exhausted.

While her mind kept telling her to refuse this, her heart kept her in its claws reminding her of her Dada and Uncle.

The fear and uncertainty and doubt in her Uncle's voice. The pride and assurance of her Dada's voice. She went back to square one.

"Zohal, you can't accept this. You can't walk into this trap."

"A wife to a Bastard. A mother to a monster. I will cut him into pieces and offer his flesh to the lions when he sets his eyes on you."

"I am scared, Baba. What if she declines? Now as it is, nobody believes her. Who'll protect my Zohal?"

"Dada! Do you know what you're getting Zohal into?"

"Why are you even thinking? Just refuse it. That asshole doesn't deserve you. I am going to ask for your hand in marriage, so you just refuse this. I really love you, Zohal."

And that was the last straw. She couldn't let him destroy her life again. The acceptance and respect that she had for him had burned the moment he had said 'No'.

She wouldn't let anyone play with her life again. She knew nobody would want her as their wife, after all this. And if they lost all hope, her brothers wouldn't keep her vulnerable for long,  they'd probably persuade her to marry Zakir And she'd have to agree too. She wouldn't be able to see the tired faces of her Dada, Aunt, and Uncles.

And she had the right opportunity now, to untangle herself from the chaos before she burnt in it.

Even if the only solution was to marry the 'man', she'd do it. If the man was indeed a bastard, let him be. Damn, She was a lawyer. And she wouldn't think twice before proceeding by the law if he did something inappropriate.

As for the baby......

She just didnt know.

It scared her. She was afraid.

She knew she wasn't a motherly type, cross that, not even a big sister type. She had the least experience with babies or even kids.

Pushing away her all negative thoughts she fell into a slumber.

***

Now as she sat in the dining table, sipping her hot coffee, she thought about her decision again.

"Zohal."

The voice made goosebumps to appear on her skin.

"What've you decided?"

Her Dada implored. A little tensed. Yet, the glimmer of hope was there.

Zohal took a deep breath. She knew, she would probably have to stay barricade in her room, for a few days. Maybe, she wouldn't be let to go out. The house would flip. With the adults on one side, the boys on the other.

Chaos would break out, and she would be the maestro.

"Alright, I will marry Omar Fatih."

And she was right. Too many things happened at once. In a single moment.

But she wasn't a person with supernatural abilities to process them all. 

Her aunt's face glowed with silence. She started passing sweets. Her Uncle Samir had sagged in relief muttering an Alhamdhulillah , the feeling visibe quite clearly. Uncle Salaam placed a hand on his shoulder with reassurance. Her Dada had unshed tears in his eyes, making his eyes glisten like little stars. Nasreen was sporting a proud look. The girls were squealing with excitement.

Zakir gazed at her, crestfallen, and also a little hurt. Nouman was eyeing her skeptically, as if he wanted to know what she was thinking. Tanish looked blank, gauging for her reaction, with his brows furrowed. Aman and Laeeq stood up. But their loud voices and yells had gone unheard by Zohal. For she was now looking at Lateef. The only person over here, who she absolutely didn't want to look at, but had to. If he had been angered, she wouldn't mind.

But he was gazing at her with hurt visible in his eyes.  But what shook her more, was the tinge of fear he had in his eyes.

She wanted to tell him, she was strong enough to face the consequences. But her mouth kept shut, unable to form words. And he looked away.

But the loud shouts of Laeeq and Aman were still ringing in the background.

***

ASSALAMU ALAIKUM!

It was a pretty long chapter right. Around 7000 words. I divided it onto 2 parts...I think I'll divide it later into 3 parts once a full editing has been done.