"Zohal, darling, I know this is too much and too fast for you to comprehend, but always know that God is with you. He does everything for a reason, trust Him. I am sorry you had to face all these when you are supposed to be enjoying your life, I am sorry. And remember your mamm and Baba are either you too, okay?"

Suleima teared up as she hugged the girl, who she had considered her own daughter even before her birth.

"No, Auntie. It isnt anyone's fault. Please don't cry."

Zohal pleaded, as she was trying to not cry herself and the task turned out to be quiet hard since Suleima was sobbing heavily,clutching her shoulders.

A faint memory of her parents smiling at her, suddenly flashed by. She remembered them. Their beautiful voice carrying in the garden while they set a picnic out in the garden, for her birthday.

No.

She wouldn't cry.

Please, not today.

Senfing a silent prayer for her, Daadi and parents above, she looked at her pale hands which were once again bathed with red henna.

But this time, there weren't any hopes, dreams or even excitement. There was no space for anything this time, just a bleak future which she readily accepted. She was constantly told by the guests that she was lucky, because darker the henna, the more the groom loved you. Zohal couldnt help the bitter smile that cracked her face, at the words. She had lost hope of love, she'd never let anyone love her nor will she love anyone. Why should she? Because love broke her, that's what it did.

She thought back to her Uncle's words earlier.

He had smiled and the tears hugged his sunken cheeks. The days he had spent thinking over her unfortunate situation, evident on his ragged and thin face, with lines of concern. If a person did look properly, he'd think that Samir wasn't marrying off his daughter, no, they'd think he was preparing for her funeral.

"I love you so much, darling. You always remember that your Uncle will stay with you until his last breath. I was so afraid of your future, but I am glad my little girl is grown up now. I am sorry it has come to this, but no one has a right to point at you and if they do, make sure to give them a piece of your mind, okay? And remember you'll always be my daughter, okay?"

Zohal had laughed heartily for the first time after months, at her Uncle's poor excuse of a joke, in spite of the saddening situation. Her soft yet elegant laughter had reverberated through the big hall, convincing the Wadi family to lay back.

She was jerked out of her Uncle's thoughts when Najma squealed beside her, shaking her violently.

One would think she was the bride of the evening, instead of Zohal, because her excitement knew no bounds. She animatedly started talking about how the Fatihs had come to the venue in all their glory, turning multiple heads in the process. Najma was more excited to meet the men who had followed the groom, whom she assumed were the Fatih brothers. Farida chastised her for looking at other guys when it was clearly not appropriate to do so. Nasreen chided them for even talking about the forbidden people. Lest, they brought upon the wrath of their brothers on them, once they heard about these little talks.

Zohal reminisced her old days at London, seeing their banter from afar, wonderig when again she would also smile, laugh and bicker like how she used to. She would agree, London hadn't always been the best at times, but there were unforgettably happier.

Nasreen noticed her wistful expression and tried to coax her into joining their little conversation.

As more guests kept coming her way and kept congratulating her, she couldnt help but wonder, how she would settle in another home, another family. The nikkah had finished without any hindrance and now Zohal dreaded the end.

Last time, it was at the beginning. She was curious, as to what would occur this time?

She hadn't met Omar Fatih yet, she had barely caught a glimpse of him during the nikkah, and her brothers never let her see him and they kept standing before her, or maybe it was the other way around? They were not letting him see her? Like they wanted to protect their sister from whatever that seemed dangerous, until the last moment.

It was very tense. No one spoke a word. Not even the gossiping ladies she presumed. Even they knew when to keep shut. The whole city knew.

Especially when a certain Fatih family and Wadi family were in question.

When the last few guests and the Wadi girls were bidding her good bye and blessed her, Darab Wadi came before her. Almost all of the guests had left, leaving only the closest family in behind.

"Its time, Jewel. Come on."

he took one of her hands and helped her stand.

Zohal didnt want to look at anyone, because she knew she would be seeing tear stricken faces, not to mention, the disappointed and hurt faces of her brothers. No, she wouldn't see that. She bowed her head down and focused on the cream colored floor which glistened against the blinding lights above.

The cold breeze swept past her, causing shivers to run down her spine, as she entered the garden, through the large double doors. Not even the heavy bridal attire she was wearing, helped to provide her the warmth she longed for.

Darab Wadi caught Zohal's cold hands and sandwiched it between his wrinkly, old hands.

Zohal's heart warmed at the action and she looked up at her Dada.

It was all the warmth she needed.

"Zohal, I am so proud of you and I am sorry for not being there when you needed me the most, but remember, beta, everything happens for a reason and I know I wont be regretting this decision. Thank you for trusting in God, and taking this step. Forgive me for my sudden decisions. Believe me when I say that it's for your own betterment."

He said with tears brimming his old grey eyes. His words were laced with so much pain, sadness and despair.

If for anything, Darab Wadi only was weak for his grandchildren. The tear that trailed off his cheek was quite a shock for the people who were around the garden, as he had always been a man in the society, who remained an unshakable pillar.

Zohal shook her head, the tears threatening to fall onto her pink cheeks. No, she was determined to not cry.

Not today.

"No, Dada, please dont do this. There's nothing to forgive." She voiced with as much strength as she could muster.

Darab Wadi hugged his grand daughter and placed his hand on her head, "May Allah keep you safe, if you want anything, just know that I am here for you, all of us are."

Then Darab looked behind Zohal. His eyes held a sudden edge to it. A warning? A threat?

"Omar Fatih, please look after my granddaughter, I am leaving her in your care."

Zohal froze.

It was like, everything stopped functioning when she heard the forbidden name.

As if the whole universe knew, the fact that Omar Fatih was in the Wadi's property, was scandalous and preposterous. As if the whole situation itself was unthinkabke. Now as Zohal Wadi finally, heard Darab Wadi addressing him, it all felt too surreal. Her whole body stiffened and she felt the tiny hairs rising and goosbumps appearing on her skin.

She felt like, the warmth in the earlier moment was ebbing away slowly. She hadn't even seen him yet, but his presence intimidated her.

Omar Fatih chose to be silent for a while, not wanting to give empty promises.

But when he looked into the elder's eyes, the pain and love that displayed in the his eyes, convinced him to nod firmly, once.

Just then, Aman stepped forward.

Once again, the atmosphere turned tense. Not as much as earlier, but nonetheless.

And Zohal wondered if it was time? Chaos or Peace?

He caught Zohal's hand in his, "If he so much as touches a hair on you......you know what to do."

He broke the silence, pausing at each word, as if threatening. A threat to a certain someone, behind her.

Zohal nodded, her eyes still refusing to look at the man behind.

Omar Fatih clenched his jaw, wondering from where the Wadi boys had acquired this much courage when they should be on their knees begging him to look after their sister.

How dare they?

Tanish and Nouman gave her warm smiles before nodding once and stood beside Aman, as if, in any minute a fight would ensue.

That's when the crowd noticed the blurry image of a group of men coming to stand behind Omar Fatih. Naveed, Azan, Salman stood behind him.

Khalid chose to stand behind Salim Fatih. She could feel the tension gradually building up in the air, as each painful second passed by.

Laeeq hugged her and placed a hand on Zohal's head,

"I still want to put a stop to this shitty thing happening. But don't worry, we are always here for you. And remember, Baba and mama, are still hear, with us." He smiled sadly.

For the nth time, Zohal wondered if she should cry.

Then as if a spirit took over him, he took a step back and scowled at the groom, the venom evident on his face. The abrupt change of emotion befuddled her.

Was the animosity that intense?

Zakir hesitantly came forward and looked down, unable to look into Zohal's eyes. After all, it was because of him, that Zohal was married off so hastily.

Zohal ground her teeth and looked away. She didn't need pity right now.

"I am sorry."

His voice trembled, as if it took all his soul to utter those two words.

Omar Fatih noticed the sudden change in the air, as the man, who he assumed to be Zakir Wadi, had stepped up to talk to the woman he was married to.

He wondered what was going on for him to face this kind of behavior from his own family, because immediately, Laeeq Wadi stood before the woman, blocking him from her view and Nouman Wadi had pulled the man back. Not too gently.

If anything, it only made him more confused about how this family ran. It indeed was a messed up family, he Intended not to get involved with at all.

It was ironic. He was anything but 'uninvolved' with the family, right now.

Omar had not been in the city, in a long time. Which included the time of the Fatih's fall of reputation.

He just knew something dishonourable had occured, with the woman in question. But not who had caused it or why.

If he wanted, he could have obtained the news. Infact, that's all the boys were talking about, when he returned.

But he simply didn't care, at the time. He had far too many things at the time in his plate.

Like the little monster who would be sleeping back at home, now.

He wondered if the child knew what was to come.

His thoughts of the baby, vanished when he saw a certain someone. A certain someone's voice who he had not heard untill recently. Someone who he had made sure, to steer clear of, for quite a time.

Fear?

Oh no. Anything but that.

It was just an agreement they came to, at the time.

He couldnt help but wonder, was it void now? Considering the strange circumstances they were currently in?

Lateef Wadi came forward and hugged Zohal.

Then the air carried his whispered words in her ear.

"Remember, You're a woman, with dignity, prestige, not a woman to be trampled on. Stand for yourself and live by Allah."

Zohal smiled wistfully at his words.

Even after his direct words, she had accepted this marriage and gone against him, but her brother never left her. He stood by her as always. Just like he gave his words.

Omar had had enough, he desperately needed a good sleep, he had been busy these days and not to mention the stress after which he got to know who his bride was.

He stepped forward and was going to have the last word with Darab Wadi, when Lateef extricated himself from his sister and stood before him like a wall.

If the tension was building up earlier. Now was the climax. It was a kill or to be killed situation.

Now would be the right time, Zohal speculated.

Again, was it chaos or peace?

There were merely inches between the scary, intimidating men.

Brown eyes clashed with dull grey eyes.

The air around the garden stilled and everyone remained with bated breath.

After all, it had been quite a time, since the two had confronted each other, since the Wadis and the Fatihs met each other.

The Wadi men glared at the Fatihs who stood behind Omar. Salim Fatih and Darab Wadi sported blank expressions showing no emotions.

Almost as if, they wanted no part in the indecent act their children were displaying.

Lateef said, in a low voice, breaking the silence that had engulfed them.

"I will make sure you pay your price, if you hurt her."

Then he leaned in and whispered only the grandkids could hear.

And Zohal's breath hitched, when the wind carried his words.

"Count your days. This soon will come to an end. Mark my words, Omar Salim Fatih. I will make you regret this."

Omar's blood boiled and his hands turned into fists.

No one dared to mess with him.

No one. At all.

But not wanting to further, aggravate his father, he restrained himself from tearing Lateef Wadi's throat with his own bare hands. Not that the Wadis would take it calmly. But he was ready for a challenge. But not now.

He schooled his features to a blank expression and smirked.

"Lets see, who will end what, who will regret and who will leave whom."

he said, and looked up, with purpose.

His eyes directly found his target and he relished in the feeling of power, seeing the target look absolutely shaken.

His felicity only increased when he noticed that Lateef Wadi was almost to the point of snapping too.

As soon as Zohal registered what the gruff voice had said, she turned slowly, and looked up, and her body froze, sending chills through her already cold body.

The hollow eyes stared back at her, mockingly.

A smirk played on his pale face. His profile screaming power, dominance and challenge.

Finally she had a clear picture of who he was.

But what took her by surprise, was the way he had managed to aggravate her brother.

Her brother who was always careful to maintain a calm facade, now stood trembling with barely contained fury, his body shaking.

Any minute now, they both would pounce on each other.

More than that, Zohal feared that if the situation got any worse, the men behind the two dominant ones, would also join the fight, and that would definitely not be pleasent.

Her eyes wandered away from her brother and sought the dull orbs.

Now as she, for the first time, looked into his appearance, properly, she noticed that he leaned towards the tall side. His pale complexion resembled his father's as he stood in the dark night. He wasn't lean, nor was he built, but his sherwani fit his figure, almost perfectly making him look befitting. Though he was sporting a smirk, she could notice the bulging little vein on his forehead and the other veins on his forearms , which conformed that he was not as calm as he tried to reverberate, which resulted in a sudden zest in Zohal's heart.

"Omar, Come on. We should leave now."

Salim Fatih said in a commanding tone, diffusing the tension in the air.

Then, a woman who Zohal identified as her mother in law and a woman, the age of Nasreen, came forward and they held both her arms, helping her to get into the black SUV, parked at the entrance of the garden, in the driveway.

Zohal noticed the glint on Omar's green eyes when he looked at Lateef for one last time. As if he knew, he wielded the lever. He had the upper hand.

After all, the 'Jewel' now belonged to him.

She tried to smile at Lateef, despite the unpleasent feelings brewing inside her, to assure her brother.

Her Dada, uncle and aunt watched her with tears rolling off their eyes, as she started the next journey of her life. Yet again leaving them, just like she had done years ago.

But this time, they didn't know if she would ever return.

***

A/N:

Assalamu alaikum!

Can this even be a shortstory after this?? Like the parts...the word count....its all to much....
Lol. I font know if I should laugh or cry....