After last night, Zahra tried her best to avoid Irtaza as much as she can. Its been two days she has not came to table so she can't encounter him, giving up excuses that she's not feeling well. She saw him last time on the the breakfast 2 days ago and after that she had caged herself. She was scared to face him again. All the time she'll be locked up in her room. She'll just think and think, waiting for a miracle to happen.
Right now, she was sitting in Dua's room who was taking some clothes out of her cupboard. Zahra felt sad for her. After listening her story from Haseeb that day, she really felt for Dua. Her case was different from Dua. She didn't face betrayal from Daniyal but Dua has to face betrayal and betrayal is the worst pain ever. Never in her life she can think that Daniyal will ever betray her.
"What are you thinking Zahra?" Dua asked, placing the clothes on her bed.
"Nothing. What are these clothes for?
"These clothes are..... for maids actually. I'm giving my clothes to them and sending some to Irtaza bhai's mansion as well"
"Irtaza's mansion?"
"Yeah to his mansion as well. Anyways, I didn't see you from the last two days on table Zahra. Why you dont get out of your room?"
"No its just that I'm not feeling well these days. I'm a bit...depressed."
"I understand. You're worried that you'll be alone there in his mansion without us. Right?"
"Yeah. Something like that."
"Every girl goes through the same feeling Zahra, before her rukhsati, this is what we call 'wedding fever' Dont tense yourself and relax. I know you're feeling sad for leaving us but we all are just a call away from you. Moreover, Irtaza bhai is also there for you. He will not let you miss us. He'll fill our space as well. Dont worry. Everything will be fine InshAllah."
She nodded her head unable to find any answer to her.
"And Zahra I'm so disappointed you didn't tell me and Haya about your nikkah."
"I'm sorry Dua. I didn't even tell mama about this. Irtaza had strictly prohibited me from doing do that's why I didn't tell anyone anything. I'm sorry."
"No need to say sorry Zahra. I understand. By the way you both look too good together MashAllah. I'm so happy for you both"
Dua was so happy for her brother. At last he'll be settled in his life. She was really sensitive about both his brothers. Though she was the youngest and they had pampered her a lot but still she cared for them alot. She wanted to see happiness in there eyes. From there health to dressing, business to mafia, she'd help them and support them in every aspect of there life.
"Thanks." Zahra gave a tight lipped smile which didn't reach her eyes.
"Dua can I ask you something?"
"Yeah sure"
"Why did.....umm... he left you?" She asked with hesitance and Dua immediately guessed whom she's talking about.
"We were engaged. I was so happy. I loved him but then he called me one day, saying that he's leaving the country and he is ending the engagement. He liked another girl. He was just playing with me."
"I'm sor-"
"No need for that. Its been a long time since that incident. I'm happy and enjoying my life. Who gives a fuck now. I have learned how to move on in my life."
"But Dua why do you seem off to me for past few weeks. Has something happened?"
"No Zahra, nothing happened. Chill out."
She nodded buying her lie.
................
Zahra was in her room, lost in her own world. Just 2 days were left for her rukhsati. She couldn't believe that all of this was actually happening. Its been 2 days already, she hasn't seen him. She was so afraid of getting out of her room specially at nights. She would always lock the door before sleeping so he can't enter into her room.
Suddenly, a maid knocked before entering into the room.
"Ma'am sir is calling you in his study."
Her breath hitched.
Goosebumps rose on her body. She was trying to avoid him.
"Me?" she asked uncertainly.
"Yes. Please come fast. He's waiting for you."
"I can't..... come."
"I'm sorry. You've to come with me."
"No...I ca...n't. Say him th..at I am slee..ping." she stuttered, immense terror again engulfing her.
She was afraid, he might continue that night.
"I'm sorry ma'am I can't lie and he has given me strict orders to bring you with me."
"But-"
"You've to come with me ma'am."
She nodded, standing and followed behind her towards his office.
Every step felt heavy to her. Her breathing becoming rapid contrasting with her heartbeat. She was so afraid to face him again and that too alone.
On reaching the door, the maid knocked and a coarse 'come in' answered her knocking, making Zahra tremble.
She has to face him again.
They both entered the room, her eyes fell on Irtaza for a millisecond before she casted them to floor, he was wearing a glasses, reading a book, sitting on his black swivel chair.
"What took you so long?" His head still hung down, reading the book.
"Sir act..ually ma'am w..asn't com...ing so it to...ok time to con...vince her." The maid gulped.
"Hmn" he hummed in his dominant voice and flicked his fingers in air, ordering her to leave the room and she immediately left leaving Zahra alone with him
The door shuts and dread pooled in her stomach.
"So my wife disn't want to come." He said as soon as the door closed. "Why weren't you coming Zahra?" He asked, whilst closing the book before placing it back on table and taking off his glasses.
She gulped, her eyes widened.
"I...w...as...com...ing" she replied, tear already forming in her eyes. She wasn't able to form a sentence.
"Really?"
He steepled his fingers, narrowing his eyes while staring at her making her more afraid.
"I'm sorry." she breathlessly, answered in one go, unable to explain herself.
He remained quiet staring at her. She didn't match his eyes even for a nanosecond. Her eyes were down. She was crying softly already and he didn't even start yet. His single question made her tremble profusely.
He wondered, how this girl could be so sharp, who is just crying because of his one single question. How she can map out a whole plan like that.
"Come here." he ordered and she begin to shiver.
She decided to stay rooted to her spot. She can't walk on her foot towards her doom but his next word proved her decision wrong.
"Don't make it difficult for you. Come fucking here before I come there." He gritted.
Finding no way to escape, she begin to take small steps towards him until she stood right infront of him.
He turned his chair towards her, looking her intensely. His hand suddenly snaked her waist and he jerked her body, pulling her on his lap, her legs either side of his legs that she was straddling him.
She begin to panic immediately and tried to get off of his lap when he pushed her body against hers, trying to keep her in place. His hands behind her waist.
"Please let me go." She hurriedly said like a scared pigeon.
She was petrified. That night begin to play in her mind, making her breathing ragged and suddenly all the lights of the his study turned off immediately, increasing her panic.
Several minutes passed but he didn't say a word. In the utter dark, she knew he was staring her. He wasn't saying anything as if in a deep thought, looking at her fear filled face.
She was sitting on his lap. His office was dark all around just like his heart. The close proximity between them was making her nauseatic. She tried her best not to shiver but any movement made by him made her more and more tremble.
She bit her lips to stop them from quivering but all in vain. Her heart thundered against her rib cage. She was having goosebumps over and over. Her mind was stuporized. Her eyes were glistening with tears of horror and fear and throat clogged. She tightly held both her hands together to stop them from shaking. Her palms were cold and sweaty.
The whole dark office was quite and the only sound one can hear was her ragged breathing. She was trying her best to maintain a strong composure outside but when yet again the whole situation sinked into her mind, her heart was once again out of control.
Dread
Anticipation
Horror
And Fear
These four feelings covered her heart. She knew he will be doing worse to her. After knowing everything how can one or specifically a man like him can let her go easily and forgive her.
What will I do now? What he will be doing with me? How will I survive? How will I be able to face his worst side? What will happen now?
These thoughts crossed in her mind. The torments and calamities her future will be holding for her was making her feel so helpless. And all those torments and calamities will be created by him.
She knew he will make her life hell from now on. She knew she has nothing in her hands now but just to face whatever he has saved in for her. She was really now all at his mercy.
He slowly brushed away her brown locks away from her ears and whispered into her ear making her eyes to protrude of there sockets and her breathing rapid.
"Say that you love me."
She was utterly confused.
"Jee?" She asked all confused.
(Yes?)
"Yes say that you love me."
"What?"
"I won't repeat"
She blinked several times, unable to understand his demand. Why should she say that she loves him when in actual she does not and he knows that.
"I dont understand."
"This is what I've not asked you to say."
She gulped. Her body shuddered when his hand caressed her sides.
"I..." she whimpered, "please"
His jaw clenched.
"I understand Zahra. You love Daniyal. Right?" He asked, masking his anger.
Cold sweats popped out of her forehead. She held her hands tightly together.
"I..I...I.." she sobbed.
What should I say?
"Let it go. Answer my this question, Do you love me as you said that day?" He asked again, raising her head with her chin.
Her heart dropped. Tears begin to flow out of her eyes. Terror, anticipation and guilt mixed engulfing her mind.
"I'm so..rry." she wailed.
"Answer Zahra. Do you love me?" He asked again, his voice calm but his hold on her chin tightened.
"I do..n't kn...ow." She cried.
"But you should love me." He pensively said, retreating his hand back from her chin.
His hand abruptly held the nape of her neck and brought her head closer to him with a jerk.
"You'll love me Zahra. I promise, one day you'll love me. And be ready, day after tomorrow, your life will not be the same. Be ready to face the punishment for betraying me. Be ready Zahra." He gritted in his anger filled voice and pulled her back.
"I want you at breakfast table tomorrow. Got it?"
She bobbed her head up and down, not able to form a word.
"Now get out of my sight."
And it didn't take her much time to left his lap and run away from his office.