DIRTY POLITICS

Chapter 9

As Maryam's tears cascaded down her face, she couldn't help but feel a surge of fear and anger course through her veins. How could Musa, the man sitting nonchalantly beside her in the car, be so heartless and indifferent to the pain he had caused her? Her sobs filled the air as she grappled with the betrayal from both her father and this stranger who had whisked her away.

    Fear gripped Maryam tightly, as she analyzed Musa's intimidating demeanour. His posture, leaning against the headrest with closed eyes, sent shivers down her spine. What other surprises awaited her on this unforeseen journey forced upon her? The unknown loomed before her, and she felt lost and defenseless, trapped in a seemingly nightmarish situation.

Yet, amidst the fear and anger, a sliver of defiance ignited within maryam' heart.

'Itna ghoorengi to nazr lg jaegi, begum'
(You will caste an evil eye on me with such scrutinising gaze, wife)

Musa said amusingly without opening his eyes.

Maryam scoffed. She could not believe the sheer audacity of this man.

'Aap delusional to ni hain me koe biwi shiwi ni hu apki, itna arsa biwi k begair rahe hn burhape me dimgh khisak gya h apka'
(Are you delusional cause i am not your wife or anything, you have stayed without a wife for so long that you have become insane in old age)

Musa opened his eyes to look at the little girl. She really had the audacity to call him old. He angrily pulled her towards himself.

Maryam's heart raced with a mix of terror and disgust as Musa's grip tightened around her. The audacity of his anger, coupled with his invasive actions, sent waves of panic through her veins. She desperately tried to break free from his grasp, her mind racing as she sought an escape from his unwelcome advances.

Every instinct within Maryam screamed for her to fight back, to defend herself against this violation of her personal space and safety. But her fear and the power dynamic at play left her feeling helpless and vulnerable. She closed her eyes, hoping for this nightmare to end, and bracing herself for whatever horrible ordeal lay ahead.

'You are right sheerena I have stayed without you for so long that now I have become crazy, you have no idea what I can do to you'

Maryam's eyes widened in confusion and disbelief as Musa brushed his lips against hers. The combination of fear and curiosity coursed through her, leaving her uncertain of his intentions. Was this just another malicious attempt to intimidate her, or was there something deeper underlying his actions?

In that moment, Maryam's innocence shielded her from fully grasping the innuendo behind Musa's gesture. Her young mind couldn't comprehend the potential ulterior motive behind his actions.

Though unsure of Musa's intentions, the knot in Maryam's stomach tightened. Opening her eyes wide she locked gaze with Musa conveying her confusion.

'Kia kregy aap mre sth?'
(What will you do to me)

She asked fearfully moving herself slightly back, not being able handle his close proximity, while thinking that he was talking about killing her.

Musa looked at the little innocent kitten amusingly leaning forward he brushed his lips against her ears and whispered.

'Wahi Jo hr shohar apni biwi k sth krta hai'
(What every husband does to his wife)

Listening to this maryam's lips trembled he would kiss her she concluded and looked at him with teary eyes and pouting lips she was not even his wife and he was too close to her.