Invisible String

chapter 2

"Kya apko ye nikkah qabool hai?" This time, the question was directed at him.

"Qubool hai," Farjaad uttered, his voice carrying the weight of slight resignation.

As both families erupted in joy, embracing and congratulating one another, well-wishers patted Farjaad's back and Umeed's head. However, the couple remained detached, their minds elsewhere, and Farjaad concealed his true emotions behind a façade of a strained smile.

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In their bedroom, Farjaad and Umeed found themselves at the crossroads of tradition and personal apprehension. The weight of societal expectations hung in the air, creating an unspoken tension between the two newlyweds.

Umeed, still in her bridal attire, wore an expression of nervous hesitation. The weight of the anticipated wedding night pressed heavily on her shoulders. She made him sign the contract but there was no guarantee that he intends on taking it seriously.

The wedding night, a part Umeed had dreaded the most, unfolded with an unsettling atmosphere. She was not naive but still Umeed couldn't escape the nervous anticipation surrounding the consummation ritual. Her mother, Arzoo Pasha, had thoroughly educated her on what to expect, yet no amount of preparation could ease the fear now settling within Umeed. The man beside her was a stranger, and the uncertainty of his intentions resulted in creeping sense of fear.

Farjaad, too, found himself discomforted by the impending ordeal. While harboring a distaste for the forced union, he prioritized Umeed's comfort over his own unease. Despite his reservations, he did not harbor hatred toward her. Now, as the moment approached, his nervousness was overshadowed by concern for Umeed.

In the dimly lit room, Umeed sat in the center of the bed, her eyes downcast, refusing to meet his gaze. As Farjaad approached and took his place at the edge, he couldn't help but observe her clenched hands and sidelong glances. It became evident that nervousness and a hint of fear gripped her.

As he sat besides her, side tables adorned with soft candlelight, Farjaad spoke first, his voice a low murmur

"Umeed, main janta hoon hum ajnabi hain jo aik ahem rishte main bandhe gaye hain, lekin apki razamandi ke baghair kuch bhi nahi hoga, ye mera aap se wada hai, aap ke paas toh contract bhi hai. aap relax hojayein" he promises.

Umeed hesitated for a moment before meeting Farjaad's gaze. To her astonishment, she found nothing but honesty and sincerity reflected in his eyes. Visibly relieved by his reassurance, she found a flicker of understanding in his eyes. The weight of any expectations lifted as Farjaad, in that tender moment, prioritized Umeed's comfort over tradition.

"Shukriya, iss ka khayal rakhne k liye." Umeed expressed her gratitude.

Farjaad responded with a small, reassuring smile.

From his pocket, he retrieved a carefully prepared munh dikhayi gift, a family heirloom symbolizing the new addition to his family. It was a set of bangles, passed down through generations.

He shifted closer to Umeed, gently took her hand and placed the box in Umeed's hand, causing her breath to hitch.

Her eyes met Farjaad's and then she noticed the box in her palm. She opened it, revealing two exquisite gold bangles with a vintage allure.

"Aapki munh dikhayi, it's a family heirloom," he elaborated.

Umeed looked at Farjaad and uttered a sincere "Shukriya."

He nodded in acknowledgment, creating a subtle connection amid the delicate atmosphere of their shared moment.

Noticing that she was still clad in the heavy wedding dress, He furrowed his eyebrows softly.

"Kya aapko help chahiye?" he asked.

"Kis cheez ke liye?" Umeed was confused.

He motioned towards her dress.

"Oh, Nahi..." she hesitated a little, then said, "lekin agar aap mere hairpins nikaalne main madad kardein toh..."

For the first time that night, Farjaad felt a surge of amusement, a smile threatening to appear on his face. He held back the laughter and nodded.

Umeed stood up and walked towards the dressing table, sitting at the chair and looking at Farjaad from the mirror expectantly. He sighed and stood up as well, positioning himself behind her, carefully examining her hair and dupatta pins, attempting to figure out the best way to remove them.

"Pehle aap dupattay ke pins se shuru karein," she instructed, offering guidance.

"Jee," Farjaad uttered.

Both of the them did find it humorous how their personality and behavior with each other right now is a complete contrast to how they acted with each other the day they signed contract.

With that, he spent the next few minutes delicately removing the hairpins for Umeed. The atmosphere shifted, feeling surprisingly domestic and natural. It was as if they were not two strangers thrust into an arranged marriage but rather a couple flowing in the ordinary rhythm of daily life.

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The dim glow of the bedside lamp cast a soft atmosphere in the room, where Farjaad, now dressed in more comfortable pajamas, lays on the bed, scrolling through his phone. The wedding festivities left him exhausted.

As Umeed returned from the bathroom, changed into something more relaxed, a slight hesitancy lingered in her movements. Standing in the middle of the room, she surveyed the unfamiliar space, uncertainty on her face. The only sofa in the room was a loveseat sofa and it was not large enough in size for a person to sleep. Was she supposed to share the bed? Or had he arranged another room for her?

Farjaad, sensing her unease, looked up from his phone and noticed her standing there.

"Is everything okay, Umeed? Aapko kisi cheez ki zaroorat hai?" he asked.

Umeed, with a tinge of uncertainty in her voice, asked, "Um, main kahan sou sakti hoon?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Mene iss baray main khayaal nahi kiya. Agar aapko munasib lagay toh aap iss bed par soujayein, it's big enough for both of us. Warna main neeche zameen pr soujata hoon, koi masla nahi hai" He said, carefully watching her face.

Umeed, though appreciating his consideration, still hesitated. Despite the bed being spacious enough for both of them, the thought of sleeping beside a stranger felt weird to her. Mujhe toh neend hi nahi ayegi, she thought.

"Nahi nahi, main neeche soujati hoon," she quickly suggested.

"Sawal hi paida nahi hota, aap thak gayi hongi aur mujhe zameen pr sounay main koi masla nahi, don't worry," he reassured.

"Are you sure?" Umeed asked, torn between not wanting to argue and feeling guilty about making him sleep on the floor.

"Yes," he uttered. "Aap araam karein. Agar kuch chahiye ho toh mujhe zaroor batayein."

With that, he got up from the bed and walked towards the closet, taking out two blankets. He spread one on the floor, took his pillow from the bed, and settled down. Umeed, wearing a guilty expression, settled into the bed.

Abhi se hi compromises shuru, Farjaad thought. His back would likely ache tomorrow, but he was willing to tolerate his discomfort rather than letting Umeed sleep on the floor. She had left everything to come here, so it was only fair for Farjaad to leave his bed as well.

With that consideration, he drifted off to sleep, and Umeed, exhausted, also succumbed to slumber within minutes.

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hehehe awkward cuties

dw our boy won't sleep on the floor for long ;)

did you like the chapter? get ready for more IS farmeed ;)))) btw when I was proofreading the chapter I got major Wali vibes from Farjaad here🤭

twt/x: @iskochupao