Possession

14. Lies & Betrayals

The sun beamed through the half-curtained windows spreading its rays directly on her angelic face. Her eyes opened with soft sunlight caressing her eyelids. She stretched her arms groggily and rubbed her eyes whilst yawning. It was a bright sunny day. A small smile crept on her lips as she felt the warmth of the sun. She sat up and as soon as she placed her body weight on her butt she winced with pain. And with that, all the memories of last night came running into her mind screwing up her fresh morning. She shrugged off all the negative thoughts as she didn't want to start her fresh morning by thinking negatively. She was about to stand up when her door knocked and she immediately got up before unlocking the door and saw her grandmother standing there.

She gave a motherly smile to Zahra and she let her in the room. She sat on the bed and Zahra next to her. Zahra slightly winced with pain as soon as she sat on the bed. Her grandmother gave a kiss on her forehead causing her to smile.

"Meray Mujtaba ki Chanda." she lovingly looked towards her.

(My Mujtaba's moon)

Her heart was extremely sensitive to the topic of her father. Its been only four days since her death and whenever even his name is said in front of her, Zahra felt like crying. Her throat gets clogged blurring her vision with tears.

"Kesi ho beti?" she asked.

(How are you daughter)

Zahra knew she was asking about her emotional state. She was asking about her feelings and mental health, not her physical state. And that's when her tears rolled down her eyes. She wanted to share her feelings with someone.

"Mein theek nahin hu," she cried out. Her voice was broken. The past events of the previous days were making her more emotional and weak. She didn't even get out of the trauma of her father's death when she had to leave her house, leave Daniyal, and then Irtaza's forced marriage. She was scared of him. All her emotions were bottled up and she hugged her grandmother tightly as if she will save her from Irtaza and big sobs began to shook her whole form.

(I am not fine)

Her grandmother hugged her back and also cried her heart out. The news of her son's death was making her cry after every second. She remembered that day clear as water when her son left the haveli and how much she insisted her husband call him back but he didn't pay any heed to her pleadings. His ego got bigger than his love for his son.

Both of them hugged each other tightly and mourned heartily in each other's embrace. Tears kept flowing down of there eyes like a nonstop river and their bodies shook with sobs. They both remembered the sweet moments they spent with Mujtaba causing more tears to flow down.

After crying their hearts out they pulled apart and she wiped the tears of Zahra before laying her head on her lap. She softly threaded her fingers in her honey blonde locks and caressed her silky hair with deep affection. Zahra felt comfortable with her. She felt like a motherly figure to her. She was already so fond of her grandmother. She liked her.

"There is nothing to worry about beti Irtaza and we are all here with you. I got a good news after so many years. I really wanted to see my Irtaza getting married. And he is marrying you is a cherry on top. I am so happy and contented that it couldn't be described in words. Meri chanda soon you are going to be Irtaza's wife so you should begin to look after his needs from now onwards." She began to explain.

"Whenever he comes to haveli be with him. He will cherish you and love you with all his heart I guarantee you. Fulfilling his every need will now be your duty meri chanda. You both will be moving to his mansion after rukhsati and there you will be alone with him that is why I'm saying to start to look after his requirements from today so when you move to his mansion, there will be no problems for you. A good and dutiful wife is the one who looks after the needs of her husband. So you will be taking care of his needs from today onwards. I am saying all of this for your good. If anything bothers you or if you need anything you can come straight to me or Irtaza. And whenever you are sad or depressed you can come to me anytime. You are my Mujtaba's only daughter and I can't see you in pain." She continued to caress her hair. Her voice was sweet and melodious.