Mine To Be Called ✓

~~•Fifty five•~~

Daneen sighed and spoke, causing Andaleeb to pause. "These things don't matter now. Zaroon was my past while Mohid is my present and future. He is my husband, and I don't want to dig into the past anymore. Let's not talk about the past now."

Sensing the wetness in her eyes, Andaleeb chewed on her lower lip in apprehension. That was right that Daneen was Mohid's wife now. She had her own life and her own problems at this time. She was trying to move on. The past might hurt her and possibly produce a rift in between the couple. She almost cursed herself in her heart for being so indignant and insensitive. Daneen's past wasn't like hers, and her present was much better and more reliable than hers. "I am so sorry, Dani. I didn't mean it. You are right that we should let the past come to a rest."

Daneen weakly smiled. "It's okay. Don't worry about me at all. I am okay. But I am just anxious about you, Andaleeb. You are much more stronger and resilient than me. You don't deserve this. I expected you to fight back. Why are you accepting this life as a fate?"

She swallowed thickly at this. "Baba and Mama want me to accept all this, Dani. I am helpless. I wanted to fight but they didn't allow me to. And I ain't blaming them. They just wanted the best for each one of us. After what happened to me, they were afraid to let me become a stigma for society. They want to regain their honor and respect which got messed up by me. I just have to live among these people if I have to fight on my own. I hadn't accepted this, Dani. That's my way to fight when my own family doesn't want to give me a helping hand."

Daneen raised a brow. "What do you mean? What are you going to do?"

She didn't reply quickly but grabbed her sister's hands. "I just need your support. I just want to get this realization that someone is here for me even when I would be left with nothing. I need your backing, and I am sure that only you can provide me with that."

Daneen frantically nodded. "Of course, Andaleeb. You can count me in. I'll be always there for you. But what are you going to do? You won't hurt yourself in the meantime. Fight but not if it costs you."

She clenched her jaw. Daneen's words struck her. She wasn't fighting. She thought she was doing it but in reality, she was calling into Masab's charm and temptation. And perhaps there was no coming back from there. "This time I won't let anyone walk over me."

In a while, the door knocked with a maid over the threshold, giving the information that their mother was fetching Daneen back. That was the time they would leave now. She hugged both of them again, and when she pulled away, it brought tears to her eyes. If she cared about anyone else other than her, then it would only be her mother and sister. And she could do anything for them.

_______________

Shehwar Begum came into their bedroom with a sleek and branded white kurta shalwar hanging from a clipper in her hand. She saw her husband, Shah Zaman, standing near the window with a cigarette in between her lips. She always hated this habit of his but she couldn't say anything to her husband. He was a rough and tough kind of man who would only do what was right in his eyes.

"I got this dress prepared for you for the walima tonight. Is it okay?" She asked, apprehensively.

Shah Zaman gave a non-interesting glance over at the dress before gesturing with his finger as a yes. "Anything is fine for me. It's not like it's my walima."

Shehwar Begum pressed her lips together in humiliation. "But it's our son's happy and biggest day. It's his marriage, Masha Allah. We should celebrate it."

He huffed. "Of course. I was just saying it like that. It's his marriage indeed but not something we should be celebrating so much."

"What are you saying, Shah Sahab?" Shehwar Begum was stunned.

He came near her and a smirk rose on his lips. "Did you see that girl's attitude? She was so rude and indignant."

Shehwar Begum gritted her brows together. Yes, Andaleeb did seem distant and stern but she acted nicely with anyone who talked to her first. She wouldn't call it rudeness. Why did her husband even check upon the behavior of their daughter-in-law this closely? Usually, men didn't bother about it. However, she didn't find any serious problems with Andaleeb's attitude. "Sorry to say Shah Sahab but I just found her a bit quiet and reserved. She is new here hence her behavior is justified."

"Shehwar Begum, I have started this talk to make everything clear for you before time." He shoved his glasses back in their place. "Don't give this girl any more importance. Don't make her seem like someone who is anyway important to us. Masab married her for some other reasons."

"Other reasons?" Shehwar Begum repeated in confusion.

"Her father has promised to give us support in these elections in exchange for us providing stick holdings for his company. This marriage was like a bait and an inking for our contract. Masab married their daughter so both parties would not forget their truce. After we get what we want from this truce, this marriage will end automatically," he explained truthfully.

Shehwar Begum's eyes widened. "What? Contract?"

She almost shouted and here Shah Zaman chuckled. "Masab refrained from telling you women from this because he didn't want to create a mess. And I am proud of him for doing so. He is smart and just inherited my genes. Now you should come back to earth from the sky because you were so happy to realize that now Hoorain wouldn't become our daughter-in-law. Your hatred for my brother and his family is evident from the way you were so welcoming of this girl. But rest assured, Masab will make only one girl his wife, and that's Hoorain."

Humiliation filled in Shehwar Begum's eyes. Her husband always did this with her. "I never hated your brother, Shah Sahab. I was just happy in Masab's happiness."

He glared at her. "I know very well that what you feel for them and what you felt after Masab announced this fake marriage so drop the act. I told you the reality without consulting Masab because you were going all the way to treat that girl well. No need to waste hospitality anymore on her. We have their girl now and they are bound to lend us help. Along with that, they will get benefit from this union as well. Just act simply with that girl. Hope I am clear."

He left after that, leaving Shehwar Begum lost in her thoughts. Why did Masab do that? On top of everything, she didn't expect this from her own son. Masab wasn't like his father. He was gentle, principled, and thoughtful. Whatever it was, the girl became a victim of whatever was decided between their elders, and that made her feel more for Andaleeb. However now she realized that even after living away from the family, he still inherited his father's ways and acts.

Her next target was to meet Masab as soon as possible and discuss this with him. Perhaps her husband was just telling a lie because she did somehow never liked Hoorain's mother and didn't want her to marry her son. Maybe Masab really loved Andaleeb. She couldn't just believe this unless she heard the truth from Masab.

_____________

His eyes never stopped admiring as they drank in the sight of her sleeping form. A soothing smile came over his lips seeing the woman he loved laying so calmly and comfortably over their bed as though this was the best sleep she would ever get. His heart filled with a relief and tranquility seeing her. She was definitely a balm for his heart, mind, soul and body all. She brought him comfort. The memory and effect of last night were still refreshed in his mind, and that was just increasing that serene feeling. The physical connection enhanced every other connection, and when you have legal and sacred rights over a woman you love, it did wonders. She liked this connection; she enjoyed giving herself to him, she loved their moment together, and she was attracted by him. That was enough of a relaxation for him.

Masab's brush was running smoothly over the canvas, painting the woman who owned his heart with his heart, when he stopped, hearing a knock on their bedroom door. On the other side, his mother was standing, who was here for answers.

_________________

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