Mine To Be Called ✓

~~•Seventy six•~~

"I don't believe you. You are lying. You can't just fall in love with your kidnapper," Daneen whispered in shock.

"I know, Dani, that it seems unbelievable. It is twisted, weird, odd, and wrong, but that's the reality. I am in love with him. I tried to make helpless efforts to get rid of him many times but they were futile. My heart grew a deep connection with his heart. His own love pulled the strings of my heart. I can't live without him. Yes, he kidnapped me, but...you tell me, was there any way for him to find me? He did what he could have done to come near me, but after that, my body, my soul, my heart, and my mind; he snatched each and everything. My happiness is linked to him now," she explained, a matter of fact.

"But you...you loved Aurang. Didn't you?" Daneen inquired.

Andaleeb smiled. "It was never love. I was an idiot to think that it was. It was just my rebellion. Mama and Baba arranged my marriage without my approval. It came under the verdict of something which happened against my decision. I rebelled by thinking of Aurang as someone I love. But ever since I met Masab, everything changed for me. I knew about the true love. I knew about freedom, and I could finally breathe without caring for anything. "

"He is playing with you," Daneen used her last resort to make her understand.

She left the fork on the plate and then stared at her sister. "Do you know that I told everything wrong about what happened to me? I indeed fled from my wedding for Aurang."

Daneen's jaw tickled at this. "What?"

She just nodded. "That's true. I lied to save myself. To save the guilt I feel. I am really sorry, Dani. It's because of my irresponsibility that you had to sacrifice everything. You can scold me, punish me, or do anything you want with me. But please don't get angry. I am embarrassed at what I did. I shouldn't have done that. I should have thought about you. After living a blissful life with Masab, I couldn't have kept you in the darkness of being a fake victim. I am not a victim. If I wanted, I could have stopped everything from happening. If I wanted, I could have gotten rid of Masab by killing him or myself. But I couldn't do so. I want a future with him. Please try to understand."

Daneen didn't say anything for a while. Her gaze remained fixed to the ground. Her eyes became red, and the way her features tightened scared Andaleeb that her sister might have become angry at her.

Andaleeb moved forward and squeezed her hand. "Dani."

She finally lifted her face and then shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe that was the destiny. I am not angry at you. You deserve happiness as much as anyone else does. No one should have forced you into marriage. But fleeing from the house is just---"

Andaleeb huffed. "I know that was a low blow. Something disgusting. I shouldn't have done that."

Daneen blinked in understanding. "It's okay. Don't feel bad about it. I am happy in my life. You are a smart and intelligent girl. If you have decided to move on, I can now believe that he must be treating you right. But anytime if you feel the need for help, don't hesitate to tell me, Andi. I'll be always there for you."

Andaleeb grinned as tears invaded her eyes. She knew her sister had a heart of gold and she would forgive her. "Thank you, Daneen. I promise that I'll never do something stupid like this again. And rest assured about me. I am happy in my life too."

Daneen's lips spread as well. "Thank God. Indeed, it's weird to think about, but considering it's you, it's not peculiar to hear that you could have fallen in love with your kidnapper."

She chuckled. "Maybe I am really twisted. But apart from that, Masab always cares for me. And I can't stop my heart from beating for him. That's the utmost truth of my life."