Too fragile for the beast

Chapter 13

It was 3.45 in the evening. I was sitting in my room waiting for my mom to call me down. I was wearing a black shalwar which has black wool embroidered and some glass works were done to make it sparkling.  I placed the black duppatta which has same embroidery work neatly on my head covering my hair.

After the conversation with my parents they didn't say anything. My be what I told them angered them a bit but that's the only solution I had. The seriousness in his tone When he offered me those two options said how he's being serious about this matter.

My mom came opening the door. "They are here" she said and I stood up to go with her.

I went downstairs and saw two women seated on the sofa. He was no where to be seen which I am grateful for.

"Assalamu alaikum beta"I heard a gentle voice greeting me. I looked at the woman who seemed to be little older  than my mom. She was smiling at me lovingly.

"Walaikum salam" I greeted her back.

"I am Arsh's mother. He got an important work to attend in the last minute. He will come here little later". She spoke politely and her smile didn't leave her face. So his name is Arsh.

I am happy that he is not here, he makes me feel uneasy just with his appearance. I nodded my head in a response to her.

"Bhabhi I am Zahra. Arsh bhai's only sister. What's your name?. The girl sitting next to his mother asked me excitedly.

"Shafiyya Suliaman" I replied to her.

"You seem like in my age. How old are you" she asked with the same excitement in her voice.

"I am 22"

"Wow then you are just 3 years older than me. You look so pretty bhabi. I thought what made Arsh bhai's mind changed to get married finally. And seeing how beautiful you are, I know it's a love at first sight. You won't believe this bhabi, me and my mom were trying to look alliance for him from past three years and he will just reject every proposal by not even looking at their photo. We were worried that he will be single till his death. Alhamdhulillah he saw you". I smiled at her and didn't say anything.

Mom served them with tea and some snacks. My dad sat beside me on the sofa without a word.

I heard an engine sound of a car and in few seconds he entered inside. I lowered my gaze down looking at my hands on my lap to avoid him.

He sat on the arm chair beside me where I was sitting, and being closed to him I felt suffocating.

"Shafiyya" I heard his mom calling my name and I looked at her direction. She looked pretty even in her old age. Both his mom and sister shared same skin tone which is fair whereas he had a dusky skin tone. May be has the features of his dad while Zahra has of his mom.

"Is this marriage okay for you?" She asked me politely and a thought of telling her everything crossed my mind. How her son behaved with me, how he kidnapped me and how he threatened me.

Hearing his mom, he took his phone immediately and started to scroll down something in it. I understood from his actions what he is saying.

"I nodded my head at her". Which made her smile a little.

"I want to fix the date after two weeks on 7 of October." He said.

" why so hurry" she asked him in confusion.

"I have to leave for Italy soon, so before that I want this marriage to happen. I hope Mr. Sulaiman has no objection in it" he asked my dad who was silent all the time.

"As you have already decided I have nothing to say anything". My dad spoke to him sternly.

"Okay then I will make the arrangements." He said and my dad hummed in response.

"Bhabi, me and mom will come to pick up you tomorrow for shopping. Get ready at 8. I am very excited" Zahra spoke happily.

"I want to talk with Shafiyya alone" he said which made me anxious and nervous.

"Beta take him to back side of the garden and talk". My mom told me and I stood up to guide him the way to the backside garden.

I stopped near the swing. He stood two feet away from me and I kept staring at the ground. I waited for him to talk whatever he wants to talk and leave here as soon as possible but he didn't say a word and I know his eyes are on me because I felt heated under his gaze.

"Black suits the ocean blue" he said out of no where and I didn't understand what he is talking about. Still my eyes on the ground.

"I have brought you something" saying this, he took something out of his pocket and took my hand with his other hand. I tried to retract my hand but he held it tightly. And he slipped something on my finger. My eyes traveled to my hand and landed on a beautiful diamond ring. He brought my hand to his lips and kissed on my knuckles which I felt a new sensation traveled through my nerve system.

"I appreciate your decision. Come, let's go inside" he left my hand as he said and went inside. I followed him behind.

He left along with his mom and sister after deciding the dates.

.................................................................................

It was late at night. Dad was preparing his notes in his study for tomorrow's lectures. He was fully concentrated on whatever he was writing that he didn't notice me entering inside the study.

"Dad" I called which he looked at my direction. I was standing at the doorway. My mind was clouded with so many thoughts that I couldn't sleep. I felt guilty for not listening to him even though I did that for their happiness and peace.

"What made you come here at this time? Didn't you sleep" he asked masking his emotions.

"I don't feel like sleeping" I said as sitting on a nearby chair to him.

"What is that bothering you" he asked and his eyes on a book.

"I don't know. I feel restless. I feel guilty for what I made you to do. I know you don't like this marriage even a bit and neither I. But.... But he threatened me that he will do something to my family if I didn't agree" I broke into tears but he said nothing.

"If he did anything to you all because of me I will die with guilt. Thinking I am the reason for all this trouble makes my heart feel heavy that it becomes hard sometimes to even breathe. Sorry dad you have to go through all this because me" I said to him fidgeting my fingers and tears were rolling down my eyes.

He stood up from his chair and came to me to wipe my tears away. "You did nothing wrong beta. I understand you. It's not your fault. I am just angry with him only I didn't like how he is forcing you. As a dad I must protect you from him but I am helpless. I couldn't save you from him. But I prayed to Allah to make everything easy for you. Hope for a good and everything will be alright someday. We just have to be patience. Stop worrying. Go and sleep it's too late". He said and patting my head lovingly. His eyes were little teary as well.

After hearing my dad's soothing words I felt little calm and went to sleep.

To be continued •••