"Please, leave me! Chhodo mujhe! What have I done? Leave me!" she begged, but he didn't let go of her hand. Instead, he tightened his grip.
"Who are you? What do you want? Leave me, please! I need to go-he's waiting for me," she cried, her voice tre...
How does it feel when you're about to meet someone you've waited to see for so long, but then one incident changes everything?
When I was in school, I used to read books where girls were kidnapped and killed mercilessly. But in my case, everything is different. My kidnapper wants me to marry him.
Many questions are racing through my mind: What should I do? Should I run away? But what if he hurts me? No, I can't lose him... but he threatened me.
Tick-tock.
Shit, he said. Fifteen minutes. I thought, remembering my last encounter with that ruthless monster.
Knock knock.
Who is it now? What if it's the monster?
"Come in," I said, my voice barely audible.
Two girls entered, along with an old lady holding a wedding dress and accessories.
"Beta, these girls are here to dress you for your wedding. I know the way your wedding is taking place isn't ideal, but trust me, beta, he will keep you happy. Oh, and I forgot to introduce myself. I've been with this family for the past 30 years, and everyone here calls me Bejee. You can call me Bejee, too," she said, smiling warmly. She's so kind, but that monster... he's so arrogant.
I didn't know what to do, so I just nodded and let the girls dress me.
Once they were done, they asked me to look at myself in the mirror.
I couldn't believe it. I looked so good. I had always dreamt of my wedding day, but never thought it would be like this. Actually, I never thought I'd even get married after that incident. I thought to myself, shutting my eyes tightly.
"MashAllah, you look stunning. And what's this? Why are you crying?" Bejee asked, frowning.
I didn't know what to do, so I just laid my head on Bejee's lap.
"Look, beta, I know your mind and heart are not in the right place right now. You're confused, but trust me, everything will be fine. Stop crying. Look, I bought you a gift," Bejee said, holding out a box.
"What's this, Bejee?" I asked.
"I may not be very rich, but this is a gift from me. As I said, you're like my daughter. This is for you," Bejee said softly.
I took the box from her hand and opened it, revealing two delicate anklets.
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"Bejee, I love these! Thank you so much!" I said, hugging her tightly.
"Can I share something with you?" she asked, to which I nodded.
"Your uncle gave these to me when I married him. I always thought I would give them to my daughter. Unfortunately, I don't have children, but I'm happy that Allah Ta'ala sent you into my life," Bejee said, tears welling up in her eyes.
Knock knock.
"Bejee, Imam Sahab has arrived. The Nikah is about to begin," one of the girls who helped me get ready said.
"Do you, Noor-e-Haya, daughter of Murat Salim Khan, accept Yazaan, son of Zahid Khan, as your husband?" asked Maulvi Sahab. I didn't reply immediately. I was shocked—first, because my father's name isn't Murat, and second, because I had just realized that the devil has a name.
I was snapped out of my thoughts when someone cleared their throat. It was none other than Bejee.
"I accept him as my husband," I said. I wasn't sure if I had done the right thing, but I knew one thing for sure: everything happens for a reason.
