MAFIA INDEBTED (Mafia Series #1)

Chapter 14

ENJOY

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Calm down, Ainnie. You can do this. You're his wife now. You can do this. She chanted the words like a mantra in her head but it wouldn't calm down her wrecked nerves and erratic heart.

The moment that she was dreading was finally upon her—her wedding night.

The wedding reception was a small success. There were only a few people. Anissa wondered why only two people attended the wedding from Shehryaar's side. She wanted to ask him about his family but her own nervousness had her already on edge so she decided against it.

When it was time for her to go with her husband, she broke down in tears—typical, expected from every bride on their rukhsati.

Now here she was, back in the farm house outside of Islamabad and in his room, sitting on his king sized bed in the middle of a lavishly designed and decorated room of themes maroon and black. It was illuminated from every corner. Somehow, she got a feeling that Shehryaar liked the colors red and black since that was the main theme of their wedding attire.

She stared at the diamond ring on her left right finer—it was beautiful with four large diamonds surrounded by intricate filigree designs. It was a small right yet it held so much meaning—she was now a married woman.

Shehryaar had put on this ring on her finger after the the Nikkah.

"Now, you officially belong to me." He had whispered possessively in her ear. Even now when she recalled it, she felt cold shivers run down her spine. It seemed he had nothing else to say to her except that now he owned her. Of
Course that didn't it was true: she was his wife but that didn't mean she belonged to him. She was her own person and she would always fight to maintain her individuality.

My life—what was to become of it now? Only to follow my husband's orders and wishes? Will he allow me to continue practicing medicine? Will I be able to pursue my dreams?

What did the future hold for her? Marriage not only entailed security but also equality and fairness—will Shehryaar give that to her? From his domineering personality, Anissa highly doubted it.

Clenching her hands into tight fists, she deeply inhaled and exhaled. She chastised herself, steeling her will to meet the expectations of her husband.

The door clicked open and her head jolted up causing her heart to go in over drive. A nurse was wheeling Shehryaar's Amma inside. Anissa relaxed and tried to smile.

I can do this. I can overcome this. It has to happen sooner than later.

But her attire wasn't helping in the least. The heavy dress and jewelry was causing her suffocation. Her chest was tight in the heavily embroidered blouse and she wanted to relieve herself from the dress.

Slowly, she descended down from the bed, her heavy dress and veil dragged along.

"Oh no bachay, don't mind me," she chuckled lightly, her smile frail yet bright.

Anissa smiled lightly and sat at the edge of the bed. The wheel chair stopped by her side and the old lady grasped Anissa's hands lightly.

"Mashaa Allah, jeeti raho." She commented and tenderly passed her hand over Anissa's head as a sign of approval and adoration. Her smile was so contagious that despite her dismal state of mind, Anissa smiled brightly as well.

"I'm so glad that my Chanda married someone like you. I'm so glad." She chided, her eyes twinkling with delight. "Take good care of him baita. Shehryaar has seen very little happiness in life. He may be a hard man which meets the eye but he's a good man. He has seen very little of good and kindness. Treat him with love. He deserves it after going through so much pain and sadness in his life." She exclaimed.