I Do Not support or promote self harm, bullying, victim blaming, child marriage, abuse or any other negativity you might find in this book.
This book is for awareness of such topics and describes its Negative effects.
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Meher's POV,
I love playing hide and seek with Zoya, we always do everything together. She's my best friend in the whole wide world. Today too, like always we were playing after finishing our homework. I could hear Mumma calling me but I didn't wanted to go, I wanted to play more. So I hid myself behind the bushes as Mumma came to get me.
"What are you still doing in here? Didn't you hear me calling you, you stupid girl?" She yelled with her hands on her hips.
"Aw...aw... Mumma it hurts...." I winced as she twisted my ear and started dragging me back to the house.
"Then you should've listened to me." She hit my head.
"Sorry." I looked down.
"Now stop playing and come get ready for the wedding." She said.
"Wedding? Who's wedding are we going to?" I asked her confused.
"Yours!" She snapped and took me to the room.
Oh yes, I totally forgot, today was getting married.
She made me do the wadu (ablution), dressed me up in a new dress, gave a heavy red chundri on my head and made me sit on a chair in the middle of the room. My Khala and Khalu (maternal aunt and uncle) were there too and so were Zoya's parents. Daddy was there too, smiling with tears. Mumma gestured me to keep my head down and pulled the chundri down my face covering my eyes and Maulana sahab (Islamic priest) came and handed me the Qur'an.
###
A few days back,
My Daddy and Akram uncle were talking to eachother and unknowingly I overheard thier conversation.
"Ismail, you know I love your daughter as my own right and I'll always want the best for her?" Akram uncle said.
"Ofcourse I know yaara (my friend)." Daddy said smiling.
"I only have 1 son and I always dreamed of having a daughter but that wasn't possible. When I look at Meher, I feel as if she's my own. She's not my blood but I would like to make her a part of my family."
I watched as Daddy's face lit up.
"Akram, do you really mean..."
"I wish to make Meher my daughter in law. Wouldn't you agree to that?"
"Of course...you have no idea how happy you've made me! My daughter marrying my bestfriends son... what can be better than this? Meher and Azlaan will make an excellent couple." Daddy said soo excitedly and when he caught me peeking, he called me out.
"Assalamualaikum Akram uncle." I said meekly.
"Walaikum assalam beta. Tell me, how would you like to marry Azlaan? You have been friends since you were little kids." He asked in his gentle tone like always.
I looked at daddy and then at him,
"He teases me and pulls my braid. I don't like him." I complained pouting.
They both laughed.
"You know, this little hatred doesn't take much time to turn into love." He said.
Love? I've always wondered what it is. I'd always imagined that my husband would be just like my daddy. Azlaan is totally the opposite, but still I really liked him. I liked to play with him and fight with him. It was fun. If I marry him I can play with him every day. It would be nice, wouldn't it? But, isn't he like a brother to me? Mumma once, told me that we cannot marry our brothers.
"So when should we finalize the dates?" We all turned to see Mumma coming in with tea and snacks.
"Uh, Bhabhi ji (sister in law or friends wife), I meant when they grow up." Akram uncle laughed.
"So what? Akram Bhaisahab (brother), we shouldn't waste time like this. They are all grown up now don't you think?" Mumma said.
"But they are just kids Bhabhi."
"No...no. Azlaan would soon be giving his board exams (10th std exams) and our Meher is now a woman." She added.
Ah, yes. I got my periods 2 weeks ago. They were soo scary, I cried soo much. But Mumma scoulded me and told me that I shouldn't be scared because now I've turned into a woman and also have become a bigger burden on them. I felt sad again remembering it. I don't like it when Mumma says things like that.
"Yasmin is right. Yaara, it's better to marry of girls at a young age before it's too late. Girls have innocent hearts, it's better to bind them with one person before thier feelings start to waver." Daddy said. I didn't understand much of what they were saying but Mumma and daddy both seemed happy. So I was happy too.
Azlaan's POV,
"What?! Azlaan's marriage?! Have you gone crazy? He's just 14! That too who do you choose? Those middle class Qadri family's daughter? How preposterous!" I heard Mom yell as I came back from soccer practice.
"Rubina. Be careful when you speak about them. Ismail is like a brother to me. And besides, no one can be as perfect for Azlaan as Meher." Dad said sternly.
"Akram, I have no problem with Ismail bhai. He's a good man, but his wife? She's a crazy woman and so is her daughter. That girl Meher, is soo stupid. She's 9 years old but still has no sense whatsoever."
"She's a kid, give her some time."
"Exactly! She's just a kid, she has no maturity in any way. How can you think about getting them married now?"
"What's wrong Mom?" I walked in and interfered.
"Azlaan, your father has gone crazy. He says he wants to get you married to that Meher next month." Mom said sarcastically crossing her arms.
I started laughing.
"Meher and me? No way dad. She's just a cry baby and a scaredy cat."
"But you like her, don't you?" Dad said.
"Yes, like a little sister. How can I marry her, that too now? I have to complete school, college, start a career. Earn a lot of money... Marriage is out of the question. I want to enjoy my life." I said.
"Look at you. Just 14 and saying such big things. You are your mother's replica." Dad snapped making a face.
"He's more mature than that Meher in every way, because he's my son." Mom said proudly smiling at me. I smiled back at her.
"Come on Rubina. Why do you hate that little girl soo much? Even Yasmin bhabhi resents her because of... you know what, atleast you should show her some motherly love after she becomes our daughter in law." Daddy retorted.
"Who said she's going to be our daughter in law? Also, if she wants motherly love she can find it somewhere else."
"That's enough Rubina. I've made the decision. These two are getting married next month and that's final." Dad ordered.
"Akram.."
"Not a word!"
And that's how it was decided that we'd get married while we were still immature kids. We also gave our consent for our parents happiness and also because we didn't wanted to get in trouble by the elders. What about the society and government you ask? It was all kept a secret. Only a few close family members were invited just to be witnesses of the Nikah (Islamic marriage). Also, for this Nikah to be successful, my dear Mom kept forth a demand...
"As everyone is so adamant, they both can marry but on one condition. Even after this marriage, Meher will stay at her maiden home till both the children complete thier education and even till Azlaan, after that, finds a decent job for himself and settle's down."
"But it would take years for that?" Meher's mom said a bit panicky.
"So? What would you tell the people when they start questioning why your daughter is staying at your neighbours place? Would you tell them she's married Bhabhi?" Mom questioned sardonically.
Meher's parents quitely agreed.
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Meher's POV,
It was my Nikah now. Maulana sahab made me repeat some verses of Qur'an after him. I can read the Qur'an but not so proper.
He asked me to say Qubool hai (I do) 3 times.
"Stop this nonsense." The loud voice made me jump. I looked up and saw Mazhar bhai. My face split into a smile to see him. I love my brother.
"Mazhar beta, calm down. What are you doing?" Mumma scolded in a hushed voice.
"Mumma, stop this all right now. Did you really think you could send me away for a camp and get my sister married off at such a young age? I won't let that happen. I cannot let you elders play with my sister's life like that. Daddy say something please." But daddy just kept quiet. Bhai rushed towards me angrily but he smiled gently when he saw me.
"Come on Meher. We have to go. You shouldn't get married now, you're too young." He gently took the Qur'an from my lap and gave it to Maulana Sahab then taking my hand, started towards the door.
"Mazhar stop it beta. Please. You cannot interrupt the Nikah like that." Mumma said...no pleaded while she stood at the door blocking our way.
"To late for that. It's already interrupted." He said angrily. "Please get out of our way Mumma."
"No. Mazhar, sorry. You know I've always fulfilled your every demand. Your my lovely son, but this demand of yours. No, I cannot."
"Don't you love Meher? Isn't she your lovely daughter too? Why do you hate her so much if you can love me?" Mumma looked away angrily and I felt like crying.
"I don't know about you but she's my sister and I love her, I won't let you destroy her future. Come shona(dear)." He picked me up but I pulled myself down slipping from his arms.
"Huh?"
"Qubool hai.(I do)" I said for the first time.
"Meher don't." Bhai said but Mumma gestured me to say twice again.
"Qubool hai."
Meher, shona please no!" Bhai sat down on his knees in front of me and covered my mouth. He looked soo sad. I don't like to see him sad, now I wanted to cry too. Mumma angrily gestured me to remove his hand. I was scared that she might beat me again if I don't do as she says, so I moved my face from his hand and quickly said-
"Qubool hai." For the final time.
"No!" Bhai yelled in frustration.
Everyone's hands raised in dua.
"Congratulations Yasmin. The Nikah is completed."
"No it's not! It's not fair. She's just a child." Bhai almost cried and hugged me. I didn't understand why he was soo sad. I got back from his hold and wiped his tears
"Mazhar bhai, I'm not going anywhere."
He looked at me confused.
"That's right, she's not going anywhere yet." Daddy said and then he told bhai everything that Rubina aunty said.
"But you still got them married?" Bhai asked angrily.
"Yes."
He walked towards Mumma and Daddy angrily. I was scared.
"No matter what you all say, I don't believe in this marriage. For me my sister doesn't belong to anyone and when the time comes, I'll protect her, even if I couldn't right now." He took my hand and made me follow him out. I did without a word.
Azlaan's POV,
We got back from the mosque, the Nikah was over. Now I was married to Meher Qadri. It felt weird. I don't hate her, but I never thought I'd marry her like this.
I changed my clothes and then Mom knocked my door.
"Azlaan darling, start packing your bags."
"Pack my bags? Why? Are we going somewhere?"
"Yes, we're moving to London with your father." She informed.
"London? But why? And what about Meher?" I asked confused.
"No need to worry about her. She'll be fine with her parents. She's none of our concern for now." She said almost disgustingly.
"I did say that she should stay with her parents till you complete your education and get a job. You'll be doing that in London. I did get you married to that brat at your father's wimp but I'm not compromising your future." She stated
And so, we 3 moved to London for 10 years. Leaving my bride and her family here waiting for us.....
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