Hey guys here's another update. Do like share and comment, please...
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Shiza's POV (Edited)
One month had gone passed. Kulsoom khala's sudden demise took a very big toll on me. I couldn't fathom anything. I was just a lifeless body trying to work past through life. I have zero intention of coping up.
But Shah Zain never left my side. He was always there taking care of me. He was there in my lowest times and gave me hope and strength. He would stay up with me the whole night when I would face a horrible nightmare.
He never once complaint about his lack of sleep. Although, one could clearly see the big eye bags under his eyes.
His mother and Zarnish often tried asking him about it. He would always made an excuse of work. He was doing it all for me. He knows that I don't want anyone to know about my condition. I don't want to face the pitying. I hate it!
He obliged my request and since then he had been the only one to know about my real condition. I had shown everyone that I had overcome my grief. But it's just a lie. I would never be able to cope up from it. I will need years to settle down to the truth that my khala had left this world.
She will never be coming back. She will not be there at the house waiting for me to come and meet them. I will never see her smiling face or the way her eyes lit up when she saw me coming to meet her. I would never be able to rest my head on her lap and listen to her reciting Quran.
I would never be able to hear her sweet voice. I would never be able to eat the tasty food made by her hands. She left but her memories are here to stay with us for eternity. I would never forget her motherly touch to me. She was my mother and father. Without her I wouldn't have survived the cruelties of this world.
She acted like a shield to me, protecting me from the lies, hurt and betrayals of the world. She made me strong enough to face them too.
So from now on, no one can belittle me. I will not tolerate any bad words towards myself or my family members. That once innocent, silent Shiza is gone. The Innocence is gone now. Now, I will fight for my rights and my respect.
My khala raised me to fight not hide in a corner. If someone will have any problem with me than they'll have to say it to my face directly. I will clear their misunderstanding. No one had the right to disrespect me or belittle me anywhere. I'm a human and have a certain breaking point.
That breaking point is crossed now. Now, they will face a new Shiza. I'm tired of listening to them insulting me. I have remained quiet because I don't want any of them to humiliate my khala because of me. But now, she was gone. I have no one except Bisma. I will protect her with my all might and I will fight. I will not be let down easily now. I will counter back.
I will not back down now...
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I was setting the bed-sheet when my phone went off. As I checked the caller, a small smile made its way on my lips. I answered the phone before greeting
"Asalamualikum!"
His smooth voice reached my ears soon enough
"Walailkum asalam. What were you doing?"
I sighed before answering
"Nothing just setting the bed-sheet."
He hummed in response before asking subtly
"So, how's everyone?"
I know the subtle hint in his voice. He wasn't asking about the usual stuff rather he was asking if anything happens out of ordinary. Well, so far nothing has happened so I answered him positively
"Everything is ok... When will you come home?"
His voice reached my ears after some moment
"I have just have another meeting. After that I'll be free to come. Also, I need to ask you something?"
My eyebrows furrowed together before I asked him
"What is it?"
After a second, he stated
"Can you make biryani for me today? I have a sudden craving for it."
A smile made its way of my lips. How time had passed? First he wouldn't eat anything made by my hands and now he himself asking me to make something for him.
Indeed, those who wait will receive the best only. I nodded my head although he couldn't see me. I then stated happily
"Ok, I'll make it. Come home soon."
He chuckled before humming in response and I hang up the phone. I seriously can't believe how far we have come in our relationship.
Our relationship that started from hate had now started to change into something different. Something I still couldn't pin point. But we are now civil. Infact, we have passed that civil phase too.
We act like a normal happy married couple. Maybe, it's because we both have accepted our fate and now are trying to make our relationship work. Which is why it is working too. He had apologized for his behavior countless times now and I have forgiven him.
I am not the one who hold grudges. Holding grudges will achieve us nothing but doubts and regrets. Our lives are already short. Why waste it on trivial matters? We can enjoy our lives so much without involving these unnecessary agreements in between.
I placed the phone back on the dresser before exiting the room. It's already 6 in the evening. I have to prepare the dinner. I closed the door before descending downstairs to the kitchen..
***
I was busy preparing the chicken gravy for the biryani. No one was present in the kitchen. Everyone was either in living room or their own rooms respectively. The maids had also gone to their head quarters since at night, the dinner is prepared by the house members only.
I was busy chopping the onions for the salad when I heard footsteps coming inside the kitchen. I thought it was Kinza since no one came here when they saw me working here.
So, I paid no heed to it and remained busy in my own work. I almost forgot the other presence in the room if not the person decided to make his presence known
"Quit the act, will you?"
I knew that voice. I turned around and saw her standing their with her arms crossed around her chest. Zarnish. I don't know what's her problem is? Why can't she let me live in peace? I never butted in her matters. I stared at her for few moments before resuming back to my work.
I don't want to indulge in useless arguments. I have better things to take care of. But she was in another mood. She came close to me before jerking my arm off causing me to drop the knife on the plate.
I snatched my arm off her before a look of surprise washed over her. She snickered dryly before mocking me
"Quite feisty han!!"
Her voice rose fo particular extent. I rolled my eyes. Allah! What is her problem? She glared hard at me before muttering
"You are a gold digger. You came here or steal everything from us. Infact, you have stolen almost everything. But I won't let you steal Shah Zain from me. I like him and he will always be mine."
Her words made me surprise and shock. She likes Shah Zain. But why didn't he ever tell me that? Why didn't he ever once talk about it? This is such a big deal. But I didn't let my surprise expression come on my face.
I crossed my arms around my chest before answering causally
"Stop these nonsense talks, Zarnish. He's a married man, now."
My speech didn't falter but my insides were churning. Shah Zain never told me that Zarnish has feelings for him. What if he also had feelings for him? The thought only made me sad. He wasn't honest with me.
Her nostrils flared before she stated angrily
"He could a married man for all I care. He is mine! I won't let a poor characterless girl like you take him away from me."
I don't know what came over me but the next thing I did was slapped her. I landed a tight and strong slap on her cheek. Her face turned sideways. I told you that you will face new Shiza now. I won't stand hearing inappropriate words about me. Surprise was cleared on her face.
She looked like a deer caught in red light. Her eyes were wide and her mouth was opening and closing like a fish. I pointed my finger at her before making myself clear.
My voice steady yet determined
"Don't you ever talk this bad about me. You have no right to call me a character less girl. I won't tolerate you insulting me whenever you like. I'm the daughter in law of this family. I too have some position here. I am the wife of Shah Zain Mir whether you like it or not."
At my speech, she was visibly shook. Her face expressions said it all. She wasn't expecting me to counter back. But enough is enough. I have reached my breaking point. I won't let anyone walked over me again..
****
I exited the kitchen fuming with anger but before I could make my way to the garden, someone pulled me back. I winced at the sudden force but when I turned around to see who it was, I sighed. It was Zohra aunty.
She was glaring hard at me but for once her glare didn't scare me. I'm not afraid of her anymore. She then seethed at me
"Apologize her."
Zarnish came out of the kitchen. She smirked in my direction before taking a stand beside Zohra aunty. I turned to Zohra aunty before shaking my head and answering
"No, I won't."
She looked at me with shock. Her grip also loosened causing me to take a step back. She came out of her shock before asking me
"What did you say?"
I sighed before repeating every word loudly and clearly
"I'm not asking for forgiveness. I didn't do anything wrong."
At my words, Zohra aunty fumed with anger before grabbing my wrists and applying pressure on them with her nails. Her pointy nails dug hard into my skin but I refused to show my pain.
I am not weak. She can't hurt me anymore. I looked straight into her eyes. She finally left my wrists before glowering
"Who do you think you are? You are nothing but a poor girl who had came here to steal everything from us. Didn't you learn your lesson from the previous incidents?"
Her words rang in my ears. So much venom dripping from her words. The other members had also came here because of the commotion. But no one said anything. Everyone knows what was happening. Shehnaz Ammi also remained quiet.
Maybe, she wants me to fight it on my own. And it was my battle. I will fight it alone. Zarnish decided to say something this time
"You are a gold digger. You want to rule our Haveli. You don't care for anyone. You just cares for luxury."
I glared at her before stating
"You give you a right to say all of this. How would you feel is someone said the same thing to you?"
"My daughter is not like you at all."
Lubna Chachi's harsh voice reached my ears. But I refused to silent. So, I stated
"Your daughter is not like me but the way she is reacting to me, it concludes that she is even worse than me."
Lubna Chachi gasped before warning angrily
"Zaban sambhalo apni, larki."
(Watch your tongue, girl.)
I didn't say anything. Zarnish then stated
"Shah Zain has turned blind eyed. God knows what have to done to him?"
I chuckled before questioning her
"Are you still living in the old times? I did nothing. He finally realized that I'm not like you all pictured me as. His eyes are finally open now."
Zarnish chuckled and Zohra aunty stated
"My son will never accept you, girl. His standards are not that low."
Her words were so edgy but they fail to make me falter. I answered without missing a beat
"Then he must have lowered his standards because your son had accepted me as his wife. Believe it or not."
Zohra aunty clenched her teeth in anger before slapping my cheek. It was so sudden that I couldn't react on time. She seethed at me
"My son will never like you. I have done so many things to get rid of you. My plan also work. You were believed to be stealing my necklace when in reality I took it back from the shop. Everyone believed me then and everyone will still believe me now."
She was so lost in anger than she didn't realize that everyone had already listen to her words. Her facade was broken. Loud gasps were heard before she realized her mistake. She looked so embarrassed.
But before anyone could say anything, a chilling cold tone voice reached everyone ears
"Is that true, mama?"....
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Well, that was dramatic. Do vote comment and share.
I'll see you soon
Allah Hafiz
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