Chapter 3

Anabia's POV

I was sitting on the lawn with Bua as we were waiting for Uncle Afzal.

When the gentle, cool breeze touched my skin, I felt my eyelids got heavy.  Soon, I dozed off.

"Bia, wake up" I was in deep sleep when Bua shook my shoulder.  I opened my eyes and saw I was on the lawn.  I didn't say anything and ran towards my room as I couldn't compromise with my sleep. I hopped on the bed and again drifted into a deep slumber.

My eyes opened from the notification sound of my phone. I rubbed my eyes and looked at the phone. It was 3:40. I ran to the washroom and took a shower.

I offered tahajjud prayer and started reciting the Quran. After fajr azaan, I pursued my fajr(morning) prayer and walked towards the terrace.

The cool breeze hit my nostrils and I remembered last night I slept on the lawn without seeing Uncle Afzal.  I didn't eat last night and my stomach was grumbling.

I made my way towards the kitchen, Bua was already there, preparing breakfast.

"Asslamalaikm bua" I hugged her from behind.

"Walekumasslam,  how was the night?" She smiled at me making paratha.

"Did Uncle Afzal come? " I asked picking a bottle of water from the refrigerator.

"Yes, he is sleeping. You want breakfast?" She asked and I nodded.

After breakfast, I went to Dadoo's room. He was mumbling something maybe he was reciting any surah.

"Asslamalaikm dadoo" I cupped his cheeks and he opened his eyes and nodded his head.

"How is uncle Afzal,  sorry last night I dozed off. I was tired dadoo " I said and sat on his bed.

"He was asking for you " he returned me a genuine smile.

"Does he know me" I widened my eyes and he smiled again.

"He was the best friend of your dad "

"Bia" I was playing with my rings when he called me.

"Huh?" I looked at him.  His face was full of unknown thoughts.

"Can I ask you something?" He said in a pleaded tone and I shot him a fake glare.

"Dadoo, you're my life. You don't need to ask anything me. Just order and I'll follow it" I said honestly.

"Do you trust me Bia?" He asked again.

"Dadoo,  what's wrong with you?" I said annoyingly. He was strangely behaving.

"Okay, then listen to me. I've decided..." He was cut off by someone.

  A tall handsome figure appeared,  he was probably Uncle Afzal. I greeted him and he hugged me. I was surprised but didn't say anything.  They both started talking and I  went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for him.

After breakfast, he asked me to sit with them.

"You're so beautiful Bia, you have adopted all the features of Waqar" he focused his eyes on me and I was awkwardly staring at my palm.

It was not the first time that someone complimented me. I have a beautiful pair of black eyes with thick long eyelashes,  a pointed nose, soft pink lips which I had adopted from my dad. And  I had inherited black wavy long hairs and white-pink complexion from my mother.

"Bia, we need to tell you something " Dadoo spoke and I turned my all attention to them.

"We've fixed your marriage with my son, today is your nikah" Uncle Afzal completed his sentence and I looked at him with my wide shocked eyes.

"Wh.. haatt " I swallowed the lumps of my throat. Maybe I heard wrong.

"I hope Bia, you won't disappoint me, right?" Dadoo looked at me with hopeful eyes.

"But dadoo, I'm only 15. How could I marry someone, I want to study,  I want to complete my dreams " I broke into tears.

"He is sixteen Bia and he is also a student, you'll continue your studies after marriage and my son is a nice guy" Uncle Afzal held my hands and gently squeezed them.

"But I.. I can't leave you alone dadoo" I cried.

"Bia, I've only a few days, please don't make it difficult for me, and you ain't going anywhere before my death," Dadoo said with a broken voice. 

I looked at dadoo. He was my everything. How could I disobey him?  It was like a punishment for me to marry at this age to a stranger. But I couldn't do anything. I promised him to give him anything he wants.  And he had full rights in my life.

"I'm ready dadoo," I said and ran straight towards my room. I snuggled into my pillow and cried vigorously.

Daniel's POV

I was watching Netflix when my phone buzzed.  It was my dad, I answered the call and put it on speaker.

"Good morning  dad "

"Good afternoon  Daniel" Oh we were in a different time zone.

"You want to talk to Maria, " I asked as usually we never talk. We were not on good terms. I didn't hate him but still I

couldn't forgive him for what he did to my mom.

"I want to talk to you" he replied nervously.

"Huh? " it was strange.

"I need to tell you something "

"What, you got a new wife for you in India?" I said sarcastically and I could feel his glare even from the screen.

"What nonsense " he grunted.

"Okay, now spit it out dad, I have another business to do," I said in a bored tone.

"Today is your nikah, be ready " he blurted out.

"Okay.. Wait ..What.. nikah...mine... you mean marriage,  right?" I was shocked.

"Yes, you heard right.  Be ready son" he said in a peaceful tone as he was offering me to come along for a dinner.

"This isn't funny dad " I rolled my eyes.

"This isn't a joke son, Anabia is a gem. She is only 15 yo.  She is perfect for you " he gave me the next shock.

"Dadddd " I screamed.

"You can't do this to me right,  I'm not a child anymore " I wanted to throw my phone on the wall.

"Okay, then I'll not give you a single penny from my property,  get lost from my home,  I don't want to see your face " he yelled.

Oh, this is what Maria always wanted. She knew that I'll be the next CEO of my business and she hated me, so she was playing a card.  But no Maria, I can't let you win this time.  I'll marry and make her life hell and I'm damn sure she'll leave me after my tortures.

I said to myself and an evil grin appeared on my face.

"Okay, I'm ready Mr. Afzal but remember you have to transfer five million dollars in my account before the nikah " now it was my time to play card.