Chapter-24 Acceptance

Zuby's POV

As I enter my husband's house which is also my new house now, the first words I hear break my heart. I don't know who she is but she is definitely very angry at someone... my husband?? I can't see around properly because of the sehra.

"What in the world were you thinking before becoming the groom and marrying the girl who was supposed to get married to your own brother?" My heart is pounding furiously and it seems to come out of my chest any minute now, am I married to the wrong person? Is this marriage even legal? Have I already become a reason of rift between this family? Did one brother betray the other because of me? A sea of questions was swirling in my mind when I hear more of the same woman's voice...

"I can't believe you can go to this level...And you Bilal of all the people...you also broke our trust..."I wonder who Bilal is? Then I hear a male voice...

"Mom it is not what you are thinking please let us explain first" He was cut off by the same female voice...

"What explanation will you give Arhan?? We were humiliated back at the bride's home when everyone saw the groom." Arhan???Who is he? Is he my husband? I don't recognize any of these voices and I feel like my head is spinning in confusion then I hear a voice I think I have heard before...it's another guy...

"We never meant to humiliate you both mom..." this one was also cut off mid-sentence by an authoritative male voice...

"Just shut up Ayaan...." Ayaan??? Did I hear right?? And is he the same Ayaan I know?? Oh Allah what is happening? It's not even five minutes since I entered this house and people are already arguing with each other because of my marriage to God knows who?

Between all the confusion I couldn't budge from my place, I was able to make out that Adila and Sagarika have been trying to pull me in but I seem to have stuck at one place. Then I hear the first male voice again...

"Mom and dad please let's talk about this in a while, at least let Zuby enter the house and settle first. No matter what she is still the new bride in our house." I hear the lady hiss...

"You are talking of the new bride? I believed her to be your wife and then I get the shocker of my life that your brother married her. I doubt how much she knows of all this and how much my liking towards her will remain any more..." my heart sank to a whole new level but she was interrupted before she could complete and I heard a very furious man speak...

"Enough mom...I know you are upset and you have every right to be angry with me but Zuby knows nothing of this so you better leave her out of this and anyway I will not tolerate anything wrong said about my wife, not even by you." This was definitely Ayaan and now I felt dizzy before I tried to balance myself I heard Sagu scream my name...I felt everything around me went black for a second but then I regained my balance by holding on to Sagu tightly. Everyone was quiet for a moment then I heard the same woman speak...by now I was sure she is my mother in law...

"Adila take her in and give her some water" this time she didn't sound as angry as before. This time I let Adila guide me in as I have no energy left in me to stand here anymore.

As I walk I realize my husband's room is upstairs but with the help of Sagu and Adila I climb up the stairs with both of them holding my gharara so that I don't trip. As we reach inside Adila helps me settle on the bed. Finally after so long I speak...

"Who is my husband? And what was all this chaos about?" I hear Adila sigh as she sits beside me. But Sagu is the one to answer me...

"You are married to Ayaan...the same guy you know...and before you panic let me tell you that your marriage is legal and your nikah was done with Ayaan only...." I patiently wait for her to continue...

"And the chaos is because his parents had fixed your marriage with their elder son. The rest of the story is not mine to tell. Just promise me you will hear him out when he talks to you" I stayed quiet and just nod my head as yes.

We were again sitting in complete silence when Adila gave me water to drink; I had it in one gulp out of nervousness. There were still many questions on my mind but guess it is still not the time to get any answers.

There was a knock at the door and someone called Sagu for dinner. Adila asked me to relax while she will get dinner for me too. I wanted to say that I don't need food right now but answers, then I preferred staying quiet. I closed my eyes trying to relax myself, with so much happening around and this sehra was suffocating me even more but I have to wait for my husband to come first so that he removes it. It is a family tradition they have as Adila informed me, the groom removes his bride's sehra and then give her a gift after seeing her face for the first time as his wife. I don't know when but I dozed off in between my thoughts.

Ayaan's POV

I was impatiently pacing back and forth while Bhai (Arhan) And Bilal Bhai was talking to mom and dad. Mom had clearly said after Zuby went to my room that she does not want to talk to me. I was ready to walk out but Bhai held my hand and asked me to stay while he talks. I had requested Bhai, Adila Appi and Bilal Bhai to not tell mom and dad that Zuby was the same girl I have been searching for all these years. I don't want this to slip out of anyone's mouth in front of Zuby because I have no idea how she will react to this piece of information. And to be honest I don't think I will like to hear her say that she does not remember anything about me. As silly as it sounds but it might break my heart to know she does not remember the boy who proposed her at the age of five. So as of now I don't want to deal with more complications in my life. As I have always believed for now my love will be enough for both of us. And I am sure sooner or later she will fall in love with me. I tune myself back to the discussion going on here with my parents and hear my brother take a stand for me...

"Mom please try and understand that Zuby was being ill-treated by her uncle and his family and we could not let them know that Ayaan loves her. They would have never agreed to let her marry someone who loves her." My parents looked at Bhai with wide eyes and I could make it was not something easy to accept. And mom confirmed my analysis by saying...

"I can't believe this Arhan, why would they ill-treat her. They have always seemed to be so caring towards Zuby" Bhai shook his head and said...

"I know it's hard to believe but it's the truth..."Bhai was cut off by dad...

"All this still does not justify Ayaan's plan, out of all the girls he had to fall in love with the one we chose for you? And don't you both give me this love at first sight sh*t story" I was not able to take in dad's harsh words and accepted the fact that no matter what anyone says my parents will continue blaming me. I finally decided not to take anymore of all this and turned to walk away. Adila Appi stood right behind me and held my hand and dragged me towards mom and dad. I tried to resist but her hold was firm, everyone looked in her direction and she said...

"I think instead of discussing about the past let's look at the brighter side of things. Phuppu(Aunt) just as you wanted, Zuby is still your daughter in law. So what if she is married to Ayaan and not Arhan? I trust my brother to take care, love and respect that beautiful soul. And what is her fault in all this? Why did we not give her the welcome she deserved? Why didn't you talk to her like a mother? You know she lost both her parents at a very young age I am sure she craves for a mother's love, a father's affection. C'mon Phuppu you can't blame her or make her suffer for something she is not responsible for. It's not her fault that Ayaan loves her, nor is it her fault that Arhan stood for his brother." I was awestruck to hear my sister say all this, she was not disrespectful but her voice was steady. Bhai on the other hand has been trying to convince mom and dad since almost an hour and each time they would just cut him out but when Adila Appi spoke they just didn't interrupt her. I really love her and surely am blessed to have her as my elder sister. It seemed as everyone was quiet since ages though actually just a couple of minutes had passed when dad finally broke the ice…

"The reception will still be next weekend. Fatima make sure everyone is informed that Ayaan got married and not Arhan. I don't want any more confusion." Mom instantly agreed then looked into Adila Appi's eyes and said...

"Send your brother to his room, Zuby must be tired wearing the sehra for so long. And I hope he has a gift for her." I couldn't stop my smile as I understood that my parents will surely love Zuby plus they have accepted the fact that she is innocent. And their feelings for me are a topic of discussion some other day. I sigh leaves my lips and tell mom...

"I have something for her and thank you mom" she didn't reply back just left behind dad.

Adila Appi patted my back and asked me to go to my room and talk to Zuby. She also told me that Sagarika has already informed Zuby that she got married to me. Adila Appi warned me to be ready to answer her questions and bear with it in case she gets upset or angry with me.

Before walking to my room I decided to meet Sagar and Sagarika, I wanted to make sure they had dinner. The twins were actually waiting for me and I told them that my parents are fine with Zuby and actually that's what's more important. I thanked the siblings for helping me and also for always being there for Zuby. They waved me good bye and went out. I reached my room not before grabbing Zuby's suitcase from my car. I stood at my door for a few minutes; I was not sure how I will begin. Gathering all the courage in my being I knocked at my door...there was no response so I knocked again. But even the second time there was no response so I just opened the door and entered. I was surprised to see my room all decorated like a room for newlyweds. I knew no one else but Bhai would have arranged this. I smiled and made a mental note to thank him for this in the morning. Then my eyes landed on my wife, there she was on my bed in her beautiful golden gharara. As I reached closer I could hear her soft breathing and understood that she fell asleep. Not wanting to disturb her I quietly moved towards my wardrobe and took out a pair of grey sweatpants and black t shirt for myself and slipped into my bathroom to change. I will just wait for her to wake up so that we can talk and I can answer all her questions.