Emotional

"Who was he Firdaus? Tell your Ammi" mom softly asked me as she made me sit on her bed. I had stopped crying. I was tensed with all that happened.

"You should speak up beta. Or else you now that I can't help you. I don't know what happened? Even Asad is not picking up your brothers calls. Tell me before the matter goes out of hand." Mom pleaded. Dad and bhai where angry and shocked with the situation. Dad asked me calmly but it sounded more like a growl.

"Ammi, I... he...he was..." and again tears started burning in my lids.

"Shhh... calm down." She rubbed my back as she sat next to me.

"Ammi... he blackmailed me. He... h... he was stalking me and wanted me to. run away with him." I told her sniffing in between. She was listening quietly.

"When did this started?" She asked.

"Four years back." I replied.

"I wanted to tell you Ammi but he threatened me that he would harm my loved ones." Firdaus cried. Her mom thought that only if she knew to which family she belongs to. Firdaus told her everything from starting to which her mom listened carefully. After she was done. She hugged her and consoled her. That night both mom and daughter had slept together as Firdaus was shivering badly. It was clear that her innocent child had gone through so much alone and she was way naive when it came to men's.

After many attempts Firdaus finally fell in to the dark slumber of sleep.

Next day....

When Firdaus got up from her sleep in the morning it was past twelve. Her mom was also not beside her. She quickly got out of the bed and went to her room. After freshening up she quickly dressed in.

Ya Allah! I am so sorry! I forgot my Fajr (morning) prayers today.

She went down only to find the maids and servant running around the house as they were busy decorating the whole house. All the memories of yesterday hit on to her as she nervously got down. Her father was talking to someone on phone. Rafay bhai was nowhere in sight. Her mom was in the kitchen.

"Firdaus" her dad called her seeing her standing near stairs. She looked at him and he motioned her to come near him. Softly she padded towards her father.

"How are your beta?" He asked her, to which she nodded her head. And hugged him tight. He understood that his daughter was little bit emotional at that moment so he didn't extend it any further.

"Firdaus come fast your breakfast is ready. Have it. The beauticians would be coming any moment." Her mother rambled.

"Yes Ammi." She replied. Breaking the hug her father lovingly patted her head.

Sitting near the mirror she gazed at herself. She looked beautiful. The red attire just made her look more tempting. The beauticians had done a great work. And why wouldn't she look good? Whole day all she did was resting as the girls did her pedicure, manicure, clean-up and what not.

But besides this she was scared. Her heart felt light. Her life was little bit open to her now. Ashton was out of her life and she didn't have him to bother her anymore. But something was not right. She didn't know that how would Asad react if he saw her now. Would he accept her or give in to misunderstanding? No matter what! This time she would not give up. She would fight it if she has to. She will make him understand her situation and that she didn't do it on purpose. She will confess her love to him tonight. She felt happy. For once in her life she saw herself in the mirror as Asad's wife. She was his. She was his bride.

Thanks, Allah!

Once again, she looked at herself in the mirror. She was expecting that everything will go well. Inshallah. All the beauticians left. She was alone. Anytime she would go down. It would be a small ritual and then her family would bid her farewell. There was a knock on her door. When she responded the door opened only to reveal her father. Today he really looked like he had grown old. He had sadness etched on his face. He slowly came towards her. She could already feel her eyes wet as she looked at his face.

"So, my beta would leave me today." He spoke as he sat on the bed.

"Papa..." she whispered, trying to keep her tears at bay. It looked like he was defeated.

"I would always wish your best baccha. (child). Remember to always tell me about any problem you face. No matter how big or small just do tell me." He told me. She quietly nodded her head.

"Firdaus?" Her mom came in. She looked at her with adoration.

"Rehan? Are you making her cry? If yes then don't because you will spoil her make up." Her mom scolded his dad although already her eyes were full. He sadly chuckled at that.

"No matter what! This house won't be house if you are gone baby." Her mom told as her father only nodded and diverted his eyes somewhere else.

After the rituals were done it was time for Firdaus to leave with her husband. All the while Asad ignored her although everyone had heard the gasp that left his mouth when he saw her in the bridal outfit but then he masked it like he does every time.

When Firdaus sat in the car she saw that her parents were conversing about something with Asad's parents. Just then her brother appeared. Whole day he had disappeared only to appear now.

"Where were you?" She asked in between her sobs.

"Shhhh... you know that I can't see you cry. Right? I just face you and keep quiet when I know that you would be leaving us." He spoke sadly.

"No. You won't miss me. I know as you are always out of home." She whispered wiping her cheeks.

"It's not that way Firdaus. We guys don't show emotions easily like you girls do. Stop crying please." He said softly. She nodded her head.

"Now listen carefully. I didn't get the chance to tell you but if anything like this happens again you come to me-" he was interrupted in between as Asad spoke.

"Nothing like that would be happening. I assure you Rafay. I promise." He promised. His eyes cold and his jaws hard.

"Take care of her Asad." With that both of them hugged each other and bid their farewell.

*********

In the bed room....

Firdaus was nervous. She could tell it easily that Asad was angry at her. The way he avoided her was not something that she didn't felt. He left her in the car and walked away to his room. He didn't even smile once at her. She was worried. What was he thinking? She wanted to clear everything tonight with him. She can't live like this. She was thinking when the door opened only for the maid to come in.

She asked her that why she was here and the maid replied her with a few words that shattered her hopes tonight.

"Sir told me to bring his track pants and t shirt to his guest room."

"Why?" She asked the maid.

"Sir told that he is sleeping there." With that she took what Asad asked her to bring and left.