Samar's POV

I step out of the shower, gazing out the window at the understated cityscape. The landscape stretches, with sparse buildings and vast agricultural lands beyond the hotel.Maryam's hometown is beautiful just like her.

As I towel-dry my hair – no dryer provided – my phone breaks the silence.

I look,its from Maryam.

Love:I want to meet you.

I smile, typing: "Thank you, Love. You finally responded to me."

I gave a phone to Maryam's sister so I can talk to her.Only I know how I spent 4 days without talking to her.I thought I would go crazy if I didnt talk to her.

But Maryam on the other hand doesnt like me.She thinks me as a problem that needs to be taken care of and get rid of.

Me :Meet... We just met at your house, but you ran away seeing me as if I'm a ghost.

Maryam ignores my message.

Love:Olive Garden near Khan Chauk.

Me: Love, listen to me. How's your hand? You burnt it.

I recall the incident – she spilled tea on her fingers, shocked,finding out that its me who came for her wedding proposal.

Love:Sent a car for me.

Me: Love, I appreciate the meeting idea, but at least reply to my messages.

Love:And also ask Ammi's permission.

We havent even married but she commamds me like a wife already.I smile.

Me:Permission for what?

Love:Meeting me. She won't reject if you ask.

Me:Why?

Love:Because you're rich. She won't upset a wealthy man who is marrying her daughter.

Me: I appreciate how honest and straightforward you are.

.............

I sit at a cozy table in Olive Garden, scanning the entrance for Maryam. 8 am sharp, but she's running late.

My chauffeur should have picked her up by now. I glance at my watch,impatience building.

Finally Maryam walks in. Her elegant black abaya and crisp white hijab command attention. Her expression, however, is guarded, serious.

As she approaches, I stand, flashing a warm smile. "Hi, Love."

Maryam's eyes narrow, her tone laced with skepticism. "Are you serious?How can you show up at my house for a wedding proposal."

"You seem angry,Love." I say.

"My name is Maryam,not love.Do you understand."  She says her small nose red in anger.

" I know your name is Maryam Ahmed.I know your birthday is on february 9.I know your favourite flowers are roses.I know you love chocolates,I know you like reading romance books and watching cringe K dramas.I even know you dont like egg yolk,and your favourite book is Pride and Prejudice." I look into her eyes," Do you wanna know anything else about you.Love."

" Listen it is going too far.You are here ,in my hometown,miles away from Delhi.You cant be serious." She says as if she is panicking.

"Let's put this bandage on your fingers first, and then we can talk," I say, concern etched on my face.

"My hand is fine now," she replies, but I notice the redness and burn marks.

"No, it's not," I insist, pulling out the bandage from my pant pocket. "You haven't dressed it since yesterday. You're being careless."

She looks up, and I hold her gaze, firm. "Let me put it on, or I'm leaving. If you want to talk, you have to listen to me."

She sighs, settling into her chair. "Give me."

I hand her the bandage, and she struggles to wrap it around her fingers.

After wrapping it she turns to me,
"You're saying no to this marriage,"

"I won't," I reply. "Alina Aunty said I should marry before turning 27."

"Then marry someone else," Maryam yells in frustration.

"But you're beautiful. I want to marry you," I tease.

"Every girl is beautiful. You can marry anyone except me," she responds.

"For example?" I ask for fun.

"Someone like Ahana, who matches your background." Maryam replies.

"Love, that's hurtful. You look down on me,you think I am outcaste." I tease.

"I was talking about me," Maryam corrects, urgent. "I don't deserve you. I'm not even proper middle-class; I'm lower than that."

"You're making excuses," I pout. "You have no reason to say no to my proposal."

"I'll take money from your father if he offers it to leave you," Maryam says.

"What?" I chuckle.

"Haven't you seen K-dramas? Rich boyfriend's parents offer money for the girl to leave their son," Maryam explains.I laugh watching her efforts to turn me down.I know she would never do that,never.She is a girl that doesnt bother about money.

"You're saying I'm your boyfriend. Exciting," I tease.

"I was just giving an example," Maryam rolls her eyes.

"Love,dont waste your time,its too late.I will not say no.We are getting married on 20 june.Its final." I say.

" What?" Maryam shouts and I can observe that she has no idea about this.

"20th june.You guys already fixed everything.Where is my opinion in this ?" Maryam says her face pale.

" I thought your mother informed you.She gave this date herself." I inform her.

Maryam remain silent,her eyes somewhere on table,she is lost in thoughts.

"Don't marry me," she breaks the silence, her eyes locked on mine, brimming with hope.

I avert my gaze, unable to bear the intensity.

"Please, Samar," she requests, her voice barely above a whisper.

The way she says my name sends shivers down my spine. If she asked for anything else, I'd grant it without hesitation.Anything in the world,except for this.

But this one wish, I cannot fulfill. I'm trapped in my own desires,I am being selfish.I have gone too far for her,I know.I have hurt Maryam and Rayan.I know I know everything.Thats why I didnt fight back to Rayan that day.I deserved it.

To distract Maryam I reply," You call my name so beautifully.I love it."

"I hate you," Maryam spits, her face ablaze with anger.

"Hate is still a feeling, Love," I say, smiling. "I'm glad you have feelings for me. That's enough for me."

"I don't hate people easily," Maryam retorts, her voice sharp. "If I hate you, it's not a good thing for you."

"You don't hate me," I counter, my tone gentle. "You can't hate people. You're a loving and caring person. It's just not you."

"And its you forcing me to marry you.This is what your personality is." She replies in anger.

Maryam's silence is deafening. I attempt to lighten the mood.

"I'm getting our order. I'm starving," I say, standing up. "I skipped breakfast, too excited to see you."

As I approach the counter, Maryam's gaze locks onto mine, her eyes blazing with rage. But in an instant, her expression transforms. She strides towards me, her pace quickening with each step.

She grasps my hand, sending electricity through my veins.

Maryam's grip tightens, her eyes wide with fear. She pulls me behind the counter.Suddenly, a gunshot shatters the air.I cover her ear as gunshots increases. Screams erupt around us.

The cashier yells  "Hide in the store room! Now!"He is hiding behind a table.

I grab Maryam's arm, and we dash into the store room. The door creaks shut behind us, muffling the chaos.

"Are you okay,Love?" I ask still holding her hand.

Maryam's eyes flash with anger. "No, I'm not okay because you won't let me be," she says, her voice trembling.She pulls her hand away from mine.

"Have you any idea what could have happened?" she continues, her words spilling out in a rush. "You could have been shot! You're not just anyone, Samar.You can't just roam around like an ordinary person."

Maryam's voice cracks with desperation. "Please, go back to Delhi. Don't escalate my problems further. Your presence here only puts you in danger."

I gaze deeply into her eyes. "People don't care about someone they hate the way you're caring about me, love."

Maryam's expression turns stern, her voice firm. "Samar, please,its not a time to joke.Be serious."

My tone softens, surrendering to her plea. "Okay, Calm down,Maryam.I'll leave."

Maryam's shoulders relax slightly, relief flickering across her face.

The police arrive, swiftly taking control of the situation. The accused has escaped, but the officers assure us they'll do everything to apprehend the culprit.

As I provide my statement, my gaze never wavers from Maryam. Her expression remains etched with worry.

I feel a pang of regret, realizing my actions may have put her in harm's way.

"I should have been more careful," I think to myself.

I approach Maryam, remorseful. "I'm sorry, I should have been more careful with my security."

Maryam's tone remains low, her words laced with frustration. "Your words are worthless now. Because of you, I missed my favorite dessert. The bakery closed, and Rumi will kill me."

"What's your favorite dessert?" I ask.

"Milk cake," Maryam replies, then turns to leave.

I glance around, spot a person, and ask them to bring milk cake. Luckily, they have two containers left. I buy both.

Maryam returns, surprised. "What are you doing?"

"Buying your favorite dessert," I reply, smiling. "Can I borrow your phone? Mine's dead."

I make the online payment, and Maryam gasps. "Are you serious? You linked your bank account to this phone?"

Her eyes widen. "Why would you do that?"

"I already linked it, so I won't have to after our wedding." I reply.

Maryam's gaze locks onto mine, shock etched on her face. She freezes for a few seconds before I break the silence.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I ask.

Maryam's eyes flash with a hint of anger. "Don't think I'll be impressed by your money and agree to this marriage. I won't. I don't care how wealthy you are, okay? You can win my mother's heart with money, but not mine."

I smile calmly, unfazed by her outburst.

"You're right," I say. "I should win your heart with love, not money."

I look into her eyes and she looks away.

Our banter is interrupted by the barista. "Your order is here!"

Maryam's POV

I sit on the rooftop, the cold floor seeping into my feet. The darkness surrounds me, mirroring my numb mind. My phone buzzes, breaking the silence. It's Anaya's call.I tell her about the whole incident that happened in olive garden this morning.

"Maryam, instead of convinsing him to not marry you, you saved his life and gave him another impression. Amazing," Anaya says, her tone laced with sarcasm.

I sigh, my voice barely above a whisper. "Anaya, be serious. I'm still traumatized. If something had happened to him... I couldn't live my life. His arrival in our hometown is connected to me, directly or indirectly."

Anaya's tone turns somber. "What next?"

She relay the devastating news. "Chachi's not listening to anyone. She asked me to come for the wedding functions."

I burst into tears, despair overwhelming me. "I hate Rayan's mother. My dreams  shattered because of her."

Anaya's voice cracks with sadness. "I wish I had not taken you to Suhana's birthday that day. None of this would've happened."

The regret in her voice resonates deeply.

"There must be a way out of this," Anaya says, desperation in her voice.

"I've decided to marry Samar," I announce, resignation weighing heavily on my words.

Anaya's tone turns frantic. "What? How can you even think of it? He's a horrible person. He hurt you so much. How can you forget?"

Tears stream down my face as I reply, "I don't have another option, Anaya. If I did, I would have taken it by now. I'm trapped. Ammi is not listening to me and Samar,he will never refuse to marry me.Its my destiny. I have to accept it."

Anaya's silence is palpable, her dismay evident.

"You should ask Rayan for help,He will marry you." Anaya suggests.

I shake my head, tears streaming down. "I can't, Anaya. You know Rayan's mother. She ruined my life even when Rayan and I weren't together. If I marry Rayan, imagine what she'll do. Rayan will have to choose between me and her."

I sob, the weight of my decision crushing me. "I don't want to put us through that. Marrying Samar is my escape. I know he doesn't love me; it's just attraction that will fade with time. Rich people change their minds often, and after getting bored with me, he'll divorce me. By then, I'll have cleared my exams and won't be financially dependent on anyone."

I take a deep breath, resignation etched on my face. "It's an escape, Anaya. An escape from Ammi's toxic rules and theories. A chance to break free." Tears well up in my eyes. "I know marrying Samar damages my dignity, but at least I'll have an option to save myself from a marriage arranged by dowry."

My voice cracks as I continue, sobbing. "I'm aware I'm using one form of oppression to escape another. But what choice do I have?"