Hi ..
This isn't just a story there is a purpose behind writing this.
Like Shahwar and Salah, there are other people who get engaged at a very young age or they get their marriage fixed when they don't even know the spelling of marriage.It is somehow found in our society that when a girl is born the boy's parent decide that she'll be their daughter-in-law.The children are so young when they are tied to eachother.What if they don't want to marry each other when they grow up, what if they don't like each other, what if they love someone else ,Like Salah..
And maybe one just wait for their lovers like Shahwar .. there could be so many consequences..
I just don't know.. Just wanted to share this.. and we need to understand this..!! :(

***
Bare foot I stepped on the wet grass as it tickled me.A dark silhouette sitting on the charpoy bed as I made my way across the garden.The long open hair swishing with the wind.

I sat besides the large man on a comfy cushion chair.He turned to look at me, a frown forming on his face.His charcoal eyes trained on me as I passed him the coffee mug.Taking my own mug in my hand I traced the rim of the brown mug.Arsalan's face turned up to the sky as he muttered,

"How does it feel?"

"What"I whispered softly.My eyes fixed on the dark night.

"To not get married to the one you love.To have your heart broken."He said.

"It feels as if I've set myself on fire.Everything reminds me of the unfateful night of my life.The decorated house and sweets and smiling faces.Everything just reminds me of..of something I wanted..of someone I've loved.He's just broken me into so many piece that I am scattered all around and I don't plan to collect myself.And it feels amazing all the way round."I swallowed down my dry throat.Drinking a large gulp of the hot content I revised all the moments of pain.

Arsalan seemed to be in his own thoughts as his mouth twitched.We drank our coffee in silence after that.

"Shahwar..Why would you want Salah to marry Talia?You love him how could you just give him away."He questioned after a while.I remained silent,thinking and then I said,

"Because I want to see him happy."

Arsalan didn't seem to be satisfied by my answer as he shook his head his eyes observing me.

"Shahwar.. don't ..just don't.You can't fool me okay.You'll just let him go because you want to see him happy."

I stood up from my seat.Taking the mug from his hand I placed it on the tray turning away from him, I whispered softly as my tears were at bay,

"Sometimes letting go is the only choice you're given."

I walked back in the house.Switching off the lights in the kitchen I made my way to the stairs.The flower decoration caught my attention as it dangled from the walls.My hands reached the soft artificial materials as I pulled at them making them detached from the wall and form a pool around me.I grabbed at them all pulling them harshly as my tears slipped.After my short break down I ran upstairs to sleep.

***

"Shahwar, are you sure ?"Daadi Maa whispered to me for the hundredth time.And I nodded my head assuring her.

It had been two days since I told Uncle Aunty to marry Salah with whom he wishes.Now everyone was in the main hall gathered to come to a conclusion, including Salah and Talia.

The guest had been gone as there was no wedding and the decoration and fairy lights were also removed.Uncle Yousuf was still not talking to Salah he was very angry at him.But he did smile when I came to sit with everyone for dinner.

"Yousuf, the decision is yours and Meena.If you want then you can agree there is no need to pressurize anyone.What happened two days ago cannot be erased from anyone's mind.But we have to come to a conclusion.Do what is right for the children and their happiness."Daadi Maa spoke grabbing everyone's attention.

I bit my inner cheeks as I fumbled with my thumbs, rotating then around each other.My eyes downcast.Uncle sighed besides me before he cleared his throat.

"Salah.I am not very happy how you have disrespected all of us and especially Shahwar.You have abjected me infront of my own brother and family.But you love Talia and if the girl agrees then we are to arrange your engagement with her."Uncle Yousuf said.My heart skipped a beat as I saw Salah's lips form in a wide smile.Never in the past days I had seen him smile so wide.The simple gesture pulled at my heart's string making me avert my eyes to my mehndi full hands.

"I am sorry for what I did Abba but in future I won't do anything that brings shame to your name.I love Talia and we can have an engagement soon.Whenever you say."His voice that I had come to love reached my ears.

"Very well then."Uncle said.

"Um..Salah.. What's the rush for engagement.I mean ..I..I have to tell my dad.He'll have to come here."Talia said.Her voice was hesitant as she shifted uncomfortably on her place.Her face seemed to be in a fake smile as her eyes blinked nervously.

"Okay then.You call your father.And then you'll two get engaged."Saying this Uncle Yousuf walked out soon followed by Baba.

Daadi Maa asked me to take her to her room.I helped her to get in bed and switched the lights,

"Shahwar, please get me my walking stick from the sitting room."She said in her soft voice.I nodded at her and made my way to the room I dreaded going in now.Opening the double doors , fresh memories clouded my mind.The cream sofa, the bride Shahwar, the nikah, the heart ache, the rejection, the..

Switching the lights I found the wooden stick besides the sofa just as I was about to go out, the printed white paper caught my attention.Reaching towards it, my fingers traced my signature.It was the nikah paper.Planning to take it with me, I closed the doors.Keeping the stick in Daadi Maa's room I retired to my room.

Keeping the papers safely in my drawers I lied down.I didn't cry seeing the papers because there was no use instead it a beautiful memory that will forever remain with me.

***
Talia's loud cry made me run to the lounge from the kitchen.Worried Aunty Naheed and Mama also came.Ahya also strolled in with Imraan.

Talia had her phone in her hand as she cried loudly.Tears flowing down her cheeks as she gripped her hair in the other hand.Sitting besides her on the floor I shook her shoulders as everyone surrounded us worried that what has happened.

She glanced at me and lunged towards me, hugging my body to hers.I stroked her hair as I calmed her down.Mama sat besides us and asked,

"Talia beta, whats wrong.Tell us."

She parted her body and looked up to all of us.She sniffed and said,

"M..my F..father h..had a h.hea..rt a..att..ack.He..he's in ..the h..ospital."She completed between her sobs making my heart almost stop.Mama hugged her and then helped her get up.

She sat on the sofa still sobbing and sniffing as Zarah brought a glass of water for her.Aunty Naheed rubbed her back.My heart clenched seeing her like this.

"Ahya beta, call the men and ask them to come home.Salah must know of this."Aunty Meena said after staying silent for a long time.Ahya went to make the phone call.

By the time Baba and everyone came home, Talia's sobs had seized.She still sat like a statue on the sofa.As Aunty Naheed told the men what had happened Salah came running in the lounge.His worried eyes stopping on Talia.

As she noticed him, she stood up from her place and said in a very calm manner,

"Salah, please book me a flight back home.I want to go to my dad.He needs me."Her expression were neutral.Salah's face showed her pain as he held her hands,

"Okay, I'll book the first flight to America.I'll come with you too." Just as he finished saying this, Talia's eyes grew large and she took her hands from Salah moving away from him.

"N..No.Noo.You cannot come.I..I m..ean your family n..needs you.I..i'll be fine by myself."She stammered making me narrow my eyes.Again it wasn't my matter.

Uncle Yousuf came in and Talia walked to him,

"Uncle, I know , we discussed the engagement a day ago but I didn't even tell my dad and now he had a heart attack.I'll have to go to him." She turned to Salah and added,

"I'll call as soon as I reach there.And I'll come back soon.I'll come back for you okay."

Salah nodded smiling slightly.I walked out of the room to set the table for lunch.

***
Folding another shirt I placed it in the red suitcase.Talia chewed a bubble as she rapidly typed away on her phone, her hand on her hip,

"Oh, Shahwar thanks for helping."She said keeping her phone away.I smiled at her and picked up another clothing article.She sat on the bed and folded some trouser as her eyes glanced at,

"Uh..I am sorry about your wedding.It's shocking to me."She said.

"Uhm Hmm."

"I have to go its necessary.I don't know in which condition my dad would be.I bet he doesn't have any money.I don't have much saving either.It's been a month since I am here, my boss will surely fire me."She laughed bitterly.

My eyes stared at her.It would be so hard for her, Salah had just confessed his love for her and now she had to go back.As I zipped the last suitcase, I eyes the two gold bangles in my hand.The tiny diamonds twinkling at me.Daadi Maa gave them to me on my supposed wedding day.I hadn't taken them off till now.

Taking off one bangle I traced the crystals before extending my hand towards her.I spoke softly and lowly to her,

"Talia.You can keep this, you don't have to worry about bills and all.And your father will very soon recover.Afterall he has to attend the wedding of his only daughter."

She grinned at my words and then slowly took the bangle from my hand,

"It wasn't necessary.But it looks very precious.Thank you, it would remind me of you there. "She smiled and I smiled back.She kept the bangle away and just then Salah walked in,

"Are you done packing."He asked,

"Yes."She grinned,

"Shahwar did all the packing.She was a great help."She added,

He glanced at me once and I turned my face to the other side.Talia stood up walking over to him to take her tickets from his hands.

"I'll call as soon as I reach there.You don't have to be worried and I'll be back real soon.We'll talk everyday and I'll let you know about dad then.Once Dad is fine I'll bring him here with me so that we get married.Okay."

Her words hit me hard and I stood up not planning to intrude their privacy I said,

"Its quite late.I should go.Good night."I said to Talia completely ignoring the presence besides her.She hugged me before I left.

Walking up the stairs I thought,

Maybe letting go others because their happiness matters to you more than your own happiness , its okay then.. Just okay ..

***

A long Chappie ne..
I'll update another one soon IN SHAA ALLAH , After all a big twist is about to unveil .. ;)
Keep smiling Darling..
Until Next Time..
_Hafsa