ACT-5

I nuzzled his neck, tightening my grip on his jacket. I heard him inhale deeply as he held me in his embrace, making my heart beat faster with every passing second. I could feel the heat rising up my cheeks.

Bloody hell. I am falling in love.

The thought struck me like a lightning bolt. Suddenly the car came to a stop and I snapped back to reality. With one move, I pushed away from him. His face was devoid of emotions when I glared at him and almost got pulled into those eyes again; however, somehow managed to resist this time.

I turned in my seat and adjusted myself, noticing the driver's discerning gaze. I quickly looked away from him and to the person in question.

"You!" I yelled, turning to him but he was already looking at me with the same bored gaze he always had with me.

"Yes, we have been over that already." His voice imitated his expressions and I had to take a step back and rethink.

Me! And in love with this jerk?!! Not even if the entire world froze over!

"Why are you here!" I demanded urgently. He gave out a light chuckle as he sat back comfortably.

"If anyone saw you few moments earlier, they would think that you missed me...and terribly so." He said the last word after a pause and with such smugness too. I was rendered speechless because that's how embarrassed I felt at his words.

"Oh please! I would rather be dead than bear that accusation!" It came out a bit too strong for my taste. I wondered why, just why did I always have to bring all the humiliation in the world upon myself.

"Heh. Did I touch a sore spot?" He said, inching closer and closer, until he was so close to my face.

"You, actually missed me." His voice was a slow whisper and he stated it like a fact. His eyes never leaving mine, until they traced lower and stayed there. And I gulped, unintentionally. Damn it!

"Shut up." I warned, carefully turning away from his piercing gaze and creating distance between me and him. He smiled that half grin of his as he watched me getting distressed before moving back to his seat.

"Why are you back?" I asked, without looking at him, trying to maintain my cool this time.

"Why, for the same reason as any guy who comes back. To get married, of course." He said coolly and I turned to face him. I really wanted to wipe that grin off of his face.

I must have been out of my senses when I had that horrible thought. He is a jerk before anything else.

"I see, that you have returned with a sick sense of humour." I added calmly to which he looked away smiling.

"Yeah, its all a sick joke." He said to himself while staring outside the window, a caustic smile playing across his face and I felt my chest tighten.

I looked away from him, though couldn't help but agree more with him.

"How is Grampa?" I asked something which was bugging me since a while back.

"The surgery was successful but its already his third time now. His heart has gotten very weak." He couldn't hide the sadness in his voice and I felt bad for him. They meant the world to him, even I couldn't doubt that.

"Your parents were supposed to come home today. Did you get--" I was saying when he cut me off harshly.

"They are not my parents." He said peering into my eyes. I didn't dare blink.

"You ought to remember that." He remarked crassly, as he turned away and I almost told him off but something about the look in his eyes made me keep quiet.

-------------------

Everyone was already home by the time we got there. After the cold, formal greetings; we all sat down. I sat across from him on the sofa with Hania. Even when he shut everyone else out, he listened to her every wish.

"So what do you think, Rayyan?" Dad left the final decision about the Baraat date to him, but before he could answer, he was cut off.

"No need to bother asking him Hameed, if left to him then we can forget this marriage is ever gonna happen." Uncle added acidly. I watched Rayyan for his response, but it never came.

Even after that, Uncle had a lot to say about him, but he stayed quiet with his head down through all of that.

And finally, after dinner, the painful evening had come to an end. Only, it was the beginning of an end.

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Uncle Zia was a prominent figure in the medical profession. He started off as a doctor but later got into expanding the family business, which his father had set up and was later passed onto him. The Hamdani's weren't limited to the hospitals only but managed real-estate and property dealings as well. Even if not in the top 10 tycoons of the country, their's was a name known to many.

Although he couldn't manage to get Harris to wed like he desired, he made sure that the world could witness and behold his glory with Rayyan's wedding. It was as grand as one could think. Extravagance was at its peak, more so to show Harris what he lost. Alas, he wasn't there to witness it more like he wasn't invited, unless, he were to give up his wife.

My parents didn't make short of flaunting their wealth either. After all, I was their only child left. Not to forget the ruckus I created because of this marriage.

Anyhow, the wedding preparations started the following day, as the guests started arriving; with the date finalised at the end of this week. It was too hectic, so much to do and so little time.

Right now, I sat quietly amidst all the noise, while two ladies worked on my henna on hands and feet. It was already the second event of the 5 days wedding . Yesterday was Maayu, today is Dholki, then Mehndi, Baraat and finally Walima. How am I supposed to get him to talk to me, when I can't even leave the house.

"Ma sha Allah, your daughter is so pretty." Some Auntie, whom I didn't know, came alongside Mum to give me her blessing. I let her pat my head with an awkward smile until she left.

I watched how everyone, Mum,Dad, Saira, Maira, Humaira and everyone else were so happy. Everything was being taken care of by my three elder sisters. I was only to sit quietly and do their bidding. If I were to ever wed, according to my own wishes, it would be nothing like this. A simple nikkah with a few close friends should suffice.

But, that's exactly why, I was the black sheep of this family. I thought grimly and watched the beautiful henna which covered every inch of my hands up till my arms.

'I have to talk to him...'

However, when I called him later that night, he was barely able to attend the call; let alone listen to what I had to say.

"I will hear whatever you want to say tomorrow, its very busy--" Before he could complete his sentence, he was cut off.

But despite what he said, we didn't get a chance to talk the next day either and now it was the main day. The Baraat.

I sat in the hotel room, fidgeting with the phone in my hand. Checking and rechecking for any texts or calls.

I told him, earlier today that he has to see me at any cost. He didn't reply to the text and now I waited anxiously in this room, sitting in front of the mirror, dressed in my heavy red bridal dress; waiting until summoned.

'What if he doesn't come? What then? How will I—'

I was having these thoughts when I heard a knock on the door and I could feel my heart giving away.

'It's over.'

I stood up with shaky legs and at the verge of tears. Smoothing my dress, I cleared my throat.

"Come in." My voice was shaky, with quickening pulse as I watched the knob twist to open the door.

And in he came.

A gasp escaped my lips as I saw him standing in the door, wearing a surprised look. He looked even more handsome cladded in beige sherwani, complementing his hazel eyes perfectly.

I looked away with a sigh of relief and slumped on the bed, unable to stand.

"Sorry. It was harder to get away than I imagined." He remarked apologetic as he came to stand infront of me. I watched him with tears flooding my eyes and words stuck in the back of my throat. His face softened at this and I turned away.

Why am I always crying with him?

"I need to.. tell you something..." I said wiping away my tears, still looking to the other side.

"What is it?" His voice was low and gentle.

Renewing my resolve, I turned to

him with a steady gaze. He looked straight at me, prepared for whatever, I was about to say.

"It...It's.." Before I could continue, the door barged open and in came Maira and others. I watched them shocked and their laughter soon faded as well when they saw him.

"Rayyan, what are you doing here?" It was Humaira, the eldest.

I looked flustered from them to him whol glanced at me before looking away again.

"Sorry, I only need a minute." He answered politely, straightening up. My sisters looked at me and then him but conceded.

I didn't say anything until the door closed and then turned to him who awaited patiently. I need to tell him. Now.

Taking a gulp, I began, looking down.

"Do you remember your promise...? You told me that day that you will help me...It's time to keep your word..." I paused and awaited his response. His face was placid and didn't show any signs of recollection. So, I went on.

"I want a divorce within one year of our marriage... and during that time I won't be a wife to you..." My heart thumped so hard in my chest that I wondered if he could hear it. He blinked and stepped away but didn't say anything.

"I won't expect you to play the part of a husband, of course and will leave as soon as—" I stopped midway, when he turned around sharply to meet my gaze and slowly started walking towards me. Closer and closer, until he was bent over me. I stopped breathing as his gaze wandered freely across my face. I could feel blood rushing up to my face. He stayed like that for what seemed like forever, torturing me with his piercing gaze and an unreadable expression.

"So...in short....I can't touch you.....Right...?" He spoke slowly, taking his time to savour the words whilst placing his both hands on the bed on my either sides, caging me. His face only inches away and I lost my voice. He moved closer to my ears, his face grazing my cheeks. I gave out a short gasp, despite myself.

"What if I refuse...What, can you do then?" His voice was a hot whisper against my ears and I sucked in a sharp breath, frozen in my place, incapable to form any thoughts. I could feel his breath moving down the nape of my neck, inching closer to my skin, bit by bit.

Thankfully, we were interrupted by the knock but he didn't budge, instead turned his face to look at me. My face turning hot from his intense gaze and lips parted in surprise.

"Your answer?" He persisted and I glared at him, which earned me his signature smirk before he moved away and made his way to the door.

"Don't worry. I wasn't planning on it anyway." He said carelessly as he opened the door and let in my sisters. I tried relaxing my breathing as I saw him walk out.

He is absolutely detestable, was my last thought as I stood up to leave.