thirteen

Time flies fast. 

Shahana smiled at her daughter, sadly; as her niece did Malaika's makeup and tried to engage her in some sort of conversation to cheer her up, but her daughter paid zero attention to any of it. She had a gloomy face on. It's been a month since her unexpected- forced wedding. The ruksathi was supposed to happen two days later on. But the date has been extended due to Inaya Baig's poor health condition. 

She has slit her wrists rather very deeply and was kept under medication and proper care. The Abbasi's had no choice but to give into Arsalaan Baig's demands. His words were curt and clear.

Arsalaan came to their home on the same day and announced all about his doings so casually at last he also added, "accept my sister or else I'm not taking your daughter with me. Neither will I divorce her." Malaika wasn't aware of that condition of his and that's why she was so confused as to how her family agreed so easily.

What she didn't knew was; they were forced too. Forced to send her off with that cruel man and accept his bratty little sister. But none of them had any choice, for Arsalaan Baig played his game very smoothly.

The Abbasi's were furious, more than at Arsalaan they were furious at their youngest daughter Sara, for throwing them in that situation. If she hadn't gone to her trip and gotten herself pregnant, all of this wouldn't have happened.

They couldn't even lock him up in the jail for all the stunts he has pulled on their daughter. He had them at their weak point.

Sara has been kept as a secret today as her baby bump started to show up. The child's father refused to marry her. She was just another girl for him and Sara had no choice but to raise the baby as a single mother. The family had plans for her, but right now they wanted to concentrate on Malaika; who has risked her whole life to save the name of the Abbasi clan. 

"Smile now." Amara scolded her cousin sternly who stared back at her blankly. Shahana signaled everyone to leave the room as the makeup was done. 

"You look beautiful. Masha Allah!" Malaika cracked a small smile at her mother who kissed her forehead with love. 

"I hate him so much, ammi." Malaika muttered with a blank face. Her mother nodded with a knowing look. 

"But maybe this is how it was supposed to be, I think. Everything happens for a reason." Shahana said which made her daughter chuckle, a sarcastic one at that. 

"I feel bad for Zayn. He li-liked me too much." Malaika couldn't get herself to look him in the eye for the last one month. She felt as though she has cheated on him and that feeling was killing her from within ever since. 

"You're not supposed to think about some other man now." Shahana said sternly which she shrugged it off. 

"Look at me, Mali." she does as she was told and felt herself tearing up again. 

"I know that you hate this guy, we all do. More than you. But maybe this is how it was supposed to be. It was your fate, and we cannot run away from what's meant to happen. You should accept the reality and learn to live with it." 

"Seriously, ammi?" Malaika couldn't believe her mother. 

"Remember it was you, who always used to say; you're exactly where Allah wants you to be right now. Every experience is a part of his plan; for He is the best of planners."

Malaika was left stunned. It was exactly what she used to say to everyone when something unplanned and unpleasant happens. And now her words hit her back like a brick.

Her mother had a knowing smile on her face.

"Have trust and faith in Allah." She nodded her head involuntarily.