FLASH BACK

After the dinner Noori and Arzoo cleaned the dishes and served Mr. Ahmad and his wife Zarina green tea with sweets.

Always Arzoo was feeling uncomfortable among them but Zarina called her by her side.

She sat beside her.

Mrs. Zarina took her hand and gently squeezed it. All this while her gaze was down.

Mrs. Zarina gently up her chin so she can look at her eyes and talk to her.

She looked how innocent she is.

It tugged her heart.

She knew that her son is a good man but she also knew that he has never been with her all this while.

Arzoo had a tough life although her uncle was taking care of her like his own child but still her eyes were so empty.

She was indeed beautiful.

God had blessed her with good looks

A great character

A humble heart.

She was an ideal girl for anyone.

Mrs. Zarina couldn't help but envy and admire her.

Her calm and shy nature were something that a man loves in his future wife.

And she had it all.

But she also had something which was not good for her and making her life difficult to life, it was he coy nature..

She was coy and timid which made her uncomfortable to be around people but nobody can blame her.

After the tragic dead of her parents so was kept with love and affection but far from people's bad eyes which resulted her to be this apprehensive and Mrs. Zarina knew it.

'' say something my child, Why are you so calm?

She asked her

Arzoo couldn't help but start fudging with her fingers and biting her lower lip.

But she stayed calm.

Mrs. Zarina sighed.

'' my innocent child

Don't be so hesitate between as, We are your family and your in laws too''

In law?

She repeated her last word in her mind and start to feel strange.

She knew that she was engage but she never thought about it.

Yes in law

But why in law

Where is my fiancé or husband?

Does he exist even?

Mrs. Zarina sensed her discomfort

She chuckled and kiss her forehead

'' I know my child that you are nervous but try to be used it cause soon you will be my son's wife''

Cold shiver run down her spine and she felt sick at pit of her stomach.

She started shaking and sweating in cold weather.

Tears start rolling down her cheeks, She bit her lower lip to control her sobs.

But it was hard for her.

Mrs. Zarina hugged her.

She knew that Arzoo is a tough girl but deep inside she was so lonely.

Looking at her always gives her the guilt feeling.

She felt bad for his son's behavior toward this innocent girl.

She was well aware of the fact that his son is not interested in her at all.

She patted her head and made her to look at her.

'' look my child,

I know what you are going through and trust me I am with you

And I know that Amaan has never tried to contact you but for both of you this marriage is very important''

She sighed and hold Arzoo's hand

''because you both complete each other.

I know Amaan is difficult to live with but if you live with him and understand him then you will know that he is opposite of what he looks.

He is very kind, humble, at times possessive and protective he is a good son a good brother a good friend to his friend and I am sure he will be a good husband too''

Arzoo was just looking at her in bewilderment.

She was lost her words.

A good husband?

Yeah sure someone who didn't bother to ask me how I am in all these years will be a good husband!

Of course, you will say it cause a mother never thinks or hears something bad about her child.

She was pulled out of her thoughts when Hamid called her

'' Arzoo can you give me a glass of tea please?''

She nodded and pour him tea.

'' you didn't asked me green tea or black tea Arzoo?'' he askd her teasingly.

She gives a small smile and replied,

'' cause I know you brother you prefer green tea''

He chuckled but he noticed since morning that she is quite

'' Arzoo are you ok?''

Arzoo looked at him and replied

'' yes, I am fine, thank you ''

With that Hamid excuses himself from all and retrieve to his room cause of some works which he had.

All this conversation happened in front of Mrs. Zarina all this while Mr. Ahmad and Mr. Jamil were walking in their small yard.

Mrs. Zarina went in deep thoughts.

She looked at Arzoo who was fudging with her fingers.

Arzoo was wearing a long red sweater with black warm leggings and black scarf on her head and adjusted well on her shoulders too.

She had dark brown hair which were reached till her waist.

She would usually tie it in a messy bun under her scarf.

Mrs. Zarina observe her she was indeed beautiful .

Her straight face

Creamy skin color

Her big Amber eyes

Sharp nose

Plump rosy lips

And long lashes which were fanning her cheeks.

Mrs. Zarina took her hand and Arzoo looked at her with nervous eyes.

'' look my child I don't know should I say it to you or not but if not me then may be someone else say it in other way''

Arzoo gave her a confuse look.

'' you were a kid when you came here, We couldn't take you with us for obvious reasons''

She sighed still holding her hand and continued.

'' but now you are not a small girl Arzoo, You have grown up

I know and understand that you 3 live like siblings under one roof''

Arzoo shyly asked.

'' what are you talking about aunty?''

It was mostly inaudible but she heard it.

'' I am talking about you Noori and Hamid''

She paused and continued

'' But people don't understand this, If not now then later they will talk rubbish about you living in your uncle's house when his own son is an elder man now''

It looked like Arzoo lost the floor beneath her feet

She was shocked,

She had never thought someone will tell her this.

The 3 of them lived like siblings then how can someone tell her like this.

Her eyes were wide in shock

It looked like she needed to run from there and take deep breaths to give her lungs some oxygen.

Her mind boggled.

Bile of rage rose on her back.

She clutched her scarf in her fists tightly.

Her breathings were heavy,

She mustard some courage and asked Mrs. Zarina

'' This is not true au..........aunty?

I am so grateful to uncle''

She licked her dry lips and continued

'' he has t......treating me like his own d.....daughter and so Hamid brother sees me like he s...sees Noori I don't ....don't understand why are you t.....telling me?'

She stuttered.

Mrs. Zarina gave her confident smile and said,

'' I know my child but the society that we are living is very cruel my child they just need something to talk about''

she paused and continued

'' my innocent child I know you

You are as pure as the first ray of morning moist rain drops on a beautiful rose.

But it is the time when you should come to my home as my son's wife.

As our pride

As my son's pride''

Arzoo's balled fists loosen and replaced with shiver and sweat.

Her eyes were shivering,

Her whole demeanor changed, She went stiff.

Mrs. Zarina gave her one last time hug at the same time Mr. Ahmad entered and asked her to go.

He put his hand on Arzoo's head and smiled at her.

They said their god byes and left.

After telling all this to Noori she cried more.

Noori hugged her but one question crossed her mind and she pulled out and asked Arzoo.

'' you didn't answer my question before

Are you blaming yourself for aunt's condition?

Oh god .............. just don't tell me you do.

But why?

you haven't done anything?''

'' I haven't done anything I know Noori

But...........''

She sighed

'' but what Arzoo?''

Noori asked frustratingly.

'' because I am a damn burden on every one, On uncle and on them.

They are stuck with me, She is worried for me all the time.

What people will say about me what people are saying about me all these things.

I am a burden Noori''

And she cried her heart out.

Noori had the urged to slap her hard on her face, She was hurt on her words, How can she think like that?

All these while she thought herself a burden on?

'' Arzoo how can you say that?

You are a part of your family, We are incomplete without you.

But why the hell you are thinking like that?''

Asked Noori

Arzoo calmed a lil bit and replied.

'' I don't know Noori,

I know uncle loves me I miss my family a lot,

I see their faces every time in front of me,

I see their faces covered with blood in my dreams every night.

But uncle has given me a warm feeling in his life in his home which cannot take my pains and sorrows from me but still I can fight with these feelings when I am with you guys''

She sighed

'' I don't know Noori

But

You know one thing is strange''

Noori looked at her confuse

'' it's that whether I want it or not I have to marry the man whom doesn't care about my presence in his life''

She gave Noori a sad smile with fresh tears in her eyes.

It broke Noori's heart.

She loved her

She was he friend and her sister.

She was well aware of her pains.

But she didn't know that she is holding oceans of pain in her heart.

Arzoo was a reserved person.

She would never let anyone to know about her feelings.

Arzoo felt indebted toward them.

Knowing this information was difficult for Noori to accept.

She looked at Arzoo who fall asleep while her head was in her lap.

She caressed her hair gently.

Noori didn't feel right to leave Arzoo alone in her room so she slept with her in her room.

Noori woke up with the sniffing sound of Arzoo in her sleep.

She realized that again she is having her nightmares.

She caressed her hair gently and put her head on her head gently.

Arzoo felt asleep after few mins of sniffing and frowning.

Noori lost in her thoughts

She didn't know what to do for her friend.

She realized one thing since she can't help the situation but she can do one thing

to be with her all the time but what will happen when she gets married to this very man who doesn't care about her at all?

This thought alone pang her heart because she knew how Arzoo is.

she will struggle with life but will never say a word to anyone.

Noori found no solution to this problem but just wait to see what will happen.

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

feel sad to see her in this situation?

since a lot of suicide attacks happens in Afghanistan so alot of families has lost their loved once.

A lot of kids lots their parents while a lot of parents lost their kids.

so this story some how is true story while some parts fiction.

anyways keep reading with a open mind.