opens to her room and she held her breath thinking it's Amir but thankfully it is her husband.

"What is it?". She asked throwing her bag on her shoulder moving to the mirror to fix her scarf

"Just checking if you are ready so we can leave". He said shrugging as he leans on the door looking at her

"We?". She asked confused

He nodded coming closer to her fixing her scarf a little making her heartbeat louder, "I will drive you".

"You don't have to".

"I want to".

He frowns when he looks at the little red mark on her cheeks as he places his hand over it making her wince moving back and his hand dropping.

"Sorry". He said guiltily

"It's not you who did it". She said nonchalantly starting to walk out and he follows

"Who did?". He asked wanting to know so he can keep them away

"My mother".

He halted in his steps as his mind registers her words. She turns to look at him shocked and frowning at the same time so she went back towards him holding his sleeves dragging him down with her.

"Why do you look like that?". She asked shaking her head at his reaction

"But why?. What did you do wrong?". He asked trying to understand

She turns around looking at him, "You think parents only hit when we do something wrong?".

"I guess?. My parents never raised a hand on me".

"That's a privilege you don't seem to understand".

"What's the privilege?".

"Are the other girls slapped for something?".

"Yes, few times".

"And why weren't you?".

"Because I am a boy". He realises it too soon, "They were mostly slapped when they asked for something or wanting to go out with their friend. I never had those restrictions".

"Exactly! That's a privilege". She said shrugging as she turns back to walk but stopped turning to look at him, "If you must know I was slapped because I talked".

"Against my family?".

Her silence confirmed it while she heads back to the dining table leaving her bag behind on the sofa. He stands there thinking about many things even though he never had restrictions he never did anything that his cousin's sisters weren't allowed to do. It never felt right but he never truly look into that picture much.

He follows behind her sitting beside her watching everyone glaring at them which isn't new. He had seen them glare at her more often because she doesn't follow the protocol and even his mother had nagged him for days about having a daughter-in-law who doesn't fit her standards.

He knows his mother would rather have her standard fulfilled than worry about if her son is happy with it. Though, he understands that his mother was grown into such a world, he doesn't like that it was now forced on him. He doesn't wish for his wife to be domestic if she doesn't want to be so he ignored his mother for a week before she stopped nagging.

He also knows no one will speak against her for now because they want her to adjust with them before they truly start anything.

Knowing his wife a bit now he is relieved that she won't be backing out in front of them.

"I didn't see you all day yesterday". Amir said looking at his wife who looks uninteresting at his face

"Why do you want to see me?". She asked flatly, "I don't see any reason for you to look around for me".

He grins sitting beside her wanting to hold her hand that was in her lap as he fights within himself if he should take that step or not. He is not someone who will step back and he wishes that one day she stops running from his advancing and instead follow along with them.

So, in the hopes, he held her hand making her turn towards him wide eyes as he smiles shrugging turning to look at Izza sitting down in front of him silently.

He truly wishes that Izza become how she used to be a few years back. The happy shining girl who never stopped talking and messing with him. It's like a switch that she went to being complete distant one day. He was never able to reach her again.

She watches his expression turning to sorrow looking at his cousin so she let her hand be the comfort he needed. She knows something is bothering Izza that she can't speak to anyone about and everyone is too busy to notice. She looks at her mother who enters with breakfast and usually, she is the one who cooks her food every morning but she highly doubts she will today.

It took a minute for confirmation as she sagged back to her seat hoping to pass through this unbearable breakfast.

Fighting your parents who simply doesn't understand you is a more of an emotional war. It is not easy as one like to say and you can't be simply strong to fight it. Parents are with us from our birth and the attachment of a young child who doesn't know anything and anyone to their parents is like no other.

To fight that connection will never be easy but one needs to fight for their rights.

Even if it means breakdown and falling. If it's wrong, one needs to fight it. Her heart breaks as she looks at her mother angry face wanting to make her feel guilty and that is how it truly works.

A person in society who choose something better for them will always be guilty for it even if it's subconsciously. They will be guilty of their betterment, that is embedded in them; to be guilt of comfort.

She clenches her hand not realising that her hand is her husband hands who was looking at the whole interaction knowing well that it broke his wife heart apart.

He cannot even imagine fighting his parents.

He squeezes her hand in comfort and unknowingly they were both comforting each other not knowing the evil eyes that follow their actions.

He passes her the toast he made after freeing his hand, not wanting to but had to, placing it on her empty plate and she gives him a small painful smile as she eats the toast. He didn't miss the glare his mother sent him but he brushes it off continuing his eating as he occasionally passes her some too.

She sits in his car adjusting her seatbelt as he drives out of the house and after a month being in that place and around people she doesn't want to be next to, she feels the stress leaving her body slowly. She lowers the window placing her head on the door as she enjoys the soft September breeze flowing into her face.

Her lips curve into a beautiful smile as she continued to enjoy herself not knowing that her every action made the person next to her have a near heart attack with how fast his heart was beating by simply watching a genuine smile on his wife's face for the first time.

Maybe he should take her out more?.

That will earn him a nagging from his mother but if that all it takes for her to relax then why not?.

He has his duties to his wife as he has for his mother. He needs to carry them both even when they become overbearing especially with his mother wanting a domestic wife or a trophy wife at that.

It can be hard for men the same way it is for women.

Men have the responsibility of financing and providing for every such need of his family adding the stress from the social expectations, involvement in his personal life, unneeded approval, world pressure, peer pressure and to top it all off his family pressure.

As said, fighting one's family off is never easy and most people choose the easy way even if it means having ones wife's heartbroken.

"We are here". He said parking his car

She opens her eyes looking at the school as a wide grin appears on her face excitement bubbling inside her that she opens the door hurriedly ready to run off when she realises that she has a husband too.

She turns around looking at him and he was already looking at her with a smile, "Thank you. Have a good day".

He couldn't help the smile that appears on his face as he walks to his friends hiding in the sea of people all around.

She looks at Urooj jumping into her arms hugging her tightly.

"God, I missed you". She said pulling back as they walk towards their class,"Don't even ask about my life".

"Stop being dramatic".

"Dramatic is not even half of my life".

"And why is that?".

"Well, my mother kind of disowned me".

Urooj gasped, "Excuse me?".

"Oh yeah! Funny story". She said chuckling nonchalantly receiving a slap from Urooj

"How many time do I have to say not to cover your pain with laughter with me?".

"But if I show my pain, it will get worse. As long as I can hide it all in, I will not break".

"What happened?".

So, she explained the whole month of occurrence.

"Slap that idiot". Urooj said angrily, "Or invite me in one of the function so I can do it. I will kill him and celeste him--".

"Your imagination scares me".

"It's not funny, Dua. You don't deserve this kind of behaviour. It is unacceptable".

"What we deserve is not what we get in this world. Those are two different things. How can I blame anyone when my parents stand in front of his family as if they have done something wrong?".

"I cannot believe this. I hate when parents don't support their children. Like, you are meant to support them even the worse children have their parents support why don't you?".

"I don't know. Guess I will never know why my parents never think of me as something valuable".

"You don't need anyone confirmations on it. Just because few people don't like you doesn't mean there aren't many other who likes you".

"No one can fill the void of my parents".

"With your mother words, consider yourself an orphan and now you are on your own. But, I will always be here for you".

"I know".

She continued her day with her mood a bit better because of Urooj constant bickering. She sits in the cafeteria looking around as Urooj went to get them food until her eyes narrow at her husband's back.

That's besides that point, the reason she feels the anger in her veins is that the person he was speaking to or the girl he is showing all his teeth to. He doesn't even show his teeth smile to her and he looks so happy speaking to him.

"Are you jealous, do-do?". Urooj asked blocking her view as she blinks, "Your hand is in a fist".

She looks down at her hand releasing a breath as she leans into the chair shrugging taking her food. Her eyes went back to him to find him walking towards her making her eyes widen as soon as he sits in front of her.

"What are you doing?". She asked as Urooj nudge her at her absurd behaviour

"Sitting with you".

"Thank you, captain obvious. I meant why?".

"Why not?".

She rolls her eyes ignoring him still mad at him for his little act earlier as she continued to talk to Urooj while he sits there looking at her. She feels tingle on her skin by the way his eyes looks at her making her take a big spoon of her food and choking on it.

She coughs vigorously patting her chest and she feels arms going around her steadying her bringing water to her lips which she takes greedily. She calms down sighing feeling the ache in her chest as she realises that everyone is looking at her.

She frowns not until she realises that her husband's hands were around her and he is the one who offered her water. She blushes asking him to let go which he thankfully did as she sits back down.

"This is a good show. I give it 10". Urooj said making Dua slap her head

"Quit it".

The day continues until they reach back home making her gloomy again.

"What is it?". He asked as they sit in the car watching his house

"I don't want to go in to do the same thing all over again".

"You are scared of him".

It wasn't a question, it was a fact.

"Not him. I can beat him up. I am scared of the aftermath".

He turns around holding her hand that was in her lap making her turn to him, "How about you slap him hard and I will stand with you against everyone who stands against you!?. Will I be enough for you?".

"Why you?. I have seen girls always losing this fight".

"Then be the girl that wins for once".

"Tum mere sath raho gay". (You will stay with me)

"Apni akhiri saans tk". (Till my last breath)

"Tum aur tumhare dialogue". (You and your dialogue)

"You like it".

"Mai saachi mai us ko maaro gi us ko". (I will really hit him)

"Aur mai saach mai tumhare sath khara miloon ga". (And I really will be found standing beside you)

"Wada raha?". (Then its a promise)

"Wada raha". (It is a promise)

She smiles sweetly opening the door as they walk inside only for her to be tackle into a giant hug.

"I am back". She heard his cousin- Sofia who is getting married said grinning at her

She squeals hugging her again, "Finally".

Sofia was away with her uncle to design her wedding dress the way she wanted. She is also the older sister of Izza.

"I have to show you everything. Come on". Sofia said dragging her away and she was thankful for that

She enters inside Sofia room to find all the girls already there and Izza in the corner sitting by herself.

"So, tell us if our brother is being good?". Iqra asked grinning

She blushes, "Yes?".

The girls squeal making her laugh.

"I am going to tease him now". Sofia said smirking, "Tell us something we can tease him with".

She thought for a moment, "I don't have anything now. We started talking like three days ago when Amir came and I ran away".

She saw the uneasiness on all their faces as they shifted uncomfortably.

"Don't tell me".

The night falls and she didn't go for dinner because she wanted to avoid everything as much as possible. The girl advised her to stay hidden if possible from Amir presence. Though she hates the fact that she needs to hide after being a victim and not the criminal, she knows where they were coming from.

She exits her washroom after showering with a towel on her head when she heard the knock on her door made her still.

"Open the door, Dua. I want to talk". She heard Amir's voice booming inside the terrorizing silence of her room while her body remains frozen to death

Her heart picked up as she tries to maintain her heartbeat from rising in fear but the fear gripped every part of her body and deep inside her veins as she shakes in horror.

"Come on, Dua. I know you want to talk to me too. Look, I came because you didn't have dinner and I was waiting for you. You need to give me more attention or I will do something that you won't like". Amir said smirking

"What exactly can you do?". Azaan asked as he had heard every word making him furious

He saw Amir's face pale as he looks at him and he knows even when he is younger than him- right now he looks like a murderous man who can scare off anyone.

He crosses his hand over his chest, "Tell me, why are you outside my wife door?".

"S-She asked me--".

"Don't even complete that sentence or I swear I will kill you right here and have no regrets on it".

"You don't understand she--".

He didn't even let him complete his sentence as he leaps forward punching him hard on his face knowing tomorrow he will have a bruised eye.

"Stay away from my wife or I won't hesitate". He said pushing him away hard for him to knock into the vase breaking it down

As he saw Amir running away he turns to her door knocking on it.

"Dua, it's me". He whispers not wanting to scare her

She opens the door moving a step away and as he enters she throws herself in his arms and her towel falling on the floor. It took him a good minute to realise that she is in his arms without her scarf and crying very badly.

Instinctively his arms wrapped around her waist bringing her closer to his safety, "Shhh, it's ok. You are safe with me".

"H-He is disgusting". She cried harder

"I know". He said sighing as he tries his best to comfort her but his anger was building rather faster, "Hit him. Punch him. Shout at him. Anything, Dua. Please just do anything. Don't hide".

"I am scared of everyone". She confessed

"The people who truly love you will never move away from you. You will just find the real people from the fake one".

"Will you sacrifice me for your family if they ask you?".

"No. That is not an option. I choose you with everything for my whole life. I can't just discard you for other people. You are meant for me".

She nodded leaning into him as her cries decrease becoming hiccups. He moves her to her bed covering her properly and that was when his eyes took in his wife beauty. Her light brown hair falls long around her body and some of it falling her face making his heart flutter.

"What is it?". She mumbles sleepily still holding onto his hand

"You are the most beautiful creation on earth".

She smiles shyly, "Stay with me, please".

"I was never thinking of leaving anyway".

He moves to lay down on the other side and in a few moments of knowing he won't leave, she fell asleep leaving him in his anger and worry. He knows now that Amir can harm his wife and his cousin in more ways than he can imagine and he won't be able to save everyone from him. He needs a way but if he simply speaks of Amir's actions, no one will believe him either just like his wife.

He feels her moving closer to him making him turn his head to find her snuggling into his side making his worries vanish and a peaceful smile appearing on his lips as he looks down at her sleeping form until he falls asleep.

The next day was the first function of the wedding.

Haldi.

She prepares herself in a green dress that she bought with everyone else. As she exits the room she went downstairs where everyone was busy with something. She looks around to find her husband who she hadn't seen after the breakfast and she can still feel her heart beating to his body connected to her in the purest yet intimidating way.

"Your husband saved you last night". Amir said making her shriek as she turns to find him standing right behind her, "How long will he be able to?".

"Shut your mouth". She said angrily feeling the need to punch him in his guts

"Or what?. You are just another pathetic woman who thinks she has some power when in reality she will be nothing without a man". Amir said smirking

She feels her temper rising as soon as Amir's hand reaches to grab her, it was like a switch turn on and she raises her hand slapping him hard against his face not remembering the people and all of her families there.

She was done with him.

"Don't touch me". She shouted angrily

So, she slapped him again just so everyone could know that she did slap him the first time.

"What do you think you are you doing?".

And she knows she started the war.