TRANSLATED

"Bijaan..."

"."

(Oh! my darling Zayan.)

As per Bijaan's request Zayan went to meet his bijaan to the Haveli study of his father that is now under Bijaan and chote nawab.

" ?"

(You asked for me?)

"." Bijaan voice was soft yet a warning underlying there.

(Wanted to discuss something important and I hope you won't disappoint me.)

"Aap bas hukum kare bijaan." Zayan complied obediently while sitting in the chair in front of bijaan.

(You just need to command, Bijaan.)

"Zayan ap jante hai? Ye study ek din aap ki hogi or aap is haveli ke hone wale bade nawab hai. Apne hi is haveli ki izzat or virasat sambhalni hai."

(Zayan you know? This study will be yours someday because you're the rightful heir to the throne. And you will be handling the legacy of this Haveli.)

Bijaan is now sitting firmly watching Zayan. He was sitting obediently but the pride, authority and strength of Hamadani was reflecting most from him. Bijaan eyes sparkled with pride while observing her grandson.

"Ji Bijaan main janta hu." He nodded his head in understanding.

(I certainly know Bijaan.)

"Islie main chahti hu aap apni zimmedariyan jaldi samjhe or apne gaddi sambhale." Zayan sat there dumbstruck at this news. He now knew the seriousness of this situation.

(That's why I want you to understand your responsibility sooner and take your rightful place as ruler.)

He thought he still has time since his chachu is handling the position as his sick father's substitute but seems like he is handling it earlier than expected. After all, their people can't be left without a true ruler for too long. He isn't sad or anything but just surprised. But he knows he is ready to take up the position and hopefully will fullfil his duty faithfully.

"Ji bijaan jaisa aap kahe He agreed.

(Yes Bijaan, I agree.)

"thik hai" (Good!) Bijaan beamed in pride. "fir tai hua Haniya ki shadi k baad is haveli ki izzat or virasat is haveli k Bade nawab ki haisiyat se aap sambhal rahe hai." Bijaan announced.

(Its settled then, You are taking over your responsibility as Grand Duke right after Haniya's wedding.)

"nsha'Allah Bijaan!" He smiled back at her.

(Hopefully Bijaan!)

"Lekin usse pehle is haveli k kuch usool hai jo apko pure karne hai, yaad haina apko?Bijaan asked with a mysterious smile. This is now something interesting she will love to talk about.

(But before that, this Haveli has certain rules that you need to learn and fulfill. Remember?)

His heart started beating so fast he has an idea what bijaan really is going to discuss with him. But he doesn't know if he is really ready for that step.

"Haveli ki badi begum k bare me kya khayal hai apka? " She asked narrowing her eyes.

(What about a suitable Grand Duchess for this haveli before that?)

"Jaisa ap munasib samjhe" He awkwardly cleared his throat before answering and Bijaan smiled in satisfaction before speaking again.

(Whatever you deem fit.)

"Muskaan or Pari." She paused and he frowned, looking clueless.

Bijaan sighed before speaking.

"In dono k bare me kya khayal h apka?Akhri faisla aapka hi hoga." Bijaan was too calm and her eyes sparkling in satisfaction.

(What do you think about them?I mean you have to make the final decision.)

"Ji?"He was still confused.

(what?)

"Mera matlab hai, hamare khayal me ye dono sabse munasib hai is haveli ki badi begum k liye. Aage apko faisala Karna hai." leaving him speechless and surprised Bijaan got up and left him to his thoughts.

(I mean to say is- they both are most suitable for the title and rest is up to you.)

He knew it was bound to happen, Mahi was never the supposed Badi Begum of this Haveli. He knew everything from the start then why the thought of second marriage sending him a depressed image of Mahi to his brain. Mahi and him; both knew it will happen eventually then why it doesn't feel right.

Guess he is just searching for excuses to avoid this sudden responsibility. Although this decision of bijaan will be in his best interest because she has been avoiding him since that day in her college and have been invading his thoughts 24*7. His this attraction towards her could be really dangerous for his sanity. Her sweet natural intoxicating fragrance still lingering in his sense from that night he met her for the first time. Each and everything of her is getting on him like an addiction and he need redemption before those big brown innocent eyes can currupt him completely.

*********

"Hamne ek faisla kia hai!

Haniya ki shadi k thik das din baad, Zayan ka nikaah Muskaan se hoga.

Or mujhe ummed hai aap sab mere faisle ki kadr krenge."

(I have made a decision!

Ten days right after Haniya's wedding, Zayan and Muskaan will be married. And I hope you all will respect my decision.)

Bijaan announced in the evening after dinner when every member of the family gathered in lawn. After knowing Zayan's final decision on Nikaah. Bijaan was so happy and content, Muskaan was so shocked, she couldn't believe her ears, it was a surprise for her. Everyone was looking happy with this decision except Pari and Asmara phuphu. Unbothered about their sullen face bijaan distributed the sweets to everyone. After feeding everyone she again turn around to get everyone's attention.

"Isse pehle mujhse koi or sawal kare main bata du, mere liye mere khandaan ki her beti aziz hai. Chahe vo Pari ho ya Muskaan. Pr khud ye Zayan ka socha samjha faisla hai, hm sab ise ehmiyat or sehmati denge bina kisi shikwe ke." She spoke while glancing at Pari and Asmara who was sulking on the corner of the sofa.

(Before anyone dare to question me, I would like to enlighten that each and every daughter of my family is precious to me , either its Pari or Muskaan but this decision is made by Zayan himself. So I want us all to approve it without any complaints.)

Muskaan started blushing hearing that Zayan chosen her himself, stealing glances of his broad handsome frame who was sitting there lost somewhere in his thoughts and will politely smile if anyone say something but not once glancing at Muskaan.

Everyone was so engrossed with sudden news driving in happiness, congratulating eachother, teasing the bride and groom unaware of an eavesdropping figure from the other side of the lawn. Who fell on her knees on the ground completely broken, her world collapsed all over again in front of her eyes. She felt the same burning pain in her heart the one she felt at the time of her mother's death. So is it her destiny? left empty handed? Her hopes wings finally tearing apart?

For the first time she wanted to run to her Mamu and complaint about Bijaan but she knows even her Mamu can't help her. Bijaan is a cruel woman she decided it when her mamu is actually helpless and can't do much for her. If anything he will feel more helpless for her. Bijaan knew everything that's why she choose this time. She is feeling like stumbling and then magnetically pulling into a dark whole.

She was running through hallways, crying vigorously, hiccuping avoiding sympathetic looks from the workers of Haveli. If anything it made her feel more helpless, powerless. Even this big haveli safocating her now, it was hard to breath here. So she ran, ran as fast as she; towards backdoor that leads to the mini lake behind haveli since this big haveli is in the outskirts of the city. Unaware of her dupatta slipping from her head, hanging carelessly on her shoulder, sweeping the floor, running outside in the darkest part of the night.

She just wanted to cry out her pain somewhere where no one can hear her cries and where her burning heart can find peace. So she ran without any care, her eyes burning and blurring with tears. Her heart feels so heavy as if a yardbird flopping in a cage to be free.

The night was chilly and her thin cotton suit wasn't helping to prevent her from cold but the burning in her heart was so intense that she couldn't even feel the chills of the night brushing her smooth skin.

Knees hugged to her chest, eyes swollen and red with tears, staring in a distance, disconnected from this world.

****

Allah O'Akbar!"

Mahi was sitting there entire night on the lakeside without blinking; staring at the silent lake, the water has no moment, it was just straight out flat and pitch dark; just like she is feeling inside. It was the beautiful sound of fajr Azaan that pulled her back to the real world. Her tears now all dried up and her eyes were now stoney and her heart that was so heavy last night, now feels empty; left with nothing.

She inhaled sharply when the sound of Azaan soothed her entire existence. Meanwhile another harsh realization broke her heart that no one cared enough to check up on her and came searching for her, no one even realized that she wasn't inside Haveli entire night. A lone tear slipped from her eyes.

But this is the last tear she will shed ever on him or anyone. The love she has for him has been tested enough; yet she won't stop fighting and even after that if he wants to re marry than let him because God always has plan for everyone; right now if he isn't hearing her prayers then he must be busy planning something great for her. She has too much faith in her God because everyone can leave her but God will never leave her alone. Maybe she expected too much from these vile human when she needed to be focusing more on her Rab.

She wiped the tears roughly from the back of her hand and got up to offer fajr eventually leaving everything in the hands of Allah.

******

"Mahi!"

She stopped.

She stopped on her track hearing that velvety voice; the reason of her beating heart as well as broken heart now. She took a deep breath to cool herself down before turning around to face him. She is hurt; too much hurt to even see his face but being the Nawab of this Haveli and as her shohar she obliged.

"Ji?"

(Yes)

She turn around facing him, her face was unreadable and her voice was monotonous making him frown. She sounds completely detached.

"Where are you leaving?"

He asked tugging his hands inside his grey dress pants, brows raised in question. His molten eyes are so intense and the way he always look in her way gives chill to her bones. His eyes are one of the most effective feature. It has the power to bend anyone to his will but Mahi won't bend anymore and she is sure about it.

"University."

She answered dryly looking in other direction; purposely avoiding his eyes who were checking her out lazily. He is seeing her after three days but with the beauty like her and the innocence she has in her green loose suit with dupatta lazily on her head. It still as captivating as the first time.

Muskaan is also an unmatched beauty but he never felt such attraction towards her. Not then and not even now. Is it Mahi's sadgi, that pulls him to her or is it her lack of attention that he never had to struggled with women before but now only with his own wife.

"Come, I will drop you." he told her.

."

(Thanks but I will manage myself.)

Before he can lead her she crossed him quicker than him excusing herself in her stern voice avoiding his surprised gaze, leaving no space for argument.

"Why are you avoiding me Mahi?"

She was abruptly stopped.

Her wrist now in his hand firmly stopping him. His husky voice low and deep sounding annoyed. But Mahi stood her ground even after sensing the irritation and anger in his voice without replying she struggled to free herself but with that firm grip she was failing.

"!" she spat with gritted teeth.

(Leave my hand!)

"Pehle meri baat ka jawab do !" He gritted out pulling her roughly to himself. His jaw clenched in anger and her disobedience ticked him.

(First answer my question!)

Mahi was pushed right on his chest and this is the first time she looked in his fire spitting eyes. It was looking like he will swallow her alive right here right now. She shuddered in fear and her heart beat was going wild, the emotions she has locked away this morning for him are now arising again.

"." She struggled to free her wrist.

(Bijaan won't appreciate seeing us like this.)

"Toh hone do naraz." He shrugged with his jaw still clenched.

(I don't care!)

And she laughed humourlessly.

" She laughed again while he was baffled. " She said sternly again avoiding his intense eyes, she isn't struggling anymore but her wrist is still in his hand.

(Is it really you?) (Anyways look, you don't have to trouble yourself, I will go myself.)

The way she is behaving around him isn't settling well with him. Her stiff and cold attitude is bothering him more than necessary. Its infuriating him even more.

" He took a deep breath to calm himself down before starting again. "I am dropping you to university then I will come to pick you up and take you to the shopping for Haniya's wedding. Alright?" He said calmly staring at her as if trying to make a child understand.

(listen here...)

She wanted to feel happy that he wants to do something like a normal husband will do for his wife but she is aware of the ugly reality of her life. The thing that bothers her is why he is doing all this? Why he is always around her?

" She asked helplessly, her voice sounds desperate.

(Why are you doing this?)

" He smiled for the first time moving the single strand of hair from her beautiful face. His cold hand brushing her warm cheeks and she closed her eyes intaking sharp breath.

(After all its your only sis-in-law's and cousin wedding it is.)

"Muskaan ko le Jaye, akhir ko uski b to eklauti hi nand haina?" She smirked seeing that shocked reaction on his face.

(Why not take Muskaan then? Its her sis-in-law too, right?)

His eyes wide in shock. He can't believe she already knows but why is he suddenly feeling guilty and wanted to explain himself desperately. It was supposed to happen and the both know the reality of their relationship.

" She sighed.

(However Bijaan won't allow.)

"?" He clenched his jaw in annoyance. She respects everyone decision before him, and obligated to receive everyone's permission but her husband's. "Or rahi baat Muskaan ki. Filhaal meri biwi tum ho!" He snapped.

(I am your husband not Bijaan.) (And about Muskaan well right now only you are my wife.)

"I can't believe this its really you?" She mocked raising her brows.

"Khair chore ye sari baatain, mujhe der ho rahi hai. Or Muskaan ko lete jaye apne sath. Bijaan ko acha lagega. Akhir is ghr me to wahi hota hai jo bijaan chahti hai" Mocking him she walked away leaving him dumbfounded.

(Well let's drop this discussion because I am already late. And please take Muskaan with you, it will make Bijaan happy. After all, everything goes around here as her liking.)

He is letting her mess with him over and over again. She always leaves him speechless. If it would have been anyone else disrespecting him he would have killed him on spot but with her all his senses and anger seems powerless.