Untamable Temptations

Chapter Two (I)

The wedding of Aziz Ali was the talk of the town. Justice Ali had served the judiciary of Pakistan with dignity for decades and now was poised as an upcoming politician to bring the country to the next era. Everyone who was someone was invited to this wedding.

And the venue of choice for this grand celebration was the Shangrila Resort in Skardu. The hotel started its business in 1983 with the opening of the first Resort Hotel in Skardu, Baltistan. It was first ever Resort established in the northern areas for tourism. It was named "HEAVEN ON EARTH" due of its stunning beauty, breathtaking view and peaceful ambiance.

Shangrila Resort Hotel Skardu is nestled amongst some of the worlds highest peaks. It encircles the heart shaped Kachura Lake, surrounded by fruit laden orchards and flower filled gardens. A vacation spent at Shangrila Resort is a life time experience that one would want to relive again and again.Located at a height of 25000 meters (8000 feet) commonly known as "The Roof of The World"because of its spectacular beauty and breath taking view and peaceful atmosphere. The cottages are dotted along the lakeside giving every room an awe inspiring view.

Justice Ali had booked out the entire resort for a week long celebration of his son's wedding. The guests started to arrive early on a crisp April wedding.

Justice Ali stood with his two sons welcoming the crème of Pakistan political society. Aziz laughed at the congratulations and good natured ribbing that people subjected him to and Justice Ali took that moment to speak to his younger son, Imran.

" There's rising tension between the Khans and Qureshis again. Make sure their cottages are on two different ends" he said under his breath.

Imran scoffed at that " These feudal lords and their tensions!!"

Justice Ali sighed. While Aziz was all set to follow in his footsteps, his younger son Imran had a mind of his own. He was an upcoming lawyer like his brother; but he was making news due to the high profile cases he took. Most of these cases dealt with social causes which meant extreme media coverage and he has been touted as the next hope for the Pakistani judiciary.

" Feudalism is a curse on our society. The biggest blight to Pakistan's development.. It should only be stopped" Imran said looking grim. It was a contrast to festive dark blue kurta he had adorned.

" Be as that might be, Imran. You have to be careful with your words. These lords hold the key to political power in our country" his father replied smiling at an incoming guest. " You have to befriend them"

Imran scoffed " Keep me a hundred miles away from these lords"

Aziz chuckled from behind him. " Ab woh toh hone se raha. You are about to be intricately involved with them.. unless you are planning to say no to Meerab.."

His father growled " Nahin Aziz. I haven't spoken to him yet"

His brother fell silent. Imran felt a jolt in his heart at the mention of her name.

Meerab

Her name radiated beauty. And beautiful she was. Like the first rays of sunshine in winter mornings. He still remembered the first time he had seen her- it was his cousin Farah's dholki. All the ladies were dancing and there she was..

Her dress, the deepest of reds, filled with air as she spun around. She made it seem as if the floor was a pool before her feet and she danced atop it. When she raised her hands, the water became fire, and anyone who came near would surely be burned. No other woman matched her elegance or fire . They all faded to background. Her hair appeared at first dark as night , but when the candlelight shown upon it, hints of mahogany sparkled. She did not wear it up, , but let it fall freely. She spun once more and opened her eyes. He wasn't sure what color to describe them as. Brown felt so ordinary. It didn't fit her. Instead they were dark hooks to the soul of every man.

Imran remembered the first time their eyes met. She merely glanced, but it was like she saw the truth that lied within his heart.

And then he heard her voice.

And he was instantly infatuated.

And now they said, she was to be his. He couldn't hide the reddening of his cheeks which his brother chuckled at.

" Speaking of the Qureshis, have a talk with both Nawab Qureshi and his son to ensure nothing crazy happens from their end" Justice Ali told his eldest son " I will speak to the Khans. We don't want a repeat of history"

" Matlab?"

" Murtasim is forever seeking some form of vengeance. What Qureshis once took away, he shall give back even better than before."

Aziz frowned, and Imran listened intently.

"You know that of which happened to her father?" Justice Ali asked. They nodded in return. "And you know that it was by the Khans ?"

"I only know what is formally known, Baba . I cannot make judgment," Aziz said quickly, feeling suddenly uncomfortable.

His father turned to him with slanted eyes. "Well I can. " he stated in a vexed sounding voice. " I don't want a repeat of history"

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

The journey to the resort was oddly tense. Agha Jaan and Arsalan bhai were both on edge, muttering to each other or on the phone talking to the men. Arsalan had upped the number of security guards significantly.

Something horrible must have happened but as always Meerab was kept out of the loop. Suraiya Begum had fixed her shawl and pasted a polite smile as they entered the resort but Meerab could see her furrowed brow.

It made her frown too. Meerab had grown up in the arms of her Badi Ammi and Agha Jaan. She was their princess- the apple of their eye. She understood that their love knew no bounds and she was grateful, so grateful for all they had done for her. She knew she couldn't ever repay them but she would try her best. She was the sweetest and best daughter they could have.

" So it was the cursed Khans again?" Farah whispered from the side.

" I think so.." Meerab said softly as she fixed her pale pink dupatta. They had arrived but the walk to the gate was long. As they walked Meerab sighed. This was truly heaven on earth. They were surrounded by the vivid picturesque treasures of nature and Meerab did her best to look at everything at once.

Farah tutted " Now Arsalan will be wearing that scowl all day..And honestly it doesn't go with that curled moustache. One of these days I will shave it off when he's sleeping"

Meerab giggled. It was common knowledge that Suraiya Begum wasn't happy with Farah as her daughter in law. She was too educated, too outspoken and too modern. She was studying to be a journalist and looked down on feudal traditions. But Meerab liked her bhabi.. she was her at window to a different world for women. A world where women could aspire to be much more, where they could laugh loudly and speak their opinions.. she was also the first sister Meerab had. And her truly outlandish comments often made her day.

Farah pulled her along as they reached the gate and Meerab could see her cousins there. Farah nudged her slightly and said " Dekho Meerab, Imran bhai.."

Meerab only nodded in response and continued inside.She felt sharp pull from the side as Badi Ammi grasped her arm. The men went forward and greeted their hosts. Farah went with them greeting her cousins warmly. Badi Ammi scoffed at that. She came to a halt at the bottom of the stairs, turned to her right, and smiled at the three men. They welcomed them eagerly. Meerab smiled at them.

"Meerab , will you not properly greet our host ?" Badi Ammi seethed immediately. Her eyes instantly scolded her daughter for being disrespectful to them.

"Assalamwalaikum " Meerab said softly, giving the three men a smile.

Imran smiled as Meerab fully met his eyes. Her beauty once again captivated him, so much that he only realized a little while after he had finally heard her voice again. It was alluring, but also restrained. He wanted to hear more of it on freer terms.

"Meerab ," he breathed, trying to act normal " I hope the journey was not too much"

" The journey was long but worth it" she said to him. He was quite friendly and they had spoken quite a few times at Arsalan- Farrah's wedding. " Beauty such as this must be seen after we pay a price of effort"

Imran held her eyes as he breathed in and said huskily "Indeed"

For some reason, Meerab felt herself blush. Maybe it was the unexpected compliment or the awe that was so clearly in his eyes. Thankfully, Imran then turned from to Badi Ammi . "Thank you so much for coming here. We are most delighted to have you. " he told her, actually sounding genuine.

"No, I am.," Begum Suraiya replied. A servant stood by at the gate and promptly started to lead them to their cottage.

Imran nodded and turned to Meerab once more. "I shall hope to see you again, Meerab ," he told her.

"As do many other men, Imran bhai ," Farah called out teasingly from the front. She only heard him laugh as if amused by her wit. Then from the corner of eye, she watched him leave. The moment he was gone, she turned to her bhabi with narrowed eyes. Who winked at her.

It felt slightly strange but Meerab didn't pay much mind to it until that evening when she had dressed up and her Badi Ammi hovered over her. She tucked the pale sky blue suit and fixed her hair.

She could see the questions in Meerab's eyes and sighed. She knew she had to have that conversation with her daughter.

" Meerab jaan.. I think you are intelligent enough to know that..something is different. Tum samajh sakti ho main Kya kehne Ki koshish kar rahi hoon?"

Meerab shook her head. Suraiya Begum was in too good of a mood and laughed, "You have been offered to marry Imran Ali. Tumhare Agha Jaan aur main bahut khush hai is rishte se. Bas ab tum aur Imran Haan keh do. "

Meerab almost choked on her breath, eyes widened, and she gasped " Itni zaldi? I am only eighteen. I am still in college!"

Her mother frowned and said . " Itna accha ladka hai. Rishta hai aur tum yeh Kya bakwas kar rahi ho. Mera Nikkah bhi tumhari umar mein hi hua tha. Is it that Farah? She's the one feeding you nonsense" She seethed, implying her unhappiness about it.

Meerab pulled away from her as if the words spouting from her mother's lips were burning her." Aur Abbu ka kya? Woh toh abhi nahin aa sakte. Kya main unke bina Nikkah karogi? " she asked with a painful, but passionate tone.

Suraiya Begum shook her head " Unke liye hi karogi"

The words and the implications of this kept on rolling in her head so much so that she could barely hear Farah's ramblings and Badi Ammi's advice. Meerab tried her best to keep a straight face as they entered the lavishly decorated hall room where the who's who were mingling.

Meerab froze when she caught sight of Imran. She had seen him many times before but never had she felt so lost. They wanted him to be her husband. Like all girls, Meerab had a long cherished love for the person who would be her husband someday.. she used to daydream about this man and watching Imran now suddenly made her feel shy.

It wasn't that Imran wasn't good looking enough or that he had any flaws. No, he was wonderful and from what she could see - a perfect gentleman- but she was still overwhelmed by all that was told to her that evening.

Farah nudged her from behind and smirked.

"She told you"

Meerab looked at her surprised and Farah chuckled " Tumhare laal chèhre pe likha hai.."

" Oh my god"

"Go on, go to him'"she ordered.

"And do what exactly.?"Meerab asked grimacing.

Farah grinned " Flirt a little. Tease him a little. Drive him insane"

Meerab's eyes widened and she glared at her bhabi "

"So the entire purpose of all this was to .."

" Set you two up, yes" she replied winking

Meerab let out a deep breath. She needed more time to process this. " I am getting out of here"

With that said, she slipped out to the gardens out. It was slightly chilly but she just wrapped the dupatta around her and walked down. The resort was nicknamed heaven on earth and it was easy to tell why. It was enthralling. The dark mountains dominated the background while beautiful trees surrounded her. As she walked down the path, Meerab felt the wheeels turning.

Imran Ali

He was a friendly face- a familiar one- that she had become acquainted with during Arsalan bhai's wedding. He was educated, always respectful and friendly. They had a few conversations and he always seemed so knowledgeable. But she had never really thought more of him than that.. now she knew her Badi Ammi and Agha Jaan had chosen him for her.

The thought calmed her racing heart. If they had chosen someone for her, they must have thought this through. And even as she sat thinking, she couldn't fault him in anyway. He was the perfect match. And he had very kind eyes.. she thought blushing.

But her Abbu- her Abbu will not be there for her wedding. Will this be another milestone he would miss? She hadn't had her father with her for years now. He had been imprisoned when she was really young. And their visitations had been very infrequent. But it never stopped loving him with everything she had.

And what did Badi Ammi mean by getting married for him? Was there a chance, still a chance to stop it all? Could Justice Ali really help him?

She sighed softly, not letting her thoughts wander further astray. She couldn't unleash her long suppressed pain now and she had no wish to do so. Not when she was surrounded by such ethereal beauty. She stared at the line of perfectly shaped trees, reflecting on the heart shaped lake, and sighed.