Submission

12

As time passed, even Zafar's footsteps were enough to fill her with fear and dread. 

Due to her constant state of fear and anxiety, Haya's personality had taken a shift from that of a carefree girl to a more reserved one. 

Once she tried but couldn't remember when was the last time she had laughed after their marriage.

Eventually, he was successful in making her like himself, she thought and smiled sadly. 

She often recalled that unfortunate day again and again. Noor must be going alone to college now, she wondered only if she could talk to her once.

Her education was left in the mid; she was so near her final exams when all that happened. Haya often thought about her left out studies. She thought to complete her graduation atleast. 

One day, She finally gathered the courage and decided to talk to Zafar regarding it.

When Zafar arrived that evening, she applied some light makeup and served him a few delicacies which she specially prepared that day. 

Zafar noticed everything but chose to remain silent. After a while, Haya cleared her throat and started, 'Zafar, I want to talk to you.'

In reply, he only stared back at her, prompting her to go on.

'Can I continue my studies, please? I was in the final year of graduation when we got married, it's just a matter of a few months, I wish to finish my graduation, ' She slowly said while looking hopefully at him.

He looked down without speaking when several minutes passed and he remained silent; she thought to talk more in her favour.

'Zafar, if you are worried about the household duties, please rest assured that I would not be negligent towards them ', He was still silent, his face set in a hardline.

'Zafar, it's just the exams I wish to give. I don't want to go to college. I will study at home and give the exams. I just need few books.', Haya requested him earnestly. 

'Ok, I will make the arrangements', he finally replied. The right to education was something her father had guaranteed for her. 

Although, he wasn't in good terms with them now, but he could never say NO to this particular request. 

'You will not compromise your duties, remember that ', he reminded her.

'I promise I will never neglect them. Thank you..thanks a lot ', she said with a bright smile and left for her room. 

Zafar was mesmerised by her innocent smile. She was beautiful without it also, but her smile definitely enhanced it.

Only if they met in normal circumstances! He sighed.

She was happy about this new development in her life and laid on her bed, thinking about the future. Soon she would at least be a graduate. 

Maybe, he would allow her to study further as well.

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Within the next few days, he enrolled her in a nearby University and bought a few courses related books for her.

Unfortunately, her semester exams were already near, and she didn't have much time left for preparations.

Haya tried to study as much as she could because her chances were limited. She knew he might not give a second chance to her; she must make it through in this one!

Although the curriculum here was way different than that of her country's. But after a few days of hard work, she began to make some sense out of it. 

Being true to her words, she tried her best to fulfil her tasks and chores during the day. 

But her nights were reserved for Zafar, and his insatiable s*x drive often left her too drained for the rest of the day.

Her exam dates were fast approaching, and she hadn't even studied half of it. She was increasingly worried about it. She started to prioritise her work and did only the most important ones, and diverted all that extra time into her studies.

Finally, her exam dates arrived. 

She wanted to revise the course syllabus in the night before her exam; therefore, she decided to request Zafar to spare her for a night and allow her to study instead. It was just a matter of single night, hopefully, he wouldn't mind.

He had just finished his dinner when she knocked and entered his room. He looked surprised at finding her earlier than expected. 

'Zafar... I have an exam tomorrow', she hesitantly said. 

'So?' He asked with a raised eyebrow.

'Can we....can I stay in my room and study ?', she completed and looked at him for a response. 

'Since you are already here, why don't we utilise this time', he said and moved towards her, opening his shirt.

She wasn't prepared for this; thus she backed away from him,' Zafar..please...it's just one night, this particular subject is very tough. For other topics I won't ask you....please.'

'Didn't you say you would not neglect your duties!! Now what's this about?', he asked in a stern tone. 

She regretted her actions and her naivety, why would he help her? What was she thinking? 

'Ok...I will come..but please let me leave now ', she still had two hours left in her usual time. She could at least use those two. 

'Aren't you already here ?', he said with a mischievous smile and held her in his arms. 

She lowered her eyes and flickered her tongue over her lips in anxiety; she was short of words. 

'Please....', she again pleaded, her eyes already had moisture in them.

Without replying, he began undressing her and began kissing her exposed body.

After a while, she stood naked in his room for his eyes to feast upon. Her head was bent, and her hands were fidgeting. 

It was enough for Zafar to lose his control; he laid her on the bed and positioned himself over her. 

That night he claimed her repeatedly. 

Just because she wanted him to spare her that one night, he made sure not to leave her until the morning. 

When he finally slept, she slowly got up with a heavy heart and left for the washroom to clean herself.

•••••• 

She reached the exam hall almost drowsily and disoriented. Her previous night with Zafar and her lack of revision took its toll on her, but still, she tried to perform the best she was capable of. 

Upon reaching back home, she laid on her bed and cried hard. 

Her exam went OK, but the emotions she was feeling were overwhelming her.

Life has been unfair to her! 

Zafar was unfair to her! 

Her mother forcing her upon him was unfair to her!

How long was she supposed to go on like this? She was a human after all. 

Zafar's attitude was breaking her, bit by bit daily.

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After coming from the office that day, he was sitting on the sofa when she came near him and offered him a glass of water as usual days.

After that instead of returning to her room, she

crouched on the floor in front of him. 

He was surprized by her action, as far as he had observed her, she had always tried to run away from him at the earliest found opportunity.

She slowly placed her forehead over his knees and said,

'Zafar,  ...You are the only one in my life, I never had anyone else... I was tricked by a classmate to come to the hotel that day and I am sorry that you were forced into marrying me..... But where is my fault in all that ?', she cried and sobbed on his knees, but she bared her heart to him.

' I am so tired Zafar...give me a fair chance please !', she said and hid her face in her palms.

Zafar wasn't expecting such an emotional outburst from her, it had left him speechless. He made no attempts to console, or comfort her. He just sat there thinking about her words and her prostated form in front of him. 

He felt his heart melting by her admissions and her submission to him. He wanted to take her in his embrace and comfort her. And he did! 

He pulled up her shaky body and made her sit on his lap. Wiping off her tears, he kissed her soft lips gently. Haya was surprized to see this tender side of him. 

'What do you want?', he asked while he lifted her face with his finger and looked into her tearing eyes. 

'Can't we move ahead and live peacefully with each other? ', she asked him hopefully. 

Live peacefully...he thought. 

He was supposed to be with someone else, a girl who truly loved him with all her heart, that too for so many years. Can he forget her and give her place to Haya ?? How ? She had asked too much from him!

He stood up from his place and folded his arms over his chest, still thinking about her words. 

She wanted an end to her sentences, the little princess couldn't tolerate his little harshness, he thought sarcastically. His payback plan hasn't even started yet, but since she was so desperate, he decided to fasten it a bit. 

'Go to your room', he told her coldly. 

Haya was confused about the sudden change in his attitude. He seemed ready to give their relationship a fresh chance in one moment and in the next, he was the same cold, ruthless Zafar.

Dejected, Haya slowly got up and left for her room.

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