The Vows We Never chose
1105 Words
Ayat Shehrayar, do you accept Wali Jahangir as your lawfully wedded husband?”
Was it a question or an electric shock? Ayat felt as if something powerful had hit her. She had never imagined this would happen when she left Canada for Pakistan. Standing beside her were the so-called parents who had tried to trap her into a marriage she never wanted. Their plan had failed miserably, and now, Ayat was being forced into this nikah.
“Ayat Shehrayar, do you accept Wali Jahangir as your lawfully wedded husband?”
The Qazi's voice echoed, pulling her out of her thoughts.
“Yes, I accept.”
And with that, the sound of congratulatory cheers filled the haveli. After years, happiness had returned to the household. Everyone seemed genuinely joyful—especially Dadi, who was beaming. But the bride and groom were frozen in their places, their hearts numb. There was no joy, no emotion—just silence.
Wali should’ve been happy. He had finally married his childhood love. But he knew she wouldn’t stay. And he wouldn’t be able to stop her either.
According to their plan, Ayat had only agreed to the marriage on one condition: that her phone and passport be returned, which Dadi managed to retrieve from Shehrayar. But what lay ahead was a big question mark neither of them could answer.
“Shehrayar, aren’t you going to hug your daughter?” Dadi prompted.
At her words, he reluctantly gave Ayat a formal embrace and left. Rabia didn’t even bother pretending. She left immediately after the ceremony. But Dadi was unfazed. She completed all the post-nikah traditions herself.
“Dadi, I’m not feeling well. May I go to my room?” Ayat asked, overwhelmed by the crowd and heavy clothing.
“Yes, yes, go rest, dear,” Dadi replied.
As soon as Ayat entered the room, she tore off the jewelry and wiped off her makeup with her hands. Her tears burst out uncontrollably.
“Ya Allah… is this what a wedding is supposed to be? What was my fault?” she screamed and cried until she collapsed.
---
“Wali, you should rest too. I’ve invited all the relatives for dinner tonight,” Dadi reminded him.
“Dadi, why did you do all this? What will everyone say when they realize her parents aren’t even here?” Wali was emotionally exhausted.
“No one will ask anything. It’s not like you’ve committed a crime,” Dadi replied calmly.
In his room, Wali turned on the air conditioner but was drenched in cold sweat. He missed his parents terribly. If they had been alive, things would’ve been different. His wedding wouldn’t have happened like this. He wouldn’t feel so helpless… so alone. And now that someone was finally in his life, he already feared losing her. For the first time in years, he cried… loudly, uncontrollably. No one saw him—but maybe that was best. Because Ayat Shehrayar’s heart was not one to soften easily.
---
That night’s event finally ended, and they were allowed to go to their room.
“Where do you both think you’re going?” Dadi asked as she saw them heading off separately.
“To our rooms,” they answered in unison.
“Now your room is one,” Dadi said firmly.
Wali clenched his jaw, frustrated.
“Wali baba, your room is ready. Ayat, dear, come along,” Zubaida said as she escorted them to a room beautifully decorated with flowers.
“Wali bhai, what is all this?” Ayat asked the moment they entered.
“Don’t call me ‘bhai’—we’re married now,” Wali said involuntarily.
“But I don’t accept this marriage. It’s just a deal,” Ayat’s words hit him hard. But he remained composed.
“Listen to me,” he said, gently holding her shoulders to make her sit.
“Do you trust me?” he asked.
“More than anyone,” Ayat replied softly.
“You’ve always been my first and only friend. After you, I never made close friends. I always felt no one could be more sincere than you,” she continued.
Wali felt reassured. Maybe it wasn’t love yet, but at least it was trust.
“This deal is just between us. We shouldn’t let anyone else know. So we’ll act like a happily married couple in front of others. That way we can move to Karachi soon. And even in Karachi…” he trailed off, unsure how to explain.
“What in Karachi?” Ayat asked nervously.
“The domestic staff there is from here. So anything we do will get back to Dadi. We’ll need to be careful there too,” Wali clarified.
“How will we stay in the same room?” she whispered, lowering her gaze. No matter how independent she seemed, she still held respect for Wali.
Wali understood.
“That’s no problem. You can sleep on the bed, I’ll sleep on the sofa.”
He was trying hard to control himself. She looked stunning, and it was hard to take his eyes off her—but he had made a promise and he intended to keep it.
“No, I’ll sleep on the sofa.”
“You’ll be uncomfortable. Let it be.”
“Okay, then let’s take turns. One night you, one night me—simple.”
Her innocent suggestion made Wali look away. His heart wasn’t cooperating anymore.
“Okay, go change. I’ll be back in a bit,” he said and quickly left the room before he lost control.
Feeling overwhelmed, he called Arham.
“Wali? Is everything okay? Why are you calling this late?”
“Everything’s messed up, Arham… I ruined it all,” Wali broke down.
He told Arham everything—he needed to get it off his chest.
---
“Dadi, we’ll leave for Karachi by the afternoon,” Wali informed during breakfast.
“So soon? But the wedding reception hasn’t even happened yet!”
“I have work, Dadi. We’ll do the reception later. Please let us go now,” Wali insisted.
“Okay, but Ayat doesn’t even have proper clothes. Please take her shopping and take good care of her. I’ll come visit you both soon,” Dadi instructed.
When Ayat came out dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, Wali looked away.
“Ayat, if you don’t mind… could you wear a chadar?”
“Zubaida, please get me a chadar,” Ayat responded without protest.
Dadi bid them farewell with prayers.
---
The journey back was quiet. Both were lost in thought. Neither knew what fate had planned for them.
- Writer
