Tied For Eternity

Maleeha's POV. Sometimes I wonder... what's wrong in me? Why doesn't anyone love me, forget love, they don't even like me. Take an example. My mother, Misha Wahab, has never liked me. Be it when I had first made her something on her birthday, or the times when I always do all the chores to spare her the trouble. It has always been hatred for me, even though I have always tried to impress her. The good marks in high school when my brother was busy 'enjoying'. Or the time when she demanded for something and I gave in. Or when she was angry beyond measure and I let her remove all of her frustration on me. I surely don't deserve that. Or, do I? "Hurry up! How long do you take to just clean a wardrobe? You still have to do the cooking and dishes!" I was snapped our of my thoughts when my mother shouted at me. I mumbled a meek, 'I'm almost done' and returned the rest of the folded clothes in the wardrobe. Getting up to my feet, I realised I was exhausted. The heels of my feet hurt as if taking revenge. I couldn't sit down right now, I knew better than to add fuel to the fire, so I walked over to the kitchen. Glancing over to the sink, I noticed there were a lot of dishes to wash. Why me? I thought as I walked over to the sink. Before I realised, tears were spilling from my eyes and I was wailing silently. I felt like grabbing a plate and smashing it on the tiled floor, to finally declare that I give up. The shouting of my parents followed my cries. What was going on outside? I quickly removed the gloves I was wearing and wiped my hands on my kameez before running to the living room. Whenever my parents fought, it ended up roughly. I shuddered at the thought. "Why Shaheena? Why not Maleeha!?" My mom shouted. "Because she's the elder daughter. Maleeha's still young." My dad calmly replied. "Maleeha loves her siblings, she surely would take up on Shaheena's burden to make sure Shaheena could complete her dreams. Right, Maleeha?" What is my mom saying? I don't understand. "What's going on?" I timidly asked. Before dad could reply, mum cut him off. "Your dad wants you to get married to Shehzaan Mustafa Khan. Your dad's best friend's son. You will do so right?" Only when I thought life couldn't get any worse. Shehzaan's POV. "What! Abbu how can you ask me for this?! We both know I never looked at Maleeha in that way, forget marrying her. How did she even agree to this?" I fumed. "Her dad talked to her and she agreed. That's how. Look beta, I know you're probably angry at this-" I scoffed, "-but I assure you, she's the best. Even better than Shaheena. Give this a chance, give her a chance. For me and your mum." What's going on with dad. If it was Shaheena, I would have thought about this. She's confident and independent. Smart and sexy. Sophisticated and career-minded. But Maleeha? I have no idea. Looking over at mum's hopeful eyes and dad's bowed head, I knew I had to do alot to repay for everything they've done for me. "I'll give it a chance. Just one chance. Understood?" I announced. My mum and dad beamed at me, before hugging me and congratulating me, as I played along. A fake smile on my lips. "You won't regret this." My mum said as she patted my cheek and left the room. My thoughts wondered to Maleeha. Honey brown eyes, slightly tanned skin, pink full lips. I sighed. Then, the way she dressed. Like an old woman. Salwar-kameez, scarf adorning her head when near guests, no makeup at all, even when she went out. God knows, how I'll tolerate her. Sigh. Allah bachae!!! (Allah save me!)